Well, I'm home.
21 July 2005 17:14![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mandragoraAdmittedly it took an hour longer than normal (one hour forty mins in total) but actually it was rather pleasant. Got a bus as tube is up the spout anyway (Piccadilly Line is likely to be out of action for the 'foreseeable future') and Moorgate station - where I could pick up a WAGN train was also closed.
Info was confused - one WAGN person said trains were running from Finsbury Park, another that Finsbury Park was closed and the trains were running from Kings Cross and a third that Kings Cross was closed. A bus to Wood Green and therefore within 2 miles of my house came along, so I grabbed it. Me and a lot of other people. No problem, though, I got a seat upstairs next to some Swedish bloke with a rucksack. Figured the rucksack was just that and plonked myself next to him. From Wood Green picked up the replacement Piccadilly Line bus service to the next tube stop, which is mine and wandered down to my place.
And the sun shone. It was all rather pleasant and good humoured, actually.
As I said to Temaris, if they're going to do it every other Thursday we ought to start diarising.
Monday: court.
Tuesday: interview client.
Wednesday: court and interviewing client.
Thursday: terrorist attack.
Friday: yet more court.
Etc.
As Tem pointed out, first attack was the morning, next was lunchtime. So presumably the Thursday after next will be in the evening. Hmm, now that's a day to work from home. Or leave early. Like I was able to do today - was going to pick up the car from where it was undergoing some minor repairs. But, the car is still with the garage, as I can't get to it by public transport today. Ah well, there's always tomorrow.
In less pleasant news, I discovered today that the solicitor who was one of the victims on 7 July was sitting on the next table to mine at the Tout's Ball (big legal shindig), which took place just the week before at the Grosvenor Hotel on Park Lane. I knew that I recognised her when I saw her photo and today saw her name in a book we all carry around listing all solicitors in our line of work. That was a poignant moment.
ETA Transport is already getting back to normal. True to their word, disruptions have been kept to a minimum. Never thought I'd say this, but well done London Underground and the train operators.
Info was confused - one WAGN person said trains were running from Finsbury Park, another that Finsbury Park was closed and the trains were running from Kings Cross and a third that Kings Cross was closed. A bus to Wood Green and therefore within 2 miles of my house came along, so I grabbed it. Me and a lot of other people. No problem, though, I got a seat upstairs next to some Swedish bloke with a rucksack. Figured the rucksack was just that and plonked myself next to him. From Wood Green picked up the replacement Piccadilly Line bus service to the next tube stop, which is mine and wandered down to my place.
And the sun shone. It was all rather pleasant and good humoured, actually.
As I said to Temaris, if they're going to do it every other Thursday we ought to start diarising.
Monday: court.
Tuesday: interview client.
Wednesday: court and interviewing client.
Thursday: terrorist attack.
Friday: yet more court.
Etc.
As Tem pointed out, first attack was the morning, next was lunchtime. So presumably the Thursday after next will be in the evening. Hmm, now that's a day to work from home. Or leave early. Like I was able to do today - was going to pick up the car from where it was undergoing some minor repairs. But, the car is still with the garage, as I can't get to it by public transport today. Ah well, there's always tomorrow.
In less pleasant news, I discovered today that the solicitor who was one of the victims on 7 July was sitting on the next table to mine at the Tout's Ball (big legal shindig), which took place just the week before at the Grosvenor Hotel on Park Lane. I knew that I recognised her when I saw her photo and today saw her name in a book we all carry around listing all solicitors in our line of work. That was a poignant moment.
ETA Transport is already getting back to normal. True to their word, disruptions have been kept to a minimum. Never thought I'd say this, but well done London Underground and the train operators.
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no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 17:03 (UTC)Now they say the bombs were similar with that used in the previous attacks. *sigh*
And, I'm sorry to read of your acquaintance being one of the victims. *deep sigh*
no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 17:16 (UTC)*g* Well, actually, I was due to be out for dinner on 7 July. We've re-scheduled for next Tuesday. Fingers crossed.
I'm watching the news as I type and it looks like there may be some clues left behind this time. Let's hope it leads to a breakthrough.
Thanks for the comment regarding the poor woman who died. It is a sobering thought.
no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 17:32 (UTC)Apparently not...
Glad you're okay.
no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 17:42 (UTC)Thanks for the good wishes.
no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 19:26 (UTC)Tuesday: interview client.
Wednesday: court and interviewing client.
Thursday: terrorist attack.
Friday: yet more court.
It's probably massively inappropriate of me, but this schedule made me giggle like a loon. I must say, the Londoners on my flist seem to be remarkably 'business as usual' under the circumstances. Seems a very good reaction to me, though I'm not sure I could manage it myself.
I'm sorry about the solicitor turning out to be an acquaintance. That's got to be creepy.
no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 19:41 (UTC)I think 'business as usual' is the best reaction we can have in the circumstances. It's much better than panic, anyway. And, we do have many years of experience of terrorist attacks. Sadly.
I'm sorry about the solicitor turning out to be an acquaintance. That's got to be creepy.
Actually, it was more sad than creepy. I was talking about her at court today with someone who used to be a colleague. The legal world is pretty small, even in London.
no subject
Date: 21 July 2005 20:02 (UTC)I do hope so. But I still am most impressed by the British police and how fast they seem to have moved intheir investigation.
It is strange; even knowing that someone could die at any moment, this is still shocking. Terrorism is so stupid.
no subject
Date: 22 July 2005 02:38 (UTC)In my years-behind slang, mad props for the ability to joke.
Sympathy and empathy for the acquaintance. One knows intellectually that the photos and names represent people, but to remember the person hits in the heart.
no subject
Date: 22 July 2005 07:47 (UTC)Never thought I'd hear/see it!
Indeed, I'm expecting to hear on the radio in a fortnight that the evening rushour was disrupted by someone planting a bomb or four which didn't go off at all.
no subject
Date: 22 July 2005 20:20 (UTC)One knows intellectually that the photos and names represent people, but to remember the person hits in the heart.
That's it exactly. She's not 'just' a photograph now.
And. The best reaction (if possible, I don't think that the poor people who were directly affected could do so) is to joke, I think. And whinge about the inconvenience - we used to do that all the time when the IRA was active.
no subject
Date: 22 July 2005 20:22 (UTC)I know, it's a miracle.
You may have learnt that my terrorist attack schedule may have been blown to hell (er, or whatever) by today's events. That's if the man killed at Stockwell was carrying a bomb.
no subject
Date: 23 July 2005 01:47 (UTC)My mind started playing with the story possiblility that it was an Immortal, and the coat was to hide the sword, and the consequences of all of that. Methos shot on tube line, wakes in high security morgue. Police are not amused.
Then I decided I needed more sleep, if something like that made sense.