the misadventures of Ray

Ok, the plan was for me to take a trip to see the Cutty Sark and the Greenwich Observatory...right...now mind you, I had to change from train, to tube, to tram...asking at many points if I was on the right path...and at no time did anyone say- DUH, that boat burned back in 2007...and is currently being reconstructed- no one that is until I returned to St Albans that is!
so here is my wonderful misadventure:
I make my way to the trian depot, find my train and arrive at St Pancras-Kings Cross. Yay me.
Off to the tube and I'm on my way to the Tower gate again- easy peasy...I know this route.
so I ask directions to the tram- turn right follow the path- you can't miss it...
so after 15 minutes of obvious "missing it" I break out the Iphone. GPS, what a wonderful thing. I travel along the route as directed by my phone and find my way. It was a hop skip and a jump from my starting point...to the LEFT!
No worrys, I'm on vacation. onto the tram for one stop- switch to the other tram and off I go to Greenwich. I make my way out of the depot, follow the crowd and signs to the area for the Ship and Observatory...make my way around all the construction barriers...and I'm at the Royal naval college...now how di dI miss a ship and an Observatory I think to my self...tram, construction site...college??? it has to be here some where right??? wander...wander...nope...wander, wander...nope.
That could only mean one thing- the construction site. Yep, ther they were in the middle of the constuction site- a ships skeletal remains and a dome shaped building. One of the construction crew told me of the fire, the reconstruction...the delays. hopefully in 2012- in time for the olympics...yeah, I'll hurry back.
So it was off to the tram. Just the reverse trip...right...nope, it was wrong. The station where I needed to change trams at...wasn't one of the stops. Ok, not a problem, I recognize this stop...I can catch the tube and be back on track...nope, not gonna happen.
So when the train stopped at its last stop- due to construction for the upcoming olympics...I had to wait to catch yet another train back to St Pancras. Ok, no problem...i'm on vacation...no where I HAVE to be...
Whew, back at the train station, transfer from the tube to the regular trains and I'll be back in St Albans in no time. Kathy and i are meeting one of her workmates for dinner but I have hours yet...good thing too!
I arrive at the gates- check the arrival/departure sign and see my destination...is that the train to St Albans I ask the ticket booth attendant??? Yep, he says- platform 4, but you better hurry- they're loading now. So off I go, I get there in plenty of time and find a good seat. WOW, this is a nicer train than I was on before. Seats and tables- a refreshment cart...ah- life is good. Now just let me check the stops...ah...oh...RATS. The first stop on "the express train" is 2 stops past St Albans. Oh I should have stayed in bed.
No problem. i get off the train, check with the ticket booth again...platform 2 will take you back the 2 stops...no problem. So I get to platform 2, get situated in the waiting area when I hear " now leaving on platforming ONE...the train to St Pancras with stops at St Albans...blah blah blah.....oh here we go again.
Not to worry, there IS a train going back to St Albans on my platform too...in 20 minutes.
it arrives, I return to St Albans, walk back to the hotel and collapse. Day three is over, finally.
Dinner was wonderful. Kathy's workmate Di was a very, interesting person so we chatted well past the meal. The day ended on a good note and looking back on the days events I can now chuckle. It makes for an interesting tale anyway...