We Palmers don’t live in each other’s pockets, and so we don’t get together like this all that often. When we do, it’s always an extra special occasion meaning there’s plenty of news to catch up with!
Living on opposite sides of the capital doesn’t help much in choosing a convenient location, especially for us, where previous journey times by car over the years has gone from a fairly pleasant 100 minutes-or-so to more like 150 minutes! So, in a blinding attack of the ‘bleeding obvious’ we’ve decided to try and meet halfway BY TRAIN for this one. A route into London that works out to be about an hour for both parties. Happy days then, and I can’t figure out why it’s taken us this long to arrive at this solution 👍
So, here we are in St Pancras International Station – and one of the few remaining Carluccio restaurants.
Having caught the Train just after 11am, it turned out to be very busy going down to the capital meaning we had to stand all the way. Thankfully, it was ‘first stop, St Pancras’ and we arrived inside the hour including the obligatory ‘issue’ (a ‘track inspection’) that added a further 10 minutes to our journey.
Still, it wasn’t as if we had to walk far! Five minutes later, we were negotiating with the Duty Manager of Carluccio’s for the best position for our table of six. Neil, Debbie, Alfie and Frankie arrived shortly after, and we were soon seated and catching up with all that had been going on in our respective worlds since we last did this three years ago!
That long period didn’t matter, and we were soon ‘gassing away’ testing the waiter’s patience, who just wanted to take our order! 😀
There was plenty of choice on the menu, although I was quite surprised that it wasn’t busier. Last time I was here, about five years ago, it was heaving (but that was a weekday).
Actually, I’m surprised that we had any time for the food, as the conversation was in full flow most of the time – where the chewing just got in the way!! 😂😂. I’d say the food was ‘OK’ rather than anything further up the ratings scale, but it was delivered with a mile and the service was efficient.
The time flew! One minute we were giving each other welcome hugs and next, we were checking the bill. It had been a great catch-up, and we tentatively agreed to do it all again later this year, with the excuse of my significant birthday as the reason – not that we needed one! 🤔.
We said our goodbyes and headed off to our respective platforms. For us, it was a better and faster journey north to Kettering on one of EMR’s newer rolling stock. Unlike our journey in, it was a hassle-free trip out, and we were soon arriving into ‘first-stop’ Kettering Station, meaning we were home by 4.45pm. On reflection, the travel arrangements (by train) had proved to be a smart decision for both parties, and this could well be the solution that makes it easier to see more of each other – if that’s the case, “Happy Days” 👍🏼👍🏼
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
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