Since I embarked on my mission to walk up some rivers (initially the Thames, then the Severn) I've spent a lot of time in trains and stations. Here are a few photos I've taken in an attempt to make the time pass more quickly.

^ Oxford station. I'd seen the reflected seats in the window and locked focus on the paper bag. I don't remember composing it to feature the figure outside, but the train was moving very slowly and I probably pressed the shutter subconsciously when he was at the point of the "dagger".

^ Reading Station is one of the worst to negotiate, if you're not used to it. These commuters had just been told their train would be delayed and arrive at a different platform. It was getting dark so I set the camera to ISO 800. This is a small part of the frame - hence the grain.

^ I took this at Swindon station, travelling home after finishing a walk up the Thames. I suppose I noticed the apparent contradictions between the fashionable use of a web address and its tatty state, and between the old man and his bright fleece. Generally it's a good idea to have more picture space in front of a person's face, than behind it. This picture would probably have worked better that way round, although the man's rather obstinate expression suggests he's deliberately shirking anything of interest.

^ Wolverhampton station. I didn't see it at the time but I like the way the shadows echo the rails and sleepers. I used RAW as there was a lot of contrast, and went direct to mono by desaturating it in Elements Camera Raw.

^ I'd climbed Snowdon in early July 2008 and on reaching the top was surprised to find chaps in hi-vis jackets carrying scaffolding poles around, occasionally visible through the thick cloud. The bizarre little station and cafe on the summit (the only one in the UK) was due to be rebuilt by the end of the month but the contractor claimed that bad weather had delayed it. Bad weather? On top of a mountain in North Wales? Who could have foreseen that?. I sent this image to the BBC Wales website. They ignored it.

^ Taken somewhere in Worcestershire soon after the start of my walk up the Severn.

^ Worcester Station. The young man is stifling a yawn, emphasising the sudden silence and absence of activity after a train has left. The colour of the woman's trousers echoes that of the container. His jeans match the base of the pillar. Did this subconsciously influence where they sat? I doubt it!

^ These days I usually ask people if they mind me taking a photo. Surprisingly few object.

^ Worcester Station again. I saw the fan-shaped reflection, contrasted against the dark grey sky. I had to brighten it a little to get it to how I remember it.

^ 10.31 Victoria to Chatham. Why would anyone want to take a cardboard cup full of cold, insipid coffee home with them?

-- RodBird - 31 Jul 2008