On outings, we usually went with one coach, sometimes supplemented by our own transport. However, hiring a coach was pricey, especially if we didn’t go back the same day.
So, we decided to go to Lochem with as many cars as possible. The rest (about twenty-five) would follow by train. On that Friday we all got on the tram to Amsterdam Central Station and, as it was Friday afternoon, and everyone was excited by the prospect of a weekend away; most of us had a few drinks.
The trip to CS went without any problems and we walked into the station with all twenty-five when I thought “Let me just check if my timetable is still current………… no it was not! Stupid, stupid, stupid!”
We had to catch the train to Amersfoort within 5 minutes or we wouldn’t make the last train to Lochem. I rushed back to the hall and ……… everybody was gone, apart from Anneke!
What to do? There were no mobile phones back then. We divided our search party, Anneke went to the station bar on platform 1 and I went to the shops.
All of a sudden, I heard through the big hall. “Will Café Cor-rupt gather on platform 2A; Will Café Cor-rupt gather immediately on platform 2A. You have 4 minutes before the train leaves”. The station announcer had been persuaded to help, Anneke is really priceless!!
When we were on the train I noticed after 5 minutes that everyone was gone again. Some were playing cards in wagon three, others were arguing with German gentlemen in wagon six, two were sleeping in the next wagon and the rest were initially untraceable. I went looking for everyone and urged them to get off in Amersfoort for the train to Deventer.
So hardly anyone got out…….. The game of cards wasn’t over; they had just made friends with those nice Germans, and one I couldn’t wake up. Fortunately, very fortunately, the train had to wait 15 minutes in Amersfoort (international train) so in the end I managed to get them all on the right train (just) in time.
On that train it all started again or actually it got worse. Some had bought beers in Amersfoort and they had to be shared, of course, with everyone in their own wagon but also in the next wagon and the next ….. The game of ‘toepen’ was resumed in the rear carriage. In the absence of the Germans new friendships were made with the locals and further sleep was had. The conductor looked at me with sympathy. With much less tact than the first time, I urged everyone to get out in Deventer and if not………… their problem!
In Deventer, four got off! Thank God the conductor helped me and I saw most of my lot grumbling while coming off the train a few moments later. We did lose one sleepy head. Luckily, the final journey to Lochem was simpler. There were no other trains which could be accidentally boarded and more important it was a short train. Result! We were picked up from the station in Lochem by the private cars and arrived quickly and safely at the bungalow park. The group felt we had had a successful and enjoyable trip. Our sleepy head arrived hours later by taxi and I had a stomach ache and my first grey hair!
