The race for the train!

The conference was a success, although we, Wendy and I, have some suggestions. Perhaps when 'dinner' is on the menu, there could actually be food? Last night's dinner at the parador there were tiny pieces of empanadas, a mussel in a spoon, some tortilla, some pulpo and potatoe on a stick and some cheese......and of course, lots of wine. It ended with the queimada....

This morning, we slept in and then enjoyed a breakfast at the outside table with our hosts, Lanzada and Victor and our friend from Hungary, Csaba.

After an eventful morning, Csaba left to get his luggage and I finished packing mine, meeting him at the Plaza Galicia for the bus to the airport. There, we saw Johanne from Québec and some of the board from Hungary, all on their way to Barcelona, on a plane that was delayed almost two hours. No problem for Johanne as she was staying in Barcelona for a few days, but a real worry for the two women from Budapest who needed to make a connection in that lovely airport..........the place I lost my passport.

BTW, the Hungary group made a great presence.....9 altogether, but only six in this shot at the poster exhibit.

Our flight was 15 minutes late leaving and arriving. On arrival, Csaba had to go to the EU side, and I went to the "all passports" side, we didn't see each other again so I was happy we had shared our abrazo before we got on the plane. The line for passport control was over an hour, so it was 6pm before I was through. I ran to the train (Stansted to London Liverpool), patting myself on the back for buying the ticket ahead and printing it out. Then, on arrival at London Liverpool at 7pm, I raced outside, ran to Moorgate underground, blessing Wendy and Marion for giving me an Oyster card with some credit on it. I raced down the three flights, the tube arriving less than a minute later, got off at Euston, slapped down the Oyster card again and then proceeded to run UP the left side of the next three escalators. Followed directions to Euston station, saw that my train left in 7 minutes, at 7:28 and ran to the platform. There, there were three lovely ticket checkers, leisurely checking tickets, so I caught my breath. I handed over the ticket I had bought and printed beforehand and the only fumble was trying to locate my Railcard, which I did. On to the train, where my seat was occupied by a young lovely who said she had booked the seat across. Frankly, I didn't care. I was on the train.

So now, I've been to the bar/food car to have dinner. Not much choice, but I managed.

They had run out of champagne flutes ;-)

Twenty minutes to go and I should be in Warrington Bank Quay. Even with the time change it will be early for me as every night has been till 1 or 2am and up before 8am.

Three more sleeps before we fly to Canada!!!!!