This was the shortest leg of my journey.
The cycle to the hotel of about a mile took an age due to traffic lights and traffic. Cars really hold cyclists up but not as much as they hold each other up.
Didcot to Bristol
Liverpool to Didcot
While I was packing I had some visitors.
Liverpool
I am staying at the Premier Inn at the Albert Docks, a brilliant location,
An amazing view of the Albert Docks, the Mersey and the nearby iconic buildings. The hotel is in a re-purposed warehouse.
I didn’t just stay in my room, as wonderful as it was.
They’re sculptures and monuments near the Tide Dock.
For a day of sight seeing it is worth while getting a day saver ticket. Travel on trains, buses and the ferry.
Had a look around Crosby.
Back to the city centre and it’s time to take the Ferry Across the Mersey. With bike.
Crossed the Mersey and cycled to New Brighton.
Cycled towards Birkenhead.
And it’s back across on the ferry. A band boarded with their instruments, I assume to do a show on the ferry later.
Cycled a bit around Liverpool on return to the shore.
Visiting the largest Anglican cathedral, anywhere, I believe.
And then visited the Catholic cathedral.
Liverpool is a vibrant, interesting city.
To Liverpool
Too much chat on the train to Liverpool Lime Street to take photos.
Glasgow
I cycled in Glasgow and tried out the buses. Glasgow has some proper cycle lanes, separated from traffic. The drivers are polite and the cyclists obey the traffic lights.
Comprehensive bus service.
I visited the old Govan Church following a recommendation.
Fascinating old grave stones from 800 AD onwards are displayed in the church.
I had a proper explanation of the history of the kingdom of Strathclyde from the guide. A language close to Welsh was spoken here.
Had to wait for the bus for a long time due to a Scotland international friendly messing up the buses.
There are some surprising places in Glasgow.
Lots of food options around.
To Glasgow
The clouds give for atmospheric landscape views.
Some blue sky started to appear.
That was a seven and half hour journey. Arrived only slightly late.
Chester to the far north
First train, a transport for Wales train, which shuttles between Chester and Crewe, entirely in England.
Then onto the Caledonian Sleeper, due in at 2345 at Crewe, but arrives late. So make it to bed after midnight.
I wake up in the Highlands.
After a stop in the Sleeper lounge, it’s onto the far north line.
To Chester
I had a realisation on this trip that not all trains have luggage racks and not all trains have toilets.
Didcot to Chester involved four trains, which is strange as I only needed three trains from the far north to Didcot.
Change again at Birmingham, the most confusing station that I have come across, not helped by poor signage. Slightly stressful due to a slight delay in arriving. Had to go to platform 4B . Was that a left or right turn at the bottom of the stairs? Guessed correctly as left.
Accents a mixture of brummie and scouse on the train to Chester.
Only a 1 minute 23 second bike ride from the station to the Premier Inn. Easy.
And even closer is the Shropshire Union Canal.
Had a little explore of Chester.
Chester is pretty with lots of interesting alleys.
Sunny flit in and out of London
What can you see from the train when travelling in and out of London?
Turns out there are a lot of good views from the train, and when the sun shines the countryside and London can look amazing. It beats being stuck in traffic.
North to south
Another trip south by train, this time with bike. Arrived at the station to meet the train to Inverness. It was windy.
And sunny.
Getting on to the sleeper.
The sleeper was not taking its normal route meaning it arrived 40minutes later than normal. Much of the extra time was spent manoeuvring through London.
A ride through London taking 19 minutes to get from Euston to Paddington, five minutes of which was spent stationary at traffic lights.
Oh dear, the English and Union Jack Flags being inappropriately displayed in Didcot. Very disrespectful! What can be more disrespectful than cheap Chinese made flags looking scrawny and scruffy.
From bright sunshine and blue skies in the far north to cloud in the south.
