Being as, and by some weird fluke of fate, I can now blog form work. So, to prove to all you doubters that I do actually do some work over night it is going to be my intention to blog my shift trough the night.
I endeavor to update the post every hour unless something of great interest happens (which I doubt very much.) This way I can share with you, dear reader, a very boring night shift on London Underground.
So here goes
22.30
In the Office to find the other guy dashing out the door. I have been to my home station and collected my post and coffee.
The kettle's on and I am now reading the station log book - no not the Station Master's Blog, but the station record of the day.
My Station Assistant is sitting watching the snooker! an avid fan.
23.35
The first of tonight's orange coated workers have turned up to start their nights work. I have no idea why they come so early, they cant start work until he last trains gone 01.25
The kettle's back on and I'm soon going to be on to my 2nd coffee.
00.35
All my trains for London and beyond have all gone, all tht I'm left with is a few Eastbound trains to Upminster.
and still the army of contractors grows.
I've completed the station accounts - yes we do the book keeping too, sadly they don't balance and are out by a lot, in a good way this is best, 'cos it'll be easier to sort out.
01.35
All my trains have now gone and the station is now officially closed. I've done the first of 3 station checks and all is well, apart from the contractors' lookout was a sleep in the waiting room. Having woken him up I explained to him that he was there to keep a look out for trains, even though there aren't supposed to be any. I'll have a walk around again in a little while anhim I find hiom a sleep again, then the whole gang is off the station.
The damn station account's still don't balance - that's it, I'm leaving it for the day time supervisors to sort out.
Going to finish my paper work and watch a DVD - not sure which one, I'll tell you later.
02.35
I know I should have put money on it, but I didn't. I've just been for a walk around the station and found the look out fast asleep again. definitely deffinately taking the piss.
A report has been sent in to my boss, for what good it'll do.
As for the tiredness stuff, I dont feel to bad, normally I'm starting to "flag" a little by now, but I feel quite awake.
Coffee time.
Uh Oh, here come the strange idea times. This happens to mewhen my mind realises it's awake and at work rather than in bed cuddled up to Mrs Tube Dude. Anyhow, who's up for anoLondon Underground Staff Blogger meet ups?? I'm going to pester the hell out the Station Master and get him on the ball on this one - being as he did such a good job before.
03.35
It's going to be James Bond. I've left all the other films at home anyhow, I'll watch bit of Bond and then start the next lot of work. I''ve got to do a check of the station before I can open it to the public, and I need to service the Passenger ticket machines - deep joy.
Never mind, another 3 hours and I'll be on my way home.
04.35
train. My relief should be in, in about another hour great.
That's it, all the contractors have now gone and I have the station to myself again. I have serviced the passenger ticket machines and taken a grand total of £130.70p out the machines - hardly worth the effort.
I had the final walk about of the station for my shift, and everythng is fine except for the wet cement where the contractors put a new manhole cover in last night. I didn't get to watch any more than about 25 minutes of Bond - tonight I have Saving Private Ryan or Schindlers List, both excellent movies.
Anyhow the station is fine and I have opened up to customers, already at
04.55 I have 8 or 9 people waiting for the first
Think I might take the hound out for a walk along the river when I get in. I found the river quite by accident the other day. Although I knew it ran through my town I had no idea how close to my house it is - thank god I live up a steepish hill, anyhow the hound and I really enjoy the walk. Maybe after this I might feel like going to bed.
Nights again tonight - if you have enjoyed this thing - leave a comment and I'll do it again another night.
05.35
The wall has finally arrived, or at least if I was going the London Marathon it would have. I'm starting to feel a little tired now, but when you consider that I haven't had any sleep for over 22 hours I dont think I'm doing to bad.
Looks like my staff are going to be late today. The first station assistant was due in 10 minutes ago, so I'll be wanting to know why they're late.
Incase I forget to add it on later, I'm finished this shift at 06.30 and expect to be well on my way home shortly after.
No doubt see you tonight.
I left the office at 0639, and was home by 0725. Now it's dog walking and bed.
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