I chose the wrong day to venture to Southampton to meet a friend. Decided to travel via Crewkerne for old times sake - and because it was slightly cheaper. An off peak day return with railcard came in at £17.88.
The day started well with the 12.19 from Crewkerne on time there and at Salisbury. However the GWR connecting service was 16 running late into Southampton. At least that was a delay repay.

The return was far more difficult. Signalling problems at Wimbledon saw the Exeter service tuning around at Basingstoke and then it seems that lineside vegetation was causing a problem at Portsmouth so the 18.10 from Southampton to Cardiff was turned around at Fratton, arriving 26 late at Southampton. Seemingly too late to connect with the Exeter service at Salisbury. It was held at Salisbury Tunnel Junction for the Exeter service to go in front and, since this had to split a set, caused more delay with the Cardiff service eventually arriving 26 late. With the Exeter service leaving at 1903. This meant a connecting service 60 minutes later. Fine for delay repay but not ideal.
At least I made the right choice of route the only trains to reach Dorcester were the 1755, 2004(1849) and the 2036 and  2103 both running an hour late.

I had hoped that control would have regulated the Exeter service to run behind the GWR into Salisbury.