Life has a funny way of balancing things

Wednesday 5th May

Today I woke up quite early ... not on purpose but because I couldn't sleep, today was the start of my new adventure, this Otter was once again going around the world.

Just like any good adventure should, I started the day lazing around watching old episodes of Top Gear (just like the start of my European trip). My Dad gave me a lift to the train station (saved me both money and time) and I boarded the 13:18 to London (ticket cost me £10).

All was rosie in the world of the Otter, until I boarded the underground. I bought my £7.50 ticket and got on the underground; firstly I got off the tube two stops before I should have - thanks to rubbish instructions - but that wasn't the worst. When I got to Piccadilly I scanned the departure screens looking for the 'Heathrow Connect'. A Heathrow train was departing from platform 7 ... that must be it, there can't be two trains to Heathrow!

Well actually there can. One, the Heathrow Connect, is the train I should have taken and stops at five stops before getting to Heathrom. The Heathrow Express is the one I actually caught and it was a direct link to Heathrow. As I boarded the Express I thought I was in first class, so I made my way down the train to find second, only to realise that the whole train was posh. Further more, as I sat down with my private TV in front of me, it advised me that this service would cost me £23.00 ... what! I tried to argue that the signs in Piccadilly were rubbish and misleading, but it was no use, I grudgingly gave him the money (he's off my Christmas List) and sat down annoyed.

Now not only was this service really expensive but it also took me an extra hour to get to my hotel. The Express was a service that went straight to Heathrow, however I didn't want to go to Heathrow, I wanted to get off a stop before (Haynes) where my hotel was. So I crossed platforms and I waited 26 minutes for the Connect service to go back. Now it gets even more brilliant; because I had gone further than I was planning to, the Connect ticket inspector told me my ticket was invalid. I decided there and then that someone didn't like me; so I argued my case and you know what ... I got let off!

After that there were no other problems and I arrived at my hotel tired and hating London. I went to my room, put down my bags, and watched TV. After a while I went 'hunter gathering'. I looked at the menu at the hotel and it was quite pricey (£20.00 for a main meal) and so I put on my coat and went into the suburb to find a pub. I had the same meal as the hotel was offering (steak) plus drink for a tenner ... made some of my £23.00 back.

I headed back to the hotel and pondered two things; firstly it's funny how life balances things. I had done really well on my train ticket, free ride to the station ... all looking good for saving money and then one wrong turn and £23.00 down the drain ... and then saving on tea ... weird.

My second ponder was what was tomorrow going to bring.