Had another little trip (heavy sarcasm) on the Docklands Light Railway today. It's hard to know whether the DLR is part of the London Underground or not really. I spose real trainspotters would say no, because it's hardly underground. But I'm in two minds about it, as it starts underground at Monument/Bank. The thing that I find freaky about the DLR is that there are no drivers. So you can get on the front of the train and see the view the driver would see - you're sitting right at the front of the train. It's like when you were little and sat on the top of a double decker bus and pretended to be driving. Well just think of a whole load of city geezers doing the same thing every day as they head out to Canary Wharf and Heron Quays and Cutty Sark and places that sound as though they should be in Treasure Island.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, April 29, 2003 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Sorry of the lack of posts over the last week - I have been carrying one crutch now, again to get the sympathy vote. I was fuming the other day as I was standing with two crutches for a whole two stops on a carriage on the District Line heading towards Richmond. So all you miserable gits who didn't give me a seat .....shame on you....I'll remember you when I next want to point out some idiotic tube behaviour on my main site. Also Metro newspaper have introduced a new section on Commuter saints and sinners where people write in to say who helped them and who pissed them off on their journey. Top idea.

Just signing off now with a pleasant little piece on this site on my blog:

"MIND THE BLOG , OR TRAINSPOTTING BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL LIKE SWINDON
Going Underground is the kind of blog that people in every city should have. It's all about the London Underground. The Tube. Ok, The Subway, but it's more than that. Using The subway as a metaphore has been done before, but not this well."

Nice one Jay!

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Saturday, April 26, 2003 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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I broke my leg by slipping on an icy slope outside a railway station so I can certainly sympathise with the following story of a woman who broke her hip in three places after slipping on pigeon droppings near an underground station. (see the Watford Observer) The thing I've found about claiming compensation for these sorts of things is that you haven't (excuse the pun) got much of a leg to stand on. I was told that the railway are not liable for clearing ice from pavements but the council are for clearing ice from roads (not too much difference to those like me who suffer and injury) You also need witnesses to help you with your claim - like the woman who slipped on pigeon droppings I was helped by a good samaritan, but I have no idea who she was.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, April 16, 2003 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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I'm back - have one crutch - but back on the glory that is London's Underground. It will be quite a funny experience doing the tube as a "disabled" person - even if it's only temporary (to the unitiated I broke my leg at the end of January). But even though I will be carrying two crutches on the tube I only need one - two crutches act as a brilliant "seat getting" device. To be fair so far, everyone has been most kind to me and giving up seats (although I am trying to do non rush hour travel) and get on at 10am and try to leave the office as near to 4pm as I can.

Most noticeable things since I've been back is that the Cadbury's Chocolate vending machines seem to have been contaminated with massive promotions for Boost Guarana bars - which are quite frankly the most digusting chocolate bars I've ever had the misfortune to eat. Cadbury's chocolate is inferior at the best of times and the mix of glucose and Guarana adds to the general dirt like taste making it inedible.

C'mon Cadbury's it's virtually Easter - where's all the branding for the ridiculously sweet Cadbury's Creme Eggs?

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, April 15, 2003 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Well big news is that the Central Line is more or less getting back to normal - which means apart from running from Marble Arch and Bethnal Green, 69 days after the service was closed - there's delays and late running. Great to see the tube running to normal timetable again. Apparently the London Underground are paying out �20 million pounds in compensation for the 9 week closure. To see how you can get your share visit Going Underground. It's money for old rope!

Although somehow I bet we'll end up paying for it next year. The MD of the tube Paul Godier reckons that the closure of the Central Line had cost London Underground a total of �40 million, including �12 million in lost revenue. Mmmm looking forward to buying my annual travelcard this year before it shoots up.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, April 03, 2003 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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