Techniquest
Veteran Member
27/08/2016 - Tech's in his Happy Place, Day 1
No, not a musical reference although I've got plenty of them coming up! As I wasn't down on the rota to work this Bank Holiday Frothday, I decided to take 47403's advice and go for a major red pen fest to de-stress and unwind. Those close to me will already know I'd been having a rough time lately, and this would not be resolved with a mere shack scoring spree. So the trip title, a little odd sounding I'm sure you'll agree. It comes from one of my former bosses at work, whose mantras included "find your happy place" which she drummed into our heads whenever we were struggling. So much so it's still there 3 years later! My 'happy place' has changed several times over the years, but it was always originally London Paddington. I'll never forget my first visit there at around 0635 on an autumn morning in 2003, I was like a kid in a sweet shop! Other places come and go, but that will always be the first one. For the purposes of this trip report, my 'happy place' is going for a rather good bash, tired after a hard week of graft or not, I was going to enjoy myself!
With the long week over, even with aching feet it was a march across town to get to the station as fast as possible. No good deals via Birmingham were available, so I ended up forking out £69.10 for a Super Off Peak Return instead. This let me travel via Newport, therefore on GWR, to London. Oh yes please to the nice long run on an HST! Thankfully the rain stopped by the time I got out of work, and I swing by the chippy to get some much needed food before picking up my tickets and join low mileage 175106 to Newport. Oh yes that food went down well, and wow we went straight in at Newport, no festering at Maindee West Junction!
43159+43071 are on the next move, the 1450 Pembroke Dock to London Paddington. I didn't need the First Class coach (41186 for anyone interested) and I was at the back of the train to identify the rear power car. As I walked through coach B, I noticed some familiar faces, it was only Fishquinn's Dad unexpectedly! I saw Fishquinn and had to be sure, but he recognised me no problem. Some most unexpected company! We're on a divert via Gloucester and Stroud, not something I realised until Quinn told me, a nice bit of extra mileage then, and a winner Trailer Standard for haulage, even better! I enjoy this welcome company until Reading, when Tech's Mobile Disco comes on for a bit. Brisk & Ham's Rock Da Party was the choice, very suitable for some HST thrash so I created the relevant playlist for October now, starting with this banging tune. YouTube it but be warned it can be a bit much hardcore for some!
Arrival at London Paddington sees a huge grin on my face, I love it here. Down to the Bakerloo line and it's double duds 3234+3435 to Oxford Circus. I end up scoring winner for everything 11021 and dud 11022, due to poor logging of my Tube moves years back. 15 Victoria line sets to go, and I bail at Green Park for 10 minutes in case another winner produces. Sadly not, and I give up as I board double duds 11023+11024 to Victoria. The festering paid off now too, as I score winner 375807 with dud 375611 on the 2201 to Bromley South. It takes 25 minutes to get there, despite being non-stop via Bellingham. My head is pounding and I'm dehydrated, so I pop into Tesco for a big bottle of Pepsi Max to take some painkillers.
Winner bus WVH49 takes me to Croydon on route 119, and I'm ready for bed now. Still, I got two winners out of tonight's Mandatory Moves and a couple of required sights. Not bad at all! As much as I should set a later alarm, I set it for 0700. I don't have enough time to waste in bed after all! Now bring on Day 2 and the incredible fun it's going to bring!
No, not a musical reference although I've got plenty of them coming up! As I wasn't down on the rota to work this Bank Holiday Frothday, I decided to take 47403's advice and go for a major red pen fest to de-stress and unwind. Those close to me will already know I'd been having a rough time lately, and this would not be resolved with a mere shack scoring spree. So the trip title, a little odd sounding I'm sure you'll agree. It comes from one of my former bosses at work, whose mantras included "find your happy place" which she drummed into our heads whenever we were struggling. So much so it's still there 3 years later! My 'happy place' has changed several times over the years, but it was always originally London Paddington. I'll never forget my first visit there at around 0635 on an autumn morning in 2003, I was like a kid in a sweet shop! Other places come and go, but that will always be the first one. For the purposes of this trip report, my 'happy place' is going for a rather good bash, tired after a hard week of graft or not, I was going to enjoy myself!
With the long week over, even with aching feet it was a march across town to get to the station as fast as possible. No good deals via Birmingham were available, so I ended up forking out £69.10 for a Super Off Peak Return instead. This let me travel via Newport, therefore on GWR, to London. Oh yes please to the nice long run on an HST! Thankfully the rain stopped by the time I got out of work, and I swing by the chippy to get some much needed food before picking up my tickets and join low mileage 175106 to Newport. Oh yes that food went down well, and wow we went straight in at Newport, no festering at Maindee West Junction!
43159+43071 are on the next move, the 1450 Pembroke Dock to London Paddington. I didn't need the First Class coach (41186 for anyone interested) and I was at the back of the train to identify the rear power car. As I walked through coach B, I noticed some familiar faces, it was only Fishquinn's Dad unexpectedly! I saw Fishquinn and had to be sure, but he recognised me no problem. Some most unexpected company! We're on a divert via Gloucester and Stroud, not something I realised until Quinn told me, a nice bit of extra mileage then, and a winner Trailer Standard for haulage, even better! I enjoy this welcome company until Reading, when Tech's Mobile Disco comes on for a bit. Brisk & Ham's Rock Da Party was the choice, very suitable for some HST thrash so I created the relevant playlist for October now, starting with this banging tune. YouTube it but be warned it can be a bit much hardcore for some!
Arrival at London Paddington sees a huge grin on my face, I love it here. Down to the Bakerloo line and it's double duds 3234+3435 to Oxford Circus. I end up scoring winner for everything 11021 and dud 11022, due to poor logging of my Tube moves years back. 15 Victoria line sets to go, and I bail at Green Park for 10 minutes in case another winner produces. Sadly not, and I give up as I board double duds 11023+11024 to Victoria. The festering paid off now too, as I score winner 375807 with dud 375611 on the 2201 to Bromley South. It takes 25 minutes to get there, despite being non-stop via Bellingham. My head is pounding and I'm dehydrated, so I pop into Tesco for a big bottle of Pepsi Max to take some painkillers.
Winner bus WVH49 takes me to Croydon on route 119, and I'm ready for bed now. Still, I got two winners out of tonight's Mandatory Moves and a couple of required sights. Not bad at all! As much as I should set a later alarm, I set it for 0700. I don't have enough time to waste in bed after all! Now bring on Day 2 and the incredible fun it's going to bring!
