c2c Bans E-Ciggies
I saw this poster at Upminster station.

A Poster at Upminster Station
Quite right too!
Dinner In The Gherkin
I went to a dinner last night at the top of the Gherkin, that was organised by an event club to which I belong.
The dinner itself was pretty good and the views were superb.

The View From The Gherkin At Night
But the club has been recently taken over and the new organiser was showing all the skills that Ed Miliband has shown with the Scottish Labour Party.
I doubt I shall be going to any of their events again.
The Gherkin At Night
I’ve never been close to the Gherkin in the dark. I took these pictures.
We need more innovative designs like this, rather than the dreaded Shard.
De Beauvoir Square In Autumn
I took these pictures today, as I walked past De Beauvoir Square.
Even in autumn, it still has some flowers.
Hackney, which is not the richest of London boroughs, has a few squares like this, including Fassett Square, where if things had turned out differently, might have been where the BBC filmed East Enders. As it was, the set was modelled on that square.
The Helpful Welsh
I sometimes find translations rather amusing.

An Obvious Translation
In this case surely the English translation isn’t needed.
Treherbert
Treherbert was my first destination and is probably best described as a small town that has seen better days.
One of my reasons for choosing Treherbert was to take stock of the town before they electrify the line to Cardiff.
It is certainly a town, that needs something to stimulate business and employment.
I certainly hope that I am able to return to the town in a few years time in a smarter electric train.
The tea room has only recently opened and I hope it succeeeds, After all, if say you came up to Treherbert like I did out of curiosity or perhaps to have a walk on the hills, you might like to get some refreshment before returning down the valley.
From Cardiff To Treherbert
After the match, I could have come home directly in the morning, but I wanted explore the Valley Lines.
I started by going to Cardiff Central station, where I got a train to Cardiff Queen Street followed by one from there to Treherbert, as for no better reason, than it was the first that turned up.
The pictures tell the story of the very scxenic journey up to Treherbert and down to Pontypridd.
As befits the UK’s stereotypical view of a wet Wales, the stations seem to be well sheltered and generally in good repair.
The Class 142 on which I travelled, was one of the better Pacers that I’ve ridden in and was reasonably clean and tidy.
Around Cardiff City Centre
I took these pictures as I walked around Cardiff City Centre.
I didn’t see too many clocks and statues weren’t that numerous, but I did like the fact that a large area is pedestrianised.
A Big Lith In Cardiff
I was greeted by this large lith at Cardiff Station.

A Big Lith In Cardiff
Every main station and bus station should have one.
My Crazy Electricity Meter
My electricity meter is baffling me.
These are my dates and readings.
20-Oct – 37108
14-Oct – 37049
18-Sep – 38777
08-Sep – 38843
15-Aug – 38331
16-Jul – 36764
17-Jun – 35353
I can explain all of the figures until September the 8th, when because of the heat in July and August, I was using the air-conditioning a lot.
But the last few readings indicate to me, that something has gone wrong.
I have phoned my supplier; OVO, and they seem to be worried too. After my previous billing experience with nPower, I’m glad I’ve changed.












































































































