Hi there, this is Matt Kelly, the editor-in-chief of the New European newspaper and one half of the

two mats podcast. Just before we get into the podcast, I want to run past you a proposal. I know that many

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Hello and happy Sunday. Happy Sunday one and all. Hope you're having a great one so

far. This is the two mats Q&A brought to you by the wonderful subscribers of the new European.

First question from Richard Bat in Preston, Lancashire.

And Richard asks, I was thinking of getting a train from Preston in Lancashire to Fishguard in Pembrokeshire.

A return with no concessions costs 169 of your English pounds.

Good God.

A friend just returned from a holiday in Marrakesh.

His return flight was 40 quid. What's going on?

Well, it's a really good question. And actually, what's even more absurd is that flights are now so cheap compared to train journeys that you can sometimes get to a UK city cheaper by flights

via a continental city than to take a train direct, which is obviously crazy on any number

of levels. I mean, it's absurd that people have to pay this amount of money just to get around

the country, but it's economically mad, it's bad for the environment. I mean, it's absurd that people have to pay this amount of money just to get around the country, but it's economically mad.

...