Tuesday 3nd August - Robin Hood's Bay to Manchester (300Kms more or less) - Take Me home Country Train

JR here:-

Today was very relaxing, we got up about 07:00 to farewell Al who's on his way back to Oz via Heathrow. Pete, Col and I left Robin Hood's Bay about 09:00 by taxi to Whitby to await our train to Manchester. The wait was enlivened by a visit to the public toilets which, apart from complimentary hand lotion in the mens, featured a Dyson Air Blade hand dryer which was astonishing effective in drying my hands nothing at all like the usually ineffective huff and puff things we have in Australia. It was a long wait for the train and Pete spent some time exploring the town while Col and I read our books and investigated the capabilities of the station cafe. While we've had some fabulous food, the inability of the general run of british eateries to deliver anything other than the same selection of mediocre food makes you appreciate the imigrant contribution to Australian food. Some of us can remember what Australian food was like in the 60's and 70's before the Italians, Greeks and other imigrants got at it.

Local train to Middlesborough then the express to Manchester. Interesting to see the country we tramped over at great effort from the windows of a train doing 100ks - picture book England all the way - and a different perspective on the fells and high moors. Eventually got to Manchester and Col and I had to run to make the connection to the Airport - Pete having decided to stay in town. Currently watching the Simpsons' in German (or one of the other northern European languages - its what your international traveller does apparently) in our room at the Radisson after a pleasant dinner and a bottle of Argentinan Pinot Gris at, by Austraian standards, a ridiculous price. Wine was very good by the way in my view the best we've had on tour.

Col here:-

Not a lot I can add to JR's summation of the day . Did get a chance to finish my book as a typical travel day meant lots of sitting around waiting fot the actual transport to arrive.

Last night's B&B was quite good - hosts were very attentive and even if the beds and shower were only just large enough to actually use they did treat us very well.

Also yesterday showed we have got fitter on our travels as Pete challenged JR to a race up the hill from the sea at Robin Hood's Bay and they both arrived at the top relatively intact :-)

So the three musketeers have started to disband with D'Artagnan (Al) leaving early this AM leaving Athos, Porthos and Aramis to soldier on. Mind you Al might not get his upgrade or be able to catch an earlier flight so he could be living in the Qantas club for a couple of days.

Tomorrow sees the joys of a 13 hour flight to Bangkok where Pete and I will be dining with Johnno and Aumie whilst JR has a short rest before a further 9 hours to Oz.

Then brother should arrive an we will hopefully catch up with Woody.