★★★★★ A wagon in a train in a tunnel under the sea!

Imagine a world where we travel in tubes. Well, that IS the world we live in. 

I was recently on my “Up Close In Your Personage” tour throughout UK, Ireland and EU. So much beauty. We were blessed with good weather. Sunshine days and favorable winds carried us from village to village. 

Now, I typically prefer a more “olde tymey” mode of transport like walking or bicycle or even the trusty iron horse. But my show dates were many and in a short period of time, therefore I hired a Splitter-style wagon. My production manager, Anthony, was very familiar with this type of vehicle, and he would drive us from place to place. I’ll review that later.

We leave London in the morning and drive for a few hours through the gorgeous English countryside. Along M20 we pass towns like Hinxhill, Smeeth, Westenhanger, Peene and Flailing Mouse. That last one I just made up. The rest of them are actual town names. The tension was building as we grew closer to our point of embarkment in Folkstone. Anthony was pedal to the metal. I was chewing my nervous gum with great purpose. Tunnels under the water make me a little anxious. We approach and pass through the check-in gate with the greatest of ease. The attendant was helpful, and he understood Anthony’s Newfoundland English jargon. He cheerfully instructed us to proceed to the Flexiplus queue. There we were, front of the queue. We saw a few shops and restaurants there. I was tempted by their advertisements. “Starbucks. Come in and enjoy your favourite coffee. Open 24 hours.” Or maybe, “Burger King. Eat from the world famous menu.” I chose to stay close to the wagon lest we encounter any unexpected travel weirdness. That’s when it would typically strike. When all is well.

As we waited, I began to feel the need to use the facilities. I looked around. Lo and behold, not more than a few meters from us is a facility. I dash across the tarmac and facilitate inside of it. I reorder myself and jet back to the wagon as we are directed onto the next level of our odyssey. My anxiety is waning.

We proceed up a long drive of which there are many. Make a right and then another right and down a driveway towards the train. There are articulated lorries (juggernauts, semi-trailers) being loaded into the train. They drive right in! We are directed to proceed to the next train car ahead. Front of the line. I get nervous again. Things are going well. Too well. I’m expecting the travel shoe to drop at anytime. A nice man with an exciting yellow High-Vis jacket motions us into a waiting train car. As we pass, he waves. No smile, just waves. That confuses me. We proceed through car after car until we are directed to stop by a smiling attendant. She smiles and holds up her hand as if to high five us. I return the gesture. Pretty cool. I never space high-fived on a train before. We settle in for our tube journey underneath the English Channel. Is that what they call it on the other end in Calais? Or does it become the French Channel?

Anthony mentions that there are facilities a few cars up. I boldly leap from the wagon to explore. The high five has eased my anxiety and caused me to forget I would soon be in a tube under the ocean. These facilities aren’t as spacious as the facilities on the tarmac. This is just one facility. A wee little water closet. But still I manage to facilitate. As I emerged from the WC, two families were standing nearby speaking french. They say “bon jour” to me. I high five them all (with my gloved left hand, of course). They respond with great enthusiasm. We become fast friends (ami). I return to the wagon. As I take my seat, Anthony tells me we’re pulling into Calais. What? I never even felt the thing move. My anxiety was all for naught, and I met new French friends on a train in a tube under the sea. I can’t wait to do to again.

Let’s YELP! 

16 Comments

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16 Responses to ★★★★★ A wagon in a train in a tunnel under the sea!

  1. Puddles if you ever decide on a change of jobs I think you have found your niche! Very well written, humorous, action packed and inciteful. Lot’s of suspense too on where you will find your next facility. LOL Must be all the coffee. ; )

  2. Juanita

    Wow, what an adventure. I can’t imagine being in a wagon in a train in a tunnel under the sea, it sounds scary and exciting. You’re a very good story teller, along with all your other many talents.

  3. Thomas

    I <3 you Puddles. Keep doing what you do! Can't wait 'til you make it to Atlanta GA!

  4. Oskar

    Love your voice. Found you late but can’t wait till you come back to Los Angeles.

  5. Pamela K

    Beautiful writing—thank you!! Please come back to Seattle!! I can’t wait to take my husband to see you. You are amazing and we both love your voice and songs and everything!

  6. Malcolm

    We came to see you in London that night, we too were a little frightened when we first travelled through our tunnel many years ago but much like you found its not so bad after all. Next time you should try the ‘Eurostar’ train that goes through the same tunnel, its a better ride and has bigger toilets !!. p.s. the London concert was the second best one I have been to in my entire life…and I have been to many over the years, I have seen some amazing bands and singers but none of them were as memorable or magical as that night in London, if you get the chance to return one day we will be waiting, and smiling…take care Big Guy 🙂

  7. Cathy Nunn

    I was in Europe the summer of 1972. We crossed the Channel the old fashioned way…. On a ferry barge. The water was very rough and 90% of the kids traveling with me stayed inside the seating cabin heaving. This farm girl from Texas was loving every second, feeling the sea spray.. But what an amazing summer it was!

  8. Jay Argabright

    Extremely enjoyable read Puddles. I felt like I was there. Looking forward to October…got tickets to see you in Santa Barbara. Thank you for sharing…

  9. The French call the English Channel “la Manche”, meaning sleeve, supposedly because the shape is suggestive of a sleeve.

  10. Coffee and pie.. says I already posted this? Hmm, curiouser and curiouser…

  11. says I already posted this? Hmm, curiouser and curiouser…

  12. Evan C

    We haven’t heard scratch from you in two months! Come back puddles, YouTube hasn’t been graced with your amazing voice in over half a year, we miss you!

  13. Miss B

    I have just found out about you via your interview on Jonesy’s Jukebox. I then viewed your YouTube stuff and ended up here. So sad that I knew nothing about you when you were visiting the UK. I hope you come back and visit us soon so that I can experience one of your live shows. Yours, a new fan x

  14. Suzanne M.

    Just discovered this guy this evening and he is AMAZING!!! Absolutely blown away. I will admit that at first I was creeped out and fascinated all at the same time but once that passed I wanted to listen to every song! Love him.

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