UK rail trip – 2022
Days 19-22 – 21st-24th April, 2022
I woke up feeling a little rubbish again. I decided to take another lateral flow test, just to confirm yesterday’s positive. Yes, it was positive again. After a bit of coughing and spluttering, I decided not to stay for a second night (which I’d arranged yesterday afternoon). Instead, I checked out. I decided that I was going to self-isolate. And where else would I feel comfortable about doing this other than Manchester? So, I did some searching and found a hotel in Northenden (located in southern Manchester). I walked off to London Euston and caught the first available train to Manchester Piccadilly.
Feeling rather drained and fatigued, I slept most of the way to Manchester. Before I knew it, I was crossing the Stockport viaduct. Talk about a fast trip, when it fact it was delayed by just over ten minutes.
After arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, I crossed over to platform 13 located on the far side of the station. The station I needed to get to would be Gatley. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait for too long. Despite feeling fatigued, I still wrote down departure and arrival times, as well as the type of train it was. A Transpennine Express class 185. What else can an unreformed transpotter do? 🙂
Ten minutes later, I was at Gatley. Time to get off the train. I had a bus to catch for the last few kilometres.
I caught a bus, which dropped me almost outside the hotel. I’d be staying at the Britannia Airport Hotel. The price was right, but wasn’t all that flash. But a room is a room, and that’s all I needed. Just to rest for several days. I didn’t do too much over the next few days. I just rested and went out when I needed to get something to eat. I even had a good view of a road!
Day 23 – 25th April, 2022
On the fifth day, though, I actually ventured out and met up with my friend Gary. So, I walked to the nearest Metrolink stop, which was a good 25 minutes walk away. I decided to catch an earlier tram in to the city centre and wandered around a little.
I then caught a tram to the Pomona Metrolink stop, where I’d be meeting Gary. We wandered around the Quays for a while, also taking a tram out to the Trafford Centre. I hadn’t been there since 2005 or 2006. It had undergone a few changes, including now having a tram line.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back on the trains again. I’ve decided to go to Brighton. Gary said that it wasn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. However, I thought I may as well go anyhow.