There’s a very short blog from me tonight. Now I’m back home I’ve spent the day slaving over a hot computer in order start the mammoth task of editing all the pictures from the past few week’s travels. The first batch to be done are from the Innotrans rail trade show as I need to get them out to clients. The job will be finished tomorrow. You can find them by following this link.
I’ve already loaded several dozen with the rest to follow tomorrow. Today’s picture isn’t from Innotrans, but it is from Germany. Here’s one of the regional double-deck trains I’ve been commuting to/from Frankfurt (Oder) this last week, seen approaching Zoo station in the former West Berlin from the East.
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I’m currently bowling towards Berlin on a double-deck train from Frankfurt (Oder) where I’m staying. It’s an hour away from central Berlin but vastly cheaper than trying to book anywhere in the German capital right now as the huge Innotrans trade fair i’m attending has caused prices to go crazy. Instead of paying a four figure sum I’ve a lovely hotel suite in Frankfurt (Oder) for less than 400 quid for 5 nights. Commuting on the train is costing me 30 euros for a weekly season ticket – not bad when you think the normal single fare is 18 euros! Oh, there’s also a lovely little metre-gauge tram network running old Tatra vehicles to play on if I have time!
I’m on the 07:34 to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Typically for Germany in 2022 it’s running late. only by a few minutrs mind, but there was no obvious reason for the delay. It’s a busy service. We’ve just called at the first stop (Furstenwalde) where so many folk joined us the train’s already full! Mask wearing is still mandatory here and everyone’s complied. It feels strange now as we abandoned the practice in the UK such long time ago. However, the Germans are less cavalier and complacent about Covid.
I’ll blog in fits and starts throughout what will be an incredibly busy day but my first priority is to hook up with various clients to see what it is they want me to do over the next few days.
Catch you later…
08:15.
One observation before I go. Several of the lityle local stations en-route are having their platforms lengthened. This involves single line working as one track is being used by on-track plant involved in the work. In the UK this would never happen as there would be a complete block on both lines as a safety measure!
13:20.
Here’s the start of my InnoTrans 2022 gallery, featuring some of the new Stadler trains for the UK…
No rest for the wicked. After a busy day photographing, note-taking and meeting up with old friends I’m now on my way to the British Embassy to cover a trade reception….
23:30.
It’s been a long day. I’m back at my hotel and it’s time to hit the sack as the fun starts all over again tomorrow. But here’s a couple of pictures to whet your appetite. I’m hoping to cover far more of Innotrans tomorrow (depending on commissions). Hopefully we won’t be having the same stormy weather…
One of the Stadler built train-trams that will soon be appearing in the Welsh valleys…Merseyside isn’t left out either. Here’s the interior of the new Stadler built trains for Merseyrail. I’ll be honest, I never expected to see the name of my old hometown appear on a train at Innotrans!
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’ll be sad to leave Oban. The weather was beautiful yesterday, showing off the Lochs and mountains at their best. There’s something very relaxing about sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the world go by.
I’ve not been to Oban in a long time. Since 2005 in fact. Then I was here in Scotland with my first wife Lynn and a group of friends staying on the beautiful Isle of Mull. There was one slight problem. On the Thursday I was due to take pictures at the National Rail Awards. “No problem” I said, “I’ll just get the first ferry to Oban, catch the first train to London, do the gig and get the first train back the morning after!” Lynn and my friends thought I was mad, but that’s what I did. Leaving Mull at 04:00 on Thursday morning I was back by 15:00 Friday afternoon! Admittedly, I was 17 years younger then. I don’t think I’d try it now. I’ll be at the awards again this year, but nowadays I’m invited as a VIP guest, not as the photographer!
10:25.
Sorry for the gap. There’s no working wifi on the train and I’ve only just picked up a phone signal when I got to Crianlarich, which is where we are now, waiting for the delayed Northbound service to pass.
Not a bad place to while away a few minutes…
10:45.
We’re dropping back down into more populated areas with better phone signals now, having just passed Ardlui. I realise just how lucky I was with the weather yesterday. Today’s overcast but the staff at my hotel were telling me that it chucked it down in Oban on Saturday! Despite the weather, it’s still a beautiful journey through some stunning scenery. The irony? I do this section of the journey every year as part of the ‘3 peaks by rail’ crew – but on the outward it’s dark and we’re asleep and on the return I’m too busy working to enjoy it.
19:00.
Sorry for the hit and miss nature of blogging today, truth was a combination of poor reception and computer issues made it difficult. Add in the fact I’m tired and fell aslerp on the train from Edinburgh to York and I disappeared into a black hole!
Right now I’m on the final leg from Leeds to Halifax on yet another busy train. The LNER ‘Azuma’ South was rammed leaving Edinburgh and didn’t get any better as it stopped. The seat reservation system was up the spout too, which added to the fun!
Much as I’ve enjoyed these past 8 days I’m looking forward to a lie-in tomorrow and not having to travel any further than the local supermarket! A day in the office beckons and I’m not complaining…
I’ll add some pictures to this blog as soon as I can. For now – here’s last night’s Scottish sunset.
21:00.
I’m now home and fed and watered. I’ve also repaired the glitch on my laptop that was preventing internet access which means I can hit the ground running in the morning. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with one last picture from yesterday in Oban.
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 last day of my trip is about to start here in Glasgow. I had an enjoyable (and unexpected) night with an old friend whom I’ve not seen for a couple of years. As you can imagine, Glasgow on a Saturday night was buzzing. I really like this city and always look forward to visiting as it’s such a historic, vibrant and multicultural place. Here’s a couple of pictures from last night.
I love the architecture here…The Steps Bar. A classic old boozer in the centre of town.An old friend from the South still in service.
But now it’s back to ‘work’, exploring some of the city’s suburban rail network before ending my trip elsewhere this evening. Where? Feel free to pop back later to find out!
08:25.
Glasgow is still asleep this time on a Sunday. I wandered over to Sauchihall Street to buy breakfast from Tesco and the only people around were a few cleaners waiting to start work mucking out the mess from a nearby club. My hotel’s right next to Charing Cross station so catching my first train of the day’s easy.
08:30.
My first train of the day is a class unique to Scotland. The Alstom built class 334 EMUs.
16.21.
I’m at Journey’s end, Having arrived on Oban on the west coast of Scotland. But the blog doesn’t end just yet. I’m merely taking a break for a few hours to enjoy some downtime. I’ll update things a bit later when I’ve had chance to relax – and enjoy the weather.
Lovely, isn’t it?
Mind you, the trips isn’t entirely over. I may have finished my seven day rover, but I’ve still got to get back to Yorkshire tomorrow which will be a trip in itself…
21:45.
Well, I had great plans for updating this blog with thoughts, feelings and pictures from Oban tonight, but the hotel wifi is useless. Sooo – we’ll all have to wait until tomorrow when I can access wifi elsewhere. I’d tether my phone snd usr that but that’s some serious Mb I’d be using. Instead, I’m going to have an early night and make the most of tomorrow. I’ve not been back to Oban for 17 years so I’m going to enjoy it. Who knows when I’ll be back again?
*Warning – blog under construction. This warning will be removed when I’ve added all the details and pictures*
Whilst the sun is rapidly setting on the careers of the old BR built Mk3 coach derivatives South of the Border it still shines in Scotland – for now…
The Class 321 Electric train series is finally being retired in England but the Scottish version of the ‘Dusty Bins’ (The ‘McBins’ maybe?) are not only at full strength, they’ve been complemented by reformed Class 321/4 transfers from the South.
History
Built at York Holgate works in 1990 the Class 320 is a 3-car version of the Class 321s built for London and South-East services. 22 of the trains were ordered and numbered 320301-322. Unlike their sisters, the 320s were originally built without toilets and with a maximum speed of 75mph rather than 90mph due to the closeness of station on the lines they were designed to operate on. They were ordered to help replace the older 75mph Class 303s from Pressed Steel Co which were built between 1959-61. Originally they operated North Clyde services from Glasgow to Balloch, Helensburgh and Milngavie. Their speed was raised to 90mph in 2010 by fitting the yaw dampers that were standard on the rest of the 321 fleet. This allowed them to operate in multiple with the Class 318s and also extended their sphere of operation to include the Argyle line underneath Glasgow Central and later the Cathcart lines from the mainline station above. Nowadays they can be found on many different routes North and South of the Clyde, including services to Wemyss Bay.
The units have been refurbished twice. Firstly between 2002-04 when they received an internal refresh including new seats covers and a revised version of the revised SPT carmine and cream livery which they’d first gained from 1997 onwards.
(To be continued)…
On the 8th December 2016 class leader 320301 sporting Saltire livery arrives at Dalmuir with a service heading for Glasgow. The previous day, 320302 calls at Glasgow Central low level with a service to Milgavie.3 years previously, on the 14th June 2013. 320303 pulls into Charing Cross on the low level line via Glasgow Queen St. Here’s 320304 arriving at Newton to the East of Glasgow on the 29th March 2012 with a service to Motherwell.320305 sits at platform 6 at Glasgow Central on the 4th October 2018. It’s the 29th March 2012 and 320306 is arriving at Partick station on the North bank of the Clyde, an interchange with the famous ‘clockwork orange’ as the Glasgow circular subway is known to many. The station had only recently been rebuilt and extended. 320307 threads its way through the complex switches and crossing that form the approaches to Glasgow Central station on the 10th November 2021. Platform 6 at Glasgow Central once more, this time on the 4th October 2018, when 320308 rests between duties. 320309 sporting the revised SPT carmine and cream livery with all cream doors seen at Dumbarton Central on the 13th June 2013. Glasgow Central again but this time platform 10 where 320310 and a sister unit sit in the sunshine on the17th July 2018. It’s the end of the line at Milngavie on the 8th April 2009 where 320311 keeps company with a fellow Mk3 based unit in the shape of Class 318254. These units had been refurbished and had their corridor connections removed. Ironically, Scotland is also the last bastion of the Class 317 type fleets as the last ones in English service were withdrawn earlier this year.It’s the 9th of November 2021 an the distinctive and ornate lattice roof supports give away the location of this picture of 320312 working to Wemyss Bay. It’s Paisley Gilmour St on the South side of the Clyde. 320313 arrives at Dumbarton Central with a service from Glasgow on the 13th June 2013.
320314 with the swoosh on the front of its carmine and cream livery calls at Dalmuir on the 21st March 2001.
320315 with a sister unit in tow calls at Motherwell on the 29th March 2012. The traincrew change ends on 320316 which has terminated at Dumbarton Central, ready to work back into Glasgow and beyond on the 8th December 2016.Passengers board 320318 at Partick on the 29th March 2012. 320319 waits at Glasgow Low Level station on the 7th December 2016 with a service to Larkhall. 320320 pulls into Exhibition Centre station on the North Bank of the Clyde on the 8th December 2016. Carmine and cream liveried 320321 wearing the First Group logo on its front end sits inside Glasgow’s Shield Road depot where the class was based on the 8th April 2009. Last of the class 320322 sporting Carmine and Cream livery and First group logos sits in the bay platforms at Springburn on the 16th August 2012.
To be continued…
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/
Today’s the first of two where much of England is expected to suffer from unprecedented heatwaves. Schools and businesses are shutting up shop and people are being advised not to travel. Many railway companies are running emergency timetables and reduced services. So, what’s it going to be like?
I’m abandoning the relative cool of the Calder Valley to find out by heading into Manchester for a few hours, documenting what I find and explore one outpost of that cities railways which will have a very visible change because of the heat – but more of that later…
Right now I’m on a busy 3-car Class 195 working the 08:23 Sowerby Bridge to Chester service. Northern have knocked out the Wigan North Western trains which has left us with just this hourly service to Manchester.
Despite the fact the temperature was still in the 20s the unit’s air-conditioning was struggling already – even though this is a modern train. I hate to think how the old BR built class 158s are coping. Their a/c has always had a reputation for unreliability.
Even though the journey was a tad warm we got to Manchester without issue. Victoria station was quieter than usual but that was hardly surprising as so many services had been cancelled due to the weather.
I didn’t hang around as I’d other plans. Instead I enjoyed a leisurely stroll across to Piccadilly, arriving just in time to connect with one of the trains that were the reason for my visit.
Due to the expected high temperatures electric trains on the Manchester, Glossop and Hadfield triangle had been replaced by two pairs of Class 150 DMUs. The reason for that is the overhead equipment on these lines is ancient! The route was originally to be electrified by the London and North Eastern Railway but the advent of World War Two stopped the project. It was completed by British Railways in the mid 1950s using 1,500 volts DC. This lasted until after closure of the Woodhead line and the demise of the old Class 506 units that plied the route. The line was then converted to the standard 25kv AC but most of the original kit was kept. This included the triple wire system where the contact wire is slung from a secondary support wire. Also, unlike modern systems, there’s no mechanism (such a weights or torsion springs) to keep the wires at the correct height in the heat. This used to be a problem on the Great Eastern Main Line where it wasn’t unknown for the wires to drop so much they almost touch the rails!
The solution here has been to turn the overhead lines off and run diesel instead – a rare sight.
13:20.
Having got the pictures around Glossop and Dinting I wanted I decided to quit whilst I was ahead as temperatures were rising. I made one last stop at Broadbottom then caught a train to Piccadilly. Talk about serendipity! A few minutes after arriving it was a nounced all services to from Piccadilly were suspended due to overhead line damage! The only exception being Buxton line trains.
I’m now making my way back to Victoria to head home before any more disasters befall the network…
14:00.
I never thought I’d appreciate the stygian gloom of Manchester Victoria’s through platforms, entombed underneath the arena, but on a sweltering day like this they’re just the ticket! I’m waiting for the 14:04 to Blackburn as it’ll get me the right side of the Pennines as far as Todmorden, so if anything else breaks I have other options for getting home. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start editing pictures en-route.
14:50.
Getting the train to Todmorden was a good choice. The pair of 150s were quiet so I had time and space to get some editing done in order to upload pictures later. Now I’m basking whilst waiting for my late running connection – but at least it’s running! The heat’s certainly building and I’m looking forward to getting home and having a shower. Carrying my camera bag in this weather certainly gives you a workout!
17:00.
Despite delays to my train due to the heat I made it home without further incident, although the walk back home made me appreciate the sun’s intensity – it was hot! I was so grateful for the breeze that struck me as crested the hill to begin dropping down to home and the Calder valley. Now I’ve had chance to have a shower and cool down here’s some pictures from today.
150110 brings up the rear of 2G49, the 1014 Hadfield to Manchester Piccadilly as it crosses the Dinting viaduct. The age of much of the overhead wires on these lines is evident in the picture. 150143 and 150146 cross the Dinting viaduct whilst working 2G50, the 1044 Hadfield to Manchester Piccadilly.Seen from below 150110 and 150123 approach Dinting station whilst working 2G11, the 1103 Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield. 150110 and 150123 call at Dinting station with 2G52, the 1144 Hadfield to Manchester Piccadilly.A Network Rail engineer checks the temperature of rails at Manchester Piccadilly this afternoon. Before he could slap any speed restrictions on all services were brought to a halt for another reason – the overhead wires!
UPDATE (17:45).
From the cool of my office I’ve just been checking real time train info and whilst it seems that Manchester Piccadilly did reopen all Hadfield services have been cancelled since 1330. I had a lucky escape! The wires sagged too far at Gorton, meaning all Northern and TPE services via Guide Bridge were either cancelled or diverted to other routes. You’ll be able to find a larger selection of pictures in this gallery from tomorrow (Tuesday) as I’m not tempting fate two days in a row – tomorrow I’m staying at home…
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/
Having had a few hours kip bedded down at Heathrow terminal 5 I’m now heading back North on public transport. I caused a bit of a stir on Twitter yesterday by criticising an internal flight from Heathrow to Newcastle. Some people who seem more concerned by ‘convenience’ rather than having climate change and having a liveable planet to inhabit got rather upset with me. Here’s the tweet that caused all the fun…
Me? I’ll be using rail all the way, despite the ‘inconvenience of carrying a weighty camera bag and towing a suitcase. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a ‘green’ luddite who wants to see us scrap all flying, but I do recognise that we need to take climate change seriously and not leave tackling it up to others.
Here’s my first train of the day…
Tubes from terminal 5 are a bit quiet this time of morning, but they sure fill uo en-route to central London!
07:40.
Having travelled into central London I’ve resisted the temptation to talk the camera for a walk. I’m operating on a sleep deficit with extra bags in tow so starting the trip North makes more sense. Right now I’m on an LNER service out of Kings Cross – first stop Peterborough.
10:30.
During my sojourn at Peterborough I saw this curious creature. It’s a Class 156 that was formerly with Greater Anglia, operating services out of Norwich. It’s currently working for East Midlands Railway (hence the branding) but it’s been repainted in the livery of the company it will end up with at the end of the cascade chain – Northern.
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’ve escaped the Calder Valley today as it’s time for one of my regular perambulations to Milnesbridge in the nearby Colne valley. The weather forecast suggested today was going to be a wet one but the day dawned with a mixture of sunshine and cloud so I’m taking the risk and heading out early in order to explore on the way.
The first leg, strolling downhill to Sowerby Bridge was rather pleasant as the slight breeze stopped me overheating as I’m carrying the (slightly slimmed-down) camera bag today.
Whilst I was waiting for the train I had time to read some of the local history boards that line the platforms thanks to the efforts of the station friends and funding from Community Rail Network. This one in particular caught my eye. It’s the story of a local man who invented a product many of us are familiar with that was (and is) sold around the world. Meet Frederick Walton…
I love these history boards as they’re informative, educational and add to people’s understanding of an area.
Right now I’m on a 3-car Class 158, the 09:24 from Sowerby Bridge which is heading for Leeds via Brighouse. It’s a relatively quiet train that’s slowly filling up on the way.
10:25.
As usual, I swapped trains at Dewsbury to retrace some of my steps to Huddersfield. Whilst I was there I remembered the station commemorates two local men who were important in the modern digital revolution and computer age.
Right now I’m sipping a coffee having scoffed a bacon roll from the excellent station cafe. This will fortify me for my next leg. As I’ve so much time in the bank I’m going to eschew my normal route (walking along the canal from Slaithwaite to Milnsbride) and walk directly from Huddersfield, shadowing the railway to visit a couple of photographic locations en-route.
12:05.
I’m now high above Milnesbridge having walked from Huddersfield through a district called Paddock. I’ve not been that way since the pandemic and it’s rather depressing. So many shops and pubs closed their doors for the final time – although they didn’t know it at the time. The deadly combination of Covid and Brexit has proved fatal to so many businesses.
Right now I’m at a local landmark which offers stunning views.
12:45.
That last picture was taken atop the Longwood Tower. I’ve now descended, passed under the viaduct you see in the picture and climbed above it on the other side. Now it’s time for a break, rest and go off the grid for a while. Catch you later…
15:30.
My final visit to Milnesbridge (for now) over and done with I caught the bus back into Huddersfield before transferring to the train for a trip to Leeds. My Hull bound TPE service was the quietest I’ve been on for a while but then it was a 6-car! The earlier train I caught from Dewsbury was absolutely rammed Wwith people and suitcases, many of whom appeared to be heading for the train’s final destination – Manchester Airport.
15:50.
My trip to Leeds was interesting as some Network Rail compounds have sprung up as part of the forthcoming TRU (Transpennine Route Upgrade) including a large one at Batley which I need to visit. Leeds station was in the interregnum between rush-hours yet still contained plenty of people. I only hung around long enough to catch the first train out to the Aire valley and Bingley that I could. I’ve decided to pop in and join a group that (despite regular invitations) I’ve only managed to catch up with once before. ‘Wind Up North’ is a weekly meeting of present and former rail staff (and friends) that moves between different pubs in different towns. Today the rendezvous is the new pub/restaurant in the old stationmaster’s house at Bingley.
16:52.
Here we are…
The station building is just out of shot to the right and the railway in a cutting behind.
Sadly, as the rendezvous point only had one real ale pump working we adjourned to another fine establishment just down the road, the, Chip N Ern Ale House. which is where I took this shot of some of the gang..
21:35.
Tempting as it was I didn’t stay for more than a couple of pints as I’ve a busy few days ahead of me. Having travelled back by walking across Bradford city to connect via the two stations then walking home through Halifax I feel rather virtuous as the beer I had has certainly been burned off! I also managed to dodge the incoming rain which was fortunate. Now I’m looking at this sky out of the bedroom window.
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/
There’s a short blog from me today. After all my travels over the past week I’m glad to have some time at home and chance to catch up with myself before another hectic couple of weeks. Right now my focus is on editing and collating all the pictures that I’ve taken in order to get them out to clients. OK, I *did* take a couple of hours break this afternoon to indulge another passion – gardening. We visited our local B&Q to pick up a selection of DIY materials, but some of their plants were too good to resist. The upstairs terrace in now looking a lot brighter because of my purchases.
Right now I’m having a less than rock and roll Saturday as I’m stuck in the office editing, but – hey ho – it pays the bills. My efforts are leaving you with the picture of the day which was taken on my trip to Kent on Thursday as part of Community Rail week. Students from Ashford college took part in an event that included experiencing a return train trip to Maidstone, where SouthEastern rail staff taught them how various aspects of the railways work – including making announcements. This particular young lady couldn’t resist having a go – and did very well indeed.
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/
Having spent the morning pottering around, writing, posting off eBay buyers purchases and prepping the garden to survive our absence Dawn and I are waiting for friends to arrive to take us all to Manchester Airport for our flight to Berlin. I can’t quite believe that after 2 years and one aborted attempt (thanks Covid) the five of us are finally on our way. Sadly sans the 6th Musketeer – Tony Allen – who passed away last year. Still, we’ll sink a few in his memory…
I’ll blog about our journey as and when I can…
15:15.
We’re on our way…
15:42.
Oh, the joys of the ‘cobbled motorway’ (aka the M62)…
16:29.
We’re using a car drop-off place on the Styal Rd, just South of the airport railway delta junction. It’s a great use of acres of disused greenhouses as all the vehicles are kept undercover. Now we’re on the bus to take us to the terminal.
Or second form of transport today…
17:30.
Oh, the fun of Manchester Airport and Ryanair check in. The self bag drop is farcical. Half the label printing machines are broken. When you do get your bag labelled you join another queue to drop off your bag. But there’s only one person doing it. Then the belt’s broken! So we’ve been standing here for nearly an hour! My friends have found a way of passing the time..
1950.
We’re late, fed up of queuing and haven’t had a drink, but at least we’re on the plane…
Saturday morning update…
Our plane was an hour late into the Brandenburg airport but I can’t fault the flight crew, who were a mix of Spanish and Italian. They were lovely. Getting through the airport was a breeze as (unlike Manchester) everything works. Even the immigration staff were friendly although I’ll never get used to our loss of freedom and our new 3rd country status (thanks for nothing Brexiters). As we were arriving so late we’d arranged for a taxi pickup for the half-hour trip to our hotel near Alexanderplatz. We checked in with just 20 nins left before the bar closed at 1AM so headed straight to it before going to our rooms. Once again the staff were lovely and also flexible so we managed to squeeze two rounds in before they shut up shop and we retired to bed at 02:00.
Paul Bigland 