An early start this morning as I'm bound for Nantes via Lille. My commute to London St Pancras was interesting! Due to the tube strike I had to take a different route than normal. Not wanting to miss my Eurostar train I allowed extra time heading out of Richmond on London Overground to Willesden Junction, (which I know well having frequented the area for client work in the past..... a glamorous recycling facility!), switching to catch the Overground service to Euston. The experience reminded of the daily Northern Line commute out of Balham...crushed!

After a short but busy walk from Euston to St Pancras I rewarded myself with an Expresso Macchiato with steamed milk on the side at Carluccio's. My friend Karen introduced me to this particular coffee (and restaurant branch last year when we met for a working lunch). You have a wonderful view overlooking the Eurostar platforms and the beautiful glass arched roof above, a great way to reflect on my upcoming mini-trip.