Today went very well indeed. For the first time in a couple of years everyone was healthy and able to participate fully in the occasion, and best of all this was perhaps the first year that my nephew really understood what was happening. Looking back on previous entries I've realised that I really value these times. It is, after all, very rare that we are all together and not too busy doing other things. Christmas for me is not a religious occasion, or even a particularly celebratory one - its a chance for quiet time with my family. Something which doesn't happen often enough.

I noticed recently that someone had mentioned this site in a post on the Preserved Diesels forum, but had pointed out that it was boring. Now, firstly I accept the charge fully - there's not a lot here thats really engaging or enlightening. It's a record of my travels, my visits and my thoughts which might be of interest to a few people who know me. I also understand that some people like the pictures. I'm sure some people enjoy the London related text more than the railway journeys, or perhaps like everyone who reads other's blogs, people are seeking the vicarious thrill of some controversy or salacious happening being mentioned? To quote briefly from the About MikeGTN page:

"I suppose I could go on in traditional personal website style to list whole pages of music and books which I enjoy, but I'm not sure how helpful or interesting that would be. Things which I find diverting or life-affirming make it onto the site. If you've accidentally arrived at this site, I hope you found something to interest you. If not, I won't be either surprised or offended."

So am I writing this because I'm actually offended and disappointed with the description? Not at all. I'm writing this because I'd like to have put something similar on the forum in response, but days after the post it moved to a new host and old threads are locked. I also wanted to puzzle out why I continue - indeed, sometimes it does seem odd to record every last detail of some railway journey, or to expose the grandiose theories I concoct on wanders around London to others. I don't blog much about politics or some other aspects of my life because I try to keep the content fairly factual and neutral these days. Perhaps I should be more honest? My theory is that blogs are the 21st Century manifestation of the storytelling tradition. A global story where you can switch viewpoints with a mouseclick. In every group of storytellers, there is one who gets bogged down in the insignificant background detail. That's me!

For the first time in a couple of days, I'm actually managing to relax and look forward to the weekend's trip. My turbulent couple of days began yesterday. Into work early to try to tidy a few loose ends before heading for London. The plan was to have a leisurely ride up and to head for my lodgings near Victoria Station. The train ride went well, and signs were promising until I realised that my hotel (booked through the usually I understand very reliable lastminute.com) was fairly dreadful. Nice front desk, but appalling rooms. The free wifi hardly made up for it. Spent an uncomfortable night, and checked out as early as possible this morning. Over to Kensington - a place I find unaccountably miserable, and time for coffee once the hotel was located. The conference was surprisingly short, and at 14:38 I found myself heading for the tube station, with a cheap ticket for the 18:08 train. Got to Euston at 15:05, and noticed that the 15:17 Liverpool service was the last on which I could use a Saver ticket. Booked at not inconsiderable expense and made it onto the packed Pendolino - predictably, 390033 'City of Glasgow' which has become my pet class member! Stood the entire way in the non-airconditioned vestibule. Journey flew by however, and soon enough we were heading up the Trent Valley at speed towards Crewe. Checked in at The Crewe Arms and savoured the absolute luxury in comparison to last nights accommodation! Headed out for a bite to eat before planning to turn in early in preparation for the morning.

A second attempt at Pathfinder's Rutland Renegade tour means another night in Warrington. Straight from work onto the train, and a fairly uneventful journey up - especially considering it was the start of a bank holiday weekend. Disembarked from the Voyager in a gloomy but not yet dark Warrington, and set off for the now familiar cross-town trek to the Travelodge. Varied my route a bit - getting closer to the town centre than usual, but still I don't think I met another soul the entire way. Checked in, disturbing a strange situation where the receptionist seemed to be illicitly distributing frozen ready meals to a favoured guest. Dumped my things, made a few calls, and headed out to find food - with the smell of molten plastic and cheap gravy from the ready meals still haunting the entrance!

Set out for The Blue Bell where I knew I'd find a fairly good pint from my last visit. Misjudged the extent of work on the new shopping centre, and had to take a torturous route alongside the main road, and out as far as Central Station to get into town. After a quick but fairly good pint of Youngs Special - not a favourite beer of mine, but welcome nonetheless - I headed back towards the town. Straying further into the centre than usual I discovered the carnage of a Friday night already in full effect, with ambulances and nightclub bouncers apparently in league - a case of "I'm about to give someone a kicking, can you park there and scrape him up when I've finished?"! Dodged the discarded kebabs and found a Subway, where I managed to get food and had a surprisingly engaging conversation about 'The Wicker Man' and films in general. Slunk back to my hotel to wait for morning, avoiding the centre of town as far as possible. Another Friday night in Warrington!