Friday
A wet day which was unfortunate since we had walk with luggage to Kings Cross Station crossing a busy street.
We were packed up ready to leave about 8:15am. The Hotel were kind enough to put me in a wheel chair. We had two hotel staff in our entourage one with an umbrella pushing the chair and the other with our luggage which was on one their hotel luggage trolleys naturally covered with cover saying 'Renaisance Hotel' it must have been quite a sight, pity we didn't take a photo.
We arranged to arrive before the others on the trip - they were staying at a nearby hotel so we met up with them with the wheelchair nowhere in sight.
There are 28 on the trip and we knew most of them from previous SJR trips.
It was a 70 minute journey to Grantham on a regular commuter train. It is always a worry to where to put luggage as these trains have limited space. We seem to manage.
On our arrival we were met by a bus to take us to the Grantham Canal Society.
This group formed in 1969 to restore the Grantham Canal originally built in the 1700's
We were packed up ready to leave about 8:15am. The Hotel were kind enough to put me in a wheel chair. We had two hotel staff in our entourage one with an umbrella pushing the chair and the other with our luggage which was on one their hotel luggage trolleys naturally covered with cover saying 'Renaisance Hotel' it must have been quite a sight, pity we didn't take a photo.
We arranged to arrive before the others on the trip - they were staying at a nearby hotel so we met up with them with the wheelchair nowhere in sight.
There are 28 on the trip and we knew most of them from previous SJR trips.
It was a 70 minute journey to Grantham on a regular commuter train. It is always a worry to where to put luggage as these trains have limited space. We seem to manage.
On our arrival we were met by a bus to take us to the Grantham Canal Society.
This group formed in 1969 to restore the Grantham Canal originally built in the 1700's
We spent a couple of hours there; with the volunteers supplying a light lunch as well as short boat ride on part of the canal. Luckily the rain had cleared an it turned out a lovely albeit cold day.
The boat ride was very peaceful passing under a number of bridges in a restored canal boat.
A distant view of Belvoir Castle built by the Normans
We rejoined our bus to our hotel for two nights, Harts in Nottingham.
This turned out be a modern hotel on a hillside which gave us lovely views of the Nottingham rooftops
Saturday
Cold but sunny around 12C
Leisurely breakfast since our bus didn’t go till 11:15am, Which took us up to the Great Central Railway Society.
This group runs steam trains from Loughborough to Leicestor North passing through Quorn and Rothley. A distance of 8.4km . Each station has been restored to various era's.
There were steam and vintage diesels going up and down all day. We travelled up and down a few times as well as visit to the Engine Shed. Here we saw the Tornado a steam engine lovingly restored.
Owen had organised dinner on an evening train - part of the Great Central Railway which which mean't we didn't get back to the hotel till about 11:15pm
This turned out be a modern hotel on a hillside which gave us lovely views of the Nottingham rooftops
Saturday
Cold but sunny around 12C
Leisurely breakfast since our bus didn’t go till 11:15am, Which took us up to the Great Central Railway Society.
This group runs steam trains from Loughborough to Leicestor North passing through Quorn and Rothley. A distance of 8.4km . Each station has been restored to various era's.
There were steam and vintage diesels going up and down all day. We travelled up and down a few times as well as visit to the Engine Shed. Here we saw the Tornado a steam engine lovingly restored.
Owen had organised dinner on an evening train - part of the Great Central Railway which which mean't we didn't get back to the hotel till about 11:15pm
Sunday
A 10:00am bus departure to take us the National Tramways Museum at Crich where we spent some three hours riding historic trams, unfortunately some light rain dampened proceedings.
This was a very big set up with about 1.6km of track with trams running continuously during the day.
Being a Sunday it was very crowded and we had difficulty getting on the first tram.
As you know the British love their dogs who also travelled the trams. Our tram had 3 sets of dogs travelling, luckily with no fights.
We also had the annual Classic Motor Cycle day, not that we got up close and personal to the bikes. There was also a band and dancing. A few couples were excellent Jivers
Next our bus took us to the Middleton Top Engine, this is a restored Steam Engine House built in 1829 by the Butterley Company to haul wagons up the Middleton incline
Then a short trip into York for our 3-night stay. We stayed at The Grand a lovely old station hotel.
A 10:00am bus departure to take us the National Tramways Museum at Crich where we spent some three hours riding historic trams, unfortunately some light rain dampened proceedings.
This was a very big set up with about 1.6km of track with trams running continuously during the day.
Being a Sunday it was very crowded and we had difficulty getting on the first tram.
As you know the British love their dogs who also travelled the trams. Our tram had 3 sets of dogs travelling, luckily with no fights.
We also had the annual Classic Motor Cycle day, not that we got up close and personal to the bikes. There was also a band and dancing. A few couples were excellent Jivers
Next our bus took us to the Middleton Top Engine, this is a restored Steam Engine House built in 1829 by the Butterley Company to haul wagons up the Middleton incline
Then a short trip into York for our 3-night stay. We stayed at The Grand a lovely old station hotel.
That night we had a booked a degustation at their Legacy Restaurant, well worth the money didn't get back to our room till 11:15pm
Monday
This was a free day. We chose to spend the morning exploring York Minster which I had never been to.
We spent about three hours exploring the inside. One area was devoted to telling story of the devastating fire on 9 July 1984 which caused the collapse of the Southern transept plus enormous water damage. This has all been restored.
Walking out, we went past the back of the cathedral past some stone masons working on laser cut stone blocks. All had face masks on and one full breathing apparatus.
We thought we could get a late lunch at the Treasurer's House but lunch was but we could get tea and scones
This was a free day. We chose to spend the morning exploring York Minster which I had never been to.
We spent about three hours exploring the inside. One area was devoted to telling story of the devastating fire on 9 July 1984 which caused the collapse of the Southern transept plus enormous water damage. This has all been restored.
Walking out, we went past the back of the cathedral past some stone masons working on laser cut stone blocks. All had face masks on and one full breathing apparatus.
We thought we could get a late lunch at the Treasurer's House but lunch was but we could get tea and scones
Tuesday
This was our day of rain.
Our bus took us to Pickering to pickup a steam train trip to Whitby. This was the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Would have been quite scenic as we were travelling through the Yorkshire Moors, however we couldn't see much because of the rain.
Owen had organised lunch at the Magpie Cafe (where else), a short walk from the station.
Because of the rain I took a taxi.
When we got there the Fish and Chips was superb. Whitby is now a tourist town since the fishing industry has fizzled out. The rain hindered us exploring but we took a taxi ride around. The Captain Cook Memorial museum was closed and we did not sight the ruined Gothic Abbey which was the inspiration for Dracula.
This was our day of rain.
Our bus took us to Pickering to pickup a steam train trip to Whitby. This was the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Would have been quite scenic as we were travelling through the Yorkshire Moors, however we couldn't see much because of the rain.
Owen had organised lunch at the Magpie Cafe (where else), a short walk from the station.
Because of the rain I took a taxi.
When we got there the Fish and Chips was superb. Whitby is now a tourist town since the fishing industry has fizzled out. The rain hindered us exploring but we took a taxi ride around. The Captain Cook Memorial museum was closed and we did not sight the ruined Gothic Abbey which was the inspiration for Dracula.
We caught the afternoon train back to Pickering, the rain now stopped so we had a reasonable view of the Moors.
Wednesday
An early start since we had to catch an 7:35am train to Inverness via Edinburgh and Aberdeen, so the alarm went off at 5:15am since we had packing to do.
It was short walk (30mins for me) to the station cold (17C) but at least not raining.
We had breakfast on the train.
We spent all day on the train arriving in Inverness 4:00pm
We have friends in Edinburgh so I surprised them by ringing them as we passed through.
By the way I can recommend a way of connecting to the Internet anywhere in the world. Have a look at Airalo this installs an eSim on your mobile. They than offer plans for where ever you are in the world. I had 5Gb valid for 30days for A$23.50, this allowed me use do my email, check the weather and look at whatsapp. However I couldn't use my Australian number. I could make phone calls by using Skype (at extra cost)
Unfortunately Leith came down with the sniffles and cough just as we arrived in Inverness so we had an early dinner and went to bed early.
We were booked into the Royal Highland Hotel right next to the station, another big old fashioned hotel- one of the ones with creaking floor boards. We had dinner there a chicken dish with creamy whisky sauce which was undetectable. Leith had a pasta dish served on garlic bread.
An early start since we had to catch an 7:35am train to Inverness via Edinburgh and Aberdeen, so the alarm went off at 5:15am since we had packing to do.
It was short walk (30mins for me) to the station cold (17C) but at least not raining.
We had breakfast on the train.
We spent all day on the train arriving in Inverness 4:00pm
We have friends in Edinburgh so I surprised them by ringing them as we passed through.
By the way I can recommend a way of connecting to the Internet anywhere in the world. Have a look at Airalo this installs an eSim on your mobile. They than offer plans for where ever you are in the world. I had 5Gb valid for 30days for A$23.50, this allowed me use do my email, check the weather and look at whatsapp. However I couldn't use my Australian number. I could make phone calls by using Skype (at extra cost)
Unfortunately Leith came down with the sniffles and cough just as we arrived in Inverness so we had an early dinner and went to bed early.
We were booked into the Royal Highland Hotel right next to the station, another big old fashioned hotel- one of the ones with creaking floor boards. We had dinner there a chicken dish with creamy whisky sauce which was undetectable. Leith had a pasta dish served on garlic bread.
Thursday
A cold and grey day, we had the day off to fight off Leith's cold. The others went off to explore the Strathsprey Steam railway.
We got up late and then had a walk outside the hotel finding the Victoria Markets where we had brunch
Dinner again at the hotel this time I had a pie. This was done the modern way - Meat and veg on the plate with a piece of pastry place on top of the meat. Actually not bad.
A cold and grey day, we had the day off to fight off Leith's cold. The others went off to explore the Strathsprey Steam railway.
We got up late and then had a walk outside the hotel finding the Victoria Markets where we had brunch
Dinner again at the hotel this time I had a pie. This was done the modern way - Meat and veg on the plate with a piece of pastry place on top of the meat. Actually not bad.
Friday
Another grey day about 12C
We loaded the bus with our luggage which would meet us after our train trip. We caught the train to Kyle of Lochash a town by bridge which now connects to Skye.
We had pre-ordered fish n chips at Kyle. Not quite as nice as Whitby.
Unfortunately the train we were supposed to be on was to be cancelled and then at the last minute was not, however Owen decided to catch the later train. The consequence of which was a very short drive around Skye, before catching the vehicular ferry from Armadale to Mallaig where we were to spend the next two nights
We got into the hotel (West highland) at about 5:00pm> A very nice hotel, we were lucky to get a ground floor room since there was no lift.
Another grey day about 12C
We loaded the bus with our luggage which would meet us after our train trip. We caught the train to Kyle of Lochash a town by bridge which now connects to Skye.
We had pre-ordered fish n chips at Kyle. Not quite as nice as Whitby.
Unfortunately the train we were supposed to be on was to be cancelled and then at the last minute was not, however Owen decided to catch the later train. The consequence of which was a very short drive around Skye, before catching the vehicular ferry from Armadale to Mallaig where we were to spend the next two nights
We got into the hotel (West highland) at about 5:00pm> A very nice hotel, we were lucky to get a ground floor room since there was no lift.
Saturday
Lovely light cloud patches of blue sky.
We walked down to the water front for the 10:50 boat to Inverie. Constant sound of seagulls squabbling as we walked down.
The boat was packed with locals I guess because it was Saturday and we had to sit inside with no view.
Inverie was about 45 min away and is north of Mallaig across the entrance of Loch Nevis.
It has the dubious distinction of being only reachable by a 27km hike over mountainous terrain or by a regular ferry from Mallaig. This physical isolation gives the village a Guinness National Record for remoteness within the United Kingdom.
Lovely light cloud patches of blue sky.
We walked down to the water front for the 10:50 boat to Inverie. Constant sound of seagulls squabbling as we walked down.
The boat was packed with locals I guess because it was Saturday and we had to sit inside with no view.
Inverie was about 45 min away and is north of Mallaig across the entrance of Loch Nevis.
It has the dubious distinction of being only reachable by a 27km hike over mountainous terrain or by a regular ferry from Mallaig. This physical isolation gives the village a Guinness National Record for remoteness within the United Kingdom.
The village consisted of a row white painted stone single story buildings with only about 3 shops and a pub.
Owen had organised lunch but the Pub was so small that we had to two sittings.
After lunch we has a couple hours in the sun but only 17c before catching the 3:00pm ferry back to Mallaig. We made sure we got an outside seat, it too was crowded
On our return our bus driver offered an hour trip to Arisaig, a small town about 11kms to south, we went the coast road going down which took about 40 mins and the main road on the way back taking only about 15mins.
Had a local delicacy for dinner at a nearby hotel 'haggis nips and tatties' this stands for haggis, turnips and potatoes, wasn't very nice but certainly filled the stomach.
Sunday
Bright day
We were meant to travel by train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct and our bus would take us to the viewing point to see trains pass over it.
Bright day
We were meant to travel by train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct and our bus would take us to the viewing point to see trains pass over it.
There was another problem with the trains which mean't we didn't travel over it but went straight to the viewing area.
The viaduct is now world famous as it has appeared in many films and four Harry Potter ones. Only recently has an off-road carpark been opened which holds about 50 cars and even this gets full in the summer months. Luckily as we were early so there was a bus space free.
We did a see steam train pass in one direction and short time later a regular commuter train in the other direction.
The steam train stopped just out of view to get up steam and the proceeded over the viaduct showing full head of steam.
Continuing on we stopped for lunch at Neptune's Staircase.
These were built in 1822 and are still being used today. Box lunch put together by Takako from a Mallaig bakery. Very nice.
On to Ben Nevis, where we stopped to look at the Commando Memorial with Ben Nevis in the background. It was built there because:
"The location was chosen because it is on the route from Spean Bridge railway station to the former Commando Training Centre at nearby Achnacarry Castle. Arriving prospective Commandos would disembark after a 14-hour journey, load their kit bags onto waiting trucks and then speed-march the 11km to the training centre in full kit with weapon, weighing a total of 16km. Anyone not completing it within 60 minutes was immediately RTU'd (returned to unit)"
Then onto Fort William to go on the Ben Nevis Chairlift. Had about 15mins at the top station.
Finally some of us (like Leith myself and three others) had a whiskey tasting at the Ben Nevis Distillery The distillery was founded in 1825 but is now owned by the Nikka company. (Japanese)
All this filled in time before being taken to the Fort William station to board the Caledonian Sleeper train to London at about 6:30pm.
The train had a dining car but no lounge car (not like the Southern Aurora)
We were allocated a disabled cabin which did give us more space and a 3/4 bed however this was against a wall so Leith had to climb over me to get in and out. It did have a basin but the toilet (disabled) was outside. Finally it was at the end of the carriage so very noisy. Luckily we had a glass or two wine at dinner so we slept well.
Dinner was pre-ordered so came reasonably quickly. It was lovely looking out to over the Scottish hillsides in the evening light.
Monday
Arrived into Euston Station about 8:00am. Sunny but cold day.
This is where we left the group so more in the next blog
Arrived into Euston Station about 8:00am. Sunny but cold day.
This is where we left the group so more in the next blog
MH
2024-08-12
We would have loved to have been on this journey but not possible to be in two places at once.
pamela mason
2024-08-15
Have just finished your blogs up to here. So enjoyable. It was so special to see York Minster which I love.Robert was a trainer at the camp. Thanks so much love Pam
Louise
2024-08-16
What determined travllers you are. You covered a lot of territory. What a schedule! Overcoming the weather and blips in train timetables too! Well done.
Stephanie Lee
2024-08-18
What an amazing trip with so many interesting experiences and once again some great photos.