07:30.

I’m on my way folks! The trip’s got off to a slightly rocky start. Late last night we had a torrential rainstorm, this led to the frustrating discovery that the cottage roof is leaking – despite us spending £1000 to get it repaired only a few months ago. It’s too late for me to do anything about it, so I’ve had to leave poor Dawn to contact the roofers and sort it out (so sorry, Dawn x). It’s not quite the start I’d hoped for as it wasn’t exactly conducive to a good nights sleep for either of us.

This morning the alarm went off at 05:45, blurgh! Having had a caffeine fix whilst I finished packing Dee drove me down to Halifax station to bid farewell. Now I’m on the first train of the trip – the 07:16 from Halifax to Leeds which is formed from one of the old West Yorkshire PTE Class 158s. Despite the early hour it’s a busy train full of commuters heading into the city.

I’m slowly managing to master the intricacies of my Interrail pass app on the phone, activated it and generated a ticket. I’m sure I’ll be fluent in its use by the end of the trip, I just hope I don’t hit some of the app glitches that I’ve read about. Or, if I do I have a sympathetic ‘gripper’ (ticket inspector) when I do!

I’m looking forward to trying a variety of different types of trains as I travel around Europe. I’m sure I might find some as old as this 1980s class 158, but also some rather more modern and up to date vehicles too. Let’s see what happens.

08:15.

My time in a damp Leeds was brief. I had long enough to get a quick shot of my train before heading over the footbridge to platform 8 to catch my LNER service to London which consisted of a pair of Hitachi built ‘Azuma’ Class 801s. I’m now happily ensconced in 1st Class, sipping coffee and looking forward to the breakfast service! my coach (K) is split 50/50 between 1st and Standard class. 1st is quiet, with only a handful of other passengers other than me – although several other seats are reserved en-route.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
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Cheers,

Paul