Today was always going to be a little odd. Finding myself ensconced in a curious little Premier Inn just outside Kenton Station, I wondered exactly how much of the booked route we'd actually manage today? Over the last week, the trip had been subject to all kinds of alterations - timings which had included the elusive East Putney section had appeared, and then been superseded by new plans which featured virtually none of the planned route. There was a sense of disarray, and that perhaps someone at Pathfinder had dropped the ball on this one? In any case, headed over rather early to the station to get the Overground as far as Watford. This allowed time to get coffee, run an errand to pick up newspapers for some Crewe-joiners who had been on board since 5am, and to drink coffee and chat on the platform. It soon became apparent though that something was up. Firstly, nothing came south trhough Watford Junction for quite a while. Next our train was announced as delayed due to "additional safety checks". Finally I got a call from the train, it seemed that pressure in a single-bore tunnel near Berkhamstead had pushed the windscreen of 37510 into the cab striking the driver. A pretty serious and sobering situation all round.

We waited, watching as 66232 sped north from Wembley to rescue the train, which was just a few minutes away from us by the time it limped into Berkhamstead. We even joked that if you had to have a failure, this was probably one of the better locations of the network in terms of depot access or alternative locos. However it took a long time to get moving, and then we went only as far as Wembley Yard. It had been planned to effect a run around here to have the locos in top and tail mode in any case, and doing so meant that the damaged end of 37510 was tucked against the stock for the rest of the day. Finally we were off, almost two hours late but assured that we would be doing almost all of the route as planned. However, the tour booklet which was quickly issued contained an amendment sheet - we wouldn't be doing quite the route which had been published at all.

So, there followed a series disappointments - some the unfortunate consequences of late running, but many others the results of odd decisions on the train or by signallers. After a trundle around North London and a reversal at Hornsey we proceeded to Barking, and passed through East Ham depot on one of the roads beside the very much locked down EMU Depot. This was about the limit of new track in the event, as we then headed into Fenchurch Street for a break. While I recognise the Crewe contingent had been on the train for a while at this point, I was surprised that the break was of the planned length more or less. When we set off again via Gas Factory to Bow Junction, then towards Stratford, it became apparent that a means of reducing delays was to omit track here - with Orient Way Sidings once again off the list, Temple Mills Loop was also removed and we sailed through completing a circle around the Channelsea Junction area before once again joining the North London line to head for Acton Wells and the link onto the Southern. There followed a rather dull spin out to Aldershot - rare track for a loco perhaps, but given the purpose of these tours it felt like much had been sacrificed already and that this part was the less interesting section where time could have been saved. The highlight though, was a storming high speed run back into London along the South West mainline. The high point of a very odd, irritating day indeed.

Back at London Bridge we took yet another full length break. Got some pictures and wandered around the station, much opened up by the changes to the gateline in the terminal platforms. The one consolation now was the spin around Selhurst depot to come - not new track for me, but interesting and diverting. However, just as we left it was announced that it wasn't going to happen. A defeated sounding Pathfinder employee explained that the whole visit was predicated on "someone knowing someone who was going to keep the place open" or something similarly intangible. Well, as we were still around an hour late despite the speedy run earlier and partly because of maintaining the breaks, "someone" had gone home. We reversed at East Croydon before taking the route back through to North London. The atmosphere on board was sombre - some making the best of having done new loco-hauled track, others trying hard not to blame the operator and feeling worried about the driver injured earlier - who it later transpired was fine, thankfully. But as I waited to disembark at Watford Junction a steward chirped "Had a good day?". I raised an eyebrow and he responded "Yes, but that poor driver - we did our best". I agreed to an extent, but pointed out a fair bit of the route had fallen out before the trip even turned a wheel. "Ah yes!" he exclaimed "But if you come on the next Buffer Puffer maybe we'll do Orient Way at last!".

I left the train feeling pretty angry. Would Pathfinder treat its dining customers on Easter Landcruises like this? Are rail enthusiasts expected to waive their consumer rights on the basis of the win-some-lose-some nature of tours? I think we treat it a bit like fishing - sometimes you get a bite, other times you don't - and mostly, this is part of the fun. However, when it starts to feel like trips are consistently advertised big, but deliver little it stops being fun. Thanks to that steward, and a set of circumstances which though unfortunate, were handled pretty poorly, I've lost confidence entirely in a company I've supported for years. Not a good day.

Today should have been a fairly simple proposition. Up a little later, feet still throbbing from yesterdays walking. Breakfast and check-out of the Waverley Hotel - it's been a pleasant and comfortable base. A little more expensive than usual but my old haunt was becoming less secure and more dangerous by the visit. In fairness, it seems some changes are taking place there so perhaps I'll be back? My train west is booked for a little after midday, so time to write up some notes over coffee before a leisurely walk to Kings Cross St. Pancras underground. Lets face it, my feet couldn't cope with much more than a leisurely pace today.

Arrived at the station, descended through the clean and spacious new booking hall and was about to step onto a train when everything started to go very wrong. The train was terminated and the Circle Line suspended due to signalling problems at Baker Street. Crossed to the other platform and hopped on an eastbound train. Soon heard that this too would terminate short. Knowing there was a fairly large bus terminus at Liverpool Street, hopped off there. Faced a nail-biting wait for a No.23 bus heading west. Once onboard, it was actually a fairly pleasant morning for a ride overground. Through the City, along the Strand and into the West End. Diversions around Piccadilly caused some difficult moments, but soon we were circling Marble Arch and heading onto Edgware Road. Sauntered into Paddington station roughly fifteen minutes before my train, feeling rather pleased with myself for swiftly calculating an alternative route.

I soon noticed however that the 1157 to Paignton was cancelled. As my eye followed the departure screens along, I noticed that my 1207 train to Bristol was also cancelled. In fact, everything going further than Hayes or Heathrow was cancelled. After a confusing couple of minutes, it was announced that due to a fire at a plastics factory near Langley the service west was suspended until further notice. Milled around for a while wondering what plans were likely to be put in place, and how long the service would be out of action. Eventually, it was announced that passengers should head for Waterloo via the Bakerloo Line. Tickets would be accepted on Sout West Trains and the Underground. Decided against the Bakerloo, given the huge crowds streaming into the Underground station. Noted the taxi rank was also overwhelmed. Decided to head for the buses once again, repeating a route I travelled a year or so ago. A short wait for a 436 heading for Vauxhall. Vauxhall with its new bus terminus, well-served mainline station and Underground links is now a fairly useful hub, and only a minute or so after I arrived, a Reading bound pair of Desiros crept into the platform. Squeezed myself on, much to the dismay of the passengers who were already packed tight. Resigned myself to a fairly uncomfortable ride home!

The suburban service to Reading is never fast, but this seemed to take forever. Once off the train, decanted through various crowd-control channels onto the concourse. Noted a late-running Bristol service which I was unlikely to get to in time. Brought some refreshments and returned to find the Bristol train still on the screen. Decided to head for the platform, if only to see what was happening. Found the train sitting with doors open and little sign of activity. Boarded and found a quiet seat in first class. I'd expected the train to be jammed solid, but everything seemed calm. Soon after we set off, via the Berks & Hants and Hawkeridge Junction, for Bristol. The only problem resulting from the delays seemed to be that the buffet staff were stranded at Paddington and the Train Manager was required to operate a makeshift complimentary beverage service.

Overall, I arrived home about two hours late. Given that I spent over an hour on a train from Waterloo to Reading, squeezed in a couple of bus journeys through the West End, and needed a lift from Weston-super-Mare given the terrible Sunday service Highbridge receives, I don't consider this bad at all. I won't be complaining about this one either - there is in all fairness, nothing much First Great Western could have done today!

Before the strange and unexpected work events of the last few weeks, the plan was to be in London for a long weekend to coincide with the Open House weekend. In the event, I decided to travel up today returning this evening. My plans had further altered as I was to meet some friends and lead a tramp through some of the places I felt were more interesting and less crowded. So I set out early, and travelled happily through autumn mists and sunshine. Arrived to find the Circle Line out of action, so headed to Blackfriars then to Kings Cross Thameslink. Time to kill until people arrived, so got a haircut from an Italian barber who was really very angry with Sven Goran Eriksson. Also time to buy perhaps the best bacon roll I've ever eaten practically next door to the station. My colleagues stepped off the train into a predictable Pentonville morning - a carpet of drunks and litter, but amazing sunshine and a slight chill - ideal walking weather. So we struck out towards the Fleet and to Clerkenwell via Exmouth Market. Unsure of how much of a guide I was expected to be, I hung back and apologetcally suggested decomissioned points of interest - The New River, Penton Mound, Coldbath Fields, The House of Detention. A fair observation - why was everything I remarked on no longer extant? A couple of sites visited here - the Marx Memorial Library and the Old Sessions House. Both provided interesting tours - and despite having visited before I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting.

The next stage was to strike out east, to St. Lukes on Old Street. After marvelling at the oddity of Hawksmoor's obelisk we stepped into a modern, ultra high-tech but not unsympathetic music space built for the LSO . The Gamelan was particularly interesting - a shame we didn't get to hear it played. Exchanged contrary views on Hawksmoor with the staff before leaving. Throughout our journey today his reputation took something of a battering.

After a walk down Whitecross Street, recalling associations with George Gissing and Workers in the Dawn, we turned east again via a pint at the Artillery Arms, and through Bunhill Fields to Wesley's House and Chapel. An interesting talk in the deserted chapel saw me expound on the significance of pelicans in Christian religious art - which I don't think anyone believed, followed by a strange conversation with the Mayor of Islington's driver. East and south now, with the intention of heading for Spitalfields - an area which one of my friends was casually researching. Approached via Shoreditch High Street, Bishopsgate and Brushfield Street for the maximum impact of Christ Church and its awe-inspiring frontage. A brief refreshment stop was enforced as I'd failed to account for people's personal needs, before exploring the church itself.

Perhaps I made a mistake in my next selection. After walking through the curious houses of Fournier Street and Wilkes Street, we joined the queue at 19 Princelet Street. A different clientele here to reflect the latest wave of immigration to wash over Spitalfields - the young profressionals. Whilst I think the building intrigued and appealed as much as it always does for me, the message behind its current usage was perhaps too politically motivated for others in the party. Perhaps they coped better with Marx and Lenin because they could pass them off as dead ideology? Things took a strange turn - as they always seem to in this part of the city. We escaped via alleyways towards Devonshire Square.

We were the last party to leave the slightly disappointing Osborne House - home of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies - not on my personal itinerary. There followed a long, rather surly search for beer. As the Open Houses began to close, so did the local facilities. Back west, into the city via Leadenhall, Bell Inn Yard and Cornhill. We looked for a particular view of St. Pauls recently described to one of our party, and finally found it in Watling Street where we rested and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the closing city.

After a quick visit to Paternoster Square and Temple Bar, time for a final pint at the Black Friar before heading back to Paddington for the last train home. Not quite the weekend, or indeed the day I had planned. Still interesting however, and proof positive that I am not a tour guide. When I can perhaps get my head out of the clouds and learn not to project my own strange meanings on to the City, I may find myself better able to explain it to others.

A sluggish start to the day. Finished packing in something of a hurry, and out to catch the 0912 to Bristol. Time for a decent coffee, then onto the 1010 to Paddington. The same loud bunch of homeward bound Londoner's followed me from one train to the next, finding their way into my coach too, providing for some high volume entertainment on the way. Arrived in London feeling tired and disconnected. Straight to the usual hotel, checked in and headed out.

The first afternoon is always odd - quite an adjustment to make. Reminds me how quiet a life I have at home. Plunged headlong into the maelstrom, with a long and not very well planned wander. It sort of ended up going from St George's church in Bloomsbury to St. George-in-the-East at Shadwell, but didn't quite make it. The route was a very strange one, but sort of described a boundary between the City and the less salubrious borderlands.

Walked quite a way, along Old Street and Great Eastern Street, ending up heading south though Shoreditch. Noted the East London Line extension works, and the remains of the Bishopsgate Goods Yard site. Sheltered from the rain in the Golden Heart, a refreshingly normal pub in the strangely fashionable neighbourhood. A couple of pleasant pints, then on southwards. Inexplicably felt the need to get to the river. Over Whitechapel Road and into the mess of tiny streets between Cable Street and The Highway. Stumbled accidentally across the remains of Wilton's Music Hall.

Reached The Highway. Never a comfortable street for me. Decided to head back to civilisation, and turned west again. Arrived back in the city at Tower Hill, and found All Hallows church open. Wandered in for a rest in the cool and quiet. A long walk back, seemingly against the tide of escaping City types, who had gathered in huge groups in Leadenhall Market. Exhausted and relieved to get back to the hotel. A strange outing really - felt like I was walking an uncomfortable line between the affluent and the struggling all the way. My painful foot, buzzing head and strange attitude didn't help the feeling of tension. Noted that despite not eating all day, I never let myself feel hungry until I arrived back in the City. As ever, reading too much into the territory. A strange start to what might be a very curious weekend.