Onto a Hitachi Javelin set for the blast down HS1 to Ashford. The train is nearly empty so I have a pick of seats. Narrow windows so even sat on one of the few tables doesn't exactly have a great view.
We start burrowing under the tracks out of the international station then climbing steeply and into the tunnel. Stratford International is another featureless concrete box, but has the odd feature of the access track to the depot climbing on a viaduct over the platform.
Once out of the next tunnel we race past Ford at Dagenham hitting 137mph. A long swooping viaduct at Purfleet then another tunnel this time under the Thames. These 395 sets have got serious power on tap, when the driver opens up we surge forward, twice hitting 138mph towards Ashford.
I'd got a train half an hour earlier than needed hoping to catch some Eurostars on HS1 which passes adjacent to Ashford station on a descending viaduct. Its perishingly cold, and much to my bemusement the only E* set goes past when the view was blocked by a train!
On then to Rye on a Turbostar. Meeting at Jempsons saw me back on another Turbostar to Brighton which had various groups of kids on their way home from school. Past Hastings the line hugs the beach which looked desolate and cold.
At Brighton I was in the Grand hotel, so was surprised to be put in a room with no heating. They had two oil radiators plugged into the only spare sockets and it was freezing! I rang and asked for a move to a room with both heating and power!
Finally off out for dinner to Wetherspoons. Took a table in the window for people watching, though the real entertainment turned out to be a large group of students with no ID. Well they tried a bank card (not accepted) and a railcard (not accepted) before being asked to leave. They need a McLovin ID!
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