It is very easy to get around London by bus and train. So far, I have preferred the Tube as its easier for me to work out where they go and stop. I’m not really sure how to learn the bus routes and their possibly unpredictable stops. Our nearest station is at Gloucester Road on the Piccadilly and Circle Lines. Some of the stations are deep underground often having more than one set of escalators to reach the platforms.
The trains are very frequent and run every few minutes. We have never had to wait for more than a couple of minutes for the next train. We had ordered an Oyster Card before leaving home, so we were ready to travel around as soon as we arrived in London. We have already topped them up once and I expect that we will have to do so again before we leave.
It’s nice way to travel (unlike Melbourne). Here, there are always people around to help you and the electronic card recognition works instantly and without any delay.
This afternoon we caught the train back from Hyde Park Corner station after visiting the Australian War Memorial. The train was quite crowded but Jill found a seat just inside the door. I was standing near her and ogling the rather nice legs of a young lady opposite when this rather small slip of a girl stood to offer me her seat. As we were only travelling a few more stops, I declined and asked her to sit down again.
Perhaps she was a very courteous young lady who was especially well brought up, but I can’t look so old that a young person should offer me a seat; do I? I thought that people only gave up their seats for those who are infirm or geriatric. Which category do I fit into? Neither of these, I hope. So, now I am concerned about the speed at which I must be ageing. I know that the police officers all look young and the people in the Apple Store all look as though they are twelve years old – these are clear signs that I am not as young as I used to be. But for someone to offer me a seat on the train; what next? The old folks home, perhaps?
Thanks to the young lady for her thoughtfulness and good manners, but I am not sure about the quandary about my degree of seniority that she has now left me in – especially when I was just admiring her legs.
