I doubt it in this case, Gordon, as it's a Bank Holiday weekend. That's why the deals are not so good.

I'm only travelling to and from Dunbar - will I get specially reduced fares for being an Old Fart, I wonder....?

I've struck lucky this year, as my Standard Class ticket is £8 cheaper than last year - so I have decided to pay a little extra (£6 more than last year) and go First Class.

I don't mind travelling in cattle class up to the West Coast, but I find the return to "civilisation" a little hard on the nerves - so a comfy seat and a "free" cuppa may help me ease back in to society!

So you're shouting 'boooo' all the way to the West Coast ?



See you in Montrose !

Another good reason for booking/travelling through East Coast (which is owned by you and me!) is that their compensation scheme for delayed journeys - Delay Repay - is entirely non-judgemental, with a really fast response.

I had to go to London February 14 (don't even ask . . . ) and my return train that evening was delayed on account of some class of an "incident" outside Doncaster. We rocked into BearTown-upon-Tweed 32 minutes late. I put in my claim and five daze layer was sent vouchers for £24.90. Which I can use on any Train Operating Company, valid for 12 months.

Challenge rail travel sorted at no cost, heh heh!

Moral - delayed trains can be your friend! Other news - it's still Brass Monkeys up here with heavy snow cover on The Cheviots. But the days are growing longer, and cannae wait till May!