Hi all
I have just come back from a 5 day break with friends in Essex.
The train journey from Southampton to Waterloo (terminates at Waterloo) was fine. Disabled carriage was accessable (eventhough taken up by a couple with a buggy and no luggage! me on the other hand had 2 suitcases, 1 holdall, carrier bag of food and mags, buggy with Riley in, Daughter and handbag!) Now the return journey from Waterloo to Southampton was a problem! Ran onto to platform, asked guard for disabled carriage, he told me it was the next one down, continued running, hey presto, NO disabled carriage, asked another guard and got told "its right at the other end and you aint got time this train is leaving in 60 seconds". Chucked everything on train (including daughter!) and spent the rest of journey (2 hours) with buggy (containing 1 sleeping disabled child- Riley) in the doorway of the exit/entrance to train. Now TWO points here..... I know that the train terminates at Waterloo so the driver has to change ends for the return journey (trains dont U-turn!) So why the hell dont they put a disabled carriage at EACH END, so people can access it both times, And the other point is, just because my son is still in a buggy people automatically just think I'm looking for a buggy bay. Its times like this that i almost wish he had a wheelchair. I know the train services do offer assisntance, but because of my previous connections, i arrived a little later than expected, but wouldnt it be kinder to just put a disabled carriage at either end of a train, At the end of the day they are quick enough to charge you high prices, cancel connections and arrive late (leaves on the track!) and yet wouldnt give me another 60 seconds to run down to the right carriage!
Great holiday, back home now and already complaining!

P.S dont even get me started on the fact that some of the lifts didnt work!