Brendan James
@brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social
Writer, linguist, ex-lecturer, proud Midlander & gay man, EUrophile, early career pensioner, 80s music, Euro-trains, Eurovision, old TV, Reform loather, general curmudgeon! Cannock Chase, UK My 2 books: http://amzn.to/3Wwm6hd https://amzn.to/3ZuAXZ0
A tip for cheap travel from eg Brussels Midi / Zuid to Aachen Hbf - eg stage 1 of Deutschland-Ticket trip: a) set up a/c on SNCB App, purchase Train+ for 1 month (€4 for 1 month for 65+) b) set up a/c on SNCB International App & add Train+ number c) No high speed trains option. 1 change €7 (65+)
Happy 2nd anniversary to my Euro-train travelogue! Thrilled to see it still selling, and many thanks to people on here for your support, it’s much appreciated 😊 #booksky #interrail #europetravel
Was woken early by ’weird moaning’ outside my bedroom window…pulled back the curtain and mystery solved 😆 #sheep
The NEW SERIES of THE CELLAR CLUB is COMING SOON! #CarolineMunro returns on Friday 4th September with a host of new classic chillers, special guests, a new set and lots of surprises! Mark the date on your calendar and don't be late! #TPTVsubtitles
Up in #NorthWales looking after a friend post-op. Just taking a break for a walk on the beach - wish I could bottle the peace!
🚂 Fancy a free armchair trip across Europe? Grab your e-copy of Interrail Ramblings for FREE today! Euro-train history, travel tips and a whole lot of random musing. 🌍 28 countries, 62 trains and me muddling along. Thanks for any reposts! amzn.to/3Wwm6hd #BookSky #Interrail #TravelWriting #freebook
European Sleeper launches new international night train from Paris to Brussels and Hamburg. The train provides a “hassle-free, direct connection from Paris and Brussels to Hamburg, “Travel overnight and wake up refreshed, ready to explore.” traveltomorrow.com/european-sle... #Airtravel #ActOnClimate
Come and chat with @leafbyleafpress.bsky.social authors at this event lots of books new titles etc we would love to see you there
So, a joke MP with 5 houses bought for cash, links to criminality and a £5Mill ‘gift’ in his bank… is so enraged at being held to account… that he resigns from the MP role he never did anyway…and demands a “people v the establishment” by-election to vote him back in. What an insufferable wanker.
Vox pops on #r4today from Reform voters in Runcorn is not news. It’s fire-hosing the audience with the abject ignorance and cultish stupidity of a small minority, spouting their bullshit notions of why it’s ok for Farage to corrupt his arse off and lie to them. “We need Reform”. Do we hell.
I can’t believe the number of times I’ve heard Farage claim on TV he is the most physically attacked MP - without being challenged on it… 🤬🤬 even AI can debunk this ridiculous assertion!!
Sunset in North Wales. And not a soul about… but who knows!
The stellar career of charming Phil Marsh: he tried to sell the Royal Train, send Eurostar's north & help filming for Harry Potter train scenes. He went from selling a Senior Railcard to Bette Davies to managing the railways - but says he's "just a rail worker". www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
This week, I'm leading a Parliamentary debate on banning MPs' second jobs. Nigel Farage has already taken over £1 Million from second jobs since becoming an MP. I've invited him to attend the debate to explain why MPs should be allowed to rake in vast sums from second jobs.
Nice afternoon at the Old Joint Stock pub in #Birmingham - nice range of beers and a gorgeous old Victorian building.
Badenoch has no grace. And only arrogance where empathy and social intelligence should be. She is what the Tories have now become. Unelectable. Deeply unpleasant, unprincipled and really very dim.
Adam Schwarz@adamjschwarz.bsky.social · last mo.Starmer leaps to the defence of Bridget Phillipson after Badenoch calls her a "spiteful class warrior". "The Education Secretary grew up in poverty... It's an incredible story of social mobility and success... I am so proud... It drives every single priority and value that she has."
If anyone is local to the Cannock Chase area… looking forward to attending this event with @lainyjthomas.bsky.social at @kimthebookworm.bsky.social ’s wonderful #bookshop in Hednesford on 11th July 😊 #booksky #CannockChase
Bonne nuit de #Bruxelles. Like walking through hot soup while drinking treacle. Back to the Midlands tomorrow… if the heat plays ball and doesn’t muck up all the trains…. 🫰🏻#interrail
Visited TrainWorld in Schaarbeek station just outside Brussels. Fantastic museum, would definitely recommend, even for non-rail nerds. Great to see an old Trans-Europ-Express! Schaarbeek also apparently where the wonderful Jacques Brel grew up.
Back to #Brussels now, always a pleasure. First time on a German high-speed ICE for ages. Late, but didn’t matter. #interrail
In Liège now, so decided I had to go up (and down) Montagne de Bueren. Last time was years ago. 374 steps up... in 36 degrees. I must be mad, but it‘s a sight to behold from both ends #interrail #Liége
Namur… will actually be sad to move on. Will miss your quirky vibe and the beers… though I’m sure others will await 😄 #interrail #beer
186-289 at Brussels Midi with the 1922 to Prague which I'm taking it appears that I have the compartment to myself when I was expecting 4 other strangers result!
Namur, Belgium. First impressions - it’s a bit rough round the edges in parts but some stunning bits. And a relaxing 2 hour train journey here from Kortrijk #interrail #europetrains
