Steel

The road trip ended on Monday afternoon, with CrossCountry Trains’ 09:47 taking me from Sheffield to York and a connection there for a Virgin Trains service to Kirkcaldy. The Kirkcaldy train was a little bit delayed, but 15 minutes isn’t the end of the world.

The Sheffield Novotel gave me my second hearty buffet breakfast of the trip. My heart and my waistline are looking forward to getting back to normal breakfasts (porridge or a smoothie).

I had time between trains in York for a wee wander. I’ve been there a few times before. The station reminded me of my first visit, for a conference. It was held in the “grand” railway hotel next to the station.

At the closing dinner I was seated next to a Brussels lawyer I knew very well. He took one look at his main course and announced “C’est un peu triste ça...”

Or “That’s a bit sad, isn’t it.” He was right. Maybe even a bit understated...
Next time I had to spend a night in York I chose the Novotel.

It’s an attractive and historic city, but the traffic and the crowds are horrendous.

I’m guessing that’s my only ice hockey road trip for this season. Edinburgh have an annual end-of-season national tournament in Sheffield in April, but even if I could face another journey to Sheffield, I think I’m away on holiday then. 

The Blip is the steel installation/fountain in front of the railway station in Sheffield. The extra is the same thing from the front. It's impressive, but not in the Henry Moore class.

I was there on one of the rare days when it isn't full of foam. It's right next to one of the universities, and - students being students - you know what they do with detergent.