I drove down to Ayrshire to visit my parents today. I would have travelled by train (as I was going on my own – it’s a bit more environmentally friendly, and would give me 4 hours of reading/ thinking time). However, Network Rail continue their outstanding (as in outstandingly bad!) record of never finishing a job when their supposed to. This meant that the normal 2 hour train journey would have taken about 1.5 days with 14 changes of station, trains and buses. Aye, I know I’m stretching a point, but I’m grumpy so I feel entitled to exaggerate.
Actually, they did me at least two favours. The drive down was beautiful. It was a cold, crisp morning, and the countryside was awesome. See Lins Honeyman’s blog for some photos. While I would have been able to see most of this from the train, I would have missed the view that I got of Arran as I approached Irvine today. The snow-capped hill tops rising above a layer of cloud at sea level was fantastic.
Secondly, on the way home this afternoon I was listening to the fitba’ on the radio, and enjoying the commentary on Hearts v Motherwell. Anyway, after the game had finished I hit a radio black spot. I scanned to see what stations I could pick up – nothing at all first time round. Second time around I got a signal from (BBC) Radio 3, It must be more than 20 years since I listened to Radio 3 and I would normally have just switched it off. But they were playing a version of Blue Skies by the Benny Goodman band. This is the music that my Dad loves – and used to play in his dance band days. So I listened on, thoroughly enjoyed it, and am listening to it again as I write this. (I must remember to tell Dad about the programme - Jazz Record Requests, Radio 3, 17:30-18:30 on Saturdays).
So thanks to Network Rail for these two happy accidents – but next time can you please fix the railways when you’re supposed to??!!!
Actually, they did me at least two favours. The drive down was beautiful. It was a cold, crisp morning, and the countryside was awesome. See Lins Honeyman’s blog for some photos. While I would have been able to see most of this from the train, I would have missed the view that I got of Arran as I approached Irvine today. The snow-capped hill tops rising above a layer of cloud at sea level was fantastic.
Secondly, on the way home this afternoon I was listening to the fitba’ on the radio, and enjoying the commentary on Hearts v Motherwell. Anyway, after the game had finished I hit a radio black spot. I scanned to see what stations I could pick up – nothing at all first time round. Second time around I got a signal from (BBC) Radio 3, It must be more than 20 years since I listened to Radio 3 and I would normally have just switched it off. But they were playing a version of Blue Skies by the Benny Goodman band. This is the music that my Dad loves – and used to play in his dance band days. So I listened on, thoroughly enjoyed it, and am listening to it again as I write this. (I must remember to tell Dad about the programme - Jazz Record Requests, Radio 3, 17:30-18:30 on Saturdays).
So thanks to Network Rail for these two happy accidents – but next time can you please fix the railways when you’re supposed to??!!!
Radio 3 is my station of choice in the morning. Nice and gentle to wake up to!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the countryside was awesome this morning.
nice post, ER.
ReplyDeletehad to laugh at nice and gentle...my hubby's radio-alarm starts soft then gets louder, which would be wonderful; however, he has it tuned into a heavy metal rock station...I had to roll out of bed to Iron Maiden at o-dark-thirty this morning... :/ ;)
I guess it's a sign of the times (or my age!) - I wake up to the news on Radio Scotland during the week and Classic FM at the weekend.
ReplyDeletehgf - heavy metal!!!! You're either very understanding or mad!;-)
Yes!! :D
ReplyDelete