Published at Thursday April 6, 2006
in Travel.
I travel daily into London on the line that used to be owned by WAGN. The franchise changed (overnight!) to First CapitalConnect. Apart from being a bloody stupid and unwieldy name, and the fact that all the signs, uniforms, PA announcements, etc have changed - it’s still the same service. Same staff, same trains, same timetable.
So what’s the point then? It’s exactly the same thing as having a large corporate rebranding (with the added bonus that the top executives/management probably get the boot). I’m sure this doesn’t come cheap and I’m also sure the money comes out of our (bloody expensive) ticket fares.
Or maybe I’m just grumpy at getting my ticket checked on the train, on the DLR, and even on the tube - I think it’s the first time I’ve even seen a ticket inspector on the tube (especially in rush hour).
Published at Friday March 17, 2006
in Travel and Life.
My monthly train ticket to London ran out earlier this week and as I’m on a late shift, I can get away with getting daily off-peak tickets. Except that one day I forgot, and only remembered just as I was about to get on the tube, having travelled the 40 miles into London without a ticket. Oops.
So I go to the WAGN ticket office at King’s Cross and ask the very bored looking guy if he can give me a 1-day travelcard from Biggleswade. He says that the only way he could do that is to give me a £20 penalty fare.
“So, what’s to just stop me walking off, getting a single home tonight, and getting a tube-only ticket right now?”
“Absolutely nothing, sir.”
I walked off, bought my tube ticket and went on my way. It doesn’t exactly motivate one to be honest about these things though does it?
Published at Friday December 10, 2004
in Travel.
Well, in the BA Terraces lounge at Narita now. It’s quite nice - they have free internet access via a bunch of Dell laptops - quite nice really. I’ve got about half an hour now before boarding I think - need to check that! Feeling much better for sitting on the observation deck and getting some fresh air - saw a colleague’s flight take off for London too!
Well - I guess I ought to check the departures board for my flight! Home soon!
Published at Friday December 10, 2004
in Travel.
Well, I’m back at Narita airport now. Slightly the worse for wear, slightly hung-over and quite tired. I’ve just checked in and got rid of the big wheely bag… Going to head around and have a look at the shops and see what there is and then hit the lounge and get some coffee into me…
Had a good week though - I did what I set out to do and had a good time doing it. Will definitely be back here at some point in the future to enjoy Tokyo properly!
Published at Tuesday December 7, 2004
in Travel.
Well, I’m still here. I’ve finally shaken off the remanents of jetlag after getting 8 or 9 hours sleep last night. Feeling much better for it. I’ve managed to put in a good day’s work and I’m feeling on top of things here now.
Published at Sunday December 5, 2004
in Travel.
So it’s currently 2:45am. I arrived in Tokyo early this afternoon and thought I’d have a couple hours of sleep to try and help with the jet lag. Bad Idea.
Five hours later (about 6pm) I wake up and realise that I’ve been asleep most of the afternoon and that getting to sleep this evening is going to be difficult. And yep, right now I really am not in the mood for being asleep - I think I’ve bad about three hours which has been good.
Published at Sunday December 5, 2004
in Travel.
Yep, I made it. Am currently very very tired. Will probably have a nap now…
Will post more later.
Published at Sunday December 5, 2004
in Travel.
(Written inflight)
Ugh, what a day!
Spending 11 hours on a plane == not fun. Even with BA’s amazing folding seats and noice-cancelling headphones I’ve not been able to sleep. It’s now 20:40 in the UK - 05:40 in Japan and we’re currently over Siberia somewhere (near the Yablonovyy Mountains). There’s about 3:50 minutes to go and our estimated arrival time is 9:37 - 36 minutes late, but we did leave late. We’re at 36,500 feet at 598MPH (Ground Speed) - obviously they thought that trying to explain the concept of Knots or Mach numbers to air travellers was a lost cause… It’s also -56deg C outside…brr…
Published at Saturday December 4, 2004
in Travel.
Yep, I’m off to Japan now. Got to Heathrow about 9:45 this morning for a flight at 12:35 - got a while to wait, but it gives me a chance to check some stuff out :)
