The Long Journey

​Wow.😂😂 It’s a good thing we’ve built up stamina over the past few days…we’ve been on boats, in automobiles, on busses and yet another train. The only thing missing is an airplane!! And that’s just today!😂😂

When we arrived in Calais, we were expecting a shuttle to be running to the ferry terminal. We were told NOT to walk there, as it was unsafe, and that came from a train lady. Probably a lot of this between here and there…

So, we waited for a shuttle, but none cane.  So we googled, ‘Do shuttles run on Sunday?’

No. 😳😬

I tried to pull up a Bolt…none available, but fortunately Nettie was able to summon an Uber, which brought a great sigh of relief. We had to be there by 1:00, and it was nearing 12:39. 

At last we arrived at the ferry terminal.  It took a  LOT of  moving parts (EU check-out, security clearance, passport validation, UK passport, security clearance, EES visa authorization ) and nearly an hour-and-a-half later, they got us on the ferry itself!  The ferry ride, another hour-and-a-half, was peaceful and relaxing. Breathing space! 

Muster Station 🤓

When we disembarked in Dover, our intention was to walk the mile to the train station, however, there were no sidewalks as it was in an industrial (ferry port) area. So, as we walked toward the line of taxis, thinking we’d just take one of them, they all drove away, one by one 😂. The people in front of us beat us to them!  Soooo…once again, we summoned an Uber to drive us 8 minutes ru the Dover train station. A 15 minute wait.  But at last we arrived and were greeted by two, yellow-safety-vested men.  

“Trains are down today,” one of them said. 

They were met with a deer-in-the -headlights look😂😂. 

I think one of them sensed our panic. Stepping toward us he said, “Now look here…take the bus to Folkestone Station and you can get a train there. Easy peasy.”

I wanted to add,”Lemon squeezy,” just like our last London tour guide said aaaallll the way to Stonehenge and back in 2016.  😂  But fearing I’d burst into a fit of giggles and exacerbate my already itchy throat, which would only instigate a coughing spasm, I nodded and offered profuse thanks. 

So down the street we went to wait for the bus. It arrived around ten minutes later, and all who had arrived by ferry hoping to get a train from Dover to London climbed aboard.  Nettie and I took our seats, truly grateful to at least be in the right country now! 😂😂😂 Our relief was palpable. 

Girls sleeping on the bus 😂😆. 

Naahhh…not really. We’re feeling pretty good, especially after two belfry climbs! 

And now….we are on a high speed train to London St. Pancras. ..

From there we’ll take the’Tube’ (underground) to East Putney Station, and then schlep our luggage 15 minutes to our hometel, where we’ll be for the next seven nights 🤗.  The best part of all…we made it to England with some fantastic stories to tell, while catching our first sunset from a train.  🥹💕

And the OTHER best part? I got to blog all the way from Folkestone to London!  YOU get my creative energy FIRST!💕

PS…That said, keep in mind I am blogging on a high speed train, am prone to motion sickness, and hope you will excuse any errors! 😂😂😂