Nope. But an outsider (thats what p'boro people call strangers)arriving at p'boro station would think we had if they saw the amount of Motorbikes and Scooters parked outside the station these days.

I'd say a number of the extra bikes are fair weather riders who've taken the oportunity to get a bit of use out of their investment while the weather holds.Come October, they'll all be gone. The other new riders should still be there though as they are there as a direct result of GNER's increased parking fees.

I estimate there must be an extra 20 to 25 bikes compared to this time last year. Assuming 50% are riding to avoid the parking fees thats about £10,000 revenue GNER are loosing. And don't forget. A number of people now park somewhere other than the GNER car park which means even more lost revenue for GNER.

Finally on this subject my impression is that GNER are not replacing the lost parking customers with new. There was a time when it was impossible to get a spot after say 8am. Not anymore though. According to my mate who always drives, you can now get a spot whatever time of day you arrive.

I don't want to tempt fate but on the trains front, it's not been a bad week so far. Only yesterday mornings train was delayed and even that was only by a couple of mins. Despite my fears the aircon has worked in each of the carraiges I've entered but the bioggest shock came last from last nights trolly dolly. THE BEERS WERE PROPERLY COLD. Not lightly chilled, luke warm, or room temp, but COLD.