tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post7358153881164981850..comments2024-01-12T00:35:16.941+01:00Comments on French Leave: Transport of delightthe fly in the webhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-24005203036896206432009-11-18T08:10:57.179+01:002009-11-18T08:10:57.179+01:00Zhu, I didn't take luggage...that seems expens...Zhu, I didn't take luggage...that seems expensive..but the rest was fine.<br /><br />Eurostar is expensive.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-63947050018254481062009-11-18T01:11:16.927+01:002009-11-18T01:11:16.927+01:00I have never tried to fly these "new" di...I have never tried to fly these "new" discount airlines, but I think they do the job for a short flexible trip. I did hear the customer service wasn't good though.<br /><br />I think I'd take the train to go to the UK... but it may be really expensive now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-24680558526247843172009-11-15T18:54:48.905+01:002009-11-15T18:54:48.905+01:00mrwriteon, yes, the ticket office clerks were grea...mrwriteon, yes, the ticket office clerks were great this time....no one shut a window in my face, they gave advice on train times...lovely service.<br />I used to think that the sun never rose on Liverpoool Street.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-36597505935523188412009-11-15T17:49:23.890+01:002009-11-15T17:49:23.890+01:00Yes, I was struck by the changes at Liverpool St. ...Yes, I was struck by the changes at Liverpool St. when I was there in 2006. When I lived in Gt. Yarmouth Liverpool St. was our departure and arrival site so I fully remember its old and dreary and depressing incarnation. The other thing we found in 2006 was that station clerks were invariably helpful. That was a pleasing change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-13198667736171116542009-11-15T13:20:52.524+01:002009-11-15T13:20:52.524+01:00Pueblo girl, likewise on train prices compared wit...Pueblo girl, likewise on train prices compared with Ryanair, but when compared with last minute booking on French trains....no contest!the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-67599155348327266502009-11-15T13:15:42.883+01:002009-11-15T13:15:42.883+01:00I don't go back to the UK that often, so am no...I don't go back to the UK that often, so am no expert on transport there, but remember being horrified by tube and train prices where a train fare cost more than my return flight to the UK (but maybe Ryanair isn't fair competition), and one journey on the tube cost the same as a ticket for 10 tube/bus journeys in Madrid. On the other hand, driving was an utter nightmare, with more cars on one road than I'd normally see in a week.<br />I'm a firm fan of Ryanair though: excellent prices, quick processing, rarely delayed.Pueblo girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04904318623281033442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-91187062444679200092009-11-15T09:35:52.473+01:002009-11-15T09:35:52.473+01:00I love that "first class for the second rate&...I love that "first class for the second rate"...perfect!<br /><br />And as for the comment about adding value to the conference and having to travel first class to prepare...well...hrumph! (in lieu of a much ruder word!)Ayakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903896106779269050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-74098390883702617932009-11-15T08:15:08.230+01:002009-11-15T08:15:08.230+01:00Ayak, I had expected things to be so much worse fr...Ayak, I had expected things to be so much worse from friends' grumbles to stuff I read in the press, but I had a great time on public transport.<br />As to first class on 'planes, a friend has a phrase I like<br />'First class for the second rate.'<br />I heard something on radio 4 ages ago where some precious 'environmental activist' was agonising about how she justified her carbon footprint travelling to international conferences....first class. Her justification was that her presence would add value to the conference and that she had to travel first class in order to prepare for said conference!the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-86495521129981850812009-11-15T07:59:12.099+01:002009-11-15T07:59:12.099+01:00Mark, It was an odd experience, returning to U.K. ...Mark, It was an odd experience, returning to U.K. public transport.<br />First, everyone seems to moan about Ryanair, but I had a cheap, hassle-free journey with friendly staff.<br />Then, my main line trains were on time and cheap if I compare what I paid by booking just before travelling with the equivalent fare in France. Although the carriages were much more minimalist than the old BR rolling stock, they were reassuringly tatty....it must be the British rail passenger who reduces them to this state, nomatter what the era...but clean.<br />The cleanliness of the London terminals took me aback..when I used to commute they formed a sort of half world of dim shapes which eased the transition from leaving home and starting work.<br />The ease of just stepping into trains and buses was a revelation after France...probably more appreciated when the joints are not so flexible!<br />The Underground was unchanged....unpredictable stoppages, etc. but I was delighted to find that I could still board a crowded carriage....just like the days of my youth!<br />Yes, a good dose of nostalgia here, but I did notice things which made travelling much more of a pleasure than in France.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-34473606971459935032009-11-15T07:49:03.771+01:002009-11-15T07:49:03.771+01:00Great post! I always notice changes when I go back...Great post! I always notice changes when I go back to the UK..but I do so twice a year..so it's really interesting to see how much has changed for someone who doesn't return so often. I SO agree about the "first class" sections on planes. I think they should be abolished. I thought the class system was a thing of the past...it should be. You're right..in the age of video-conferencing, there should be no need for businessmen to travel the world. And if they do feel the need..then they should struggle with cramped seats and cardboard meals like the rest of us! (Haha I'm sure someone will object to this comment)Ayakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903896106779269050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6021650718999668529.post-50995715490035274552009-11-14T18:48:19.718+01:002009-11-14T18:48:19.718+01:00I think you are maybe having a second honeymoon wi...I think you are maybe having a second honeymoon with british public transport - believe me, it can be bad - very bad.<br /><br />Only place I've been where it really works is Austria - a kind of uber efficiency that is a delightThe bike shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05195882998271591934noreply@blogger.com