br2975

. The Drinnick Mill traffic eventually went over to HEA hoppers and lasted at least until the late 1980s

. My follow on was planned to be "we were going to visit Venice, but cancelled due to the the flooding " but it appears it would have been wasted, except, probably, on the numerous Brits crammed into the graffiti liveried Italian EMU.

Home after ten days around Sant'Agnello, Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. . I have been beaten senseless by female tourists wearing backpacks - shades of Warley, but better looking and sweeter smelling. . Our train from sant'Agnello to Pompei Scavi saw us squeezed unhealthily close to a gaggle of US female teenagers; so close in fact that conversation was inevitable. . The conversation went something like; US teenager:- "So where are you guys going ?" br2975:- "Pompei" US teenager:- "Sounds cool, have you been before ?" br2975:- "Yes, 20 years ago and I hope they've repaired the place, it was in ruins the last time we went !" . Their vacant expressions were a sight to behold. . Italian food being one of my favourites, the following day we had lunch with a view (of the Amalfi coast) in Ravello - stunning. . Then there was the task of finding an appropriate spot to gleefully watch 'the torment of Eddie Jones' - as his descendants of those responsible for "19 Crimes" (see what I did there ?) were humbled. . And now, to paraphrase a 1960s tv programme. "To the Man Cave, Robin !"

My cousin (we're the same age) became BA cabin crew quite late in life (50+) and eventually ended up doing 'long haul' . Her war stories would see me cracking my ribs. . A favourite was when non-stop 747 flights from Oz touched down after 20+ hours, with some 400 souls locked inside.................. . The air bridge would be rolled into place, the cabin doors disarmed, and then opened - at which point the experienced airbridge ground crew would be stood well back from the cabin door, whilst the newbie standing right up close would wince, and turn a shade of peuce. . Her tales of flights to Riyadh on the other hand, left me in no doubt, I have no desire to visit the place.............. .

. " Here's hoping they'll see me in my shorts, flip flops and 'wife beater vest' with tan on show, and become instantly jealous ? "

. "Noted....... Standing by !" . Don't rush though, as I'll be watching Wales v "That most sporting of Antipodean nations" on a large screen in Sorrento.

. The 'stranger in the camp' from OOC can easily be explained, 5717 has just been 'soled and heeled' at Caerphilly Works (Swindon was too busy) and is on a running in turn before returning to 'The Big Smoke' . Explaining an Oswestry loco may be somewhat taxing. . I seem to recall that "Y23" Target ran something like Radyr Shed - ---------dep. 05:00 Radyr Van Siding - dep. 05:10 EBV Radyr Junc. - --------dep 05:20 Aber Junc.------------arr. 06:00 / dep. 06:42 Ystrad Mynach-----arr. 07:10 / dep. 07:30 Pantmawr Nth. ----arr.08:05 . I'll need to check my records for the remainder................ . "Aberflyarff" - as in the place with an island platform, with exchange sidings shunted from the 'up' line, across a single slip ? . If so, I too have found the design somewhat 'contagious' and it continues to irritate !

. Target boards on the 'to do list' HH ? . Perhaps "Y23" for a Radyr working ?

. When he left Swansea, we were in the market for yet another manager, and many Cardiff fans, surprised at his departure from our 'noisy neighbours' felt Cooper would have done a good job for us.

. The 'storage site' hereabouts during the mid-60s was 'Roath Line Sidings' off the Taff Vale Main Line at Roath Branch Junction. . Wagons were held there for inspection, and then movement down the line to Cathays C&W Works and attention. . As for the 'monetary limits' placed upon repair, I suspect that these also gave rise to the large handpainted codes such as:- "SUB" - "SUBEX" - "SUBEX 2" - "COLEX" - usually seen on 16 ton mineral wagons, and "OJO" (One Journey Only) seen on a more varied selection of wagonery , the latter seen on many wagons stored at Roath Line at the time.

. Yes, after two seasons of managers and players who had no 'hwyl' (and even less skill) for the most important match of the season, Cardiff City now have a manager and team that appear to have spirit and togetherness, even if they still lack the skill ( due in no small part to the embargo - shot ourselves in the foot ? ). . Swansea were very poor last night, the worst I've seen in several years. . One of your squad, is a friend of the family ( no names, no pack drill ) and confides that your boss has lost the dressing room. . Why you ever parted with Steve Cooper, I'll never know ?

. Cold Stores Road, Cardiff Docks is a private road, not a 'public road' maintained at 'the public expense' - the lines are there for 'effect' and not enforceable.

So, the big day has arrived . Here in Wales we put our clocks back by 10mph as midnight struck. . It is not my intention to debate the pros and cons of this contentious issue, but to highlight the manner in which the 20mph speed limit has been received on social media. . For Night Mailer's entertainment, I give you............... . . PS The last image relates only to drivers with Swansea City FC stickers on their cars.

Resurrecting the recent - not so 'classic cars' theme. . Once upon a time, South Wales Police thought Peugeots would be a good idea, for unmarked cars. . At the time, and as my patch included Cardiff Docks, I couldn't resist an Ivo Peters moment..............NHY581 it definitely wasn't .

. Ah my bete noir comapnies. . The 2015 Derby Show - and my brother hired and was the sole named driver of a van hired from Barry, South Wales - a company he uses regularly, and I, never.. . Whilst he checked the van over, I enquired about the hire of a minibus a year hence, in 2016, and the nice lady took my details and said she'd contact me with further information. . We checked in to our hotel at Pride Park, and brother provided the receptionist with the van registration details, in order to satisfy their agents, the detestable 'Parking Eye plc" enforcers.. . A fortnight later, I receive a 'Parking Charge Notice' from 'Parking Eye plc' for parking in the hotel car park.......... supported with timed and dated photographic evidence of the van entering, on the Friday eveing, and leaving again on the Sunday. . The photograph clearly showed the driver to be my brother, the hirer and only named driver ! . Cue a strongly worded letter to both the hotel and the van hire company for threatening civil action, and a complaint to the Office of the Data Commissioner for their glaring breach of data protection legislation, and my parting shot of 'let's fight this out in court, if you've got the stomach to take me there ?" . Looking forward to a face to face in the Civil Justice Centre, and some expenses, I was deflated when both parties withdrew their allegation; without even an apology. . .

. We ended up with Mk.2 Escorts as well, but no upgrades for Sergeants and above. . I ended up parking one in the garden of a local drug dealer; without opening the gates - I just took his front wall out. . This was in the epi-centre of both the 1990 and 2023 "Ely Riots" and being 'bagged' in full view of the local friendly faces was annoying to say the least, especially at 12:30 on a Friday lunchtime, but later I saw the reasoning. However, the greying, tweed two piece wearing chair of the bench didn't take pity and handed down £100 for 'due care' and £60 costs Like everyone else, I asked for time to pay, at £5 per month. She then lectured me as to her issuing a warrant for my arrest if I did not, or could not pay ! . The Inspector who 'did me' got disciplined for the late submission of the file, which required another Inspector to lay the information on the very last day of the six months in order to meet the staute of limitations. . The fact my probationer, who injured his wrist in the RTA / POLAC was the Acting Chief Constable's son did me no favours, in fact it earned me a 'b*ll*cking' off Mrs Acting Chief and she told me in her Spanish accent "don't a rush Brian, those naughty boys, they all a gonna come again !"

. I was just too late to drive a 'Morry Thou' Panda. . My first Panda in 1979 was a Mini, SKG969S - complete with loose engine mountings - I recall negotiating Ely Bridge roundabout in Cardiff, blue light on, beeping the ineffective horn (no two tones in those days), and the engine block lifting, then dropping with a thud as I corrected the steering wheel. . Seeing 4 overweight 'hairy @rsed' DCs on nights, getting out of a plain CID Mini was a side splitter. . Worst Panda ever, in South Wales, a solitary Vauxhall Shedvette - and the one was one too many. . Then we had Marinas and Itals as CID cars, the boots of which invariably contained a couple of paving slabs to stop "the @rse end going" . Here's one I wrecked earlier, circa 1989ish - .

. Fantastic Traffic Car - ours even came with a walnut dashboard. . The last South Wales 'pi' was used on the force driving school 'skid pan' - great fun. . On a driving course in 1981, the quality of cars had deteriorated badly.....and one morning we were allocated an Austin Princess, a shed hated by everyone at the driving school. . Going south on the M5 past Gordano services I was ordered by the instructor "Sooty Morgan" to 'blow the f*****g thing up - you'll be a hero' . I bottled out at 127mph - the Princess won, and I wasn't a hero !.

I can't answer your question, but I believe the power station was called "Wylfa" not "Valley" which was the location of the rail head.

. Somebody ought to tell Andrew (in the photo) who travelled with Lisa in a tour group that he's in the wrong country............. . His hat decrees he should be in Riga, ready for tomorrow's match. . As a 'born again pedant', I couldn't resist that.

. My copy is a scanned copy, provided by a friend. . The scans come minus any covers (front or rear) unlike later editions. . Brian R

. Your wish is my command ! . Brian R

. Hope this helps, it's for 1973 - I've included the introductory pages and explanatory notes, as well as the duties for Allerton. . Brian R .

24th. January, 1976 I was on a Cardiff - Prittlewell 'Footex' for the F.A. Cup 4th. Round Southend United v Cardiff City tie. . One of the then surplus ECML Pullman cars was attached to the 'Footex' for the use of Cardiff City FC players and officials.