Texas Eagle

 

Gentlemen and gentlewomen, did you know that there's such a thing as passenger rail between San Antonio and Cleburne, Texas? I didn't until yesterday, but there is, seriously. The train leaves San Antonio at 06.48 and rolls into spiffy little Cleburne at around 13:00, and all for what? The stupidly low price of 20-40$.

This saves me a 6 hour highway slog, there and back, to pick up a member of the team, result. And result for the passenger, 6 hours of blissful train journey through the rolling plains and sylvan mesquite groves of Olde Texas. Nice, I'm jealous.

That in mind, you can take the Texas Eagle to Chicago, which might be interesting, see recip clubs, then take it back to California, behold the desolation, and then back to the safety of Free State Texas. This appeals to me, and it'd appeal a whole lot more if there was an equivalent with an open carriage and opening windows. Perhaps you know what I mean.

As it is, Amtrak has an interesting rail solution, the Texas Eagle. Let's check it out, and while we're at it, why can't America provide us with a convenient, workable, affordable rail solution? It's not as though we're not the richest, most powerful country on the planet, for goodness sake.

So let's see fewer billions sent to transsexual theater groups in Uganda and more money spent on passenger rail. It'd benefit us all, don't you think?

Cheers,

LSP

Back to London

 

It wasn't raining, weirdly, as I stood on the the platform to catch the 9.29 am train from Aberystwyth to Birmingham International and thence to London Euston. And that was fine as was the journey itself, long and slow through the Welsh countryside and then fast into town. It'd been years since I rode the rails, so the trip was an adventure in itself, not too pricey either but be sure to book tickets in advance.

Then there you are, at Euston station. Stride out of that Avanti West carriage like a pro and walk with urgency through the hideously (1970s?) redeveloped station. Pause to look west towards Regent's Park and recollect the many times you've walked along this very same road, many years ago.

Nostalgic reverie over, cross the road and nav a few blocks east to Marchmont street, thanking Progress that your suitcase has wheels. Go through the Brunswick Centre, marveling at its apparent prosperity since the last time you were there, in the '90s?, all the while mourning the disappearance of its all day breakfast cafe. These, by the way, are pretty much gone in London, replaced by annoying coffee shops selling ludicrous pastries and lukewarm "Americano."

Whatever, its a short walk east to Guilford St, past Corams Fields and Lamb's Conduit St., and there you are, in Mecklenburgh Square at the Goodenough hotel, mission accomplished. Check in and behold your just as advertised rooms, beautiful and a far cry from the scourge of corporate hotelistry.

So well done, Goodenough, for providing a relaxing place to stay in a Georgian house in Bloomsbury, what a perfect setup. Next step? Amble over to Lamb's Conduit St. and the People's Supermarket, it's still there, remarkably, for provisions and then go back for tea and a quick scan of Private Eye before going out to meet an old friend at the Lamb, right 'round the corner.

Several pints later, fall back to base for claret, space rock and conversation. Great fun, and word to the wise, try not to spill red wine on the tastefully light carpets of your Regency living room as you listen to Golden Void. If you do, shaving foam is your friend; I learned that in the Army, curiously, makes you wonder what's in it.

That aside, it was great to be back in my favorite part of London, a short walk to most everything central and, for me, filled with memories. But more on that later, in the meanwhile check out LL's incisive thoughts on Biblical exegesis and Genesis in particular.

Your Buddy,

LSP