Arriving, as I always do, far too early at Paddington Station for a trip to the west country gave me time to admire, as I seldom do except subliminally, the amazing beauty of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s curving roof, which is more visible after recent renovations (by the PPRA no less).   It’s a most elegant cat’s cradle, originally painted in colours chosen by Owen Jones, using the technology of metal to maximum effect.   The curvacaceous ornamental ironwork at the end of the platform is by Gustave Eiffel:

The roof over platforms 9 to 12, which is now the most visible, was added much later in steel in 1916:

But the experience of waiting for the train to Newquay remains as exciting as it must have been in 1854.