Once more into the breach dear friend ....

Filling another gap in the roster.   A fun days guarding with full trains and a few unexpected twists along the way.   We added an extra guards van, needed to convey some of a party attending an interment of ashes at Brynglas Memorial Garden, part way along the line.  The van was the only available spare vehicle and can only be used to convey passengers if a member of staff is travelling with them.   Fortunately (and unsurprisingly) the party included someone well qualified.   We were also involved in the rescue of a sheep, trapped in a culvert under the line and with my cleaning head on I emptied the bins at a couple of the stations at the top of the line.   My seventeen year old assistant was very capable, especially impressive as he's only had a handful of turns so far.   He is a product of the railway's under 16 training scheme, introduced when a nation wide policy change meant that 14 and 15 year olds were no longer allowed to volunteer on heritage railways.   A resounding affirmation of the efforts of those involved.

That plus two hours cleaning at Wharf filled my day.

In other news, my best friend from my Uni days whom I've only seen once since Ruth was born replied to an email I sent to an email address I found on a random scrap of paper when clearing out a box of papers from the old house.   We've exchanged cards at Christmas every year but the most recent one only reached me months later .... and contained news that he'd lost his job and would be moving.    The link seemed broken until I found the lost email address.   Hoping he'll visit here some day soon.   As a new friend plans a visit at the weekend, the pattern of life has colours old and new.   This is good.