Away

It has been a long day.

Some remnants of housekeeping in the morning - ironing, meal plan, shopping list & farm shop. 

Then I finalised next month’s holiday arrangements - well, the flights at least. Accommodation is still at the work-in-progress stage. The ideas are there. I just have to turn them into plans.

By lunchtime I was in Edinburgh to catch the 14.19 TransPennine Express to Manchester. 3.5 hours later I was on another TransPennine Express to Sheffield. 260 miles (418 km) on the train, and all on time. 

Somewhere along the way I discovered (by accident) TPE is owned by the Aberdeen company FirstGroup. 

Arrival in Sheffield coincided with dinner time and the onset of a drouth which only 4.5 hours on trains can generate. So, first stop was the hotel (Novotel) restaurant. Usually hotel food is bottom of my list of choices, but tonight was quick, convenient and good - French chain, but what the hell… just coincidence. French and Spanish staff. No, won’t go there…

Boredom while travelling produced several possible Blips, but there is only so much you can do with another passenger sitting across the table from you. So, dessert it will have to be.

By the way, their 3 course menu for £14.99 is great value for money. I think breakfast is £15 if it is not included your deal.