Similar in both engineering and my analytical job. Quote a realistic delivery time and then add contingency.When you deliver early they think you are a magician (?). Clients approve, even if management aren't keen.

Often wondered what this meant
https://www.google.com/maps/place/FFS+Brands+Group/@51.4533518,-0.8958707,3a,48.1y,353.7h,89.31t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s66LNznxV05intEmbgi81Fg!2e0!5s20221101T000000!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D66LNznxV05intEmbgi81Fg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D121.73071%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x48768458c8de77c1:0x8d36828a3ec3e319!8m2!3d51.4536488!4d-0.8958971
Did not expect Catering Supplier

Went down to RGP last week and it appears that all contractors signage has been removed. Does this mean that the end game is in sight (with a good telescope!).

For those travelling from Reading east bound on the A4 for the next three months:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-64583584

This is the bridge next to Palmer Park that carries the North Downs line and the Waterloo line.

Will this solve the financial problems?
https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0208/1355495-irish-rail-food/
Do realise it is not the same as a buffet, are "staffing issues" that they can't get them or they can't get through the "full and standing" trains.

Not being an expert in these things, but doesn't that largely negate the original purpose?

Stumbled over this just after Graham's clarification

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-64541153

Nice thought and I hope they are well supported.

I presume the holiday was "figurative", or have you been on one of the cruises round the the great white continent.

Well done Chris you beat me by a couple of minutes.

At Slough today, fencing is up on platforms 2 & 3 ready for the timetable change.

We are told we have the worst financial prospects by the IMF.

And then we find we are also missing the train as well:

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/swiss-federal-railways-judged--very-punctual--in-2022/48247710?view=canonical

Did we ever have such punctuality in this country, or does one have to go back to Grouping, or before

Nice to see a country taking investment in active travel seriously

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0201/1353141-climate-nta/

The bulk of the money goes to Dublin (c. 400 projects), then other regional cities (c.250 projects) with the remainder for rural projects (c. 500 projects).

https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/246104/a7dc67ae-3464-433c-99ac-8029c9e582a6.pdf#page=null

We are unlikely to see similar money in England with current financial situation, even if it is a drop in the ocean compared with HST2.

As in my comment, there appears to be a lack of knowledge about excess tickets among railway staff. It would be helpful (and ethical?) if there was a serious training commitment on the subject to train crew in the first instance, followed by ticketting staff. Rather than just slam genuine travellers for as much money as possible.

Winchester yesterday, all ticket office staff on lunch break and non-functioning ticket machine(s), train managers response was to refuse boarding, glad it wasn't me.

The -9C will not doubt refer to RAF^▸ (Royal Air Force) Benson which is a well known cold spot in south Oxfordshire. Alright for those residing in the tropical climes of Melksham.

Imagine the response if it had happened during an event at Carbis Bay last year.

Thank you for your comments.

The place where I tend to "run out of steam" or the weather catches me out is in Southern territory.

The train staff tend to give the impression of either not knowing what an excess is, or it is too difficult and just charge you for a single fair.The last time it happened there was a switched on train manager, but gosh it seems complicated, takes a number from your card ticket and has to wait while the machine finds the correct information. I now know that in this particular situation the excess is £0.00, and he did not issue me a ticket. If I am in this situation again I should get a ticket because the trains joins another one and there is a crew change.

To those who make the not unreasonable suggestion of getting one before I start, knowing the "cost" of it now, my thought would be a psychological pre-admission of failure. Especially if I am cycling north as the worst bit is yet to come.