A rather cloudy and overcast morning. Not the best for photography, but nevertheless set off for the station to see 60009 on the Torbay Express. Stopped at the station doors by revenue protection staff, who seemed slightly amazed and rather offended that the majority of people passing through had just come to see the steam locomotive. Largest crowd I've seen at Weston for some time.

Wandered with the departing crowds over to the supermarket, where another large crowd awaited its opening time. Chatted to an acquaintance for a while, and generally hung back whilst the desperate looking multitude rammed trolleys and bumped baskets in an attempt to be first to the checkouts.

Tidied and read for awhile, and did some further work on Areopagitica. Still no release for all those who keep asking, and frankly there is unlikely ever to be one as the more shamefully convoluted the code becomes, the less inclined I am for the outside world to see it. Also noted an announcement of GNOMEfiles.org. Dutifully listed a couple of current projects, and watched the usage stats for mikegtn.net take an uncharacteristic leap!

Back to the station for the return Torbay Express, which was running somewhat early. Bumped into some of the usual suspects. A dull, wet evening with no light. Couldn't get the camera - which is still very new to me - to work at all how I'd hoped, so no pictures worthy of keeping. Fiddling with the Olympus on the way back, accidentally figured out how to adjust for light and took some stunning pictures of the car park.

Blazing hot morning. Got up early to greet visitors, checked mail and dealt with a few chores around the flat, then headed out on the 1053 to Bristol, off for another session of Skip chasing. Started encouragingly with 67010 arriving slightly early at Weston.

Lingered at Bristol for the 1248 to Paignton, with 67006 doing the honours on 1V15. Temple Meads seemed strangely quiet today. Headed for my usual seat, and soon discovered why the front coach was near empty - no airconditioning, and a long hot journey from York! Explored some options for filling the time until 1V19 arrived including getting off at Dawlish and then back to Exeter on the Virgin HST, but decided the original plan of waiting at Exeter would at least present a chance to cool off and get a drink.

1V19 arrived on time, with 67002 in charge. Boarded for the short run to Paignton along the sea wall. Amazing sunshine, but again no airconditioning in the front coach. Began to wonder if this was some sort of anti-crank measure? Decided on a 'take no prisoners' approach to Paignton today! Refused to get bogged down in ruminations on Paignton visits of the past, and concentrated instead on working out how to get home. The timetable seemed to offer a connection into a Carmarthen bound service at Newton Abbot, but frankly I was sceptical. Tried the 1720 Wessex unit anyway, and soon discovered that the Carmarthen was only going as far as Exeter today. Waited at Newton Abbot for 1M28 which left Paignton at 1735 and would have been a simpler choice from the outset! Swift Voyager ride to Temple Meads, mercifully cooler than earlier trips today!

On arrival at Temple Meads, found southbound services in some disarray, with both an 1848 and 1900 service delayed. The 1848 Voyager arrived a couple of minutes after I did, so for fear of further delays I took the opportunity of a quick ride home. Overall, a successful day - managed to travel on three out of the four Class 67 hauled services and survived a trip to Paignton without psychological scars.

A day off, and a spare day on a Wessex Rover. Slept very late, and set off on the 1134 from Weston to Bristol. During the week, 31601 had developed a major generator fault and was back at Derby. The replacement, 31106 was sitting on the stock at Platform 4. However, early indications were not good - with a 158 arriving in Platform 15. A quick announcement later, and a dash over to Platform 5 saw me surface just as the stock arrived with 31452 at the front.

Set off steadily, and all seemed well. Mysteriously looped at Bathampton - I assumed at first due to the Great Western diversions, but an announcement confirmed that staff at Bath Spa had spotted smoke coming from 31106. A dragging brake was quickly diagnosed, and the luckily very knowledgable crew of cranks up front managed to persuade the driver that this was not fatal. Howver, carrying a delay of over 30 minutes at Westbury meant the train was unlikely to make it to Brighton today.

Much confusion and changing of plans from here onwards. Talk of Fareham (seemingly the driver's preferred option) and Worthing as places where the train could wait and reverse picking up the return service. A report of a lineside fire between Barnham and Chichester put paid to that, but opened a rich new vein of speculation towards Fratton or Portsmouth Harbour.

My own plan to go from Southampton Central to Weymouth and pick up the other set of 31s to Bristol was likely scuppered now, so decided to go ahead if Fareham or Portsmouth were our destination, but to hop off at Southampton otherwise. Since a reasonably certain Barnham was announced, alighted and took some extremely poor pictures of 31106. Noted 1544 Weymouth was ominously 'Delayed' with no report, so decided to head back.

Decided to go for the 1533 to Swindon, via Melksham. Regrettably the usual 153, but made for a bit of variety, and it was much quieter than the preceeding 158 to Cardiff had been! Typically, the warm day became truly stifling as the poorly-ventilated unit trundled slowly northwards!

Off at Chippenham to find the 1725 back to Weston slightly delayed by a medical emergency at Swindon. Explored a bit in the sun, remembering spots from previously wandering around Chippenham Folk Festival on serious pain relief with a broken arm! After boarding, noted a truly stupid fellow trying to force the door open as the train moved off because someone had run alongside trying to catch the train! The guard yelled pretty colourfully that he should stop, but this goon did his best to force the central locking. The driver slammed on the brakes, but the guard steadfastly refused to let the latecomer board and once the door was secure, the train once again moved off. Not a popular decision with some passengers, but I think he was entirely justfied.

Back to Weston about twenty minutes behind schedule. A strange day, but undeniably interesting!

Finally managed to complete a job application form in time to send it, without dithering and wondering if 'the grass is always greener' and all the usual misgivings appearing. For the past few years, for obvious reasons, I've avoided change or upheaval at work wherever possible - not a simple task in our turbulent office. The idea of a future stretching ahead with more of the same, and more decent people sacrificed to defend one or two shaky reputations frightened me into action.

Sad thing is, and I know I'm repeating myself here, I really enjoy my work. I also work with some very good people. I suppose the important consideration is that I spend huge slabs of time at work, and it needs to be more of a challenge and less of an assault course.