To want to go home? Journey from hell...

[bitsheepish]

Am not in a great mood last few days anyway but that's another thread. Breathe....

Decided to take my sons to Manchester today - 8 and 6. I have two tickets for an event at 4 so my dad was going to take the other off for the afternoon then allto get train home at 7ish. Wouldn't normally attempt but it's school holidays and I rarely go home to manchester. Get to euston and there been a fatality at Bletchley no trains in or out. Last time this happened the delays where 2-3hrs so I take a breath and run with boys to kings cross as advised and then try to absorb the alternative journey.

However the alternative journey turns out to be 4hrs long with no chance to return to main line so we re now like tonne at least an hr late for a 2hr event!

When I check on line my train actually left just 20mins late and will arrive on time 1.5hrs before me

My sons start of saying they are up for adventure and quickly descend into fight around screens.

I feel dreadful (prob getting a cold) I just want to turn around and go home....

Next stop Doncaster! 2hrs from both Manchester and London and useless all round....

What have I done?
Do I cut my losses???

I accept my mistakes are multiple and compound....

It's kind of your fault for not checking how long the delay was though. At this stage I'd just get off at Doncaster if I were you, have a day out, and go home back on that route.

It's my fault on so many levels but somehow that makes it worse!!
However they were v clear they didn't know how long the delay was and all those going to Manchester should go to KX.

But yes idiot idiot idiot.

Let's face it Doncaster without a car is not a great day out.

If you can afford, get out at Doncaster, get a bus to the Yorkshire wildlife park and make the best of it.

Day out in Doncaster?!

Virgin trains or London Midland?

Virgin might give you free first class tickets to anywhere on their network if the journey was with them.

Virgin so worth a try but my train was only 20mins late after all that!!!!!!!

I'm gutted!

I'd go home and put it down to bad luck, this has reminded me how completely unreliable public transport is, no point it placing blame, waste of energy, you can't change the outcome

Explain what happened to them. Virgin have form for not communicating the length of delays - if you complain chances are they won't even investigate before refunding you.

Yes think I'll write to virgin when I get back such a beautiful day out there and I'm on trains pacifying children with screens... sad state of affairs.

I hate screens because they do the job but there's always pay back.

Its just an inconvenient delay to you, and Why should it be anything else.
However just think how his/her family are feeling.

OP what time will you arrive at the event? If it's the one I'm thinking of, security has been increased there starting from today, and they're telling people to get there at least one hour before it starts. Is there any chance you can be there for 3pm? Where are you now? Also very strict on bags that you can take in.
Ignore me if I'm thinking of the wrong 'event'

PS. West Ham will probably win anyway

Eldest son has just spilt an entire cup of milk over himself no spare clothes of course. Do you think I hurt someone in a prior life

Train is full of West Ham and Man U fans

Oh no, I'm sorry you're having such a crap day.
I would be tempted just to write it off and head home.
Maybe you could just head back home, and do something as a bit of a compensatory treat to finish the day, e.g. let the kids choose a takeaway or mcdonalds etc.

Days like these are a real test of our patience and endurance, but think of it as helping your kids to learn valuable life skills e.g coping with disappointment, managing changes etc.
Tomorrow is another day!

Chin up sheepish

(Ugh - hope you get home before that mil starts smelling rank!)

Poor you, what a nightmare and massive disappointment. One of those days you really want to scream. My heart is with you.

Well in the end we laughed.
Youngest decided he wouldn't go with grandpa so in the end grandpa took my eldest and I went home to sit in sunny garden for 2hrs...
oh well waiting to get train back!!
Crazy funny day at least I got my sense of humour back....

I was coming from Manchester to London Euston today and feel your pain, 11.44 train ended up being at 1.45pm, did you get a seat? I ended up paying to go first class as couldn't handle standing for nearly 3 hours! Btw you can get a refund on your ticket if you are over 2 hours late. Good luck!

Sadly hadn't been able to get a reservation so not sure they'll refund me for sending me via Doncaster and my son being 20mins late for game instead of an hour early!

We only had a seat for an hour of our 3.5hr journey up there which is prob why I nearly gave up. Glad I persevered you're right good to show them we carry on regardless and have a laugh about it!!!
nearly home now.... I've spent nearly 8hrs on trains and in stations today... weird!!