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.
The plane at rest.
As we entered, passengers waiting to head to Porto were lining up. It was a short walk to the UK Border.
Tum tee tum.
International Arrivals.
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.
Luggage belt sponsored by…
With nothing to pick up, I continued through to landside.
Nearly 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…
Going upward.
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.
Closing in.
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.
And it zooms by…
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.
Ah. The front door.
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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