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.
A journey to the south which almost didn’t happen. It’s Monday 5th February. The last train of the day from the far north already cancelled the previous day, in anticipation of bad weather. The early afternoon train also gets cancelled on the day, due to landslides on the Far North line. No trains from Inverness to Edinburgh due to flooding near Kingussie. All looking bleak for a journey south.
This is the result of the rain forecast, the first yellow weather warning of the trip.
A lift to Inverness followed by a replacement bus to Edinburgh means I get to board the sleeper just before midnight. I am then woken up for breakfast at 0415 ready to get off at Crewe. Sleep deprivation!
More weather warnings: rain in South England, snow in mid to North England, snow in North Scotland, ready for the return trip.
Wet! At Didcot.
The cycle to Didcot on Thursday is wet, as is the ride across London from Paddington to Euston. My feet are soaked.
Outside the new Caledonian Sleeper guest lounge.
This is my first time in the Caledonian Sleeper guest lounge. Limited choice of food, but some is complimentary. A chance to change to dry footwear and use the toilet. There is also speedy boarding passes, making getting on the sleeper far easier. A big plus.
I wake up to have breakfast in the snowy Highlands.
Carrbridge Arrived on time in Inverness.
On with the journey on the far north line, which appears to be running. There are more snowy views.
LairgRogart The sea near Helmsdale is wild.Snowy flow country Thurso River
Despite the multiple weather warnings the trip back is without issue.
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,
During a long wait for the bus we could watch the house martins.Back on a train at Abrantes
Undoing the handbrake?Entroncamento
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 