June 28 - 17:33 to Oxford cancelled

For reasons not adequately explained, I suspect lightning since there was quite a bit of that. Even the 17:50, which was packed to beyond capacity, ran at a snail's pace until well into the journey.

June 23 - Fatality at Southall

I sensed bad news when I encountered a full concourse at Paddington. I can't really blame the rail service for this tragic event. Nevertheless the resultant chaos put everybody about an hour behind.

June 15 - Train cancellation

At last First Great Western are back to their familiar ambivalent, lacklustre ways. First they allow the train to fill to capacity then they announce that it won't be leaving and that a replacement service is on the adjacent platform.... except for those who want to go to Maidenhead. They will have to catch the slow stopping service leaving in 20 minutes. An hour of delay - another letter day.

June 9 - Cancelled 07:08

I arrived at the station to be told that the trusted 07:08 had been cancelled and replaced with the 07:03. Thankfully I was early and had to run to change platforms as the short train filled right to capacity. We all stood in a uncomfortable intimate melee. Notwithstanding that the train was full to capacity one passenger tried vainly to get himself, his fold-up bike, a holdall and his laptop case in.

June 7 - Signal Failure at Moorgate

I knew it was too good to last! Today a 15 minute wait on an ever filling platform at Paddington while the announcer blithely drones on about there being a good service on all underground lines. I wonder what goes on in their minds sometimes or maybe they aren't allow to use their common sense for health and safety reasons.