Took advantage of the 'calm before the storm' of the early weeks of June to take a day off work, using up some of the masses of extra hours I've done lately. Took the opportunity to get up late, waste time, and finally get around to contacting my mobile phone company to upgrade to a new handset.

The real business of the day however was to try to get some mileage in behind both sets of Wessex Trains' Class 31's - including a first ride on the newly repainted 'flying plum' liveried set.

Started with a run behind the surely cursed 143611 - slow running, and looped at Yatton - although this has happened to me several times previously on 2W20. Time to wander a bit at Temple Meads, then onto the 1252 Brighton service as far as Westbury. Lots of the usual faces aboard, many piling in at Bradford-on-Avon seemingly having done the early Weymouth turn. 31454 and 31128 running very smoothly.

A quick dash under the subway at Westbury and onto a jammed 153 back as far as Bath Spa. Time to wander a little in Bath, in the hope of finding some food and drink. Back to the station for the 1446 to Weymouth, running with Wessex liveried 31601 at the front. Both first and last carriages locked out of use - apparently the front is due to a fire onboard this morning! A solid run, but hampered by some track problems at Witham and slow running later. ETH fails too, meaning no lights or air-conditioning. Just like the old days of Crosscountry haulage - wedged Mk 2 stock with no aircon! Utterly pitch black through the tunnels too, much to the delight of excited children heading for the seaside.

Quick change of ends at Weymouth. Packed solid from here - stood all the way back to Temple Meads. Heavy loading and a late arrival means a late departure. Some passengers trying to make an 1820 connection from Castle Cary inspire the driver to attempt to make up time in style! Some really quick running throughout. Open vestibule windows and wonderful countryside wreak havoc with the hayfever however! Ventilation is welcome as the lack of air, plus lots of hot and bothered passengers has made the interior of the stock quite uncomfortable!

Connection at Temple Meads not as tight as I'd expected so grabbed a quick snap of 31601 before heading off to Weston. A long, tiring and hot day - but some good running.

Went to see my nephew this evening. In the couple of weeks since I last saw him he has grown a great deal. Still seems unbelievable that its only five weeks since the desperate panic around his birth. He seems to be a contented little fellow too, quietly sleeping through the raucous attempts of my entire family to wake him up!

Arrived at Highbridge & Burnham to find my train home cancelled due to a failed unit. Suspect it may have been the ailing 143611 from yesterday, as the weekday evening service is usually the preserve of these units. Pleasant evening to wait around and relax, following an initially frustrating exchange of calls with Wessex Trains. Later, they became much more helpful, and about an hour later (but still 45 minutes before the next train) a large green coach appeared. I was the only passenger from Highbridge to Weston, so I chatted to the driver - who has a rather nice little business doing tours around the UK and Europe which he enjoys so much he doesn't want to retire!

Ordered a couple of books to get me up to speed before The Literary London Conference, although how I will find time to read them at the height of the appeals season is debatable!