Tuesday 16 February - Eurostar to London

We had reservations on the 1104 train to London from Gare du Nord so we weren't particularly pressed. Metro lines 2 then 4 took us quickly to this busy station and we went easily through French and UK border formalities then security.  I had hoped to be one one of the new trains but instead we went on sets 3001 and 3002 the first two Eurostar trains.  They had not been refurbished but looked pretty good inside.  The journey through France was pretty boring and there were a couple of surprising brake applications which led me to think we would be late,  However, both the Ashford stop and the arrival at St. Pancras were pretty much on time which suggests there is some slop in the schedule.

Pat in the tunnel under the Channel

We admired St. Pancras then went to the Parcels Yard at Kings Cross for Fullers London Pride and Fish and Chips.  We fell into conversation with a fellow from Teeside who was in London for a few days and was travelling back this evening.  He said Londoners were not very friendly but this was probably because they had a great deal of difficulty understanding him because his accent was so broad.  He was looking forward to getting home and making a good cup of tea.  At least up there he would be among people who could understand him.

First beer in London

So we are now in the land of beer, fish and chips, pork pies and Battenburg cake. No more of that French muck. We are staying at the Victory Services Club close to Marble Arch.  It is quite good although we have had some difficulty sorting out the best way to get to the floor on which our room is situated.

We had a walk around this evening and managed to score a Melton Mobray Pork Pie and some Battenburg cake at the Marks and Spencers flagship store on Oxford Street. This area seems devoid of pubs.  We eventually found the Barley Mow on Dorset Street which claims to be the oldest pub in Marylebone.  There was a passable bitter from the Vale Brewery at Brill, Buckinghamshire as well as a good selection of Fullers, Chiswick Brewery ales.