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.
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.
This journey, starting in the far north of Scotland, visiting Oxfordshire (twice), London, West Sussex, Poole, Surrey, Cheshire , Liverpool and Inverness.
No dishwasher working on the train, hence the disposable cup.
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?
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.
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.
The trip included cycling on the wonderful cuckoo trail. Lots of birdsong but no cuckoos heard,
A stop in Poole then back on the train.
Change at Reading, on to Ash.
Fun at Ash, delayed train from Guildford due to something being thrown on the line.
A stay in Surrey for the weekend.
Another cycle across London.
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.
The train got stopped, so my connection at Haymarket started looking unsafe,
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.
After a late taxi ride from Perth to Inverness I eventually got to bed.
Insight 