The train back to London was due to leave Brussels Midi at about 10am, so after sorting out the bags etc we headed downstairs for a good breakfast. Once we were full and we had collected our luggage we checked out of the hotel and headed across the road to the station. The check-in did not open until 8.30am so there were a few minutes to gather thoughts. Just after 8.30 the staff took their positions and we were allowed through. It was all very straight forward, check-in, Belgian passport control, British passport control then into the departure lounge. There was at least an hour to wait until we were allowed on to the train, but it soon past, and I do enjoy watching people!
20 minutes before departure, the announcement came that the train was boarding. We were relieved to find that we were not in the “block of four” seats but in the regular side by side seats, much more leg room. At the due time the Eurostar train pulled out of Brussels Midi station. The journey back was fairly uneventful, stopping at Lille and taking 20 minutes again to go through the tunnel. We also stopped at Ebbsfleet once we were back in the UK, a quite large station, but one was left wondering what there was at Ebbsfleet to justify such a large station.
At just after 11am UK time the Eurostar train came into London St Pancras. The last few days had been an experience, a pleasant experience and one which will be remembered for a long time.
|
