18th March 25. A field in Huntingdon.

Not too many years ago spending a day in a field just outside Huntingdon would have meant something completely different. If anyone remembers the SGP?

Today my head was clear, after a few days off and only the Peugeot I collected on Saturday to take to my Aylesbury customer.

The train journey to get here, however was just as bad a headache. From Aylesbury it's three changes

The first train is the 6.36 to London Marylebone. Then turn right when through the barriers to go down the underground escalators and get the Bakerloo line one stop to Baker Street. If you have time and it's a nice day. The walk from Marylebone to Baker Street station is short enough and a nice walk and past Dorset Square. Which was the first home of Lords Cricket Ground. For 23 years Until 1811. One of the things I only found out when doing this work.

Arrived at Baker Street station which at 7.50 in the morning I expected to be packed with commuters and I would struggle to get on the Hammersmith and City line to King's Cross. It was like a ghost town. See image.

Arrived at King's Cross and it was completely different of course.

At Kings Cross you come out of the underground. And have to exit the station and walk round the side past the amazing St Pancras Hotel and into the main concourse of the station.

Looking for the train to Peterborough . I had a few minutes spare So walked down to the far end of the station to the toilet. This might be too much information. But these toilets are always very clean, but whether they are busy or not. The cubicles are always full. I never used them. Or want to use them. So I don't understand why people have the need to do that business outside the comfort of their own home.

Anyway. Walking to that side of the station always amazes me how many people are queuing for that selfie photo of the platform 9 1/2. Made famous by Harry Potter. I've been here at 7.00am and there are crowds of people queuing. Mostly Chinese who always seem to have the largest luggage. Why is that??

So waited at the entrance end for the information board to let us know what platform the next train to Peterborough is. Always last minute and a rush for seats. Never sure why as the seats are usually allocated on advance booking on this line.

One tip. If you see on the board, an earlier train going to your destination and arriving sooner. Wait until the last minute for that train boarding. Your ticket will probably not let you through too early. So wait until the last minute. Then try. When the ticket doesn't let you through. Quickly show the person at the gate saying you're on that train. Nine times out of ten they let you through. Then. Walk along the train until you see inside. Any green lights above the seats. This means these seats are not booked. When they check your ticket on the train just explain you misread the board and apologise for getting on the wrong train. I haven't been charged yet. But it's risky.

The first stop on this train going north was Stevenage. Then Peterborough.

Arrived at there and need to change and find the train to Huntingdon only a fourteen minute wait and was only a 14 minute trip.

Unfortunately it's not possible to walk to the huge ex airbase outside Huntingdon. So a taxi from station for the 4 and a half mile trip to Wyton base gate 2. That has various different companies preparation centres and thousands of cars on site. Yellow jacket required .

I found the series of Portacabin offices for Motability. Where I was collecting a car to take back to my Aylesbury based customer.

The site is huge. With cars new and used grouped around various different brands and companies.

Lines of new Volvo's, BMW's and all kinds of used cars here for end of contract remarketing prep.

Loads of deliveries coming and going either single cars like mine or transporters full of cars coming in and out.

Quite a big operation. Most of the cars have the keys inside. Saves massive storage of keys and losing any I suppose. But the place is secure and well guarded 24/7

It's a well run operation. I give the office my details and the release code for the car. A 2021 Vauxhall Grandland. They show me the car. I do my digital appraisal get everything signed off and release paperwork and drive to the security exit. Give my paperwork and head back to Aylesbury.

It's around an hour and a half drive. Down the A1 to the dreaded Black Cat roundabout and on past Bedford and through Milton Keynes to Aylesbury. A journey I know well.

Quite an easy day but in this weather. The sun is shining. It's always a pleasure.