Not getting off at Crewe

A journey that started full of promise as the first stages proceeded as planned, then it went downhill but ended on a high.

We drove to Keswick, parked the car, caught the bus to Penrith. Called in at Morrisons cafe for lunch.

Then it went all downhill. Trying to collect my tickets, the computer said “no”. The problem caused much perspiration in the ticket office as the departure time approached.

Just in time it was sorted and we were on the Avanti West Coast train which was very busy indeed. We’d been allocated separated seats!

Then there was a delay of about 45 minutes before Lancaster owing to a trespasser and multiple incidents on the line. As we’d bought cheaper split tickets we had to change at Crewe to a West Midland Railway service to Euston. The delay meant we missed our connection at Crewe for the West Midland train to Euston and therefore, getting back home much later.

Just as despair was setting in I went to see the train manager to ask as we’d missed our connection could we stay on the train. Yes! So, here we are, not getting off at Crewe. A result for us but the train was then rerouted to miss out the West Midlands stations to minimise delay into London resulting in much work for staff to advise on connections.

After that it was all plain sailing and we arrived home on time. Much darker down here in Kent