A Final Train of the summer

 So this was an event of hardly anything going on, and with the summer now in its final weeks, it was a day out to actually travel to see parents on the 2nd full day of their holiday. Even though the 1st full day was a wet out and more to cope with.  But instead, this ended up as a time of the weekend to catch up on things. But it was to be the case of that little break to finally see the end of summer, even though it's noticed from the release from work and the extra demands I've got to sort out.  

The ~Start of the time to myself. 

We start with it coming home from work around 8:30pm or so since it was now dusk and also the case in point that I was meant to finally crack down on getting the vlogs for the Fireworks Championships edited, especially now the time of the Redmi Note 13 vlog was to be cancelled due to the events of the phone had to be sold on in the end anyway. 

The Selfie on the cycle home 

But it was then time to crack on with the chores of Walking Rosie after unloading the bike. The nights have gotten cooler and lulling in more, so it was now the case that I had to get that walk done in the dusk to night. Which was a shame, but in the end, after the mini green area with walking her, the time of luck was there with the Fridge having a chicken sandwich inside it, so that was going to be the breakfast of that journey. 

Then it was the usual growls with Rosie as she guards the kitchen as per usual, so that went to a bit of a nightmare to sort out the feeding time as it goes. Plus, it was also another feedee whatsapping me for food, but then delays in her replies after. Especially as this story on what's going on with the goal has completely changed, and for me, it makes no sense what happens. But it was also the case of another person from last year who came back (actually after the drama of the easter weekend away that NEVER happened due to a paywall the week before), so this means will this repeat that easter weekend or October again, or will it happen with someone else? 

Either way, the key was then watching Futurama while cooking a Katsu curry-seasoned Quorn Mice Vegetable Stir-fry with chips included. It was like a mountain on the plate, but it was really nice so I didn't feel too full, not as sickly as it was with the cookie-battered Fried chicken and chips the day before.

 

The meal of a chicken stir-fry with couscous, potato salad and chips with mayo too 

Then it was finally time at midnight once sorting some backing up out, to get the MacBook Pro Setup, this is one of those overdue needed tools since editing on the laptop the past months hasn't happened since its beern tough and a deal came up of under £350 for a small bi of a crack on a M1 MacBook pro 2020 with 16GB RAM and 512GB Storage, so this will speed up editing for thongs like Goose Fair and also other vlogs but its finding the time to actually fet those done without crahsibng out ort the case of being distracted. This is on top of a cameo that has to happen, and I need to get that done, too. Using USB 4 cables really speeds up 200GB transfers in just over 20 minutes. But that and the base of the speakers really make you feel it, so well worth it. A shell is needed to be able to get it safely. 

Then I crashed out, and it was a blur of sleep.

The Sunday Morning

With Google Nest on, the alarm was at for 8 a.m., and daily, there was a 7 and 7:30am alarm to get things sorted, so that was that. It was a strain to open my eyes, and turns out Finley was sleeping by my leg too and purred as he usually does. But then it was a crash out, and it was then 8:40am already, when the train was at 10, and the preparation to get things done was to be ready. This was not a vlog since family, but still, it's a midday out that takes time, and Rosie can be fussy, since already she was guarding the door. So that was out of the question, but the kettle was on for then the shaving to get the look sorted. This time, I used the bathroom instead of my bedroom sink. This was due to the issue of the mirror being bright enough, which made me cut my chin on the past few shaves. 

Then it was time to walk Rosie, which I got in a nice hoodie and jeans. She was ready, and we headed off to the green area by the centre. She loves it there; the boots were used due to the wet ground. But it was peaceful and getting actually quite warm too. But she was happy, and we got to the fridge, and I picked up some nice bits like 3 cookies, 2 cinnamon rolls and also 2 bread rolls, which were nice too. 

The Dog walking in the morning before the rain. 

Then it was time to get back, and it was ready for me to get properly changed and call mum, since she wanted like dominoes (Not the pizza), her tablets, and I bought the cookies with me. This time, I was debating bringing the MacBook, but the Surface was the better option for me to take, really. So I went with the Surface and bought the charger I found under a desk, which actually supplies 20W with usb C PD, which the Surface charged up nicely too. I then left just after 10 and got to the station, and the journey began.

The station

The Stop and Start Journey

So this was the comfy part, since we left just after 10:11, which seemed like it was stalling or something, making it feel longer, really, but the journey was calm, a nice table to stretch the legs out, and it was the admin emails to sort out first, while sorting and having the breakfast of a chicken salad sandwich. It was nice and that season on the Mayo Co-op really knew how, but it's a pre-made sandwich sauce that's different to others like Heinz and Hellman's really. 

The Chicken Salad Sandwich for breakfast.

AS the tickets were shown and the journey progressed, it was nide to finally enjoy things, the sun was clearing up and it was then soon to get past St Bueadoux and the checking the Real time trains since the train to Exeter was actually later so it mean I could get a bit earlier train up to newton abbott, but there is a catch in this case, since it was odd how we stopped onger at Devonport, like something was wrong and it was lmost like a cancelation which made little sense. But eventually, we made progress and got in just after 11 to Plymouth. Though it was really odd how the train had to stop and check the rails as we were on the bridge, it was a bit of a hmm and karma moment, but then it was off the train and to change platforms. 

Now then, we get to Platform 5, 6 to get on, but it was odd how the announcements ended up the train I was originally going to get came in and left earlier. I changed trains and went under the underpass and then caught up to finally get on, which I got and left with me on it. I sat opposite this chap, who was using a MacBook, so it felt proper business vibe. The train was gone, much smoother, and it was actually about 40 minutes by the time we got to Newton Abbott, which I texted mum to say I was there before 12. While it was peeing it down in Totnes, it was something late of finally sorting steam authenticator out.

The Platform to leave at Newton Abbott

The Pickup and misdirection to Trago

I waited about in the pouring rain, which was actually a grr on where they were, I ended up walking towards the main station entrance. I saw them. I slowly walked past a car reversing, and then as I was getting by, she opened the car and called me a fucking idiot, like I was not even going fast and curved to avoid it, then it was in the car, and we decided on what to do.  The weather was starting to clear up, but it was off and on. For the sake of purpose, it was not even a good idea to go to the coast since it was going to be pouring, the clouds and the wind. Butr then we ended up going to a wrong turning and were on the wrong road out of Newton Abbot to get to trago, so we ended up turning our trail back and then it was a left which then it was going down and uop this narrow road rhwich then it was going to finally be the case of getting to the main road before we got there. 

Trago has a surreal feel to it. This one, with a long drive in and pylons by the garage on the way in, it is like a different part of the country, too. But we eventually parked at a place near the actual entrance of the bridge, which was nice 

The Explore of Trago

Now this seems like nothing, but it was a new case of how this was different, but we walked in the sun and passed the courtyard, which had a fair whack of people walking around, especially the final weekend before school started for many. Its that rush to buy things and the final days of holiday for some who left it last minute. But as we passed walking near another entrance, it was time to find a place to eat, and we ended up choosing Pinocchio's. This is a nice little greasy spoon-style restaurant with some wide picnic tables. But then we sat down and looked at what to order, I went for a nice one of a BBQ Pulled Pork Burger and chips, which was a nice amount of them, Sure £10.50 but this is local business and the meat does make the price go up for sure as well. But we moved tables since it was a bit of a tricky one since it was right by the door. 

The BBQ Pulled Pork burger with chips and Red Cabbage Slaw

As I was eating, the tastes were really nice, plus there were some nice vibes in here, which made it feel warm and comfortable even in the charm of a canteen. But while it was on and off raining, it was time to walk our way past the fun park and into the other entrance before it was time to look inside, and it was a much more vast and wider trago than the liskard one. With the entrance and the music section more expanded than others, including drums and guitars, rows of books and the lighting was much more spaced out too. 

As we explored, it was so vast we all lost each other multiple times, and the sports range was ok, but the parts I needed for the bike were not there this time, too. But then we moved to the other warehouse part, which had some more deals like the sweets, also some more of the other grocery types of options, which i ended up getting like 2 bottles of perfectly clear for like £0.50 each, which was sooo good value, ok it was lemon and lime but really good value nonetheless.  Then we got that paid before and some other bits before we dropped it back to the car before we started looking to have a nice little drink break from the exit we just came out of. 

The View of Trago from the main bridge entrance 

Then it was a bit more checking of this food stall after our quick drink break, which was like nice reduced fruit and veg for like £1 each, not much I wanted since all the fave foods ran out, but afterwards it was to go to the Build complex for looking at more DIY parts there. There were a few small bits we picked up, but then we got to the car and drove off to the Holiday Park, and both of them were staying at 

A Finlake drive tour and lodge look

So this was the time to go to the A38 and finally see what this park was like. It was a fair bit in the middle of nowhere, but it had this windy lane going up, and it then ended up feeling like an entry to a centreparks with the forest look, but then we drove to find the lakes which aftrer the narror lanes, we made it but nowhere to park at all which was a shame but it wasnt really much there. So we drove back to find the car parking space, and that was literally at the top of the park by the entrance. 

We then unloaded and walked with ruckacks and all to where the lodge was, which was actually right in front of us. Both told me this story of the rain made this kid slide down and smack right into the front door, which is funny that happened, actually, but never sure why it did. We then entered and took my shoes off. It was very cosy and yet modern with that nature vibe to it. Especially with the Balcony, which the door does not have a latch on so it swings right the way around. 

The view from the Balcony

Then it's more to catch up and hear from both about how the place is and the first day or so with the rain being on and off. But it was then to check some signals and emails to do before it was time to get the drop off back. The Sun was out, and it was nice to feel that the last bit of summer was still here. 

The Station and the rides home

So it was time to wait at Newton Abbott station, where the entrance was very quiet and the platforms were empty. Which for me was time to eventually try this cameo, since I had one to sort out, which for me was delayed due to the phone change debacle. But it was peaceful on this platform, sure the one behind me had 2 trains stopping, one to Paddington and one to Exmouth via Exeter St Davids, those turbos are useful. 

Going down the path of the platform. 

Which then it was the part to wait for the train, which it was a bit late by about 5 minutes or so, That train was a packed one, so i got on the train and managed to find a spare table seat but turns out it was minor, but then i swapped to a aisewl sleart sinde this goruo of 4 needed a nin reserved table so this bunch of 4 could sit goether on a some free seats wirthout having tio moved off to another seasg due to a resewrvation on the table ones they had agt the rime. 

The train was cruising in as normal, and by the time I knew, I was back at Plymouth, and then a toilet break on another platform row before it was time to go back on the main train, and some guys nodded, " You'll have a great ride. 

The other train departing while the last break before the train home 

The selfie I took on the train while typing this up. 

Then it was the train going, and it was that vibe of hearing Shanties and Cornish songs with a group of drunk guys singing it, this kid and her mum opposite me were singing away at this as well. It had some nice charm and variation of the legendary songs, and I even laughed a chuckle to say that was a clever fit. Eventually, I got off, and it was time to walk up the hill and get a snack on the way from the fridge. There wasn't any of this on there. But after it was the usual course for Rosie to walk and for both pets to arrange their food bowls. Before a chill with more cartoons and A chicken tikka masala this time. 

The chicken tikka masala with Rice, waffles, Donner kebab and All Bran

And there you have it, but September has more for me to catch up on, and potentially will a date finally happen or back to the same mistakes as I question my sanity. 

omracer