Harping on about the railways

It's easy to criticise the railways in Britain, and many feel free to vent their bile with gusto, and not always without justification.

Despite all that, I remain a committed supporter of the railway system in this country, a loyal user and a relieved spectator of its remarkable improvement over the last ten or fifteen years. 

Even I, however, couldn't have anticipated its latest development in on-board entertainment. First Capital Connect, I felt, was breaking completely new ground in its pursuit of excellence in customer service.

Not a common sight on commuter trains

It would have been even better if I'd been able to persuade her actually to play, but hey, a step at a time, a step at a time. It's great to find a harpist in your carriage at all, let alone getting music out of her.