A quiet Saturday at Carlisle station

It’s been much too hot for travelling.

I passed the morning adding the odd thing into my suitcase and trying to clean a camera sensor. Trainline informed me that my train from Carlisle to Glasgow was cancelled due to a fault.

Liz collected me and my train from Hexham was on time. Carlisle station is always cold, but not today. Had to wait for the next train, but it was then delayed by nearly 30 minutes.

Would I get a seat? A lovely woman I met in the lift offered me her husband’s booked seat. He could not travel because of the heat. I found a seat elsewhere, which was sensible because she was “well made” and I thought it would be a squash….

We finally limped into Glasgow, following a slow local train.

At the station I found the loos, except they were down a long, steep staircase. Did I mention that my suitcase is much too heavy? It’s the wellies!

I was directed to the disabled loos, but found I needed to ring for a staff member to release the door. No reply, no reply. Thankfully a member of staff saw my predicament and opened the door. (The loos were really smelly and not clean). Sigh.

Then to find the bus to the airport. I exited by the wrong exit and walked more than necessary. My suitcase is not good on uneven ground. The bus came immediately.

The journey was great because I chatted to the young man who lifted my suitcase for me. (I had asked for help all day and it had worked to this point.) I now know all about his girlfriend’s visa application.

At the airport, I was flagging but we had seen the Holiday Inn on our way in, or so it seemed. Why do they make pavements that are rough and uneven for passengers with heavy luggage?!

I eventually made it, to discover that I was booked into the Holiday Inn Express, “just in the next road”.

Pedestrians are not able to cross the fenced off dual carriageway so it was a long walk.

Then, they had no record of my booking due to my name being incorrectly spelled. I was losing the will to live by now.

All is well. I ate M&S salad I had bought at the station and which survived the bus journey.

My bus ride was free, instead of £11. There are advantages to getting old.

I may received a refund for my train journey.

Tomorrow is another day when travelling should not be as gruelling and my winter coat may be worn!

The crowds were waiting for a charter train to take them on the Settle to Carlisle line. All train buffs and other halves, who had already waited over an hour for their delayed train….