Ok so today didn't go to plan at all, hectic and slightly depressing but an adventure all in all.
So we went to the station this morning in order to buy tickets on the Eurostar to London. All booked out, unless we want to spend $400. $400!!!!! Um no thanks.
Option number 2. Train from Brugges to Kortrijk then Lille Flandres then Calais. From there a ferry to Dover and a train to London. Not the trip we had in mind at the start of the day but still, our only option.
Filling in our train ticket I entered the wrong date. b*****. They don't accept changes and so basically our tickets are now void. Getting on the train we had to purchase tickets onboard to our first stop then purchase our next tickets in France. Our first train was delayed so we missed our connection while buying tickets. Thankfully only an hour till the next train and we'd still make our connection in Lille Flandres for Calais.
Arriving at Lille Flandres we only had half an hour to wait for hour next train, a very busy and cramped train. Thankfully the train ride went quickly and we were at Calais. A town we never knew existed. A quite sea town with seagulls squawking overhead and the smell of salt spray and fish in the air. We trudged for 40 mins to find the port and the ferry terminal to purchase tickets. Please let there be tickets available.
Tickets purchased, through security and customs. We got the third degree from the customs officer about our visit and then were finally allowed through to the terminal.
Talk about a ferry! P&O cruise ferry! So now we can say we have been on every mode of transport in Europe. Memories of sailing the high seas to Noumea and Isle of Pines flood back as we set off for Dover. Spending most of our ferry trip in the bar enjoying a pint after a long day traveling (and it's not over yet) we then went up on deck to witness the white cliffs of Dover. Very cool indeed. Some things were meant to be and if we had been able to get the Eurostar we wouldn't have seen them.
Disembarking we headed for the bus terminal to await our departure to the local train station. From there it was a high speed train to St Pancras station and only minutes from our hotel.
Picking up a healthy burger from the station food court we headed for our hotel and ready to crash. On the way we witnessed a lady being robbed at an ATM. Thankfully people rushed to her aid so I don't think the thief got away. Not the nicest sight first time in a new city though. We have been lucky to not really witness any such things along our trip.
Checked in, burgers devoured and it was a hot and uncomfortable night with no aircon or fan. The window opens slightly but is limited for our safety.
Good night. Tomorrow we explore London.