Another earlier start than perhaps I would have liked! Down to the station for the Torbay Express. Once again hauled by 60009 'Union of South Africa'. Hoping to get a better picture, but another very wet and overcast morning. Planned to take a quick shot and board the 0930 to Bristol. Typically, it didn't quite work out. Firstly the Torbay Express didn't arrive nearly as early as in previous weeks, however the Wessex units did. Normally this is a long string of stock moving from Exeter to Bristol, but today it was just a 150 and a 153, meaning that being in a good photographic spot would mean being a long way from the train. Since the train would get the road as soon as the Torbay Express cleared the junction, my plan wouldn't work! Boarded the train just as 60009 arrived, apparently in fine form! Large crowd waiting for the charter today, slightly less spectators no doubt due to the weather.

Had planned a quick wander up to Cheltenham - including a quick look at what was happening at Barton Hill, a wander around Temple Meads and finally getting me back to my parents place for a visit. Pleasant, quiet and uneventful trips. Not much of note happening.

After visiting, back on the train for a 'long way home' trip. Boarded a Penzance-bound unit as far as Taunton. Strange events on arrival. We arrived on the island platform 3 a little early - the only platform occupied. Next, there is some discussion between driver, guard and station staff. Then on a shunt signal, the unit left the station heading south. A couple of minutes later a Voyager passed on the platform 3 line at moderate speed. Another brief wait and the unit trundled back into view and called again at platform 3. The driver changed ends and it again left, for good this time! I should probably examine Quail Maps for any possible reason for this - very curious.

Home via a Voyager to Bristol and a rather packed 143620 back to Weston. Later, out to see the return steam service again - much too dark for pictures.

Despite feeling thoroughly dejected after a long and trying week, and I have to say a little physically under par too, managed to get up rather early. So, didn't have high hopes, but felt that I absolutely must get out and about.

Set out early, picked up a Rover and headed for Bristol on the 0809. Noted pet power car 43130 'Sulis Minerva' on the back. Time for a coffee, then aboard the 31's as far as Bath. Planned to get the 0945 Adelante back to Weston which was running a little late, so managed a quick walk into the city to get Peter Ackroyd's recently published new novel.

Back to Weston to pick up the first Holidaymaker special - 67003 on 1E99. I only needed one of the Class 67's out today, so not nearly as exciting as the past few weeks. Still, a pleasant and relaxing journey up to Bristol, and a chance to play with the camera a bit more in the hope of actually improving my photographs.

Onto 1V15 with 67001 - back from its not exactly glorious performance a few weeks back, as far as Exeter. Finally made telephone contact with friend currently in the midst of Florida's hurricanes on arriving at St Davids, and spent some time making calls to rearrange things here as a result of a delayed flight home. Much relieved. This passed some time waiting for 1V19, and 67015 - a new locomotive for me. Down to Paignton in strong sunshine along the sea wall. No time wasted on arriving, dodged holidaymakers, over the footbridge and onto the 1650 Paddington bound HST. Due to slow loading and unloading at several points, this service leaked minutes at a frightening rate! The driver made every effort to catch up however, and we fairly stormed some sections of the route, at what felt like very high speeds indeed.

Arrived at Westbury to find we'd missed the return working of the Weymouth 31's by a matter of minutes. Had wondered if we'd make it, but hoped the signal would be against them leaving Frome. Trudged dejectedly over to Platform 1 for a delayed 158 back to Bristol. Packed much of the way with people heading for nights out in Bristol and Bath.

Had aimed for the 2030 back to Weston, but spotted a 1955 Voyager on the screen. Waited, getting a few shots of the 31's shunting into the Platform 2 bays at Temple Meads. It soon became clear that the 1955 was in fact a phantom voyager! None of the staff could explain its presence in the system - very spooky! As we finally got underway, noted the twin 47's on the Eden Project Excursion train arriving on Platform 3 at Temple Meads.

Finally got back to Weston at 2102, very tired but a really good day which took my mind off work and the past week. Also much relieved that friends are all safe and well.

Blazing hot morning. Got up early to greet visitors, checked mail and dealt with a few chores around the flat, then headed out on the 1053 to Bristol, off for another session of Skip chasing. Started encouragingly with 67010 arriving slightly early at Weston.

Lingered at Bristol for the 1248 to Paignton, with 67006 doing the honours on 1V15. Temple Meads seemed strangely quiet today. Headed for my usual seat, and soon discovered why the front coach was near empty - no airconditioning, and a long hot journey from York! Explored some options for filling the time until 1V19 arrived including getting off at Dawlish and then back to Exeter on the Virgin HST, but decided the original plan of waiting at Exeter would at least present a chance to cool off and get a drink.

1V19 arrived on time, with 67002 in charge. Boarded for the short run to Paignton along the sea wall. Amazing sunshine, but again no airconditioning in the front coach. Began to wonder if this was some sort of anti-crank measure? Decided on a 'take no prisoners' approach to Paignton today! Refused to get bogged down in ruminations on Paignton visits of the past, and concentrated instead on working out how to get home. The timetable seemed to offer a connection into a Carmarthen bound service at Newton Abbot, but frankly I was sceptical. Tried the 1720 Wessex unit anyway, and soon discovered that the Carmarthen was only going as far as Exeter today. Waited at Newton Abbot for 1M28 which left Paignton at 1735 and would have been a simpler choice from the outset! Swift Voyager ride to Temple Meads, mercifully cooler than earlier trips today!

On arrival at Temple Meads, found southbound services in some disarray, with both an 1848 and 1900 service delayed. The 1848 Voyager arrived a couple of minutes after I did, so for fear of further delays I took the opportunity of a quick ride home. Overall, a successful day - managed to travel on three out of the four Class 67 hauled services and survived a trip to Paignton without psychological scars.

A day off, and a spare day on a Wessex Rover. Slept very late, and set off on the 1134 from Weston to Bristol. During the week, 31601 had developed a major generator fault and was back at Derby. The replacement, 31106 was sitting on the stock at Platform 4. However, early indications were not good - with a 158 arriving in Platform 15. A quick announcement later, and a dash over to Platform 5 saw me surface just as the stock arrived with 31452 at the front.

Set off steadily, and all seemed well. Mysteriously looped at Bathampton - I assumed at first due to the Great Western diversions, but an announcement confirmed that staff at Bath Spa had spotted smoke coming from 31106. A dragging brake was quickly diagnosed, and the luckily very knowledgable crew of cranks up front managed to persuade the driver that this was not fatal. Howver, carrying a delay of over 30 minutes at Westbury meant the train was unlikely to make it to Brighton today.

Much confusion and changing of plans from here onwards. Talk of Fareham (seemingly the driver's preferred option) and Worthing as places where the train could wait and reverse picking up the return service. A report of a lineside fire between Barnham and Chichester put paid to that, but opened a rich new vein of speculation towards Fratton or Portsmouth Harbour.

My own plan to go from Southampton Central to Weymouth and pick up the other set of 31s to Bristol was likely scuppered now, so decided to go ahead if Fareham or Portsmouth were our destination, but to hop off at Southampton otherwise. Since a reasonably certain Barnham was announced, alighted and took some extremely poor pictures of 31106. Noted 1544 Weymouth was ominously 'Delayed' with no report, so decided to head back.

Decided to go for the 1533 to Swindon, via Melksham. Regrettably the usual 153, but made for a bit of variety, and it was much quieter than the preceeding 158 to Cardiff had been! Typically, the warm day became truly stifling as the poorly-ventilated unit trundled slowly northwards!

Off at Chippenham to find the 1725 back to Weston slightly delayed by a medical emergency at Swindon. Explored a bit in the sun, remembering spots from previously wandering around Chippenham Folk Festival on serious pain relief with a broken arm! After boarding, noted a truly stupid fellow trying to force the door open as the train moved off because someone had run alongside trying to catch the train! The guard yelled pretty colourfully that he should stop, but this goon did his best to force the central locking. The driver slammed on the brakes, but the guard steadfastly refused to let the latecomer board and once the door was secure, the train once again moved off. Not a popular decision with some passengers, but I think he was entirely justfied.

Back to Weston about twenty minutes behind schedule. A strange day, but undeniably interesting!