I couldn't resist it - woke up much later than planned after the first decent sleep in days, and the first time I couldn't see rails zipping past when I closed my eyes. Bustled around. Had good intentions to clean up, prepare for the week ahead, and try to write some addition bits of movebook code...

However, I became curious just what had changed at Filton Abbey Wood, and instead resolved to wander up and check. Caught 1015 from Weston, and had a very pleasant journey in remarkably summery weather. Not much had changed from Friday at Filton, but work continues. Some junction signals appear to be up, and covered out of use. Little in the way of trackwork, which it was my (perhaps mistaken) assumption that the posession was all about.

Paused at Parkway, enjoying the sun and chatting to some fellow passengers on their way to Weston. Back by 12:30. Shopped and cleaned up a bit. Decided to laze around for awhile.

Later, went to the Brit for combined birthday/leaving parties. Marginalised and distracted, I'm amazed I lasted as long as I did. Chatted with a variety of people I'd not seen for some time, and enjoyed greatly one or two conversations, which made for a more pleasant evening. Remain convinced however that Gissing probably had it right all along as regards these socials - some of us just aren't very good at them. Wish I'd come to the same conclusions some years back - which would have perhaps saved me from years of desperately wondering why I wasn't having fun! Taking things on my terms, as I did tonight, made for a far happier experience.

Some statistics: 950 miles in a very confined area, costing around 3 pence per mile - remarkable weekend...

As planned, set out to do the Great Western diversion - with South Wales bound services going via Stroud and Gloucester as the tunnel was closed. Comparatively late start from Weston, and a nice quiet run out to Swindon. A quick same-platform change to a Swansea service, and the sun comes out once again in the Stroud Valley!

Swift running to Newport, and chance for coffee at last. Newport is eerily quiet - combination of Sunday services and nothing much running through the tunnel. Flagged a Great Western going back the way I came, and settled on an Arriva stopper to Gloucester which gave me more chance to enjoy views of the castle in Chepstow and to catch a glimpse of preserved 73002 at Lydney.

Gloucester was a little busier, and allowed me the chance to relax in the sunshine for a while before getting a Wessex service back to Bristol. Chatted briefly to the driver before departure. We were scheduled to go via Hallen once again (seventh time around the diversion for me!). This time we were due to call at Clifton Down too, but the Bristol crew who took over at Parkway clearly had other ideas, and once again we skipped this additional stop. A sleepy and rather too warm journey, but pleasant nonetheless.

Wandered around an almost deserted Temple Meads for a while. Contemplated a trip out to Salisbury, but concluded that this would give me endless difficulties and tricky connections later. Resolved instead to take a short break, then reschedule my Monday visit to my parents in Highbridge.

Turned up at the station in time to watch the 1837 train to Highbridge get later and later - eventually arriving 43 minutes down due to a failure in Bristol Getting back however was painless, and I later calculated that in over 900 miles - many of them over congested diversionary routes, this was my only real problem!

Very sleepy - its been a long weekend.

Diversion day. I'd been looking forward to this for some time. The freight-only line between Hallen Marsh Junction and Filton is rare. I'd always wanted a journey down here, so near to home but so impossible to travel! So, what was to most of the travelling public an inconvenience was to me a very welcome diversion indeed.

Set out early - counting on busy trains later, with fellow cranks making up some of the numbers. Got the 0850 to Newport, and spent a very pleasant journey chatting to a gentleman interested in the diversion, on his way to the Gwilli Railway in West Wales. Weather was nowhere near as clement as yesterday, and a sinister mist hung over the grain elevators and petrol tanks of Avonmouth. Interesting to see the countryside between Hallen and Filton from a new angle, passing Filton airfield, and the site of a regrettable railway-sleeper theft incident of some years back!

From Newport to Cheltenham, and an abortive attempt to buy provisions at a convenience store where debit cards were inconveniently unnacceptable today! Cheltenham to Bristol via the small part of line between Stoke Gifford and Filton West Junction was uneventful if rather jammed, and very slow. Apparently, the Voyagers were not permitted to cross on the curves of the line, and we were held awaiting a pilotman for part of the journey.

Another trip out to Parkway in the hope of getting a diverted Great Western via Gloucester, but nothing doing - so back to Temple Meads in a friendly Voyager buffet car, with an interesting talk comparing various stock - including some input from a Midland Mainline steward who is concerned he'll be too tall for the new 'Meridian' units! Time for one last round trip to Newport, just to ensure I got to travel everything in both directions. This is an indication of how sadly obsessive I am becoming. On the final return leg, finally caught sight of Concorde in its resting place, hard by the top of the embankment.

So, long awaited diversions thoroughly bashed. Despite being exhausted, I'm looking at the Great Western diversions tomorrow - which would keep Monday free for the local Birthday/Going Away celebrations.

I am convinced I'm utterly bonkers these days. In particular, my co-workers are wondering what has sparked this sudden need to travel by train. Only a select few of them of course being aware of my hobby going back a good few years!

Holidays! A four day weekend means a chance to travel. Planned to bash the Bristol diversions tomorrow, so purchased a 3-in-7 Severn, Avon & Wessex Rover. Plan to get as much out of it as possible.

Set off with no plans whatsoever - since I'd revisited lots of routes on the same ticket earlier in the year, I felt no burning need to be anywhere. Weather was fantastic, a bright and warm spring day. Found myself at Gloucester, waiting for a wander along the Stroud Valley. Almost summer-like on the southern slopes of the Cotswolds.

From Swindon back to Bristol, just in case the Class 31s ran. They were out yesterday as today was a Bank Holiday, but dare not miss out. They didn't run, but my journey back to Bristol was on 43130 Sulis Minerva. I used to chase this one around years back, and I was surprised I hadn't seen it in recent times. I'd even perused lists of withdrawn and stored stock in fear it was for the scrapheap or something! Also very pleased to see that it had retained its nameplates despite being repainted into FirstGroup livery.

A quick blast down to Westbury to see 31128 - newly arrived and out yesterday much to my dismay! Thence Taunton, and a quick out and back trip to Newport to see what was happening at Filton in view of tomorrow's blockade. Work seems to be progressing - platform footings are almost in, trackwork ready for laying, signal posts lying ready for erection. Going to be a busy weekend by the looks of things.

Exhausting day. Met people in the pub later, and yawned my way through a couple of pints. Hungry and tired on getting home.