Back near the ballerina

Yes. A visit to Covent Garden, this time for the final dress rehearsal of “Faust”.

I booked the tickets before my absolute favourite bass-baritone, Erwin Schrott pulled out of the entire series. I wasn’t sure, after my train issues last Friday, whether or not I should make the trip but yesterday I made the decision to meet up with two great friends and risk it.

I enjoyed the music. I love Gounod’s magnificent opera. Marguerite and the Jewel aria were superb. Faust and Mephistopheles less so. 

I had decided to risk going on the first off peak train which was due to get into Euston at 10.24. The opera was to begin at 11.15  so I knew it would be tight.

I was nearly ready to head for the station (early as the car park gets full and you can’t reserve a space). I looked at my phone, only to discover that my train had been cancelled. (Shortage of staff not swans  this time.)

I raced to the station and caught the earlier train ( which would have cost a huge amount more). I was going to argue that they did the cancelling and I had no choice. Nobody checked my ticket and I met up with my friends. It was lovely.

Coming home was different. They had problems on the lines again. Many trains were cancelled or delayed. There were several reasons (excuses) given. Some blamed a broken rail. LNW claimed that a lorry had crashed into a bridge. Others reported a shortage of crew.

I ended up having to go on the Avanti Edinburgh train which was massively late but the helpful LNW staff said it was quickest. The announcements said that Avanti were allowing anyone on their trains and that information about lots of the trains was wrong! (Quite a confession).

My ticket specifically said I could not travel via Coventry or Birmingham. I went through both. Nobody checked my ticket.

My journey took four and a half hours (normally it’s less than two.)

Swans last week !!  I am sure I’m jinxed.