Some days I stand on the platform of the station at the start of the day and I just know it in my water that the day ahead will not be one that sets any records.
Today was one of those days and I was spot on.
Despite today being the first day of the four day bank holiday, the gods were not on our side.
The weather was dismal and as early as 9am there was the feeling of rain in the air. Although you could not call today cold it was certainly not warm that was not going to help.
But the big overriding factor today for the lack of business was simple…. There was just too much free stuff for people to go to.
If a village this weekend is not having an event then it’s because it’s a ghost town. The whole world and their dog have this weekend an almost unlimited amount of free stuff to enjoy. There is for example the Green Festival in the city centre, a week of events 99% free and bound at some stage in the week to have something to appeal.
The trains were quiet to say the least and the number of people on the diesel services would not have been snug if you had put them all in a mini bus to save fuel. Even the steam hauled service was not exactly busy.
I would guess this is how it will be over the whole four days. We can do many things but we can’t compete with free.
Tomorrow I will be taking in my lap top I may as well use the time to get some of my normal work done. Going on today and also that rain is forecast tomorrow I would expect to get a fair amount done no problem at all.