Getting to the Netherlands

Taking the train to the Netherlands is a bit of a gamble. Often it all works smoothly. Sometimes it doesn’t.

This time my trip started in an unusual way. I first met up with my cat-sitter. She didn’t mind that meant having to show up at 7am. I showed her the house and the cat, then we had a cuppa, and then I left. 

All went well to London. I read some book, read some newspaper, did some marking. And spent quite some time on email, sorting out dissertation marking-related issues. And that way I also got to Brussels. And then it stopped going well. My onwards train was delayed! Bummer. First by a bit. Then more. And more.

For a while I just sat on an open air part of the platform, reading. The good thing about a delay in Brussels on the way out is that you are free to suffer it wherever you want. On the way back it doesn’t work like that; once you’ve gone through passport control you are legally, but not physically, in the UK, and they can’t let you roam free on Belgian territory anymore. Only some airless lightless waiting room is at your disposal. Later I went to an information screen to keep an eye on progress. My mailbox and the screen didn’t agree! 

Riding through cloudy Wales

Too much time to admire Brussels

I got chatting with a family from Colorado who were even more confused than me. At least I could understand the platform announcements. They were on their way to Amsterdam and appreciated some (outdated) insider information. And in the end the screen admitted defeat, agreed with the mail, and announced our train. It appeared 1:20 h late.  

Things had been a bit tight as they were. I would initially get to Amsterdam at about 9. Then I can be at my mum’s at about 10. And I would already have to be in the train towards the family reunion at 9 AM the next day. With the delay I had I knew it would be WAY beyond my bedtime by the time I got to a bed. Oh well! 

Hollands Diep from the train

I made good use of the rest of the journey as well. And apart from realising I had forgot my train card, bought an online ticket, and totally failed to import that into the Dutch Railways app, all went well from there. And my mum was still up when I walked in. Delayed success, but success anyway!