so you have your own train? very james bond that!

I have been told to arrive at Heathrow 3 hours before- which is pretty ridiculous. I am sure they do it so that you hang out in Duty-free for hours and so are bound to spend money. So you shoud have checked in at 4 PM.

That means you left in a car (with I think you said a hangover) to be dropped off at a train station in the middle of the lake District, having not checked Sunday schedules. You only had 3 hours. Even if they drove you to Manchester and you got the intercity it is cutting it fine.
Virgin Trains
Due to high winds the following services will be cancelled:
08:15 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston
09:15 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston
10:15 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston
11:15 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston
13:15 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston
14:05 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston

If you manage to catch the train immediately at Manchester the train takes 2 hours 10 minutes ( with no delays), So lets say 2hours 30 minutes to get off the train get get to the tubes station etc. You now have 30 minutes to get the Victoria Line- changing at Green park ( lugging luggage ). Then get the Picadilly line to Heathrow ( all Sunday service) Then get off the tube and battle your way up escalators,through the departure lounge and wait in the check-in line (if you don't have the handy little flight ticket App on your phone). London tubes are great ( when it isn't raining etc.)

Even as an expert london tube rider with my oyster card in hand I can tell you that is not possible.


Sometimes it would take me 3 hours to get from a Peckham housing estate to Home in Hilingdon ( London).

You've obviously not flown to Heathrow in the past couple of years, particularly within Europe. I have had it take over an hour to get through security, and then you get the joy of trying to figure out which way you need to go for your flight, as they don't tell you the gate until the flight is boarding. Which means you could be at the wrong end of the terminal, so add another 10 - 15 minutes on, while the flight is boarding, if you pick/are told the wrong end to wait.

I understand that flights are cancelled because of wind.
But trains?

It must have been blowing leaves onto the tracks

I always thought that this only happens in Holland.

last summer- but UK to US was told 3 hours for all international flights- Heathrow was a nightmare. Which other airport asks for 3 hours?? Tubes don't open till 5:30am and it was an 11a.m. flight, so it was lift or cab. to the airport.

I shouldn't complain I am in training for a 24 hour flight in a couple of weeks got to lose weight get fit etc.

Plus someone pushed their case along the belt to the XRay causing my laptop to go hurtling off the belt and skidding through the feet of people lining up for the other security machines. I got an admission that she did it but no apology. The lid is loose but it still works.
I spent Over $200 in duty-free so bored and I hate shopping.

You don't go to the UK for the tranport system...just like you don't move to CH for its carefree approach ;-)

Welcome to the forum. An intro would be nice.

The best way to see the UK Youth hostel and join the ramblers!

The UK may not have the best transport system anymore but the best transport is your own body. The UK has a very active rambling association who walk the old pathways to keep them open, it is a great way to see the countryside. It also has the best hostel association in the world (YHA). I have met really interesting people from all over the world at Youth Hostels.
Another option is swimming the lakes and rivers- no I'm not joking. You can combine both!

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/

Wild swimming lake district

In defence of the UK..hubby and I recently returned from a wonderful
holiday there..we were in Cornwall,Devon and West Sussex.Everywhere
we went was green and stunning!The bluebells were in full bloom.We
did so much walking,along bridleways,through farm fields of cows and
sheep,beautiful streams,bunnies and birds..picture perfect...the
English countryside is so gorgeous..I love all the open space and country
cottages that one might see on a chocolate box.
The folk were incredibly friendly and welcoming..I think England is super
especially in spring!!!!

My daughter and I got on a train from Carlisle to Preston and it was like being vacuum packed - all the air was sucked out as we made our way down the narrow aisle, looking for free seats (none).
Then a nice bunch of Scottish lads jumped up and offered us some seats with them - they were happy to stand and chat to us, offer us drinks etc - all very non-threatening.
Another guy helped me off with my case and as I'm not really old or decrepit, I think he was being a total gentleman!
British folks are so friendly.

__________________

You've got nice boobs, right?

Ha ha - as well as...........

I don't understand...Didn't anyone watch the royal wedding, with the horse-drawn carriage and everything? This is how all the British people get around :0 On-time and environmentally friendly..

And shall we add:"have a lovely cup of tea, pet!". Any outsider does not understand that the hardship of travelling in the U.K. or the weather is what makes the LOVELY in "lovely cup of tea"!