Last collection of 2021?

[Flat4]

Well, it is for me anyway! And my alarm isn't due to go off for another hour but one of the dogs wanted out for a wee....

Now wondering if it's worth bothering trying to get back to sleep....I'm really looking forward to this one!

Said car has now been added to the Civic's policy for the next 2 months while we shuffle the fleet around. New year's resolution is to cut the monthly car tax bill and do some fleet rationalisation....which is exactly why I'm going into 2022 with an extra one....

[Flat4]

Breakfast. Home made savoury waffle with Asda's finest* smoked bacon and a mug of Beanies Creamy Caramel Coffee, with single cream

[big_al_granvia]

Chodspeed snugglebum xxx

[Flat4]

First mode of transport for today - my wee Civic

Which is being left at the station overnight in a bid to lull the neighbours into a false sense of security that there isn't, in fact, yet another car joining the fleet.... It's next to a British Transport Police office so it should hopefully be safe overnight.

Once I actually get on a train, I am going to attempt to get the contents of the carrier bag into 1 of my 2 back packs. 1 contains various fluids, the other various tools. I don't expect to need any of them but you can guarantee if I didn't have them, then I would!

It's so early that not even the ticket office is open!

First train of the day ButBut ScotRail Wi-Fi does not approve of AutoShite and won't load it 😂 I may need to purchase more data as the day goes on...

[Flat4]

Success! Everything except a fleece blanket now squeezed in to both backpacks Sprawling out for social distancing purposes  Although there's only maybe half a dozen people on the train, so far.

 

[EightMegs]

I envy your breakfast. I'm currently sat in Dublin airport and nothing is open.

[Flat4]

Next mode of transport for today, and very welcome!

Did not fancy hiking up Buchanan Street with a bottle jack, etc on my back and there's no wee shuttle bus between the stations at this time of morning.

[Flat4]

Sodding bus hasn't turned up! Latest announcement says it's delayed. It needs to be here within the next hour or I'm gonna run out of time today.... Typical when I was ready and waiting for it half an hour before it was due!

[Flat4]

Bus is now 20 minutes away. I should make it, just!

[fatharris]

This is the second most exciting thing I'm witnessing today!

Any clues?

[grogee]

Need bus/train interface update! Did he make it? Was the train also delayed? 

What about the public conveniences?

So many questions!

[Flat4]

FINALLY on the bus. It's very comfortable, has full 3 point seat belts, very busy but thankfully I have my own seat, no one sitting next to me Only an hour and a half late leaving Glasgow 😡 Which means I probably won't have time for a rest break on the way home. I start work at 5.45.... Let's see if I make it...

Thankfully I'm not on this bus today. That's a helluva journey, on a coach, on narrow windey roads....

[mitsisigma01]

Do the bus have a working pan ...poo count statistics need update... asking for a friend of course 😯

[Flat4]

Funnily enough, can confirm the loo does work. Poo count 0 but just as well coz the bog roll is all soggy, getting wet from the sink 😕 At least, I hope it's from the sink! Most confusing experience as none of the controls were labelled so you're stood pressing each black button til you figure out what each one is for...

Now on the M6, 16 miles from Penrith, which is my half way point Going to try to get another couple of hours kip before we land.

Btw, what's the max permissible speed for a double decker coach on the motorway?

[Flat4]

I don't feel so bad about leaving my charging cable in the bag that's in with the luggage now These are on the back of all the seats. It must have turned on when the engine started. 45m to fully charge so I'll have 100% battery by the time I get off

Also, Cumbria is foggy.

[PrinceRupert]

3 minutes ago, Flat4 said:

I don't feel so bad about leaving my charging cable in the bag that's in with the luggage now These are on the back of all the seats. It must have turned on when the engine started. 45m to fully charge so I'll have 100% battery by the time I get off

Also, Cumbria is foggy.

That is a snazzy bus. 

[Flat4]

Salford achieved. I meet my new car in about 30 minutes

[Bren]

What part of Salford?

[Flat4]

Chod spotting from the bus. An original Golf GTI!

[Flat4]

7 minutes ago, Bren said:

What part of Salford?

Just passing through. Now in Manchester

[Flat4]

Obligatory petrol station shot

Filling up where it's cheaper than home but how fucking much?! Big fucking tank 🤣

[Ghosty]

1 hour ago, Flat4 said:

Chod spotting from the bus. An original Golf GTI!

That pub on the left has three series Landies and a couple of Renault 4 vans in the car park.

Bloody good pub too.

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, Flat4 said:

Chod spotting from the bus. An original Golf GTI!

Um...isn't that a Mk2? Hope the return journey goes smoothly.

[Nullzwei]

This era of Mercedes have the best cruise control going. Great for long motorway slogs watching the display counting up to nearly 50mpgees.

[Flat4]

Google Maps says drive time home of 4 hrs and 30 minutes so no chance of making it back for work. Guess a sickie is being pulled then

[grogee]

What's on the radio?

[big_al_granvia]

pedal to the metal snugglebum, look out for those brown bears on the m6... or say fuck work and have a brew at gretna... it was going to be tight but plus 90 on bus made it a man of steel move 

[Flat4]

Stopped at Southwaite Services to fill myself up with caffeine and let the Merc rest it's turbo. It really didn't like the hills through Cumbria and struggled to maintain 60 at times. Still, I'm over half way now.

Apart from that, I'm impressed! It's surprisingly sure-footed for a rear wheel drive with nearly 500nm of torque on average tyres in the wet and fog. And now dark! I'm interested to see what it does with the twisties on the home stretch.

[Flat4]

2 hours ago, grogee said:

What's on the radio?

Whatever station I can get it to tune to automatically 😂 I actually like listening to the local stations as I pass through each county.

[Flat4]

Also, first time I've parked it Just about spot on!

😊 - smug face 😋