Environment, Travel

Coast to coast north south north by train

Low cloud in the far north

This journey, starting in the far north of Scotland, visiting Oxfordshire (twice), London, West Sussex, Poole, Surrey, Cheshire , Liverpool and Inverness.

Cloud still low
Rain has started
Change to the Caledonian Sleeper at Inverness.
Sunny breakfast on the move

No dishwasher working on the train, hence the disposable cup.

Sunny at Euston

The only issue on the cycle to Paddington was a close pass from a speeding motorcyclist. Why are they allowed in the bus lanes and why can’t they ride better?

Paddington

After chatting to the man on the train doing the food trolley he said he would give me a free tea, if he got time before Didcot. Very kind.

Vapour trails
Free tea
The Thames
Didcot
Didcot again

First train issue- train to Paddington delayed so caught a different train.

Cycle across London in glorious sunshine, taking in Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, London Eye…

I came across a new menace in London, motorised skateboards exclusively ridden by idiots. These are not legally allowed to be used on pavements, roads or cycle paths. What happens if collide with an illegal vehicle, with no insurance and no sense?

After a stay in London I trained on from south London via London Bridge to Sussex.

Eastbourne Pier
Eastbourne Pier from a different angle

The trip included cycling on the wonderful cuckoo trail. Lots of birdsong but no cuckoos heard,

Sunny view of the sea
Back on the train again at Eastbourne
Early start, so breakfast on the train
A green interlude
Brighton
Brighton station
River Itchen
Southampton station
Near Christchurch

A stop in Poole then back on the train.

Always end up in Reading 🙂
A rainy view of the Thames
After a wet ride from Didcot Station
Oops, accidentally got on first class at Didcot- on a crowded train

Change at Reading, on to Ash.

Ash

Fun at Ash, delayed train from Guildford due to something being thrown on the line.

A stay in Surrey for the weekend.

Leaving Farnham
London

Another cycle across London.

Euston station
Berkhamsted?
Chester station
Capenhurst
Liverpool

Things started going pear shaped at Liverpool from where I was trying to travel to Inverness.

Liverpool station

Caught an earlier train , which I was only able to do due to having arrived early at Liverpool.

Change at Preston for Edinburgh
Passing through Lancaster
Back into Scotland- sun getting low

The train got stopped, so my connection at Haymarket started looking unsafe,

Edinburgh Airport

Despite warning the conductor and his best efforts we missed the connection to Inverness. ScotRail refused to hold their train. Splitting up British Rail was not a good idea.

Shoved on a train to Perth.

Sun setting on the Forth
I did not expect to be going through Kilcardy

After a late taxi ride from Perth to Inverness I eventually got to bed.

Up bright and early
Back at Inverness station
Crossing the river Ness
Near Lairg
Sunny with a blue sea near Brora.
River Helmsdale
Near Kinbrace
Preparing to disembark

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