A grandparent braves the London Underground

 Returning home to Hobart from the warmth and hustle of life in a big city I find myself remembering other cities and other transport systems, I have struggled through.  I wish someone had given me some helpful travel advice about the intricacies of getting around London, for example.


When using the London Underground for the first time on your own without a carer, you need to be prepared to find yourself relying on a power greater than your own to get you into the bowels of the earth and out again.  It seems easy  enough, just find the familiar red circle symbol and start your journey.  But be warned: feelings of panic may start to arise, as you find yourself being impelled down the stairs by the pressing throng, for the Underground will always be crowded, no matter when you travel.  Try to set your own course though, for before you proceed you will need a ticket and everyone else will already have one.  You won't need cash, but you will need a ticket--and any number of machines will welcome you to embrace them, touch their screens and get yourself the magic Oyster card that opens up all barriers to you;
    just as long as the machines don’t chew up your credit card, of course.