Which somehow reminds me- I am so glad Labour is out of government I could piss myself. We have had so much social engineering for the past decade, I wonder if we should ever recover. And don't even mention the bloody economy! The Scottish Mafia has a lot to answer for.
Speaking of Scotland, I took the ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper to Edinburgh while home. What a nightmare that has become: dirty fold down tray, grimy floor, ancient rolling stock, freeze dried coffee, surly attendants- and that was First Class! I can't imagine what the poor sods in standard got. Anyone else had this experience?
Edinburgh itself was looking good. The gardens were in bloom and well-attended in time for the Festival. Mobs of tourists getting a head start on that. Very good boost for the local economy in advance of the Festival start.
Had to go to Paris and took the Eurostar from the new station at St Pancras, my first time since it opened. Great improvement to Waterloo. I enjoyed the train itself, too. They actually had decent food, as well.
Business took me to Canterbury where years of Labour "improvements" in education and ABSOs were visibly working miracles on the yobs in the park along the city wall from the train station. Right. I've never seen so many physically dirty layabouts and bored, sulky teens.
Nevertheless, it was good to be home. There was far more to be glad about than not. I even liked the new London taxis! Much more comfortable. And the new red buses are great with all their security gadgets and signs to tell you the stops. (Yep. I know. I haven't been back in about five years!)
So, now back in the states and longing to go home. Maybe Christmas?
