First train ride

[Howard Glansfield]

Joan and I took Arthur on his first train today,we went from Kettering to Nottingham.He was very nervous getting onto the train but wasn't at all bothered by the arrival of the huge and noisy thing that it must be to a young dog.He cried a bit during the journey(an hour) but got lots of fusses from us and some passengers.We arrived at Nottingham and took him for a walk along the canal tow path,it was a glorious day as we sat watching the barges,(another first for Arthur!) and the ducks.We stayed about an hour and then returned back to the Station.Arthur was very confident getting on to the train,hardly made a noise during the journey and discovered that he could lie down!

Joan and I both feel we can face the journey to our holiday destination with some confidence now we know he is all right with trains.We go on April 9th.Three setters and us on one train...could be fun!

[Sherry Miller]

Howard ,

  I wish we could take our Molly on a train here.  Sounds like a wonderful adventure for all of you....and a great way to go on holidays with your dogs. Hope you all have a wonderful trip.

[Eunice Marott]

yes wish we could take our dogs on public transport but sadly not. Take lots of photos should be exciting for all. Hope you do not have too much luggage

[Lois McCullough]

We also took our 2 boys on the train to London - wonderful experience!! Not a lot of room for them to lay down so the ticket checker moved us up to 1st class - you should have seen the faces of those that had paid extra for P&Q.  

[Eunice Marott]

good on you. But is P&Q

[Lois McCullough]

Hi Eunice, Peace & Quiet. The journey to London is 1hr 20mins from Pluckley, so the regulars 'suited & booted' tend to tavel 1st class, you can just picture it when 2 IS invaded their space on an early morning train.

[Eunice Marott]

thats so funny. I am sure your IS did not cause any problems

[Lois McCullough]

The 'suited and booted' continued to read their Times whilst peering at us over their specs, the 'boys' were totally unaware of the looks we were getting. The best part is the ticket inspector took us out of the 2nd class carriage at Tonbridge and walked with us to the 1st class. No one uttered a word yet in 2nd class the 'boys' were really made a fuss of must be something to do with 'class'. Shouldn't say this because Andrew's an accountant and used to make the same journey every day minus the 'boys'

[Eunice Marott]

that is really funny, wonder if your boys knew where they were on the train. Only the best for them

[KC and the boys]

Lucky you - despite numerous trips on trains and buses Errol he is not a happy bunny when it comes to Public Transport. He's fine getting on the bus and for the first 5 minutes but then starts whinging and getting restless. You know the score: sit, down, up, turn round, sniff passengers, whinge, sit, lick yucky floor, up again, turn, whinge etc etc). He's a bit calmer on the trains I guess but only if it's not too busy. First Class travel would be his preferred mode of transport, I suppose.

[KC and the boys]

No he doesn't get sick - he's a good traveller. I've always put it down to impatience because he tends to be alright first thing and then starts fidgeting. But I was told not to attend to his whinging as that would make things worse. When we travelled on the train to London for the first time he was the same but the train was really packed. On the way back there was loads of legroom (and he was also tired which helped) so he just stretched out and couldn't care less. He might just find the comings and goings on a busy bus/train unsettling, don't know. One thing is for sure, he is a nightmare in the car when he knows we're travelling somewhere to go walking (never on the way back when he's quiet as a mouse). Any suggestions anybody?

[Howard Glansfield]

We usually uprate to First Class ,which you can do at weekends, but this time I am travelling with First Class tickets which cost less than Second ...the ticket pricing policy on British trains still doesn't make any sense to me .

I avoid feeding the dogs the night before travel but they do get the odd treat on the journey.

Fred and Ellie are seasoned rail travellers and just lie down until we change trains.The first time we took them we had a straight through train from Derby.The dogs were most surprised after a long lie down to be at the seaside!