Family, football, gigs, and other nonsense

Full pic.

So, Aberdeen.

The train journey up was uneventful, he says, glad you can’t see his face which would reveal he was lying.

The train from Middlesbrough to Darlington was actually fine.  A couple of minutes late, but that’s all.  The train from Darlington to Aberdeen, however…

It was late getting into Darlington.  As in, it was supposed to leave Darlington at five past eight.  After a series of updates, one saying it would be leaving about 9:50 it eventually left about 9:25.  Then the train manager announced this was the train to Edinburgh.  I knew for a fact that I had booked a train direct to Aberdeen, the seat reservation was to Aberdeen.  The train stopped at Edinburgh, but only on the way to Aberdeen.  But, here was the train manager saying it was actually to Edinburgh.  Then he made another announcement, saying that the train was now terminating in Edinburgh.  Oh.

A new train manager got on the train in Newcastle, who promptly announced this was the service to Aberdeen.  Eh?  She made another announcement apologising for any confusion and saying the train was definitely going to Aberdeen.  Well, maybe.  She wasn’t sure.

Cleared that right up.

Eventually, it was announced that the train was terminating in Edinburgh, but there would be a replacement bus to Aberdeen.  So it was, for the second trip back home in a row, I found myself phoning my parents about the time I should be getting into Aberdeen saying I was on a bus leaving Edinburgh.

I eventually got into Aberdeen about three hours late and filed a delay repay claim to get my ticket money back.  LNER have said they believe the cause of my late arrival was not their service (late leaving Darlington, only got me to Edinburgh with a bus thereafter) but the fault of Northern Rail (left on time, 2 minutes late).  I’m going to email Northern on Monday, get the expected result and email LNER back.

Friday was Christmas shopping.  I got my mum the new Stuart MacBride book (I knew she didn’t have it, because she didn’t even remember it had been released), a couple of t shirts for my nephew and a picture each for my sister and brother in law.  I was supposed to pick up my dads present, a book about game shows, but the order hadn’t gone through, so I ordered it from Amazon.  I also got my flu shot and bought This is Hardcore by Pulp from a local record store.

Saturday, I went to the Cove Rangers – Edinburgh City game.  The ticket was a present from my sister, brother in law and nephew.  It had snowed the night before and I thought the game might be cancelled.  The club put out a call for volunteers to clear the pitch.  One of the people to answer the call was the chairman of local Highland League team Inverurie Loco Works, who turned up with a snow plough:

We were in the social club when it was announced that kick off had been delayed half an hour.  Oh dear, whatever will we do?

The game was good and I’m not just saying that because we won 7-1.  I definitely got value out of my present.  I had supper at their place then went into town for a couple of pints.

Sunday, I didn’t do much.  Wrapped my presents and worked on my second blackwork.  That night, I went to see It’s a Wonderful Life at my old work, had a drink and went home.

Christmas Day, I opened presents.  From my parents, I got a jumper and money.  From my secret Santa, I got a notebook and this t shirt:

Then it was round to my sisters for Christmas dinner, where I got a deodorant and shower gel sent.  Food was good.  Then home.

Boxing day, didn’t really do anything.

On the Wednesday, I was going to go into town.  Got up at half 8, went outside for a smoke, was the weather and decided I didn’t really need to go into town after all.  So I didn’t.

Did go into town on Thursday.  I went for a swim then went hunting for a particular record.  Grace by Jeff Buckley.  I could probably have got it from HMV, but I wanted to buy from an independent shop.  Finally found it for £28.  I also wanted to buy a Carpenters album for £2, but the guy let me have that one free.

Friday, I went up to Mastrick to get needle threaders and bumped into my parents coming home from my mum having a go at driving.  (She had operations on her eyes for cataracts and this was her first time behind the wheel for about 2 years.)  Saturday, didn’t do anything.

Hogmanay, my sister and brother in law came round and then I went out for the bells and to see Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5.  Who were excellent.  They certainly know how to bring the party.  Much fun, and booze was had.  I got a New Years kiss from one of the band and got a selfie with the Colonel himself:

New Years Day I mostly slept away, to be honest with you.  The second, didn’t do much.  Then coming home.  My train got into Darlington late, but the train to Middlesbrough was equally delayed, so it didn’t make much difference.  Got back to the flat, phoned my mum, went to the toilet and discovered a huge hole in my bathroom roof.  So, now waiting for that to be fixed.

Will