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We've not left yet and already we have problems.
Last night the plucky four undertaking this trip met in the War/Conference Room c*** Hotel Bar) for a crisis meeting. It was a single item agenda. Are we going this weekend or rescheduling for a time when the weather is more favourable.
It has been snowing on and off locally for a week, though most on the roads and pavements has disappeared. A covering remains on grassy areas and in sections of drift. This however in the low lying, flattish edge of the Shropshire plain, not the high fells and deep valleys of Cumbria, the high Pennines or the exposed North East.
Research was undertaken; weather reports on tv and smartphone studied, hive minds of Internet forums consulted, assumptions made. All of which lead to us having no clue what the conditions to be faced would be with the exception of very cold and possible snow.
The meeting underway (pint of Northumberland Ale for G&G, Half a Hobson's for Ruth and an Ironbridge Stout for the writer) it was quickly decided to continue as planned... What was the worst that could happen? And as for rescheduling for better weather, remember last summer? No neither do we!! In addition, Garrick decided against paying the extra £30 to allow us to cancel the first night's accommodation and it would cost £80 to change the trains.
Which lead me nicely into Any Other Business and the spanner thrown into the works by network rail. The traditional bank holiday weekend Rail Replacement Bus Service is in force between Wolverhampton and Birmingham. It was enough hassle in February booking 4 bikes onto the train, there is no way we will get them on a bus! I spoke to the helpful lady at Wolverhampton station whose only comments were "you could Cycle between Wolves and Birmingham" and "bit of bad luck you are having!". I said I would try again now we have decided to give it a go. Pints drained, meeting adjourned and home to bed.
Upon arriving at the station today, I went back. The lady behind the counter entirely failed to grasp the concept of my problem but eventually came up with a solution. The plan, to intercept the Birmingham train at Crewe Station using the original tickets... Tomorrow we put this into action. Tonight we pack... Here's hoping we don't get kicked off or charged for a new train ticket. Watch this space...
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