Go east, young woman!

Even after 9 hours sleep last night I feel flat and overwhelmed by lassitude today.

The exam was really intense but I think I did ok.

We had an eventful trip to Mum & Dad's involving many adventures
- missing the train by the length of an escalator. Many thanks to you Ms couldn't-give-a-rat's-arse ticket office woman, for your swift and helpful service. NOT. Here's the raised digit I was too shattered to give you yesterday. Also thanks to the architects for their inspired placement of the east-bound trains at the extreme west side of the station, accessible from the ticket office only by way of a long eastbound concourse, two escalators and the entire width of the station, meaning we actually had to cover the distance twice to get there. Just too late. With a four hour wait until the next train.
- kicking a pole several times and saying 'bloody Spencer St" - which Noddie has since recounted to Gran, Grandad, and Daddy over the phone.
- not crying. Gold medal stiff upper lip award to LBTEPA.
- eating our breakfast together on the platform while we regrouped and worked out our next plan. Noddie and Teddy were troupers. Southern Cross Station is a gorgeous piece of architecture when you're not trying to catch an east-bound train.
- catching the next east-bound train, which only went half way, and taking advantage of my saintly mother's offer to pick us up. I was almost tearful with gratitude - it's not as though she has nothing to do with her day but make a 3-hour round drive.
- marching Noddie up to the charming and tolerant conductor to apologise for pressing the emergency button while we were in the toilet. It was just before a stop so for a horrified moment I thought we'd stopped the train!! Tip for Mums - those buttons are placed low down - do not turn your back for an instant!
- buying Mum a coffee as a thankyou and leaving it on top of the car so it fell off when we drove away.
- laughing hysterically the rest of the day whenever we mentioned the coffee.

This morning we have sat on the back verandah in the sun, been down the street, had a coffee, bought a new top and a Playschool video and had our lunch. We are listening to the races and a horse called Ankh Morpork is running in the Derby. All is well. Real life can start again next week.