Robert Johnson's Posts

Our Eurostar train's first proper stop on its way to the south of France is at Lyon Part Dieu, where we must change for a connection to Barcelona. #Madrid #Spain #Sign #Barcelona #TGV #AVE #RENFE #EuroStar #Journey #CityBreak #Weekend #MarkRogers #RobertJohnson #VI #cane #Adventure #Madrid2016 #May #2016 #lyon #PartDieu #change

"The next train is to Marseille!" - we start our journey on the three times a week London St Pancras to Marseille service. #Madrid #Spain #Sign #Barcelona #TGV #AVE #RENFE #EuroStar #Journey #CityBreak #Weekend #MarkRogers #RobertJohnson #VI #cane #Adventure #Madrid2016 #May #2016 #Marseille #lyon

I have a crash course in cane skills as I make my way to my friend Mark's flat for the night. #Madrid #Spain #Sign #Barcelona #TGV #AVE #RENFE #EuroStar #Journey #CityBreak #Weekend #MarkRogers #RobertJohnson #VI #cane #Adventure #Madrid2016 #May #2016 #CannonStreet #LongCane #Underground #Barrier #Stuck #Tube

It's 9 o'clock in the evening and I'm crossing the concourse at Waterloo, heading for Madrid, eventually. #Madrid #Spain #Sign #Barcelona #TGV #AVE #RENFE #EuroStar #Journey #CityBreak #Weekend #MarkRogers #RobertJohnson #VI #cane #Adventure #Madrid2016 #May #2016 #Start #GuideDog

When heard at London stations and Inspector Sands announcement usually heralds certain doom, such as a fire evacuation or bomb scare. On this occasion however it seems somebody had simply fallen asleep on the button. #InspectorSands #Warning #Announcement #Alert #Tube #Underground #Stratford #London

I leave Gio with Claire for a one night sleepover and take to the cane once more.

Gio seems to have taken to "singing" on public transport. Whether it is his chase instinct being activated by scenery passing outside, all the bells as the doors are unlocked, the experience seems to really excite his senses and motivate him to squeak. I will readily admit that it probably wasn't the best time to accept a request to stroke him, but at that moment I would have done anything to quieten him down or at least distract from the noise. Hopefully we can challenge this behaviour as, otherwise, longer journeys will be unbearable.

I look back on my time with (retired) guide dog Vance, who has died aged eight. #vance #guide #dog #GuideDogVance #died #death #life #Working #Partner #Independence #Dignity #GuideDog #obituary #thanks

#Busker #Busking #FleetwoodMac #London #SouthBank #2016

#Tesla #ModelS #GadgetShow #2016

First it was the man, slightly worse for wear, calling Gio over and whistling. Then it was the lady who really wanted to stroke him but held back. And then Gio seemed pretty desperate to get somewhere, but who knows where? All in all a rather peculiar journey.

#tube #bank #london

A couple of songs from Joseph, reminding me of when I saw the original West End version as a child, with Jason Donovan in the lead role.

Gio and I dash – back across London to catch one of only a few connections to Richmond each hour, owing to engineering work. #GuideDog #guide #dog #working #Gio #2016 #london #UK #Blind #VisuallyImpaired #VI #Learn #Independence #Mobility #AudioDiary #Audio #Diary #GermanShepherd # GoldenRetriever #gdba #Develop #Bond #work #Partnership #PostQualification #Kingscross #Railway #Station #Tube #Underground #VictoriaLine #Vauxhall

A points failure outside the station causes our train to have to reverse some distance before approaching once more on a different track. Credit should be given to the train crew who kept us well informed throughout. #Train #Points #Phalia #Kingscross #Virgin #EastCoast #Reverse

Gio and I join an East Coast train at Peterborough. #GuideDog #guide #dog #working #Gio #2016 #london #UK #Blind #VisuallyImpaired #VI #Learn #Independence #Mobility #AudioDiary #Audio #Diary #GermanShepherd # GoldenRetriever #gdba #Develop #Bond #work #Partnership #PostQualification #EastCoast #Virgin #Peterborough

Gio enjoys a free run with six month old Belgian Shepherd Collie cross Milly. Unfortunately the wind noise on this Recording is rather distracting, so keep the volume low! #GuideDog #guide #dog #working #Gio #2016 #london #UK #Blind #VisuallyImpaired #VI #Learn #Independence #Mobility #AudioDiary #Audio #Diary #GermanShepherd # GoldenRetriever #gdba #Develop #Bond #work #Partnership #PostQualification #FreeRun #Field #Lincolnshire #Run #Wind

Gio and I make a textbook change at Peterborough and then have to stand in the wind for 15 minutes. #GuideDog #guide #dog #working #Gio #2016 #london #UK #Blind #VisuallyImpaired #VI #Learn #Independence #Mobility #AudioDiary #Audio #Diary #GermanShepherd # GoldenRetriever #gdba #Develop #Bond #work #Partnership #PostQualification #Peterborough #Railway #Station #Change