One of the biggest challenges of being carless (and a little careless) is that we weren’t really prepared to rely on public transit. London’s tube system can get us anywhere but it is a little costly and also sometimes we lose children.

I had researched the Oyster card before arriving and learned about how you load it up and tap as you enter and leave stations. It is quick and handier than I realized.

I didn’t know that:

1. Des is young enough that we don’t pay for him. 🎉
2. Also there is a maximum charge per-day if we travel at the right times and areas.

The helpers on the London Underground have been great when we’ve . The routes are well spelled out and you can easily check the direction of travel and the order of the stops. Moving around in some stations does feel like a twisty labyrinth. Everything is clearly mark though and if you know what to look for it is a breeze.

We’ve only been a little careless (and carless) once in London. We left Lydia at Baker Street station. We thought she was on the train. She though we were somewhere else. The train didn’t care about our opinions, closed its doors, and left without her.

I blame the train. 🚊

We did see her before the train left the station. I gestured EMPHATICALLY to her to STAY THERE I’LL BE BACK! I circled back at the next station with directions from some friendly Londoners. Ten minutes later I found her at the same spot with another friendly Londoner waiting with her.

She is completely fine and has sworn to hold this against us for the rest of our lives.

Seems fair.