OWU: From Greenfield to Dublin By Train

April 21, 2019 - Sunday

The day after the Oldham Way Ultra in Oldham England, I had decided to do some travelling, ultimately ending up in Dublin, Ireland, from where my flight home would depart.

I was staying with my Cousin Stephanie. She gave me a ride to Greenfield Station in time for the 0936 Trans-Pennine Express train that on Sundays runs through to York and Scarborough. While this meant I only had to get one train to Leeds (on weekdays I would have had to change at Huddersfield), it did mean that the train was already full when it arrived at Greenfield Station.  With only standing room available, I stood in the doorway as the Class 185 effortlessly accelerated on the steep climb to the 5 km long Standedge Tunnel (pronounced Stan-age) that would take us under the Pennines and into Yorkshire.

On the down platform at Settle Station - Northern 1228 semi-fast service to Carlisle ready to leave

As we traveled through the tunnel I thought about less than 24 hours ago I was hiking 200 metres above this tunnel on the moors. Within 20 minutes we had pulled into Huddersfield and by 1020 I was getting out at Leeds City Station.  I had 50 minutes here, so I got lunch from Sainsbury in the station. A check of the platform indicators and I found the platform for the 1115 train to Carlisle.  On the platform this train arrived in from the west. I found a seat but this train too was standing room only when it left Leeds City Station. We followed the electrified West Yorkshire Metro line running non-stop to Skipton at the foot of the Pennines. From here our train trip got even more scenic as we climbed into the Pennine hills. This line was the third line to Scotland, built by the Midland Railway in the 1870s.  The Midland built it here because the two rival railways had taken the best routes along the East Coast and West Coast and at that time would not grant running rights on their lines to Midland. So Midland had no choice but to apply for parliamentary powers to build their own line through the middle of England. As soon as Midland got the powers, the other railways decided to give Midland running right, but Parliament insisted that the Midland line be built.

Settle and Carlisle Line - the third and least used line to Scotland. With the West Coast Mainline closed over the weekend for maintenance, this was a perfect diversion for me.

At 1228 I alighted from the train at Settle Station. I dragged my wheeled suitcase with me into Settle town square for a look around.  I stopped at he coop to buy a beer and some snack, then I walked back to the station.  It was a beautiful day so it was so nice to relax on the down platform waiting for the 1330 train towards Carlisle.  I was actually heading to Ribblehead Station, which is in the middle of nowhere on the moors. The 1115 from Leeds did not stop at Ribblehead and I arrived too late into Leeds to get the earlier train that did stop at Ribblehead. So rather than wait in Leeds, I decided to take advantage of my open ticket and break my journey at Settle instead.

The market town of Settle at the foot of the fells. A starting point for many hiking adventures over the moors. 

The 1330 train was on time and I got a seat. It was very scenic and steep (for trains) 15 minute trip to Ribblehead. I arrived at 1345. After waiting for the train go, I crossed the pedestrian level crossing to the Up platform and the visitor centre, which was inside the old booking office.  For those who don't know, in England, Down platforms are heading away from London, and up platforms heading towards London. As the seat of power, one would always travel "up" to London.

The Olde Naked Man Cafe, Settle, North Yorkshire

The visitor centre were very nice and offered to look after my suitcase while I went for a short hike to see the Ribblehead Viaduct. This is the reason I came here. Well part of the reason. The other was that on this 4-day bank holiday weekend, the West Coast Mainline north of Lancaster was closed for engineering works. So if I wanted to travel by train I had the choice of travelling via the East Coast Main Line or this one.  I wasn't in a rush so I chose the scenic route and making stops on the way.

My beer from the Co-op and my ticket, leaving Settle on the 1330 Northern stopping service to Carlisle.

I walked out of Ribblehead Station and the first thing i thought after taking in the splendid beauty of the moors, was "Why is this station even here?" There are no towns anywhere close. The station was originally opened to serve camps in the area, that closed down many many years ago. Today its a tourist stop and a great starting point for hikers wanting to start or finish a hike at the station. With nine trains a day in each direction (five trains each way on Sunday) it is pretty well served considering it doesn't serve any towns or businesses.

Ribblehead Viaduct on Batty Moss - built in 1875 by the Midland Railway and refurbished in 1992.

I walked the short distance to the beautiful Ribblehead Viaduct. The Viaduct opened in 1875 but it was not well constructed and even 10 years after opening it was showing signs of movement and water damage. In the 1980s British Rail wanted to close the Settle and Carlisle Line. Back then passenger service was virtually non-existent and the line was used mainly for local freight.  British Rail used the prohibitive cost of refurbishing the viaduct as reason for closure. A massive public outcry prevented the closure and instead the viaduct was repaired and service on the line was strengthened and improved.

Blea Moor Signal Box on Blea Moor - this Victorian era box still controls trains on the mainline between Settle and Garsdale

I walked alongside the massive viaduct then climbed up and followed a footpath alongside the railway as far as Blea Moor signal Box. This signal box is one of the most remote in England.

North of Blea Moor Tunnel, heading down the valley from the summit still under control of the Blea Moor Signalbox - on the 1545 Northern stopping service to Carlisle. 

Back at the station to pick up my suitcase and be on the platform for the 1545 train to Carlisle.  Leaving Ribblehead we passed over the viaduct. To protect the viaduct, the track was singled over it and the speed was restricted to 15 mph.  After passing Blea Moor signal box, we entered the long Blea Moor tunnel that marked the summit of the railway line. From here it was all down hill winding along the steep Pennine valleys until we finally leveled out in the Eden Valley. We pulled into Carlisle Citadel Station on time at 1705.

The drunk bus rolled into Carlisle, dropping off a bus load of drunk women who all seemed to end up on my train.

Carlisile Citadel Station was eerily quite with the West Coast Mainline closed. The normally busy station felt strange with the main platforms empty. There were only four lines operating - the Cumbrian Coast Line, the Hadrians Wall Line, the Settle and Carlisle Line and the Dumfries and Kilmarnock line. Replacement buses were in the forecourt for people wanting to travel to stations along the closed West Coast Mainline.

Sunset seen from the 1912 ScotRail service to Glasgow Central via Dumfries and Kilmarnock - somewhere approaching Kilmarnock

I walked across the street from the station to Nandos for dinner and had a look around Carlisle. It was mostly full of drunk people drinking outside the pubs. The "Booze Bus" pulled up full of drunk women being dropped off from I don't know where.  I did find out where most of them were going.

Back at Carlisle Citadel Station I found the 1912 train to Glasgow via Dumfries and Kilmarnock. As the West Coast Mainline was closed this was my only option to get to Glasgow by train. It takes longer than the mainline, but it was a scenic trip.  This was the last train on Sunday from Carlisle to Dumfries and Kilmarnock, and it was full when we departed. Full of drunk women and a few drunk guys as well. I'm not sure if this is a Scottish thing or not but the Scots seem nosier and boisterous than the English. In Scotland there is a ban on drinking booze on board trains after 9pm (this doesn't exist in England). I can see why with this crowd. For the most part they were fine, enjoying the drinks they'd brought on, but quite loud.  One male was pretty out of it and I don't know what he was doing at the station, but the train conductor threatened to throw him off the train if he did it again and that as this was the last train of the night, it would be a long walk home for him. I get the idea the train conductor found it amusing. As he walked by me he just smiled and shook his head.

Some of the drunk women, one dressed in a wedding dress, got off a Gretna Green, the first station in Scotland. In years past, Scotland had more relaxed laws around marriage, so Gretna Green became popular as a place to go to get married.

A red TARDIS in Glasgow

Most of the drunks left the train before we got to Dumfries and from there it was largely a nice relaxing run to Glasgow. The sun set as we left Kilmarnock and it was soon dark. By the time we reached the outskirts of Glasgow it was dark. We pulled in to Glasgow Central Station on time at 9:25 pm.  I walked up to CitizenM hotel, where I had stayed last time I was in Glasgow, and crashed for the night.

Monday April 22, 2019
Next morning I decided I wanted to go and up the Scott Monument. It has been years since I've been up there and though it would be fun to climb the spiral stone stairways to the top.  I left the hotel about 7:45 am and walked over to Glasgow Queen Street Station. I could get trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh from either Central or Queen Street station. There were more trains per hour from Queen Street and they were faster.

The 0815 Glasgow Queen street (High Level) to Edinburgh Waverley on the buffers at Waverley on time. 

I bought a day return ticket and looked on the board for the next train. There was one leaving at 8:00 am. Checking my watch it was 7:59 am. I tapped through the barrier and ran to the train, but I had just missed it. As I arrived on the platform, the six car electric train was pulling out.  I got the next train at 8:15 am. This route runs every 15 minutes and is the fastest route, taking 50 minutes via Falkirk High.

After clearing the tunnels leading out of Queen Street (High Level) Station, the Class 380 quickly picked up to line speed and it was a scenic journey to Edinburgh Waverley Station.

Edinburgh - The Old Town on the left, the Castle directly ahead and Princes Street Gardens down below.

I love Edinburgh. It's more touristy than Glasgow and in some ways I prefer Glasgow. On every street corner there is some one playing "Scotland the Brave" on bagpipes.   I walked out of Waverley onto Princess Street and walked over to the Scott Monument. A sign on the door said it was closed for renovations. It had been closed since 2017.

Scott Monument - like Clark Griswald, after all that travelling only to find that it is closed for repair. The monument is 61 metres high, that's 20 storeys to you and me.... 

Oh well. I walked across the bridge and up the hill into Old Town Edinburgh and walked up to the castle. I was in time to see the Changing of the Guard at 10:00 am.  It was fun to watch. From here I walked down through Old Town and then along the promenade in Princess Street Gardens. I explored New Town (built in the 1800s) but laid out in a surprisingly modern grid with influences of the City Beautiful movement.

Princess Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle

Back on Princess Street I had to go for a ride on the trams. I got a ticket to the end of the line at York Place, which wasn't that far, about three stops.  From there I walked back, stopping for a drink in St. Andrew's Square. I enjoyed relaxing here on the green, watching people go buy and the atmosphere of the place.

I walked back to Edinburgh Waverley and got the 1215 back to Glasgow Queen Street. After retrieving my bag from the hotel, I walked over to Glasgow Central station and bought a day single open ticket to Stranraer.  I had a choice of routes here. I could get the faster electric trains to Ayr via Paisley Gilmore Street and then connect with the train to Stranraer there, or I could get the direct train to Stranraer, which takes longer but no need to change trains.  I picked the latter and boarded the 1412 Glasgow Central to Stranraer via Kilmarnock.

This train took the same route to Kilmarnock that I had come in on the day before, but this time it was in daylight. I picked a seat facing forward with a table and seat opposite  facing me.  As the train was not full I had the four seats and table to myself. So I laid out my lunch on here and settled in for a relaxing trip down to Kilmarnock.

At Kilmarnock the train reverses to take the line to Ayr. I knew this was going to happen, which is why I selected the seat I did. At Kilmarnock, I switched seats so I was facing forward as we left Kilmarnock. At Ayr the two-car diesel multiple unit train filled up. Leaving Ayr we joined the branch line to Stranraer.  It was an beautiful scenic run. The line speed was mostly 100 to 120 km/h, so not very fast. Leaving Girvan the train started a steep climb from sea level up onto the moors.

A steep climb for the two-car ScotRail 1412 from Glasgow Central to Stranraer, climbing out of Girvan.

The climb was quite spectacular and the almost fully loaded train was really pulling to get up the incline. Along here we had jointed track, something that is now rare in Britain as it is mostly continuous welded rail. But it was fun to hear the clickety clack of the wheels travelling over the joints.  From here to Stranraer the line was mostly single track, with access to the single track controlled by tokens.  I found it amusing that in 2019 this section of track is using a system invented almost 150 years ago. We were essentially travelling in a modern train on jointed track using signalling technology from the Victorian era. In the passing loop the train came to a stop next to the signal box. The signalman came down the steps to take the token for the previous single track section from the driver and hand him the token for the next single track section.  The idea is that only a train in possession of the token (it's actually a staff) is allowed into the single track and as there is only one token, only one train can be on the single track section at a time. It's fail safe.

My train unloading at Stranraer, and waiting to depart as the 1659 to Glasgow Central via Kilmarnock

I arrived in Stranraer on time at 4:50 pm. The station felt a bit desolate and lost. The ferries had moved out several years ago, going 6 miles up the coast to Cairnryan.  But in the day, the trains connected directly with the Stena and P and O Ferries to Belfast and Larne.  So the over-sized station and it's shed now stood in a wasteland, several hundred metres from the town.

Castle of St. John, Stranraer, Wigtownshire

I walked into the town and found Ivy House Bed and Breakfast.  The room was really nice and comfortable, and the host very friendly and accommodating. I walked down to the pub and had a pint, but didn't eat there. I found a busy fish and chip shop in the high street and bought a single piece of fish and chips. It was the largest piece of fish I've ever seen and piled high with chips for only £4.50, or about $8. I sat next to the Castle of St. John in the town square and ate my dinner.

There wasn't much to do in Stranraer, so after wandering around the town, I had an early night.

Tuesday April 23, 2019

I was up at 6am and down at the bus stop in the town centre to the get No. 350 bus to the Stena Ferry Terminal.  This is a dedicated bus for the ferries. I was expecting a small bus but what showed up was a six passenger van, and I was the only passenger. The trip cost me £2. The driver told me he had a bigger bus on the weekend and it was quite busy. I arrived at the ferry terminal at 6:55 am.

At 6:30 am sunrise on Charlotte Street, Stranraer.
Waiting for the 0635 Wigtownshire No. 350 bus to Cainryan Stena Line Port

I walked on the ferry and we set sail at 7:30 am. Like the BC northern ferries the crews live on-board two weeks on, two weeks off. As there is no need for crew changes, everything is open 24/7.  The Stena was about the size of a Spirit Class BC Ferry but designed for rougher seas. It had lounges, a cinema, bar, duty free shop, several food services, staterooms and special area for truckers.  The crossing took 2.5 hours, and I arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland at 9:45 am. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom so of course there was no customs or passport checks.

I got the No. 92 bus. I found it amusing that all of Northern Ireland trains and buses are operated by Translink.  A different Translink to the one I'm used to but in someways oddly comforting. Once in Belfast city centre I left my bags at the Flint Hotel, then headed over to Great Victoria Street Station. Once thing you've likely noticed is that when I'm on vacation I love to travel. And my favourite ways to travel is by train.

Operated by Translink - the 1110 Belfast Great Victoria Street to Derry/Londonderry.

At Great Victoria Street I bought a day return ticket to Coleraine and boarded the 1110 train to Derry/Londonderry.  After leaving Belfast the line was single track all the way to Coleraine. It must be the busiest single track line in the UK. Our train became delayed due to late running train in the opposite direction - we had no choice but to wait for it to clear the single track section.

The three-car train filled up fast and was standing room only once we left the Belfast suburbs. A man sitting next to me said these are usually six-car trains.  He asked where I was heading and I told him Giants Causeway. He was nice enough to give me a pamphlet with the bus times. Interestingly there were a few more buses shown than google knew about. 

Views from UlsterBus No.402.  Like something from an Enid Blyton novel - Dunluce Castle

At Coleraine the bus terminal is in the train station. Everybody got off here and most people transferred to the Port Rush train that was being held on the opposite platform for our late running train. I kept hearing about Port Rush so was starting to wonder what was there.  My bus stopped in Port Rush on the way to Giants Causeway. It turned out to be a mini sea-side resort town, complete with amusements, beaches and an amusement park. I decided I'd stop here on the way back. The ride up the coast on the bus was beautiful, passing the ruins of Dunluce Castle sitting on a cliff. If anybody has read Enid Byton's Adventure Series, this is how I imagined Craggy Tops in those books.

On the cliff path near Giants Causeway

I got off the bus at the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre.  I avoided the actual visitor centre. At £12.50 I thought it was over-priced. They tried to make it look like you had to pay to walk down to the rocks, but there was small print at the bottom of the sign that said access was free, but it would cost you £12.50 if you wanted to use any visitor centre facilities, like the toilets and parking.   So if you go don't get sucked into paying. Park on the road (the road has double yellow lines, so you can't park on the pavement, but it is perfectly legal to park on the grass off to the side of the road), or get the bus and walk down to the rocks for free.

Giant's Causeway, Antrim, Ulster

I followed the cliff trail first. I had shorts on, but I had brought my jacket and glad I did. The wind was cold but the hike was beautiful. I walked past the actual causeway and kept going along the cliffs. I finally turned back and then went down the cliff path to the rocks. The rocks were obviously volcanic and formed in natural vertical hexagons. The legend is that giants were building a causeway to Scotland. I love this kind of bullshit to explain natural rock formations.  It was really busy at the causeway, partly because this was Easter Tuesday in Ireland - it was still a holiday there.

Port Rush

I walked back up and through the tunnel next to the visitor centre, then got the bus back to Port Rush.  I intended to only spend a short time to look around here, but it was fascinating and very busy.  I wandered down the main road full of take-away food shops and penny amusement arcades. Next to the beach were two small amusement parks, one with a looping rollercoaster.  Next to that a beautiful beach.  I wandered the town and stopped for fish and chips. Good but not as good as Stranraer.

Port Rush

Around 6 pm I made my way to the Port Rush Station, and bought a single ticket to Coleraine. I didn't get a seat so I stood in a doorway for the short run to Coleraine. Here I and everybody else on the train changed platforms and boarded the Belfast bound train that had arrived from Derry/Londonderry. Again I didn't get a seat and stood in the doorway. Eventually the train started to empty out and I got a seat for the remainder of the trip back to Belfast Great Victoria Street Station at the end of the line. I arrived at the hotel around 9 pm

Wednesday April 24, 2019
I woke up around 8 am. I went online and bought discounted ticket to the Titanic Experience, including a visit to the RMS Normadic for £14, saving me about £6.  My ticket time was for 9:30 am.  I left about 8:30 am and walked up to Chicester Street to get the Glider. The Glider is Translink's rapid bus system that operates much like a tram. I loved it.  The buses are articulated and purple, matching the route line colours on maps. At the Glider stop I bought a one-way ticket. The electronic signs indicated the times of the next Glider. I wanted Route G2 that would take me out to the Titanic District.

Translink's rapid bus in Belfast operates like a light rails system - Glider. Waiting for G2 to the Titanic District.

The RMS Titanic, and her sisters, the RMS Olympic and RMS Britanic where built in Belfast.   The museum, in a building shaped like the White Star, of the White Star Line, is constructed at the head of the two slipways on which Titanic and Olympic were built. Titanic was hull 401, and Olympic was hull 400. Both ships were launched in 1911. The Titantic Experience is the story of the people who built her, the designers and engineers, the lives of people on board and of course the sinking, rescue and discovery of the wreck.  It is well done, interactive and fun. I spent well over three hours there.

The spectacular Titanic Museum, Belfast in the shape of a White Star

 Interestingly, Olympic was the same design as Titanic. After Titanic sank, Olympic quietly sailed to Belfast and underwent renovations to address the short-comings that lead to the Titanic disaster - including adding more lifeboats.  Olympic sailed safely until she was retired in 1935.

Hull 401 Titanic (left) and Hull 400 Olympic (right) slipways

After the Titanic Experience aI visted the decks of the RMS Normadic. The Normadic was a tender that was used to shuttle people out to Titantic.

RMS Normadic

I took the Gilder back to Belfast, picked up my suitcase and then walked over to Belfast Lanyon Place Station. I got the 2:00 pm Enterprise train to Dublin. Enterprise is a joint operation between Translink and Iarnrod Erieann (Irish Rail). While this is an international train, it feels like a domestic service. The only way I knew I had crossed the border was that the stations became to have Iarnrod Erieann as the operator instead of Translink.  The trip took about 2.5 hours and I arrived Dublin around 4:30 pm. And it was raining for the first time in my trip. It was a downpour and I had a 15 minute walk from Dublin Connolly Station to my hotel.

Enterprise Train at Dublin Connolly Station - the service is a joint operation between Translink and Iarnrod Erieann

That evening I put on my waterproof running pants and went for a walk around Dublin. I ended up in the Temple Bar district, which reminded me of Amsterdam's Red Light District with its narrow streets, hidden bars and old buildings. In fact Dublin was a lot like Amsterdam.  I found a great little place on O'Connell Street that made the best burger I've ever had, and it wasn't expensive either. Love finding those kinds of places.

Thursday May 25, 2019
My last full day in Europe before I head home.  My first port of call today was the Guinness Experience at St. James Gate. I bought my ticket on-line for €18, saving me €7 on buying the ticket at the door.

St. James Gate. The main Guinness brewery, established 250 years ago with a 9000 year lease on this property.
Only 7750 years to go.

I walked from my hotel to St. James Gate, about a 30 minute walk.  St James Gate just made me think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  The experience itself was really good and informative. I had quite a bit of Guinness while here. It started with a taster in the tasting room. Then we were taught how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, which we then got to take with us and drink as we wandered the rest of the experience.  I ended up with two as there was one left over so the host asked me if I wanted to drink it, as she couldn't and would have to pour it away if I didn't. So I did.

One for each hand

At the top of St. James Gate is a glass round pub - reminding me of the Great Glass Elevator from the end of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And in this glass room, with views all over the beer factory and Dublin, I had another pint on the house. In all, three and a half pints.

Walking to the visitor entrance - St. James Gate is a massive complex.  

 It took me a while to find my way out, with at least two loo stops on the way and a few wrong turns, including going down the same stairs twice.  I'd been in St. James Gate for about 3 hours.

View of St. James Gate and Dublin from the Great Glass Elevator

Once out I made my way to Dublin Heuston Station to pick up a 24 hours pass for all of Dublin buses, Luas (trams) and trains for €10.  From here I took the Red Line Luas to Dublin Connolly Station, then from there I got Iarnrod Erieann's electric DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train to Howth. Howth is on a headland and from the station there is a beautiful walk up to the summit of the headland. Which I did of course.

Red Line Luas tram at Dublin Connolly Station 

I returned the same way to the village, had lunch, and then went to the station, and got a DART train back to Dublin Tara Street Station then walked up to Trinity College.  I got there at 4:30 and decided to go in and see the Book of Kells. There was a big line up for tickets, but I noticed the "Web pick-up" line was empty. So I stood outside, and went on my phone and bought a ticket on-line (at a discount too), then went in the "Web pick-up" line and avoided a lineup in doing so and saved money.

An Iarnrod Erieann DART Train to Howth

The Book of Kells involves some descriptive panels interpreting the book, then the book itself and a reconstruction next to it. It's very dark and hard to read, not that I can read the language anyway. But it is kinda cool to see.  Then upstairs into the beautiful Long Library, and then downstairs into the gift shop. Half an hour was enough for the visit.

View from Howth Head

I walked back to Tara Street Station and got a DART train along the coast south to Shankill Station. I did this partly to see the suburbs, partly for the ride down the coast on the train, and partly to ride back on the Green Line tram.

Trinity College, Dublin

I enjoyed the walk from Shankill to Brides Glen where I would pick up the tram. While suburban and on the edge of Country Dublin (the limit of my €10 pass), it had the feel of countryside to it in places and I passed a beautiful thatched roof cottage on the way.  The walk was in the shade of the Wicklow Hills and if I'd had more time, I would love to have hiked or even ran the trails through those hills.  At Brides Glen, there was all new development around the new tram station, I got the Green Line tram for the ride back to O'Connoll Street in Dublin, dropping me close to the hotel.

Long Library at Trinity College

Thatched Roof Cottage

That evening I walked down to Temple Bar area, and went into Temple Bar, which was rowdy, full and a lot of fun. Great vibe, even if it was all tourists like me from all over the world. I stayed there for quite a while just enjoying the live Irish music. Late but still before midnight, I decided I'd had enough and walked back up O'Connell Street to my hotel.

Temple Bar, Dublin

Friday May 26, 2019
Time to go home. I went out for breakfast in the morning, then after checking out, walked a block to the bus stop, to get Dublin Bus 747 service to the airport. The 747 runs every 15 minutes and is extremely busy.  Dublin Airport is well served by buses, with Dublin Bus 16, 41, 757 and 747 all going there.  The 16 and 747 went from next to my hotel, but the 747 was a few minutes faster and went on the motorway (including the Dublin tunnel).  The 24 hour pass I bought yesterday and activated around 12:30 pm was still valid, so I was able to tap that on the bus and use it to go to the airport.

Dublin Airport was great. Probably the friendliest airport I've ever been too. Seriously, what's up with airport staff, even in Vancouver who really could care less about you.  From the ticket agents at the desk to the security herding people, they were all so friendly and caring.

My flight to Chicago was fine on United airlines, I fell asleep again and woke up over Labrador. but this time I woke up feeling cold and could not get warm. I also had a sore throat and my lymph nodes were like golf balls. I self diagnosed I was sick and had a temperature.  I just wanted to get home.

The home-bound ordeal is another story.