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Quick takes, United Kingdom

The 0805 to St Pancras International

I was on it – the first ever 0805 Eurostar train from Brussels Midi to London St Pancras International on 15th November, the 2nd day of operation of the new high speed line. The line itself is relatively unexciting – a quick dip in a tunnel under the Thames at […]

Analysis

Good Dutch design, so I’m set for stylish cycling

It’s been a long search (see this post for all the links), but I reckon I have now managed to find the best cycle pannier bag anywhere in Europe – the Basil Preston office bag, aubergine. I don’t think the picture here really does it justice. Basil is a Dutch […]

Analysis

Airport signs: the serious and the frivolous

It’s a serious issue: what rights do airline passengers get when their flights have been delayed? The EU has agreed tough rules to oblige airlines to pay, and in Brussels airport there are signs (shown on the right here) that explain those rights. Low cost carriers have not really been […]

Analysis

Streetcar plays cleverly on gender stereotypes

From this month’s Streetcar newsletter: Not since Mrs Dewbury’s husband ran off with the milkman had news travelled so fast on Chalton Street. Read it, and then read it again. It was accompanied by the cartoon shown. ‘Mrs’ and ‘milkman’ in the same sentence… But it’s more subtle than that. […]

Analysis

De-training and a first ever missed flight

I’ve just returned from a weekend in Ireland (Giant’s Causeway, Enniskillen, Sligo, Belfast). The weekend was excellent, but it did not start well. The 0601 Thameslink / First Capital Connect train from Elephant & Castle to Luton Airport brought down the power lines between Farringdon and Kings Cross. We witnessed […]

Analysis

Stylish cycling, from Berlin to Barcelona, via Zürich

I’ve just spent a week in Berlin where plenty of people had Freitag bags – made by a firm in Zürich from recycled tarpaulin and other things. The firm started by making bags for cycle couriers, but those are no good really for commuters – I need a pannier bag […]