Then a cycle to the Great Nepalese Restaurant near Euston station.
Vegetable momos The Nepalese set menu for one.Great food at the Great Nepalese.Complimentary food is available in the Sleeper Lounge.About to board the sleeper.Breakfast in the Highlands It’s snowy- the River Findhotn.Approaching Inverness Arrived at Inverness Snow had crept into the train.Inverness station has a dusting of snow.
Unfortunately the Far North train does not connect well with the Sleeper. I have a two hour wait in Inverness. Not much open at this time so in a moment of inspiration it’s off for a breakfast at Premier Inn. Must get sponsorship.
River NessSecond breakfast.
The Premier Inn is slightly disorganised. The card reader is not working so I get a free breakfast. Due to a low number of staff it takes an age for it to be served. Can’t complain because I am not paying for it.
Snowy Far North train at Inverness.Heading away from Inverness Slight speckling of snow near Conon Bridge.Near Edderton Near Invershin
There’s proper snowy scenery
Then back to the coast.
Near Brora
Then up the Helmsdale Strath.
River Helmsdale Very white near Kinbrace.Between Halkirk and Thurso.River ThursoIt’s snowing in Thurso
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.
Starting in sunny Thurso.Loch Lucya I believe.View across the Moray FirthWaiting for the next train Near Golspie Cromarty FirthLooking inland near Invergordan- low clouds A monstrous cruise liner at Invergordon.
How could someone design such an ugly ship?
Approaching Inverness
I had to catch the lunchtime train to Inverness due to a reduced timetable.Time to kill in Inverness.
At Eden Court
Were they playing or tuning up?
Complementary drinks and snacks at the Sleeper Lounge.Boarding the sleeper serviceStarted raining just after boarding Breakfast at RugbyEuston Paddington Grand Union CanalGrand Union Canal endWith waterfowl Heading to Bristol
I had a seat booked in this train, which someone sat in- no point moving them as the seat next to it was free.
Bristol
I caught the Penzance train here. A few issues. Firstly the train rolled past platform 5 to platform 6, leaving everyone rushing over to get on board. And it wax crowded.
The Penzance train leaving Bridgwater Bridgwater
Bridgwater is not particularly bonny, but I did find a picture to make it look good.
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
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.
A sunny but cool day for the trip on the far north line.
Train arriving
And then on to the Caledonian Sleeper at Inverness.
Dinner
All very civilised, dinner (overpriced) and breakfast in the buffet car.
Breakfast cuppa
This is a very effective way to get to London, set off at 1632 from Thurso, arrive in 0800, 30 minutes earlier than expected. There were meant to be delays due to engineering works.
Arrival at Euston
After leaving Euston station I encountered action by people dressed in orange tabards, who I believe were Just Stop Oil protestors. This did not affect me for two reasons. I was cycling and I was heading in the opposite direction to the blocked carriage way. Traffic stationary on the other side of the road. A minute later I spotted a single police car trying to make its way through the traffic. Then another few minutes on half a dozen police vans with sirens blaring. The vans were struggling to get through the stationary traffic so they crossed over to my side of the carriage way. All very exciting. Why did they not travel from the opposite direction in the first place ?
Go to sleep in the Scottish Highlands and wake up in the deep south of England. What better way to travel? Efficient, traveling while you sleep. Enjoyable, far more fun than sitting in soulless airports. But it is pricey.
The options are, sleeping in a recliner – cheap but not cheerful, a room to yourself or with a friend with a friend, or for a bit more with a en-suite shower/toilet. If you really push the boat out you can have a double bed.
The sleeper service uses the rail track infrastructure which is underused at night, which must be a good idea.
Insight 