Far North – Manchester – Aberdeen

Posted on 24th Jul 2026 by insightndes

A trip to the south, or the northwest of England as it is known, and then to the northeast of Scotland. This got off to a bad start when the ScotRail app told me at nine in the evening, before I was due to go, that the 0650 train was cancelled as it had broken down. Good that I was informed, bad that it was late in the day. The ScotRail app works well.

Could I catch the later train, and arrive late in Manchester or find an alternative? I went for the alternative, booking the Ember electric bus, meaning an earlier start, arriving an hour earlier in Inverness. The Ember bus is easy to book onto via the web.

The ride experience in the Ember bus was good, but still prefer the train. Early start meant packing a breakfast sandwich for the journey.

The elevation of the bus meant I could see far more than what I normally see from a car.

A wait in Inverness and then on to the next leg, back on track.

It is on to Edinburgh, where I changed trains. The temperature is far higher than further north.

Changed trains at Carlisle. The forecast temperature here is 24 degrees but the temperature in the glass roofed station is more like the mid 30s. It’s a greenhouse.

It was a twelve hour journey.

I am staying at the Premier Inn near the station, which is extremely close and convenient. I am on the ninth floor, a room with a view.

There are lots of canals in the centre of Manchester.

Manchester is an interesting city.

It is off to Crewe to catch the sleeper.

The Caledonian Sleeper is due at 2345, but as ever it arrives late at Crewe. I get to bed just after midnight and I wake up in Scotland.

Tourism

Liverpool

Posted on 10th Jun 202610th Jun 2026 by insightndes

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.

The propeller from the Lusitania, torpedoed in the First World War.

For a day of sight seeing it is worth while getting a day saver ticket. Travel on trains, buses and the ferry.

Looking from the train towards the Tabaco Warehouse.

Had a look around Crosby.

Turbines and Anthony Gormley Sculptures.

Back to the city centre and it’s time to take the Ferry Across the Mersey. With bike.

The ferry is a bit smoky.

Crossed the Mersey and cycled to New Brighton.

Liverpool Docks from the other side of the Mersey.

Cycled towards Birkenhead.

Departing cruise ship.

The ferry.

And it’s back across on the ferry. A band boarded with their instruments, I assume to do a show on the ferry later.

Albert dock with the Anglican cathedral behind.

Cycled a bit around Liverpool on return to the shore.

Visiting the largest Anglican cathedral, anywhere, I believe.

And then visited the Catholic cathedral.

Sunlight being caught on the uni buildings.

Liverpool is a vibrant, interesting city.

Tourism, Travel

To Glasgow

Posted on 31st May 2026 by insightndes

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Off from an overcast Caithness.

The clouds give for atmospheric landscape views.

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Rushing along the Dornoch Firth.

Some blue sky started to appear.

That was a seven and half hour journey. Arrived only slightly late.

Tourism, Travel

Oulu-Helsinki-Stockholm-Lund-Copenhagen

Posted on 25th Feb 2026 by insightndes

It’s back on the train heading to Helsinki.

I had not reserved a seat. The train conductor pointed out that the train was going to get very full. She found a seat with a cancelled booking for me.

Some of the trees are heavily laden with snow.

Some pretty houses on the way.

Its then on to a tram to go to the ferry.

It’s warmed up in Helsinki do the snow is getting slightly slushy.

We get sightings of the different waterways from the tram.

Some interesting buildings on the way.

The tram arrives at the ferry terminal

Checking in and going through passport control is fast and straightforward.

Off to find my cabin which is on the fifth deck, the level we entered on.

The sun is setting as we leave Helsinki giving some magical views.

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How close !

A wander round the boat, some food, then to bed. There is live music on board and a massive dinner buffet. However I got up for the breakfast buffet. Again with a view.

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Then it’s a trip with a bus and underground to the Central Station.

Temperatures have risen since my previous visit.

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A little walk to the central station.

The snow is reducing.

I changed to a regional train at Lund. No pictures as I spotted a train leaving before my planned connection so did a rapid change. Now I was 35 minutes ahead of schedule.

The sky is grey with very low cloud.

Malmo sky

Disappointingly the crossing on the bridge from Sweden to Denmark is very foggy.

The bridge crossing.

Modern buildings not far from Copenhagen Airport

Tourism, Travel

Helsinki

Posted on 20th Feb 2026 by insightndes

It is cold and snowy in Helsinki.

I had plenty of time before checking in time for the hotel, so decided to ride the tram to the end of the line and get the flavour of Helsinki.

Got to the end of the line having passed the central station. Hopped onto a different tram on the basis that it would go to the central station, which it did.