Clive,

Many thanks for your informative reply. Yes, I suppose, on reflection
there were 2 problems, which were probably unconnected. An unfortunate
coincidence.

Nick, I was not "angry", just reisgned to my fate as another victim of
what one expects nowadays on the Underground.

Paradoxically, I used the Underground (Fulham Broadway to St. James'
Park) every day of my secondary school and NOT ONCE was I late on
account of Underground problems beween 1976 and 1984! Much as I would
have wanted otherwise.....

Marc.