A lot of travel to make a little journey

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the Mirror

Britain's 'dullest' trainspotter makes 18-hour trip to ride six-minute service

Neil Hughes, 62, took planes, trains and automobiles to get from his home on the west coast of Scotland to Stourbridge in the West Midlands - and he didn't regret a second of it

Hmmmm ... not sure how that makes him "dull" though.

What is the most you have done for the least experience?

Rail wise, a significant journey to get to M3 Park and Ride station in Dublin.  General life wise, 2 days of training for - what - less than  5 minutes in the air on a parachute jump.

[PhilWakely]

What is the most you have done for the least experience?

I think my just completed long weekend must come close!

Many moons ago, in the late 1960's, my dad drove mum, my sister Mary and I up to Loch Lomond for a camping holiday. During that break we had a day trip to Fort William. Ever since then I've had a fascination with the West Highland railway across Rannoch Moor. During recent years, I've had a few Caledonian Sleeper journeys over the line, but never stayed on the moor.

Well, I've finally managed it! A few weeks ago, a work colleague told me about a Branch Line Society railtour visiting Fort William, Mallaig and Oban. A few email exchanges and I'd booked myself into one of the most remote hotels in Scotland, beside Rannoch station. So, proudly in possession of a day return from Rannoch to Corrour, not only was I able to phot the railtour, but was finally after 50 odd years, visited both Rannoch and Corrour!

As for cost to complete the 12 minute journey......
- Exeter to Paddington return;
- Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William return;
- 2 nights hotel at Rannoch;
- Fort William to Rannoch SVR.

Expensive? You bet! But a bucket list item ticked off and paid for by my late mum!

[GBM]

I often think Dartmoor is wild, but those lovely shots remind me Scottish wilds are more wild!