al_yrpal wrote:To beat the rush went down on our annual trip to Waitrose this morning (its usually Aldi!). So did all the local pensioners except they were all on those mobile Zimmer frames. With the staff desperately trying to restock the shelves it was chaos. Got back in time to watch White Christmas - wonderfully colourful feel good cinema. Oklahoma this afternoon... They dont make films like that any more.
Al
I did my Christmas shopping today, earlier than usual, I normally wait until Xmas Eve afternoon to get the reductions. Incidentally, don't underestimate Zimmers. I'm still hoping for a pro contract, and I plan to approach them for a free frame Oh, I shouldn't laugh, it could be here sooner than I think
The two of us were going to go into Plymouth yesterday by train - me to do some last minute stuff, and Mrs Mick F to wander around the shops - then we were to meet up for a boozy lunch.
As it happens, the storm came on so I went by myself. Half mile walk in the wind and rain to the station, then a 45min train ride and a half mile walk into town. By the time I made it into BHS/Debenhams/River Island etc, I was soaked through and almost blown over by the wind. I took refuge for a spell in the Noah's Ark pub for a couple of beers, then attacked the rest of the shopping.
I got back to the station for the 1254, but in the end .......... after waiting an hour ............. it was cancelled. The problem was, our little branch line train couldn't get through because the main line was blocked by the Penzance/London train blocked by a fallen tree. Meanwhile it had already been delayed because of a trampoline had been blown onto the track!
Also meanwhile, the trains from London couldn't get past Newton Abbot, and I heard on the news today that no trains could come west of Taunton and there were four trains backed up. I understand they had an eight hour delay.
Our train was cancelled, so I caught the next one - 1454 - and half way home we stopped for a fallen tree. The driver and guard hopped out and had to man-handle the tree off the line. They aren't given gloves and a bow-saw! The line goes up narrow cuttings and round tight bends and has to go slowly - good job too because they only just managed to stop when they hit the tree. It actually damaged the front of the train. In the end, we were delayed only half an hour.
The train had to then shuttle back to Plymouth via the main line and when trains are delayed, all hell breaks out with signalling and priorities - the knock-on effects are horrendous.
I wasn't really inconvenienced at all, but my heart goes out to those folk trying to get home for Christmas or are going away. Gatwick was closed I understand and all the trains in the southern and Welsh areas were severely affected.
The main A30 was blocked by a couple of accidents the other day - both with fatalities - and diversions were set up all day between Bodmin and Lifton (near Okehampton), and we hear on the radio this morning that the A38 is closed west of Liskeard due to flooding.
No fun at all.
Merry Christmas to all, and for God's sake, stay safe and warm and dry.
MickF, I'm still cycling daily between St. Austell and Bodmin for work. It's been interesting to say the least. Sometimes I think owning a car might be a good idea, but then I come to my sense.
Off out for a ride on the deserted streets of London tomorrow. The fairies left me an early present... a p*nct*re. So my preparations have mostly involved tyre levers and patches...
Oh, I shouldn't laugh, it could be here sooner than I think 
So my preparations have mostly involved tyre levers and patches...