Europe: Start voting now! To the Trains!
In this musical spectacular…
- Who wants to go to Eurovision?
- Where did my wallet go? Off to Birmingham Airport
- SN2038 Birmingham Airport to Brussels National Airport
- Some time at Brussels Airport
- SN3819 Brussels National Airport to Lisbon Airport with the AeroSmurf
- Into Lisbon and The Tuk Tuk Hostel
- Exploring Lisbon with a Canon 100D
- The Eurovision Song Contest
- Off to Porto with Comboios de Portugal
- Time at Porto Airport
- FR8513 Porto Airport to Birmingham Airport
- To the trains!
- Eurovision… Douze points!
With me off the plane, I followed the path around the plane, and into the terminal. Because now, I had to get to the trains.
Getting off at the back of the has benefits sometimes.
As we entered, passengers waiting to head to Porto were lining up. It was a short walk to the UK Border.
At this side of the airport, the low-costness continues, with no automated passport clearance machines installed – just UK Border staff.
It was a short wait to be cleared – but eventually, I was through to baggage claim.
With nothing to pick up, I continued through to landside.
I kept going – this time heading back to the train station instead of cheating and getting an Uber for the final leg home.
Tip: Don’t let go of helium balloons at Airport arrivals. They’re now trapped. Forever and ever and ever…
I jumped on an AirRail shuttle, and headed to Birmingham International station. Another argument with a ticket machine and £2.50 later (the joy of the West Midlands evening return), I had a ticket for a train – and luckily, one had just turned up.
Unfortunately, that train was a Virgin Trains Super Voyager. Which was crammed full of passengers travelling from London. For a 10 minute ride – I was happy standing up.
Best view ever on a Virgin Super Voyager. Not.
And those 10 minutes passed quickly as the skyline of home appeared.
I headed upstairs, and up to the main concourse to decide how I was going to get home. I chose the bus – mainly, as it’s £1.40, but also it’s easier to do than playing an extended version of “hunt the Uber driver”
Birmingham New Street – decked out for Pride.
I exited New Street station with haste – mainly as I wasn’t sure when the next bus home was going. Alas, the moment I walked out of the station, a bus passed.
Virgin Pendolino heading back to London.
Just my luck.
With no rush to deal with, I walked to the bus stop and listened to bad music. Yes. I had set up a Eurovision playlist on the plane. It killed the minutes as the next bus came along.
From there, it was ride back to the flat.
Got to love a little urban beauty as the sun sets.
40 minutes after getting off the plane, I was at the front door of my home – and another adventure done and dusted.
And finally to be home and to be met by my lovely bath… it was rather Euphoria! (Loreen – Sweden 2012)
Finally: Douze Points goes to…
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