The problem with catching the late afternoon train in autumn is that it’s dark. No views.
Onto the sleeper at Inverness.The breakfast has improved.WembleyArrival at Euston A quick ride
The ride from Euston to Paddington was less affected by the traffic lights than normal. As a result I managed to catch an earlier train to Reading.
Then on to Mortimer.
Geese on Wokefield EstateMortimer Station – it’s short
Reading Station
What a smooth journey, all the trains on time. No overcrowding. I had slept very well on the sleeper. A good journey.
And then……
On to the train at Reading to Manchester Piccadilly. It was rammed. Totally overcrowded.
Things started going really wrong and confusing as we went to Oxford. Announced that we would have to change trains. Then announced we would not have to change trains but we needed to go past Oxford into a siding and then come back. A long wait in the siding then back to the station. Then it was announced we would have to change trains after all.
There was a signal failure near Banbury.
We crossed Oxford Station and caught a train towards Hereford, changed at Worcester, heading to Birmingham. This was bad as now I was due to be in Manchester two hours late.
Worcestershire Parkway
Birmingham
Change at Birmingham New Street. This is a very badly designed station. The signage is poor. Very confusing, The ugly side of architecture.
More delay due to trespassers on the track. The train had to go slow as a precaution.
Late!Manchester Piccadilly two and a half hours latePremier Inn Room View from the eighth floor.
The Premier Inn is a quarter mile from the station.
It’s green next to the railway linesInteresting location for a coffee.Debenhams demolition in the distance The worst cycle infrastructure on Epsom Road in Guildford.
The cycle lanes marked out in Guildford are beyond useless. No segregation, suggesting a totally inappropriate position for the cyclists to take on the road. I would cycle at least at the line. I actually cycled in the mostly in the middle of the lane to take the decision away from the drivers, so they did not attempt to overtake at the frequent traffic islands. Of course I was hooted at, but ironically I was going faster than the motorised vehicles. Guildford suffers from pollution,
Clandon
There are plenty of stations in the commuter belt.
Delays
Someone had pulled a communication alarm on a train causing all the trains to be delayed.
Heading into Guildford.
Two days later headed back to Oxfordshire. Dodged the rail replacement buses by travelling from Farnborough.
Farnborough Change at Basingstoke Church spire Mortimer Approaching Reading from the south Boats at GoringBoats on the Thames at GoringThames near Cholsey.Bromptons Didcot – another change CholseyThe Thames at Wallingford – The Boat House.
Heading off in the sun.BromptonsBlue skies and a few clouds heading south.River Helmsdale Helmsdale Beach near Helmsdale Dornoch Firth
Changed from the far north line to the sleeper at Inverness.
Speeding away from Inverness.
Near KingussieBreakfast going through Birmingham
Not sure this breakfast looks appetising. It tasted ok. A few issues on the train. The lock on the cabin was not fully functioning, no pull out table in cabin, coffee machine in buffet car not working. There are some maintenance issues it appears.
AstonCanal in Birmingham Euston
Arrival in Euston is 20 minutes late due to work in the line. I had been forewarned by text.
Cycled over to Paddington.HS2 worksOxfordshire
Then headed back east
Boats on the Thames approaching ReadingReading station
I witnessed an old couple falling over on the escalator just after getting on. while they were heading up. I was heading down. A woman at the top shouted for someone to hit the emergency stop. A hapless woman holding a dog appeared transfixed and unable to hit the button. After what appeared to be an age someone finally hit the button. Chaos. No staff about.
Near South MortonReadingDistrict & Circle line tube station Paddington
Arrived at Paddington and to the closest tube station with a branch of the circle line. No trains running. Backtracked to the other circle line branch and finally caught the tube. It’s far simpler and quicker on the bike.
St PancrasPremier Inn room And viewCanal near London Zoo
The far north is a joy when the views are clear and the days are long.
Iconic view from far north train.River HelmsdaleLooking across the Moray FirthBeach near BroraLooking towards NiggAt Invergordan Boarding the sleeper- but no bike.View from the sleeper near TomartinEarly near AtherstoneBreakfast
The breakfast did leave me hungry.
Mist approaching Rugby It’s green near Buckby Arrival at Euston Waterloo
15 mins of delay at Waterloo due to incoming train being late, there was an obstacle on the line.
Long train
I had to get myself into the front five carriages as the train splits at Bournemouth.
More green landscape near HookPooleArrived at Wool
Barriers going down
Train arriving at Wool
I am about to start my minor backtrack.
Southampton Near OtterbourneChange at WinchesterReading stationReading Ibis
Den Haag HSChristmas decorations are up.Appeared to be no luggage racks on the train.Typical countryside near DelftNear SchiedamHollanders DiepBreda station
Breda station is poorly signposted plus two platforms are missing. Very confusing for a visitor.
Passing AntwerpArrived in Brussels.
I had a little time to look around Brussels
Cartoons are on some of the house walls.. Rue des Capuchins More cartoons. Rue Notre Damme de Graces.View across Brussels from Palais de Justice.At Judgy Vegan cafe
In the cellar of the Judgy Vegan.
A cartoon at Brussels zuid midi
Kerfuffle at the border control. I was asked if I have a flick knife. Turns out to be a multi tool in the bag.
Due to congestion at the Eurostar terminal we leave late. Eurostar, you have something to work on. The whole process of passing through border control is hectic and disorganised with lots of pinch points.
It’s turned to dusk as the Eurostar sets off. It’s dark by the time the Eurostar has a pause waiting for permission to enter the channel tunnel.
Pause near Fréthun,
Then it’s down into the tunnel and onto England.
Platform for Eurostar at St Pancras.
I unfolded the Brompton to make it easier to move with the luggage. A mistake as it turned out. I was directed to the lift which is tiny and therefore has a long queue of people with large amounts of luggage, push chairs and one bike. I am second to last in the queue. Poor design!
Tiny lift at St Pancras.
I am the last to leave.
When previously passing through Oxfordshire on the train I had spotted that the train line would be closed between Paddington and Reading due to HS2 workday, but it was possible to get to Reading using the Elizabeth Line. So I cycled to Tottenham Court Road to catch the Elizabeth Line. I discover that the Elizabeth Line in the central area of London is not running. I am directed to take the District Line to Ealing Broadway to catch the Elizabeth Line. It is chaos at the tube station.
The District Line has small, noisy and very warm carriages. It is an old line. The tube train is crowded.
Change at a busy Ealing Broadway.On the Elizabeth Line.
The Elizabeth Line has modern rolling stock. Nice and quiet but nowhere to put rubbish.
Reading- Elizabeth Line train across the platform.
The journey from St Pancras took far longer than normal so by the time I reach the Premier Inn at Didcot the kitchen is closed. So an emergency Macdonald’s it is.
Soggy burger and overly salty fries,Premier Inn room.
The room has seen better days. One light out and sink plug jammed. Welcome back to the UK.
Setting off on the afternoon train with a grey sky.It was already getting dark. A downside to traveling in November.InvernessThis is the standard cabin on the sleeper
The standard cabin has no ensuite, you don’t get breakfast and cannot use the sleeper lounge.
Arrival at Euston Paddington
Google maps appeared to put me on the wrong train so I potentially could have ended up in Taunton rather than Didcot. Ticket man pointed out the error and I was able to change at Reading.
This journey, starting in the far north of Scotland, visiting Oxfordshire (twice), London, West Sussex, Poole, Surrey, Cheshire , Liverpool and Inverness.
Cloud still lowRain 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 teaThe ThamesDidcotDidcot 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 PierEastbourne 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 ThamesAfter 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 FarnhamLondon
Another cycle across London.
Euston stationBerkhamsted?Chester stationCapenhurst 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 LancasterBack 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 ForthI 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 NessNear LairgSunny with a blue sea near Brora.River HelmsdaleNear KinbracePreparing to disembark
Insight 