Achanalt to Neuchatel and back again by rail…

ACHANALT: for most of the commuters on the 7.39am it was Monday as usual but for met it was the day I set off to see my first Grandchild. What a useful station this is. We can travel carless to Inverness three times a day and return home the same day on two of them.

At Inverness I chose the train to Perth and changed smoothly on to the EDINBURGH cross country train to Sheffield, where I was born.

However my Grandson was born and lives in NEUCHATEL (SWITZERLAND), so I broke my journey to spend two days with one of my sisters and see several relatives. I left Sheffield from CHESTERFIELD as it is much easier to drive to at rush hour and, unlike Sheffield, there is a station car park as well as a twisted spire!

Onward to St Pancras Station where my younger daughter Betsy, began her guiding duties. No lifts needed now - she can take two wheelie cases up and down the endless escalators.

St. Pancras Station (LONDON) - go there if you get a chance, just to eat and shop.

But we were heading for EUROPE by Eurostar, so were bag-checked and scanned and, having passed muster, allowed to board the longest train I have ever seen.

Fortunately, Betsy knew best which end to find our coach. Eurostar was the shortest leg of my journey and Lo! we were in PARIS where Betsy stays (as we say in Scotland).

There must have been some metro travel around this time, but by now my sense of depth and direction had vanished.

Back at Betsy’s wee flat (studio) a swift recovery was made. We ate out and sauntered the Seine whilst planning our days ahead. We visited L’Orangerie where people from all over the world gazed peacefully together at Monet’s Les Nymphéas (water lilies). Awesome.

Now the special day … metro to the Gare de Lyon, train to LAUSANNE then change for NEUCHATEL (remembered my Passport). My elder son met us and drove us to his home.

At last I met Sammy, who was having his evening scream and had to be passed round urgently. I had forgotten how good it feels, especially when he stopped crying. The new parents fed us all, as well as keeping the baby happy. We explored Neuchatel, walked the lovely lakeside with Sammy in his pram and me wishing I could join him as Liddia (his mother) kept pace with Betsy. Shopping in Neuchatel I bought ‘crocs’ and tick repellent (developed at the University of Neuchatel!)

After farewells to my ‘Swiss Family Morrison’, we watched from the train as meadows and chalets became roads and buildings. Back in PARIS Betsy took up her guiding again under a scorching sun, we trained the way to Monet’s house and gardens at GIRVENY and admired it amongst people of all nations and all ages. Inspiring in so many ways.

The following day we walked to the Musée Rodin, marvelled at the great sculptors work and sought shade in the perfume of the rose garden. It was no long journey back to spend our evenings in PARIS where the pavements are summer dining rooms for everyone.

Bottles of water in hand, we left on Sunday morning at 9.30am (Paris time) metro’d (Betsey) expertly, Eurostarred our way to St. Pancras, lunched at leisure, then changed into fresh clothes for the opera.

Underground again, to the Coliseum in a scorching LEICESTER SQUARE we were transported by a matinee performance of Puccini’s Tosca. Stunning in every way, it was my birthday treat of a lifetime.

Down to earth again, tube back to St Pancras for the 6.30pm, a rapid goodbye to Betsy, and I settled down for the three hour journey to CHESTERFIELD. Met by my schooldays friend from Sheffield, I spent my last night away from home in familiar surroundings.

Back on track at 9.30am (British time) I did SHEFFIELD, EDINBURGH, INVERNESS, DINGWALL by bus, and Hurrah! ACHANALT request stop.

The yellow still on the broom and, in the garden (mine), roses and lupins.
Pam Morrison


Photographs:
Sammy with Auntie Sarah (Pam’s daughter)