A Merry Christmas and a Peaceful 2014 from East of the M60

Well, Christmas Day is only a few days away and as East of the M60 has done since 2011, it has issued another Christmas card to its readers.

Before you rush off to open your presents on Christmas Day, try to catch the last few hours of Ashton-under-Lyne’s or Manchester’s Christmas Markets, keep this in mind:

• The 330 and 409 will be running a limited service on Boxing Day (half hourly during shopping hours), along with the 201, 216 and 219;
• That Metrolink will be running a proper – full-fat – Saturday service on Boxing Day (yay!) with double trams on certain journeys;
• It may be double fare or Tariff 3 on the local taxis for Ashton United fans watching FC United of Manchester at Hurst Cross;
• Timeshifting your Christmas viewing will prove to be a useful ally, especially if you like Doctor Who, Vicious or Call The Midwife.

Apart from all that, East of the M60 wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May your Christmas be wet (which it will be anyway), tinged with real ale, and include three points at Moss Lane or Bower Fold.

S.V., 20 December 2013.

Red Rocket Express Grounded Till Easter?

The X70’s unscheduled touchdown

Almost three months after its maiden voyage, the X70 from Manchester to Blackpool, also known as the Red Rocket Express service will be grounded till Easter 2014.

Did I Really Want One of Those? 20. Ronco’s Space Invasion LP

A Spaceman Came Travelling…

12 January 2014: Stayed too long at The Armoury and made the mistake of taking part in karaoke. Thought it was a good idea to sing Ph.D’s 1982 classic I Won’t Let You Down. They didn’t have in their folder, so I settled for a Chris de Burgh song instead.