Travelling…..

36 hours later and in a small Hotel in Bangkok.

There are two types of getting from A to B, the enjoyable version or the downright arduous ….beam me up scotty please…version…

This ‘beginning‘ was the latter version…. Sector 1 was early morning in mid winter up t’north on a remote unsheltered railway station awaiting a significantly delayed Trans Pennines special… does one wear thick coats, gloves, hats etc when embarking on an essentially sub-tropical one month trip with just a backpack? No…so timely starts would have been appreciated, but alas was not to be. Why Dewsbury escaped Mr Beeching I do not know….

The direct train, when it finally whimpered from the platform decided it was too much to drag itself all the way to Manchester airport in such cold weather and with sooooooo many people on board, so instead it abruptly refused to go any further, when it finally arrived at Manchester Victoria. Now those of a Southern disposition may not be aware but the distance between Manchester Victoria and t’airport is significantly more than a ‘stone’s throw’ apart. So Sector 2 became a bunfight for space on the next available airport train; alas two more were cancelled due to ‘trespassers on the line’ apparently – what the hell were these people doing on a wintry morning on the railway lines?! Retrieving lost supermarket trolleys perhaps?! Who knows but once again my smooth and relaxed arrival at the airport became a foul mouthed, sweaty sprint to the departure gate…

Sector 3, I guess you are now expecting me to rant about air traffic control and flight delays due to swirling leaves, low flying sparrows or more likely just the French but No, all good, virtually on time AND the utopia of an empty seat next to me!! I settled down happily to enjoy the audible version of Sherlock Holmes read by Stephen Fry…brilliant….

But…there’s always a but…the seat behind was occupied by a middle aged rapper who insisted on wearing headphones and singing along to whatever was on his Walkman iPhone thingy whilst simultaneously reproducing the complete works of the riverdance troupe with his hefty size tens. When reproached he, of course, was completely oblivious and instantly resumed his 6 hour incantation… Micheal Flatley would be impressed.

However I am now about to fall into a long overdue coma / sleep but after sampling the excellent local beverage and, so far, amazing street food ( hopefully this impression does not change overnight) in a much better mood!

Apologies for the ‘descriptive’ nature of the text but you really had to be here….