6th May 25 A lesson in train travel.

Today's collection was again for my main dealer customer in Aylesbury. I was collecting a sold car from their site in Bury near Manchester.

The train journey from Aylesbury to Manchester would normally take you into London Marylebone then Leaving from Euston to Manchester. This is very expensive and normal price of the tickets is £154.00 on Trainline for example .

Even with split ticketing website and using a Railcard it's £109. On the same route.

I paid £49.00. how??

This is one of the things we teach you when you join our program. That's a huge saving on this route. And makes a difficult long job much more profitable.

My route took approx 25 minutes longer. I arrived in Manchester and then had to use the tram system to get to Bury. Very cheap quick and efficient. As Bury has no main railway station.

It's my first time using this tram and I was pleasantly surprised how good it was.

Manchester Piccadilly to Bury tram

I decided to walk to the dealership from the tram as only 20 minutes away.

Passing through Bury I took these photos.

Bury Local MP's, establishment

Local eatery

Bury Peugeot

On arrival the car was found quickly. I then made my way to the M66 which was a short distance to the M62 westbound to pick up the M6

Obviously fuelling up in Bury itself so as not to have to use the motorway services.

It always makes me wonder about the business model of the fuel stations in these services.

They are always empty when you pass them. Surely it might be better to lower prices and sell more?

It was a near four hour journey ahead, factoring in a quick stop for a stretch and toilet break.

So on with the audio book. 'Mans Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl and that got me home feeling better about life in general.

Arriving in Aylesbury at the dealership I last worked for where a few of the sales staff always ask how I'm doing. Nice, but I get the impression they are looking at me with a little jealousy that I escaped and work for myself. And always tell me how much better I look and sound. Having made the decision to do this work.