Day 1 November 22nd Family, friends and German Christmas markets

Another trip for us to celebrate a family golden wedding anniversary, visit further family and friends in Essex, take a rail trip across the channel to the German Christmas markets and the Harz mountains and ending with a weekend in Durham (more family) before returning home.



wind blowing strongly at St Marys airport

As we left home early this 

The Gry Maritha at St Mary's

morning the weather was a bit cool and very fresh.   We said our goodbyes to Button the cat and trundled our cases to Lower Town quay, it was much cosier inside the cabin of the Voyager.  The taxi was waiting for us 

our Twin Otter

on St Mary’s quay and we were soon enjoying a cup of 

leaving St Mary's with white water

coffee at the island’s airport lounge. Our flight, in a twin otter, was about ten minutes later than 1025 take off but the flight was reasonably smooth although the sea below had plenty of white water.  We landed OK and the 

approaching Lands End

transport whisked us down to Penzance railway station where we had a little wait 

the new Hitachi train we rode on

before boarding our 1204 train towards Swindon.  Our train journey went very well with two changes successfully negotiated and we arrived at Swindon just about on time at 1705.  Brenda was at the station to meet us and we were soon and the Watchfield home of tonight's hosts.  Our travelling has gone well over a complicated journey.  It was good to see Val and  Brenda again and we gratefully accepted their hospitality for the coming night.