GN: We are in the Premier Inn, Christchurch, fed and watered.
BN: 14.10 taxi never materialised. Took bus partway to Kingsbury station was pushed the rest in cold drizzle. Rather slow progress to Waterloo, where we arrived 7 min before train departure.
GN: Family with buggy stepped out of lift to allow us to rush to train.
GN: Station staff helpful. We caught train.
BN: Accessible toilet out of service.
GN: Guard allowed us to use station toilet at Winchester, holding train while I made my visit.
BN: Missed connecting train at Southampton (no direct trains due to restricted timetable/strike) 200 frustrated passengers…
BN:3 wheelchair users need to travel on a train with only two wheelchair spaces. Train packed to gunwales.
GN? Other wheelchair user able to transfer to train seat and stow his folded chair behind mine. His helpful care bought us a sandwich at Southampton. David used his RADAR key to let chap into loo at Southampton.
I used to enjoy travel...
Return journey:
GN: Scheduled 13.10 train ran on time.
BN: 2 wheelchair users already occupying bays on train & guard wouldn't let us on.
GN: Station staff at end of shift arranged taxi to take us to Southampton. Meter read £100 by the end of trip, but on SWR's tab...
BN: He'd already locked up loo. Had very uncomfortable taxi ride.
GN: I didn't wet my pants.
GN: Onward train to London had wheelchair space.
BN: Commuter type train. I sat facing sideways and many passengers walked into my feet.
GN: I didn't need toilet on that train.
BN: Toilet door would not close from inside so other passengers had to close the cubicle from without.
BN: Accessible toilet inside 'Waterloo' taped shut.
GN: Accessible toilet on cab rank road seemed OK, once you'd found it, the RADAR key & battled the heavily-sprung door.
BN: Total journey time more than 2 hours greater than usual.
We are car-free because David can't drive and I'm not safe but...