Coast to coast north south north by train

Posted on 26th May 202426th May 2024 by insightndes

This journey, starting in the far north of Scotland, visiting Oxfordshire (twice), London, West Sussex, Poole, Surrey, Cheshire , Liverpool and Inverness.

Change to the Caledonian Sleeper at 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.

Oops, accidentally got on first class at Didcot- on a crowded 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.

I did not expect to be going through Kilcardy

After a late taxi ride from Perth to Inverness I eventually got to bed.

Travel

Two weeks (almost) around the UK by train

Posted on 12th Apr 2024 by insightndes

Sleeper went via east coast so arrived from wrong direction at wrong time resulting in being parked up for an hour.

A bit of industrial action and a few cancellations to make the trip more interesting.

Environment, Travel

Weather warnings!

Posted on 9th Feb 20249th Feb 2024 by insightndes

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.

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.

On with the journey on the far north line, which appears to be running. There are more snowy views.

Despite the multiple weather warnings the trip back is without issue.

Travel

Frosty Elgin-Inverness-Far north

Posted on 2nd Dec 2023 by insightndes

A beautiful frosty day.

At Elgin station there was no sign of the 1236 train to Inverness on the displays and confusingly the ScotRail app showed the train already at Forres. It turns out that the train shuttles back and forth between Elgin and Inverness.

The Inverness train arriving at Elgin from Inverness .

The frosty journey continues from Inverness

Travel

Far North to Didcot via Inverness, Aberdeen and London

Posted on 27th Nov 202327th Nov 2023 by insightndes

A beautiful day in the far north of Scotland as I set off.

Arrived in Inverness in the dark- took the train to Aberdeen to catch the sleeper service there as no cabins available on the service from Aberdeen.

Each time I come to London the traffic flows a bit better and the air tastes better. ULEZ doing its job.

Travel

The Far North Line

Posted on 1st Jun 20231st Jun 2023 by insightndes

This is a super beautiful route in the daylight, especially on a sunny day. But also super slow and super cheap. A bit miserable in the dark and the toilets never appear to be totally clean.