surprise

Scott Manson documented his epic six-leg journey from Glasgow to mainland Europe’s southernmost point for his YouTube channel Planes, Trains, Everything – but faced endless setbacks

A YouTuber who embarked on an epic three-night, four-day odyssey from Glasgow to mainland Europe’s southernmost point was left gobsmacked upon arrival – only to discover the gates were locked.

Scott Manson, who presents the travel channel Planes, Trains, Everything, chronicled the mammoth six-leg expedition for his audience, billing it from the start as an extraordinary undertaking.

“I’m traveling from Glasgow to the southern tip of mainland Europe. Now, this is going to be a long, long journey. It’s going to take three nights and four days. There are six transportation legs. The first leg is Avanti West Coast down to London.”

His itinerary saw him travel from Glasgow to London Euston, then traverse the capital to St Pancras International for the Eurostar to Paris. From the French capital he pressed southward to Lyon, onwards to Barcelona, and subsequently to Madrid before boarding a long-distance coach to Algeciras.

A concluding local bus journey and stroll delivered him to Tarifa, widely acknowledged as mainland Europe’s southernmost extremity, reports Glasgow Live.

However, the expedition was anything but smooth sailing.

Scott disclosed the trip “nearly went totally belly up” following a catastrophic high-speed rail collision in Spain earlier this year. Referencing the tragedy, he explained: “One high-speed train jumped the tracks, landed on the opposite side, and was hit by a train heading in the opposite direction. Forty-five people were killed. Absolutely horrendous.”

Worried his connection might be axed, he consulted the Renfe website.

While tickets remained available initially, the evening before departing the UK he received an email stating: “Unfortunately, your train’s canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

This left him frantically seeking an alternative for the vital Madrid to Algeciras stretch. Flying via Gibraltar was contemplated but ruled out as impractical and potentially costly, necessitating multiple connections and a border crossing.

Instead, he managed to book a nine-hour daytime coach – twice the duration of the train journey.

“It’s going to be horrendous, but it needs to be done,” he remarked, noting the alteration also delayed his arrival until 8pm, compelling him to postpone filming at his final destination.

The complications continued mounting. The Avanti service from Glasgow ran late, necessitating what he characterised as a hurried sprint across London.

His Eurostar seat was relocated to a “windowless window seat.” The Barcelona to Madrid train ran behind schedule.

Madrid’s weather turned “atrocious.” And the replacement train southbound was cancelled entirely.

Following all that, the ultimate disappointment awaited at Tarifa. Upon reaching the Spanish municipality, Scott headed towards Isla de Las Palomas, an island at the southern tip of Punta de Tarifa – the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.

However, to Scott’s dismay, the area was cordoned off and accessible solely through guided tours. “Well, you spend three nights and four days travelling to the southernmost tip of the European mainland, and it’s shut,” he said.

“At least I’m not the only one who arrived thinking the place would be open. There are two Chinese tourists there. I can’t complain—they’ve travelled further than I have to get here—but I think it caught quite a few people off guard.”

He suggested strong winds might have rendered the exposed headland too dangerous. “But yeah, that’s as far as we can get.”

Despite the setback, Scott stayed positive. “For as long as I can recall making these YouTube videos, I’ve always felt there was a force pushing back, trying to stop me from completing videos. This was a prime example.”

Nevertheless, he maintained the experience was worthwhile. “But I am so glad I did this journey. I’m so glad you guys came along with me as well. I’ll see you next time.”

MILAN — After injuries and stumbles, Madison Chock and Evan Bates earned their first Olympic medal Friday, but it wasn’t expected to be this color.

The three-time world champions settled for silver in their fourth Olympics together, falling 1.43 points behind France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron. Cizeron has won back-to-back Olympic titles with different partners after climbing the podium in Beijing with Gabriella Papadakis.

While Chock and Bates, who have skated together for 15 years and got married in 2024, Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron shot to the top of the sport after just 11 months together. When the winning score was announced, Cizeron hugged his coach and covered his face while crying. Chock and Bates, sitting next to the kiss-and-cry in white arm chairs reserved for the current leaders, clapped politely.

They wanted this gold medal as a perfect ending to their accomplished career.

France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron compete in the ice dance final at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Wednesday.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The three-time world champions and seven-time U.S. champions were in their fourth Olympics together. Bates was competing on this stage for the fifth time. On a team with only one other athlete with previous Olympic experience — 20-year-old Alysa Liu skated in Beijing as a teenager — Chock and Bates became the unofficial parents to their younger teammates, including Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, who finished fifth, and 11th-place finishers Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko.

Chock and Bates were the steadiest contributors of this year’s team gold medal run, winning both dance programs to win the second consecutive team Olympic championship for the United States, but struggled in previous individual Olympic events. In 2018, Chock suffered an ankle injury during the warm-up before the short dance. In 2022, she slipped and had an uncharacteristic fall.

But they haven’t missed a podium since that stumble. They were undefeated this season, placing first for both the rhythm and free dance portions of every competition. Until the individual Olympic short dance.

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, who paired together last year only after Fournier Beaudry’s longtime skating partner was suspended for sexual assault allegations, inched ahead by 0.46 points after Monday’s rhythm dance. It was a reversal from the team event, where Chock and Bates swept both the rhythm and free dance portions and led the qualifying round 91.06-89.98 over the French pair.

After the rhythm dance score for Chock and Bates flashed across the screen, her eyebrows shot up in surprise. Their coach Patrice Lauzon’s mouth dropped open. He furrowed his brow and cocked his head in confusion. While Chock and Bates smiled and waved to the crowd, Lauzon, who is also on the coaching team for Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, looked on with suspicion.

Chock and Bates did their best to leave no doubt Wednesday. Their enthralling matador and bull program set to “Paint it Black” eclipsed the season’s best they earned two days prior during the team event, but it wasn’t enough to earn elusive individual Olympic gold.

A SAUCY Valentine’s Day strip model Abbey Clancy had planned for her hubby Peter Crouch was dashed when he invited a chef to their home to cook for them.

The 40-year-old dressed in skimpy underwear and covered up with a mac, intending to make a big reveal.

But she was forced to swelter under the coat when the former Liverpool, Spurs and England striker arrived with the chef.

Abbey said: “That was the worst surprise ever because I got a gorgeous outfit from Agent Provocateur and just put it on with a coat on top.

“And Pete was like ‘Surprise! We’ve got a chef’.

“So I had to just wear my coat for the whole dinner — at home.

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“I had to wear my coat for the whole meal in my own house.

“And I was literally sweating because I was so worried.”

Asked if she was in a Burberry Mac, Abbey said: “Yeah, I was.

“That was highly embarrassing.

“And he kept asking ‘Aren’t you hot in that coat?’”

Peter, 45, eventually cottoned on to why Abbey would not remove her coat but by then was helpless to ask the chef to leave because it would have appeared rude.

He said: “He wouldn’t go away as well.

“You know when they come over and they want to explain the meal.

“It’s like ‘p*** off mate, will you’.”

Mum-of-four Abbey said Valentine’s nights indoors can be romantic too and couples should not feel pressure to always have a great meal out on February 14.

She added on their Therapy Crouch podcast: “That is nice, to stay in.”

It was not the first time Abbey had tried to woo Peter using the same tactic — although last time she was a bit more successful.

In November 2003 she told The Sun how she lured Peter home from training by picking him up in a car while wearing only a Burberry mac.

He said her teasing tactic “worked very well” — but that he is also very easily pleased.

Peter said: “It’s easy to surprise me.

“If I came home and you had no clothes on, it’d be the best surprise ever.

“It’s so simple and I’ll be so happy.

“I’m just being honest.”

Ashley Polson, from Swansea, recently climbed a famous mountain. Though he was happy to take on the trek, as was left floored after making an unexpected discovery at the top

Pen y Fan stands as one of Wales’ most beloved hiking destinations, drawing adventurers who’ve braved the ascent in all sorts of conditions. Ashley Polson, from Swansea, is among those who’ve experienced just how demanding the climb can be, having recently shared footage of his morning expedition.

Just days ago, he made his way to the Brecon Beacons to take in the views from the renowned peak, only to encounter an unexpected twist. Upon reaching the summit at 10am, he confessed it was “absolutely Baltic”, and that was merely the beginning of his tale.

Ashley isn’t alone in recording the challenges faced on the mountain. Only months earlier, another hiker revealed that Pen y Fan doesn’t always live up to expectations.

In footage posted to TikTok, Ashley remarked: “While you’re all tucked up in bed, in the warm, I’m up here. Pen y Fan. Oh my god, it is freezing up here.

“I’m up here today for a walk event, some people are running. I’m just walking, I’ve got my sticks. I don’t know if you can hear me, but that’s the top up there.

“It’s snowing. To be honest with you, I feel like I’m going to get blown off before I get back down. I was going to say lovely views up Pen y Fan, but it’s f*****g freezing. So yeah, lovely morning walk, great.”

Ashley cheekily titled his video “scenic walk up Pen y Fan”, seemingly poking fun at the reality that visibility was virtually non-existent. The weather conditions meant he was robbed of the panoramic views, with thick fog obscuring everything.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Fortunately, Ashley maintained his sense of humour throughout, appearing upbeat despite being greeted by nothing but a wall of mist instead of the anticipated scenery.

His clip clearly resonated with viewers, racking up hundreds of views. Many were quick to leave comments sharing their own experiences.

One viewer remarked: “I’ve been there. It’s so cold.” Meanwhile, another expressed Welsh pride, commenting: “At our doorstep.”

Ashley responded: “We’re lucky to have all this local.” It’s evident he takes pride in residing in such a stunning nation, though moments like these are undeniably amusing.

Ashley may be familiar to some, as he’s gained recognition for creating viral content about Wales alongside his brother. The duo regularly entertain online audiences with their comedic sketches and humorous footage.

Where is Pen y Fan?

For those unfamiliar, Pen y Fan rises to 886 metres (2,907 ft) and sits within the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. It holds the distinction of being the tallest peak in South Wales and southern Britain.

The location draws countless walkers thanks to its spectacular vistas and demanding yet manageable trails. A four-mile circular path proves particularly appealing to visitors.

In terms of difficulty, the trek ranks as moderately to seriously challenging. Walkers should expect sharp inclines, rocky ground and frequently waterlogged paths.

Although accessible throughout most of the year, its popularity means arriving during morning is advisable to dodge the masses.

KATIE Price has revealed a brand new tattoo on her shoulder just days after getting her new husband’s name inked.

The former glamour model, 47, stunned fans when she revealed that she had married businessman Lee days after meeting him.

The mother-of-five got hitched for a fourth time in a quiet ceremony in Dubai with no loved ones present.

It came just hours after Katie revealed they had got engaged, calling it a “wedding at first sight”.

Katie has since returned to the UK after without her new man, while Lee took to social media to dispel reports that their marriage wasn’t official in the eyes of the law.

Now Katie has showed off yet another new tattoo – and it’s huge.

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The media personality posted a picture of her revealing a new design on her left shoulder.

This is the latest inking to her massive collections.

Just a a few days ago, Katie revealed she had her new man’s name inked on her hand, while he had her name on his.

And earlier this month, the podcaster showcased her huge flower tattoo on her bum as well as horses on her forearm and stomach.

Her various leg inkings were also on display.

Katie wrote: “I absolutely love it!! Now that is what you call a piece of ART!”

When it came to her bum art, Katie said: “Tattoo round 3,” with a picture of her full behind peeking out from red tracksuit bottoms.

Earlier this year, Katie stripped naked to show off her tattoo-covered back and captioned the revealing shot: “Join my Onlyfans link in my bio,” referring to the X-rated online subscription service.

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Earlier today, Lee revealed the real reason he had not jetted back to the UK with Katie.

He said: “I’m going be meeting Katie tomorrow in the UK.

“I just need to wrap up a few things here.

“She had to get back for her children because she’s a good mother and she’s lovely like that.”

Despite currently being apart, a smiling Lee said that he and Katie “are so happy” and that more information would be coming out via their publicists in the coming days.

“Hey guys, how are you?” he began in a video posted on his Instagram Stories.

“So yeah, myself and Katie are legally married okay. I think you know that.

“No, I’m not a gigolo,” he added. “There is a press release going out.

“I wish,” he said of the gigolo nickname. “I would have got more money from it wouldn’t I, I don’t think those are the going rates in Dubai, but let’s look at it obtusely.

“So yes, I’m in Dubai, she’s in England,” he confirmed again of their current locations. “You’ll see us reunite.”

Before signing off, Lee made a brief swipe at online speculation over the couple’s wedding rings.

Some eagle-eyed fans claimed that Katie previously wasn’t wearing her diamond engagement ring and wedding band on the correct finger.

“Our rings are on the correct hand,” he said in the video, jokily adding: “Which is on the right hand, no I’m joking, it’s on the left hand.”

“And the tattoos still remain,” he added, flashing a glimpse of his Katie tribute inking on his hand.

The Sun understands Katie’s family, including her children, Princess and Junior Andre, had no idea she was getting married for a fourth time.

A source has exclusively told us that her loved ones are set to take action after growing alarmed by the quick nuptials.

“They’re planning on sitting down with her for a serious talk today,” the insider said.

“Everyone is worried she’s spinning out of control.

“They haven’t even met this man and if she’s only known him a week, he could be anyone.

“Nobody is planning to hold back.”