73. Trip to London-28 & 29.10.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 73. Trip to London-28 & 29.10.19
A brief overnight trip to London with my wife. The main purpose was for her to achieve a life-long ambition of seeing the Spanish superhero Julio Iglesias live in concert. Not only did she achieve this ambition but it was at one of her favourite venues, the glorious Royal Albert Hall. We travelled to and from Kensington Olympia from Northampton. Unfortunately, both the outward and return journies were blighted by delays. In the case of the return, a severe delay resulting in the cancellation of the service from Northampton and delay-repay submission.
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1. Journey there-28.10.19 The journey to Kensington Olympia did not get off to a great start from Northampton. Due to 'staff shortages' a number of trains were either cancelled or shortened meaning delays and overcrowding. Consequently, all restrictions were lifted. Despite all this, we arrived at Kensington Olympia on-time due to a generous connection margin at Watford Junction and the late arrival of our onward Southern service.
The journey to Kensington Olympia did not get off to a great start from Northampton. Due to 'staff shortages' a number of trains were either cancelled or shortened meaning delays and overcrowding. Consequently, all restrictions were lifted. Despite all this, we arrived at Kensington Olympia on-time due to a generous connection margin at Watford Junction and the late arrival of our onward Southern service.
2. Journey back-29.10.19 The return journey got off to a good start from London. However, things went wrong from Milton Keynes where we changed from our Southern service to London Northwestern. We were held three times on the approach to Northampton meaning that we arrived forty-five minutes late and where the train was promptly terminated. Looking live at Opentraitimes there appeared to be all sorts of problems in the station area with trains blocking platforms and freights having to be put into sidings. Explanations given were vague but the apologies appeared genuine, at least from our gaurd.
The return journey got off to a good start from London. However, things went wrong from Milton Keynes where we changed from our Southern service to London Northwestern. We were held three times on the approach to Northampton meaning that we arrived forty-five minutes late and where the train was promptly terminated. Looking live at Opentraitimes there appeared to be all sorts of problems in the station area with trains blocking platforms and freights having to be put into sidings. Explanations given were vague but the apologies appeared genuine, at least from our gaurd.
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