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Author Topic: Two forum gatherings in the coming weeks. 24th July and 21st August  (Read 30333 times)
Mookiemoo
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« Reply #105 on: August 21, 2011, 23:29:19 »

I was still doing my accounting at 2pm dammit - I used to pay someone to do that now he who would like to be obeyed doesn't like the cost - next month he  sn do it
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Ditched former sig - now I need to think of something amusing - brain hurts -I'll steal from the master himself - Einstein:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love"
JayMac
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« Reply #106 on: August 22, 2011, 03:16:39 »

As promised, my musings on the day:

First off, irrelevant to the day out, but whilst waiting at Bristol TM(resolve) for my 0948 to Reading, I had the pleasure of seeing 71000 Duke of Gloucester roll into the station at the head of that day's 'Torbay Express'. Looking well polished and resplendent as she arrived onto Platform 6. After pulling up to the signal I heard loud banging emanating from the cab of said loco. On closer inspection the fireman was busy banging the roof of the cab, above the regulator, with a lump hammer. For what reason I know not. Being a nosy beggar I enquired of one of the loco crew as to why the fireman was attacking the roof of the cab with a gurt hammer. I got the reply, "We have to do that to make her go!" The 'Torbay Express' was due off Temple Meads at 0915:00 and it was pleasing to see the wheels roll exactly on time, to the second. The XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Voyager on Platform 3 left 4 late for no apparent reason.....

Onward to Swindon and I stuck my grey flat-capped head (the cap being grey, not my head) out of the droplight on the approach to the Wiltshire's finest town ( Tongue) so that bobm could identify me. Hooked up with bobm for the run to Reading. A (little early) snifter was had from the buffet - Whisky and Dry for bobm, G&T for me. 18 minutes to kill at Reading so time enough for me to pop outside and satisfy my nicotine craving. I was stood right next to a massive sign pointing peeps in the direction for the Rail Replacement buses to Wokingham - that didn't stop a random bloke asking me where he could find the buses to Wokingham!

1118 off Reading heading for Maidenhead and things started to go wrong. Dunno quite what happened but we were 4 mins down by Twyford and it appeared very likely that we would miss the connection at Maidenhead onto the 1135 to Bourne End. And lo, it came to pass. Arrived into Maidenhead at 1136 and The Donkey was long gone.

A shufty around Maidenhead station to see whether there was the option of a bus to Bourne End, but it would appear that the good folk of Berks don't really feel the need for buses across the border to Bucks on a Sunday. Enquiring at the ticket office drew a blank ("sorry mate, I don't live round here. I've no idea about buses") but the clerk suggested I go speak to the Duty Station Manager.

Now, here was the highlight of the day. I spoke with the DSM, explaining that myself and a friend had just missed the train to Bourne End because of our late arrival into Maidenhead. I know full well that, by the rules, we weren't entitled to free onward transport as there would be another train to Bourne End within the hour. That said, the DSM made a call to FGW (First Great Western) Control to seek authorisation for a taxi for us, but he couldn't get through. He then made an executive decision and walked with me and bobm to the taxi rank and procured us a free taxi to Bourne End! Customer Service above and beyond from Pete*. Top work fella!

At Bourne End, myself and bobm hooked up with Electric train and after discovering that James Vertigan was already cosily ensconced at The Marlow Donkey pub, the three of us set off for our walk along The Thames to Marlow. Spitting with rain initially but the sun was trying its hardest to break through the cloud. A nice walk (a little muddy in places) that did a good job in building up a thirst and hunger. The three of us got slightly geographically challenged when we reached the outskirts of Marlow, but we eventually found our way to The Marlow Donkey Pub. James was easy to spot as he was a walking billboard for 'First - Transforming Travel' (BTW (by the way) James - where can I get one of those t-shirts?)

Beer, chat, lunch (I had a very nice Ploughmans - but by cripes the piccalilli was tart), beer, chat, beer, Vodka & Tonic, chat. Then the long walk (150yds) to Marlow station for the train home. I'd failed to empty my bladder whilst I had the chance in the pub and was unable to avail myself of the facilities onboard the Class 165 as, not untypically, the onboard toilet was locked out of use. Was able (just) to hold it in until Maidenhead.

Most interesting chat throughout the afternoon with Electric train about, unsurprisingly, electrification. Being from deep in Diesel land I maintain that that sparky stuff is the Devil's work!  Wink

Also very nice to put faces to the names of bobm and James Vertigan. A special thanks to bobm for donating the apple from his Ploughmans and for shouting me an M&S sandwich at Reading on the way home. Oh, and a couple more postprandial snifters were had on the train back to Swindon.

Finally, the return from Reading saw me travelling via Bristol Parkway ('cos of a Didcot split) but that worked out fine. Late running XC at BPW» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) saw me get back to Temple Meads in time for the last service down the SVB line. That cost me one whole Pound though, as I'd gone for the PlusBus option rather than a ticket from/to Shirehampton. Still, the walk home from Shire saw me stumble upon a BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Natural History Unit film crew......

*Not his real name. I've toyed with the idea of writing to FGW CS in praise of this guy, but identifying him may get him into trouble for doing something 'outside the rules'. That said, he made the decision, and myself and bobm are eternally grateful.
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James Vertigan
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« Reply #107 on: August 22, 2011, 07:53:10 »

(BTW (by the way) James - where can I get one of those t-shirts?)

http://www.btcwebstore.co.uk/firstexternal/index.php/  Wink
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Electric train
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« Reply #108 on: August 22, 2011, 08:11:22 »

The phot attached is the service from Maidenhead at Bourne End that bignosemac and bobm missed which getting ready to depart as the Donkey Marlow

(I would do but the message board tells me the down load folder is full, the phot is 95kb!!!) Thank you Admin team for rummaging around in the depths of the Coffee Shop and fixing the image posting problem hope it was not too nasty down there in the cellar  Cheesy

Anywho phot attached its not award winning
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 08:29:49 by Electric train » Logged

Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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