Monday, Monday.....

And my trains delayed...I could almost hear the Mama's and the Papa's re working their classic to sum up the commuters lot, may have to give it a try. It could be a charity single, with all proceeeds ploughed into helping the weary travellers forced through geographical constraints to have to travel on what is officially the UKs least reliable rail service. FGW are to rail travel, what Scotland are to 6 Nations rugby, the best at being the worst. Maybe I should send them a Wooden Spoon (as a Scots rugby fan I can say all of that, and it really pains me.)

So this morning I waited patiently for my train to pull in. Eventually 7 minutes after it was due it arrived. Not bad thought I, will still be at work by 8.30. Well the journey continued, at what at times seemed a leisurely pace. Then we got to Southall, the stop before my final destination. By the time we got there the train was 15 minutes behind schedule. No word had been uttered from the drivers can at any point to acknowledge we were any way delayed. The Southall commuters, who I really feel sorry for as by the time we get there the train is always already rammed to what any sensible person would call capacity. Not FGW though. Anyway everyone squeezed on and the doors closed. The train stayed still. I admired the picturesque scenery of Southall for 5 minutes....the sunlight dancing off the few remaining intact windows of a nearby derelict factory...a graffiti covered wall not quite up to Banksy's standards. After five minutes those people on the platform who had forlornly watched the doors close decided they would see if they could get on. The doors opened and they heaved themselves literally on board. The platform supervisor was far from impressed, blowing her whistle, wagging her finger, shaking her head and telling people in no uncertain terms not to get on the train. Still we sat, no word as to why, when a second wave of the platform gang decided to get on board. This really upset the platform supervisor, who by now resembled a lone soldier fighting a rear-guard action against overwhelming odds. The whistle blew louder, the arms waved wilder, the "no, you cannot board this train" more voluble. Eventually she made her point, but not after a couple of sneak raiders boarded as she moved down the platform. Another 5 minutes passed, and then the 3rd wave advanced...given conditions on board were now more than a little unpleasant (I'm amazed how many people either don't wash or use deodorant) the platform supervisor did receive some on board support to repel boarders. Still no news from the driver. After an 18 minute wait, when I will confess the picturesque view had become a tad boring, the train finally moved. Still no communication from the driver. The only apology I heard was the automated voice at Ealing once I got off the train, you know the one "we are sorry to announce than the 8.18 service to London Paddington has been delayed. First Great Western would like to apologise...blah blah blah. Still at least the automated system was sorry. I'm guessing the driver didn't give a toss as he didn't update us once.

So I was a bit later than I wanted to be getting to work today, however we were happily one minute inside the time that leads to compensation!

Oh and to round the day off the service home is delayed. It was apparently bang on time until the moment it was due to arrive a train not scheduled to stop passed through (hope everyone travelling to the regatta town got home on time, I won't.)

Off to watch the last rays of the sun from my train, rather than my back garden with a nice glass of something in my hand. Ho hum.