We’ve made it to Manchester airport in a hassle-free journey. The taxi we’d ordered arrived on time and the roads (even the M62 motorway) were clear. The only anxious moment was when we hit a bank of thick fog just before joining the motorway at Rishworth. Thankfully, it only lasted about half a mile.
We’re flying from Terminal 2 which is much more civilised than the older terminal. There’s plenty of space and lots of staff. Qatar had us checked in very quickly, it was only the bag drop that took time. Looking at the airport codes on people’s suitcases I could see diverse destinations such as Sydney, Bangkok, Islamabad and Lahore – although no-one else seemed to be flying to Jakarta. Curiously, we’re one of the few long-haul flights. There’s another to Beijing and a couple crossing the pond to the states, but the majority are Europe bound.
Security was a breeze. There’s no faffing around with putting liquids in plastic bags anymore, the scanners were fully staffed, the people efficient and we breezed through. Even my camera bag escaped extra scrutiny!
Now we’re killing time until our flights called. We’ll be boarding a Boeing 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ for the 6hr 50min flight to Dohar. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get some sleep en-route as it’s going to be a long old day. I doubt I’ll have time to blog from Qatar. Our transit time’s an hour so I suspect we’ll be going straight to the gate to board our next flight. The next you’ll be hearing from us will be when we arrive in Jakarta tomorrow morning (07:05 local time).
It may be 06:00 but all the shops and food outlets are open which was somewhat of a surprise, but then there’s a lot of trade about…Our plane awaits..A7 BHS is a brand new aircraft. It was only registered in December and entered into service on the 8th January!
It’s a short report from Bigland Towers today as I’m in ‘getting away from it all’ mode – although that means life is rather frenetic as I clear the decks before travelling on Tuesday. There’s not a huge amount to report from this part of the world. The snow’s still here. It’s far too easy to break your neck (or extremities) on pavements that have become skating rinks, but the landscape from afar does look lovely, buried as it is under inches of snow (metric measurements are available).
Today was the first day I ventured out of the Calder valley this year as Dawn and I joined her parents for lunch over in Huddersfield. I’d have got some pictures but we were pressed for time and when we returned the the glorious sunshine had been snuffed out by low cloud. Ah well…
Now we’re back at home and I’ve begun the process of packing. I’m determined to travel as light as possible (says a man carrying a weighty camera bag) as I want room in my suitcase for bringing back some shopping from various destinations. Besides, textiles are cheap in the neck of the woods we’re heading to and I’ll be putting money into the local economy.
One of the things I’ve managed to do is clear the hard-drive on my laptop and add a lot more pictures to my Zenfolio website. You can find pictures in these galleries.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Bugger. Another day when things didn’t quite go to plan so I ended up trapped at home. The moral of the story? When you get a new phone, don’t forget the new password you entered for getting into the bloody thing! I did, which set me back as I ended up having to do a factory reset after wasting several hours trying a combination of passwords, all to no avail. These new phones drag out the agony too. Every time to enter a wrong ‘un they extend the time you’ve go to wait before you can try again. My wife, on hearing what I’d done, summed it up thus – “you dipstick!”. Who am I to argue?
Now everything’s sorted and my time wasn’t entirely wasted as I’ve cleared the decks of more old photos which have now appeared on my Zenfolio website. You can find the latest gallery update by following this link.
I did manage to get out for a little while in the evening whilst Dawn was working late in order to wrap up her work before going away. I popped up to our local pub (The Big 6) to join friends for the Friday quiz. It’s an informal gathering where Mel reads out the two quizzes published every week in our local ‘Pub paper’. It’s neither serious, nor competitive – just fun. Oh, and there’s plenty of beer – and free pork pie.
Now I’m back at home, compiling a list of more stuff to sort out before going away. I’m looking forward to being back in the sun and balmy weather rather than the barmy weather we’ve still got here. The snow’s never gone away in many places. Instead, it’s turned to sheet ice thanks to the sub-zero temperature of the past few days. Minor roads and pavements resemble skating rinks. I’ve never known the snow stick around for so long in the 15 years I’ve lived up here so I’ll be more than happy to see the back of it on Tuesday. Today’s picture shows how the Calder valley looks today. This is a view taken with my new Nikon Z series 100-400mm lens, looking out across the Calder valley to Sowerby. As you can see, the snow’s certainly sticking around.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Despite yesterday’s rain, the snow has proved to be tenacious. When I woke up this morning we’d had a fresh dusting of the stuff which had added to the several inches which has survived. It’s melting, slowly, but I suspect it’s going to hang around for several days yet.
Due to the treacherous conditions underfoot and with other plans in mind I haven’t ventured out at all today. Instead, I’ve been busy scanning through airline and other travel websites. Now – finally – we have a winter break arranged as I’ve just booked the pair of us on a flight from Manchester to Jakarta (Indonesia). We fly on the 14th January. This will be Dawn’s first visit to Indonesia, although it’s certainly not mine. The last time I was in Java was in 2017. The plan is slowly taking shape but the outline is that we’ll have a couple of days in Jakarta to get used to the new climate and time zone as we’re going to be swapping sub-zero temperatures for a wet and humid 29-31 degrees! After Jakarta we’ll be travelling overland by rail to Yogyakarta for a couple of days in order to visit some of the superb ancient temples in the area as well as enjoy the city itself. Continuing by rail we’ll be popping into Surabaya before continuing by rail all the way East to Ketapang, where we’ll be catching a ferry across the narrow strait to…Bali. January’s not the optimal time of year to visit this neck of the woods but I’ve done it several before and really enjoyed it as it’s quieter and the rain doesn’t last all day by any means.
Whatever the weather, It’s going to be lovely to be back in South-East Asia. I’m looking at extending my trip beyond the few weeks Dawn has in order to maximise our holiday time together before I go off to travel solo and visit some of the region’s rail projects. But first, we’ll be enjoying some amazing sights, scenery and fabulous food – as well as some lovely accommodation. The value quality of places to stay in Bali is hard to beat. So, expect a real range of pictures and blogs later this month, and into February (and maybe March). Here’s a taster. This is the incredible Buddhist temple at Borobudur, just outside Yogyakarta.
This was the view the last time I visited Borobudur (November 1998). If we get weather like this again I’ll be more than happy…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
One of my favorite authors (Douglas Adams) once wrote that time is an illusion – and lunchtime doubly so. Today’s one of those days when I wish his words were true because time has very much come around to bite me on the arse, for a couple of reasons. January 3rd is always a reflective day for me because back in 2013 it’s the day that my ex-wife chose to end her life. I’m not going to explain that one again as I blogged about it here. Lynn may no longer be with us but I’ve kept her memory alive here. Not just for me but for all her many friends.
What’s added to my reflection is that – with it being a new year – I’ve been trying to consolidate pictures from various different secure hard-drives in order to create space for a new year. That’s involved going back to the days when I first went digital in 2004. Yep, 21 years ago. Where’s the time gone? During that process I rediscovered many old pictures of life-long friends. Some of us have changed, others not. But time certainly isn’t an illusion, as my hairline attests to!
It’s the early morning of the 9th July 2004. I’ve just woken up on the Highland Sleeper North of Glasgow after having enjoyed a few whiskies in the bar car which I shared with various people including Jimmy Savile (yes, he felt as creepy then as we later found out he was). I was posing as I suspected this picture may get used in the article I was writing for RAIL magazine. Well, my body was still, the head still had the ‘whirlies’!
The question for the future is what pictures am I going to fill the remaining space on my hard-drives with (not that it’ll take long, I’ve a new 8TB drive on order). As well as editing/consolidating pictures the past couple of day have been spent looking at flights to various places beyond the reach of rail travel. So, where do I end up next, and for how long?
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
The Platt family festive southern sojourn is over. I’ve packed the car (fitting everything in was a minor Christmas miracle in itself), and we’ve left the chalet to call at Platt Mansions before beginning the journey North. There’s no room in the car for me so I’ll be heading back from Farnham by train. I’ll be blogging en-route and getting a few pictures as I do – so feel free to pop back later to see what I get up to…
11:40.
After getting a lift from Tilford to Farnham I’ve swopped from the infernal combustion engine to rail and caught the 11:28 to Guildford. There’s still no direct trains to London but that’s OK, I’m in no rush anyway. The weather here’s hardly conducive to photography. In fact, we’ve not seen the sun once since we got down here – just gray skies and fog so my photo opportunities are somewhat limited.
15:07.
Getting into London was interesting due to having to change at Guildford. Apparently, there’s Rugby on at Twickenham today which means the trains were even busier than normal. Clapham Junction was heaving as people changed trains to get to the ground.
Siemens Desiro 450119 arrives at Guildford to carry me and dozens of others to London.
In contrast, the underground’s Northern line from Waterloo to Euston was remarkably quiet. Euston itself soon made up for that. All parts of the station were heaving! Paddington station is closed for the next few days which means 4 GWR trains an hour are running to/from Euston from platforms 15 and 16, along with all the regulars. Plus, nearby St Pancras is shut to East Midlands Railway services, adding to the pressure.
Credit to Network Rail and TOC staff, things are running remarkably smoothly at Euston, despite the influx of bewildered passengers who’re not used to using the station.
I’m now on my way North after getting a few shots of activities at Euston. I’m on a late running Avanti service which is crawling its way North dues to overhead line damage in some unspecified place. We’re still South of Watford Junction and already 16 minutes behind time. What a day for such a problem to crop up…
15:45.
We’ve just left Milton Keynes 28 minutes late after being switched to the slow lines at Bourne End Junction in order to avoid the dewirement at Tring North Junction, which (Sods law) happened this morning. We were put back on the fast lines at Ledburn Junction and soon managed to reach linespeed. Hopefully, we may now be able to make up some time.
16:10.
As expected, we’re gradually pulling back minutes as we speed North through the thickening fog. We’ve left Rugby behind to join the Trent valley route. It’s in conditions like this train drivers really earn their money. 125mph at dusk with added fog is the test of anyone’s concentration, route knowledge – and skill.
16:50.
Our timekeeping went to pot again when we called at Stafford. The station’s far busier than usual as it’s being used to turn around trains in both Northerly and Southerly directions due to the fact Crewe South Junction and the ‘independent’ lines are closed to enable a new signalling system to be commissioned – hence my train having just passed Stone en-route to Crewe via the long way round through Stoke-on-Trent and Kidsgrove.
17:45.
Crewe station was a shadow of its normal self due to the lack of trains – and passengers. Despite this, there was more confusion than you’d expect. Having checked my options on Real Time Trains I knew the best way to get to Manchester was aboard a Transport for Wales train that was running a shuttle service between there and Crewe. The only problem was the information screens were programmed to show it as ’empty to depot’ and neither enquiries with platform staff nor driver provoked a more informed response. However, the sheer weight of people turning up on platform 5 asking where their connection was provoked enough of a response that people were allowed to board. So, here we are, en-route to the rainy city…
19:15.
The last leg…
Whilst Dawn and her parents have beaten me in the car and stopped off in Honley for tapas, I’m still travelling. Well, that said, Dee’s got to get to her mum and dad’s and unpack their kit from car – which (after the way I packed it) may take some time – especially as it includes loads of Xmas prezzies including a dual-drawer air fryer!
Walking across Manchester city centre between Piccadilly and Victoria was entertaining as the place was packed with young people, many of whom seem to have decided to wear clothes in inverse proportion to the weather. It was like Newcastle had been cloned! With the place being so packed and me running late I wasn’t tempted to stop. I headed straight to Victoria and caught the first train heading across the Pennines. Now I’m back in the land where the word ‘No’ has a surplus of Os.
22:00.
Home again – and it’s time to bring the blog to a close with a few extra photos. I’ve added them in the relevant sections. Tomorrow’s going to be a quiet day, catcing up on some work whilst enjoying being at home. But after that…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
It’s time to wave goodbye to Bigland Towers for a few days and head South to Surrey to join Dawn and the rest of the Platt family for Christmas. Whilst Dee and her folks drove down I stayed behind with the intention of doing some work but a knee injury put paid to those plans. Instead, I’ve been resting up in the hope my knee will appreciate the inactivity.
Now I’m on the move again, heading from Halifax to Leeds before swinging South to London. Needless to say, trains are very busy. I’m on a delayed service from Chester which was cut back to start from Manchester due to a fatality on the route earlier today.
A message you never want to see…
Sadly, someone’s family are going to be having an awful Christmas and some poor train driver will be left with memories they wished they hadn’t got.
13:15.
So far so good. I’m now on a packed 13:15 to Kings Cross that’s worked by on of LNER’s old warhorses, a Class 91 and Mk4 coach set.
15:15.
Time’s flown. I’ve been busy writing and not noticed the miles getting eaten up. We’re now South of Stevenage but running late, and getting later as we’ve lost our path so got trapped behind a Thameslink service on this two track section of the ECML. The weather here’s very gloomy compared to the sunshine I left behind in Yorkshire! I wonder what it’s like in Surrey? Hopefully the delays won’t impact on my arrival time there.
16:50.
Miracles will never cease – everything’s going to plan – despite hitting London late. As usual at this time of year, the capital’s crawling with people travelling here and there. Dodging families towing kids and suitcases becomes quite a task, especially on the underground. Despite not having lived here for nearly 15 years I still have the knack of negotiating my way through the melee. Having made it to Waterloo on the Northern line there was time to grab a snack before boarding my next train. I’m now on an 8-car SWR service heading for Guildford. The train’s packed but the clientele is mostly single people (no groups) heading home from work. Most are either dozing or staring at smartphones, making it a very solemn journey. The only buzz is the sound of the air-conditioning!
My last sleigh before Christmas. 450075 leads 450066 on a Guildford – Alton service.
19:45.
Journey’s end. Well almost. Dee picked me up from Farnham station, bringing me back to Platt Mansions where the family are preparing food for tonight and planning the next few days festivities, so I’ve been mucking in on kitchen duties. Now, with food almost ready I’ve been able to spend a few minutes downloading pictures to add to this blog.
22:25.
The day’s winding down. We’ve eaten and Dawn’s been busy working her culinary magic to make this gluten free Tiramisu for her nephew, Sam – who has his birthday tomorrow.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312
Today’s not entirely gone to plan, but t’was ever thus. I’ve had a busy month that’s involved a lot of walking – especially when carrying my camera bag which isn’t the lightest of things. The result of which is that I find myself suffering from an old knee injury I picked up from the days when I used to cycle to work across London back in the 1990s. Needless to say, that has cramped my style a bit today. I suppose I’ve only myself to blame. I’ve just passed 65 yet I treat my body like I’m a damned sight younger (because in my mind, I am). Most of the time my body plays ball, but occasionally it says ‘oi! – which is where I find myself now – wearing a knee brace and dosing myself with Neurofen whilst restricting what I do. I’d all sorts of plans for this weekend but the reality is I’m pretty much confined to barracks today and tomorrow in the hope I can recover in time for Christmas. In some ways that’s no bad thing as I’ve a shitload of things on my ‘stuff to do’ list.
This morning Dawn left to drive down to Surrey with her parents for a Platt family Christmas. I hobbled around to help her pack the car and see her off with the intention of joining them on Monday. The rest of the day here at Bigland Towers has mostly been spent in a horizontal position whilst listening to the gales and rain beating on the cottage windows as we suffer from the latest storm to hit us. The weather really has been crap over the past couple of weeks. I’m not sure I ever remember such a prolonged period of high winds. Rain? Yes – as this is the Pennines after all. On the bright side, today was the winter solstice, so we’ve reached the darkest times and the days will slowly start to get lighter – although that’s no guarantee the weather’s going to improve in the era of climate change. All that I can do is keep my fingers crossed that nothing goes tits-up on Monday when I head South myself.
Right now I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is from yesterday’s journey home. Here’s a look at Kings Cross station, one of London’s most iconic railway termini.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m on my way to London again for part 2 of my festive celebrations with friends as a bunch of us are meeting for lunch. Getting there from West Yorkshire’s not as fraught today as the trains are mostly behaving themselves – it’s the people that aren’t! I’m currently on a Cross-Country service from Leeds heading Derby which is running 25 minutes late due to trespassers on the line in the Durham area. Ho hum! On the bright side, this service is a 9-car train the normal 4-car Class 220 is coupled to an ex-Avanti Class 221 which means that (for once) there’s no shortage of seats. Mind you, the holiday season’s already having an impact on rail traffic. Leeds station was strangely quiet this morning due to a dearth of commuters travelling into the city. I can only assume some people are already taking holiday time. I’ll be curious to see how busy London is as I’ve got to get over to Islington on the tube, unlike yesterday when I never strayed from the shadow of Euston station.
09:15.
We’ve left Sheffield considerably heavier than when we arrived due to an influx of passengers, many of whom seem to be young people with suitcases heading home for the holiday. Cross-Country’s passenger profile is always interesting due to the sheer number of University towns it serves and the expansiveness of its network, yet most journeys are (or used to be) less than 60 miles.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m on my way to the annual railway Xmas carol concert in London, but as is so often the case, things haven’t exactly gone to plan. I was up before dawn (and Dawn) in order to give myself plenty of time travel, which is just as well. My walk to Halifax station was enjoyable as today’s a lovely morning, although the attraction waned once I arrived at the station to find the platforms choked with people. The information screens told a sorry tale of why. Every train was either delayed or cancelled due to one of several reasons. You could choose from lineside equipment failure, points failure or no traincrew being available. It didn’t really matter as the end result was the same.
Right now I’m on the 07:10 to Huddersfield, which is running nearly 20 mins late. To cap it all, the train thinks its running along the East coast between Middlesbrough and Newcastle via Sunderland!
Whilst the automated system is up the spout the human Conductor’s doing a sterling job of keeping people informed of their options for getting to Manchester as ticket acceptance for alternative routes is in operation.
09:20.
And relax! Having made it to Huddersfield I jumped on a TPE service to Manchester Victoria then walked across a soggy city centre to Piccadilly. The weather’s both damper and colder this side of the Pennines but as I’m not staying the fact the sky is full of threatening and broody clouds holds no dangers for me. Instead, I’m now tucked up in a warm, cosy Avanti Pendolino heading for Euston. It’s a busy train but I’ve a seat, working sockets and wifi which will allow me to be productive en-route.
As I passed through Piccadilly the station was playing host to two of the ex-West Midlands Class 323s which have been transferred to Northern. Here’s 323207 about to leave on 2K16, the 08:46 Manchester Piccadilly to Stoke-on-Trent.
11:10.
Having left Stafford 7 mins down we’ve clawed a couple back on our non-stop run from there to the capital. Time’s flown as I’ve been busy writing an article but we’re now passing through Kentish Town on a lovely sunny day – what a contrast to Manchester!
Not a vintage day at Euston. This service (the 11:30 to Glasgow) was cancelled due to a train failure – only to be reinstated a few minutes before it was due to depart. That’s better! No ads – just information that you need to know.
20:15.
Riiigghhht – let’s try again. The next few pictures should have loaded on my way back up North, but for reasons only known to Gremlins, they didn’t.
The carols concert drew one of the biggest audiences most of us can remember. Maggie Simpson, CEO of the Railfreight Group delivers one of the lessons.The London’s Transport choir belting out some great Xmas carolsRuth Cadbury MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee was another of the readers.
20:30.
After sherry and mince pies in the church refectory a group of us retired to a local hostelry for further refreshments and the chance to catch up. Eventually, many of us departed to head off in different directions. For me, that meant catching another Pendolino back to Manchester. This one was delayed too but for a different reason – flooding around Macclesfield. Now, having strolled across the city centre to Victoria I’m on the last leg aboard a Northern service to Halifax. Normally, this train would be really busy but this close to Xmas many people are enjoying the festive season and office/work parties so travelling’s spread out.
Me? I’ll be glad to get home as I’ll be doing this all again tomorrow. Expect another blog from my travels to and from London. This time there’ll be no lessons and no carols – but there might be food pictures…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312
Paul Bigland 