That's two of us at least! I'll be there about 4,40.

I've checked my wallet, and asked Wetherspoons to arrange a special delivery. Se you all later!

What? Being an ex-smoker? I read the other bit as a report, including names, ages, and employer (I think a major supermarket chain) and penalty (cheaper than a hotel room in Brighton, AIRI, but that's another story).

Having read what she did, I'm not so sure my experience was so crazy after all.

Moving on, I recall reading about a young couple on their way home from a day at the seaside on the south coast (Brighton springs to mind), who had been thoroughly refreshed, and became ever more enamoured of each other as the journey progressed. Passengers harrumphed in silence, and tried to look the other way as they consummated their day out, but none complained. Until, that is, they lit the traditional post-coital cigarette, which is what landed them in court.

I am an ex-smoker.

I'm not saying. It was a long time ago, but there is no statute of limitations for it. If the heat ever dies down, or if I'm feeling very unwell, I may 'fess up. But I knew a man make a deathbed confession, then get better. Ruined his life, it did.

Sorry I'm late! Ashton Avenue Bridge it is, a shadow of its former glory, and soon to be the only improvement in a sh*tstorm of vandalism between Bemmy Bridge and Whitchurch Lane, as an excuse to build new roads.

A thing of beauty!

I am amazed at how many "grown" men here watch CBeebies (me included).

I'm glad somebody isn't taking this lying down.

I saw this in action at Birmingham New Street once, in the subtle way. One of those passengers who don't need a ticket or pass got very angry with the conductor, who had unreasonably suggested he did, and asked for a fare. The conductor was about half the size of the passenger, so after futile discussion, the conductor left the carriage. On arrival at BHM, the doors remained closed for a couple of minutes, until two burly men in yellow serge arrived on the platform, one each end of the carriage. Our special passenger's smug grin vanished when he realised this reception committee was for him.

When in a hole, stop digging, my grandmother always said. In fact, throw the shovel away. Had our man obeyed this dictum, he may well have got away with a penalty fare, but he decided, to the amusement of all, to have a go at the cops. The Darbies were produced and applied. Our man left the platform with his head held, and his feet held even higher.

Easier in a big station with a permanent BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) presence than some lonely halt mid-nowhere, but CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) can be used, and our staff need not put themselves in danger again.

Come now, CfN, it isn't wet enough for that. Although it may rain 'ard soon...

Agreed, ET. You will never get a truly accurate programme on a technical matter unless it's written by the technical experts, and last longer than a Chinese opera. But it was interesting, and I always wondered how that yellow measurement train did the job. The bit about not hearing trains coming should be required viewing in schools.

Interesting. Six more days to see it on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) iPlayer.

Standing is the new sitting, they say.

"Gongoozling" (my emphasis) - a word I had never known prior to reading "Narrow Dog to Carcassonne" by Terry Darlington, recommended for anyone who ever wondered what it was like to sail a canal boat across the English Channel then down through the French inland waterways. It comes recommended.

And now you've all mentioned it, I remember what a treasure trove Worcester is from an amusement point of view. Had it been less so, I would have drunk less, and remembered more. It is also useful to the pilot of the light aircraft. With the classic combination of railway lines, canal, river, and motorway, even I couldn't mistake it for Ross on Wye.

This is now gaining an unstoppable momentum. Only 34 Tories, and 14 others, voted against the amendment, these mainly being from constituencies where the adverse effects will be most visible and audible. It is little surprise they are offering empathy, with an election next year. The attempt at stopping the bill was doomed to failure from the off, as both Labour and Lib Dem policy is for support.

Plans are one thing, heavy plant in the petunias another. The compensation plans are formed, the need for capacity has been demonstrated, and now the newspaper editors are lining up behind HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)), or at least The Times is.

Boom, Boom!

Excellent set of pictures, ST! Not sure how good the resolution is on my tap-lop. Is that a mouse or a vole that the fox is carrying?