On Wednesday 26th February we took the train to London. At Christmas Pauline had bought a couple of books about ancient Babylon, having heard about an exhibition being run at the British Museum under the title, Babylon. It was also an opportunity to meet up with our son who has been working in London for a number of months.
The Arriva 175 pulled into Bangor station that afternoon and we found our seats, having stowed the luggage. It was a pleasant journey travelling along the North Wales coastline in a smooth-running train. I was reminded of my late teens in the 60s when I travelled by train to and from Bangor from Manchester Exchange station (now gone). I used to attend a youth conference each Easter holiday as a delegate from my Congregational church in Nelson, Lancashire. In those days the journey was behind a steam locomotive!
We arrived on time at Chester and changed trains. When our train came into the platform it turned out to a Virgin Super Voyager. This is the train which, although diesel-powered, tilts at high speeds on bends. There were five coaches and we searched for our seats with difficulty as the computer had not set the coach letters. This was because another set of five coaches was added to the train. A member of the railway staff advised us that, despite having reserved seats, we might care to join the second (front in terms of travelling direction) set where the coaches were empty. This we did and enjoyed a lovely quiet journey to Crewe and then Milton Keynes to London Euston.
As Pauline felt very tired we took a taxi to our hotel in South Kensington. This proved twice as expensive as the Underground! The hotel room was pleasant and eventually our son, David, came to see us. Soon we were sitting in Carluccio's Caffe across the road from South Kensington tube station. The food was excellent and we really enjoyed the evening.
Next day we made our way by tube to Russell Square and walked across to the British Museum. We checked in at the desk for Babylon and went in to see the exhibition. The exhibits were extremely interesting and presented many thought challenges. I was taken by the ancient "time capsules" the builders placed in their great buildings. They were tapered cylinders with cuneiform writing impressed into the clay from which they were made and spoke of the greatness of all involved in the building.
There was a picture of Belshazzar's feast and next to it a depiction of the writing appearing on the wall, "You have been weighed in the balance and been found wanting." Another picture captioned above was that of Daniel in the Lions' Den. Seven snarling beasts are confronting Daniel who stands with his hands bound behind him in the calmest stance one could imagine. It was real food for thought!
But soon we had seen all the exhibits and were disappointed that there were not more to see. We adjourned to the cafe for a bite to eat as it was now lunchtime. Having taken our fill we set off for the shops as Pauline wanted some clothes for my brother's wedding which is in April. Eventually we found M & S where we bought the necessary items. It was now mid to late afternoon and we took afternoon tea in M & S. We had tea and cake and the taste was excellent.
Our train was to leave at 8.10pm from Euston. How would we spend the time till then. We rode the tube back to Euston and went into the station bar. There on a balcony we had drinks and did some people-watching! It was a long wait but we were so tired it did not matter and we had books to read anyway.
Eventually we went to board the train and retrace our journey back to Bangor where our car was parked. The train was well patronised but we got through the journey relatively easily. It a little after 1.00am when we got to bed. It had been interesting, tiring etc but it was over. We do not really wish to make another London journey. Whilst there we saw people stressed out and wearing the most miserable faces. Our vote goes to our lovely island of Anglesey!
