May started on quite a positive note with both the 7L22 and it's return, the 7O81, running on time. On Friday we set off to Pembrokeshire for a weekend away, stopping off at Chepstow for the 6B13 which obligingly also appeared on time. Despite staying in SW Wales I spent Saturday 5th in Snowdonia, joining in the Ffestiniog's celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the railway returning to its original terminus, Blaenau Ffestiniog having overcome all sorts of obstacles in the 27 years since the first train ran in the preservation era. Long slog from south to north and back again but worth it.

For the third week of the month something a bit different; together with five colleagues I cycled from London to Paris via Newhaven and Dieppe. From Dieppe the first 30+ miles to Serqueux are along the old railway, which has now been turned into a cycle way, part of the Avenue Verte Londres–Paris which eventually will provide an off road route between the two cities. Today the route is better marked in France than it is in Britain, hopefully that will change. Beyond Serqueux the route follows the railway on minor roads, the rail infrastructure still intact despite being out of service. After Gourney en Bray our route and that of the railway diverged until we crossed it again at Santeuil le Perchay, where it is electrified and used by commuter trains to Gisors. Over thirty years ago I caught a relief boat train from Newhaven to Paris (Gare St Lazare) which took the Serqueux and Gisors route. Never thought I'd cycle it as well!

The last full week of the month heralded a spell of warm and sunny weather. A few shots during the working week and an early morning trackside between Ely and the Ouse Washes on Saturday. I didn't stay out very long as after mid morning the sun is very high and shadows are hard to come by.

The weather remained largely fine for the last few days of the month. I was extremely busy at work so was only able to take a few pictures on my way in and on the way home.