Wednesday 3rd February, 2010

Had an early visit to a physiotherapist this morning to sort out some back discomfort. Diagnosed with First Capital Connect shoulder. Compression of the vertebrae resulting from spending prolonged periods in unnatural positions, causing muscle spasms and frayed nerves.

After stretching me back into something approximating a normal posture he advised bi-weekly return visits, and to avoid First Capital Connect completely. I told him this was not practical as I had to get into work so he wrote me a doctor’s note to hand to the on duty station manager entitling me to demand that the next passing East Midlands express service be flagged down and that I (and only I) be admitted and escorted to an empty seat.

Arrive at the station, brandishing my precious letter. Just then an East Midlands express rushes through and the slipstream snatches it from my grasp. It flutters away, down the tracks.

Boarded the 8.16 semi-fast and slumped, disconsolately, into a seat. Long delay at Elstree. No explanation. Long delay at Mill Hill. No explanation. Long delay at West Hampstead. ‘Drives’ eventually tells us that the rear unit is the problem, the fitter is looking at it, but the fix following the winter freeze has not held and the elastic band holding the paper clip onto the overhead wire has snapped.

Drives goes on to tell us that they might be able to fix it. We all get off and head for the Northern Line.