For whatever reason, the Festive Season is one that I am usually relieved to see the back of. Despite annual resolutions, cards, presents and adding a bit of colour to my front window, are left increasingly to the last minute. I have no excuse; reminders of Christmas are evident from August!
This year seems to be different. December arrived with the haste of an unwelcome dental appointment.
A very modest and easy-to-miss item in the railway press announced a four day rail tour by a High Speed Train (H.S.T.) freshly repainted throughout in its original Blue/Grey Inter City 125 colours. I would receive booking details via my mobile phone. L.N.E.R. the current operators of the East Coast Main Line, would collaborate with U.K. Railtours, to stage a series of farewell journeys on four consecutive days which together would traverse (as far as I know) the entire territory of L.N.E.R. from Edinburgh to Inverness via Dundee and Aberdeen, and back to London Kings Cross via Perth, Stirling, Edinburgh York, Doncaster and Leeds. The route from Aberdeen to Inverness was not regular H.S.T. territory and thus added a rare dimension to the trip. (See previous blogs.)
I would walk around Edinburgh, Inverness and Leeds, all illuminated gloriously with magnificent festive lighting, particularly in Edinburgh’s massive Christmas market. (Scroll back to recent previous blogs.)
While on my travels, I would come across, while perusing the internet auction site, eBay, on my phone, the once familiar and still fondly remembered British Rail “Collector’s Corner” sign which directed enthusiasts to a large shed type building, crammed with masses of redundant railway memorabilia, adjacent to Euston Station. This was a regular haunt of mine since its establishment in the very early 1970s until its closure at the beginning of “railway privatisation” in 1994. My bid was successful, and said sign is added to items that I purchased from there over the years.
I would find that much had changed on the railway even in the short time since my retirement in July 2017. Electrification which I remember seeing under construction was now complete between Manchester, the West Coast Main Line and Blackpool, and Northern Rail’s long awaited new diesel and electric trains were now in evidence, their ill-chosen predominantly white livery prematurely a little dirty. Nevertheless, I remain excited by how the railway seems to be evolving, especially now that I have retired from the industry.
*****************************************
The candle – lit Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St. John’s Buxton, was a joyous and moving event, even after so many similar services during my life-time.
Uncharacteristically for me, I was beginning to enjoy this time of year. On Christmas Eve, I would travel by rail to Blackheath in S.E. London where I would reside at the still excellent Clarendon Hotel for three nights. On the way, I would meet my sister and brother in law and attend the First Communion of Christmas (6 pm) at the very Anglo Catholic church of St.Magnus the Martyr, near London Bridge. Predictably, at such a high church, music, and the service in general was glorious, as was dinner in the crypt afterwards!
My room at the Clarendon was spacious and most comfortable, and I hope the same accommodation might be available should I return in the future. There was ample time to attend Midnight Mass at All Saints, Blackheath, right opposite the Clarendon and1 was assured of being welcome to take Communion for a second time.
On Christmas Day, after a hearty breakfast, a car would take me to the former home of my grandparents, now occupied by my godson/nephew, wife and “growing-up” little boy. I am thrilled that the home my grandparents acquired in 1929 remains in our family, and is refurbished to almost the brand new modern state it was when Grannie and Grandpa moved in ninety years ago when the house was not yet two years old.
My return to the Clarendon was late in the evening. I would join everyone for Boxing Day once more at “the family home,” and again, I would return to Blackheath, late, having enjoyed the day with three generations of my sister’s family, as well the parents of my godson’s wife from south west France. Being Christmas, I ate far too much!
The following day, after calling on my sister and brother in law at their home in West London, and staying for a late healthy lunch of chicken and gorgeous salad, I travelled from Euston on the 17.00hrs Avanti West Coast service to Macclesfield for a taxi back home to Buxton.
Christmas had, of course, not been the ordeal I half feared it might be, but for the sheer intensity of it all, I am glad, once again, it is behind me.
Happy New Year,
David.
David's Cruise 