A nearly disasterous day

Monday 11 July

 

Couldn't go via Exeter because a signalling failure closed the line (yellow on map, see also below) so my actual route is in red via Castle Cary and Taunton.

First I wish my 7-yr-old grandson a Happy Birthday and then set off on the 11:11 to Yeovil Penn Mill.

I keep trying to get a photo of the lovely countryside but much of  this journey is in cuttings and the rest has too many bushes and trees alongside

At Maiden Newton with the next section single track and request stops only, we await a late running south bound train - for 20 minutes!

 A little open countryside, pity about the shed

Ah, that's better

 Yeovil Penn Mill station. Here I was planning a coffee at least, but the whole building is closed.

 Somewhat less crowded than yesterday's stations.

 Not exactly busy but the air-conditioning is great.

Forced Change of Plan: 

Been advised to return on this same train to Castle Cary via Yeovil Penn Mill. Then change for an Exeter service. 

Reason: Major signalling problem closed the Yeovil Junction to Exeter St Davids line

 

My "don't stop at same station twice" rule is blown again today . Yesterday my train made an extra stop at Upwey, today I'll have to stop at Yeovil Penn Mill twice.

Met some nice people in a shelter on Castle Cary. Two from Yeovil one from S Germany whose luggage went to Totnes (don't ask) so she has to go and pick it up before her flight home tomorrow from Bristol.

 On the train to Taunton. 

Change of plan because this train 28 minutes late so could miss the Exeter connection.

 The loos in a hotel right outside Taunton Station. Lovely floor and stained glass everywhere. Receptionist says it's the only original part of the hotel.

 What you're looking at is lunch. I'm in a hotel right outside Taunton Station and they're not serving food today , although the sign outside says they are. It's a Best Western. I rest my case.

 Taunton Awaiting the 16.17 to Cardiff

Return to the Planned Route

 This is the standard class unairconditioned train to Cardiff. Certainly need a shower when I get there.

I often visited Taunton as a teenager. A good school friend,  Peter Finch, moved here as an 18yr old, and I came to Taunton for new year with him. I bought his car when he emigrated to USA.

Just had a zoom with Otis to wish him happy birthday.  Amazing what you can do these days at speed in a train.

 Patchway for RollsRoyce

A lot of nice cool air in the Severn tunnel

 Bristol Temple Meads

 I must be in Wales now. Judging by the bilingual sign

 Newport

 Cardiff.

This was an interesting view from my table in the restaurant of the Clayton Hotel. Traffic coming from the road ahead and turning right into the road below never indicated, cars buses or cycles.

Deliveroo cyclists approaching the traffic lights you see in front of the Weatherspoons pub, always went straight through red lights, not just when turning left (relatively safe) but the majority were going straight across the junction and often weaving across the traffic. 

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