So I got to the tube this morning at a little past 9:00 am and an announcement came over saying that there were severe delays and that “the Piccadilly Line is, um, non-existant.” So I popped over to the Circle/District lines to go over to Vitoria to take it up to King’s Cross. After standing there for a few minutes, packed in like sardines, the driver told us to get off the train, that all underground service had ben suspended.
So I popped out of the tube station with everyone else and stared at the bus map, which no one knew how to read.
I hopped the 49 bus to get up around Hyde Park, then got off to get on the 9 or 10 to go to Euston or King’s Cross, on the north end of town.
On the bus, everyone was talking about explosions in the tubes and, apparently, on a bus in Russell Square, which is near the British Library.
Then I learned I was on the rigth bus but going the wrong way. So I rode it to the junction, then grabbed the 9 going the right way. Then more sirens. Then people started talking about how you couldn’t get into central London, and that the only way I would be able to get up near King’s Cross would be to go kind of around the center of town, by bus, and then walk in.
So I got off around Hyde Park, which is where that bus was making its premature termination.
More sirens. More police. Tons of people in the streets.
I walked down to a bus stop for 49, which goes almost to our front door, and walked home, where I found a note from her saying she was at the internet cafe. I figured she must’ve seen something about the chaos on the news, and so I hoofed it down to the cafe, where I was greeted with a big hug.
And here I am. Blogging. Amidst what seems to be a series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks.
I’m actually reading this before I’ve even read what CNN has to say. My first thought was not “Oh, shit. How big and bad is this?” It was, “Oh, shit. Where are Scott and Shelley?” Be careful out there. Keep us posted.
thank god you’re ok. thanks for the quick update.
Good lord! I just saw this news. Shit.
Thanks for posting something so we don’t have to wonder if you’re okay. Give Shelley a big ol’ hug for me, will ya?
You know, I’ve just been completely won over at last to the concept of blogging. My first thought was of you, and I rushed here as quickly as possible to see if you were okay. Thanks for posting so quickly, and good luck navigating the city for the next couple days.
Be well. Be safe. We’re glad to hear you’re fine. Hug Shelley. Be glad you’re not listening to US news right now.
We’ll keep a thought out for you. Now to find out if my Chair and our study abroad students are doing okay.
I’m afraid that y’all were only my second thought — my first thought, on looking online, was “@#$%, the Russell Square bus blew up right in front of my hotel — thank heavens I left monday!”
Good on you for blogging immediately. I’m immensely relieved you’re both fine; I was just envisioning you being one of the people stuck in King’s X.
Keep safe, then keep blogging.
I’m glad you’re OK – thanks for posting the news.
Glad you are okay. We are thinking of you and all London.
Very glad that you’re okay. You and Shelley were the first people I thought of, given that everyone else I knew had left by then.
Stay safe.
First stop this morning was right here, especially after learning that Russell Square was one of the stations hit.
I’m very glad you and Shelley are OK.
[...] We were there. [...]