On the Rochdale Canal

A day trip to Manchester for a meeting this afternoon. We were only there last week so it felt rather strange being back again so soon. Hopefully, the visit will lead to further work on a digital strategy for prison education.

Virgin contrived to change the arrangements for the whole trip. The 11.00am train was delayed owing to an evacuation test at Euston so ticket holders could travel on an earlier train (and get better food served) while on the way back the 18.55 and 18.35 were cancelled owing to overhead wire problems in Stockport, meaning that the 19.15 was crammed even in first class (and not getting the hot evening meal which would have been served on the 18.55)

However, all worked well as the 19.15 arrived on time and I was able to scoot across London very quickly and still catch the 21.52 booked train from Victoria to Bearsted. On arrival at Bearsted my cycle was there ready and on time and so I was home within minutes and just before it started to rain.

I walked both ways between Piccadilly station and the College, mostly alongside the Rochdale Canal and partly along the Ashton Canal. An interesting journey, not the prettiest but much better than along the main road. Saw lots of geese and goslings as well as Grey Wagtails ( nice lot of yellow on them)