I came across a useful site today (actually came across it a few weeks ago then forgot about it – doh!). One thats attempting to create a links directory of travel blogs. I’ve been thinking about something like that for a while but never been able to find a directory script I think fits the bill and i’ve not wanted to start write my own to then vanish when travelling.

So, for a pretty good start and to submit your travel blogs take a look at bloggingabroad.com.

There’s also a blog on the site highlighting some of the submitted sites and some useful travel tips. Have a read of the “flashpacking” article too. All about those champagne backpackers!

So, about this time yesterday I was wondering what to do on Monday as we have an extended weekend in the UK. I thought it might be nice to take a daytrip to the coast. This entails a 7hr roundtrip as I couldn’t really be more land locked but I thought it should be worth it.

Now I live in a town with a very part time ticket office in my local train station and buying over the internet, in advance, is supposed to be easier and cheaper so I went to book a ticket online. Big Mistake!!. I found the train times and checked them out to make sure there was enough time between connections and then worked my way though the absurd pricing structure.

They offer you the price of the return, well 4 or 5 different returns depending on if you want a saver return, super saver return, super cheap day return, etc… and then suggest you ignore that and check out the price of two singles as it maybe cheaper – why?!?… Anyway after eventually deciphering the pricing I get to the ticket delivery options and thats where everything grinds to a halt…

For some reason I don’t understand they don’t do e-tickets, and on a saturday afternoon they offer a same day delivery option for London customers only or you can pick your ticket up from a fast ticket machine which doesn’t exist at my station. So I was out of options for getting a ticket for Monday. After an email pointing out the problem of the delivery options and my part time ticket office they wrote back telling me to buy them from the ticket office that isn’t open! Very helpful of them…

I really don’t understand why they don’t offer e-tickets. I’ve booked journeys from my house to the otherside of the world and back all with e-tickets yet I can’t book a train journey from my local station to the coast and back for a day out on a public holiday!

So… Given up on that idea and I’m £40 better of as I can’t spend my money.

… and its raining!