Post by Charlie Huang on Mar 5, 2006 15:50:52 GMT
Oh God! Last night was the shittiest night in my entire life!
I had a terrible night getting home from the yaji last night. From 8pm last night to 6am this morning, I was trying to get from London to Birmingham! I missed the 7.45 one to Oxford so had to wait for the next one in an hours time. There was enginerring works on the rail, so there was a lot of cancellations and delays. I made a big mistake not to catch an earlier train at 8.43 that had many stops, but opted for the 'fast train' at 8.45. The 8.45 got delayed, then cancelled, then reinstated, etc and we literally waited for over an hour. Eventually, it looked bleak that it would run. We were advised to get on a train to Reading then change to Oxford. When we got to Reading, there was no train to Oxford because the station was closed! We had to take the 0008 to Didcot Parkway, then take a bus replacement to Oxford. The train supervisor made a list of people (including me) who needed to go further than Oxford; and said a taxi would get us to said places will be waiting at Oxford. So at around 0018 we were off and arrived at Didcot Parkway. Unfortunately, the bus wasn't big enough for some of us, and a small group (with me included!) had to wait in the freezing cold for another one to be summoned. It finally came in around 15 mins. Eventually, we arrived at Oxford (around 2 in the morning) and waited for the taxis. Didn't turn up! We asked other cabs and they said that four taxis did wait for us around 30 minutes ago but left! We were literally stranded, the train station was closed and unmanned sop we couldn't seek assistance. Thankfully, a kind fellow in our group of five (who wanted to get to Lemington Spa) phoned the rail company up, who then promised taxis. More waiting and some came, but in the confusion, most were taken by others. Our situation looked pretty bleak, some suggested we get a taxi home that we will pay with our own money! Fine for those who live a couple of miles away, but I live in bloody Birmingham, a good 70 miles from Oxford, and the fare will equate to something like £150 on the meter (I haven't got that much money)! I thought about calling my mum (who was now very pissed at me) and getting her to call my cousin in Cheltenham to pick me up and stay at his for the night (potentially embarrasing for my mother). A few calls later, we were promised more taxis, we told the rail company to make sure they tell the taxis that this is a priority, etc. Eventually, two came who picked up the others, leaving me and another guy left. In near panic state, I was going to flag any bleeding taxi and ask them if they were sent by the rail company. Our one finally came at last. But it was hardly plain sailing from there. He took us on a trip around the countryside when the M40 north was closed due to accident! We were basically driving back and forth, to Stratford-upon-Avon, to the closed motorway, then back again, and by the time we got to Brum it was half 5! He didn't drop me off at my house, only the city centre, and I had to fork out 10 quid to get home! I'm soooo pissed off. I'm never going to take the train to Paddington ever again! If there are rail works again, I'd rather take the coach instead. At least I know I'll get back home before midnight!
I had a terrible night getting home from the yaji last night. From 8pm last night to 6am this morning, I was trying to get from London to Birmingham! I missed the 7.45 one to Oxford so had to wait for the next one in an hours time. There was enginerring works on the rail, so there was a lot of cancellations and delays. I made a big mistake not to catch an earlier train at 8.43 that had many stops, but opted for the 'fast train' at 8.45. The 8.45 got delayed, then cancelled, then reinstated, etc and we literally waited for over an hour. Eventually, it looked bleak that it would run. We were advised to get on a train to Reading then change to Oxford. When we got to Reading, there was no train to Oxford because the station was closed! We had to take the 0008 to Didcot Parkway, then take a bus replacement to Oxford. The train supervisor made a list of people (including me) who needed to go further than Oxford; and said a taxi would get us to said places will be waiting at Oxford. So at around 0018 we were off and arrived at Didcot Parkway. Unfortunately, the bus wasn't big enough for some of us, and a small group (with me included!) had to wait in the freezing cold for another one to be summoned. It finally came in around 15 mins. Eventually, we arrived at Oxford (around 2 in the morning) and waited for the taxis. Didn't turn up! We asked other cabs and they said that four taxis did wait for us around 30 minutes ago but left! We were literally stranded, the train station was closed and unmanned sop we couldn't seek assistance. Thankfully, a kind fellow in our group of five (who wanted to get to Lemington Spa) phoned the rail company up, who then promised taxis. More waiting and some came, but in the confusion, most were taken by others. Our situation looked pretty bleak, some suggested we get a taxi home that we will pay with our own money! Fine for those who live a couple of miles away, but I live in bloody Birmingham, a good 70 miles from Oxford, and the fare will equate to something like £150 on the meter (I haven't got that much money)! I thought about calling my mum (who was now very pissed at me) and getting her to call my cousin in Cheltenham to pick me up and stay at his for the night (potentially embarrasing for my mother). A few calls later, we were promised more taxis, we told the rail company to make sure they tell the taxis that this is a priority, etc. Eventually, two came who picked up the others, leaving me and another guy left. In near panic state, I was going to flag any bleeding taxi and ask them if they were sent by the rail company. Our one finally came at last. But it was hardly plain sailing from there. He took us on a trip around the countryside when the M40 north was closed due to accident! We were basically driving back and forth, to Stratford-upon-Avon, to the closed motorway, then back again, and by the time we got to Brum it was half 5! He didn't drop me off at my house, only the city centre, and I had to fork out 10 quid to get home! I'm soooo pissed off. I'm never going to take the train to Paddington ever again! If there are rail works again, I'd rather take the coach instead. At least I know I'll get back home before midnight!
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