The same again (but not quite)

I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas.
Back to the grindstone this morning, although I do hope to be able to bunk off early today to attend a family celebration in Hampshire.
In one way, this morning's journey to work has been remarkably similar to last year's return from the Christmas break. I was the only person to board the train at my station.
The principal difference to last year is that the train was already a third full. That is unusual for a normal day. A check of the timetable shows that the train has come from Banbury - that explains why everybody looks half asleep.
It seems that we are following a First Great Western service (on diversion from Oxford) and a train that started from High Wycombe. The result - only a handful more people have got on since I did and we are now running fast to Marylebone.
I've just noticed that, according to Live Departure Boards, the first two FGW trains from Oxford are due to stop at West Ruislip (interchange with the Central Line). I cannot say that this is a first, but it is certainly highly unusual.

Christmas Greetings

I would like to wish my reader a very Happy Christmas and all best wishes for a fruitful, happy and peaceful New Year.

Apologies for the re-use of the card, but I like it!

CU

Chiltern Railways This Morning

It's Christmas Eve, I am going to work and I am just about ready. Ready, that is, except for the wrapping and the packing.

Chiltern Railways should have been running a special Christmas Eve timetable today. They are, but I think it's a "Special Special" timetable. At this moment, believe nothing except the Chiltern Railway's website as to what is going on.

Why?

Well, after two days of fairly well organised chaos, station Passenger Information Screens are either wrong or blank. Also the Live Departure Feed on the National RAil website is displaying a normal timetable.

On the up side, today is a long train and the front carriages only 50% full. It must be like the Marie Celeste at the back.

Sent from my iPhone

Getting Better

It was definitely less cold last night - the station car park is now a slush pool.

Train only six minutes late (don't ask about yesterday's journey) and it has plenty of carriages.

AND the Passenger Information Screens have been uploaded with the emergency timetable being operated today by Chiltern Railways.

All a vast improvement on the last couple of days.

Chiltern Railways - Snow

The trouble with running a railways is that (a) Drivers and other staff have to get to work themselveand (b) Snow and ice do not do much to help improve the reliability of the infrastructure.

As a consequence of this weekend's snow, Chiltern Railways are today running an emergency timetable.

The problem is that the train I am on has another eight stops before it reaches Marylebone. The aisles and vestibules are completely jammed with people already.

It's going to be a fun day. Stay safe.

Chavs breeding Chavs

I've previously mentioned Chavs on the trains.
Well, I am currently sat near two, with an accompanying gaggle of screaming Chavlets.
Said one of the bigger ones "Look - when you shout, they all turn their heads and look at you. Shout ('Shaart') as much as you want."
Charming. Roll on Marylebone.
By the way, it is bitterly cold today in Rural Buckinghamshire, with freezing fog. Well done Chiltern Railways for keeping the trains running bang to time.
Edit: OMG - one of them called "Sky". Aargh.

Boris Bikes Go Casual

Tomorrow, 3rd December 2010, the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme (aka 'Boris Bikes') becomes available for casual users.

I hope the launch goes well and that everything goes well technically. There should be plenty of bikes available as during the current inclement weather, fewer bikes than usual are being used. Yesterday afternoon at Soho Square there were about 15 spaces available in the docking station - the most spaces I have ever seen at that time of day.

Be safe!

By the way, I'm back, but still with a small backlog of holiday posts.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Today we took a 15 minute bus ride to Manuel Antonio, a small tourist town at the edge of the National Park of the same name.

Having paid our $10 to gain entrance to the park, we then also clubbed together (5 times $10 each) to pay for a guide to show us round on a 2 1/2 hour tour. We definitely swa more wildlife than if we hadn't have had a guide - he also carried a spotter scope which was worth it's weight in gold.

The highlight for me was seeing (and being able to photograph) this Laughing Falcon. We also saw a humming bird sat on its nest. Sadly though when we returned the following day the nest had gone - a sign of the effects of occasional irresponsible tourism.

We also saw lots of monkeys, though in reality they are so tame as to be a pest, as are the racoons.

After the walk, I took the opportunity to swim for an hour or so in the Pacific breakers before heading into town for some lunch. I then caught the bus back Quepos for a bit of shopping and a lazy late afternoon.

Down from the hills

Today saw us leaving the Cloud Forests of Monteverde and head out of the cool dampness to the hot and humid Western (Pacific) coast.

We had chartered a mini-bus today as the public bus left at a thoroughly undesirable 4.00am. Before we got on board, we saw our last local wildlife across the road - a woodpecker of some description.


As soon as we left Santa Elena the road became unpaved and remained so for the next hour or so - the bumps were punctuated by the most stunning scenery.

We lunched in Jaco, a tourist town on the coast and eventually reached our next accommodation in the mid-afternoon, just outside Quepos. Some in the group thought the accommodation was a little below par, but for three nights I thought it was OK, if a little disappointing for our final main destination of the holiday.

Frogs

I forgot to mention that last night, as it was getting dark, I went for an organised night hike in the forest.

We did see a bit - a Porcupine up in a tree, a rather large Red Kneed Tarantula, a couple of tiny frogs and some birds asleep in the trees. The main thing to remember though was that throughout the 90 minute walk there was a continuous torrential downpour. Fortunately I had proper walking boots on and was wearing appropriate waterproofs, unlike some of my fellow explorers.

Today was a fairly quiet day - I went for a walk back down to Monteverde where there is a large co-operative souvenir shop which is well worth a visit. I then walked back to Santa Elena for some lunch before visiting the Ranario Frog Pond.

Here there were many species of frogs, mostly tiny, in fairly large terraria. Thanks to my guide I did manage to see each species on offer. When I re-visited for my after dark free re-entry (self-guided) later, my frog spotting was much worse.

Up In The Trees

Today a few of us went to experience the 'Hanging Bridges' tree-top canopy walk at Selvatura, about 7 KM North of Santa Elena.

We were picked up from our hotel just before 8.00 am. After picking up some other people, we headed up into the Cloud Forests.

The weather was good to us (ie it didn't rain) and so we managed to stretch out the 3 KM walk to tale 2 3/4 hours. Normally that would take some doing , but we thoroughly enjoyed investigating all the the forest trail offered to us to see.

The bridges themselves were eight sturdy structures. All were solid suspension bridges - I do not like heights, yet found crossing. The bridges absolutely fine. Some were very long (over 200M / 600 ft) and most were so high up over the tree tops that one couldn't tell how far it was to the ground.

Following a quick coffee & cake, we then paid a further $5 each (on top of the $25 already paid for the Hanging Bridges), to visit the Humming Birsd garden.

Without doubt the best $5 spent all holiday. I will post some pictures when I get home.

Once dropped off near the hotel, I then walked Towards Monteverde proper. By that, I mean the site of the original Quaker settlement - the main town is actually Santa Elena.

I had a yummy lunch at the Paso de Stella visitor centre and fleetingly called into The Monteverde Cheese Factory shop.

A busy day.

Sent from my iPhone (some days later).

A Bumpy Road

We were picked up from our hotel shortly after 7.30 am to begin our journey to Monteverde.

The day was billed as 'Jeep-Boat-Jeep', but for each Jeep read 'Mini-Van'.

A 20 minute journey to the shore of Lake Arenal saw us board a small ferry boat that was to transport us across the lake.

Laguna de Arenal is a man made lake. The principal dam contains a hydro-electric plant that produces 40% of Costa Rica's electricity. Just 5% of the country's electricity is produced using fossil fuel, referee to as 'Dirty Electricity'.

The lake crossing saw many birds, including Ospreys and a Kingfisher.

We then took a very bunny and unlaced road, for a couple of hours, to Monteverde, where we are to stay for three nights. This afternoon was spent wandering around Santa Elena.

Volcano & Hot Springs

This morning was spent walking around La Fortuna and catching up on postcards etc.

A quick lunch at Soda La Parada (lots of locals on a Saturday lunchtime), then back to the Hotel San Bosco. From there, six of us were picked up by Aventuras Arenal for our trip to Volcano Adrenal.

After picking up a few more tourists, we traveled less than seven miles into the National Park. We parked and, having split into two groups, walked up to a viewing station to get some fantastic views of the volcano. The top wascovered in could, which is apparently the norm.

We then did a short circular walk which took us a bit higher. We also saw a Howler Monkey, plenty of birds and some unusual orchids.

After returning to the minibus, we were then taken to the Eco-Termales hot spring complex and left for an hour and a half of the most glorious relaxation. Thoroughly recommended.

We were then taken to the Volcano Springs restaurant for a meal. The only good thing about it was that it was included in the cost of the excursion.

All in all, a good day.

Towards the Volcano

Another two buses today. The first was to Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos), where we were unable to get on our planned bus.

So, after an extra 45 minute wait, we all managed to board a local bus service to La Fortuna.

La Fortuna is a tourist town that has developed since the sudden explosion of 'Volcan Arenal' on 29 July 1968. It is totally unlike any other place we have visited since arriving in Costa Rica, however it is still pleasant enough.

Tourist town meant my last satisfactory evening meal so far. A deep sleep beckons

A Few Bus Rides

Today saw us leaving Cahuita on the 8 o'clock bus, heading for Puerto Limon. The journey took about an hour. For much of the time the road followed the never ending string of beaches along the coast.

Puerto Limon is Costa Rica's principal port on the Eastern seaboard. This means that the local economy appears to depend on the container port / ship trade, along with that of visiting cruise ships.

After 3/4 of an hour and a short stroll to a different bus station to the one at which we had arrived, bus number two set off for Guapiles.

A quick change of buses saw us on the final stretch of the day to Puerto Viejo De Sarapiqui. There we crammed into a number of taxis for the short journey to the El Gavilan Lodge.

The lodge is set in fabulous grounds next to the Rio Sarapiqui. We took a boat trip after lunch and saw some fabulous birds as well as other wildlife.

A Slothful Day

Today we went to a Sloth Sanctuary. It was very interesting, though the animals did lack a little pace! Sorry.

Then, after lunch, back to the beach for another final linger in the Carribean before heading inland tomorrow.

I´ll post some pictures when I get home but don´t currently have that technology.

Still chillin´.

Strolling along the coast

Nothing on the agenda today, so after breakfast I set off on a longer than exected walk into the Cahuita National Park (yes, I am in Costa Rica).

Saw loads of wildlife, walked round some headlands and came across the most stunning beach. You know, like a picture postcard. White sand, Azure blue sea, like swimming in a bath. Luvverly.

Evening was a please enough meal at a local bar and then a relatively early night to shake off the last of the jet lag.

This sure beats London in November!

Leisurely start to the day

Breakfast today was  from 6.00am, but on the basis that we  weren´t leaving until after 9.00am,  most people emerged from their jet-lag at about 7.00am.

A beautiful day, the morning of which was spent on a public bus traveling through lush hills and banana plantations. We then reached the coast and ended up in a small village, heavy on reggae and an extraordinary laid back feel. Now just chillin!

A long day

This morning the taxi came at 7.00am to pick me up to take me to Heathrow.

I caught a mid morning flight to Texas, where I then spent 3 1/2 hours on the ground  before  catching another flight to central America. Total time traveling: 21 Hours. Time spent in hotel room before falling asleep: 10 minutes.

Hopefully some interesting days to come.

Route 18 is fifth in London to banish bendy buses

I use the number 18 quite a lot.

Whatever the spin (and it is drivel), my journeys will now be worse.

Traveling along the Euston and Marylebone Roads (long and straight) on a bendy bus (long and straight), with three sets of doors to get on and off, has been really quite painless. Given a choice of buses, the bendy bus has had my preference on this route.

It's early on the first day of the new double deckers - I may nip along later to check them out. I want to dislike them. Boris should be focusing on more important things.