Stormy Weather

[Serial_Apologist]

Cycled down to Greenwich Foot Tunnel (Islof Dogs) at 10pm last night to find it closed for works. These works are spasmodic and they are not well advised at the tunnel or online.

Well, I was faced with the prospect of an added 11 miles to my journey (via Tower Bridge).

No thank you, I thought. I'll take my chances on the DLR (where bicycles are very much verbotten).

Sure enough, when I got down to the platform there was an announcment on the tannoy advising that I couldn't bring a bicycle on the train.

I ignored this.

A guard was then sent down to sort me out.

I advised him civilly of my dilemma and my intention to take my bike on the DLR for a 50 second stop at what was a very quite time.

He told me that would not be permissable.

I advised him that that was my plan and that they could have the police called but it would really be a waste of resources and time, as I'd be through in no time.

He had words with his supervisor as the train came, which I then boarded (very few passengers), then there was talk of holding the train, instructions to which the driver or the computer payed no heed.

So, I was through and out the other the other side with no disruption or delay to anyone.

Gosh! They really seem to be putting clampers on us taking our bikes on trains now!

In August I discovered my bike had incurred a puncture while I was attending a chamber prom at Cadogan Hall. Cursing myself for not having brought repair kit with me, I wheeled the bike to Victoria mainline station, intending to board the train back to Sydenham Hill or Gipsy Hill with it , my 2 nearest stations. At the barrier I was informed that bikes were only permitted on trains if of the folding type, which mine is not. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I took the bike out of the station and padlocked it to a nearby lamp post, intending to return, by train, the next day, and retrieve it, all the while mindful of Westminster council's new policy of confiscating cycles tethered in undesignated locations.

Fortunately, my computer whizz kid, who was visiting later that evening by car, insisted on driving me to the spot, loading it into the back of his estate, and bringing it home. On thanking him, he retorted that the bike would not have been there the following day.

Questioning the action of the guard in barring me from boarding a train with bicycle, my next-door neighbour, now retired, but for many decades an employee of London Transport, said the man had no right, unless it was during a so-called peak period; but this was only 4 pm. I must admit to not having further checked on this matter, although I was rather hoping to be taking my bike on the newly extended E London line (which I use regularly for getting to Dalston), and changing at Whitechapel for the District for Upminster. Now I have no idea if this benefit has been completely removed.

[Anna]

I am in awe of all you London bikers (never having had a velocipede myself) Do you all wear lycra and those futuristic helmets?

Not sure if this is helpful to S-A re bikes and trains

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11701.aspx

[Serial_Apologist]

Oh Anna, bless! I'll have a look at that later, when the traffic on the boards dies down.

Oh, and btw no, I don't wear that weird cloned Mekon look, thank you v much!!! It seems to turn all my "fellow" cyclists into authoritarian busybodies. In 40 years' cycling I've had quite a few accidents; none has landed me on the top of me bonce, though my nose got smashed once when the road mysteriously reared up at me. The uncomfortable, hearing-obstructing skateboard helmet thingy would have been useless on that occasion. And next-door claims the tightly constricting lycra shorts worn by her hubby have had a deleterious effect on their love life, (you can see how well we get on!).

[Serial_Apologist]

Not sure if this is helpful to S-A re bikes and trains
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11701.aspx

Just returning to say thanks again, Anna. That link is most useful.

Morning and afternoon restrictions on the lines I'd be using tend to rule out weekdays. Weekends appear therefore to be best for getting out of town for some cycling around in the Green Belt.

[marthe]

We're off to Vermont first thing in the morning so as to avoid commuter traffic while going through Boston. I'll check back in on Monday eve when we return.

[Mahlerei]

Hi marthe

Have a safe journey.

[marthe]

Thanks Mahlerei! Last post before bed and early start tomorrow morning!. I'll be offfline until Monday evening. Have a good weekend all! May the weather be pleasant where ever you are.

[greenilex]

Maybe Marthe will be able to tell us next week about the communities affected by the hurricane Irene flooding. I hope no-one is still in temporary shelters now.

[BBMmk2]

Hope you hav e a safe journey, Marthe!

Lovely sunny day here again!!

[salymap]

Hope to see you soon marthe. You are the cement that holds this thread together.

Very chilly in this part of SELondon/Kent this morning and heating is on, costing a king's ransom.

Must get down to my crumbles soon, cooking apples everywhere and peeling them very hard work too.

Have a good day.

[Anna]

Not too warm here either saly, 9.5 (49) and steady light rain. I also have apples from the tree, small eaters not cookers. I'm going to cook roast pork and roast whole, unpeeled, apples with it plus roast William pears (from my neighbour's bumper crop)

[BBMmk2]

Sunny intervals, is what i would say today's weather is. Rather nippy though!

[Serial_Apologist]

Mornin' all!

Yep - seems we're already into Mid-October temperatures. My ex in Bristol turned on her central heating yesterday - the earliest she can ever remember. I try and tough it out as long as possible, while hoping it isn't a foretaste of what's to come!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

yep hate the closed and heated house stuffy feeling ... need windows and doors open as long as possible ... even if it means wearing jumpers and fleeces this early in the year! [the music is good for the neighbours innit]

[marthe]

We got back to Newport this afternoon after a lovely weekend in Vermont. The weather couldn't have been nicer with sunny days (low 60s F) and frosty nights (just below freezing 29-32 F). This morning, driving out of the Mad River Valley,the hollows were shrouded in mist with the mountain tops just catching the early morning rays of the sun. Very pretty indeed. The "fall" foliage is only just turning color now but will be quite brilliant in early-mid October when tourists come in droves just to go "leaf peeping". Back in Newport, the temps are cooling down with a real nip in the nightime air, though still above freezing. First frost date for our area (according to the US Dept. of Agriculture temperture zone map) is October 10th. I'll be looking over my houseplants and getting them ready to bring inside soon!

Vermont is so lovely, quite like the Lake District but with more trees. Sadly, there was still much evidence of flood damage, especialy in low-lying areas very close to the rivers. The Mad River washed out parts of Route 100, the main road through the valley. The Winooski River flooded the entire downtown area of the village of Waterbury. Driving through, we could see empty storefronts, piles of debris in front of people's homes, and signs saying: "We'll be back" or "Opening by Christmas". What impressed us most was the sense of neighborliness in the area with everyone pitching in to help out friends and neighbors in need. Of course, being open by Christmas is essential for anyone doing business in the area because winter is ski season, when more visitors come than any other time of year.