I'm sat next to a young man playing golf on his iPad. There's a smell invisibly around him, it's ........it's......it's BO!
Aaaaaarrrrggghhh! Yuk! I'm gagging here but there's nowhere to escape to
Please don't let me throw up! Please don't let me throw up!
I'm heaving, the wrenched smell is so pungent.....
In my world........
"excuse me young man but did you have a bathe/shower this morning?"
"No.......why? Do I smell?"
"Yep!"
"Badly?"
"Yep!"
"I am sooooo sorry. What should I do?"
" take yourself to tje toilet and 'top and tail' yourself"
"OK.......
And off he goes, returning five minutes later smelling fresh
"Is that better?"
"Yep!"

Two more train buddies arrived minutes before the train arrives

07:00........ Left home feeling warm inside, after having a hot mug of tea.......straight into the brutal cold and bitter air that greeted me
Scarf tightly wrapped around my neck, I made it to St Neots station spot on seven minutes past seven
One male commuter already standing at the usual spot on platform four
"Good morning"
"Good morning" he replied, after taking his left earpiece off
"Cold this morning?"
I wasn't sure whether this was a question or a statement
"Yes........isn't it just!"
07:12.......... Long tall Sally arrives
"Good morning"
Good morning......again we talk about the weather. Both agreeing to disagree on the weather being 'just right' or 'too cold'
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
Two train buddies arrived together; one of my 'adopted daughter and the good doctor..........followed by my namesake

17:22........Standing at the concourse, looking up at the departure sign for the seventeen forty. The usual platform eight is showing a Bradford F Sq instead so I like many of my fellow commuters stare like robots at the departure board...........waiting patiently for 'THE SIGN'
Platform seven shows and a mad dash ensues

17:05......platform one of the District and Circle line from St James's Park station
Only one stop to Victoria station............
I normally walk it to Victoria (a form of daily e exercise) but due to 'escalator work' being done at Victoria station, my commuting has had to change!!!
I'm sat on a new train....... Bright lights!
All the commuters look b**** miserable and it's only Monday!

Just missed a southbound Victoria line train
"Have a good day N......" a voice behind me is heard
I turn to see long tall Sally
"Have a good day too" I replied as a train arrives and stops in front of me
Standing room only but in the long aisle
Warren Street gives two vacant seats bur neither with my name on them
Oxford Circus however did. So I'm now sat for the rest of my journey.......
Aaaatttiuusssshhhh! An accidental sneeze!
"Bless you" my neighbour on my right
"Thank you" I replied

We're now at Stevenage station where two commuters rush for the only vacant seats, well am not sure the luggage racks are seats, perhaps a poor substitute for a seat I guess. The remaining Stevenage commuters, all seven of them, are standing

Topic this morning was the Oscar, 'The King's speech'
"Good morning"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!.......Colin Firth"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!......four awards"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!.......out of ten nominations"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!......seen it"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!........haven't seen it yet"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!.......don't want to see it!"
And so on and so on

For a Monday, for the first day of a new school term........there are plenty of vacant seats and needless to say, we all got a seat TOGETHER!
There were four other train buddies on the train this morning; Mr funny man, and other usual suspects

07:09......... I'm standing on platform four at St Neots' station, first one....yes!
It's lighter albeit wet and windy
Three commuters have joined me but so far, there are no train buddies.....spoke too soon
"Good morning" a cheerful greeting from my namesake
"Good morning" I replied
Then long tall 'Hooded' Sally, followed by our honorary female, the good doctor
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
We talk about our weekend until the train arrived

Not having a good journey to work this morning..... first the train stopped several times on its way into Kings Cross the the southbound Victoria line halted at Oxford Circus
Why?
An imbecile pulled the alarm, that's why!
F****** imbecile!
Now we're stuck here until its investigated

The train has just picked up the Stevenage crew...... Standing room only
Talk about 'standing room only' I nearly had to do just that
Why?
On embarking the train this woman in front of me spotted a vacant seat..... I'm ok with that!
Heads straight for it.......again, I'm ok with that
And takes her time standing, taking her coat off........... Not ok with that!
Why?
The vacant seats in front were now being taken by commuters who had entered from the other door!
In my world......
"Move your f****** fat arse out of the way, you selfish old git!"
"I'm so selfish, so sorry...... Here, you can have my seat"
"F*** off! I don't want your f****** seat!"
Needless to say, I managed to secure the last seat....... No thanks to the selfish git!

My replacement First Capital Connect ticket is very sentimental
Why!
It was issued on Tuesday evening and the first time I used it, yesterday morning, it played up..... Disappearing into its own 'Bermuda triangle' the barrier at St Neots station
It refused to work on all the London barriers both in the morning and evening journey so when, on my return journey home to St Neots, I was just about to ask a male First Capital Connect staff to let me through (as I slotted the ticket through the barrier, waiting for it to scream 'seek assistance')....... It allowed me through the barrier without a hitch!
And this morning? This morning, it worked!
Fingers crossed that it doesn't throw a wobblie in London

08:24........ The eight twenty finally leaves platform four, St Neots station
This morning was torture getting out of bed! Everytime I think I'm winning my battle with the cold/flu, I get a swift reminder that I AM NOT!
The six o'clock alarm went and I reached out to silent its cry and made myself comfortable for an extra hour sleep..........hence for being on the eight twenty to Kings Cross

07:10.......... It's a wet morning in St Neots and I'm standing in the station hub, keeping dry
07:14.......... After searching through my handbag for my umbrella, I make my way through the barrier........
New ticket got stuck in the machine
"Sorry to bother you.......my ticket seems to have DISAPPEARED!"
"You haven't broken the machine have you? A male First Capital Connect staff joked as he came towards me with his bunch of keys
And before he reached me, the ticket appeared and the barrier opened. We laughed and bid each other a good day

Had problem with my ticket AGAIN at Kings Cross underground barriers........ I say AGAIN because........ Let me see.....07:11 this morning, I enter my ticket into the machine, fine...... It came out of the machine, fine but alas the barrier failed to open
Needless to say, I had to ask for assistance from one of the staff
Now, now I found myself having to repeat the episode AGAIN!
I tried the first barrier, no luck!
second barrier, again no luck!
Now I'm getting slightly aggitated
"Sorry to bother you" I said to the male staff
"I can't seem be able to get through with my ticket"
He smiles, takes a look at my ticket and let's me through
"The magnetic strip has been stripped off"
"Thank you"

I gaze out of the window as the train stops to pick up commuters from Stevenage and see a thin layer of mist covering the station and all around it
Our honorary female buddy, the good doctor has got out one of his many toys.........gadgets, today, the iPad, frantically search the news on the recent earthquake in New Zealand with personal interest
There are many sleepers in this carriage...... The normal banter is not heard this morning and I? I am still feeling rough at the edges
My little soldiers are fighting the good fight with the enemy within.........
Cold/flu........F*** OFF!

07:12:35.......... The first train buddy at the usual spot, swiftly followered by long tall Sally then the good doctor then my namesake
Today's subject is........ Libya and........... New Zealand
The train arrives and I like the others embark, eyes dancing, looking for that vacant seat with our name invisibly etched on its back
I took ownership on the second outside seat, beside a young woman, oblivious to my presence
She has her eyes shut tightly, her handbag on her lap, her folded arms are laying on top of her handbag, a visible black earpiece can be seen coming out of her handbag
She is listening quietly to her music. In front of her is a hot paper cup of coffee/tea and she sips it intermittently

'Deal close for mobiles in Underground' stares up at me from page seven of today's Evening Standard
F*** noooooo!
I screamed, under my breathe
That's all we f****** need on the underground. Transport for London's not satisfied with imbeciles polluting the air with loud music, now loud mobile conversations from 's/he said and I said' imbeciles???????
Maybe I should start a one (wo)man protest and see how many will follow!
Five thousand, one hundred and eighty pounds for a season ticket!
HUMBUG!

I am now sat one carriage away from my train buddies, still out of breathe!
I've lost count of days, but I believe I'm on day eight, second week of the lergies!
My body is on protest mode!

17:38........Two minutes short of it's departure, I did a two second burst of my 'six million dollar man' act and made it on the platform eight, seventeen forty train to Peterborough. I stop short of jumping on the usual carriage
Why?
Because of the likelihood of not getting a seat. In my state of health, there's no way I could endure standing for that duration!

08:06...... I made a last minute dash to get in the southbound Victoria line to Brixton. I'm standing at the long aisle in front of a 'nose picker'
He couldn't have had breakfast this morning.....
Why?"
He's tucking into his boggies, that's why!
Aaaawwwwhhhh!
Boggey man got off at Oxford Circus
It's time to call the forensic ........ he may have left some Boggey behind!
Victoria station is next
That 'dash' for the train wasn't a good idea after all........ body is still weak

I'm feeling a little better this morning. A tad bunged up but nothing compared to last week.
Thanks to friends and family, who looked after me, I'm on the road to recovery

07:17........ The train arrives and stops a few yards away and we shuffle towards the opening door
"Half term?"
Plenty of available seats....... It certainly IS half term!
Peterborough station comes and goes and we're now heading towards our final destination, Kings Cross

07:07......walking towards St Neots' hub, no sign of any train buddies so I walk through the barrier, up the steps, across the bridge and down the steps to.......an empty platform spot. I'm the first at the spot this morning! I was shortly joined by ling tall 'Sally'
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
"How you feeling today?"
"A lot better than last week"
"Did you go house hunting this weekend?"
"No......wasn't feeling up to it"
"Good morning"
We are now joined by our honorary train buddy, the good doctor
Subject of conversation is now focused on what's going on in the Arab world
"Blah! Blah! Blah!"
Then one of my adopted daughter arrives
A chorus of "Good morning" ensues
Once again the subject of conversation changes.......to house moving

Day five of my battle with the lergies and I can honestly say that I'm fighting a losing battle!

07:17........ Platform four for the Kings Cross fast train. There are four train buddies all together. Train arrives on time and we join two other train buddies, one semi buddy and an old buddy who we haven't seen for a long time
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
"Wow....... Haven't seen you on this train for a very long time!"
One of us introduces the 'estranged' buddy to our newest train buddy, my namesake
We all chatted and caught up with what's going on in his life and ours

17:40......... Homeward bound!
still not quite my normal self.....but getting there
Sleep prevails......ssssnnnoozzzzzz!

Met a neighbour on the southbound Victoria line train towards Kings Cross
Platform eight for the seventeen forty departure to Peterborough
We both got on the usual carriage and managed to secure the remaining available seats completely away from each other

Just missed a northbound Victoria lime train and waiting for the next one.......one minute........two minutes.......and here comes the....... PACKED train!
Standing room only and I'm now standing at the long aisle, holding on dearly to the railbar. Euston station......the young man sitting in front of me stands up and exit allowing me to sit on the now unoccupied seat
I am feeling so rundown, everything being a chore

Day four....... My body is still possessed with the cold/flu, so feeling lethargic, so not happy!

07:05........ DOS man kindly gives me a lift to St Neots station
07:14......six train buddies now congregated at platform four chatting away when........
".....platform change, platform three for the seven seventeen" and a quick shuffle by all
"The train driver must be on 'speed', it's only seven fourteen!"
And we roared!

I'm sat on the seventeen forty, eight minutes early
I'm still under the weather so my alertness of my surounding is awe-red
So I'm switching my mind off and going to a quiet place

17:13......... Waiting at the southbound Victoria line for a train....... When along comes an empty new style train, needless to say, no standers!
Going down the escalators from district line to Victoria line, I saw a man carrying his work tool....... A metal ladder!
Yes....... A metal ladder!
I guess one could not argue with this sight, afterall, others carry their brief case, handbag, laptop, luggage et al
Next station is Warren Street, 'change for the Northern line'
"...... Train will be held here for a short while, owing to problems at Euston"
"Ladies and gentlemen, I can confirm that this train can now leave the station....."
And???????
Do you want a f****** medal????

08:04.......Kings Cross, platform seven
Now standing in the aisle of a northbound Victoria line train, feeling worse for wear. This cold/flu is getting the better of me
Oxford Circus and I manage to bag a seat. There's a young woman who's playing her personal music loudly!
There's a reason it's called 'personal'
Victoria station next and I'm getting off with a headache!
Thanks........you selfish b******!

Stevenage station and only one vacant seat plus one vacant rack on offer. They are soon taken, leaving standing room only

07:33........sat next to a suited middle-aged gentleman reading a free 'Metro' newspaper
The train is slowing down at Hitchin station.....not a good sign
It's stopped, no, it's moving again albeit slowly...... It's picking up speed now and the conversation turns to last Thursday's delay home, 'due to signal failure'
Next conversation is on the 'Brits Award', 'My big fat gypsy wedding' (this is where I switch off!)

07.11.......platform four for the seven seventeen to King's Cross. Three amigos...... I mean, three train buddies altogether.
"What the f***?" one train buddy states, pointing to her left
We follow her finger and gasped in astonishment
What were we looking at?
A male commuter had jumped onto the track retrieving whatever he had dropped
"What an idiot!"
"Well, I bet you would do the same for your iPhone"
"No way!"
"I'm not risking my life for anything I can replace"
"Actually, you should be concerned about the inconvenience you may cause your fellow commuters"
"Anyway.......by the time he crosses the bridge to report it and for the staff to retrieve it, it would be quicker to do it yourself"
Ok........whatever!
The man is now safely back on the platform
What a f****** idiot!

Second day of fighting the lergies and not quite succeeding
I'm going to power nap now.......
Sssssnnnnnzzzzzzz!

17:35........ Only one vacant seat and sat down next to three St Neotsian
Familiar faces but not too familiar to be train buddies.
The human race is a funny one
Why?
One of them who normal says hello and in fact converse with me is now totally blanking me!
As if I was a none entity
Do I f****** care?
Hell(n)o!!!

17:21........just leaving southbound Victoria line, homeward bound. First detonation, King's Cross, then St Neots
I'm hoping to catch the seventeen forty
There's a woman opposite me chewing a gum...... It reminds me of watching the washing machine in cycle!
Why?
I can see inside her mouth, the chewing gum, her teeth and I swear, I can also see her tonsils
Eeeeewwwwhhhh!
Warren Street station and it's now seventeen twenty eight...... Will I make it for the seventeen forty?
And if I do will I get a sit?
Eustom, seventeen thirty.......ten minutes to go

Kings Cross, platform one....... A tannoy announcement on arrival, warning us of the new barriers!
F***! More valuable time spent queuing!!
Now on the Victoria line train and standing room only
I am train surfing at the long aisle, away from the BO lovers

Woke up shivering and sweating at the same time. Begrudgley got out of my warm bed, showered, dressed, face on and pumped full of medication.
DOS man drove me to the station
07:11......... Through the barrier, up the steps, across the bridge, down more steps and on platform four towards two train buddies
"Good morning"
"Good morning" replied the good doctor
Minutes later two more train buddies join us, then another
"So..... Is this your son?"
"Yes........"
"Well, aren't you going to introduce him to us?"
"This is......." and we all welcomed him into our fold
The train arrives on time and we all managed to get a seat bar one, who drew the short draw and got the rack!

I'm sat on the seventeen forty from platform eight. My head is throbbing, my chest is all flemmed up and I'm having the occasional coughing fit!
This is an early goodnight from me.........

17:10...... Feeling rather rundown! All the sign of a cold/flu
After one stop from St James's Park station, I join the hundreds going down the Victoria line ascalators and board the first train
I'm actually standing even though there are available seats........ I'm definitely not feeling well
The train is now packed as we arrive at the next destination, Warren Street station
The train has stopped in mid-flow...... It's back running after a couple of minutes
All I can hear is blah! blah! blah!
I am so not with it....... I really don't give a rats a***
on the things going on around me

07:08........ After waving DOS man goodbye, I made my way towards platform four and my train buddies
Only three of us this morning and only one more on the train. We chatted all the way to Kings Cross
Standing with the BO lovers on the Victoria line train........ Warren Street station and still standing amongst the BO lovers....... Smells of stale cigarettes, last nights meal and........... Oxford Circus station brings a light relief as I slither to stand at the long aisle

07:00.......Got a lift to St Neots station.......Thanks to DOS man
Surprise Valentine's gift from DOS man this morning, a beautiful Swarovski pendant. I can't wait to try it on tonight

Train stopped before Stevenage for approximately thirty minutes........something about being a queue followed by the usual pathetic apology 
I chatted with my neighbour, chatted with the young woman now sat on the floor beside me, chatted to the elderly gentleman who's also sat on the floor
We moaned about the shoddy treatment by First Capital Connect
The train finally starts up its engine at eight ten, making its way towards Stevenage station where the young woman bids us ' goodnight and good luck'
Hitchin station bids my neighbour 'goodnight'
St Neots is welcoming as it draws nearer 

On the already packed nineteen o'five train to Peterborough..... Packed with rowdy football fans.
I was just over an hour late to the short film event and got a taste of the tail end of it, followed by half an hour debate. The debate was interesting and I wished I had been there from the start.......... Thank you, First Capital Connect! (I'm being facetious)

15:55.......just passed Alexandra Palace, two minutes later, Hornsey then Finsbury Park and without stopping, straight to Kings Cross

15:31.........Stevenage, whatever! I've been a prisoner on this train since fourteen twenty four (time not years, but debatable)

15:20........ The train is slowly on the move. My day's event has been totally ruined!
Hitchin f****** station! So what!

The rain/hailstone has stopped and there's a beautiful rainbow in the sky coupled with fluffy clouds and blue sky...... Mother Nature? Stop messing with me!

Fourteen fifty nine....... and the train finally starts again albeit slow!
Three o'clock and we haven't even reached our first stop. It would have been quicker if I had driven into London
Another announcement as the train grinds to a stop
Blah! Blah! Blah!.....here for ten, fifteen minutes due to the train in front of us blah! blah! f****** blah!
My main purpose to London has been scarpered by First Capital Connect, who can't even organise a piss up in a brewery!

Still at the same spot and it's chucking hailstones outside!
Five minutes to three and I'm trying very hard to contain my composure
F***!F***!F***!
This is not looking f****** good!

Suddenly the tannoy awakes
"I'm sorry about the delay. This is due to Engineering work being carried out between Hitchin and Stevenage"
Tell it to someone who gives a d***!

All in all, there are five of us in the first carriage
I can hear the silent knocking on the window......... I look up and see the rain.......tapping gently on the window pane
Nooooooo! The train has stopped in midflow........ No reason given
It lets out several 'farting' noise but still no movement, no reason, NOTHING!

The train arrives as I walk towards the platform end, away from my 'housemates'
I am now sat in the first carriage facing backwards, looking at what I was leaving behind. Outside, it seems like Mother Nature is having a change of mind -there are patches of grey clouds in the sky
The fields on both sides are green with brown patches, a telltale sign of the weather they've endured

Aaaaah!
Aaaaah!
Noise heard from the tannoy
The coffin dodgers and I look at each other
"So that's the real reason for the delay!"
Laughter is heard
"Trust you to have a filthy mind!"
More laughter
These coffin dodgers are just as like-minded as the rest of us

Who ever said men are from Mars and women are from Venus was definitely right!
We certainly don't always sing from the same page

The only thing that is keeping me calm is Mother Nature...... She is smiling down at me and I soak up the bright ray of sun that's penetrating on to my cheeks through the glass pane of the waiting room
Solace all around me.........
Spoke too soon.......
I'm joined by four coffin dodgers, two men and two woman.....
probably married couple. The two men sat together talking about Egypt
"I admire what's happening there"
"We would never have the balls to do it here"
"No.......we just take the crap, moan about it and do nothing!"
"my five year old granddaughter blah! blah! blah!"
Conversation between the two women
Typical! No matter what age.........
Men will always talk about 'football/politics' and women will always talk about 'the important things'

I'm off to a short film presentation by a special young lady at the Housman book shop
on Caledonian Road
Kings Cross
N1 9DX

My plan to take the thirteen forty one to Kings Cross has been messed up.......thanks to First Capital Connect and their lame excuse of 'engineering work taken place in the Stevenage area' or was it.....
'Central overhead line work'..........Who gives a f***!
Oh! Did I mentioned that First Capital Connect '......Do apologise for any inconvenience caused.....'
Yeah! I bet you do!
I arrived in good time for the train, now I'm sat in the waiting room between platform three and four for the fourteen twenty-five

Ready to wave goodbye to London city as I enter St James's Park station, the first leg of my journey home
Victoria line, Victoria station was like a mine field........so many bodies coming from the left side towards the escalators, coming from the makeshift entrance from Victoria line and the reason for me coming via St James's Park station
Yeh walk down the escalators was pretty manic!
The train arrives within seconds and I managed to bag a seat
I think I'll make the seventeen ten
We're just leaving Euston and it's only sixteen fifty-three
17:00....... Platform three for the seventeen ten to Peterborough
I am sat next to a full moustache/bearded Jean clad young man. He is listening quietly to his music and tapping his fingers on his lap.......tap! tap! tap!

Managed to get on rhe first train on the southbound Victoria line...... Stood for one stop, bagged a seat at Euston station..... Yes!
The next stop is Warren Street where one can 'change here for the Northern line'
"The next station is Oxford Circus, doors will open on the left hand side......."
Old commuters out, replaced by new ones
Green Park next......
Victoria station......
Up the escalators and through the barriers, up the steps and presto! Hello Westminster!

Just passed the Emirate stadium so nearly at Kings Cross, followed by a mad dash to the underground

It's Friday..........Yes!
It's 'Dressed down day....... Yes!
It's Jeans day........ Yes!
All around the carriage, I spot commuters casually dressed, I too had my jeans on

Stevenage comes and goes....... Standing room only for these commuters

07:13........ The seven twelve to Peterborough from platform one was already leaving the platform as I walked over the bridge. The usual 'train buddy' spot is heaving this morning. I spot four......five train buddies at the front of the queue and there were approximately seven other commuters behind them. I joined the queue silently and waited for the train
There's no way I was going to get a seat this morning, I thought as the train arrived. On entering........ all the train buddies turned right but I decided to go left! left! left!........ and managed to bag a seat. I am sat near the window beside a grey haired spectacled man reading the Daily Telegraph. Directly facing him is a bald headed clean shavened man reading a book and beside him, facing me, is a young sleeping woman quietly listening to music on her iPhone/iPod

06:48........ Out the door and started my (just under) two miles walk to St Neots station
Passed a handful of early birds, some like me, on their way to work, others...... walking their dogs. Half way towards my journey's end, I realised that I was being stalked!
Stalked?
Yes...... Stalked!
Mother Nature's dark clouds above had greeted me outside my home and has stalked me relentlessly
Although rather annoyed, I was armed for an assult....... an assult of the rain kind and like a cowboy feeling for his gun in its holster, I too felt for my umbrella........ Yes! My faithful umbrella was in my handbag.
I looked up at the sky and mentally gave a two finger salute

He parks his luggage besides him blocking the aisle
He must have precious gold inside......
Hitchin...... He gets off
Yes!
I am now sat alone with my thoughts as the train speeds to it's next destination, St Neots and home

Why so?
Well.......sitting beside him is ...........
Wait for it.........
His two wheeler luggage, just the two of them before I rudely intruded
He gives me a stern look, I smile and wait while he moves his luggage
After all.........what's the 'luggage' rack for???

17:12....... Made my way to the concourse in no hurry as I've missed the seventeen ten
On reaching the concourse I gazed up at the departure board and saw the seventeen ten now 'expected to leave at seventeen fourteen........... YES!
A few other commuters start to dart through the crowd towards platform two from the normal path......
Platform eight, then platform seven and so on
But we had to do a double turn, returning henceforth to where we started
Why?
A gate! A f****** gate!
"F****** hell! Scream a young woman pushing her luggage behind her
So we dart through the crowd heading the the otherside and.........
Bang in front of us are new barriers!
I can't f****** believe it! I cussed in my head as I pulled out my ticket AGAIN!
I only JUST managed to get on the first carriage
I made my way through the carriages until I couldn't go any further
"Excuse me please"
Old man stares at me as if thinking ........ 'How dare you'

St James's Park station...... Standing just behind the yellow line, waiting for the district or circle line train to arrive
A circle line train arrives and commuters scramble on. Next stop is Victoria station where I disembark, down the steps followed by escalators turning left to the northbound Victoria line to Kings Cross
A train has just pulled away and I head towards the tail end of the next coming train. The train is quite empty and all commuters are spoilt for choice as to where they should sit
Euston station and there are still plenty of empty seats but no takers
Kings Cross...... Here I come

Southbound Victoria line...... Standing with the BO lovers...... Euston station brings a light respite..... now train surfing at the aisle
Warren Street station....a further upgrade. I am now sat between two women. Oxford Circus....... Green Park.........Victoria station.......and I'm off! Up the excalators, through the barrier, up the steps........ Aaaah! Fresh air!

Stevenage station brings in several more commuters with only standing room
There's a quiet air around the carriage - most are reading a morning newspaper of their choice, some are texting, some are listening to music (quietly)

06:43...... My walk to St Neots station was a delight this morning
"Good morning" greetings from a random dog walker
"Good morning" I replied
I continue my walk and was greeted by another random walker
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
How nice to just greet your fellow human being, an acknowledgement of some sort
The sky is lit...... fire red! What a sight!
I walk pass another random greeter
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
07:11...... Now standing at platform four. Two train buddies lost in conversation
I joined them and within seconds, two more train buddies arrived
"Good morning" greetings said in unison
07:17...... The train arrives and stops, letting us in. There are two more train buddies
We sat huddled together, chatting.

Through the gap between the seat beside me, sat a woman with no face, just her hands are visible to me......... She has a laptop on her lap and her fingers are busy dancing across the keyboard
I am fascinated with the strokes of Chinese/Japanese writing that I see on the screen......... Technology in a masterclass of it's own!

17:03....... Kings Cross and a leisurely walk to the concourse where 'platform six' is showing. I make my way towards platform six, and enter, spotting a vacant seat next to a Jean clad young man. He us reading the sports page of the Evening Standard. I gaze out of the window and smiled
Why?
It's still light outside. I can see and appreciate things normally taken for granted (and probably will be once the winter nights have departed)
Ok! Ok!
Darkness will probably have fallen by the time we reach St Neots..........
I gaze out of the window again and .........yes, darkness is already showing me who's the boss

My journey has slightly changed for the time being
Why?
Thank f****** Transport for London's Victoria line at Victoria station!
Due to renovation on the escalators, it's horrendous trying to travel from there at peak time
So here I am, starting my journey home from St James's Park station. Now I have to walk to the end of the platform in order to exit at the right point at Kings Cross........ What a f****** palaver!
The Victoria line train is now packed........this time I am seated
Warren Street comes and goes without a movement from any commuters
Euston station, then Kings Cross........ I have eleven minutes to get to the platform

I'm certainly not getting value for my money this morning
Why?
First Capital Connect......the rack all the way from St Neots to Kings Cross
Then Transport for London...... Standing all the way from King's Cross to Oxford Circus, now sat next to a young woman with music blearing out of her ears!
In my world.....
Action speaks louder than words, so without further ado....... I yank the earpiece out of her ears and confiscate it...... The end!

06:48....... Exiting the warm comfort of my humble home, entering the cold icy world. I took one look at both cars and decide to walk to the station
Why?
The cars are all covered with a layer of thick ice.
A brisk walk kept the cold at bay
07:14.......... At Station Road I spot a train at platform four and thought I was late so started walking a gear up. Other commuters were doing the same. We all gathered speed through the open barrier, up the steps, across the bridge and then........
"The seven seventeen now stopping at platform three. I saw three/four train buddies dart from platform four to take their place at platform three
I made it to the bottom of the steps and joined the back of the now crowded spot, invisible to my train buddies
No seat for me this morning, only the 'BBQ' rack.......oh well!

08:21........ Now sat beside a sleeping twentysomething brunette woman, dressed in black from head to toe
There are quite a few sleepy heads on the train
My male buddy is sitting on the other side of the gangway and we continue to chat.......all the way to Kings Cross where we said our goodbyes before going our separate ways
Northbound Victoria line this morning, a slight detour to my normal week day routine
I am attending a very important meeting

07:50......... It's the fifth day of wind maniac! My battle with the wind commences. My once immaculate hair is now all over the place. I managed to found the last available parking spot and park. Once again facing the wind I make my way to St Neots' station....... WINDSWEPT!
08:06........the hub is my temporary haven........ then I spot a male train buddy
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
"Did you have a good weekend?"
"Yes....... and you?"
"Yes, thanks"
We talk more about our weekend before spotting another train buddy
"Good morning" we said in unison
"Good morning" said the female buddy now standing at the queue for hot drinks
08:15....... We decide to make our way to platform four for the eight twenty to Kings Cross

I lost interest in their conversation and decide to skim through the free Evening Standard

17:52........ Departure watching for the eighteen ten
Platform two begins to flash and ........ the gauntlet begins
I found several empty seats and I mark one as my own, placed my handbag in the chosen seat, take off my overcoat, gloves and scarf and made myself at home
"Excuse me"
I looked up to see a middle-aged DIY man looking down at me
"Yes, of cause"
He's wearing a dark blue top and green army(esk) trousers...... covered in dried white paint
"Thank you"
"You're welcome"
"Oh!.....hello!" shouts a young man, sitting two sits away
"Hello" replies the young woman in front of me
"I didn't see you there"
She slides herself to the window seat and he sits besides her
The talk about their journey blah! blah! blah!
"Why are you still commuting from St Neots? Do you have a girlfriend keeping you there
"No"
Was that a fishing question?
Is she trying to find out whether he was in a relationship or what?
That's the million dollar question

17:26........ Mad dash along the platform for the right exit carriage to Kings Cross
Why?
Victoria line from Victoria station is a no go area during peak time
Why?
A year long refurbishment on the escalators!
It's alright going in the morning 
Euston station next and the train is full but not uncomfortably packed
I am sat all the way
The train has been motionless for several minutes and it looks like I'm not going to make the seventeen forty!
17:37........ No movement...... No announcement!
F*** Transport for London!
17:38.......
Tick tock
Tick tock
"Ladies and gentlemen......."
Now what?
"Due to the faulty train........"
Here we go
"This train will now terminate here........"
F***! 
That's the seventeen forty out of the window then
And as I stand, one of many, I'm praying that I won't miss the eighteen ten
"........all good service on the......."
Laughter surrounds me

Embarrasing moment has just occurred
What?
I got up, stretched for my black overcoat and slipped it on
"Excuse me.....
I turn
"I believe you've got my coat on"
The female commuter was also wearing a black overcoat
I looked at 'my' coat and immediately realised that although very similar in style, it didn't sit quite right
"Oh! I'm sorry"
"That's ok" she lied
We exchange coats and more pleasantries and went our separate ways
What a total embarrassment!!!

I skim through the file only stopping to read the interesting parts
And yes, he was right...... I felt a tad queasy and I handed the file back without words being exchanged
That'll teach me for being nosy....... I mean inquisitive
We're now at Stevenage. This morning I realise that most of us had the same hairstyle....... WINDSWEPT!
The train moves quickly, onward and forward to it's end destination, Kings Cross

08:05....... After five minutes or so standing at the hub, I unwillingly made my way to platform four and waited for the eight twenty
I am sat next to a 'medical' gentleman
Why 'medical'
He had on his lap three/four light green files titled 'Drugs Examination File' as its heading and 'The Forensic Science Service' on the lefthand side of the file
So....... So I'm guessing he's a doctor of some sort
In my world
"Good morning kind sir"
"Good morning"
He notices me staring at the files
"What can I do you for?"
"Well..... I..... I was wondering if I can have a gander at one of your files"
"Why?"
"I'd love to satisfy my curiosity.......if I may?"
"Ok......eat your heart out but don't blame me if you can't stomach the content"
He passes one to me
"Thank you"

07:50....... I confronted the wind and cursed it for keeping me awake lastnight. It's careless whispering just wouldn't stop
The wind just laughed as it mocked me with a gust slapping me across the face......... Ok..... It's won this battle!
The drive to my parking spot was slow........ I'm blaming the wind
I parked and was windswept all the way to St Neots' station. By the time I got to the station, my hair was all over the place!
Message to myself........ Don't comb my hair in the morning until later! Afterall, what's the point?

Hitchin station now........ and the 'musician' thankfully disembarks......... Real silence takes over the carriage....... Only after a huge sigh from the remaining commuters

There's a young man playing his large keyboard..... It's now got people talking to each other
"What the heck is that?
"It's a young man playing a keyboard"
"I wouldn't mind if he was good"
"An X Factr reject!"
And so on and so on.......
And the music played on and on
You can't get the right kind of commuters these days came to my mind
In my world
"You rubbish mate! I don't know who told you that you're good, but your f****** awful!"
"I'm sorry, I'll stop the racket now"
"F*** you will or else you're going to be wearing my shoes where the sun doesn't shine!"
..........Silence IS GOLDEN!

Platform seven for the nineteen ten to Peterborough..........it's the old raggerty train!
As I was walking towards the platform two men behind me were overheard talking to each other......
"Should we go for comfortable seat or hot babes?"
Unfortunately I didn't hear the reply but I'm guessing they've taken the first option, comfortable seats!
Why?
The two women sat opposite them were no eye candy.....to say the least!
More like Hyacinth Bouquet.......
Mind you the two men weren't eye candy themselves
A group of us met up with an ex colleague hence the reason for me being on the nineteen ten

Standing room only on the southbound Victoria line train...... Aaaah! I bag a seat at Euston station
I am sat next to a schoolboy....... It's nine sixteen and I wonder why he wasn't at school yet....... Yep! I know....... It's none of my d*** bussiness!
Green Park station then Victoria station why I run the gauntlet

Now standing at platform four waiting for the eight twenty train to Kings Cross.
I am now sat next to a young blonde casually dressed woman reading 'Reveal' magazine. She has two mobiles and a hot drink on the small tray in front of her....... And I? I have my black pair of gloves and my season ticket pass on the small tray in front of me
Sleep was my enemy lastnight as I tossed and turned.
Now....... sat on the train, I ponder about life and all living things. Do we really have a say on our destiny? Or is it beyond our control? Can one person's action really cause an
enormous reaction on the fate of others? Is life just a domino affect?

07:45.......... A quick call to DOS man before leaving home,door shut behind me as I make my way to Raine (my feista car).
As I revised out of the drive, the house looked forlorn
The sun is a deceiver as it battles with the bitter cold, clearly losing the fight - for this morning, the cold is wearing the crown

The train takes it's time but finally arrives at Kings Cross
As I stood up to put on my coat et al a voice startles me...... It's my 'New Best Friend'
He's yapping in my ears like an incessant dog........ Yap! Yap! F****** Yap!
I couldnt get away quick enough
"Have a good day"
"You too"
"May bump into each other again"
"Yes"
Not if I have anything to do with it I thought and we went our separate ways

The train has stopped in midflow, at Hornsey station........ ok, it's gathering speed now but not quite up to it's normal fast speed. There has been no announcement AND it's now going at a slow pace
Here we go..........stress level rising by five percent!
We are just passing Finsbury Park
"Alright mate, just to let you know that we've been delayed about five minutes"
Overheard conversation
Five f****** minutes!
And someone has found a reason to call and tell someone THIS???????

I'm sat next to a clean shavened young man in a gray suit and yellow tie
He's on his mobile talking about court attendance blah! blah! blah!
Call ends, he puts the mobile in his left pocket and proceeds to fumble with his right pocket...... producing another mobile and begins to text
In the meanwhile, Stevenage station has come and gone without me noticing

Did I say, WE talked?
Hell no! He did ninety percent of the talking....... Thank God the train arrived when it did otherwise there may have been a fatality at St Neots (homicide or suicide, not quite sure which)

Standing at platform four waiting for the eight twenty fast train to Kings Cross
"Cold this morning?"
"Very!" I replied, not quite sure whether it was a question or a statement
"Aye!"
The middle-aged grey haired gentleman begins to chat. He has a broad Scottish accent
"I don't actually mind this.....
"Oh!"
"It's the rain I don't like" And he continues to chat...... More a one-sided chat
Talk about verbal d*********+*!
"We've not long moved there" He says, pointing at the building site across platform four rail tracks
"Oh!"
"We're from Scotland"
I would never have guessed!!!!!
We talk about the fledging house prices, we talk about the extra bridge plan for St Neots's station, we talk about the price of train fares until the train arrives and I quickly got a seat, took off my coat, scarf and gloves

07:55........ It's a bright morning albeit 'finger tip' cold
Lady luck is in my favour as a large parking space welcome me; a gap for a least three cars...... Yes!
I parked with ease and walked the five minutes walk to the station
08:04........ Waited at St Neots' hub for warmth

Sandy....... I mentally wave three commuters off and told the breeze to p*** off! AGAIN!
St Neots next and it's going to be a fight between me and the breeze.....
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
But we all know who's going to win eh!
I'm putting on my coat, scarf and gloves ready to face my two enemies; the darkness and the bitter breeze!

This is a slow train......
Finsbury Park........passed
Stevenage.........passed
Hitchin.......just passing. I'm left with a handful of 'worst for wear' commuters!
Everytime the doors open the cold air sneaks in aaaaawwwwwhhhh!
Arlesley came and went without a murmur
Biggleswade........ Commuters out, cold breeze in......
Cold breeze....... Why don't you p*** off and blow somewhere else!

21:20..........sat in the twenty one twenty two to Peterborough
Tonight I did a detour from St James's Park station to Green Park station
Why?
I was invited to attend the Japanese Embassy for an evening with Haiku poet, Japanese Cultural Envoy, Ms Madoka Mayuzmi 'HAIKU: The Heart of Japan in 17 Syllables....... An hour and a half of cultural discovery. Until recently, I had never hear of Haiku.
I love reading and writing poetry and getting an insight in something new, something different was so refreshing, invigorating to say the least
What is this new love?
Haiku.........by name
Short poem.......by nature
It's the world's shortest poem consisting of just 17 syllables
Yep! You heard..........just 17 syllables
In my world........Minimalism of all things
Minimanilism of Mother Nature and all that surrounds us
After the final recital, we mingled. They fed us sushi and watered us with white wine, red wine and juice

08:09............ Standing at the platform edge, on the southbound Victoria line, when along comes a.........train!
Standing room only. I started off standing with the BO lovers and upgraded at Euston station, where several commuters disembark. Warren street station comes and goes, with me still standing!
Oxford Circus next...... I may or may not get a seat..........train is slowing down........train is stopping, doors opens, doors closes and.......... Maybe not a seat!
Lady luck is not in my side this morning