Father and sons make a soft landing in city
The trip was meant to be a turnaround as my sons just enjoy the train journey (sadists that they are).
On arrival at Kent station in the city my older son advised me of his need to use the bathroom.
On entering the toilets I was reminded of a holiday I spent many years ago in the Florida everglades where the most of the area at 'ground' level is submerged under water.
To my delight, I was greeted with the exact same conditions in this train station due to overflowing toilets coupled with the accompanying noxious odour.
I held my sons by their hands and led them to the least despicable-looking urinal.
I supported my youngest son above ground in the crook of my elbow in an attempt to prevent his feet touching the floor.
I held my other son with my free hand to prevent him wandering to the nearest water pool as he recently went to see Finding Nemo and has a new-found interest in all things aquatic. My son was unable to go to the loo and he was becoming distressed as he never used a urinal before.
The toilets themselves were so despicable that a battalion of the Irish Rangers would not dare to venture there.
I decided to leave and take a chance on him wetting himself. We duly went to a toilet in a hotel in the vicinity, thereby missing our return train.
Unfazed by our adventure, we headed back to the station.
I approached a member of staff there and asked could I speak to the station manager, but was told he was off that day.
In any other organisation this would have been followed by a 'Can I help you?' but Iarnród Éireann are not there yet, but they are getting there, as they keep telling us in their advertising campaigns.
John O'Connor,
19, Rushbrooke Manor,
Cobh,
Co Cork.
