With a major event in Southport clogging up the road system for miles around the only sensible route into the town was by train. However even though Northern Rail had laid on extra trains they were simply insufficient for the volume of traffic.

The train arrived, the doors opened but that was simply to allow some air to reach into the depths of the black hole of Calcutta. I forced my way onto the train and the chap next to me asked me where did I think I was going to stand when the doors closed. I realised I was standing on the step OUTSIDE the doors. Off I stepped.