A Grand idea

By Adrian Pearson on Aug 20, 09 10:25 AM

There is a ticket on my desk which I'm considering framing, such is my constant delight at the memories it brings back.

In order to bring a little balance to the train ticket bad news which often greets us, and to give an example of why this is all too familiar, I present the following in praise of Grand Central.

Not at first the most reliable of operators, and dismissed by those in the know as a glorified ORCATS raid, the Sunderland-based train company holds its head high when it comes to ticket prices.

On a trip to London a while back I demonstrated my internet skills by presenting a wrongly dated train ticket at Kings Cross. The ticket I had booked was invalid and the bookings office made it clear, If I wanted to get home it would cost me a standard ÃÂ£110 for a ticket.
Shocked, I wondered around the station in a daze, preparing myself for a seemingly inevitable raid on my bank balance.

That was until I spotted the Grand Central rep, who I swear almost seemed to hug me as he explained how an off-peak, one way ticket on a Sunday evening would cost me just ÃÂ£36. No, I didn't need any vouchers, there was no need to check the internet or change stations half a dozen times. I could get on board, buy a drink and go home.

Now, why can't it always be like that?

Comments (4)

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4 Comments

John B said:

Naughty Adrian!
Perhaps the reason you obtained a wrongly dated ticket is the same one that caused you to "wonder" around the station instead to "wander" about it!
Just a thought, bonny lad!
Cheers.
John.

August 20, 2009 11:17 AM

William said:

Or maybe Adrian is cleverly employing "wonder" to refer to the pensive daze in which he was walking. A pun and a brilliant linguistic innovation of which Shakespeare would've been proud.
Naughty John B, stifling innovation so.

August 20, 2009 2:04 PM

Bentonbag said:

At school we used to sing "The cowboy's carol" which had the opening (and closing) lines:-
"I wonder as I wander out under the sky"

August 20, 2009 6:45 PM

John B said:

Hi William!
Stifle innovation? Wot? Moi? Far from it old bean.
There are few things I like better than puns, linguistic innovation and plays on words.
Just ask my sister,Bentonbag.(Yes,really!)
Rude(ish) ones mostly, maybe cos I`m a bit common tha knaas.
No, I merely wondered if Adrian had an errant digit (like wot I do) which sometimes
wandered onto the wrong alphabetical or numerical key on his pc. Thus completely discomnockerating his travel plans.
Toodlepip.
John.

August 21, 2009 7:11 PM

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