Right, to be more precise - only UK & Ireland, amongst all of Europe have no service on Xmas day, everyone else operates a reduced, but substantial service, & while we have a significantly reduced holiday schedule (ie only 7 out of the 24 train companies have any Boxing Day services) - virtually, if not all of, the rest of Europe has a full schedule.

You gotta respect these European train drivers & staff, most of whom apparently willing to work on Xmas day & take pride in their vocation, & it shows in their product... as for our lot

I mean, I go up the steps most morning to our pokely little train station, and their's beer cans on the steps, junk food wrappers, dog sh*t etc. all there for you to trip up on.

When you get to the top you see the station attendant in his booth, with his suit on, waiting to sell you tickets - do these people have no f'g pride in their station?

If was mine I'd have swept it all up before sitting my haunch down in that booth, then written a letter to our contracted cleaners, & my wife would have slapped me if she had seen the mess before I did. What a filthy country, no wonder the Japs look down on westerners for these kind of reasons.

& my god...went to the missus's hospital one day - I can't even begin to describe the filth there. Had a poke round the janitor's cupboard room - was like something out of a serial killer's house. No soaps or any other cleaning agents in the bathrooms. just incredible - you take a dump, only use water to clean, no paper towels even, then go off to see patients.

Anyone want to spreadbet on how many more Londoners...pedestrians, drivers etc. will die over this New Year, compared to last - solely because of Bob Crow? I'd lay it at 5-7 myself.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...958143,00.html