Day Forty-Three - Napton on Hill - Rugby - Hatton Cross, London

It was a long day. We were out of bed at seven o’clock packing and cleaning. We had to have to boat back to Wigram Marina at nine o’clock and we thought we had plenty of time to get to there setting out at eight o’clock. We didn’t bargain on all the other boats having to return their boat at the same time as us, not only at our marina but other marinas along the way. The boats are slow to move to get into place at each of the marinas and we had to wait on the canal until the boat was successfully moored. We arrived in time at nine o’clock and were soon off the boat. We have been impressed with the efficiency of the Black Prince hire company at Wigram Marina.
We caught a taxi to nearby Rugby railway station arriving at about ten thirty. The station was a further distance from the centre of Rugby than we anticipated. As we weren’t catching the train until two o’clock Henk decided to set out in search of a laundrette and found one nearby. He washed and dried our clothes whilst I looked after all the bags at the station and read the Saturday’s paper. I think I had the better deal.
The trip to London was slower than anticipated on the Virgin fast train as there was a signalling fault at Bletchley We found this rather amusing as here was Bletchley stuffing us around again. It was the town that had an advertised laundrette which closed ten years ago and we went on a merry chase to find it!
Once we reached Euston Station, London we set out to decipher the London Underground to get to Hatton Cross which is very near Heathrow. We caught two trains, firstly changing at Leicester Square and then onto our destination. The stations were heaving with people and we could see easily that ten million people lived in London. The train to Hatton Cross was very crowded. The train driver gruffly stated over the intercom that if we couldn’t stay away from the doors then he would be tipping us all out onto the platform and taking an empty train to the end of the line. No one moved or commented when he said this which we thought was surprising.
We found the hotel very easily thanks to a gentleman at the station. It only took us five minutes to walk from the station and we arrived at five thirty. Brian found the hotel for the three of us. It was a good choice, Brian. For the first time in six weeks we had long, hot showers. There was no need to conserve water and stop the shower while we lathered up. It felt so good.
It’s an early start tomorrow. We are catching the six thirty hotel bus to the airport. The plane to Pisa leaves at ten past nine.
Photos: Writing the blog in the boat’s dining room; Early morning near the Bridge Inn; The Bridge Inn;