RTW 1. You look trendy types

AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 DAYS BLOG – TENTH ANNIVERSARY

Well, dear reader, coronavirus lockdown continues so going to bore you with my Around the World in 60 Days trip I did in May and June 2010. This being the blog for the tenth anniversary. Travelled by train from Nottingham, across Europe to Moscow then the Trans Siberian Railway to Vladivostok before flying to South Korea and travelling by train down to the southern tip, ferry to Japan, train across Japan then fly to Vancouver and train all the way across Canada to Halifax before heading to St John’s and flying back to the UK.

The idea for this trip formed whilst waiting in the Business Class lounge at Manchester Airport back in January 2010 to board a flight to Doha, Qatar, for a business trip. Wanted something memorable to do for my 40^th in April 2010. Originally was only going to do the Trans Siberian Express but when looking at the map realised I may as well continue eastwards to Canada. What started out as a two week trip trundling the tracks of the Trans Siberian turned into 60 days around the world. At the time this was the longest trip I’d ever done. Though as you’ve since read, it lay the foundations for more ambitious journeys.

So here goes. Fasten your seatbelts. Settle down, have a brew and enjoy armchair travelling with me around the world.

Monday, 3 May 2010

London, UK

Cold, wet and miserable when dropped off at the bus stop. Say fond farewells to family. Eldest niece bursts into tears. At least someone’s going to miss me.

Bus to Nottingham is full of the dregs of society. Train to London is full of the dregs of society. I’m in the minority. Young lad with baseball hat and baggy jeans (you know the sort) plonks himself down next to me and asks if I’m going to move my newspapers on the table in that ‘move them or I’ll stab you’ sort of way. Duly oblige.

Arranged to meet Girl 1 for afternoon tea in London. Was meant to be having dinner but this was downgraded to afternoon tea when Girl 2 rang to say she’d be in London tonight. Had to do a bit of delicate juggling. Can do delicate juggling when needs must. Didn’t go down too well with Girl 1. An opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, dear reader. Girl 1 suspects Girl 2 is the reason for downgrade. What a tangled web we weave. Hope they’re not reading this.

All around the world trips must start at the Reform Club. As Phileas Fogg and Michael Palin demonstrated. Head to Pall Mall to discover the door shut. It being a Bank Holiday. Make do with obligatory photos outside the door. Has to be done.

Farewell Girl 1. Hello Girl 2. Excellent dinner overlooking the city skyline. You know when you’re so engrossed in each other’s conversation you don’t realise where the time has gone? Well, dear reader, discover we’ve been talking and laughing so much that the restaurant has now shut and we’re the only people left. Along with the cleaner.

Taxi to another bar for nightcaps. Ask driver for recommendations. “You look trendy types”, says he. Which amuses. I’m about as trendy as a pair of 1970s brown flared trousers.

Eventually climb into bed at 0130hrs.

Have to be up in three and a half hours.

Someone’s going to be a grumpy little ogre in the morning.