Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Choice of time and place for meetings - some thoughts / issues In "Diary - what's happening when?" [366869/30902/34] Posted by infoman at 03:46, 14th October 2025 |      |
Thank you Grahame for your input,
on a personal note I have shares in several large companies,and all of the AGM's are scheduled for day time hours.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366866/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 21:52, 13th October 2025 | |
19:53 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:57 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/10/2025 20:56
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:13/10/2025 20:56
| Former Penistone railway site to house restaurant and food spaces In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366865/30911/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:32, 13th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Plans to turn a derelict former railway site in South Yorkshire into retail, business and hospitality spaces have been approved.
The coal drops project in Penistone, which once sat on the Woodhead Line, include the conversion of the original signal house and the restoration of the listed coal drop arches for retail spaces.
Barnsley-based developers Fairbank Investments Ltd said it hoped the scheme would "breathe new life into one of Penistone's most historic sites".
Antony Green, the firm's managing director, said: "Our vision is to preserve the significant heritage of the coal drops while creating a space that brings activity, employment and opportunity back to this important location." The firm said it would create a "vibrant, mixed-use destination", including a 4,000 sq ft restaurant and bar space and 9,000 sq ft of offices.
The move was given the go-ahead by Barnsley Council on Friday.
Penistone's coal drops were once a place where coal was brought into the area to be loaded onto road transport.
The Woodhead Line linked Sheffield, Penistone and Manchester, with the last freight train journey on the route taking place in 1981.
Mr Green said: "It marks a real turning point for the town and for a site that means so much to local people. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to be part of something very special."
| Re: Plan to protect Stonehenge from developments agreed In "The West - but NOT trains in the West" [366864/30901/31] Posted by Clan Line at 21:05, 13th October 2025 | |
So no Premier Inn on the old visitors' car park !
| TfL users urged to 'act like a friend' to harassment victims - October 2025 In "Transport for London" [366863/30910/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:21, 13th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Transport users in London are being urged to step in if they see fellow passengers falling victim to hate crimes or harassment.
Rather than looking away, people should approach the victim, pretend like they are old friends and engage them in conversation, thus deterring predators from continuing their attacks, Transport for London (TfL) said.
As part of its new Act Like a Friend campaign, TfL teamed up with charity Protection Approaches to provide free training classes on how to be an "active bystander".
Passengers should only intervene if they feel it is safe to do so, TfL added.
Siwan Hayward, TfL's director of security policing enforcement, said: "Our new campaign shows how powerful it can be to strike up a conversation with the targeted person and treat them like a friend, to help them feel less alone and make the first steps towards reporting the incident."
The campaign video, which is based on real life examples of Londoners being harassed on the transport network, is due to be screened at cinemas across London as well as ITVX.
Kaya Comer-Schwartz, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: "No-one should be a victim of hate crime or harassment in London or feel anxious or targeted because of who they are. TfL's new campaign gives Londoners the knowledge and confidence to stand up to hate crime, address intolerant behaviours and safely challenge hateful narratives."
The campaign also marks the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
| Re: Squirrels - red or grey, on the railways or otherwise: merged topic In "The Lighter Side" [366862/5560/30] Posted by Clan Line at 19:51, 13th October 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Brownsea Island is the best "local" place for reds. Take a bag of hazel nuts with you - never fails !
| Re: Caledonian MacBrayne ferries in Scotland In "Buses and other ways to travel" [366861/30034/5] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:28, 13th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
New chairman to take the helm of nationalised shipyard
A new interim chairman has been appointed for Ferguson Marine, the nationalised shipyard in Port Glasgow.
Duncan Anderson will take over from the current board chairman Andrew Miller, who will step down at the end of his three-year term next month. Mr Anderson is a chartered marine engineer with more than 40 years of experience in ship operations and shipbuilding.
The change of board leadership comes at a crucial time for the shipyard, which is working to complete the CalMac ferry MV Glen Rosa as well as seeking new orders to secure a future for its 300-strong workforce.
Mr Miller, who was appointed chairman in 2023 after a seven-year stint at state-owned Prestwick Airport, was at times a controversial figure. He played a key role last year in the sacking the former chief executive David Tydeman, seen by many as a stabilising figure who made progress in delivering the CalMac ferry MV Glen Sannox after years of delays. But he was dismissed after a series of missed deadlines and substantial cost increases, with the chairman also claiming he had offered "unsubstantiated opinions" to MSPs without the authorisation of the board.
Earlier this year, Mr Miller was criticised for "tone deaf" comments when he compared the effect of media scrutiny of Ferguson's to the physical abuse of children who then struggled to become "well-rounded" adults.
The chief executive of Ferguson Marine, Graeme Thomson, who joined the firm in May, paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, saying "several significant milestones" were achieved during his tenure. Ferguson Marine said Mr Miller would leave the role at the end of November "to focus on future work arrangements, overseas obligations, and family commitments".
It said the new interim chairman had been involved in the construction of more than 100 vessels during his career in shipyards in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia.
A new interim chairman has been appointed for Ferguson Marine, the nationalised shipyard in Port Glasgow.
Duncan Anderson will take over from the current board chairman Andrew Miller, who will step down at the end of his three-year term next month. Mr Anderson is a chartered marine engineer with more than 40 years of experience in ship operations and shipbuilding.
The change of board leadership comes at a crucial time for the shipyard, which is working to complete the CalMac ferry MV Glen Rosa as well as seeking new orders to secure a future for its 300-strong workforce.
Mr Miller, who was appointed chairman in 2023 after a seven-year stint at state-owned Prestwick Airport, was at times a controversial figure. He played a key role last year in the sacking the former chief executive David Tydeman, seen by many as a stabilising figure who made progress in delivering the CalMac ferry MV Glen Sannox after years of delays. But he was dismissed after a series of missed deadlines and substantial cost increases, with the chairman also claiming he had offered "unsubstantiated opinions" to MSPs without the authorisation of the board.
Earlier this year, Mr Miller was criticised for "tone deaf" comments when he compared the effect of media scrutiny of Ferguson's to the physical abuse of children who then struggled to become "well-rounded" adults.
The chief executive of Ferguson Marine, Graeme Thomson, who joined the firm in May, paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, saying "several significant milestones" were achieved during his tenure. Ferguson Marine said Mr Miller would leave the role at the end of November "to focus on future work arrangements, overseas obligations, and family commitments".
It said the new interim chairman had been involved in the construction of more than 100 vessels during his career in shipyards in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia.
| Re: Watch as cows on platform delay rail passengers at Neath - 12 October 2025 In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [366860/30909/23] Posted by chuffed at 18:07, 13th October 2025 | |
Cue mooving jokes on udder lines...
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [366858/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 18:00, 13th October 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a fault with barriers at a level crossing.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a fault with barriers at a level crossing.
| Re: Reading fellow travellers - first impressions not always right. In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366857/30903/51] Posted by Mark A at 17:33, 13th October 2025 Already liked by grahame | |
Yup - the suspected drunken walk thing - I get that, including, once, from railway barrier staff - and another time from a couple of security guards at the entrance to a street food market. Sorry that happened to you. (I'm also above average likely to be pulled out of a queue at a customs point, and also notice that dogs clock me with an ancient instinct as being the likely one to single out and kill should they go into hunting mode. Quite funny when the dog in questoin is a bichon frize.)
Mark
| Watch as cows on platform delay rail passengers at Neath - 12 October 2025 In "Shorter journeys in South and West Wales" [366856/30909/23] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:25, 13th October 2025 | |
A video news report, from the BBC:
This is the moment when rail passengers looked out to see a herd of cows trotting down a platform in south Wales.
Services between Cardiff and Swansea were disrupted on Sunday due to livestock straying onto the tracks near Neath and into the rail station.
The incident was first reported around 11:15 BST, National Rail said, causing hours of delays throughout the day.
Services resumed as normal by 19:30.
Services between Cardiff and Swansea were disrupted on Sunday due to livestock straying onto the tracks near Neath and into the rail station.
The incident was first reported around 11:15 BST, National Rail said, causing hours of delays throughout the day.
Services resumed as normal by 19:30.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366854/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 17:02, 13th October 2025 | |
And following the cancellation of the 14:53 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street:
15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
It will no longer call at Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Today, the 15:23 is formed of the back half of a ten-car Carmarthen - Paddington journey, due in at 15:12 but today +20.
The 15:23 departed +30, after 1W31 15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (18:26).
The 15:23 arrived Reading +33, was cancelled thereafter, and is now (17:00) running ECS to Shrub Hill (due 18:27).
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366853/29711/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 16:36, 13th October 2025 | |
And following the cancellation of the 14:53 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street:
15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
It will no longer call at Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Another day, another shambles
| Re: Service update and amendment log, Paddington to Bristol <-> In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [366852/18525/10] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:34, 13th October 2025 Already liked by matth1j | |
Thanks for your suggestion, matth1j.
I'm sure I can find some related posts to merge here, which will then offer our readers a more definitive source of such information, all in one specific topic.
CfN.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366851/29711/14] Posted by charles_uk at 16:27, 13th October 2025 | |
And following the cancellation of the 14:53 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street:
15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:47 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
It will no longer call at Didcot Parkway, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway Hl, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
| London buses infested with cockroaches, say drivers - October 2025 In "Transport for London" [366850/30907/46] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:21, 13th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Many buses in London are infested with cockroaches, according to drivers, who want the issue resolved immediately.
Drivers say a number of buses and their rest areas are infested with cockroaches and say the insects need eradicating. Images and video sent to BBC London show cockroaches on buses and in eating areas. In one video, filmed on 8 October, cockroaches can be seen in a driver's food container in the rest area.
Bus safety campaigners have written to transport bosses highlighting the problem. Transport for London (TfL) says such instances are rare and it has launched an urgent investigation.
Kevin Mustafa, a London bus safety campaigner, said: "The current state is untenable for drivers who already face demanding working conditions. Swift, transparent and decisive action will go a long way toward restoring trust, ensuring safety, and maintaining public confidence in London's bus services. London bus drivers are reporting persistent issues with cockroaches and unsanitary conditions onboard their vehicles. This is not a matter of occasional nuisance — many drivers describe infestations, and the situation is starting to pose real health, safety and wellbeing risks."
Campaigners want a deep clean of all buses more frequently, and the use of insecticidal treatments, heat treatments, improved vacuuming and sealed barriers in known hotspots.
Drivers also want pest-control measures put in place.
The London Bus Forums group said: "The cockroach reports are not isolated. They point to a wider failure to maintain safe and clean conditions for bus drivers. This is a public health issue affecting both staff and passengers. That's why drivers will be marching on 5 November to demand safer conditions and the adoption of the Bus Drivers Bill of Rights."
About five million bus journeys are made every day in the capital. There are 675 bus routes served by over 8,700 buses, almost all of which are operated by private companies under contract to Transport for London.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We are committed to working together with operators to provide a clean environment for staff and customers.
"Most TfL welfare facilities are cleaned multiple times a day, and at a minimum daily, to maintain hygiene and safety standards. All buses are also cleaned every night before entering service and reports such as these are rare. We take any report seriously and are urgently investigating the specific incidents that have been raised.
"As with any reports, we will take appropriate action as part of the investigation, which can include taking buses out of service for inspection, deep cleans and treatment with specialist equipment if necessary. We would like to reassure staff that our operators would never take action against people raising concerns about welfare or safety and encourage any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or contact us directly."
Drivers say a number of buses and their rest areas are infested with cockroaches and say the insects need eradicating. Images and video sent to BBC London show cockroaches on buses and in eating areas. In one video, filmed on 8 October, cockroaches can be seen in a driver's food container in the rest area.
Bus safety campaigners have written to transport bosses highlighting the problem. Transport for London (TfL) says such instances are rare and it has launched an urgent investigation.
Kevin Mustafa, a London bus safety campaigner, said: "The current state is untenable for drivers who already face demanding working conditions. Swift, transparent and decisive action will go a long way toward restoring trust, ensuring safety, and maintaining public confidence in London's bus services. London bus drivers are reporting persistent issues with cockroaches and unsanitary conditions onboard their vehicles. This is not a matter of occasional nuisance — many drivers describe infestations, and the situation is starting to pose real health, safety and wellbeing risks."
Campaigners want a deep clean of all buses more frequently, and the use of insecticidal treatments, heat treatments, improved vacuuming and sealed barriers in known hotspots.
Drivers also want pest-control measures put in place.
The London Bus Forums group said: "The cockroach reports are not isolated. They point to a wider failure to maintain safe and clean conditions for bus drivers. This is a public health issue affecting both staff and passengers. That's why drivers will be marching on 5 November to demand safer conditions and the adoption of the Bus Drivers Bill of Rights."
About five million bus journeys are made every day in the capital. There are 675 bus routes served by over 8,700 buses, almost all of which are operated by private companies under contract to Transport for London.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We are committed to working together with operators to provide a clean environment for staff and customers.
"Most TfL welfare facilities are cleaned multiple times a day, and at a minimum daily, to maintain hygiene and safety standards. All buses are also cleaned every night before entering service and reports such as these are rare. We take any report seriously and are urgently investigating the specific incidents that have been raised.
"As with any reports, we will take appropriate action as part of the investigation, which can include taking buses out of service for inspection, deep cleans and treatment with specialist equipment if necessary. We would like to reassure staff that our operators would never take action against people raising concerns about welfare or safety and encourage any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or contact us directly."
| Re: Visually-impaired woman 'had to cross track alone' at Yeovil Pen Mill - Aug 2024 In "Heart of Wessex" [366849/30883/19] Posted by grahame at 16:02, 13th October 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
Meanwhile at Dean the station buildings are in Wiltshire and the platforms are in Hampshire.
And in Swindon, the public station entrance is in Heidi Alexander's constituency and the Westbury train departs from Will Stone's!
| Tyne and Wear Metro trains delayed due to cable thefts - Oct 2025 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366848/30906/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:00, 13th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Tyne and Wear Metro services faced delays after cables were stolen from the network.
Services were suspended on the green line between Pelaw in Gateshead and South Hylton in Sunderland after staff discovered the theft.
Passengers were initially told to they could use their tickets on a number of bus routes during the delays.
Trains have now returned to service and are running to their normal schedule.
Metro trains were cancelled two weeks ago due to damaged wires being discovered on a section of the network.
It meant trains stopped running running between Regent Centre and South Hylton and between Four Lane Ends and South Shields.
They resumed later that day but at a 30-minute delay.
| Re: Service update and amendment log, Paddington to Bristol <-> In "London to Swindon and Bristol" [366847/18525/10] Posted by matth1j at 15:55, 13th October 2025 | |
16:30 Bristol Temple Meads - London Paddington
This train has been cancelled because of a broken down train earlier today
[Thought I'd start a topic similar to the one in TransWilts for this sort of thing; is that ok? Did look for an existing one but couldn't spot it.]
| Re: World Cup of Stations, 2025 In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [366846/30596/49] Posted by ChrisB at 15:53, 13th October 2025 | |
Session keys are then the answer. If you can't make your choice within a single visit, well, that's tough in order to get a proper vote!
| Re: World Cup of Stations, 2025 In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [366845/30596/49] Posted by grahame at 15:48, 13th October 2025 | |
Each time the list is displayed, a different order can easily be offered!!
Yes, but if a person is going through the list and exploring each one in turn, the last thing they want is to have the list change under them so they don't know which they have looked at. Hence my modified suggestion posted at 15:02
| Re: Visually-impaired woman 'had to cross track alone' at Yeovil Pen Mill - Aug 2024 In "Heart of Wessex" [366844/30883/19] Posted by bobm at 15:46, 13th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A, eightonedee | |
... Freshford is a curious case ... in terms of both county and accessibility.The station in indeed in Somerset (BaNES) but can only be reached by rail from Wiltshire - the red and blue line on this map shows the county boundary...
As we're digressing a little: Julie Davis in From Blackout to Bungalow, her comprehensive account of Wiltshire in
the Second World War, frequently refers to "Freshford on the Wiltshire-Somerset border", but notes it as being in "Som." in the Index.
Tidworth could be described as on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border; it's said that one entered the station in one county and boarded a train in the other, a story confirmed by contemporary maps that show the county boundary going across the platform. Boundary tweaks in 1992 brought the entire town under Wiltshire.
Meanwhile at Dean the station buildings are in Wiltshire and the platforms are in Hampshire.
| Met PC denies misconduct over manhandling woman during bus stop arrest - 2023 In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366843/30904/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:45, 13th October 2025 | |
From the BBC:
PC Perry Lathwood arrested a woman as she got off a bus
A Metropolitan police officer who wrongly arrested a woman in 2023 for bus fare evasion has denied gross misconduct.
PC Perry Lathwood was fined £1,500 for assaulting Jocelyn Agyemang, who had been travelling on a bus in Croydon, south London with her young son, but had his conviction quashed last September.
He is now facing misconduct proceedings over the allegation that he used force against the woman when there was no lawful basis for the use of force. If the allegation is proved, it could amount to gross misconduct and lead to his dismissal.
PC Lathwood is also accused of using inappropriate language when he arrested Ms Agyemang, calling her "love" and a "daft cow", the tribunal heard.
Cecily White, a barrister representing the Met Police, told the hearing the alleged language is "dismissive and condescending", particularly towards women.
Ms White said Ms Agyemang had been stopped getting off a bus in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, where Transport for London (TfL) inspectors were being assisted by police as part of a ticket checking operation.
In PC Lathwood's body-worn footage, shown to the hearing, Ms Agyemang is heard saying "can you get off my arm", "I haven't done anything" and "get off me", before she begins shouting: "Can you get off me? This man is hurting me" while her son appears to become increasingly distressed. The footage appears to show PC Lathwood shouting at her to "stop resisting" and shortly afterwards says "there's a road behind you you daft cow, stay here".
When Ms Agyemang's Oyster card was checked and it was confirmed she had paid her fare, she was de-arrested at the scene.
That evening Ms Agyemang called police and said she had been restrained by an officer who had hurt her arm such that it was "feeling dead" and still hurting. She reportedly said she did not understand why she had been dealt in that way and had been crying on the phone.
A video of the incident shared on social media went viral, the tribunal heard.
Ms White told the hearing PC Lathwood is "obviously angry and frustrated" in the footage, and said it was "obviously disproportionate and unnecessary to apply that use of force and to handcuff her".
The tribunal continues.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [366842/29711/14] Posted by Witham Bobby at 15:26, 13th October 2025 Already liked by Mark A | |
14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:04 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:13/10/2025 14:05
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:13/10/2025 14:05
17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:13/10/2025 14:05
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:13/10/2025 14:05
If passengers on the Worcester road aren't knocked by staff shortage, it's a broken down train or a signalling failure. One thing after another. Day after day.
Not a service to be relied upon, and I feel sorry for those (my son-in-law included) who have to
| Re: World Cup of Stations, 2025 In "Media about railways, and other means of transport" [366841/30596/49] Posted by ChrisB at 15:20, 13th October 2025 | |
Each time the list is displayed, a different order can easily be offered!!
| Reading fellow travellers - first impressions not always right. In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [366840/30903/51] Posted by grahame at 15:10, 13th October 2025 | |
I have graduated from a senior person's railcard to a disabled person's one. I don't actually consider myself disabled, but then I suppose I am but don't usually notice. As I walked across The Lawn on Saturday evening, a man and a young lad who I took to be his grandson appeared from nowhere, accused me of walking across their pathway, and suggested I watch where I go. I mumbled an apology and as they walked on, he made a gesture like raising a glass to his lips, then, rolled his head / eyes in a suggestion that he knew I had been drinking and was under the influence of alcohol. The whole incident was over in a few seconds; not worth taking it any further, except it makes for an interesting study.
Sure, I can look drunk. I stagger around, keeping my eyes fixed on landmarks ahead as I have lost the sense of hearing in one ear and balance. And keeping my eyes in use to balance, while walking I am looking less at the immediacy that's downward of my eyes - I can trip over things or, in this case, those little people below me. I do look a bit older I suppose, and most people naturally give me a bit of space.
But it did set me thinking and mulling over how we see others around as we travel, and how we summarily, and sometimes wrongly, judge them. The young lady on who was on the train I joined at Whitstable across the aisle, suitcase at her side, struck me as being tired and perhaps ill - certainly coughing, and as we set off she fell asleep. Very shortly, the train manager came along she checked my ticket - "saw you just get on" as I had made a dash for the rear unit, and she took a very perfunctory look at my ticket and it was "Thank you" and AOK. She gently woke the young lady opposite ... who looked for the return half of her ticket, on her phone but was unable to find it. The train manager suggested she show her the booking confirmation email, but she wasn't able to do that because, apparently, the Trainline whom she had booked through don't send confirmations. The train manager suggested that the young lady travelling may have accidentally bought a day rather than a period return ticket, and in the absence of supporting staff and with other carriages to check, moved on, alerting the young lady that her ticket or backup information would be needed at the barrier at her destination. On balance, I suspect that the young lady had self inflicted conditions, no valid ticket, and that the lack of said valid ticket was not a mistake on her part.
From Paddington, I had a reserved seat to Swindon turned out to be an aisle beside a lady travelling on her own, and due to her build she overflowed onto my seat. A smile / "oops" and making space wasn't on; her Niqab made it hard for me to gauge any facial expression - only eyes to go on - and if she said anything is a soft voice I wouldn’t have heard it due to my deafness on that side, nor would I have been able to lip read or even tell she was speaking. And yet ... as we got to Swindon and I left the train, I ventured a smile and goodbye and I could have sworn I saw a softening of the eyes into the upper part of a smile, and I suspect she returned the courteous pleasantry.
P.S. - To the little man and his grandson - it was Saturday night, and I hadn't touch a drop of alcohol since the previous weekend. I was not intoxicated!
