Public transport

The money was spent on the Iraq War. 

Long, and short, of it. 

When we see the train networks in other parts of Europe alone, let alone further afield, one really does wonder why the U.K. trains are so bad, long after privatisation, as even the trains in Eastern Europe are better than the U.K. - the fact that there is no first class rail services and very few direct trains across the North of England and North Wales is a total disgrace 

Same is true in the South. Unions held the Government to ransom. They're now trying to do the same, here, in Northern Ireland.

Living in Manchester and having family in Ireland, flying is out of the question for obvious reasons, but trains on SailRail is a nightmare - the U.K. train network, in comparison to Irish trains, is a total disgrace with the constant rail strikes and frankly, following the disaster of HS2, an external body such as from the CCP, Japan or Taiwan, needs to come in and take complete and direct control of it with no interference being permitted (laws would need to be passed in Parliament to facilitate this), all of the existing rail bodies would have to be abolished and rail strikes simply not allowed, nor would rail trade unions, who have been holding the U.K. railways back for decades - this way, fares would come down, standards of service would improve, rail projects would be completed for half the costs and in half the time with far fewer objections being permitted in law - it would also put an end to the constant shelving of high speed rail tunnels under the Irish Sea between Holyhead and Dublin (as well as the others in Scotland and in South Wales to Co Wexford) - as it stands, getting a train from Manchester Piccadilly (platform 14) via Chester, Crewe or Lladnuo to Holyhead is a nightmare with no direct trains, not even from Manchester Victoria, not even first class or private compartments - ferry companies have a part to play in this too as there is very few passenger only ferries operating from Liverpool old port (not Birkenhead - even though they have cruise ships coming in all the time) to Dublin and no water taxis operating from Salford Quays to Liverpool - then at Dublin, ships can’t go all the way along the River Liffey as far as Capel St Bridge despite having cruise ships in the expanded port and no LUAS trams into the city 

I feel sick as soon as the car door opens. This is the smell of petrol and everything mixed plus smell of the seat and antifreeze liquid for the windscreen and they often have some kind of perfume in the car. I literally feel sick I can’t bear it. It happens very rarely that I travel with a car. There are also smells in bus especially if it’s crowded and it’s hot and no AC. But how I deal with public transport traveling - I always take a seat that has no opposite seat (like for four persons together) - I avoid it. To not see anyone’s face in front of me. I also look to take a seat next to the window so I can watch the world outside instead of watching others in the vehicle. I use earplugs to not hear all the noise around plus noise of the engine and trembling glass or other parts inside. If it’s a longer trip, book or mobile games such as sudoku or Tetris are also helpful. 

Sorry Neil. I think seeing the horse thread, aka medicinal cannabis, which i dont think you were part of is setting me off. Must keep it on topic

I'm just thinking about this turn of phrase. I mean,  I wouldn't fancy blowing anyone else's trumpet except my own anyway

I had to take the train for a work trip. I'm very grateful not to have a regular commute. Work is exhausting enough, especially as a late-diagnosed autist. 

I had an ipod 15 years ago and accidentally left it in the local library. Someone took it, and I've been sulking ever since, so I don't bother with headphones. Maybe I should stop sulking and change this.

out_of_step said:

I always knew you were an elephant! 

That's because I'm always blowing my own trumpet.

I always knew you were an elephant! 

Thank you so much. I was wondering whether I should quit making them (too much time editing; pitiful viewing figures; etc.) but comments like yours keep me going.

I actually don't mind a conversation if it's two-way, brief, and about subjects I am interested in. :)

Easier said than done , but I always use Ubers it helps me so much as i'm only having to deal with one person rather than lots of them also I find it so much more comfy and convinient when needing to get somewhere that would normally take me ages to plan out and put things into consideration which drains me so much.

I enjoyed your video. 

Neil said:

I was on a bus in Liverpool a few weeks ago when the kids were going back home from school.

Ah, yes.

This was a bus full of school children but exceptionally posh ones from a private school.

I think I find that more irritating than the opposite.

I used my loops earplugs though and they helped (but only brought the noise level down a few decibels).

I believe that one of my many freaky physical attributes is exceptionally large earholes (hence the largest loops don't work that well).

I was on a bus in Liverpool a few weeks ago when the kids were going back home from school. The noise and swearing from one individual was unreal. Absolutely no regard for the other 30+ people on the bus.

Neil said:

I thought being armed with a book of poetry would be enough to deter all other humans

Considering my most recent experience on a bus a couple of days ago, I'd rather be armed with a gun.

I'd be content for it to be filled with sleeping darts rather than bullets though, as bullets might make a mess.

Or, guarantee,  whoever you sit next to, or sits next to you, will end up talking to you. 

Or, sit and listen to the GOLD that is every day conversation of people around you.

I think it depends what mode of transport and where in the world you are and what time of the day / week, how tired you are etc

I thought being armed with a book of poetry would be enough to deter all other humans, but no.