Mine was good (an average of 4 pints per day made sure of that) and hope yours was too. With that said I'll start 2007's entries and wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2007.

This morning it was back to normal for most of us, not least GNER. Unfortunately because Peterborough has been ommited from GNER's new promotional literature promoting city breaks, Peterborough City Council have taken offence over the festive break. They're upset that Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, York, Leeds and London are clearly displayed on the posters but not dear old Tinsel Town. They claim that the 1000's of commuters who use GNER to get into London and back and the support the council have given GNER to renew the franchise warrents a mention. Click the link for the full story: -

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1950043&SectionID=845

Like fuck it does. Firstly the cities mentioned are major cities everyone has heard of and would like to visit one day. Peterborough isn't. Thes cities have many attractions and things to do. Peterborough doesn't. In fact Peterborough has very little to attract people planning city breaks. Yes we have a lovely Catherdral but that takes about and hour or so to view which could then be followed by a trawl round the shops and then what? Not a lot that's what. Back to the hotel for 'Tiffing' followed by dinner and then finally a bit more 'Tiffing' before sleep.

Perhaps if Peterborough had a bit more of a pull for city breaks, GNER hadn't lost the franchise and the city council waved all charges on GNER, paid a proportion of our season tickets, they might have a case. As far as I can see, they contribute very little towards GNER on a day to day basis and GNER get their money from us passengers. If anything, GNER should put a little message at the bottom of the poster which reads 'This poster has been paid for by Peterborough commuters and our thanks extend to them for their generosity.'

Thankfuly the 07.20 was bang on time this morning, as was I. I arrived a good 10 minutes early to make sure I had time to collect my seat reservation which I handed in the Thursday before Xmas. It was a good job I did as it took me a full 10 minutes to get it and when I did get to front of the Que I found they hadn't reserved my seats for today. Can't complain though as the train was half empty and they've reserved me the same seat both ways until March 2nd.

There was no RP check this morning but Bernard was back on the trolly with his monumental announcements. He even prompted me to buy a cup 'o' tea from him as he passed my seat. £1.30 was paid by one of my last few go eat vouchers and 30p cash. This made me think that I should have bought a cuppa from the station as it's about the same price, the drink is more flavoursome and being larger, it's better value. I also considered how the cost has gone up over the last 2 and a half years. Compare todays £1.30 to the £1.10p I paid back in Sep 04 and you'll find an 18% increase when inflation has been running at under 3% for a number of years now.

This brings me nicely onto the final part of todays entry - Increases to fares. I heard a number of passengers moaning this morning. Some wished they'd had the foresight to renew season tickets before the new year. Some moaned about the level of increase. Whatever it was they were moaning about, they had a point. I sympathised.