I am starting to think I have missed my vocation in life as a travel agent! I have spent the past few days trying to plan a journey from Bratislava to Szombathely in Hungary, where my boyfriend and I will be attending the IJK at the end of July. I have to say, it is the most complicated piece of travel planning I have ever undertaken in my life, and I am now so incredibly confused that I’m starting to think the most agreeable option might actually be to stay at home (more…)

My God, sometimes I really feel like the rail service in this country is in no way superior to that of a developing nation. I caught a train before 8am this morning with the expectation of being in Manchester before half nine. For the first hour or so of the journey, things went swimmingly well and I even managed to bag myself a seat. Around nine we pulled into Stoke on Trent and a few passengers disembarked from the train. We continued to sit there for a few minutes, then there was a sudden announcement that all trains northwards were cancelled until further notice and could we all please get off. (more…)

You may remember that some time ago I made a series of posts about the appalling quality of service which is offered by Cross Country trains between Birmingham and Leicester. If you don’t remember, you can read about it here and here. Well, it’s time for a long overdue update… (more…)

As me and two suitcases collapsed onto a train out of Marylebone yesterday evening, I was unable to stop myself exclaiming out loud; “Today has been an absolute bloody disaster!”

The man whom I had just sat down next to gave me a funny look. “There’s always tomorrow,” he said. I was unsure whether he meant that in a consolatory way or not. (more…)

I have spent this week staying in the Travelodge at Leicester. There is no particular reason why I am doing such a random thing, except that I have the profound misfortune to be dating somebody who comes from Leicester. I thought it would be nice for us to spend some time together, since we didn’t have much chance before Christmas, and I managed to get a room in the Travelodge for £30 a night.

I am not a snob when it comes to hotels, but my feelings about Travelodges are mixed. I love Premier Travel Inns, and would happily stay in one any time, anywhere; their breakfast is of the highest quality and their rooms are always clean and comfortable. Travelodges, on the other hand, seem considerably more basic although they aren’t always considerably cheaper, and so many little niceties like soap in the bathroom are missing. The first time I ever stayed in one I was most put out to discover it didn’t serve breakfast and that instead my £5 a day would earn me a brown paper bag placed outside my room each morning, with a dubious looking apple and a yoghurt pot of cornflakes (more…)

When I arrived at the station, the next train to Birmingham was due to depart from platform five.  Those of you who have had the good fortune never to walk through the doors of Wolverhampton station, may be unaware that to find platform five is a test of ingenuity and endurance.  Take note; coming into the station from the main entrance, you will shortly find yourself on platform one, which is a good and logical sort of place in which to be.  You will look around hopefully for the helpful sort of signs which are traditionally erected by stationmasters to enable you to find your way around, and you will quickly realise that they are right above your head.  That is to say, there is a solitary sign which informs you that platforms two, three, four and six are all to your left. If you are a particularly observant sort, you may notice that platform five is not included on that list, and speculate as to whether the inscription has worn off or been vandalised.  Those who are in a rush, will simply conclude that all platforms are located to the left.  Either way, it is a fair bet that you are going to turn to the left in an attempt to find your platform. (more…)