Blindtraveler
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- 28 Feb 2011
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Day 1 - 26th September 2011Ok so here goes, my first trip report and dependant on its success it may be my last. this little jolly isnt quite short notice, but compared to some things it hasn't been so long in the planning stages. It all came about when my new partner Vikki who is also registered blind was told by her Dr that a few days break away from her home in Orkney would do her good, a prospect which at the time she was positively scared about as the only times other than education that she's left the islands is with family It didn't take long however for me to convince her that a few days travel and exploration which she's been keen to do more of would obey doctors orders to the letter!For distance, interest and price it was decided jointly that Cumbria would be a grand idea and so with a good deal of the plan already worked out and appropriate bookings made we were duly up and aboutat 5am. We doesn't just mean myself and my partner but also her large, black, hard working, friendly and faithful sidekick Josh the guide dog! The bus service in Orkney can be a little unpredictable and with a further 6 or so connections to be made waiting for the X1 bus at the end of the road near her house as opposed to the bus station in town with a couple of taxi offices near at hand is a real man of steal move especially on a windy drizzly morning when waiting for anything is not as desirable. On the plus side however it meant that we had a bit more time with Vicki's 3 cats Pixi, Thom and Marmalade who in our absence are being cared for by her mum.At 3 minutes past 7, much to our releaf a stagecoach B10M came up the road and duly stopped to allow us to board for the 30 minute run over the Churchill barriers to St Margaret's Hope and the terminal of Pentland ferries. For those not aware there are 2 main operaters on 3 routes to and from Orkney. Northlink, the Scottish government funded lifeline service opperating between Aberdeen and Kirkwall and Stromness and Scrabster and Pentland ferries, the commercially operated run to Gills Bay in the highlands. If considering travelling this route on foot its worth noting there are some steps to clime with no lift to access the passenger accommodation and refreshment area. at 7.45 and dead on schedule we set off for what we new having checked the shipping forecast would be a bumpy crossing of the Pentland furth, not that it bothered us as even the dog is of the opinion that rough is good!The weather and tides meant the full crossing time was needed and along with a few other hardy foot passengers we traipsed through the rain to the area in front of the wating room where just a few moments later an elderly Stagecoach highland coach working the Gills bay end of the X99 route arrived to collect us for the run to wick and onwards to Dunbeath. No matter how tempting the far north line and the relative comfort of a refurbed INV bassed class 158 is theres no hiding the fact that the journey down the A9 is faster. Are well, at least I can say that I've done the entire road end to end in pretty much one go.The run down to Wick was pretty well loaded surprising even the driver! On departure from the town centre theres still a few of us left with more picked up on the way and peoples final destinations ranging from Fortwilliam to Turkey!At Dunbeath the X99 merges with passengers travelling from Wick and Gills transferring onto one of the recently introduced Plaxton Panther coaches which began its journey in Scrabster and travelled via Thurso to the changeover point. There are some direct services to wick but the majority follow this Patern and are largely co-ordinated round the ferry links although integration with rail services leaves a bit to be desired.Over 3 hours into today's series of moves and still on time we're off again with a wonderful Canadian driver guiding us round the bends, up and down the hills and through the puddles with the wind still putting up a good fight. However just to confuse, the suns now shining! Whoever said coach travel was boring! What it is on this leg of the trip is relaxing and a nice break from the quick series of early connections. A chance to read my audio book, doze and enjoy the run with the only notable event being an elderly man boarding shortly after us, bound for helmsdale with a sack of turnips!The southerly terminus of the X99 is Inverness bus station which is reachedOn time at 12.40. Its now time for the long haul. 3H 20 down the A9, m9 ETC through the highlands, Perthshire and the central belt to Glasgow - home to 2 of Scotland's largest football teams, the clockwork orange and the railhead of the WCML. It happened by pure chance but boy was I glad when I found out we'd be doing this journey on a Citylink Gold coach, something I've been longing to try since its launch last summer. For scheduled coach travel in Scotland, there gunna have to work hard to beat it! Leather seats, plugs, wifi and a complimentary on-board refreshment service made the run down, which left on time at 13.00 very pleasant. Add a snooze, a read and a catchup with last nights archers and its all going good thanks.A rival into Glasgow was on time at 16.24, if slightly chaotic with the driver attempting to be helpful and failing with the guide dog, followed by a graceless fight for a cab with the cue being badly held up by some locals returning from Blackpool with what seamed like half the stock of the proms tourist shops. Serves us rite I suppose for travelling on Glasgows Autumn Holiday.From the leather seated luxury of citylink gold to the toilet smelling world of failed air con and under floor dinn that is a Virgin Super Vomit comet working the 17.40 GLC - BHM. this was the reality of our penultimate move of the day. All platform staff as ever excellent and special credit must be given, lest we forget to our wonderful Asian cabby who puts I'm sad to say many of his coleegs to shame. I wont turn this into a rant about voyagers but only wish Vikki's first rail trip in over 10 years could have been on something better! Never mind though, a timely departure, a cold carlsberg for me, John Smiths for her and a wonderful sunny evening make up for many of the faults.A quick stop at Lockerbie followed by an equally timely arrival in Carlisle at 18.52 and one last taxi run deliver us in 12 hours 10 mins and bang on schedule at the Carlisle Central North Premier Inn where, thanks to the £29 Premier Saver deals we will be bassed for the duration of our trip.Hope you've enjoyed, comments very welcome!
