More Football Travel Problems To Ipswich
Sometimes to get back from Ipswich after a match, a friend drops me at Newbury Park tube station.
But not for the next few days, as the line is closed from today until November the 4th, according to this on the TfL website. Explaining the need for the closure, they said this.
By closing the line for a longer period (instead of multiple weekend works) the overall time needed for the work will be cut from 19 to 12 days and will save more than £2.
It seems a lot of hassle for a saving of just £2.
Is The Popularity Of The Emirates Air-Line Falling?
The Emirates Air-Line wasn’t as busy as I’ve seen it, but for a rather dim Sunday in October, it was doing brisk business. There was a big queue to get on. And this despite the fact that there was no DLRb to the northern terminal!
Is The Popularity Of The Emirates Air-Line Falling?
On the other hand, some critics are being very gloomy about the cable-car’s future.
I think it’s going to be fine, especially as the charges seem to have been updated with a sort of cash-back scheme for frequent flyers.
But then politicians will always play silly games.
The Crossrail Tunneling Site At Limmo Is Ready To Go
I took this picture today from the Emirates Air-Line and it shows the CrossRail tunneling site on the Limmo Peninsular by Canning Town station.
The Crossrail Tunneling Site At Limmo Is Ready To Go
You can see the two tunnel boring machines; Elizabeth and Victoria under the cranes, with in the foreground the jetty which will be used to transport the spoil to Wallasea Island.
Canning Town To The Emirates Air Line
I then walked from Canning Town station to the Emirates Air Line.
There really isn’t much to see and you can’t really get a good view of the CrossRail site and the tunnel boring machines.
Elizabeth and Victoria From Canning Town Station
I did my usual circuit today over the Emirates Air-Line and took these pictures of the twin tunnel boring machines (TBMs) from the upper-level platforms at Canning Town station.
If you want to get a good view, you haven’t much time left before they disappear underground.
The Remains Of The Old Kings Cross Station
Last night, as I arrived from Hull, to get to the buses and the Underground, I walked through the remains of that masterpiece of 1970s crap architecture, the retail extension to Kings Cross station.
It looks even sadder now, as it awaits demolition. Will anybody miss it?
First Class Gluten-Free Food
I was travelling First Class both ways on my trip to Yorkshire yesterday.
Going up to York, I used East Coast Trains and although I got coffee, there was nothing else I could eat that was gluten-free. But it didn’t matter as I was going to see friends for lunch.
In some ways I often feel cheated in First Class, as others get all sorts of goodies and I get nothing. It’s usually worse at the weekend, as all that is available is sandwiches.
Coming back from Hull on Hull Trains, I effectively told the steward I was gluten-free by declining the biscuit with the coffee. So when it came to selecting the complimentary meal, she apologised and thought, they might not have anything suitable. But she did say they had one chilli left.
Now my chilli con carnes and many I’ve had in pubs and restaurants have been gluten-free! So I suggest that she checked and she returned a minute or so later with the packet and a big smile on her face.
Gluten-Free Chili On Hull Trains
The pouch said the food was suitable for coeliacs and I gave it a go. There’s more details on the food here.
Chilli With Tortilla
Unfortunately, the tortilla crisps weren’t marked and I just chanced a couple.
The meal was excellent and I got no adverse reaction at all. So my gut liked it too! Perhaps, I should have had more of the crisps.
The steward then got the bit between her teeth and checked all the other things they served including the chocolate. Admittedly, First Class was by no means full.
After all coeliacs may not be that numerous, but statistics show that about one in a hundred of the UK population may have the disease.
The steward had certainly remembered the two things you don’t lose in any form of customer service; enthusiasm and your temper.
It was an enjoyable and enlightening journey after a bad day at the football.
So well done to Hull Trains and their staff! And especially to Steph!
Hot Coffee With Cold Milk
I had coffee coming home and it was served hot with cold milk.
Hot Coffee With Cold Milk
I only know one person, who is specific about having their coffee like that and like the train, she has connections to Hull, as she was born and grew up there.
Perhaps it’s a Hullensian thing.
A Plaque At Hull Station
Hull’s part in the emigration of Jews from Eastern Europe in the nineteenth centuries is told in this plaque at the station now called Hull Paragon Interchange.
A Plaque At Hull Station
The emigrants actually used special platforms to the south of the main station, as the authorities were worried about infectious diseases. My coeliac disease probably came from Askenazi Jews from Eastern Europe, but I suspect they came by a shorter route more directly to London, where my German-speaking ancestors worked in the fur trade.
The Anonymous Widower 