Great Western Coffee Shop

Our daughter returned to Norfolk this week, having stayed with us for a week.
We took the 0503 Penzance to Plymouth train (5 cars) - lightly loaded.
Very friendly and helpful train manager.
Announcements at each stop advising of the rail replacement services at Plymouth.
Frequent trolley visits.
Really missing no bacon baps.
Seems they are still a very much in demand requirement.
In view of the prices charged on board, one wonders why GWR don't sell them if there is money to be had.
Anyhow.
Fortunately platform 4 was used at Plymouth, so straight across the tarmac to the barriers.
A very thorough ticket check and exit to find a Totnes coach.
I'd noted the Totnes - Paddington was listed 5 cars (had been 9 all week), so wanted seats from the outset.
Several busses outside at Plymouth.
A half full Totnes bus left, and with no Ivybridge call, we reached Totnes in very good time.
All trains scheduled to arrive and leave from platform 2 there unfortunately, so I took my time with the stairs.
The Cardiff unit turned up but only 2 coaches.
Investigated the signal box cafe and was pleased to see so much choice and freshly cooked breakfasts to boot.
A sausage bap went down so well I went back for a second to confirm it was good.
The Paddington arrived on time, so no problem getting a seat.
Ticket inspection done before Exeter, with an apology at each stop for the 5 cars, so no reservations.
By Exeter we were well loaded, and by Tiverton very well loaded.
Again trolley service was good, as were the apologies from the train manager for short form today.
A further ticket inspection after Taunton, with 'miscreants' on fixed time trains being advised not to do it again as they were not on their allocated train.
A patch of rough riding on the Westbury divert line westbound, (no problem eastbound) and a stop outside Reading to allow a long freight to pass ahead.
On the opposite platform at Reading a late running Worcester train had arrived a few minutes before us, so fortunately took most of the Paddington bound passengers, so we made up a few minutes with a quicker stop.
Another stop outside Paddington and a change of platform meant we were 5 late in.
Daughter having gone to the Elizabeth line, I had intended catching the same train back to Penzance, but that had now changed to platform 1, so trotted around the corner and embarked on a full 1203.
Many announcements for the pullman lunch, plus staff walking around with the menu.
No ticket check between London and Tiverton.
Having overdone the feeding at Totnes I couldn't do justice to a pullman, so settled for a rather peppery chicken salad sandwich.
A very large crowd disembarked at Tiverton and I joined them in going to the well organised replacement busses.
A full coach to Plymouth, and by the smallest of margins I made the 1520 from platform 4 again to Penzance.
The irony of that being 9 cars was not lost on me. Could have done with that going to London, not on a Cornish shuttle.
No ticket check between Plymouth and Penzance either.
Could have done with a few rail bus coordinators at Plymouth in the morning directing passengers to either the Totnes or Tiverton vehicles; as it was we were left to our own devices.
Excellent but tiring day out.

Great report.   That would be a very long day out even if there were no buses and trains were running normally.  I quite often do Plymouth - London day trips (combination of Brentford FC or the odd meeting) and that's enough for me!