I am joining the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. This began on Friday 26th July. However, as it was an early flight (8am from Manchester Airport) I decided the travel down by train the night before. This proved a little eventful that I planned.
I was due on the 14.50 direct service from Penrith to Manchester Airport. I wasn’t looking forward to this as my off peak ticket didnt have a seat reservation, and the Transpennine express trains are notorious for being crowded. Anyway a late running Virgin trains service and I boarded that, and there were plenty of seats. However we were held for some 25 minutes or so as there were “overhead wire problems ahead”. Thankfully after 25 mins we were on our way. I also noted that my original train had been cancelled.
All this meant I had to change in Preston. The first two trains to the airport were full and standing, but I noticed an empty Tranpennine express train roll into platform 5, I took mu chances with that.
Whilst waiting for the above train there was a short but very intense thunderstorm, with some spectaculat ligthning. My patience paid off, the train was half empty. There was a very slow journey through Manchester, which meant a 30 minute late arrival at the airport. All in all a bit frustrating at times. On the other hand, it was the hottest day of the year: the air con worked on the trains and I did get a seat!
Fr Paul Harrison' Blog. 