A slightly late start, and into one of those days where things just seem to go wrong. Firstly, the ticket office issued my CDR to Rhymney for tomorrow, which gave me all kinds of awkward moments throughout the day. Next, I ended up with sugar in my coffee and an almost inedible breakfast. At some point things just had to turn around...
And they finally did as 47839 left Canton and began to creep towards Platform 6 at Cardiff Central. I had gambled on this loco working the 10:59 having seen no concrete gen, and it paid off. Station staff with a sense of occasion, not to mention a sense of humour switched off the auto-announcer to call the '10:59 Spotter Special to Rhymney with a shiny blue 47 on the front'. Cranks filled almost all of the front coach on the way up the valley.
As we left Cardiff the weather began to turn, and as the skies darkened a downpour began which was to last most of the trip. The locomotive performed wonderfully all the way, with some very spirited running and some quick starts. Spotted a few faces from the very dim and distant past around the valley today. Off at Rhymney for a photocall in the rain, with some impatient types heading off the platform end to the foot crossing, much to the disgust of the lurking Heddlu Trafnidiaeth Prydeinig - clearly our arrival was anticipated! A swift but not entirely heartfelt ticking off was delivered and things went on much as before.
As ever, the ride back down to Cardiff was much busier with normals heading for the shops. Didn't hang around at Central since the rain was still pouring down. Bumped into friends on the platform at Weston and passed the time until their train arrived. I can't actually remember ever being in Rhymney when it hasn't rained...
I've had strange and turbulent long weekend. Once again booked the leave at quite short notice and found myself desperately trying to find cheap tickets to get away. Having settled on a separate trip on Friday and Monday rather than a weekend break, I looked forward to getting away during what was a pretty tough week at work. So I found myself yawning and swearing my way to the station early on Friday morning, having had yet another work related sleepless night. Took me quite a while, and a lot of coffee to get going.
So, Friday was Nuneaton. I spent a little time here on my last Rover - in rather bizarre weather conditions, and had planned to visit again for some time. Today however, the sun was shining as I took up my spot at the north end of the station. I soon realised however that I wasn't in the greatest place for clear photography, and I think I might head for the south end next time - to join the crowds of enthusiasts with their deckchairs! Still a bit preoccupied, but I soon settled into the parade of Pendolinos, and enjoyed a reasonably busy few hours with lots of passing freight to divert my attention.
Finally managed to get my mind off work and relax later into the afternoon. Packed up to leave a little after three, and made my way to the new Leicester-line platforms after grabbing a coffee from the pleasant little station tearoom. Arrived in time to watch 66405 pass by on 4M44 - the near legendary 'Malcolm' train, which I thought I might miss today. Noticed that the unexpected sunshine had left me looking a little pink. Uneventful and sleepy trip home, with lots of reading en route.
Found myself at something of a loose end on Saturday morning, so after another poor night of sleep and a late start I decided to head for Temple Meads to see if anyone was out watching the summer specials. Arrived to find a pair of 67s on the Pride of the Nation stock. Wandered into my customary spot and chatted for a while to some of the regulars. Slight gloom cast over the day by a rather overzealous member of staff threatening to eject us for little real reason. Moved over to a different platform to avoid trouble, and watched the remainder of the HSTs arrive. Back to Highbridge for a PC fixing visit to my sister and a pleasant evening at my parent's home.
A better sleep, and something of a better start to Sunday. Up later, and out to Highbridge station to see my first Torbay Express this year. 6024 thundered through a station full of spectators dead on time. Most impressed by the crowds at Highbridge.
Back to Weston, and just as I thought my day was going well I got into a stupid argument about a worn five pound note at my local shop. Felt extremely resentful that I was accused of tampering with the note. Everything got a little out of hand, despite me remaining calm and sensible. Won't be going back there - but decided to write to inform One Stop's head office of my experience. Will need to find somewhere else to pay for electricity. Out later in the evening to watch the return working of the Torbay Express under a golden sunset.
Woke early again on Monday, determined to shake off the strange gloom which had dogged me all weekend. Similar trains to Birmingham, then a quick change for Stafford. Arrived in bright sunshine, finding quite a few other enthusiasts around. Had remembered to apply sunscreen this time, luckily. Quiet to start, with 57309 pottering back and forth before settling into the bay platform for the day. Noted a number of the new Desiro sets working, and a pair passing on frequent high speed tests.
Whilst things weren't quite as busy as at Nuneaton, there was perhaps a little more variety. Weather remained excellent all day, and I managed finally to forget all the frustrations and fall-out of the previous week. Once again, the infamous 'Malcolms' arrived somewhat early, led by 66406.
Caught a late running Virgin Manchester-Birmingham service back, with 90020 on the rear. Diverted via Bescot due to problems at Galton Bridge. It was hard to hide my joy at locomotive haulage around a diversionary route from a train full of angry passengers. Slow, but interesting run into New Street without air conditioning. Negotiated a bit with Virgin about having missed my connection, but aside from standing all the way home no major problems. A memorable ending to a strangely muted weekend on the rails.
A note on the title
Apart from being quite accurate, this article is named in honour of B S Johnson. Having read and enjoyed several of his novels, I finished reading Jonathan Coe's biography Like a Fiery Elephant this weekend. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable but affecting books I've read for a very long time. Both Johnson's novels and Coe's biography are highly recommended.
Feeling very sleepy after a long but entertaining weekend. Straight from work on Friday to Bristol. Checked in at the Holiday Inn and wandered into town. Fish and chips at Pellegrinos then a pint or two at the Old Fish Market, before retiring early to prepare for Saturday's early start.
Checked out a little after 04:00 and after a hurried breakfast, across the street to Temple Meads to find 67030 awaiting our 05:00 departure for Edinburgh. Just before our departure, 37401 and 37427 arrived to take the 'Snowdonian II' tour up to Pwhelli. Nowhere near enough light under the roof at Temple Meads for a picture. Off on time, with 67030 in apparently fine form. Quite a bit of confusion with the normals and excursionists with two tours arriving at stations en route a matter of minutes apart. Despite lots of clear announcements, at least one gentleman in our carriage managed to get haulage behind both the 67 and the 37s!
Last pickup at Birmingham, now in daylight. Our end of the buffet carriage became quite sociable from here, with some fellow enthusiasts and a pleasant couple from Birmingham off to shop for model locomotives and jewellery. Some spirited running on the way up to Edinburgh, with notable sightings including a quartet of Thunderbirds at Crewe. With a team effort, managed to work out quite a bit of what remains abandoned at Springs Branch too.
On arrival made a quick survey of the oddly shaped Waverley station complex. Headed out into town, but noted from a bridge what appeared to be a 37 arriving. An ill-advised high speed dash down a slippery staircase and into Waverley in time to see 37261 backing onto 37197 and the stock of the Royal Scotsman. Waited to see this incredibly opulent train depart, with the verandah of its observation car already packed with inebriated looking posh passengers.
Spent the few hours we had available wandering the town, people watching on Princes Street and watching activity at the station. First Scotrail staff varied between the extremely friendly and the downright hostile, but generally had a productive afternoon including a quick spin out to Haymarket just for fun. Back to Platform 20 in time for the return of our stock, again headed by 67030.
Some very quick running on the return. Settled down to enjoy the company and since we were at the back of the buffet car, handy supplies of Spitfire and Bishop's Finger. Amazingly however, I can confirm that no alcohol at all was consumed by the two people in the following picture:
Enjoyed the day so much that I decided to book on a similar excursion to York at the end of August. Once again this one calls at Weston, so I feel duty bound to book and support it. Arrived back at Temple Meads a few minutes early, to find the station reverberating to the sound of the tractors which had successfully completed their jaunt to the Cambrian Coast. A sleepy lift home to my parents place thanks to my father. A fun day among pleasant people.
Its become a tradition that around this time of year, the bulk of the bulk appeals out of the way, I will head for a conference. Each year I feel somewhat intellectually dwarfed by my co-delegates, and to some extent I question if I should be there. But every year so far I've come away with the conviction that even a slow-moving autodidact like me has a place at these events.
So once again the Literary London conference was revealing, reassuring and enlightening. Firstly, its always a relief to be among people who regard London with the same mixture of interest, awe and curiosity as I do. Also, its amazing to hear how people are reading the city. Finally, I've once again come away with a much expanded reading list - fuel for another year. The truly multidisciplinary mix of literature, history and topography produces some unusual but entertaining results - Professor Stanley Wells' paper on 'Thomas Dekker - Londoner' being one of those moments where things come together in the most unexpected of ways.
It was always going to be strange, being so close to London and discussing its representation in literature so soon after the events of recent weeks - especially so when considering the mythologising of the blitz and suchlike. The scorching streets of Kingston and Surbiton seemed, of course, very far away from any sort of threat. Despite some concerns about its potential for interest, the conference theme of 'The Suburbs' made for some of the most interesting material. Professor Elizabeth Wilson's opening plenary 'The Painted Backdrop of the Suburb' set the tone for discussion of the suburb as a contested, creative space, challenging our usual view. Other views on the theme included a fascinating look at the history of the uniquely British semi-detached house, and a suprising account of T S Eliot's contribution to the effort to ensure new suburbs had Anglican churches.
Once again found myself most comfortable in the 'London in the 1930s' panel. Papers on George Orwell, Patrick Hamilton and John Betjeman were all thoroughly interesting - and added to my understanding of a decade which my work on William Kent is opening up to me. I was also looking forward immensely to the final plenary - Julian Wolfreys on 'The Tortured Geography of the Night World'. I confess much of it bewildered and confused me at first. I set about making copious notes, and now I think I grasp Professor Wolfreys ideas better. A strange and haunting set of ideas on which to end the conference.
Left the campus in blazing sunshine, found much needed coffee and caught the train to sleepy Shepperton, home of J G Ballard. Pottered around aimlessly for a while, mulling over the conference before heading back to Surbiton for beer and food.
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.
