2011 seemed to be the year of the big Zero with so many members of my family celebrating a special ages, 40, 70, 90 all being celebrated at the same family birthday party Friday last. The event was held at the local Golf Club and both Dusan and I booked off the evening early ahead to ensure we could be in attendance.
How the best of plans can come to rot. I arranged to meet D, post work at Liverpool Street Station then head off to the country. The usual 20 minute journey was delayed thanks to problems on the Central Line which meant I was 45 minutes in traveltime. Not very pleasant on a packed tube when the weather is in the high 20's. We bought our tickets and then realised to our horror that every single train that was heading to our stop, Broxbourne, was delayed or cancelled. We waited on a packed platform with hundreds of other people watching and waiting as one by one, trains simply dropped off the indicator boards without even displaying a platform number. The 1836, 1845, 1856, 1925. All cancelled or dissapeared. We decided to go grab a drink and see how things looked in twenty minutes or so. If the trains were still not running post 2000, it wouldnt be worth going. It would take us an hour to get there anyhow.
Thankfully on returning from the pub there was a train announced. The first in 90 minutes so naturally it was crammed to the rafters. Not quite as overcrowded as the ones you see in scenes from India, but preety packed non the less.
We eventually arrived at around 2045. So many family and friends I have not seen in so long. Linda & Terry, Fanny & Cliff, Cousins, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles and many family friends. Then I spotted Kim. Kim and I had been dear friends growing up. She had said she would try to attened, she and my cousin Samantha went to school together. It was so nice to see her again and have a chance to catch up, albeit brief.
I was quite surprised that I reached 2330, being a long, exhausted week. A good time had by all and was followed by a blissfull 13 hour sleep. Happy Birthday Mum, Dad, Nan, Adam & Samantha!
