Defination of a Mad Man

I often wondered whether I was mad having a season ticket for Town when I live so far away. It involves leaving home at 7.15 and don't normally get home to about 10.30 at night. When I got to Cleethorpes yesterday after a 5 hour trip on the train I said to my wife 'what on earth am I doing!'
However, getting home last night was the stuff of my worse nightmare.

My friend, Alan, drops me off at Grimsby station which allows me to see all of the game and not have to leave early. Talking to my wife on the phone I looked up and saw the 5.35 train had been cancelled due to a shortage of conductors. But I had seen this train goes past Blundell Park to Cleethorpes. Feeling hungry I decided to kill time and have some food at McDonalds (I sure know how to live). Back at the station for 6.25 in time for the train to arrive. Rather full but, luckily I got a seat. Hopefully will be home by 11.30.

We got as far as Barnetby and we stopped. The conductor announced there was a signal issue and will let us know as soon as it was possible to get going again. 75 minutes delay (plus the original 60 minutes) meant we would get to Doncaster for 9.00. The last train to London was due to leave at 8.50! What the hell was I going to do? I was told the station staff will sort out a taxi to London. Eventually, 6 of us were put in a taxi minibus thing. Three proper seats and three fold-down type bench seat which I ended up on. I can confirm sitting on them for 3½ hours is not to be recommended.

When I got to Kings Cross I still had to get to West Byfleet in Surrey. Looking on my phone I found the last train to West Byfleet from London Waterloo leaves at 12.25. We didn't get to Kings Cross until 12.15 and I still had to get to across London so that was that. I was told the station staff would sort me out but there were none to be seen. What should I do?

I checked for any trains leaving Waterloo within the time frame I had and found the very last train going to Basingstoke in Hampshire, however, it will stop at Woking reasonably close to West Byfleet. So I got on that. Due to mainline track repairs, it took the scenic route, not that I could see anything. So instead of being about 30 minutes, it took close to 55 minutes. Finally arrived at Woking at 1.55am. Fortunately, there was a taxi available to take me back to West Byfleet, a distance of about 2 miles for the grand cost of £15. Very relieved to see my car and got indoors at 2.15pm - 9½  hours after the end of the match. I could have flown to the centre of the USA in that time!

After a bath and a sit down I was in bed at 3.30am.

The chances of me being at the next match are slim at the moment. I think I need to have a rethink about going to all home games. However, I'm sure I will back before I know it. The true definition of being a mad man.

Fair play to you Rob it puts my whinging about “not going from Weelsby Road because I can’t get anyone to take me” into perspective.

I'd be driving if I ws doing that journey. Would save a fortune.

Quoted from MarinerRob

I often wondered whether I was mad having a season ticket for Town when I live so far away. It involves leaving home at 7.15 and don't normally get home to about 10.30 at night. When I got to Cleethorpes yesterday after a 5 hour trip on the train I said to my wife 'what on earth am I doing!'
However, getting home last night was the stuff of my worse nightmare.

My friend, Alan, drops me off at Grimsby station which allows me to see all of the game and not have to leave early. Talking to my wife on the phone I looked up and saw the 5.35 train had been cancelled due to a shortage of conductors. But I had seen this train goes past Blundell Park to Cleethorpes. Feeling hungry I decided to kill time and have some food at McDonalds (I sure know how to live). Back at the station for 6.25 in time for the train to arrive. Rather full but, luckily I got a seat. Hopefully will be home by 11.30.

We got as far as Barnetby and we stopped. The conductor announced there was a signal issue and will let us know as soon as it was possible to get going again. 75 minutes delay (plus the original 60 minutes) meant we would get to Doncaster for 9.00. The last train to London was due to leave at 8.50! What the hell was I going to do? I was told the station staff will sort out a taxi to London. Eventually, 6 of us were put in a taxi minibus thing. Three proper seats and three fold-down type bench seat which I ended up on. I can confirm sitting on them for 3½ hours is not to be recommended.

When I got to Kings Cross I still had to get to West Byfleet in Surrey. Looking on my phone I found the last train to West Byfleet from London Waterloo leaves at 12.25. We didn't get to Kings Cross until 12.15 and I still had to get to across London so that was that. I was told the station staff would sort me out but there were none to be seen. What should I do?

I checked for any trains leaving Waterloo within the time frame I had and found the very last train going to Basingstoke in Hampshire, however, it will stop at Woking reasonably close to West Byfleet. So I got on that. Due to mainline track repairs, it took the scenic route, not that I could see anything. So instead of being about 30 minutes, it took close to 55 minutes. Finally arrived at Woking at 1.55am. Fortunately, there was a taxi available to take me back to West Byfleet, a distance of about 2 miles for the grand cost of £15. Very relieved to see my car and got indoors at 2.15pm - 9½  hours after the end of the match. I could have flown to the centre of the USA in that time!

After a bath and a sit down I was in bed at 3.30am.

The chances of me being at the next match are slim at the moment. I think I need to have a rethink about going to all home games. However, I'm sure I will back before I know it. The true definition of being a mad man.

Definition of a mad man ?....a man who expects rail transport to run to timeable.

Tip my hat to your dedication.

You should have a word with Golfer he might send you his helicopter.

Fair play to you Rob you deserve a medal.

I wondered what some Bury fans were moaning about on their forum about being stuck on a train.

Sorry to hear of your horrendous journey home Robin,You've got my number,could have come and had a meal with us,you know you're always welcome,Don't give up on coming mate,always look forward to seeing you.

Feel for you, Rob.

I made the rare trip up yesterday for the first time in a long time but with me being in the South as well I tend to just tag along on the away days as far as Cambridge and as wide as Yeovil

Quoted from MarinerRob

I often wondered whether I was mad having a season ticket for Town when I live so far away. It involves leaving home at 7.15 and don't normally get home to about 10.30 at night. When I got to Cleethorpes yesterday after a 5 hour trip on the train I said to my wife 'what on earth am I doing!'
However, getting home last night was the stuff of my worse nightmare.

My friend, Alan, drops me off at Grimsby station which allows me to see all of the game and not have to leave early. Talking to my wife on the phone I looked up and saw the 5.35 train had been cancelled due to a shortage of conductors. But I had seen this train goes past Blundell Park to Cleethorpes. Feeling hungry I decided to kill time and have some food at McDonalds (I sure know how to live). Back at the station for 6.25 in time for the train to arrive. Rather full but, luckily I got a seat. Hopefully will be home by 11.30.

We got as far as Barnetby and we stopped. The conductor announced there was a signal issue and will let us know as soon as it was possible to get going again. 75 minutes delay (plus the original 60 minutes) meant we would get to Doncaster for 9.00. The last train to London was due to leave at 8.50! What the hell was I going to do? I was told the station staff will sort out a taxi to London. Eventually, 6 of us were put in a taxi minibus thing. Three proper seats and three fold-down type bench seat which I ended up on. I can confirm sitting on them for 3½ hours is not to be recommended.

When I got to Kings Cross I still had to get to West Byfleet in Surrey. Looking on my phone I found the last train to West Byfleet from London Waterloo leaves at 12.25. We didn't get to Kings Cross until 12.15 and I still had to get to across London so that was that. I was told the station staff would sort me out but there were none to be seen. What should I do?

I checked for any trains leaving Waterloo within the time frame I had and found the very last train going to Basingstoke in Hampshire, however, it will stop at Woking reasonably close to West Byfleet. So I got on that. Due to mainline track repairs, it took the scenic route, not that I could see anything. So instead of being about 30 minutes, it took close to 55 minutes. Finally arrived at Woking at 1.55am. Fortunately, there was a taxi available to take me back to West Byfleet, a distance of about 2 miles for the grand cost of £15. Very relieved to see my car and got indoors at 2.15pm - 9½  hours after the end of the match. I could have flown to the centre of the USA in that time!

After a bath and a sit down I was in bed at 3.30am.

The chances of me being at the next match are slim at the moment. I think I need to have a rethink about going to all home games. However, I'm sure I will back before I know it. The true definition of being a mad man.

Similar.      
My last train to Cambridge from Cleethorpes was 7.24 to arrive back at 11.25
A train leaves at 8.24 arriving in Cambridge at 13.15 next day because of 7 hour wait at Doncaster !!! Quite an incentive not to linger in No.2 Bar.

Train left Cleethorpes 75mins late, therefore all connections missed.
Got to Doncaster. Saw Rob at the taxi rank at Doncaster. He off to London, me to Cambridge. Although I had the Black Cab to myself, I promise you it was bloody uncomfortable for 2.5 hours and bloody cold. The driver didn’t say a word for the duration.

Have to say the rail staff were really good, as helpful as possible - obviously not their fault

Rob’s journey sounds even worst than mine.  “All Exiles Are We”

See you at Oldham next week. UTMM.

A bath!!??

I take my hat off to you both for your dedication to the cause.

Just out of curiosity if you miss a connection because of delays are you entitled to all your extra expenses getting home back from the rail companies?

I believe you are entitled to expenses. But thankfully they got me to London and I managed to sort myself out to get back to Woking. So I just had the £15 taxi fare to pay but I was so relieved to get back to my car I didn't ask for a receipt. I am claiming for a refund on the journey so should get £37 back.

Quoted Text

RoboCod  A bath!!??

Didn't you know we are posh down in Surrey? - hee hee.

Although I still say bath and nor ba(r)th when I come up to Cleethorpes.

Glad to hear that you are not out of pocket.

Out of interest, I met some Town fans waiting to catch the train to Burton at Birmingham. The train was delayed because there wasn't a driver. One Town fan then yelled out "How did it effing get here then?"

The only laugh I had that day.

Hey mate. im in woking too. close to west byfleet. Goldsworth park! you're not alone  

Total respect for you Rob, superb.

UTM

Quoted from MarinerRob

Didn't you know we are posh down in Surrey? - hee hee.

Although I still say bath and nor ba(r)th when I come up to Cleethorpes.

I sympathised with you throughout that post until I saw that you took a chunk of your time 'preening' yourself in the barth room

Fair play, it's some commitment to make, we must all be mad to some extent.

Christ, I moan about the round trip from York with a season ticket. Especially when we've lost.

Fair play.

Luxury. That's nothing.

When I lived in London Bill Brewster and I travelled up to Stockport to watch Town one Saturday in 1990. The car broke down after the game (cam belt snapped and trashed the engine). The AA refused to tow us back to London but did agree to take us to Grimsby.

It was a bank holiday weekend so no garages were open on the Sunday or Monday. So we spent a weekend in Town, and as luck would have it Town were at home on the Tuesday night and we managed to get a lift back to London after the game thanks to some fellow London Mariners. We got home in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A round trip of just under 90 hours.  That's longer than it takes to get to the moon. Just saying.

Quoted from MarinerRob

I often wondered whether I was mad having a season ticket for Town when I live so far away. It involves leaving home at 7.15 and don't normally get home to about 10.30 at night. When I got to Cleethorpes yesterday after a 5 hour trip on the train I said to my wife 'what on earth am I doing!'
However, getting home last night was the stuff of my worse nightmare.

My friend, Alan, drops me off at Grimsby station which allows me to see all of the game and not have to leave early. Talking to my wife on the phone I looked up and saw the 5.35 train had been cancelled due to a shortage of conductors. But I had seen this train goes past Blundell Park to Cleethorpes. Feeling hungry I decided to kill time and have some food at McDonalds (I sure know how to live). Back at the station for 6.25 in time for the train to arrive. Rather full but, luckily I got a seat. Hopefully will be home by 11.30.

We got as far as Barnetby and we stopped. The conductor announced there was a signal issue and will let us know as soon as it was possible to get going again. 75 minutes delay (plus the original 60 minutes) meant we would get to Doncaster for 9.00. The last train to London was due to leave at 8.50! What the hell was I going to do? I was told the station staff will sort out a taxi to London. Eventually, 6 of us were put in a taxi minibus thing. Three proper seats and three fold-down type bench seat which I ended up on. I can confirm sitting on them for 3½ hours is not to be recommended.

When I got to Kings Cross I still had to get to West Byfleet in Surrey. Looking on my phone I found the last train to West Byfleet from London Waterloo leaves at 12.25. We didn't get to Kings Cross until 12.15 and I still had to get to across London so that was that. I was told the station staff would sort me out but there were none to be seen. What should I do?

I checked for any trains leaving Waterloo within the time frame I had and found the very last train going to Basingstoke in Hampshire, however, it will stop at Woking reasonably close to West Byfleet. So I got on that. Due to mainline track repairs, it took the scenic route, not that I could see anything. So instead of being about 30 minutes, it took close to 55 minutes. Finally arrived at Woking at 1.55am. Fortunately, there was a taxi available to take me back to West Byfleet, a distance of about 2 miles for the grand cost of £15. Very relieved to see my car and got indoors at 2.15pm - 9½  hours after the end of the match. I could have flown to the centre of the USA in that time!

After a bath and a sit down I was in bed at 3.30am.

The chances of me being at the next match are slim at the moment. I think I need to have a rethink about going to all home games. However, I'm sure I will back before I know it. The true definition of being a mad man.

And you still have a wife?!

Quoted from RonMariner

Luxury. That's nothing.

When I lived in London Bill Brewster and I travelled up to Stockport to watch Town one Saturday in 1990. The car broke down after the game (cam belt snapped and trashed the engine). The AA refused to tow us back to London but did agree to take us to Grimsby.

It was a bank holiday weekend so no garages were open on the Sunday or Monday. So we spent a weekend in Town, and as luck would have it Town were at home on the Tuesday night and we managed to get a lift back to London after the game thanks to some fellow London Mariners. We got home in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A round trip of just under 90 hours.  That's longer than it takes to get to the moon. Just saying.

Was it the Stockport game we won, I think, 2-4?

Someone should let the town office know about your dedication mate. You deserve a free ticket to the next game at least!

I have a season ticket so a free ticket not needed.

That’s privatisation for you, not only that but privatisation without responsibility. I am currently in Greece, one of the poorer EU countries but when I catch the train I have never been late and it is always a lot cheaper than driving. Our railways are nearly in a third world state and a national embarrassment .

Quoted from tanga_the_indestructible

Was it the Stockport game we won, I think, 2-4?

Yes, might even have been 5-2? I think the Tuesday game was against Scunthorpe, but I could be wrong on both counts.

Quoted from RonMariner

Luxury. That's nothing.

When I lived in London Bill Brewster and I travelled up to Stockport to watch Town one Saturday in 1990. The car broke down after the game (cam belt snapped and trashed the engine). The AA refused to tow us back to London but did agree to take us to Grimsby.

It was a bank holiday weekend so no garages were open on the Sunday or Monday. So we spent a weekend in Town, and as luck would have it Town were at home on the Tuesday night and we managed to get a lift back to London after the game thanks to some fellow London Mariners. We got home in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A round trip of just under 90 hours.  That's longer than it takes to get to the moon. Just saying.

Was that the episode in that When Saturday Comes anthology?

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Was that the episode in that When Saturday Comes anthology?

Yes, it appeared in 'Late Tackle' a WSC hardback.

Quoted from RonMariner

Yes, it appeared in 'Late Tackle' a WSC hardback.

Ah yes. Ngywie Malmsteen rings a bell.  

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Ah yes. Ngywie Malmsteen rings a bell.  

Pleased to have made such a lasting impression!