An absence of trains

I spent all three days of last (bank holiday) weekend at work.

The weather was great.

I could think of a thousand things that I could have done that would have been more enjoyable than being stuck in a Soho office, while everyone else was off enjoying themselves.

Anyhow, the consequences are that I haven't been to work since Wednesday.

The Sun Gods have been good. My garden is looking all the better for a little attention. I am now enjoying the weekend in deepest Hampshire, living life in the fast lane with family while enjoying the company of a new spotted member of the family.

The rat race resumes tomorrow.

Beldlow Village Hall

During the weekday peak services, Chiltern Railways' train services are served by an occasional Buslink service between Chinnor and Princes Risborough.

Bledlow is a small and picturesque village along the route.

The only thing is that the automated departure announcements at Princes Risborough station clearly announce one of the bus stops as "Beldlow Village Hall".

More than a little careless?

Live blogging on the Underground doesn't work

First of all, you have to follow up disruption news - for a sporadic blogger this is a pain.

Secondly, most of the stuff that matters to people happens, by definition, underground. This means that Live Blogging isn't live at all as only a tiny proportion of the stations with platforms below street level have effective mobile coverage.

Thirdly, the tfl website is far better at it than me.

Lastly, it is really boring to read!

BTW The Jubilee Line wasn't too bad just now. Two minutes and eight minutes till the next Westbound trains from Canary Wharf does indeed count as 'minor' delays at this time of day.

Jubilee Update 18 May 2009

Following the earlier suspension of service between North Greenwich & Stratford, the Jubilee Line is up and running again. Allegedly with 'minor' delays - I wouldn't bet my house on 'Minor'.

Retarded

Every Monday I have to be in Canary Wharf for an eleven o'clock meeting.

This morning my Jubilee Line ground to a halt at Bermondsey at 10.45.

Have just arrived into daylight at Canary Wharf. See time stamp.

Grrr.

Makes me look like a fool.....

The weekend begins

If I were to obtain some kind of report on my current sleep patterns, it would probably say something along the lines of "Must try harder".

This morning my alarm went off at it's usual time. It really shouldn't have done that because today is Saturday, but my alarm clock didn't know that.

When my alarm goes of, I usually leap up out of bed like a gazelle, rush around the house for 35 minutes like a lunatic, and then leave to catch a train to Marylebone shortly after 6 o'clock.

Today, the alarm went off as usual. Fortunately (despite being too stupid to switch off the alarm last night), my razor sharp mind immediately swung into action... Hand out... Hit switch... "Oh, it's Saturday"... Roll over... zzzzzzzz

Three hours later I wake up to a windy rainy day in rural Buckinghamshire, feeling as though I have jet lag.

I have to hope that my mind works differently in seven days, as next Saturday I do have to catch a stupid o'clock train to work.

Now that I am awake, I had better leap into action and start the household 'To Do' list. Oh, and now that I can blog from my phone, I haven't even switched on my computer, so no unnecessary distractions there.

Tea cool enough to drink. Slurp. Slurp. Think like a gazelle. Whoosh.

Hmmm... What should I have done?

Walking down Sherwood Street just now (16.45), to catch a Bakerloo Line train from Piccadilly Circus.

Saw a bike locked to a lamp post with one of those 'U' / 'D' shaped locks.

Pasty faced thin man walks up, lifts lock up over saddle, gets on bike and rides away leaving lock in situ.

Have I just see a bike being nicked?

Other than making 'firm' eye contact, I did nothing. No time to take picture with phone before there was but a red sweatshirt cycling away in the distance.

What should I have done?

Too much noise?

I was on the Southbound Northern Line platform at Leicester Square, this morning, for about 2 minutes.

During that time there were seven announcements over the PA system. All a bit much really.

PR Fluff

Transport for London put out a Press Release yesterday titled "Customers benefit from new Piccadilly line timetable". What a load of Public Relations rubbish.

"The Piccadilly line is unique because it serves the heart of the West End's tourist and entertainment districts as well as Heathrow Airport."

• Yes..... and??? The Central Line is unique because it serves Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road. The Circle Line is unique because it goes round in a circle (for now). The Victoria Line is unique because.........
  

"Changes were made to the timetable in 2008"

• So why put a press release out in the middle of 2009?
  

"In recent years, rising passenger numbers have meant that trains have to stop at stations for longer while extra customers get on and off trains, leading to an increasing level of late running and delay."

• Doesn't this happen on every line?

Talk about useless piffle. I could go on, but I won't.

Busy Weekend

Well, I sort of went back to work for a rest today...

• Friday. A day off. First of all some domestic chores. Then drove to Bicester to catch a Chiltern Railways train to Birmingham. Back to BCS then up the A43 to Northampton for the Saracens -v- Northampton rugby match. Saracens lost 16 - 13, that's the way it goes. Then a late drive home and straight to bed.
• Saturday. Domestics. BBQ at friends then to the cinema.
• Sunday. To Vicarage Road for the Watford v Derby County match The home side won 3 - 1. Free lunch in a box with friends, then home to do an hour or so of gardening.
• Monday. Early start down to spend the day with my family in Hampshire. Back after 10.... Ready for the usual 5.45 alarm this morning.

+Posted from my mobile. Please excuse any typos+