The Coffee Shop forum will remain open and online throughout the Christmas and New Year period, though perhaps with occasional short breaks while software updates are installed. I'll be the one installing those and I will give notice and try and keep the breaks as short as possible. Our forum software has elements in it which have "branched" from the standard Simple Machines base system, and members may find that some of the special features are slightly slower in returning than the core forum. I'm particularly aware of the "like" system with this regard.
Experience from past years suggests that the number of posts on Christmas Day will be somewhat down on a normal day – but only "somewhat" - and that any members who are on their own, at a loose end, or looking to escape from an intense family gathering will find some familiar friends here. You need not feel alone if you have the Coffee Shop. Personally, Lisa and I "did" our family Christmas a week ago, and I'll be popping in from time to time in addition to the software work.
I'll leave "Christmas on
GWR▸ " to other threads such as
http://gwr.passenger.chat/21831 (an early but still good summary) and
http://gwr.passenger.chat/22624 (
UK▸ wide summary).
For members headed away (physically or just off the computer) in the next few days - thank you for being such great member this year and we look forward to hearing from you when you are back. For members remaining around, have a great Christmas.
An especial "thank you" to the admin and moderator team, and to our friends / contacts /members at GWR and in the wider industry. At times, we all frustrate each other - but 2019 has been especially memorable to me, amongst all the frustrations of engineering and timetable changes, for the support and kindness of those who I'm pretty sure will read this - THANK YOU. And looking forward to a 2020 which is just pleasurable, and perhaps even more productive as we move on and settle down from the flood of changes and issues. Have a great Christmas, everyone.
