So a canal barge can be quite fun. I have just discovered a wonderful way of travelling today that was so peaceful and so relaxing that everyone should try it at least once in their lives.
People talked to me, gave me time of day, were polite, funny and generally cheerful. (Well there were a few exceptions but they were fisherman who didn't like the barge going past their lines and locals who didn't like day trippers)
The sheer experience of speeding at all of 3mph down a stretch of the Bradford on Avon to Bristol Canal and the utter rapidness of passing through a lock just wowed me. It is a completely different life and so absolutely outstanding. I cannot gush enough about it.
What can I say more, well First Grimm Brothers could learn a thing or two from the experience.
I wonder if a hot air balloon is just as relaxing..............?
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Kernow, try it you'll love it!
I have just spent a wonderful week in Cornwall or Kernow as the locals call it. I have been treated to wonderful display of human kind, a wonderful display of hostelry and a fantastic home from home greeting at every turn. It did not matter as to what I wore, it didn't matter if my hair was tidy or if I wore shoes on my feet. It was sheer bliss.
I cannot thank the people of Cornwall enough for the way they made me feel welcome. For all the bad publicity that they have received over the years about their insular attitude all I can say is those detractors are wrong. Cornwall is a place you should visit, and regularly.
Falmouth is a town almost forgotten in history, the streets of St Ives are quaint, and every nook and cranny needs investigating. The Poldark mine is steeped in sweat and blood of the Cornish miner and the maritime museums are full of salty sea dog tales and daring do with rescues and protection of the shore. The beaches are clean and the water is wonderful and their can be nothing better than enjoying a quiet meal overlooking an estuary, harbour or secluded cove.
Then there are the gardens, the castles and the moors. Beauty, defiance and permanence.
Go on, give Kernow a visit, you know you want to!
I cannot thank the people of Cornwall enough for the way they made me feel welcome. For all the bad publicity that they have received over the years about their insular attitude all I can say is those detractors are wrong. Cornwall is a place you should visit, and regularly.
Falmouth is a town almost forgotten in history, the streets of St Ives are quaint, and every nook and cranny needs investigating. The Poldark mine is steeped in sweat and blood of the Cornish miner and the maritime museums are full of salty sea dog tales and daring do with rescues and protection of the shore. The beaches are clean and the water is wonderful and their can be nothing better than enjoying a quiet meal overlooking an estuary, harbour or secluded cove.
Then there are the gardens, the castles and the moors. Beauty, defiance and permanence.
Go on, give Kernow a visit, you know you want to!
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Take the train, feel the strain
I was so frustrated today with First Grimm Works that I drove to Weston-Super-Mare, nuff said don't you think?
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Six thousand ducats, I would have my bond!
Well I'm not actually travelling anywhere today. This is probably a good thing as it has taken me over an hour just to get down the stairs my body having completely seized up, not an unusual thing but the topic for a different blog.
I'm just wondering though how long I will be able to afford travelling anywhere though. Petrol at it's highest ever price in the UK and train fares set to rise by 8% will mean that I am soon going to be spending more than I earn sometimes to actually work, crazy really.
I have been fascinated to read all your blogs and comments about First Grimm Works. I've decided to call First Great Western that because the Brother's Grimm were well known for their fairytales and FGW are quite easily the modern version of that.
Let's take a quick look at those prices. Apparently a season ticket from Oxford to Paddington will be around £4500 and from Brighton to Victoria £3200. Now the distance between those two routes varies by less than a mile so every year those travelling on the Oxford FGW service will pay an extra £1300 for an extra 480 miles per year if assuming a five day working week and four weeks holiday.
As it stand the Brighton commuter pays roughly 11.7 pence per mile and the Oxford commuter 16.4 pence per mile
Now why is that?
After all they are both going to the same place, London and they are both using network rail tracks. They will both face similar problems of congestion but the FGW commuter will probably face more delays and have a longer journey on Transport for London services assuming that both commuters work in the city.
What exactly does First Grimm Works do to earn it's extra revenue and why aren't train fares the same price per mile wherever you travel?
It is something I shall be pondering when tomorrow I take the train to the seaside, Weston-Super-Mare to be precise. It will take me with changes a little over two hours to get there and a little under 2 and a half to return, I will not see the sea, nor get to ride a donkey, but I will have paid out a small fortune in rail fare, parking charges, petrol to the station,(First Bus runs my local bus service which doesn't start till 8am and consists of 3 buses to town and 3 buses back) and beverages if I am lucky enough to have the elusive trolley at your seat service.
Ah the life of a journeyman is so wonderful
I'm just wondering though how long I will be able to afford travelling anywhere though. Petrol at it's highest ever price in the UK and train fares set to rise by 8% will mean that I am soon going to be spending more than I earn sometimes to actually work, crazy really.
I have been fascinated to read all your blogs and comments about First Grimm Works. I've decided to call First Great Western that because the Brother's Grimm were well known for their fairytales and FGW are quite easily the modern version of that.
Let's take a quick look at those prices. Apparently a season ticket from Oxford to Paddington will be around £4500 and from Brighton to Victoria £3200. Now the distance between those two routes varies by less than a mile so every year those travelling on the Oxford FGW service will pay an extra £1300 for an extra 480 miles per year if assuming a five day working week and four weeks holiday.
As it stand the Brighton commuter pays roughly 11.7 pence per mile and the Oxford commuter 16.4 pence per mile
Now why is that?
After all they are both going to the same place, London and they are both using network rail tracks. They will both face similar problems of congestion but the FGW commuter will probably face more delays and have a longer journey on Transport for London services assuming that both commuters work in the city.
What exactly does First Grimm Works do to earn it's extra revenue and why aren't train fares the same price per mile wherever you travel?
It is something I shall be pondering when tomorrow I take the train to the seaside, Weston-Super-Mare to be precise. It will take me with changes a little over two hours to get there and a little under 2 and a half to return, I will not see the sea, nor get to ride a donkey, but I will have paid out a small fortune in rail fare, parking charges, petrol to the station,(First Bus runs my local bus service which doesn't start till 8am and consists of 3 buses to town and 3 buses back) and beverages if I am lucky enough to have the elusive trolley at your seat service.
Ah the life of a journeyman is so wonderful
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
The start of the tale
I have created this blog to describe my travels around the world by whatever form of transport and whilst I cannot guarantee that I shall contribute to it every day I hope to bring out the good, the bad and the ugly stories created by transporting myself from place to another. I hope you will enjoy it.
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