North West Frontiering

[Jerzy Woking]

In a more essential trip than Mr Cummings, I am off to collect a car. Been in isolation for about  8 weeks now, so flame me if you must. Masks, gloves and sanatiser packed as my journey essentials

Taxi to the station (no buses).

Now on the train to London, on which I have a carriage all to mysellf

[Jerzy Woking]

Liverpool Stree London. Deserted .

Counted 6 getting off of the train

[Jerzy Woking]

Tube not busy-I think about 3 in 10 passengers were wearing masks.

Now at a slightly busier Euston waiting for my next (and final) train.

[Jerzy Woking]

On the train waiting for departure. 3 passengers in this carriage.

£3 lunch from Sainsbury's. No coffee available anywhere. Zero poo's.

[hairnet]

up north?

mk then :D

[Jerzy Woking]

Train stopping here now

Still  a bit further to go....

[hairnet]

DONT VISIT CAVCRAFT FUCKS SAKE

[Jerzy Woking]

Not Billy this time (and where is he hiding?)

[Belfast Gipsy]

Yes - where is Billy? Not left us has he? 

[Wack]

11 minutes ago, Jerzy Woking said:

Train stopping here now

Still  a bit further to go....

I'll tell my Crewe story again to pass the time while we wait

I came back home to Warrington on the train, got as far as Crewe and then rail replacement bus , no trains running past Crewe

There's loads of buses all heading off in different directions with a guy directing passengers to the correct buses, I was just about to ask him which bus I wanted when this old woman full of he own self importance got there first with a not happy face on

I've paid for a first class service , having to get on a bus is a second class service , it's a disgrace, you should be getting me a taxi blah blah blah

The guy was nothing but polite and professional, I do apologise madam, track maintenance , advertised on the website for weeks , sorry for the inconvenience etc

She reluctantly accepts railtrack aren't springing for a taxi so bluntly says which bus for Runcorn, no please or thank you

He says this bus madam and helps her on with her bag

As it leaves I notice the display scrolling through the 8 or so stops dotted all over the north west with Runcorn being the final stop

Next bus pulls into the now vacant slot and the guy shouts

Runcorn , this bus for Runcorn, Runcorn only on this bus

I looked at him and started laughing , he gave me the , don't piss off the bloke with the clipbaord look and smiled

[Jerzy Woking]

Destination reached

[Jerzy Woking]

If travelling on public transport was always like this, it would be bloody brilliant!

Looking forward to my drive back though

. My carriage will soon be here....

[Wack]

Is it DavidB and his panda , that station looks familiar

[New POD]

14 minutes ago, Jerzy Woking said:

Destination reached

You get 20 mins free parking. I've parked there a number of times since 1984. 

[theshadow]

avensis

[UltraWomble]

Its a £60 Micra off TheShadow

[Jerzy Woking]

It is indeed DavidB's Avensis. Quick swap over at Social Distancing and I was off.

Quick stop at Sandbach services, and it's a nice drive. No chunks or rattles, and cruises at 70 mph fine.

Few little jobs to keep me busy for a couple of days, but nothing that a bit of Kurust, filler and a few cable ties wont fix.

 

[Supernaut]

I'm sure it's a perfectly adequate car, but I need a cup of coffee after looking at it for 10 seconds.

[Lacquer Peel]

I like that it's the less common saloon.

[hairnet]

how difficult to get essix plated m9?

 

[bramz7]

Having been driving one for two months until Sunday, they are pretty much the dictionary definition of the word car. They aren't really that boring and the seats are surprisingly decent. And the fuel economy for a petrol! 

[Wack]

 

It's a nice car but I'm not sure it warrants a salute before you get in it 

[hairnet]

no thats a facepalm

[Jerzy Woking]

Ok, it's not the fun car my 300bhp Saab was.

I was reminded that we had one at work I had completely forgotten about. So must be really bland and forgettable....

However, it was bought for a reason, and covered the 240 miles back home (how very Cummings!) adequately. And then I looked at the fuel computer to see the mpg for the trip. Will check it first thing when I refuel it before parking it up for a few weeks, but for a 1.8 petrol it's not bad.

 

[hairnet]

dahnhill innit m8

 

[Parky]

Had many a ride home in unlicensed Minicab Avensis’s (Avensii?).  Several thousand east Londoners who have no idea where Essex is can’t be wrong.  I always found them perfectly acceptable and always liked their dashboard displays at night.  Funny what you remember

[Supernaut]

55mpg from a 1.8 petrol in a car that size?!

 

Dafuq?! I know of superminis that can't even manage that! Witchcraft I tell thee.

[Jerzy Woking]

1 hour ago, Supernaut said:

55mpg from a 1.8 petrol in a car that size?!

 

Dafuq?! I know of superminis that can't even manage that! Witchcraft I tell thee.

It was! Just rebrimmed the tank, and my calculation is 43.96 mpg. Which is still bloody good for a 1.8 petrol.

Shame the onboard computer is as accurate as the one in my Saab was. In that the average mpg was never more than 1 or 2 mpg out.

And agree with Parky, the dash is well lit up and  I like it. 

[808 Estate]

I see your trip through London was as eerily quiet as mine was.

[Jerzy Woking]

5 hours ago, 808 Estate said:

I see your trip through London was as eerily quiet as mine was.

It was. I saw your post and thought that my route would be busier.

Evidently it was very similar. First time I have enjoyed a train journey. All other times I avoid trains and the tube like the plague.

Surprised how busy the roads were.