Something of a directionless weekend, having had an incredibly packed week here. Decided that it would be interesting to chase the Class 67s hauling the Holidaymaker Specials again. Particularly eager to get 67005 since I'd been denied the chance to get this from Cardiff to Gloucester back in May when a late Great Western service scuppered things. Since 'Queens Messenger' is expected to earn its keep when not hauling the Royal Train, I figured as a subject (however unwillingly) I was entitled to some haulage too.

Arrived at the station to find a huge slow-moving queue. I was just getting tickets when 67005 rumbled in - mercifully a few minutes early. Brisk trot to the front of the train for a seat behind the loco and a short run to Bristol Temple Meads.

The service lingered until 1204 at Bristol to relieve a following Voyager which was dangerously overcrowded. The specials were certainly more populous this time than on my journeys a couple of weeks back. Refreshments and pictures, then a wait for the 43094 on one of the late running, southbound Virgin HST specials. Despite ditching these workhorses for Voyagers, Virgin have hired back a couple for the summer. Soon enough onto the 1248 to Exeter and 67003.


Plan from here got a little hazy. Had heard all kinds of tales about 1V19 - that it had failed at Preston, that 47851 was hauling it to Warrington, and that the elusive 67001 had taken over. As it was running so late, there had seemed a possibility of scooting back up to Bristol, and using it for a return to Weston. Soon enough however, the screens at Exeter showed the 1548 as cancelled. Decided to hop onto the next northbound service.


Firstly however, had to wait for a late running Paddington HST. Noticed my pet tram, 43130 on the back of the packed ex-Newquay service so I went for the photo opportunity.


With 'Sulis Minerva' safely off to London, the 1420 Penzance-Glasgow arrived. The crush of surfboard wielding boys and bikini-clad girls was overwhelming. Happily flagged this, for a trusty pair of 143s on the 1436 to Cardiff. Never thought I'd be so happy to see a Donkey on a reasonably long distance service!

Glad to see that the Summer Saturday traffic remains busy, but not convinced the Voyagers are helping to solve the capacity problems from Cornwall to the North. Can't help but feel that more, longer locomotive hauled trains would fare better...

The last day of my trip. Always sorry to leave and this time perhaps moreso, but after checking out of the hotel and performing my morning coffee ritual, I had several hours to play with. Had a vague plan held over from Thursday to get out to Spitalfields, and now the opportunity to play 'tour guide' too. Decided to head North to Kings Cross in the hope of dropping off luggage and making a quick hop East to Liverpool Street by train. Scuppered by engineering works meaning trains were missing the stop at Kings Cross St. Pancras. Hot, sweaty and still carrying luggage, turned South again and found solace in more coffee on Exmouth Market.

Soon off again, to Farringdon and then on to Liverpool Street. Had decided having read 'Rodinsky's Room' by Iain Sinclair and Rachel Lichtenstein, that a visit to the Princelet Street Synagogue would be interesting if only to add to the atmosphere of the book. Along Fournier Street beside the always impressive mass of Christ Church, and into 'Bangla Town' and Brick Lane. The markets meant a mass of people, moving slowly. Struggled around the corner into the surprisingly quiet and rather serene Princelet Street. Soon found No. 19 and took a picture for posterity, much to the amusement of some young locals nearby.

Back into Brick Lane and to Shoreditch station. Since this station is open only at peak hours and for the Sunday markets, I'd never used it. So, caught a train and decided to stay on under Brunel's original Thames Tunnel to Rotherhithe. Wandered about a little, finding my way to the river and enjoying views across to Wapping in the sunshine. Explored a bit more, and found the other end of the Rotherhithe Tunnel (having almost wandered into the northern portal in Limehouse some time back). Rotherhithe seems to be trapped between tunnels.

Back on the train to Whitechapel. Surfaced briefly for refreshments, then on to Monument. Finally got some reasonably good pictures of St. Mary Woolnoth for a future gallery here, then went on a long circuit of the City, south to the River, along Queen Victoria Street and finally for a well earned pint on Fleet Street, the end of my stint as an unofficial guide, and reluctant goodbyes. Still hadn't deposited my luggage anywhere! Decided to press on along Strand to Somerset House, completing a circuit of sorts from where I began last night.

Pretty exhausted, so headed back to Paddington for food and a break before my train home. Considering it was a mainly unplanned day, had a very pleasant and productive walk - getting to places which I'd meant to visit for a while, and having the time to linger in spots which I'd discovered by accidents.

A quick dash across Bloomsbury from Senate House, down Kingsway, over Aldwych and to Somerset House in time to join the queue and obtain an additional ticket. Wonderful and strange to be able to walk to a concert, rather than the usual effort of arranging trains or persuading someone to drive. An incredible venue, the majority of the square being devoted to the show. The weather, which had been rather threatening, turned pleasant, and even the plague of flying ants which seemed to be roving the banks of the Thames gave up once we were inside the compound. Noticed Professor Sandhu (the final keynote speaker from the conference) arriving too - excellent taste, these academics!

Purchased vastly overpriced beer (even by London standards) and settled in for the music. The Shins were up first - pretty, clever power-pop stuff. I have one of their records, and like it a lot. They were a bit lost out here, but they had a great time and the audience seemed to like it.

Having seen Belle and Sebastian back in December I sort of knew what to expect, but they confounded me entirely with a strange set! Kicking off with the first four songs from 'Tigermilk', they confessed they only stopped because no-one remembered 'Electronic Renaissance'. Quite a bit of the most recent album, along with the usual surprises - including 'I Know Where The Summer Goes' and Stevie Jackson's take on 'Blue Suede Shoes' (after which he apologised to Elvis Presley).

A complete string quartet helped the sound to fill the venue, and was used to excellent effect on 'Lord Anthony' and 'If You Find Yourself Caught In Love' among others. As always I've completely forgotten the set-list, but another high point has to be 'Piazza, New York Catcher' with just acoustic guitar and Stuart's voice.

Somehow, the band wasn't quite as sharp as the Bath show, but a longer set with some unusual song choices, lots of banter from the stage, and an incredible setting more than made up for this. Left Somerset House happy, for a pleasant meandering walk home just as most of London seemed to be coming out to party - I must be getting old...

Another early start to avoid the legendary Cosmo Breakfast, which I have previously and accurately described in politically incorrect terms which are not really suitable for publication. Very good coffee elsewhere however, then back to Senate House for today's papers.

Started with some papers on unfamiliar authors for me - E.M. Forster and J.B. Priestly. The Priestly paper in particular, given by Ken Smith was inspiring - another addition to the reading list in 'Angel Pavement'. Then, two panels of papers on 'Sinclair, Ackroyd and Moorcock'. This was a gamble for me, and it seemed odd to be watching people squabbling academically about living, breathing authors! This particularly came to head when questions were invited on a paper regarding 'The Blakean Legacy in Sinclair'. A smartly dressed and hitherto quiet member of the audience turned out to be slightly more intimately connected with the text than expected, which of course meant trouble, and an invitation to continue the discussion privately!

The papers broadly confirmed my expectations - lauding Sinclair, vilifying Ackroyd and (almost) ignoring Moorcock. That said, the papers on Sinclair were pretty incisive, gripping stuff. He seems to infuse his critics with the essence of his writing! One paper defended Ackroyd's historical writing somewhat, and after early accusations of Conservatism he was later described as a "romantic anti-capitalist" - an epithet I rather liked. It was however, very encouraging to see these writers being discussed in serious terms, and it filled me with enthusiasm for my own, far less significant projects which is always a good thing! A final Plenary session ended the conference, with Professor Sukhdev Sandhu speaking on 'Chinese Writing in London' with particular emphasis on the original Chinatown in Limehouse.

My only regrets are the papers I couldn't get to - particularly the one on Christ Church, Spitalfields - a favourite spot of mine. I can't quite describe how incredible and life-affirming the last couple of days have been. Its rare you get the chance to talk obsessively about one of your passions among people who firstly understand you, and secondly have a whole pile of things to tell you which you'd never have discovered on your own. Having strayed from the academic path somewhat, I rely on these events to keep me on the straight and narrow to some degree.