Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 November 2006 00:35:40
So, you may have read various other accounts of the day's duck-based festivities already, but I thought I'd give you a quick round-up of my version of events. Whether you wanted it or not.
Awake at stupid o'clock, into the shower, dress, grab everything I'll need for the day, and out the house at 6.50am. Off to the bus stop, where the local transport folks have provided less than minimal information about timetables etc. So I phone the handy Traveline number that they've provided in place of a timetable. Having pressed 1 for local journeys within England and then pressed 6 for my particular region, I was then told by a recorded message that the office is open from 7am to 10pm, 7 days a week, so I should call back then. Oh, how helpful, cheers. Thankfully a bus then appeared and, about 15 minutes later, I walked as quickly as I could from the bus stop to the train station, through some of the most horrible rain I've experienced in a while.
The train arrives, everyone gets on, we sit there for a while, they announce the train lights aren't working, but someone's coming to fix them so we should be leaving shortly. Then a little while later, they announce that the train is generally knackered and we all have to get on the next service to Euston (which was only leaving half an hour after our original one). Two trainloads of people - one train - not enough seats. Marvellous.
Still reached Euston OK and went to position myself to meet Auntie Doris. I decided to go for the subtle option on this one - standing at the top of the escalator from Euston tube holding a large sign with "Auntie Doris" written on it. Having met, we headed for Waterloo to meet Smudgie and the Smudgelets, and quickly found ourselves meeting up with more or less our entire party.
After getting drenched by a sudden violent shower while queuing up for our Duck, we hopped on board for one of the most entertaining journeys I think I have ever taken. For one thing, our tour guide (apparently a comedian by night) was hilarious, his routine about the Lambeth Walk making me laugh so much I almost couldn't breathe. However, the fact that 80% of his passengers all knew each other, and were a bit boisterous and noisy anyway, just gave him more to play off. After doing the main tourist stuff by road, we drove off into the Thames and sailed up and down waving to people who largely ignored us. A good time was had by all (except maybe the six regular punters who'd somehow ended up surrounded by Strange People From The Internet). As we walked off, I overheard the tour guide telling his driver we were "one of the nicest groups I've ever had". Of course, he might have just been saying that because we'd proved an easy crowd to get a laugh from. Or because we were within earshot. But I'd like to think he was just telling the truth.
Then to lunch (overpriced - but then again, it was in London), then people started to split off to do whatever they needed to do. A hardcore gang of nine continued together, heading down to the Tate to see that exhibition with the giant slides ("But is it art?" one person asked, to which my considered reply was, "Who cares?") before wandering back to the pub for a quick pint. Then a few more people split off, and while a few made for another pub, Auntie D and I headed back to our respective trains. All in all, I think it's safe to say, a good time was indeed had by all.
*anyone else remember this? Or has this gag gone straight over all your heads? Doesn't matter if it has, I mainly put it in for my own entertainment...