That lovely weekend

Well Friday 19th August 2005 dawned bright and clear in the north so fatso was up early for his jaunt to the south. A lovely bath and general ablutions followed by the taking of all the medication and a light breakfast set me up for the day.

Waiting at the bus stop at 11;30 the sun was blazing down and it was very warm. A glorious day. Got to Central Station in good time and watched the general hubbub whilst waiting for my train which drew in from the depot at at about 13:55. (I always catch trains that start/finish at Newcastle as a lot of the time they are HST's which I like better than the electrics) Climb on board, find my seat get the book out along with a bottle of pop and a Yorkie and settle down.

Off bang on time and people generally sorting themselves out for the trip including the couple opposite me at the table who had a wee bairn with them who seemed to take a shine to me. For some reason he kept reaching out for me to hold him which his Mother quite rightly would not allow. But the little'un persisted to the point of crying. So he was handed over to me which shut him up. He played with my shirt, walloped me on the nose and when he got fed up with that gave an enormous belch in my ear and wanted to go back to Mum.

After leaving Darlington we became aware of a tapping noise. Everybody was looking high and low and even outside but could not locate it's direction. The tapping them became a knocking and then a desperate thumping and at last we realized it was coming from the toilet at the end of the car. Someone went to it and yanked the door back and released an woman who had been trapped in there.

Calm was restored and peace returned and as we were running along somebody else went in said loo. This was followed about 4 minutes later by a frantic banging on the door. This led to laughter among the carriage populace and someone singing # I hear you knocking # and the person inside was released. It appears that the loo door was defective and could be opened from the outside OK but once you had gone in and done your business and released the lock could not be re-opened from the inside.

The journey continued with much giggling and sniggering every time a new person came along and went in said mobile prison and their subsequent incarceration and freedom. After we left Doncaster an old dear appeared from somewhere and entered this obnoxious privy and banged the door shut. This was immediately followed by a young man singing quite loudly #Oh dear what can the matter be# which brought absolute gales of laughter.

We waited with baited breath for the call for release which duly came and when it did all and sundry absolutely creased with another person singing #Who's that knocking at my door#. The joke wore a bit thin in the end but still caused amusement all the way to KX.

At KX Chris W, Seth and Chris Jolly were at the end of the platform to meet me (many thanks guys) and after handshakes and general greetings we set off for the tube to Wimbledon chatting as best we could along the way. At Wimbledon CJ and Seth left us to return and me and Chris W walked to his abode.

Later in the evening CW, I and Chris's GF went out for a lovely Chinese meal locally which I thoroughly enjoyed after which we returned to their flat. By this time I was thoroughly bushed having been up since 5 a.m.and with apologies I retired to bed.

Up next morning after sleeping better than I had in years and a nice morning drink me and CW set of for Earl's Court to meet CJ and Seth. The Princess stayed at home in Wimbledon. On reaching Earl's Court Seth was waiting at the top of the stairs but no CJ. Seth explained that Chris Jolly was held up at Embankment and would meet us at Covent Garden. So downstairs to the "Royal" blue line and eastbound to stated destination.

We found Chris Jolly waiting outside the museum and spent a nice morning pottering around inside (hope I did not bore you lads) with me having the added bonus of bumping into one of my old mates from the past who was a driver along with me in the seventies and who is now on the museum staff. We all snooped around with me near to bloody tears when we came to my wonderful old lady 4248 who I drove many a time along the DR. At about 11:30 or so we decide to leave for Earl's Court once more and have a bit of lunch before the gathering of the clan in the station.

Lunch over and replete into the station we go. (incidentally CW I don't know how you managed to go all day without anything to eat?) In the next half hour the gang assembled in set spot and I met God himself. After grovelling and snivelling to the august personage we caught the first Richmond after 13:30 arriving Gunnersbury about 15 minutes later.

Then after the route march (NOT complaining) we reach the City Barge and sort ourselves out for the the afternoon and a nice convivial time. We spent over 5 hours (I'm not sure how long exactly) in their with everybody chattering and laughing the while. I spent many a good minute jawing as best I could to whoever was beside me at the time and I apologize to any I did not. That goes especially to Met's apprentices friend Jono who I hardly said a word to. I apologize Jono.

The evening came and time to wend our way home. So we set off back to Gunnersbury station. Then I went and let everybody down by not being able to complete the walk as the old ticker started it's shenaningans and giving me pain. This resulted in a cab being called and lumbering DD with the cost of it (Dave you MUST let me re-imburse you). Then on the train with a mate of DD's announcing to the world in general that our illustrious party was on board. (Many thanks mate whoever you are for rounding off the day)

So at Earl's Court the reminder of the gang dispersed (What happened to RBruce? I didn't see the going of him) Thence home to CW's a meal and bed.

On the Sunday I made my way with Chris W eastwards on a D stock from Wimbledon to my Mother's at Dagenham and CW to his parents home. As this was a Barking train we dropped off at East Ham for the Upminster which, when it came, had the prototype refurb in the formation. Chris and I got into it and I must say I was NOT impressed. Oh the general decor was alright but those bloody seats........ All in all I think they have ruined a good stock by making them cheap and tacky like those dreadful Central line trains.

Spent the rst of my time in the smoke at Mum's and came home on the monday and then slept.

One thing that puzzles me though. Whilst on the train coming home and stopped near Chester Le Street a train passed us that seemed to consist of two HST power cars with a trailer between them heading south. This train was painted a bright yellow like the French TGV postal units. What was it?

Anyway to round off. Once again I would like to thank all those who went to the meet profusely. I know the meet was not in my honour but I was made to feel it was. So Guys, many, many thanks.