I sent my son to his grandparents last Thursday. Unfortunately he’ll be returning to us tomorrow. Why do grandparents only keep their ‘charming, polite, delightful’ grandchildren for just a few days?
The summer holiday has just started and we have made 4 trips on the train – to Eastleigh, Winchester, Woking, and London. I thought it’s a good idea to show you what a staycation looks like.
How much does a train ticket cost?
Our return train tickets from Chandler’s Ford:
Chandler’s Ford to Winchester: £5.60 (adult)
Chandler’s Ford to Eastleigh: £2.90 (adult); £1.45 (child)
Chandler’s Ford to Woking: £15 (adult, South West Train promotion); £4.10 (single ticket, child)
Chandler’s Ford to London Waterloo: £28.70 (Super Off Peak, with Network card); £8.25 (child)
I have spent £66 on the train so far in about a week. With the Super Off Peak ticket to London, we saved about £10 by arriving in London after 12pm, and leaving London after 7pm. With the South West Train promotion ticket, on returning, I was required to depart before 4pm, or after 7pm.
Each time I buy a train ticket with the complex ticket system, I seem to gain more wisdom with an understanding of the complexity of the universe.
I also seem to have found myself forever waiting at Southampton Airport Parkway station, waiting for the next connecting train, which is always 50 minutes away. There is only ONE train per hour to get back to Chandler’s Ford, from Eastleigh or Southampton Airport Parkway stations. I managed to arrive at Southampton Airport Parkway station before 4pm, and the connecting train is 4.46pm.
I sympathise. When my son was working at Segensworth (22 minutes’ drive from home) it took him nearly 2 hours by bike and train to return in the evenings. I took him in to get him there on time in the morning for six months. However, the lesson was learned. He has not had any speeding fines or points added to his licence since…!
There have to be some advantages to being a grandparent.