h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A thing that always use to cheer my journey into London up is that on the top of one of the tallest building in the city of London they had painted in large friendly letters the number 42. Just seeing that on my way to work took me away from commuting to an alternative universe of moaning androids, towel carrying hitchhikers and a man obsessed with a good cup of tea.

Of course they've painted it out now, so I'm back to the "life, don't talk to me about life" reality of commuting.

I used to commute to London from the outskirts of Watford. A journey that took an hour and a half, a bus, train and tube. Now I get door to door in Liverpool in 30-40 minutes using a train.

Do I miss commuting to London????? NO WAY! Having said that commuters in Liverpool are just the same......they don't talk to each other either!

Tubing in London - make sure you take lots to drink with you over summer. There are some kiosks on some stations, but often there isnt. Invariably, Id go through the turnstile, and then realise too late that I hadnt got a bottle of water. Then Id spend 30 mins wondering how much longer it would be till I get out at the other end, when I could get something to drink.

Oh, and in winter, wear a hat and gloves. Apparently most Londoners get colds if they use the tube - going from hot in the train, to cold in the station, to really cold outside plays havoc with your body. Wearing hat and gloves once off the train helps reduce this. Apparently.