Sign in

Brendan James

@brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social
1.8K followers 539 following 164 posts

Writer, linguist, ex-lecturer, proud Midlander & gay man, EUrophile, early career pensioner, 80s music, Euro-trains, Eurovision, old TV, Reform loather, general curmudgeon! Cannock Chase, UK My 2 books: amzn.to/3Wwm6hd amzn.to/3ZuAXZ0

PostsRepliesMedia
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Great to see. Amazing to think that the Tauern Express provided a (practically) direct link to Split until the end of the 80s.
050
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
🤣🤣🤣!!!
000
Reposted by Brendan James
Northern & proud 👊 @gazlancs.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Don’t go there 🤪🤪🤪👇
67712
Reposted by Brendan James
Anti-Reform @antireform.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
via Ruggy Singh
47039
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Really sad news…
270
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
And a town with its own glorious railway past 😊
020
Reposted by Brendan James
Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
He's worked on #CatherineTate, #HarryEnfield, #Blackadder, #SteveCoogan, #French&Saunders, #LittleBritain & #VictoriaWood / #JulieWalters. #AcornAntiqes #2soups: all directed by #GeoffPosner. He reveals how he 1st met Vic. Plus why he's a big transport fan too! www.vectisradio.com/on-air/prese...
021
Reposted by Brendan James
European Rail Timetable @europeanrailtt.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Is European Sleeper is heading for Scandinavia? The operator has announced plans for a new night train linking Brussels and Amsterdam with København and Malmö, starting in April 2028. shorturl.at/ObmG7
1185
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Congratulations, Mark! 👏
180
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
☺️ thanks Elaine! 💙
000
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I love this! It was a massive hit on the Continent in the early 80s, I remember 😊
210
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
👏👏👏 couldn’t agree more!
000
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🤣🤣🤣!!
010
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
OTD, 1993, I started the 2 night train journey back home from Moscow…(with a semi-mullet 😵‍💫) wonder if it’ll ever be possible again one day? #traintravel #interrail
290
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Absolutely. The media fixation with outraged reaction to this is driving me mad. They’re just not interested in explanation and solutions.
020
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Brilliant! #alanbennett classic
091
Reposted by Brendan James
Tim Thomas @timofnewbury.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
A tip for cheap travel from eg Brussels Midi / Zuid to Aachen Hbf - eg stage 1 of Deutschland-Ticket trip: a) set up a/c on SNCB App, purchase Train+ for 1 month (€4 for 1 month for 65+) b) set up a/c on SNCB International App & add Train+ number c) No high speed trains option. 1 change €7 (65+)
1155
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Happy 2nd anniversary to my Euro-train travelogue! Thrilled to see it still selling, and many thanks to people on here for your support, it’s much appreciated 😊 #booksky #interrail #europetravel
051
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Was woken early by ’weird moaning’ outside my bedroom window…pulled back the curtain and mystery solved 😆 #sheep
050
Reposted by Brendan James
Talking Pictures TV @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
The NEW SERIES of THE CELLAR CLUB is COMING SOON! #CarolineMunro returns on Friday 4th September with a host of new classic chillers, special guests, a new set and lots of surprises! Mark the date on your calendar and don't be late! #TPTVsubtitles
0188
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
It’s brilliant! Hope you get to go on it 🫰🏻😊
010
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Up in #NorthWales looking after a friend post-op. Just taking a break for a walk on the beach - wish I could bottle the peace!
180
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
🚂 Fancy a free armchair trip across Europe? Grab your e-copy of Interrail Ramblings for FREE today! Euro-train history, travel tips and a whole lot of random musing. 🌍 28 countries, 62 trains and me muddling along. Thanks for any reposts! amzn.to/3Wwm6hd #BookSky #Interrail #TravelWriting #freebook
0151
Reposted by Brendan James
alexvonwitzleben.bsky.social @alexvonwitzleben.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
European Sleeper launches new international night train from Paris to Brussels and Hamburg. The train provides a “hassle-free, direct connection from Paris and Brussels to Hamburg, “Travel overnight and wake up refreshed, ready to explore.” traveltomorrow.com/european-sle... #Airtravel #ActOnClimate
310725
Reposted by Brendan James
Bernard Pearson @bernp.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Come and chat with @leafbyleafpress.bsky.social authors at this event lots of books new titles etc we would love to see you there
044
Reposted by Brendan James
Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Game on, Nige.
22970651241
Reposted by Brendan James
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
So, a joke MP with 5 houses bought for cash, links to criminality and a £5Mill ‘gift’ in his bank… is so enraged at being held to account… that he resigns from the MP role he never did anyway…and demands a “people v the establishment” by-election to vote him back in. What an insufferable wanker.
1573174767
Reposted by Brendan James
Marlowe_UK @irishdreamer.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Calling Carol Vorderman. Clacton needs you.
4336
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
👏👏👏
010
Reposted by Brendan James
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Vox pops on #r4today from Reform voters in Runcorn is not news. It’s fire-hosing the audience with the abject ignorance and cultish stupidity of a small minority, spouting their bullshit notions of why it’s ok for Farage to corrupt his arse off and lie to them. “We need Reform”. Do we hell.
711029255
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
I can’t believe the number of times I’ve heard Farage claim on TV he is the most physically attacked MP - without being challenged on it… 🤬🤬 even AI can debunk this ridiculous assertion!!
0113
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Sunset in North Wales. And not a soul about… but who knows!
061
Reposted by Brendan James
Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden) @markonthemaps.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
The stellar career of charming Phil Marsh: he tried to sell the Royal Train, send Eurostar's north & help filming for Harry Potter train scenes. He went from selling a Senior Railcard to Bette Davies to managing the railways - but says he's "just a rail worker". www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
051
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
🤣🤣🤣
010
Reposted by Brendan James
Richard Burgon MP @richardburgon.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
This week, I'm leading a Parliamentary debate on banning MPs' second jobs. Nigel Farage has already taken over £1 Million from second jobs since becoming an MP. I've invited him to attend the debate to explain why MPs should be allowed to rake in vast sums from second jobs.
712348
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Nice afternoon at the Old Joint Stock pub in #Birmingham - nice range of beers and a gorgeous old Victorian building.
1130
Reposted by Brendan James
Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Badenoch has no grace. And only arrogance where empathy and social intelligence should be. She is what the Tories have now become. Unelectable. Deeply unpleasant, unprincipled and really very dim.
77875230
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
If anyone is local to the Cannock Chase area… looking forward to attending this event with @lainyjthomas.bsky.social at @kimthebookworm.bsky.social ’s wonderful #bookshop in Hednesford on 11th July 😊 #booksky #CannockChase
071
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Bonne nuit de #Bruxelles. Like walking through hot soup while drinking treacle. Back to the Midlands tomorrow… if the heat plays ball and doesn’t muck up all the trains…. 🫰🏻#interrail
081
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Visited TrainWorld in Schaarbeek station just outside Brussels. Fantastic museum, would definitely recommend, even for non-rail nerds. Great to see an old Trans-Europ-Express! Schaarbeek also apparently where the wonderful Jacques Brel grew up.
191
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Back to #Brussels now, always a pleasure. First time on a German high-speed ICE for ages. Late, but didn’t matter. #interrail
1100
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Congratulations, Nigel! 👏
110
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
👍 vielen Dank 😊
020
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Guten Abend from wonderful #Aachen… it’s been 33 degrees today… 🥵 #interrail
3110
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Classic! 👏
110
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Liège Guillemins station - absolutely amazing
2184
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
In Liège now, so decided I had to go up (and down) Montagne de Bueren. Last time was years ago. 374 steps up... in 36 degrees. I must be mad, but it‘s a sight to behold from both ends #interrail #Liége
170
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Namur… will actually be sad to move on. Will miss your quirky vibe and the beers… though I’m sure others will await 😄 #interrail #beer
291
Reposted by Brendan James
Lath @lath.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
186-289 at Brussels Midi with the 1922 to Prague which I'm taking it appears that I have the compartment to myself when I was expecting 4 other strangers result!
1101
Brendan James @brendanjamesauthor.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
excellent! 👏👏
010