It's been a poor week commuting into London!
Midland Mainline apparently have two depots - one at Derby and One near Leeds.
Due to the severe flooding in Sheffield they stopped running trains further north than Derby sometime on Monday afternoon! That was all fine and dandy on Monday when travelling home I had the freedom of the carriage to get a seat.
The rest of the week has been a nightmare. I usually catch either the 0552 or the 0728 from Kettering to London. On Tuesday I caught the 0728 - So did everyone who normally catches the 0722, which is always packed at Kettering and hence why I get the later train. I was glad I didn't get the 0552 as those who went for that had to wait till the 0702 departure for a train! The following train at 0739 was also cancelled, so some early arrivals for that were able to sneak onto the 0728. The train manager had the good sense to remove all of the seat reservations and I just managed to get a seat, but by the time the train left Bedford it was as packed as a tube train in rush hour!! The irony of it was the train which formed the service had the name "City of Sheffield" emblazoned on the side of it!!!!!
On the way home the 1755 was cancelled so we all crammed onto the 1800 - As I was there promptly I managed to get a seat but again the train was crammed.
Wednesday I managed to find an empty luggage rack to purch myself on, however I paid for that as my hamstrings were sore for 24 hours after. Going home was worse than the evening before. Both the 1730 and 1745 were cancelled, so three trains worth of punters squeezed onto the 1800.
Fortunately the flooding has subsided, the trains released from their Leeds depot and today was a pleasure to travel once more!
Midland Mainline don't get it wrong that often and their staff are fantastic generally, so I was sad to hear that they have lost the franchise to Stagecoach from November 2007. At least under the new franchise there is a requirement to run trains starting and terminating at Kettering and going into London - Guaranteeing a seat for us Kettering and area dwellers!!
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Friday, 22 June 2007
100 years of the Hampstead Tube railway.
Souvenir Book about how it all started.
Watch and (the LU favourite) a mug!!
An individually wrapped comemorative (and rather tasty) cake.
On Sunday there is a special train running (1938 tube stock) to comemorate 100 years of the Hampstead, Euston and Charing Cross railway (Thats the Charing Cross branch of the Northern Line to you and me)!! The depot is also holding an open day at Golders Green with limited tickets available.
To comemorate this anniversary all staff are being issued with some goodies to mark the occasion as shown above. I must say I am suitably impressed with the standard of gifts. In addition to the above there is also a DVD which outlines the history of the stations on the line.
Spot the difference here.......................
This is the depot building at Golders Green
This is the step plate which is fitted in the threshold of every set of doors
What hope do the Northern Line have when the people who build and maintain the trains can't decide how to spell the company name?
Monday, 18 June 2007
This weekend I went to.........
Pitsford Water, just outside Northampton yesterday afternoon. Little Miss Corby and I cycled the 7.5 miles around it. Most pleasant!
Friday, 15 June 2007
An Outrage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I chatted to "Dave the Paper" outside St Pancras tonight he dropped the bombshell that his site has been axed from next Monday and that today will be his last shift.
I am gutted for him as he was always friendly and very knowlegable about football. Probably why I've always got on so well with him.
I may boycott buying the standard in protest at his shabby treatment!
I am gutted for him as he was always friendly and very knowlegable about football. Probably why I've always got on so well with him.
I may boycott buying the standard in protest at his shabby treatment!
Best football ground for viewing.
Not Vicarage Road, you'll be surprised to hear but Tottenham Hotspurs' White Hart Lane.
I'm not sure there is a bad seat in the house and I always enjoy my visits there. Mind you it is just about the most inaccessible ground in the country! Especiially when you consider it is in London!!
Epic train Journey part 2.............
Thursday evening - After a pleasant chat with Dave the paper outside St Pancras I saunter up to the platforms to catch my usual 1755 train.
On I get, reading my standard, we pull out on time, come out of the tunnels, past west Hampstead and then there is a sharp braking sensation and we jolt to a halt after about 100 yards. Two minutes later we start moving and crawl into Cricklewood station. We then sit there for 15 minutes in silence!
Finally the train manager tells us that due to a total suignal system power failure we shall be here for at least 20 minutes. TWO hours later we depart from Cricklewood and I finally get home at 2130!
Why do these type of things never happen when i'm going to work?
On I get, reading my standard, we pull out on time, come out of the tunnels, past west Hampstead and then there is a sharp braking sensation and we jolt to a halt after about 100 yards. Two minutes later we start moving and crawl into Cricklewood station. We then sit there for 15 minutes in silence!
Finally the train manager tells us that due to a total suignal system power failure we shall be here for at least 20 minutes. TWO hours later we depart from Cricklewood and I finally get home at 2130!
Why do these type of things never happen when i'm going to work?
The football season is getting closer!
The fixtures for the new season were released this week.
Watford start with an away game at Wolves followed by a home game against Sheffield United. Tough start but it should show us what our promotion credentials will be like. At least we get a last day of the season trip to Blackpool, which should be good fun!
I notice that Sam Allardyce will have an uncomfortable first game in charge of Newcastle as they have to go to his old club Bolton.
I'm sure it is pure coincidence but I notice the big four are all at home on the first day of the season.
Looking further down the leagues - Leyton Orient v Leeds United! Oh how the mighty have fallen!!!!!!!!!!
Watford start with an away game at Wolves followed by a home game against Sheffield United. Tough start but it should show us what our promotion credentials will be like. At least we get a last day of the season trip to Blackpool, which should be good fun!
I notice that Sam Allardyce will have an uncomfortable first game in charge of Newcastle as they have to go to his old club Bolton.
I'm sure it is pure coincidence but I notice the big four are all at home on the first day of the season.
Looking further down the leagues - Leyton Orient v Leeds United! Oh how the mighty have fallen!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
This weekend..........
Off to visit my folks who live just outside Blackpool on Friday evening.
This got me thinking about the good old british seaside resort.
Some weeks ago we ended up in Great Yarmouth for the day. This brought back memories of holidays in my childhood when we used to go to a place called Hemsby (about 10 miles up the coast from Yarmouth). The problem is that I don't like the place any more. While the world and people have moved on our British seaside resorts seem to be stuck in a timewarp!
There are still more Telebingo arcades than you can shake a Bingo marker at in most places of this nature, and, while I have been known to enjoy a round of golf from time to time there seem to be more crazy golf courses than they have in the whole of America strewn along the prom!
Blackpool is no different. The town itself has turned into a haven for Drugs, stag do's and hen parties and is just a complete shitehole of a place. It is unlikely I shall venture into Blackpool over the coming weekend as there is no magic to these places anymore!
Maybe I'm getting old but I'd rather go for a good walk or cycle in the countryside as opposed to go to the seaside.
This got me thinking about the good old british seaside resort.
Some weeks ago we ended up in Great Yarmouth for the day. This brought back memories of holidays in my childhood when we used to go to a place called Hemsby (about 10 miles up the coast from Yarmouth). The problem is that I don't like the place any more. While the world and people have moved on our British seaside resorts seem to be stuck in a timewarp!
There are still more Telebingo arcades than you can shake a Bingo marker at in most places of this nature, and, while I have been known to enjoy a round of golf from time to time there seem to be more crazy golf courses than they have in the whole of America strewn along the prom!
Blackpool is no different. The town itself has turned into a haven for Drugs, stag do's and hen parties and is just a complete shitehole of a place. It is unlikely I shall venture into Blackpool over the coming weekend as there is no magic to these places anymore!
Maybe I'm getting old but I'd rather go for a good walk or cycle in the countryside as opposed to go to the seaside.
I can't wait for next season...................
Yes, yes I know the last one has only just finished but Watford have made some signings already for next season:
Douglas Rinaldi - £250,000 - was on loan last part of last season and looked a really accomplished player.
Mart Poom - Free Transfer from Arsenal - Estonian Goalkeeper who will play against England tonight. He is 35 and will add some experience to the defence.
Matt Jackson - Free Transfer from Wigan - 35 again but will add the experience that was missing throughout last season.
Jobi McAnuff - £1.75M from Crystal Palace - We were after him last season but couldn't prize him away from Palace. Tricky winger - we lacked a supply line to our strikers last season at times, hopefully tha will change with this aquisition.
So all in all it is gradually coming together for the 'orns and hence why I can't wait for the new season!
Douglas Rinaldi - £250,000 - was on loan last part of last season and looked a really accomplished player.
Mart Poom - Free Transfer from Arsenal - Estonian Goalkeeper who will play against England tonight. He is 35 and will add some experience to the defence.
Matt Jackson - Free Transfer from Wigan - 35 again but will add the experience that was missing throughout last season.
Jobi McAnuff - £1.75M from Crystal Palace - We were after him last season but couldn't prize him away from Palace. Tricky winger - we lacked a supply line to our strikers last season at times, hopefully tha will change with this aquisition.
So all in all it is gradually coming together for the 'orns and hence why I can't wait for the new season!
Monday, 4 June 2007
Europe is closer than we think!!
On her way home this evening to catch the 2315 train from St Pancras Mrs Corby phoned, all excited, to tell me that a Eurostar train was parked in the new St Pancras International station!
The new super fast service starts in November after all, so I suppose they were doing some signalling or catenary testing.
When this opens London to Paris will be achievable in 2 hrs 30 mins (ish)! some reading this probably remenmber when it took the best part of a week to do that particular journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The new super fast service starts in November after all, so I suppose they were doing some signalling or catenary testing.
When this opens London to Paris will be achievable in 2 hrs 30 mins (ish)! some reading this probably remenmber when it took the best part of a week to do that particular journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Epic train journey.......
One thing I hate when I go into work early because I have to be home at a certain time is being so dependant on public transport!
Take today for example.
Left work at 1535 - that gives me 50 minutes to make the journey to Kings Cross (a 20 minute journey). I was confronted by a distinct lack of via Bank Northern Line trains - Although thankyou Mr Ward for your good real time information from the comfort of your drivers cab!!!!!!!
I go to St Pancras to get my 1625 train which is first stop Kettering (where I alight) and arrive just in time for it to start boarding. Train leaves on time and all is well until Flitwick, where we come to a stand in the platform. Turns out that a lorry has hit a bridge just south of Bedford!
We then crawl to just south of the bridge in question and are by this time 30 minutes late. Little Miss Corby is not happy and neither is the childminder as I'm supposed to pick LMC up and take her to Brownies by 1800hrs. Fortunately the childminder is a diamond and agrees to take LMC to brownies for me.
Train starts to move and then we are told that some fella has been taken unwell and we will be making an unscheduled stop at Bedford to await an ambulance for him! 20 minutes later and we are finally on our way. I arrive at Kettering at 1820 and drive home arriving at 1840!
Just over 3 hours to do a journey that normally takes 1hour 35 minutes. In all fairness to Midland Mainline this seldom happens these days as they are a very reliable train service.
Take today for example.
Left work at 1535 - that gives me 50 minutes to make the journey to Kings Cross (a 20 minute journey). I was confronted by a distinct lack of via Bank Northern Line trains - Although thankyou Mr Ward for your good real time information from the comfort of your drivers cab!!!!!!!
I go to St Pancras to get my 1625 train which is first stop Kettering (where I alight) and arrive just in time for it to start boarding. Train leaves on time and all is well until Flitwick, where we come to a stand in the platform. Turns out that a lorry has hit a bridge just south of Bedford!
We then crawl to just south of the bridge in question and are by this time 30 minutes late. Little Miss Corby is not happy and neither is the childminder as I'm supposed to pick LMC up and take her to Brownies by 1800hrs. Fortunately the childminder is a diamond and agrees to take LMC to brownies for me.
Train starts to move and then we are told that some fella has been taken unwell and we will be making an unscheduled stop at Bedford to await an ambulance for him! 20 minutes later and we are finally on our way. I arrive at Kettering at 1820 and drive home arriving at 1840!
Just over 3 hours to do a journey that normally takes 1hour 35 minutes. In all fairness to Midland Mainline this seldom happens these days as they are a very reliable train service.
Early favourites for premiership relegation
Has to be Wigan Athletic after their capture of Titus Bramble earlier today!!!!!!!
In my opinion he has to be just the worst defender I have ever seen!
Add to that the fact that apparently UEFA have been studying fans behaviour for years gone by and have drawn the conclusion that Liverpool have the worst fans in Europe! No Shit Sherlock! How scientific must that study have been.......................... Let me see errrr............. they were present at Hillsborough, Heysel.................... oh and they've been rowdy in Greece a fortnight ago! Seems to me very convenient that this report surfaces at a time when the spotlight is on how UEFA organise all their match arrangements.
While I think only a fool would say no English fans cause trouble, I find it incredible that no such fuss is made about Italian fans who seem absolute animals. Italian football seems to be about 20 years behind football in this country in terms of fans behaviour. I just wonder if some of the problems with English fans abroad is caused by the fact that our expectation of the "football experience" is far greater than that of our European counterparts.
In my opinion he has to be just the worst defender I have ever seen!
Add to that the fact that apparently UEFA have been studying fans behaviour for years gone by and have drawn the conclusion that Liverpool have the worst fans in Europe! No Shit Sherlock! How scientific must that study have been.......................... Let me see errrr............. they were present at Hillsborough, Heysel.................... oh and they've been rowdy in Greece a fortnight ago! Seems to me very convenient that this report surfaces at a time when the spotlight is on how UEFA organise all their match arrangements.
While I think only a fool would say no English fans cause trouble, I find it incredible that no such fuss is made about Italian fans who seem absolute animals. Italian football seems to be about 20 years behind football in this country in terms of fans behaviour. I just wonder if some of the problems with English fans abroad is caused by the fact that our expectation of the "football experience" is far greater than that of our European counterparts.
Strange............
As I said yesterday, we went for a nice bike ride along the Brampton Valley Way (did about 6 miles). What is odd is that having only recently taken up cycling again after about a 16 year absence, I expected my calves and thighs to be killing me today. However my shoulders are absolutely killing me, which I just can't explain!!
The Brampton Valley Way is what was once the trackbed of the LMS Northampton to Market Harborough Railway and covers about 15 miles. The railway closed to all traffic in 1981 and was purchased by Northamptonshire County Council in 2002 and they turned it into what is known as a Linear Park. It's also part of the national cycle network. On part of it (about a mile to be precise) can be found the Northampton & Lamport Railway, which is a preserved railway.
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/cmoorhen/
Some of the scenery from it is absolutely fantastic and if you like cycling or walking I would thoroughly recommend you pay it a visit.
The Brampton Valley Way is what was once the trackbed of the LMS Northampton to Market Harborough Railway and covers about 15 miles. The railway closed to all traffic in 1981 and was purchased by Northamptonshire County Council in 2002 and they turned it into what is known as a Linear Park. It's also part of the national cycle network. On part of it (about a mile to be precise) can be found the Northampton & Lamport Railway, which is a preserved railway.
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/cmoorhen/
Some of the scenery from it is absolutely fantastic and if you like cycling or walking I would thoroughly recommend you pay it a visit.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Summer is back!
Lovely day yesterday spent in the garden cutting the grass and such. I was going to go to my allotment and cut down the two foot high grass but I couldn't get the petrol strimmer to work!
With today being equally as nice I'm off out with the family to have a nice leisurley bike ride, probably on the Brampton Valley Way between Northampton and Market Harborough.
With today being equally as nice I'm off out with the family to have a nice leisurley bike ride, probably on the Brampton Valley Way between Northampton and Market Harborough.
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