General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

I first walked from Tintwistle to Woodhead Summit when I was five years old. I last walked there about six weeks ago.

For over seventy years, it has remained a favourite walk. There is now a good campsite and a safe car park to create an attractive base for walking Longdendale.

I am dreading come the time when I can no longer drive, and have to depend on trains. They simply are now too inadequate.

Yesterday, I have been planning some rail travel in mainland Europe. Most of the journeys between cities, I can get at prices beginning at less than £20. However, I am tempted to extend my stay, and opt for the rail pass giving me access to the rail network of 33 countries. In UK, I cannot even get a ticket which allows me to use another company's train when the one upon which I am booked lets me down!

Ultimately, I think it is less about high speed: It is a matter of ease of connectivity. If we do not have a healthy rail network, we will see more congestion on our motorways and our roads in towns.