Tag Archives: Travel

Rolling blog. Sunday mixture….

09 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Food and drink, Manchester, Photography, Railways, Travel

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After last night’s shindig the pair of us have had a low morning here in Manchester. Not that we were up late, more that we took our time before heading down to breakfast – and an excellent repast it was too. The Doubletree Hilton cater for all tastes, from traditional English (with added flair) to continental and Asian. Mind you, the clientele are so varied that the food has to be.

An English breakfast to set me up for the day.  It’ll be walked off by this evening!

Manchester wakes up late on a Sunday. Most shops don’t open before 11:00 – 11:30 which makes rushing rather pointless.

In the end, we did visit some shops, but it was more window than real shopping, then I said goodbye to Dawn at Victoria station whilst I stayed behind to get a few library shots. Retracing my steps to a rather quiet Piccadilly (due to engineering works and cancellations), I took a packed Transport for Wales service out to Stockport in order to bag a few long lens shots along the viaduct (pics later).

15:14.

Now, I’m heading back to Piccadilly to try a few more locations around the city. Low cloud’s creeping in on the fringes and the intensity of the sun’s dropping, so I may not hang around too long.

17:15.

Time to head back across the Pennines. I’ve had an interesting afternoon in the city, enjoying the weather, people-watching, and a few trains – although they’ve been in short supply. I ended up walking back through the city from Oxford Rd to Victoria. This allowed me to get a few architecture shots where the sun was just in the right place. As is usual, when I’m wandering around with a top-flight camera with a long lens attached, I ended up in a couple of conversations with other street photographers. It’s part of the fun! In one case, I even let a guy have a play with the Z9 with a 100-400 lens attached. I’m not trying to show off – I just knew they’d appreciate being able to handle and try out the camera. Just like I used to be.

Now I’m stood on a busy 2-car train heading East…

22:00.

I’m now back at Bigland Towers, giving me the opportunity to add a few camera shots from today.

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

A night on the town…

08 Saturday Mar 2025

Posted by in Manchester, Travel

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After a lovely sunny day in West Yorkshire where temperatures hit 17 degrees, leaving us feeling that Spring had arrived, we’ve travelled across the Pennines to Manchester for a night on the town and an evening at the Confederation of Passenger Transport annual dinner. I’ll add some pictures and details later. Right now it’s time to get dressed up at our hotel…

We’ve moved Hilton hotels to the iconic one in Deansgate where the event is being held. Nice room.

We’re on a great table where we’ve already met a couple of old friends and colleagues..

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

7th March picture of the day…

07 Friday Mar 2025

Posted by in Flora and Fauna, Indonesia, Musings, Photography, Politics, Travel

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Today’s my last one where I’m stuck behind a desk all day – at least for a while. The weather’s deteriorated and we’ve had a few showers here in the Pennines but the temperature has still be way into double figures, which has been nice. Not that it’s made much difference to me but it’s always good to crack open the office window, get some fresh air and hear the birdsong outside.

I’ve finally caught up with all my picture editing. All the various SE Asia shots are now on my Zenfolio site, along with all the recent pictures from the UK and 90% of the Norway images. Here’s a link to the ‘recent’ section of my website where you can browse what’s been updated. I’ve just a few more Norway shots to caption before I can write a blog about what Siemens and Norwegian railways are up to when it comes to resignalling the entire country over the next few decades. It’s a fascinating project.

Tomorrow we’re off to Manchester for the awards I talked about yesterday, then home again later on Sunday. Right now I’ve no idea what I’ll be doing for the first part of next week as the weather forecast is predicting rain and snow! On Wednesday the pair of us will be heading to Newcastle (on Tyne) to prepare for Thursday’s Community Rail Awards. The city’s predicted to be slightly warmer, but just as wet! Ho hum…

Of course, whilst I’ve been trapped at home I’ve kept one eye on the political madness that’s enveloping the world – and the latest chapter. Trump is still as mad as a box of frogs, but it’s what’s happening in the UK today that’s made me reach for the popcorn! Reform, the PLC (majority shareholder N Farage) that masquerades as a political party is having a bit of a ‘mare.

Splits have been appearing for sometime as Elon Musk has suggested that the ‘Fagash Fuhrer’ isn’t fit to lead the party he formed (don’t you mean the company he owns? Ed) and endorsed the millionaire and racist Rupert Lowe instead. Lowe is one of the 5 MPs have and makes £1000s a week from Twitter by shit-posting inflammatory stuff about the colour of people’s skin – and Islamophobia. As a consequence, he has a hardcore following of Reform ‘members’ (as they like to pretend). Unsurprisingly – and predictably, as he has past form for this at UKIP, the ‘Fagash Fuhrer’ doesn’t take kindly to his gravy-train being threatened, so has shot back by getting the party chair and ‘whip’ – 30p Lee Anderson to release this little missive.

OK, I have to admit I had to laugh out loud at the hypocrisy of the last paragraph! Apparently, lying, race-baiting and Islamophobia area perfectly acceptable activities in Reform, but bullying female staff isn’t. Oh, hang on, wasn’t one of their MPs jailed for assaulting his girlfriend in the past? Apparently, that’s OK too, so James McMurdock remains a Reform MP. It seems the only thing that gets you into trouble in Reform is challenging the ‘Fagash Fuhrer’. Lowe denies all the accusations, so this saga is set to run and run. Fuel to the fire is already being added by Lowe’s supporters. I wonder if ‘Space Karen’ Musk will get involved again?

Reform are already feeling the pressure due to their support for the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. This is just adding more pressure on them, along with their poor showing in local elections. 9 seats were up for grabs on Thursday and Reform failed to win a single one. In fact, out of the 218 seats that have become vacant since the last general election Reform have only won 12. Hardly the ‘Tsunami’ that ’30p Lee’ Anderson keeps boasting of.

Who will win? There’s only one possible outcome. The majority shareholder will win. Reform are a PLC, not a genuine political party. The mugs persuaded to cough up £25 for ‘membership’ are about to find out the reality of what that buys them. Nothing. The money is trousered by Farage. It’s impossible for Farage to be deposed. As the majority shareholder he owns Reform!

Still, I’ll invest in some popcorn, as this saga is going to run and run. There’s nothing like a bit of right-wing political infighting. It rivals blood sports! Meanwhile, not all is well in the White House either….

Now it’s time to knock off and leave you with a picture to brighten your day, which comes from…Bali. I posted a picture of an unknown bird the other week. Thanks to readers it was identified as a female olive-backed Sunbird. That allowed me to ID this one as the male olive-backed sunbird.

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

5th March picture(s) of the day…

05 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in Railways, Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade, TRU, West Yorkshire

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Another short blog from me tonight as I’ve been out all day and only got home late. The pair of us were up early as we had a dentist’s appointment at 08:30 over in Huddersfield – one of our regular 6 month check-ups and visit to the hygienist for a wash and brush up. I’m not someone who’s afraid of dentists and rather enjoy coming away afterwards feeling the new definition in my teeth after having the hygienist gave ’em the once over – not that there was much to remove.

As we were in that neck of the woods and the weather was ideal for photography I decided to have a day out exploring Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) territory. I’ll explain more at greater length tomorrow, but for now here’s a couple of pictures.

A TRU engineers train passes Bradley Junction with the single line spur towards Brighouse heading off to the left. This section will be four-tracked with the new fast lines being laid on the old trackbed to the right.
A TPE service takes the Huddersfield route at Heaton Lodge Junction. The line to Brighouse is in the background. The new 100mph fast lines will be laid to the right of the train. The new bridge pier is for the road down to the waterworks between the two railways which will replace the one I’m standing on..

I’ll be back working from home tomorrow, so expect more pictures and a vastly expanded blog then.

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

3rd March picture of the day…

03 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Musings, Photography, Travel, West Yorkshire

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There’s not much of a blog from me today as nearly the whole day’s been spent glued to a computer screen as I try and complete a photo editing marathon. I’ve broken the back of it now, having edited and filed 80% of the pictures I’ve taken so far this year, which cover five countries (if you include the UK). I did get diverted into an archive search too, which took up some time, but I’m pleased with what I’ve got done as one more day should leave me free to get on with other projects.

There’s far too many galleries that have been updated to add individual links on my Zenfolio website, but if you click on this link it’ll take you to the ‘recent’ section, which shows you (by date) all the galleries that have had pictures added to them.

The weather’s not been up to much here in the Pennines so it’s hardly been an ideal day to be going out with the camera. It’s made looking at pictures of sultry climates and the streetlife they enable rather frustrating! Still, there’s no doubt that spring’s is in the air here in the UK. The days are noticeably longer compared to when I left for Asia and our garden is on the cusp of breaking into life – which is a bit of a bugger as I’ve not had chance to move things around beforehand. Ah well, there’s still time…

Whilst I’ve been editing and captioning a lot of pictures there’s one thing I’ve struggled with. Ships? Easy. Planes? No problem. Trains? Simple. But, our feathered friends? I haven’t got a clue! So, today’s picture is of one of the critters I’m struggling to identify. Can anyone help? I saw this beautiful creature feeding off the plants around our swimming pool in Bali.

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

Pictures and politics…

02 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Indonesia, jakarta, Photography, Politics, Travel

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Today has been another where I’ve hardly moved from Bigland towers as I’ve been determined to crack on with editing the hundreds of pictures I have in the queue from all my travels. Mind you, whilst the weather’s slowly picking up as spring approaches, it’s still chilly enough to keep me indoors. I’ve managed to get all sorts of images done today. The straight travel shots are the easiest. The ones that take time are the shipping and aircraft shots as I need to look up the technical details of each one. Here’s the galleries that have had pictures added today;

Aircraft and airports

Ships and shipping

Indonesia travel

Malaysia travel

I’ve even added the first pictures of the year from the UK rail network;

Northern trains

Whilst doing this I’ve been keeping one eye on the news and the unfolding story of the European summit on Ukraine which has been held in the UK today. After the American debacle (which shows every sign of backfiring on Trump and Vance) it’s been refreshing to see the levels of international support for Ukraine – even from some right-wing governments like Italy and Turkey. What was also great to see was the UK centre-stage with the adults back in charge again. I don’t agree with everything Sir Keir Starmer and his government is doing, but – by God! – what a difference to the past few clowns we’ve had as PM! Contrast Starmer in the thick of it with other European leaders who are engaging with him and respect him with the past scenes of Boris Johnson at summits where he was ignored and wandered around (hands in pockets) like ‘Billy no-mates’. The UK is finally starting to shake off the disgrace of Brexit and the Tory shit-show to regain some credibility in the world.

How things will pan out in the long run is open to question, but there’s no doubt that the majority of the UK supports Ukraine – despite what bots, trolls and Russia apologists on social media are trying to project.

One of the interesting things about the situation is how it’s almost impossible to fit a fag paper between the hard-left and the far-right on so many policies (like Starmer and Ukraine). The poor ‘tankies’ of the hard-left still can’t get over the fall of the Soviet Union, or the fact Jeremy Corbyn turned out to be a failure. They still hanker after both which leaves them irrelevant to politics in the modern age. Mind you, Farage and ‘Reform’ are also struggling. Having nailed their flag to the Trump (and Putin) mast their populist politics are looking increasingly hollow. It’s too early to say with certainty, but this does show every sign of being a seismic shift in world politics and alliances. I’ll blog more about this another time, but for now it’s time to go.

I did see one comment on social media that made me laugh today. Someone posted (in reference to the apocryphal Chinese curse) ‘I think I’ve had enough of living in interesting times’. I can’t but agree…

I’ll leave you with a picture, which is from my Jakarta sojourn. Streetlife in the Indonesian capital’s never boring as there’s always something to see – and traffic to negotiate. Here’s an example.

Food outlets line Jalan Lontar Raya whilst an endless procession of scooters and other forms of transport add to the noise and chaos.

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

1st March picture of the day…

01 Saturday Mar 2025

Posted by in Photography, Picture of the day, West Yorkshire

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Today’s been a quiet one here at Bigland towers. After all my travels and adventures it’s time to kick back a little and catch up with myself. My sleep patterns have just about returned to normal now, helped by not being on the ‘go’ all the time. Instead, I’ve been concentrating on catching up with some household chores, enjoying the opportunity to cook once more – and continue editing pictures from my travels.

You can find the latest additions to my Zenfolio picture website here;

Malaysia

Indonesia

Ships and shipping

Norway railways

I’ve still got hundreds of pictures to edit. They’ll gradually get filed over the next few days as I’m not expecting to be travelling anywhere much over the next week as I’ve too much to do at home. It’s a shame as the weather’s beginning to pick up here in West Yorkshire. We’ve had some stunning sunsets with fabulous colours these past couple of days. I was fortunate to capture this one from the bedroom window this evening.

The setting sun over Sowerby has produced some amazing colours these past few days.

I’m expecting tomorrow to be a little more active today, but productive when it comes to producing pictures. Plus, there’s a political blog brewing. Yesterday’s disgraceful ambush at the White House is certainly causing waves of outrage. Plus President Zelenskyy arrived in the UK today – a country that backs him to the hilt – despite what the hard-left and far-right would like you to think.

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

A day at home…

27 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by in Norway, Photography, Railways, Travel

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After getting home at 07:30 this morning much of my day has been spent catching up on some sleep! A shame in some ways as the weather’s been glorious for a change. Ah well…

The rest of my time has been spent glued to a computer in order to continue the marathon task of editing pictures. I’ve still got a queue of images from my Asia trip to sort out, but today I decided to focus on the pictures from Norway in order to establish a new gallery on my Zenfolio website. You can find that new gallery here. There’s many more pictures to add to it yet. Hopefully they’ll appear over the next few days as I’m going to be home-based for a while yet.

Here’s a couple of shots as a teaser.

A type SL95 tram by Central station. These bidirectional, eight-axle articulated vehicles built by Italian company Ansaldo are unique to Oslo. 32 were supplied between 1998-2004. They’re being replaced by newer vehicles built by CAF.
A Stadler built Class 75 EMU at Jaren, on the first line in Norway to be controlled by ERTMS.
 One of the CAF built ‘Oaris’ EMUs. These units have had a troubled history. Eight of these 245kph trains were ordered in March 2015 at a cost of 115 million Euros. Expected to enter service in 2018 they were delayed until 2021. 19 days after entering service cracks were found in the bogie bolster leading to the units withdrawal. They were due to return to service in January 2023 but are still experiencing problems. Only two were in traffic during my visit, including this one, 78003 which is missing its nose cone doors at one end. As an aside, it was the Oaris platform that CAF offered in its (unsuccessful) tender for HS2!

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

Oh, bugger…

27 Thursday Feb 2025

Posted by in Air Travel, Norway, Railways, Travel

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Remember yesterday when I said it might be touch and go making the last train to Halifax from Manchester Airport? Well, it was less touch and even less go…

My plane was late leaving Amsterdam Schipol, which didn’t really help. The flight itself was fine. The crew were good, we were given nibbles (and wine) without being charged for them and I was quietly optimistic that I’d make my connection. Then we landed at Manchester.

For some reason, KLM didn’t get an air-bridge, we were stuck out on the tarmac and bussed into the terminal, which ate into precious minutes. Then things turned into a farce. We couldn’t get off the buses and into the terminal because ‘the man with the key’ had disappeared! An aged member of ground staff took strange delight in telling us this. No apology, no appreciating the fact it was going to fcuk people’s connections, he treated it as a joke. As for the man with the key – you have one job…

When we finally got into the building I saw a sign that told me I was exactly 497 meters away from Immigration. Oh, joy – another half-click to walk before I get anywhere. By this time I’d given up all hope of catching the train so I texted Dawn accordingly. To be fair, the passport scanning gates worked well and my suitcase was waiting for me on the carousel, but it was all a bit late after the earlier farces.

So, plan B…

Yep, I’m still at the airport. I could have got a later train but that would deposit me in Halifax in the early hours and disturb Dawn as I’d arrive home around 2am. Instead, I’ve opted to stay at the airport, make the most of the wifi and start the marathon task of picture editing before catching a train around 04:00. A service that time of day will see me come in the front door of the cottage just as Dawn’s waking up. Besides, after the past month’s travelling my body-clock’s all over the place anyway – and this is hardly my first airport experience.

Whilst I’m here I’ve time to add a few more pictures to the blog, starting with this – my train to Oslo airport.

There’s one song that reflections my generation and its experiences. It’s neatly summed up in this picture taken at the airport. It’s a Beatles song that I just can’t stop humming on this trip. ‘Norwegian wood‘.

I swear to God, tomorrow I am going nowhere. There’s plenty to keep me occupied with at home. Plus, it’s a chance to detox after so much hospitality. That said, I’ve really enjoyed all the fish you get at breakfast.

It’s silly o’ clock, so time to head to the railway station via the 5th dimension

Select the sci-fi music of your choice…

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

Another busy day…

26 Wednesday Feb 2025

Posted by in Norway, Photography, Railways, Siemens, Travel

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09:00 (Norway time).

The group have breakfasted and checked out of the (rather nice) hotel, now we’re gathering ready to head out on our rail trip to explore the first Norwegian railway line to be equipped with digital signalling. Apparently, we’ll have our own reserved coach on the train and lunch will be served in it on the return trip! (spoiled, us?) We’ll get back into Oslo later this afternoon when I’ll have a couple of hours to myself as my flight back via Schipol doesn’t leave until 18:55.

Last night’s meal at the Munch museum was both entertaining and educational. I never realised that Munch painted several versions of ‘the scream’ or that he painted them on cardboard, which makes conservation all the more difficult. I really need to come back when the museum’s open to the public and have a mooch.

I’ll try and blog through the day, although that may be erratic as there’s a lot to see and do…

18:00 (Norway time).

Sorry, trying to blog through the day was a complete non-starter due to the fact we were on the move all day – and busy. Now I’m at Oslo airport waiting for my flight to Manchester (via Schipol) so I’ve time to try and flesh the day out a bit. First up – here’s a few pictures…

Here’s the lovely old station building at Jaren (it dates from 1900) which we visited. It’s an important point on the first line equipped with digital signalling. We got to see the new kit – and the old…
Here’s how the line was controlled. This signalling panel is still in situ in the station building, although not for much longer.
The old relay room in the station building. This equipment dates from the mid 1950s. It’s redundant now, but many other Norwegian rail routes are still controlled his way. You can imagine the issues with getting spares and finding people with the knowledge to maintain this old kit.
One of the Stadler sets that work the line, this one was waiting for our Southbound service to pass.
Back in Oslo I had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport which gave me time to get some shots around the station and in the city. Here’s an international train bound for Stockholm, worked by a Swedish locomotive and stock.

Our little trip gave us the opportunity to see some of the Norwegian countryside, which looked stunning as most of it was coated in a thick layer of snow. we skirted several frozen lakes and small towns along with isolated wooden bungalows and farmstead, some of which looked stunning.  The only thing that was in short supply was wildlife. We had several Ban Nore and Siemens staff with us whom we we could ask technical questions of. One chap told us to watch out for Elk along the route, then he observed that when the snow’s really heavy, the Elk tend to use the railway as a trail! I wouldn’t fancy meeting one head-on!

I’ll blog in far greater detail about the trip when I’m home and have all the pictures edited. Right now my main focus is getting home!

18:50.

We’ve boarded the plane and will be on our way shortly. I’ve really enjoyed this short trip to the ancestral home. I can see me coming back to explore more soon. Whilst the Bigland family roots are to the South-West of Oslo, I’d also like to have a look up in the far North of Norway. The railway line to Narvik (via Sweden) sounds beautiful.

But for now, the main thing is to return home and start sorting out the 1000s of pictures I’ve taken over the past month – and sort out work for the future. I think my wings may have to be clipped for a little while. Plus, we’re only a few weeks away from the Community RAIL awards in Newcastle – so I need to have the decks cleared for that.

I’m writing this mid-air, although it won’t get posted until I land. The KLM flight from Oslo is less than half-full – even tho’ it’s the smaller booked plane (an Emberauer E195). Curiously, we’re being charged for drinks and nibbles whilst on the outward flight with KLM, they were free. What’s that all about?

On the bright side, this 90 minute flight should be on time, and I can make a rapid exit in order to make my 50-minute connection back yo the UK. That’s when the fun may start. I’ll have 45 mins from landing to make the last train back to Halifax…

21:10 (Netherlands time).

Another dash through the massive Schipol airport has got me to gate D57 with time to spare. Looking at the crowds here, I suspect this plane’s going to be anything but empty.

21:50.

We’ve boarded, but it’s a full flight, and we’re late. This could get interesting. Just to keep the Manchester vibe alive, it’s pissing down here at Schipol!

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