Watch this space
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-bad-news-rail-fares-are-going-to-rise-the-good-news-it-wont-be-in-double-figures-2c27t5vqb?amp

They did a trial of geothermal energy at Marchwood, opposite Southampton, 50+ years ago. There is something related now opposite the West Quay Shopping Centre when I cycle from the station to the ferry.

There have been a few fires already that have affected rail services during this dry spell.

This one on the Reading - Basingstoke line yesterday afternoon

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-62483765

Delayed trains.

Location not exactly clear, the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) report says Circuit Lane but the scrub there borders the Hants and Wilts, unless they managed to squeeze the kit under the railway and into the fields of Southcote Farm, which is suggested by TVFRS
https://twitter.com/RBFRSofficial/status/1557045284697505793

Not only Oxford. Not helped by some of the media encouraging a them versus us attitude.

Info from BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) https://www.btp.police.uk/news/btp/news/england/detectives-launch-murder-investigation---reading/

Caldicot Links, will lead to connections between Caldicot town, Portskewett, Caldicot Castle Park.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2022/july/caldicot-links-a-former-military-railway-set-to-be-transformed/
The "military" railway is the link to the site of the Royal Navy Propellant Factory at Caerwent.

The brand-new Misbourne Greenway runs partially alongside the railway, and will connect places and communities across the Chilterns as part of the Buckinghamshire Greenway.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2022/july/work-set-to-begin-on-new-walking-wheeling-and-cycling-route-in-buckinghamshire/
Four kilometre traffic-free stretch between Wendover and Great Missenden.

Slightly more detail
https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-07-31/the-passenger-was-found-on-a-platform-following-an-altercation-in-a-carriage
I thought there was a strike, or was that the cause of the altercation?

Looks like Cross Country services to Southampton will be busy. I hope people have checked before they rely on using them in the current situation.

Answer to the poll question:

None of the above

2.  No OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")?

An article in i newspaper
https://inews.co.uk/news/how-railways-are-driving-a-new-british-seaside-boom-1735085
on the increase in summer leisure traffic on the railways
St Ives up 45%
Newquay up 33%
Bournemouth 50%

No figures from Southern but estimate of 20% increase on Saturdays.

No figures for Cross-Country, the Reading - Bournemouth yesterday was a 4-car cattle truck.

I expect to be doing my usual Saturday cycling trips, subject to availability of trains.

It will then be the autumn and the decision of do we renew the railcard.

Signs of progress

Just been by Green Park station. Platforms still dug up.

But NR^» (Network Rail - home page) icon on a pole at the front of the station and "Reading Green Park" name boards on the platforms.

Had a good cycle from Havant, down Hayling Billy Line, Haylimg Ferry, sea front at Southsea, Gosport Ferry and busway  to Fareham. Lovely ride temperatures ok, especially on the ferries. Hayling Ferry was loaded,could have spent the rest of the day going back and forth on the Gosport Ferry.

The only problem was the train back. Lifts out of order at Fareham, humping the bike up and down stairs negated the previous cooling effect. Got a Cardiff train to Southampton, 5 car and relatively empty. Forgot that only one train an hour from Southampton stops at Basingstoke. Train to Winchester with intention of getting the Portsmouth Harbour train to Basingstoke. They then announced lifts out of order at Basingstoke, thought I would wait for the Cross-Country through to Reading, fatal mistake. Cross-Country died at Southampton. So hour and a quarter wait at Winchester and have to hump the bike down more stairs.

Looking at the positive side nice cooling bike ride along the coast, which was cooler than staying in Reading.

The planned national rail strike on 20th August will not help Imber Bus and the charities it supports. Another thin year for Imber church and service charities.