If my hangover was a town...

[venta]

When I began commuting to work by train last year, I was surprised at how frequently the train stopped in a station in such a way that a person sitting where I was couldn't see the station name board. After three months, I can recognise the ten or so stations on my line, and am much more attuned to the stoppings and startings of my train.

In the initial stages, though, I was frequently to be seen peering out of windows, trying to work out where I was - not that it usually mattered, since I could recognise both the stations at which I might want to alight. One station, however, was always simple: as you pull in, a strident recorded female voice trumpets Slough. This is Slough!

I've never worked out why she sounds so pleased about it.

Trivia fans may also be pleased to hear that Slough is also the only station on my route with a stuffed dog on the platform. He's called Jim.

Comments

[fluffymark]

Every time i hear "Willesden Green" on the tube announcments, I keep thinking i should go there and see what's so exciting about it. It makes me happy every time I hear it.

Also, on the DLR, the announcments are all relatively formal, except for "mudchute" which slips into an deep estuary accent.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

except for "mudchute" which slips into an deep estuary accent
Sounds appropriate!

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'm just confused. I used to travel a lot on the Jubilee line, and I never once noticed Willesden Green sounding particularly exciting.

I could understand someone getting excited about Swiss Cottage or St Johns Wood, as they have brilliant steampunky escalators.

[kauket.livejournal.com]

Where the most exciting thing near to Willesden Green is Brent Magistrates Court, you know you should probably just stay on the tube...

[ringbark.livejournal.com]

She always sounds so happy about the termini, but "Willesden Green" is indeed the one she sounds happiest about.

Then there's the pompous ass who wants to remind us to keep all our possessions with us.