Random meetings

Thankfully one escapes from work at weekends and does one's best to forget the misery, drudgery and pain that goes with the working week.

There are some things that lighten the load - generally the jolly good chaps one meets on the way to and from work.

Sadly in recent months our numbers have been depleted by people finding jobs closer to home - mainly to do with not wanting to get up so early in the morning for a train service that threatens to mess up your day, every day.

The list of fallen is as follows:

Trainman
Visaman
Traintotty
Mini-crasher (has accepted a new job)
Royal Green Jacket - considering something closer to home

I am sometimes lonely on the platform. And for someone with as much verbal diohhrea as me, this is difficult.

Poor me.

TTF

Annoying announcements and excitable train managers

So there's this chap that some times runs the 7.12am train. He's ok - very contientious and so on. He has quite interesting eyebrows and a very genuine way about him when he's doing the ticket rounds.

But yesterday I had enough.

He said the following line about 700,000 times:

Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. We're on final approach to Reading now. If you are leaving us here, please ensure you have all of your personal possessions with you and retain your tickets for inspection at the barrier.
And don't forget your brollies. It is wet out there so please take your brollies with you. Once again, don't forget your brollies. Please check you haven't left your brolly behind.

I don't think he likes collecting up brollies at the end of the journey somehow.

TTF

The man at the gate

Those of us that frequent Reading station will be familiar with the 3 or 4 different faces we see at the ticket barriers every day. This is especially true for me as I can't be bothered to get my season ticket out of my wallet so I walk up to the gate and just flash my ticket at him without actually getting it out.

I always make a point of saying good morning/ evening or thankyou to these chaps because so many people pass by without so much as a smile.

I do this also because it makes me feel a bit special and better than everyone else...

Anyway, today on my way home, the chap at the gate was looking the other way. I said to him:
"Good evening chief".. he looked round in suprise, then recognition and said:
"Alright bruv?" and gave me an affectionate tap on my elbow.

I can honestly say this brought a smile to my face after a difficult day and put me in a good mood for the faultless journey home.

Aaaahhhh. Lovely

TTF.

Conversations you overhear on the train

Another classic from yesterday from a well spoken man speaking very loudly on his mobile...

"Tell John I hope his rear end isn't too sore after last night"....


Ouch.