Off on the first train out of Weston once again. Ramsgate plans in tatters, so settle for a day in London. November weather means that its barely light when we reach Paddington. Underground to Temple, then up to Strand and a wander along Fleet Street, looking for the courts and alleys mentioned in William Kent's "Walks in London". Brief look at St. Brides, then coffee on New Bridge Street.
Decided to visit the Museum of London, but took a rambling path north via the remains of Paternoster Square, Amen Court, and a visit to Stationers Hall which appeared to be under preparation for a banquet.
Spent hours in the museum, and frankly could have spent much longer - lots to see. Decided that since the rain had stopped, more wandering was in order. Headed for Guildhall (which was also decked out in flags and a large marquee) via the sites of a string of ruined or disappeared churches. Eventually headed for Smithfield via Pie Corner, and Farringdon for a train back to Paddington.
Nice journey home in First Class. Decided to go out for a drink on getting back, which started out well - but as happens so often when I decide to be sociable, ends in hand-wringing disaster!
Very early start. Out of Weston on the 0640. Pretty sleepy - even managed to doze part of the way to Paddington. The westbound Circle Line was in a mess due to signal failures at Tower Hill, so crept around to Victoria via Earls Court. Onto a slam-door unit (I never know how to figure out what kind, shamefully enough) for Hastings. Long slow journey due to line closure between Haywards Heath and Brighton which seemed to be causing some congestion around Three Bridges.
Once onto the coast, things ran a little smoother, but the weather was deteriorating. On arriving in Hastings at midday, it had barely managed to get light. What of hastings? Not unlike Weston in some ways - a little run down, a busy centre, the oft-repeated seaside town fault of making the main esplanade a primary route. Wandered a little, shopped for the new Belle & Sebastian single, tried in vain to find food - but found beer instead.
Headed back to the station, which was in a pretty awful mess, being half way through a reconstruction. Finally found my way to the platform for the 1333 to Charing Cross - a 375 unit. Very speedy run through ever darkening Kent countryside.
Hopped off at a drenched London Bridge. Explored Southwark Cathedral a little, and wandered around Borough Market. No sign of rain stopping, so headed over London Bridge and into the City. Got thoroughly soaked wandering to St. Stephen Walbrook, along London Wall to All Saints, and finally to Smithfield and a well-earned coffee in Cowcross Street. Circle still in chaos, so onto the Hammersmith & City at Farringdon, and hence to Paddington and home.
Long, wet and tiring day. Wandered around Weston a little, later on. Need to resist the urge to disappear again tomorrow...
Watched the rugby, as was my duty as an Englishman, but then decided that I was far too frustrated and agitated to stay indoors.
Toyed with various schemes before settling on a trip to Winchester. It was always going to be tight, setting out at 11:30 on a Sunday morning, but hopefully I'd get a brief look around.
All was well until I encountered unexpected engineering works meaning services were terminating at Westbury. Coach from Westbury to Salisbury, then a long wait for an SWT Brighton service to Southampton. Quick change onto a Basingstoke-bound service, eventually arriving at Winchester at 16:15.
Needed to work out how I was getting back pretty quickly, so paid the excess fare for a NOT LONDON route to replace my VIA SALISBURY ticket, and headed to Reading on Virgin's 16:28 for York, then back via Great Western metals.
Arrived back at 20:25, having spend a total of 13 minutes in Winchester! All-in-all, a successful day which diverted and exhausted me completely!
After yesterday's failed attempt at haulage to Brighton, and after a generally pretty frustrating week, things finally worked out this morning!
Up earlyish, and onto the 0812 to Bristol. Quick change for a Cardiff train, and finally chance to relax with coffee at Central.
Met a very pleasant old chap on the platform who was as interested in the ride up to Rhymney as I. In his own words he had 'left the wife shopping in town and told her to expect me when she sees me'. He told many similar stories on the drag up the valley, and provided some laughs and some rather sad memories for much of the outward journey.
37422 was in fine form, but sounded a little noisy when running round at Rhymney. I took a few pictures, but they did not turn out well.
Return journey to Cardiff was absolutely jammed with shoppers and a strange bunch of Geordies. Quick on time ride back to Weston.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
