UK Trip - Day 14

Today we are traveling to London. But first, we are driving to Edinburgh because we have to return our car there and our train leaves from there.

So we woke up really early today to get ready and leave. I was really looking forward to this train journey for two reasons. 

1. I was told that the way to Edinburgh to London is very picturesque and

2. We are traveling first class so all food, drinks including alcohol are included. I don't care about alcohol (although Greg does). But free food prepared by Chef James Martin? Count me in. 

I told my husband to not let me sleep on the train. When he asked why, my reply was that I don't want to miss the food. I'd rather get the value of my ticket through food. 

But turned out, 1. The train was late (1 hour 15 mins to be exact). Our train was at 10, but even the 10:30 train left before us.

2. You are given an option to select the seats when you book the tickets, but get this, they are not reserved. So I am not quite sure what was the point of going through that useless exercise during ticket booking. 

3. Food only came once in a 5 hour journey and despite fancy names there was only one (yes, no kidding) piece of lamb in Moroccan Lamb with Couscous and Chicken Masala Wrap is more suited to a kid's lunch menu rather than an adult. 

So chef James Martin who Virgin claims to have cooked my food, should take a trip in Indian railway and check out what they serve in first class. I think he and Virgin railway will both realize that Indian railway has got them beat a miles wide with rice, roti, one lentil dish, one vegetarian dish, one meat dish (with two/three pieces of meat) and one yoghurt. All made fresh and in their correct temperature. You don't feel cheated in Indian Railway.

4. The drinks came warm as in warm beer and wine so that people don't drink much free alcohol. So was pop. The only thing that came in actual drinking temperature was tea or coffee which I guzzled.

5. The plug points didn't work in any seats in the compartment I was in. By the way, access to charging port was one of the "first class" privileges Virgin claims to offer.

6. Now the most important privilege - free wi-fi on board. It worked. But, considering you can't charge your devices, how much wi-fi will you use without making your phone dead which you will need to call the hotel or cab once you reach your destination? Exactly!!!

So combine it all and you get a eff-ed up company with worst service in the planet. If you have to take a train in Scotland, take ScotRail. They give free wi-fi in standard ticket (not first class), their charging port works and they were (at least the one we were on) on time. 

We landed in London Kings Cross station at around 3:45 (Originally we were supposed to land at 2:44)

Then we took a cab and made our way to our hotel. 

After checking in and bit of a rest, we went to explore London. 

Trafalgar Square was very close to our hotel, so we walked there first. Then we went through Covent Garden to Big Ben, grabbing dinner and a little trinket shopping on the way. 

We reached Big Ben and London Eye area. Then took a walk by the river and made our way back to Trafalgar Square and checked out the theatre district in the night while having an excellent gelato.

A Rainbow wall of M&Ms - Whaaaatttt??? The look on Mr. O's face though - PRICELESS!!!

Tomorrow we start our first day of sightseeing in London...