Tag Archives: train

Return to handsome Redcar (Rousse)

I shoved the shopping list into TPR’s hand and said that I would meet him at Tesco. Then I jumped on the train. Settled in the carriage, I was enjoying the company of my former colleagues AT, JB, and MG … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The princess and the pee (Rousse)

I should have followed my instincts and refused to allow my colleague to bring his puppy to our meeting, but I didn’t. So now everyone – myself included – was focused on the cute little dog instead of our business. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Students, school skirts, and Swindon (Rousse)

It might appear cruel, but I insisted that the students sit their exams at desks lined up outside on the main road in the pouring rain. If they got soaked, I had a supply of grey school skirts in a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New miniature railway attraction in formal French garden at Uig Sands (Rousse)

The proprietor of the bed and breakfast was just as surprised as we were to find a formal French garden, complete with a miniature railway, laid out between his guest house and the vast beach of Uig Sands.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thirty unexpected minutes in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Rousse)

An announcement came over the tannoy when the train drew into Newcastle Central railway station: ‘Due to circumstances beyond our control, this service will wait here for thirty minutes. Please could all passengers disembark and return after supper.’ By the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lost Middle Earth maps (Rousse)

I let the precious loose-leaf atlas of Middle Earth drop from my hands at just the wrong moment. The fragile leather binder that held Tolkein’s hand-drawn maps fell to the floor of the railway carriage. It slid along the parquet … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-immolation by train (Rousse)

I eventually found the emergency phone number on the LNER web site. ‘Please come quickly!’ I urged. ‘The passenger seated behind me in Coach E on the 6pm Glasgow to London service is trying to set fire to herself!’

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Watch Lola! (Rousse)

I screamed at everyone in the railway carriage that they must watch the just-released cinematic masterpiece Lola.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sheffield trains and brothels (Rousse)

A tall French woman in a long white cotton dress stood perplexed on a platform at Edinburgh Waverley railway station. When I offered to help her, she held up her phone to me to display her train ticket. She complained … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

King Charles takes the replacement bus service (Rousse)

I accompanied King Charles on his journey south by train from Balmoral. His carriages were very different from ours. Their worn wood panelling and tatty leather upholstery contrasted with the modern furnishings throughout the rest of the train. When we … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment