Tag: Liverpool Weekend

  • Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – Delay Repay and the Perfect Delay

    Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – Delay Repay and the Perfect Delay

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    I’m pleased to confirm that my train got in 33 minutes late into Manchester and so I’m getting a 50% refund on my rail fare. This is very optimal, a delay that doesn’t inconvenience me unduly but it’ll fund all my beers at Track and Cloudwater which I’m going to rush to visit. What a time to be alive! The rest of the journey incidentally was quiet, just some problems with the train which caused a few delays at a number of railway stations. But, I’m happy, this is all very handy for me, a minor delay and so free beer.

  • Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – The Train has Broken Down

    Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – The Train has Broken Down

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    The good news was that a friend recommended the delights of Cloudwater and Track for my two hour craft beer bar stop in Manchester before I boarded the thunderbolt rail service to Liverpool. The bad news is that the East Midlands train, which my two loyal readers may have noted I referred to earlier as rickety, has broken down at Chesterfield railway station. I’m not particularly disappointed as Delay Repay is kicking in now so I’ll get some of my rail fare back, but my time in Manchester is ever decreasing…..

    Currently nearly 30 minutes behind schedule and we can’t hear what’s wrong as the speakers in the train aren’t working properly. But even that delay is still over an hour of craft beering in Manchester if they hurry up and come up with a new plan. Although I suspect I might be rejoining the train one hour behind which Bev is on. Susan and Steve are sensibly on trains via London, they’re living the life of luxury on their services.

  • Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – This Situation is Sub-Optimal

    Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – This Situation is Sub-Optimal

    Carrying on my random complaint of why can’t this train have more carriages given that it is at capacity in terms of passengers and luggage, it wasn’t the most ideal situation from Norwich to Peterborough. A friendly man sat opposite me, but a pair got on late and asked him to move next to me so they could sit together. He ignored these interlopers so they sat opposite each other, he complaining that he’s got to get a long train journey to go to court and she seemed just exhausted. It wasn’t ideal that she started to fall asleep into me but my passive aggressive nature meant that she woke up, apologised and moved. People often say travel is a marvellous thing and they’re not wrong, but it certainly has its moments.

    I have no idea what happened to Bev, I hope she’s escaped this train at Peterborough. I’m pleased to say that we’re rolling on now and will be going through Grantham, Nottingham, Ilkeston, Alfreton, Chesterfield, Sheffield and Stockport before arriving into Manchester. It’s quite relaxing now.

    I’m not sure that I know anyone who is available and who can give quick advice on which craft beer bars to visit in Manchester, I shall have to perform my own research endeavours on what is possible in the short period of time I have there. But, more importantly, I hope this train remains relatively peaceful.

  • Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – And So the Trip Begins…..

    Liverpool Weekend (Day One) – And So the Trip Begins…..

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    I may have mentioned in passing, but it’s been too bloody hot this week and I was pleased to see some clouds in the sky in the hope that matters might be cooling down somewhat. As the observant might have noticed from the title of this post, I’m off for a little adventure to Liverpool with a few others. I deserve a break away I’ve decided.

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    I arrived early at the railway station as it’s the rather rickety East Midlands Railway service to Liverpool, although I’m getting off at Manchester as split ticketing meant that was much cheaper. And I decided I’d spend a couple of hours in Manchester itself as well.

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    There was then a twenty minute wait for me standing by the train, but I was pleased to feel that the temperature had reduced somewhat. This two carriage train is entirely inadequate for the number of people who want to use it, so it’s at capacity and there’s no space for luggage. Half of our group made the sensible decision to go via London, but I’v picked the thrifty route.

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    I boarded first to get a table seat, as this train doesn’t have any seat reservations which I personally think just makes thing easier but others are less impressed. It’s transpired that Bev is on the same train to Peterborough, where she’s getting of, and she’s a bit stompy down that end of the train judging by her comments in the group chat. Hopefully there will be some drama to report later on, likely involving Bev. But, I’m at a table seat, I have power and I’m settled in for the relatively long journey to Manchester. What could possibly go wrong…..