Sitting on the tube last night in banana milkshake/ white wine sugar/ alcohol haze I got a bit misty eyed reading Composed Upon Westminster Bridge.
I've always been a huge fan of Poems on the Underground and as I read my Wordsworth I was reminded of this story about train drivers effectively giving little readings on the tube- which I also think would be rather wonderful.
In the many years of visiting and living in London only a few times have I known tube drivers deviate from the script and it's always brought an enormous smile to the face of everyone in the carriage. Tourists especially looked delighted when they were told they could get off at Embankment to go and see the pigeons in Trafalger Square, or to ride the circle line round and round. I also always remember being wished a happy Christmas from all the staff on the Bakerloo line as I disembarked for Christmas two years ago and wanting to shout happy Christmas back to the driver.
I so love the tube driver announcements which are off the cuff as it were. I avoid the tube as much as possible but those make it all the more fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie- thanks for stopping by. What a lovely wedding picture! I don't necessarily avoid the tube but I hate the mindset where people always get on it when walking or buses are often so much quicker and I do avoid it during rush hour!
ReplyDeletebut when you get the little random comments it's great.
It's those little moments of camaraderie between strangers that make the human experience so wonderful, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Wordsworth. We were born on the same day.
I miss live conductors. The announcements on our "el" system are now recorded...no impromptus...no poetry...no drawn out delivery of stop names...
ReplyDeleteA while back, they *did* have visual displays of poets and artwork, which was nice. But I love the idea of the sound of the words coming over the loudspeaker.
They are so beautiful. Wish they had an equivalent on the NY subway. LLGxx
ReplyDeleteHow delightful... I love being in that haze... Right now I am in the two glasses of pinot noir and chocolate cheesecake haze :)
ReplyDeletePamela- it's true, especially on the tube in London when people resolutely don't speak to each other unless forced! What a great person to share your birthday with
ReplyDeleteScentscelf- I miss the conductors on our routemaster buses. They were usually the nicest of men (or sometimes women) and always made the bus feel homely and safe.
LLG- I'm surprised they don't have an equivalent actually- wouldn't it be nice if people just started leaving poems on the trains. I know there is that project to leave books you've finished on public transport. I always mean to do it but am a dreadful horder!
Daily- yes I figured as long as I had liquid things it wouldn't be bad for me! not sure it works but hey ho!
On the train home last night our driver told those of us who were disembarking to 'get our brollies ready as it has just started to rain'. I love that so much - just knowing there is a person out there makes everything so much brighter than those soulless automated responses. I have a list somewhere of funny London tube announcements that drivers have actually come out with – my two favourites are below:
ReplyDelete"Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage these professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give it to a registered charity. Failing that, give it to me."
Heard during an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line: "Step right this way for the sauna, ladies and gentleman... unfortunately, towels are not provided."
Hi Jayne,
ReplyDeleteYou know you could probably publish a little book with all the fun annoouncements- it sounds like you get some wonderful ones.
The sauna is genius- and true!
The whole UK is all about tradition (and the public transport is no different which is bliss), isn't it, and this constant is a form of reassurance that nothing could seriously go wrong with life. At least this is how I interpret consistency. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi E, Yes I guess we are quite strong on tradition it's true and it is very comforting for the most part.
ReplyDelete