MATLOCK TO LONDON

I booked a cab to get me to the train station in Matlock. I am so over walking for half an hour on uneven surfaces with two suitcases. That has lost its "adventure" status.

First part of the trip was to Derby. My next train was to leave from the same platform in ten minutes. We kept getting conflicting information. The sign said the next train was only going to Bedford. Not St Pancras where I was booked to. The station master said it was going to St Pancras. The driver said it wasn't. Eventually they got it sorted out and it was going to St Pancras. Evidently there had been a fatality on the line and they were not sure if that area was ready to travel through.

Travelling first class is fun. Fewer people in the carriage. Free drinks and snacks were offered several times through the couple of hours trip.

Train first class

Arrived at St Pancras and got a cab to my lodgings. Arran House Hotel on Gower Street. Great location.

The room was so tiny. I could stand in the middle of it with my arms out and my fingers could touch each wall.I needed to put my suitcase behind my bed so the pillows wouldn't fall off. If the bed was up against the wall, the door couldn't open. You can tell you are in London when you get tiny rooms.

Only a hand basin in the room. Bathrooms were in between each floor. I could choose to walk up stairs or down stairs. Bit of a trek in the middle of the night.

Their breakfast was buffet style.Yippee! I was able to have porridge while I stayed there.

Arran House Hotel