To not want to go on the train?

[lazymary]

My brother is planning to move to the other end of the country, and has been asking round for a long time for someone to go with him and help look at properties.

I have annual leave in a few weeks, so I've said I will go this time. We have rented a holiday home which cost £300 each and we will go by car.

The house is Friday to Friday, but the problem is I can not book the first Friday off work, as my colleague is booked off. I have said I can go Friday night, or could we go Saturday morning.

He is not happy with this and wants to go on the Friday morning so he has the longest possible time there. He has suggested I go down by train on Saturday.

AIBU to say get stuffed? The train would cost approx £90 for the single journey and takes 7.5 hours. I would rather not go at all if it involves the hassle of a train journey, even if I lose the money I've spent on accommodation.

How about chill over the weekend doing what you want and travel up Monday on the train and he can like it or lump it?

Trains may be slightly better on a weekday.

I get the feeling that you didn't want to go at all, but took a big breath and out of the kindness of your heart decided to help him out. That's perfectly understandable.

If you still want to go, get him to pay half the train fare at least, and enjoy the journey. But I love trains!

If you don't want to go, or he won't contribute to your train fare, say no it doesn't work for me at all, send me some pics and I'll comment.

4 changes? No. Not even if he paid.

I don't get the big issue here either. Just get the train a he is willing to pick you up. So what if the station is an hour away from where you will be staying?

You just relax and read a book. Take some snacks and a couple of drinks to keep you going and it will be fine. I make those sorts of train journeys regularly and just couldn't get worked up about any of the "issues" you describe. They are non-issues to me.

We've done that before gone away of hubby had to work just gone a bit later in day since most places you can't get into till after 3 anyways

Four changes! Really? Sounds torturous..

Could you send your luggage with him by car and then travel by train with just a small bag or backpack?

The train would cost approx £90 for the single journey and takes 7.5 hours. I would rather not go at all if it involves the hassle of a train journey, even if I lose the money I've spent on accommodation.

I would tell him this and see what he says.

I can see both POVs tbh.

I do think if you’re doing him a favour he should be more accommodating though.

ehy Shouldn't he take the car and drive early Drsia, isn't his fault you have to work. Get the train after work and relax

I don’t see any problem with the train journey but he should pay for it. I much prefer a long train to a long drive

4 changes, the hassle, solo journey, the cost, hour away once you get there,

No.

You didn’t even want to go in the first place and felt pressured to go. You shared cost of house rental, giving up your vacation week, and it was understood he would drive you by car. Then he changed everything based on the Friday. No. He should stand by original agreement.

Eh? The only thing that has changed it that the OP has to get the train there rather than being chauffeured by her brother. The accommodation is still the same, he'll drive her back, what else is different?

As for the 'solo journey', is the OP age 6? Does she need someone to hold her hand on the train? 😂

Having had a nightmare with trains on a weekend recently I don't blame you OP.

Trains cancelled, delayed and we even set off on one and only got around the corner before we were told we had to reverse back to the station and kick half the passengers off because it was no longer stopping at some of the scheduled stations.
It was no where near as long as your journey either.

You are not going to be relaxing with a book with four changes to negotiate.

Could he pick you up from one of the stations en route to cut your journey time and changes, somewhere where you could have a nice lunch

Ask him to pay for your train fare. You're doing a favour for him.

Could he pick you up say at change 3? Taxi it across London bit? ( he pays at least 50%)
He must make more effort in this... you're doing him a favour using your holiday.
I think train journeys are nicer than by car. Read, scroll, file your nails, nap, read mumsnet lol

Where are you going? Manchester to Cornwall or something?

Is there a coach company that are doing a similar trip?

Is the reason for all the changes because there are engineering works? Are there any other routes? Or a coach as a pp has said.

If you tell us the two stations involved we might be able to work some MN magic and find a better route.

He’s taking the mickey. You’re doing him the favour and giving up your annual leave for him and paying half the accommodation. He probably would have charged you half the petrol too! If he can’t be bothered travelling down together and you don’t fancy the train journey with 4 changes…tell him it’s off.

As for the colleague being off so you can't be, what would happen if you were ill?

I'm guessing this is the straw that is breaking the camel's back? You're doing your DB a favour, which is costing you money and he can't be even a little bit flexible.

I'd also be tempted to tell him to get stuffed. A train journey involving 4 changes of trains sounds exhausting.

Why don’t you drive on the Saturday if you don’t like the train?

Do you think you will get your money back for the accommodation if you decide not to go? You can’t really blame him if he doesn’t reimburse you.

I think this all should have been discussed before you booked the accommodation to be honest.

There are a finite number of properties to view. Surely?

Saturday onwards is long enough, surely. Could you suggest driving down after work?

Can you not drive up on the Saturday?

6-7 hour car journey - I’m sorry but I wouldn’t do this. Why does he need you there ? Only he knows what he likes