Not meant to be!
June 12, 2008
It may have appeared that I’ve been a bit busy the past coupla weeks or so, and that impression’s not wrong… but not half as busy as I should have been, or planned to be!
For last Monday what I really meant to do, and wanted to do, was wander up to Doncaster for a noise demo there in connection with the proposed open cast mine that I blogged about at the end of last month.
But Doncaster’s miles an’ miles from where I am, and getting there’s no easy task. Basically, although its north of me the train journey entails travelling down to London (St Pancras station), then quickly skipping across to Kings Cross station, and back up to Doncaster.
And cos of the bizarre railway system we have here, a number of different companies operate trains… and there’s the rub. For the cheapest ticket meant travelling solely on one particular company’s trains, which would have proven to be extremely restrictive. But getting a ticket enabling me to travel on any train cost a small fortune, running literally into three figures.
Which, stupidly and not totally untypically, I didn’t find out about until just a few days beforehand, and basically I simply couldn’t afford it. Particularly as I’d only just splashed out (the week before) on the Brighton jaunt.
Damn! That’ll warn me about adopting causes so many miles from home ground!
So went to Cambridge instead (see last post).
But all was not lost! For a mate was there (Doncaster, that is) and shot some pics, and has done a write-up here.
If the environment’s your thing, be sure to check it out.
June 12, 2008 at 18:52 09
Ah, the trials and tribulations of not being a car owner. What about a motorcycle? Less impact on the environment (less materials) and certainly less gas-consuming. Would that work for Mike?
June 12, 2008 at 19:25 36
Nope. Love the thought of them… but the reality scares me silly. All that speed and nothing between you and the road surface flashing by!
June 13, 2008 at 1:27 58
I know how you feel….they look like loads of fun (and not too bad for the environment-comparatively speaking of course) until your struck by a car and find yourself all broken and mangled.
Maybe your camera kit backpack would help absorb some of the impact
June 13, 2008 at 7:38 37
Still no!
Don’t mind bicycles but cycling to some of the places I go to I’d be worn out even before I started.
June 13, 2008 at 20:22 51
I know exactly what you mean.
June 14, 2008 at 16:55 59
Motorcycles are scary. Heck, scooters are scary too. I would never carry my camera kit while riding the scooter. Bicycles are great, however, around here there is still a chance of being struck by a car. Too many people driving while on their cell phones. GRRRRR!
June 14, 2008 at 21:54 23
Yeah, we get the same problem here. The amount of times I’ve nearly been knocked off my bike you just wouldn’t believe. Despite wearing HiVis vest and bike festooned with lights like a Christmas tree!