Day 0 Getting to Luton Airport

The time has come to travel to Luton to catch an early flight to Iceland tomorrow. There seemed a number of hurdles that could get in my way. 

Firstly, as of today, because I live in Wales its devolved government says I should not travel more than five miles from my home (guidance that will change in five days time). Luton is 165 miles away. The advice changes to unlimited travel at the English border but that is 28 miles away from where I live near Cardiff. Catching a train from Cardiff would make it obvious I was planning to break the rules and escape from Wales, fortunately I was able to get a lift down the M4 to Bristol Parkway railway station.

After a minor panic when my phone wrongly told me the train had been cancelled I managed to board the express train to London Paddington. Wearing a face mask as mandated, I settled down to enjoy the ride on an almost empty train.

As the London Underground can be very crowded, making catching Covid 19 more likely, I walked from Paddington station to St Pancras. On the way I detoured into Regent's park with its roses, petunias, geraniums, toilets and a place selling refreshments. This was my first experience of public conveniences being open during the crisis, most have been locked up causing considerable inconvenience. A man outside made sure that too many people did not enter and inside alternate urinals were taped off to make sure you did not touch anyone.

I caught the train from St Pancras to Luton just before six, a time when the carriages would normally be full with returning commuters, with standing room only. Instead there were only a scattering of people, just as well as some were not very diligent with their face masks. Mine mists up my glasses every time I breathe out, and tends to slip off my nose. Not very helpful. 

Despite walking supposedly being encouraged the station staff at Luton suggested I use the shuttle bus to reach my hotel which was a mere 1.5 kilometres away. Given the difficulty I had struggling up cycle paths, that may have been closed for construction work, perhaps they were giving good advice. My final hurdle was getting into the hotel. I was asked whether my flight in the morning was for work or pleasure. I said "work", given hotels were only meant to be open for essential workers. How truthful was this? I had just submitted a book for publication on my walk across Europe on the E4 trail so I could honestly say I was an aspiring travel writer...

Regent's Park