Hail to the Hive!

I don’t travel the long weekly train journeys between Devon and the Midlands any more but I do still use the rail network on a regular basis. I actually enjoy traveling by train, it’s great. Despite all its faults it’s certainly nowhere near as bad as people try and paint it that’s for sure.

Like most folks in the UK I wish it were less expensive as I would use it more often but the fact that the are delayed on a regular basis has seen me get refunds a plenty. So much so that I used to factor in the delay to my travel plans to and from Devon. I've even got @diveratt using it now on his visits up to see us on the boats. He can see the sense in being able to have a beer or 3 on the journey and with fuel prices at the moment it works out cheaper, which considering how pricey the train is shows how bad the fuel crisis is becoming.

On one of the many delays recently I was diverted and had to take a different route with a change at a small station near these cooling towers which I photographed from a distance a while back as we cruised up the River Soar towards the River Trent. Always good to get the different perspectives, and worthy of a snapshot or two.

I hear these are being pulled down soon, which is a shame as I have always liked seeing them as I pass by on other train routes or from the Canals and rivers looming large in the distance. I guess there's no way of repurposing them though so I get it.

I often think, as I stand alone at some of these smaller stations, that if the prices were lower I probably wouldn't be alone. I mean this small station has trains calling in and you have access to the whole network so whatever journeys you did today by car.......

Well not the grocery shopping I know but for the most part not having to deal with traffic and expensive parking or not being able to park, has got to be bonus surely.

I love stepping off at the other end and either walking to or grabbing an uber to my intended destination, free of havig to park and deal with city traffic.

And i can of course nip in the pub for a few beers guilt free safe in the knowledge that I will not be driving. Bliss.

I love the trains.

I also......

Love a bit of #monomad 😜

-all shots taken with my I Phone 12 and messed about with on photoshop express-