It's a short trip across the channel from Brugges to Harwich. Arrived 4:30 AM. We chose to take expedited disembark which means we had to carry (wheel) our own luggage. We were nervous about lines forming like they did for passport check and crowds getting luggage and getting on buses, etc. So we avoided all that. Jack had made prior arrangements for taxi to take us from Harwich to Euston train station in London to get train to Glasgow. Transportation through the ship was either bus to the airport or Victoria Station.
I think we were the first ones off the ship. Waited just a little while for the taxi so we got an early start - left about 6:30 I think. Bumper to bumper traffic the entire ride to London. I admit I may have dozed off a few times. I think it was about 2 hour ride but worth it for convenience and no worries. Euston Station seems to be in nice part of London but we really didn't know where we were and driver seemed uncertain but got us there.
JACK SEZ: Despite repeated email discussion the Private Car was not designed to accommodate my scooter. This was one of 3 times we had to disassemble to transport. Seems silly because almost every London Taxi has ramp to load chair/scooter. This is supposed to be transport service from ship to other transportation. Driver was very nice but when he got close to station had to ask other cabby how to find entrance.
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Nice train station and about an hour till the first train to Glasgow. I think that was about 7 hour ride. Very accommodating staff and lounge for the people who need assistance. Once I got organized, I was able to pull the smaller suitcase with 2 wheels with one hand while sliding along the one with 4 wheels along side. It is much easier with 4 wheels and since soap bottle broke in small suitcase, new one will be with 4 wheels.
I can't remember much about train ride. They all have trolley service with sandwiches, drinks, etc. Jack really got into the cheddar onion potato chips. They are good. Egg and mayo sandwich is very popular-- our egg salad. I think we were loopey from being in motion for 15 days. Ship, taxi, train. I forgot to say I used patches to avoid sea sickness. I didn't get sick so I assume they worked although I was aware of the ship's rocking often, especially in bed.
JACK SEZ: Trains are well equipped to load, park scooters. But often seemed to be confusion as to who set up ramp to load--sometimes station person, sometimes train staff. No point in paying first class because you will have to stay in car where scooter is parked. All toilets are handicapped with curved rotating door. Sink is set in hole in wall. Place hands on right--auto soap. In center--auto water. On left--auto dryer. Other interesting feature, the button flush toilet can't be accessed with lid up. So ladies, you are guaranteed the seat will be down, Dry is separate question.
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Arrived Glasgow on schedule, etc. Short taxi ride to the Glasgow Flats where "manager" met us with keys. Apparently they have several properties. Seemed like some permanent residents and short term rentals for the rest of the lofts. Very nice upgraded one bedroom. Roomy and combo washer/dryer in the kitchen. Jack took charge of laundry. We did have some done after a week on the cruise - I forgot to say. Didn't get back on time and then a couple days later they called to ask if we got it??? Only real issue in the flat was very, very high tub. Hard for me, let alone Jack to get in.
JACK SEZ: Tub is what we found to be UK standard. Long, high tub. No real shower enclosure, just wing at front. No hand holds. I learn a sit and pivot technique but never very confident with it. Flats are what we would call condos. These were very new and upscale. Combo washer/dryer took very small load. Control system so complex--profiles for any kind of condition-- that I never really mastered it. No such thing as put in load, push button, get wash/dry. My first experience with combo unit. Cycle time was very long, partly I think because of delay to be sure water was out before switching to dry cycle. Interesting that this new, upscale unit had only hot water radiator heat. No air conditioning. Based on temp while we were any where in Scotland, cooling not a problem.
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Another thing is that they do not have outlets that can take hairdryers in the bathrooms so have to dry hair in bedroom or hallway. I guess it is a safety thing but the mirror is in the bathroom! Although we had borrowed an electric adapter, it didn't fit into the outlets on the ship because the sockets were encased in this deep plastic casing. The flat gave us separate rooms. Jack took living room to work on laundry, stretch out on sofa and fall asleep in front of tv. Closed caption is not a given in the UK either. Anyway we were very cozy in our flat.
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