Took a day off work today, ostensibly to get some random refuse which has been lurking outside the flat collected. Neither the usual rubbish collection, nor the recycling people are collecting from the house at present due to the state that a recently departed tenant left things in. So, called on friends to provide a vehicle and finally saw off bags of general rubbish, some dodgy sixth form art projects, and several broken televisions. Once the recycling goes next week, things should be back to normal.

Celebrated by getting a Wessex Rover and heading out with little idea where I was headed. First to Bristol, and straight up to Parkway. Then on to Newport. Wandered around, checking Godfrey Road for interesting activity - nothing much going on. Weather still appalling, services to the South West remained chaotic.

Decided to head for Westbury. 158817 absolutely jammed most of the way, and particularly between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. Wessex dire unit shortage is biting hard on this route.

Decided to head back to Bristol. The Portsmouth to Cardiff/Penzance arrived very late, very full and after splitting, very confused about its destination due to the trouble on the sea wall and futher West. Flagged it for the Weymouth-Bristol unit which followed. On arrival at Temple Meads, headed for the pub for a belated, low-key birthday drink.