A lesson in the failure of connections

Good news - the 09:10 Melksham to Weymouth ran (one of just 5 out of 13 from Melksham that did so yesterday, mind). 11:07 into Weymouth, 150 passengers which for "Storm Antoni" day and "action short of strike" by staff was not bad going. As commented elsewhere, only a scattering of beach families, and yet the beach was lovely as once again I got sucked in rather that turning around onto the next train out. However, my objective was to get a good picture of Bournemouth and that was gonna be hard if I was in Weymouth. So along the coast to Bournemouth and after an eventful walk and lots of pictures, at Boscombe Pier at 15:45.

Plan:
- 15:50 bus (route 99 town and beach service) to Pokesdown Station
- 16:06 train to Southampton Central (Winchester service)
- 17:11 train to Westbury (Cardiff service)
- 18:35 train to Melksham (Swindon service)
- 18:51 arrival at Melksham station
Would have been 19:10 home

Actual(ish):
- 15:50 bus was a couple of minutes late at Pokesdown
(And that was enough to have me enter the station as the train left)
- 45 minutes in the pub. St Clements and a packet of crisps.
- 17:06 train to Southampton Central
(on time)
- 18:10 train - now headed for Bath, due 19:38 (Cardiff Train)
(but that left SOU about 3 late and was 20 minutes late by WSB^» )
- PLAN 19:45 bus from Bath to Melksham
(but that would have missed so revised plan
- 21:05 bus Bath to Melksham
- 21:43 arrival in Melksham Town Centre
Would have been 21:50 home

I could have changed at Westbury or Trowbridge and also arrived at Melksham station at scheduled 21:34 / actual 21:43. That's a 15 minute longer walk home, and I trust the buses more than the trains.

Actual:
- 15:50 bus was a couple of minutes late at Pokesdown
as above until
- 19:30 got off the Cardiff train at Westbury
- 19:35 lift home via KFC, Trowbridge, meal for 2 eat in. Good company.
- Around 20:15 arrived home in Melksham

A shout of appreciation to the staff at Pokesdown Station (Ticket office closed but three "Trespass and Welfare officers" on patrol). Concerned that I had just missed the train and about where I was headed. Hadn't heard of Melksham ("where's that" / "oh my goodness") but re-assured that I didn't seem too bothered. Offered suggestion to get to Southampton quicker doubling back at Bournemouth, and on chatting about where to wait that would be open they came up with the coffee machin at Tesco Express or the pub. I didn't double back - just a 2 minute connection at Bournemouth to make any gain, and happy to sit on my laptop in the pub. Staff seemed re-assured that I just shrugged my shoulders and wasn't too bothered. I do appreciate that their key task is, perhaps, the welfare of customers tempted to stray onto the track directly in front of one of expresses that thunders through.