Maths problem

So, train A leaves Cheltenham at 21:13, running 15 minutes late. It is predicted to call at University station eight minutes behind schedule, at 21:47 and then to arrive at Birmingham New Street on time, at 21:45.

a] What speed must it be travelling as it passes through Five Ways Station?
b] What kind of research are the boffins at Birmingham University doing?

The last component is in place

We are taking a short holiday to Spain. By train.  That nice man at Seat 61 has plenty of ideas and route information for low-carbon journeys by rail, so Spain seemed like a nice option.

Eurostar to Paris,

Sleeper to Madrid,

train to Granada,

Sleeper to Barcelona,

Sleeper to Paris,

Eurostar back to London.

Three nights on board the Trenhotel will be augmented by "normal" hotels in Madrid and Granada.  The journey will (hopefully) be as much part of the holiday as the destination.

We'll see.

What I did on my holidays

The compulsory Christmas catchup post.

It was my family's turn this year, so we went down to Cornwall.  My aunt lives in the pretty village of Devoran, the far side of Truro.  It's quite a drive, so I was grateful to be able to leave the driving to my Chris and my mother.  Myn, on the other hand, came down by train on Christmas Eve.

Usual Christmassy stuff happened: food; wine; church; coastal walk; Dr Who; Wallace & Gromit.  On the way back, we were dropped of at Taunton, from where we went by steam train to Dunster, for a couple of nights at the Yarn Market Hotel.

It was a pleasant stay: the steam trains were fun; there are some nice pubs in Dunster; some interesting walks to be had; and this interesting sign:

"End of public road".

black ice

Overnight frost + early morning rain = not fun cycling conditions.

It also does funny things to train running times.