Plunged headlong into a new week, and another meeting. This one however, had real and tangible results. We can now start getting on with work and turning piles of paper into preferences for 2005 school places. Its always a mixed feeling, a new cycle starting whilst the flapping threads of the last one refuse to fly away. To complicate things, had a brief meeting today which, despite being entirely expected, put the 'cat among the pigeons' to some extent. Cast in to competition - a situation I'm not comfortable with. A decade of government service puts me at a disadvantage where being competitive is concerned. Time to evaluate options, decide if I should fill in application forms, and generally start another (different) whole cycle over again!

Seem to be at a bit of hiatus in real life just now. A few minor things on the horizon, but mainly just coasting. Finding solace in reading as ever. Feeling an urge to study some more, but realistically this would depend on the future job situation - overcommitting myself would be a bad idea.

Interesting to note that the new American Music Club record will be released in the UK exactly 9 years and 363 days since I last saw them at Bristol University. Still, it will be a good birthday present!

England also rather convincingly won a test match.

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...