Airport log

I'm starting to think that should be the titile of this weblog.  Yes I'm in the aiport again.

Well it's been a long time since my last update, mainly because the last time I was here the wireless wouldn't work.  Though homeless man-with laptop was there, merrily playing his game.  He's not here this time.  Maybe he's been ejected...

Aberdeen was fun (Northern Weekend Away), as was Southern (Bristol) & Central (Leeds); got several tracks recorded for the christmas CD on my whizzy new recorder do-dah.  The wizzy new microphones didn't turn up in time, but I've still got plenty planned for them.  Aberdeen was one heck of a trek, even though I flew into Glasgow, and thus avoiding the 8 hour train journey from Liverpool, or the 7 hour drive.  Of course the only flight of the day I could get was the evening one, which arrived 40 mins before the last train to Aberdeen left Glasgow station.  And of course the flight ended up being delayed.  The "two minute" taxi journey from Glasgow airport to the station turned out to be more like 20 minutes, even at 70mph.  Arriving at the station with only 2 mins to spare I ran for my train, only to be stopped by two prattish officious platform staff (I'm being polite here now I've had a few weeks to calm down).  "Can't let you through this barrier without a ticket" they say.  "But my train is leaving in 1 minute!" I cry, "I'll buy one on the train when they check the tickets, which they always do at the start of a train's journey, and tickets must be available for all those people getting on at unmanned stops!".  This is however simply not good enough.  I resist the huge to hurl abuse at them as it rarly improves a situation, even if I would feel alot better.  I dash to the ticket man, and of course I have no money, so a relatively lengthy card transaction is required.  I get my ticket, hurray!  The idiotic platform morons make a big show of examining my ticket, as though I've somehow had the time to forge one in the 30 seconds I've been gone.  Released from my tormentors I pelt it up the platform as the train guard is putting his whistle to his mouth and dive sideways into the closing train door.(*)

Having made it onto the last train out of Dodge, I settled down.  Upon arriving at Aberdeen, I and several fellow passengers, were faced with a nearly desserted station, empty taxi rank and weather so cold it makes your face go numb.  After waiting what seemed like forever at the siberian gulag (okay maybe I'm going over the top at this point) that is Aberdeen train station, a taxi shows up and I greatfully get an offer to share a taxi with another frozen person going in roughly the same direction.  Turns out she used to live on the Isle of Man.  Small world.  Hurray, at 10 to 1am I make it there.

Was it worth it?  Yeah, of course it was.

Southern was a little easier, 200 miles from Liverpool to Bristol via road.  Stopped off to see some friends on the way down.  Had a lovely time.  Tried out my old airbed, I think it's the first time it's seen use since I was 8 years old.  It's a proper canvas and rubber job, none of this plastic nonesense.  Got a most excellent recording of the Bristol choir for the CD.

Central Weekend in Leeds was by far the easiest trip.  Having been to the venue before for Forum made it nice and simple; and at a meer 90 miles, a short journey.  Got a couple of good recordings for the Christmas CD too.  Plus free pizza hut food!  I never knew they donated to charity, but they do!  Once again indulged in the amazing chocolate fountain.  Good time had by all.  Leeds rocks.

I've been booked up every weekend through November to the end of December, sometimes I wonder if I'm mad, but it's nice to feel busy.

Ding dong, time to board the flight.

* Maybe a slight exaggeration, the last time I dived anywhere was at a swimming pool