5th January 26
- just1idea
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
My working 2026 starts today. I said before I wanted something different to start the year. Over the next few days I will be going from Carlisle to Newcastle, from there to Inverness. Then across to Campbelltown on Western Scotland. Then back to Carlisle before home. Thursday or Friday.
Starting on the train from Carlisle to Newcastle, actually the station at the Metro centre. To collect a 2025 Ford Transit from Enterprise to be driven the 6 hours to Inverness.
The train left Carlisle at 06.28
It was a 20 minutes walk to the station and there had been a light dusting of snow. Which had frozen as the temp dropped.
Standing in the freezing cold station in Carlisle was fun as they struggled to get the correct side of the doors to open. The train had been running for 20 minutes. So it would have been good to get on earlier to get warm and escape the diesel fumes building under the lower part of the roof here. Finally on board and no heating.
Goes to Middlesbrough, stops at the Metro centre at 7.55. so, if they don't open at eight I'll find somewhere for breakfast.
Arriving at the Metro Centre Station. It wasn't quite what I expected. And it was snowing.
I found my way out passing only one place that looked open for any kind of breakfast and that was Gregg's. So breakfast missed. I tried finding my way with great difficulty To the Enterprises office and collect the van. It was a very busy place but I didn't have to wait long but I would rather shocked at the van I was taking
The van above was obviously some support vehicle, with a table, heating, hot and cold water sinks and at the back. A toilet. Brilliant.
So this was going to be home for the next 6 hours. The journey up from Newcastle took me back to Hexham up the A68 past Jedbrough and on towards Edinburgh over the fourth road bridge.
Eventually picking up the A9 past Perth and on to Inverness. Google maps unfortunately trying to take me the direct route from the A9 to Nairn. But as the snow was getting heavier on the ground, these roads were impossible and closed. So some backtracking towards Inverness on the main roads and on to Nairn.
One thing to remember when you're driving in Highlands. If like me you pass petrol station and think "oh it's okay I'll just pick up the next one" don't do that because there isn't one. I forgot my own rule went past the fuel station and then Google maps couldn't find me another one without a 14 -minute detour to Blair Athol
However, what a picturesque detour that was
The drive today was not the usual tiring same motorway or south England road .
The sunshine and the views were just stunning. There was something around every corner and the 6-hour journey really didn't feel like long enough could have driven back and done it all again.
Arriving at the destination. The Enterprise office in Nairn just east of Inverness at around 15.45. They checked the van in signed my appraisal.
I then walked in the snow across to the supermarket to get some supplies for the hotel later. As tempted as I was to buy some good Scottish food you can't buy in the south. I couldn't carry anything, so I'll save that job for tomorrow when I have a car.
From the supermarket it was a 20-minute walk in the snow to the hotel. before my train journey back to Glasgow tomorrow.
Today was a day, and a drive that will stay in my memory for a long time and makes this job exactly what I want it to be.
You two can be part of this. Imagine doing this journey seeing these sites going to places that you don't often get to and getting paid for it. Life's good.
Today's journey
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