More train madness.

I am travelling south this weekend: a long weekend in Oxford, seeing my mother (who I haven’t seen since August) and catching up with friends.

I thought about flying, but I prefer the train, so that was my first choice.

The cheapest way to Oxford was, believe it or not, via London – GNER down the east coast line, and then to Oxford via Paddington. Since I love this route, that was fine, though it will take a while – six and a half hours or so. (But I reckon flying would take four or five hours, door to door; and I can feel green and virtuous. Until my train is cancelled…)

The journey back is even more bizarre. The cheapest ticket by a long way is first class on a direct Virgin train, up the west coast route. (Don’t ask me why this option wasn’t available on the way down, but it wasn’t.) So I shall have a spacious seat and travel back in some style. And I rather like the idea of doing a circular trip.

And all cheaper and more comfortable and far less stressful than flying.

More train madness.

I am travelling south this weekend: a long weekend in Oxford, seeing my mother (who I haven’t seen since August) and catching up with friends.

I thought about flying, but I prefer the train, so that was my first choice.

The cheapest way to Oxford was, believe it or not, via London – GNER down the east coast line, and then to Oxford via Paddington. Since I love this route, that was fine, though it will take a while – six and a half hours or so. (But I reckon flying would take four or five hours, door to door; and I can feel green and virtuous. Until my train is cancelled…)

The journey back is even more bizarre. The cheapest ticket by a long way is first class on a direct Virgin train, up the west coast route. (Don’t ask me why this option wasn’t available on the way down, but it wasn’t.) So I shall have a spacious seat and travel back in some style. And I rather like the idea of doing a circular trip.

And all cheaper and more comfortable and far less stressful than flying.