Friday 21st October 2022
Today was a a day of commuting again. The nice thing about staying in Travelodge hotels is their 12 noon checkout time. Often it gives me enough time to do any last chance exploring but today it was raining, so I took my time in packing and going to the station.
I watched the British news in amazement at the aftermath of the Prime Minister resigning after 45 days in office. My South African friend who summarisizes world politics for me, then called and we chatted briefly before I had to rush to beat the noon cutoff. I also managed to dodge some sudden downpours and I sat in a coffee shop while waiting for my train.
The train journey highlighted the Autumn changes and I hadn't realised that ferns die down in the winter here. The brown patches jumped out at me and while walking to my hotel I got caught in a leaf shower. I stopped in amazement and looked up with a smile. A car driving beside me slowed down to look and I caught him looking up too. My sympathies lay with a school gardener who was using the leaf blower on the pavement. His efforts seemed futile.
My 5km walk from the station to hotel also stayed dry thankfully because a short half hour after arrival, the skies emptied again. I didn't realise that this town of Camberley has two Travelodges, and of course I booked the further one. But it was good to walk after the hour train journey although my backpack wasn't sitting as comfortably.
I have a 'super room' in this hotel and the extra space feels great. I'm here for three nights to avoid Saturday night hotel prices of London and to visit another old friend from my younger days. It's my second last weekend in the UK which feels weird to be saying that but I am looking forward to chasing the summer back in South Africa.
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