Randall - hurrah for the quiet trains!

Blushingsnail, that's exactly what happened - I got there just before 8.30 and they'd closed the barriers as the platform was too crowded. Once an Overground had come by and freed up some space they opened the barriers again.

After a dozen people had pushed past me - "Excuse me, excuse me, I need to get a train". Because I was standing there for fun, obviously.

I have a friend whose Twitter feed consists pretty much totally of rants at Southern, and I just don't see what she gains from working herself up into a righteous anger most mornings. I used to live in a zone 4 place which had two trains an hour, so I still feel deliciously spoiled by the service here. But I am getting a little cheesed off with all these delays and waits outside LB (and then the zombie shuffle down the platform at LB because there's no room for everyone as they disembark).

I also see that there are no trains over Christmas - and yes, I'm working as usual this year so instead of the nice peaceful journeys I was hoping for it'll be the Overground. Never mind.