Park Lane

The milkman came at four twenty two, rhymes with Bristol Zoo. That’s how I memorised the time. I was lying awake and as he opened the porch door the clock ticked over from twenty one to twenty two. Pretty sure it was a different bloke from last week – checked the camera.

We have milk delivered three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We think it is important to support such enterprises. Use it or lose it. Having the milk delivered feels as if we are maintaining links with a bygone, more civilised age. It might not have been as civilised as our minds like to think but it is what it is.

Keeping the milk delivery is a bit like making sure the ravens never leave the Tower of London. If the milk stops something bad will have happened.

Today is T-1 and operations are moved to London to prepare for tomorrow’s flight. We are not flying out until eight thirty pee em but it’s a four hour trip to the airport from Lincoln and I don’t like to leave it to chance. It would only take an accident on the motorway or a train breakdown (or strike) to mess things up completely.

All I really have to do is chuck everything (tidily obvs) into my big yellow duffel bag and THG is going to drop me off at the stayshun at five to one. Before then I have a dental checkup, booked one year in advance, and a long conference call but the packing won’t take me long.

I see the Chiefs won.

THG dropped me off at the stayshun and as I approached the barriers the train pulled in. Result. I am the only person in Coach E. The back of my seat won’t recline properly so I am considering moving. Bit of a faff mind you. These Azuma trains aren’t that old but already starting to show wear.

Oo someone just coughed. So there is someone else in the carriage 🙂woteva. I’ve moved to the window seat. I don’t really like window seats as I want unrestricted aisle access. However on the basis that there are only the two of us in the carriage it matters not. Would have been somewhat annoying had he reserved the seat next to mine but I am the only one with a seat reservation according to the little status lights above your head.

Lincoln and I have said our goodbyes, for the moment, I have wiped the tears from my eyes and am heading South. First stop is the Park Lane Hilton for one night only. It is supposed to have been fully refurbished. In the past its offering has been mostly based on location as the rooms were getting a bit threadbare, certainly for a five star hotel. 

On this occasion they must be desperate as the room rate I have is much lower than usual. January I guess. I normally just book the cheapest room but on this occasion have been able to up the quality level. As a Hilton Diamond Member I should get a further upgrade so I am expecting good things.

The train is now hurtling, I repeat hurtling in a southerly direction. To hurtle. A good verb. Newark came and Newark went. Best thing for it really 🙂The day remains grey but over the horizon the sky is cloudless. Aaarghhh the heat, I can’t stand it. Open the fridge door and let me in, Boris. Open the door and let me in.

Featured image is the view from my hotel room at the Hilton Park Lane.

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