How it all began

BING! BONG! The train now arriving at platform 1 is the 3-35 to Chester calling at ... wherever.I got on the train and breathed a sigh of relief. I stood by the carriage door wanting to cool down a bit before I took my seat. The door window was open and there was a pleasant draught. Then the train started to move off.

As it did so the public address sprang into life again. BING! BONG! British Rail wish to apologise but the train now leaving platform 1 is the 3-34 to EUSTON LONDON! calling at Crewe and Euston.

I was panic stricken but there was nothing I could do. I travelled to Crewe and was lucky enough to immediately board a train back to Stockport.

I don't wear a wristwatch because although the good lord deemed me unfit to wear hair on my head, he did bless me with hairy wrists and I therefore cannot wear expanding watch straps. I had no idea what time it was but with the benefit of hindsight it must have been around five o'clock as the train pulled into Stockport.