Today I've had one of the weirdest train journeys ever. I was travelling to Edinburgh from Peterborough Getting on the train was a bit of a palaver as the tea trolley was in the way! So a few of us had to wait in the vestibule area whilst the trolley trundled along the carriage towards us As we waited a young lad, about 18 or 19 I'd say, asked me what the next stop was. "York" I said. He looked crestfallen. " I needed to get off at Peterborough" he said.
"Oh dear it's about an hour and a bit journey to York" I explained.
He went off hunting for a train crew member. Later he sat next to me and kept glancing at his watch until 125 miles and an hour 20 minutes later when we arrived at York & he hurriedly got off.
Not long after leaving York I got up to go to the loo. Two young lads (I'd guess 14 or 15) asked me where the train was going. "Edinburgh" I replied. Their faces dropped. Oh no I thought not again! "Where did you want to be going?" I asked. "Leeds" they replied in unison. I said "You'll have to get off at Darlington. It's not far. " What is it with lost teenagers today?!
After these two incidents I bumped into a man speaking such slurred and broad Glaswegian I could only make out every other word he uttered. He seemed to be dressed as a pirate - matador (red sash, flouncy shirt, black hat, tight black trousers, funny little jacket) Every part of his skin that I could see, apart from his face, was tattooed. Funny little tattoos as well. Weird geometric shapes and patterns. The bull fighting pirate had left his mobile phone in the loo he said and darted in to get it before it got stolen.
The weirdness continued tonight as I ate at a very quiet but pleasant Japanese restaurant behind my hotel. The food was fine but at about 7pm the Japanese staff all left & were replaced by European staff including a Scottish chef!
Here's a photo I took from the train of the sea near Berwick and a fantastically placed house!
Sent from my iPod
