The Heffalump Rides Again

Okay, so this is a slightly different trip up north, to what I’ve done recently.

Cast your mind back to November, when I was travelling by train via the East Coast Main Line. A friend of mine who works for another Virgin Trains (West Coast Main Line), but commutes via the East Coast, sent me a series of messages, sharing in my despair. So, I followed this up by asking if this was a challenge to go back via his route - by that, I meant the open half of a return that I had not yet reserved my journey home on – but then came an offer of a free First Class return to use their services on my next trip! Now, naturally, I was somewhat gobsmacked, but more than willing to accept. To show that there is no bias if any other Train Operating Companies are reading this, and wish to make a similar offer to me (either a midweek trip that I can do on my own, or a weekend for the two of us), I’d be happy to oblige, and tell you honestly what I thought of the trip!

 

Anyway, I left Caroline this morning and she dropped me off for the 26 bus into Cambridge, followed by an X5 to Milton Keynes. When we got to Bedford and changed drivers, I spotted one of the new X5 coaches, fully branded, in the layover area. Our driver (a member of the Anglia Bus Forum, as it turned out afterwards – small world right enough!) So, here is a rushed shot of it taken through my coach window…

 

… and I got a few more at Milton Keynes too… have a look here.

In the meantime, I’ve had a wonderful journey from Milton Keynes to Brum New Street, and am now on the train to Edinburgh. We are between Lancaster and Carlisle (I would have posted earlier, but technical issues with the laptop!) , and have a Super Voyager for this part of the journey (I think). I am staying in Edinburgh, before going into Dundee tomorrow during the day. That was intended to be the day I’d hand the keys back, but a combination of lurgy and other things mean that has slipped, and will now be later in January, but I still need to be there tomorrow – so, what a way to do it.

Thinking about the number of times I’ve done Scotland to England by bus, train, I think that done just about every possible combination of routes – going to London, Brighton, Coventry, Birmingham, Barnsley, Preston, Blackpool, Newcastle, and of course, Royston. You could say that this is an early birthday present. Another way to think about it is to say that it is payback for all the money I’ve spent in travelling north and south (not just in my current romance with Caroline, but family trips, medical visits, shopping trips, and the first time I lived south of the border), but then I would need to explain how moneys are divvied up, franchise agreements, coach routing plans, and the rest. Then, I might stop back to agree with you. I’ve spent a lot of cash, especially back in the time when, pre discount tickets and online booking, tickets were more expensive, and seat availability more restricted. It’s almost the end of the line in terms of journeys up and down, as I’m more-or-less moved in, and the keys go back later this month. I’ve enjoyed the journeys, but not the problems – and I’ve certainly enjoyed the last 21 and a half months of romance, love, and happiness. So, while it might seem like the end of the line, it’s only the beginning for me. Sure, I’ve got a slightly confused road ahead of me, and my health isn’t exactly great. That’s why I wanted to go for my own life, rather than regretting it later, and I’m enjoying it so much. Things get me down, but as someone close to me said over the holidays, “enjoy the good days”.

My Tuesday on the move - part two

It's been quite an interesting journey - would have blogged a bit more about it, if the laptop hadn't been playing up (that and the connections). Having said all that, it was something different. The journey passed through Cumbria (it had gone dark by this time) and then across the Pentlands into Edinburgh. We were ten minutes late in, but the NX train was well over 13 minutes, and it still had to continue to Aberdeen!

So, after an enjoyable journey to Edinburgh, first bus to come along was a First 43, which took me to the bus stop just before Orchard Brae. Looked over the road, and spotted the Travelodge logo instantly! Thanks to lips_of_tragedy  for pointing out that this is the old Edinburgh Learmonth Hotel. Anyway, I checked in, and as it just opened a few weeks ago, it's still partially under construction, with a skip outside, etc. (mind you, I'm used to the rubble by now!) - they only opened to the public about two weeks ago. So, up in the lift three floors (there is a very German sounding woman in the lift/elevator voice, saying "Door opens" and "Lift upwards" etc...) and stretched out, and chilled and relaxed since. C asked me to get a pic, so here goes...



This will be a wonderful view out past the Western General, Goldenacre etc. in the daylight...!