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.
An issue straight away with the start of this journey, a delay of 30 minutes, first delay of the trip, The delay would make my connection very tight, particularly as I had to make a reservation at Entratron.
Not busy at the start of the journey,
The train is a single carriage diesel, a bit long in the tooth. Not fast and not modern, Operated by the Portuguese Railway service.
A man with a flag set us off.Arrived in Portugal Sheep Torre Das Vargens
The line is single track with a steep climb after entering Portugal. Not fast, Then we are told we have to get off the train an wait for a bus. A train further down the line had broken down and blocked the track,
Picked up a fast train at Entroncamento. I had no reservation for the train, No opportunity to get one with the previous chaos, I am not convinced it would have been possible even if everything had gone to plan. It is not possible to make reservations for Portugal in Spain or on the train to Entroncamento. But past caring by this stage,
Coming into PortoArrived in Porto two hours later than planned .Cycling to the hotel
This was the first time that the journey encountered issues. Old rolling stock on single track line, Language was an issue resolved by fellow travellers being multi linguists. I had to move once on the final train due to the arrival with a traveller with a reservation. Arrived eventually. But list bike helmet in all the changes.
Insight 