It is about 7 AM. We are packed. We tidy the room. I have returned with coffee and sweets.
We do have a plan. The plan is to get to London and then to Heathrow the next day. The details remain fuzzy.
I have the bus schedule to Halesworth. A bus appears to leave Southwold about 9:45 with a stop at the Halesworth Station which should give us about 30 minutes wait for the train to Ispwich and transfer to Cambridge and then London.
What we are going to do in London remains an unknown. The original idea was to stay overnight near the airport and take a shuttle to the terminal. But, as we researched on the Internet., the airport hotels are not close to the terminals and apparently do not offer shuttles. It was hard to believe this research which is one of the reasons for our delay.
Finally, a plan is generated based upon our previous experience with London hotels and our ever increasing knowledge of the London Underground.
We have stayed at the Gloucester Millennium on our last stay in London. We enjoyed the stay and, most importantly, it is across the street from the Gloucester Rd Tube off the Piccadilly Line. The Piccadilly line is the line to Heathrow.
I go online - hotel WiFi is still valid. I sign up for their preferred member program. I really should have done that sooner. And, I try to reserve a room. All goes well until I get to getting the discount. And, after about twenty minutes, I am certain we have a reservation. I am not certain how much we are going to pay. London hotels are expensive. On par with New York and Chicago.
We gather our luggage and pay our bill. The weather remains very comfortable. We walk towards to shop (I think it was a tobacco shop. Tobacco shops are really the best guess for everything). I see a bus pulling away. Wait! I know we are early. How could the bus be stopping to pick up passengers? Yet, there is our bus about to leave without us. Is there a local custom we were not told about? Should I have bought our tickets early? Reservations needed? Should I panic?
Of course, I panic. I run carrying my carry on and backpack. If I can stop the bus. Betty will have time to catch up. I look crazy and wild. I slow down the bus. He stops. He looks at me as if I am a mad man. I am a mad man.
He opens the door and let's us in. He explains that he is the 8 AM bus and he had been delayed because of traffic by 45 minutes and I was now making him even later. We pay. I try not to look at the other few passengers.
I am sure Betty is embarrassed. Hell, I am embarrassed.
I stay very quiet and avoid eye contact for the 40 minute bus ride. I am again impressed by how these drivers manage the roads.
We are the only passengers exiting at Halesworth station. We are very early. Almost 50 minutes. There is no coffee shop. We cross over to the tracks to wait. A train arrives from Ipswich and passengers depart.
When the train leaves, we cross over to the correct side for trains going to Ipswich. I am not having a great day. The train arrives on time. The configuration of the trains are commuter friendly. But, there is a rack by each door for luggage to be stored while you seat.
At Ipswich, we buy a lunch. We are very early. We check the overhead board for train, track and platform. After eating, we look for our platform. There are no other passengers waiting. Are we at the correct platform? The track is end of the line and no train.
With about 15 minutes to go the platform fills quickly. A large number of the passengers are young men with stylish suits and haircuts. They are loud enough to learn that they are not very respectful of women, in general and particularly, women they know. We find seats.
We check. We are on the right train to Cambridge where we will transfer to the train to Kings Crossing and the Tube.
The Countryside passes with small villages which I am sure are now commuter oriented. We reach Cambridge and after a brief check of the overhead, we are on the train to Kings Crossing. With bus, trains and the tube, we will traveling about six to seven hours. I think that if you were comfortable and familiar with schedules, the journey should be closer to a little over four hours. Yep, you weekend or overnight in London when you go to the theater.
The trip from Cambridge to London seems faster. It is daytime so we can see the outside world as we pass it. The compartment is less stuffy because of few passengers. And, we know where we are going.
We exit the train at Kings Crossing. From experience, we now trust the signs to the Underground.
When the kids and Bill left us. I took their Oyster Cards. I have a pocket full of Oyster Cards with varying amount of monies remaining.
I go over to the Oyster Dispensing Machine and check for balances. Two are empty but three have funds left - not much. As you may know you use the card to enter through the turnstiles and really pay when we exit at your stop through the turnstile.
In short, you are only embarrassed as a freeloader or foolish when there are people pushing to get out. Moreover, we have luggage and look very much the American tourist.
We look and find the Piccadilly line (one of my favorites - sounds cool). We check the map to assure the correct direction - everyone does that.
It is not a short ride - about eight stations. We watch the Underground map above the door. The next station is Gloucester Rd.
It is familiar. We turn right past the flower shop. Across the street is the Starbucks. The Millennium shares the block with another hotel. To reach the Millennium you cross the street most likely at mid block watching for traffic as you dash.
I approach the desk and announce that we have a reservation. Then sheepishly, "I think".
The desk person could not have been more helpful as I explain my problem of the morning. She confirms we have a reservation. I explain the issue with the pricing. She types and makes a phone call to her front desk manager. They graciously and politely give me the discounted price with breakfast.
Security is strong. To operate the elevator, you need a card. to select a floor, you need to use your door key.
The room is functional and comfortable. The television works.the WiFi is quick. We rest and decide to go out for dinner.
After looking at Yelp and determining that a short walk is our criterion. We select Bugis which is out the door turn left onto Courtfield Rd and walk 200 ft.
Bugis is a Singaporean restaurant. it was of those meals you treasure. It is the time, the place and the food. The server, Eva, was a delightful young woman - possible from Singapore, but most likely from Malaysia. She appeared to be new. She seemed to be little unsure of herself which only adds to the charm. Her only request is a favorable review on Trip Advisor. It was a very favorable review and my most read.
We were early. Again, we are on the move tomorrow. The menu was overwhelming. We look at what others are eating and ask questions as to how spicy "very" - "how hot" - "very".
I order a beer. Bugis is the location of the largest Market in Singapore. The patrons are expats looking for home cooking - Singaporean and Malaysian.
I have another beer. we may ordered a starter. Betty picked something mild. I selected Singapore Laksa. My thought remains "I may never pass this way again".
It was exceptional. Laksa is a traditional Singaporean dish. It is a coconut broth filled seafood, chicken and thick vermicelli noodles.
The meal was not expensive and we tipped well.
A short walk back to the room. Tomorrow, we go home.
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