Remember the days when you had things to look forward to? No, me neither. That seems like a different word. So many things have happened over the past 9 months with lots of events cancelled or curtailed that the world feels like a very different place to the one it once did. As someone who’s always travelled I feel my wings have been severely clipped – and I don’t know when I’ll get to spread them again.
That said, I think that things will be changing very soon.
In the meantime, here’s the picture of the day. I’m a fan of industrial archeology and things like shipwrecks. This particular one’s from New Zealand.
This is the wreck of the TSS Waverley. She’s a ship with a fascinating history which you can find here. I really enjoy exploring these old shipwrecks – and ones 1000s of miles from the UK always pique my interest.
I’m sure I’ll have another shipwreck or two to add here soon enough. In the meantime there’s lots of old rail slides to look forward to – as well as a different local focus.
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If you possess webbed feet, today’s very much been your time to be alive! Here in West Yorkshire the heavens have stayed open most of the day, so I’ve been happy to have plenty of things to keep me indoors. I’ve spent a lot of time adding another 80 old railway slides for sale on eBay. It’s a time consuming process but it’s worthwhile one as they’re selling well. Here’s one of today’s new additions.
As well as releasing them for sale I’ve spent part of the day decluttering – which will benefit some local charity shops. Other than that the day’s not been what you’d consider a shining example of the rock and roll lifestyle.
According to the weather forecast we’re in for another soggy day tomorrow. Add that aspect to the current Covid restrictions and I’m quite happy to stay indoors and be busy, whilst dreaming of opportunities in the future when I can do something like this again. Today’s picture of the day was taken in the Maldives on the 6th January 2004. There’s no worries about social distancing here…
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What a mixed day the first of the month’s been. It started off really well with a Zoom call as part of judging the Community Rail Awards. It was a very positive and informative hour that taught me something completely new that led to this blog. I’m not a great fan of Zoom meetings. They’ve filled a gap left by Covid but anyone who thinks they;re a genuine replacement for face-to-face contact needs their bumps feeling.
After we finished I had half an hour to get a brisk walk in before going into another very different event, which was the Siemens (online) press lunch conducted on Teams.
Normally Siemens organise an annual press lunch where we can all get together and talk with the companies UK Directors personally over a few hours at a very nice lunch in London. Obviously, the present situation precludes that, but Siemens understand the importnace of maintaining contact with people and arranged an online event. Those registering even got sent a lunchbox!
Despite the shortcomings of the platform and a few minor technical difficulties it was a very useful and informative event that allowed us all to discuss what’s going on at the moment and the issues that face the transport industry. Although not just now – as Covid is a blip – but in the near and far future. The burning post-Covid issue being decarbonisation. Yet again it was another event that made me realise why we’ll never stop meeting face to face, no matter what some people claim.
Having had my fill of meetings on the internet I escaped to confinesof the digital world to go for a stroll in the real one and soak up some of the Autumn sun before the sun set and I was trapped back in the web-world, catching up on work – and writing blogs like this, as well as looking for a picture of the day – and the one I’ve chosen from the archives is this…
The picture is of a stallholder in a market in Luang Prabang, Laos, which I took on the 6th January 2009. Like most pictures, it tells a story, but the story it tells isn’t always obvious.
The woman is plucking a chicken she’s selling whilst she’s on her mobile phone. The phone is the story. Laos is a country where much of its traditional infrastructure was bombed back to the ‘stone age’* by the Americans during the Vietnam war. Like most developing countries it found rebuilding hard. But then technology’s changed. One thing I noticed as I travelled through Loas was the number of wagons I saw on the highways carrying lattice steel masts for mobile phone networks. It’s those networks that are changing the face of the world.
Let me explain.
When I first went to India in 1985 many villages had only just got electricity. Many still had not. Once electricity (through a national grid) arrived, phones started arriving. Then televisions. In those days the Government donated a TV to villages. The TV would be kept in the local hall or temple and I vividly remember passing through villages where everyone would be gathered together to watch the latest Hindi soap-opera or religious film together. There was no individual connectivity to information – and only a state-run TV channel. Now, you can argue the merits/demerits when it comes to propaganda as is your whim. That’s not my point.
My point is how much infrastucture has leapfrogged from those times because of the advent of two things. Mobile communication technology and cheap solar power – as the Loations were finding out. Suddenly, all people needed was a cheap (often recyled) mobile phone and the world was literally their Oyster. There was no waiting for 30 years for power lines to arrive, just a phone mast.
Access to communication is a fabulous thing, but it’s also a double-edged sword, as we’ve seen in the past decade with the advent of weapons-grade misinformation through places like Facebook.
Are the Loations better off now? Time will tell..
* Bombing people back to the stone age has been a popular threat in American history.
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Tomorrow we enter October, the month when the clocks go back. I’ve an idea – how about we put them back all the way to 2016? Before Brexit, before all the shit’s that’s happened since, and waaaay before anyone had even considered Covid. OK, I know it’s not going to happen. An hour is all we’ll get tops – but I can dream, can’t I?
Fatigue with the 21st century is setting in already as it’s not exactly got off to a brilliant start and I’m not going to be here for the long-haul, so it’s time to think about what I do with the rest of it.
I the meantime, I’m continuing to sort through all the baggage of my life. Here’s something I came across earlier, which harks back to a simpler age. You wouldn’t have Google tracking an ID card like this – and the only time I carried a mobile phone was when I was on call for work. It was one of those weird things with a carbon-fibre ariel but still seemed like cutting-edge tech at the time. It would be another 6-7 years before I got a mobile phone of my own as by then I’d swapped careeer and turned freelance photographer so needed one. Oh, and trust me, even then, the NUJ press card was a damned sight more sophisticated than this effort!
OK, meanwhile, here’s the picture of the day, which is somewhere that could literally be centuries away. This is sunrise over the city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, taken in November 1991 when I was on the start of a solo trip around Asia. The view of the fort town was taken from the window of the old building I was staying in. Imagine opening your bedroom window and seeing a view like this?
I spent several days here before booking a 5 day camel safari out into the Thar desert, which is another story (when I get chance to scan the pictures). The people I travelled with were a real multi-national bunch and we had a ball. Sleeping out in the desert in a bed of camel blankets whilst watching for shooting stars was an amazing experience.
I did meet one young German girl back in Jaisalmer for whom the dice really didn’t fall as well on one of these trips. She was the only other person with 6 Israelies. I admired the way she dealt with the situation. Seasoned travellers will know what I mean…
I hope you enjoy these pictures of the day, for me it’s funny how they trigger so many memories and stories.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
The weather’s been stereotypically grim up North, with low cloud, wind and rain most of the day, so the Calder Valley – well, what you can see of it – hasn’t been at its best. My day’s been spent type-swiping, as an old girlfriend once described her secretarial duties! I’ve been busy writing up part 1 of my Railrover trilogy and (as usual) the problem isn’t what to write – it’s what to leave out. 12,000 words over 3 articles souns a lot until you realise that’s only 4,000 words per article and one of them is three days worth of travelling the country. To be honest I could easily fill a book.
Whilst I’ve been ‘type-swiping’ (copyright Mary Jones!) I’ve been bouyed by the reaction to an article that’s hit the bookstands today. I’d written an eight page piece on the Tay bridge disaster and Sir Thomas Bouch (the man who designed the structure) for RAIL magazine a couple of months ago. It was a complex article as it required a lot of technical research to tell a story many people weren’t aware of. So, when you see reactions like this from an expert in their field it makes you feel it was worth the effort…
Hopefully people will find my travels around the UK’s rail network as interesting!
All this brings me neatly to the picture of the day – which was used to illustrate my Tay Bridge article. This was taken on the 29th May 2019. It shows the new bridge with the piers of Bouch’s ill-fated structure in front.
It’s a fascinating story as this was (thankfully) the only major railway accident in which their were no survivors. You can read the full story in the latest copy of RAIL magazine which is on sale today (you can buy electronic copies by the way…)
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
This morning the sun was shining and all seemed well with the word. OK, let’s qualify that – as well as can be expected in this mad time, despite all the crap and uncertainties facing us all right now. My mood was bouyant and I was looking forward to grabbing a short break away from the office to sit in the sun and do some reading. Then, in short order, it all fell apart for a variety of reasons – including the weather. Low cloud rolled into the valley, the sun disappered, the light became murky and the temperature dropped, taking my mood with it. The latest pronouncements from the Government on Covid were just another nail in the coffin.
So, today’s picture is of a happier place and a happier time. This was taken in Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 5th January 2012. I was touring through Asia at the time and ended up in KL (which I’ve visited many times) to have a look at their changing railway system and also to get a camera lens repaired as it had packed up a few days earlier. There was a Nikon dealership in KL so I thought it would be straightforward. There was only one problem. The spares for my lens were sourced from Nikon factories in Bangkok – and Thailand had only recently suffered the worst floods for decades so my couple of weeks turned into nearly two months! This was no problem as I was trying to secure an interview with the head of Malaysian railways at the time, and that wasn’t a quick process either – so I got to know KL very well. Many of my evenings would be spent sitting outside a particular Chinese cafe on Jalan Sultan which was a great place to enjoy a beer, a meal, and people watch for an hour or two. On the opposite side of the street were a couple of stalls, one of which was fascinating to watch as they sold Chicken and rice cooked in a claypot.
When all this crap is over I really need to do this again – although the cafe where I used to sit has closed now. It was shut as some businesses were needed to close for construction of the underground section of the new Klang Valley metro system, which I found out when I went back in 2017 – although the Clay Pot stall was still there. I’ll be curious to see how things look now…
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today’s picture was – like most of the ones I pick – chosen at random. This one doesn’t come from any exotic foreign destination (far from it) it’s actually something very British. It’s a good old seaside pier! Only this one is very delicate and rather genteel in outlook as this ain’t Blackpool, it’s Clevedon! I took this picture on the 31st March 2001.
I love the elegance and spiderlike simplicity of this structure. I’m no stranger to seaside piers as I grew up in Southport, which has one of the longest in the UK. If I looked through my archive I could probably do a whole blog on seaside piers. Maybe one day…
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures you see here can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today’s been the classic mixed bag where I’m trying to juggle lots of things whilst modern (Covid) life intrudes to add a completely different experience.
Most of my day’s been spent working from home, trying to ignore the fact the sunny weather’s returned – even if it’s now accompanied by the temperature drops that herald the onset of autumn. I did venture out for a break from staring at computer screens but this week my exercise regime’s going to be marked like an old school report – “5/10 – see me”…
Today’s surreal experience was attending a ‘virtual’ National Rail Awards. Full credit to my friend of longstanding Nigel Harris and his team at RAIL for putting it together when most events have been cancelled completely this year. It can’t have been an easy gig to arrange. But, it also shows why the idea that everyone can work from home is utter bollocks. Does anyone seriously think an online event can replace such a prestigious event at the Grosvenor Park Hotel in central London where 1100 plus people meet to celebrate the achievements of the rail industry whilst meeting up with old friends and enjoying the opportunity to network and chat? Of course not. Both Dawn and I enjoyed the awards (and there were some great awards), but we’re looking forward to 2021 when we can recreate it in the flesh.
Meanwhile, here’s the picture of the day, which I took in Washington DC on the 4th April 2007. It was cherry blossom season when the centre of the city’s ablaze. It makes a fantastic sight.
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us freelances need all the help that we can get. Remember, 99% of the pictures you see here can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Apologies for the lack of an update yesterday. Not only was it a busy day, the evening was too as I managed to (responsibly) catch up with some old friends whilst I was in Cornwall, which was lovely after so many months of being confined to West Yorkshire. Something had to give – and that was blogging.
I’ve moved on yet again. After a night in London and a morning touring some of the main stations and commuter routes into the city I headed out from London Waterloo via Clapham Junction and Basingstoke to reach Reading, where I caught a train to take me to Truro. It was the longest continuous journey of the trip, and also instructive – as were my other little hops around the area before I ended up in Par.
Today I travelled from Par up to Bristol, then crossed over the border (via the Severn tunnel) into Wales. After dumping my bags at my hotel in Cardiff I headed out to explore some of the Valley lines then take a trip down to Barry Island. It’s a place some of you will know because it was featured in the hit TV show ‘Gavin and Stacey’. I last went there on a rail excursion way back in 1974, when Dai Woodham’s scrapyard still contained over 150 rusting steam engines. Today was the first time I’ve been back and I didn’t recognise a thing as the area’s changed so much – and not all for the better.
‘Tidy’? No, I don’t think so…
You’ll be able to read the full story in RAIL magazine next month.
What I can tell you about was getting back into Cardiff city centre. I was desperate to find something to eat, but to be honest, the place was a nightmare. The centre was packed with groups of lads and gaggles of girls, all intent on having a good time, which meant that many of them were pissed as farts as early as 8pm. Social distancing and respect for others was out of the window so I ended up walking around with my mask on as a precaution. Having found a quick fix noodle bar I had a lovely spicy hot meal then got the hell out of there. I’ve been back at the hotel since 9pm and this was where I was determined to stay!
Tomorrow is my final day of the Rover. My plan is to visit Worcester before heading back into London via Paddington, then travelling up the Chiltern main line to pitch up in Birmingham tomorrow night, where my RAIL trip will end. On Monday I’ll travel home under my own steam (as it were) for some quality time at home before beginning to convert my experiences into 12,000 words (over three articles) for RAIL. Oh, and all the other stuff I’ve not been able to do whilst I’ve been away!
Meanwhile, here’s the picture of the day. This was Bristol Temple Meads station this afternoon as many young people flocked into the city centre. I couldn’t help but observe that by wearing face masks some of these young ladies probably increased the amount of cloth they were wearing by 10-15%…
I’ve a favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this blog, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course (although if you did find something that tickled your fancy would be fab!), but the revenue from them helps to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site – and right now (because of Covid), us locked-down freelances need all the help that we can get…
Wow! It’s only the first day and it’s already proving to be a fascinating trip! I’m not going to go into a huge amount of detail but I’m already going to venture a couple of guesses. One is that passenger numbers are going to show quite an increase in the next set of stats if my experiences are anything to go by. Now that schools and colleges are back and the rail companies are running 90% of normal services passengers are returning. I’m not the only one to notice this either. I was amazed how busy some Trans-Pennine Express and Northern services have been today. That said, some stations (like Preston) resemble ghost towns because all the retail units are closed. Of course, quite a few of the retail staff will commute to work by train…
The only thing that put a damper on the day has been the weather, which has been bloody awful! I ventured up the scenic Cumbrian coast earlier but many of its charms were hidden in the murk!
I’m currently back at Lancaster in between trains, so I’ll update this from my Avanti West Coast service to Carlisle shortly…
19:38.
I’ve now crossed over the border into civilisation, making my way up the old Glasgow and South-Western Railway line to Kilmarnock via Dumfries. Sadly, the weather this side of the border’s no better. It’s akin to a post nuclear holocaust half-light and lousy for photography – especially when you’re on the move and don’t have time to play around with camera settings.
Even so, I’m happy with what I’ve seen and done so far, which makes me think my RAIL articles will be worth reading. The only think I’m missing is the interaction with people – like the train-crews, which just isn’t possible right now. Still, we’ll see how it goes. Anyways, here’s the picture of the day…
This historic plaque is on Preston station, where it marks a step-change on the railways. One that some people feel nostalgic for but one that had to happen – even if you can argue about the timing and management of it!
21:32.
I’m currently wandering around the centre of Kilmarnock, in search of sustenance. I fear I nay be disappointed as the whole town appears to be closed. Thank God for my wonderful other half! Dawn made me some pork rolls to bring with me and they’ve kept me going as all the catering outlets on the stations I’ve visited are all closed. Luckily, I picked up some cereal bars earlier – and I’ve a breakfast booked at my lovely B&B, so that might have to suffice…
Oh, by the way, the lighting under the railway arches is probably the coolest thing about Kilmarnock right now.
Paul Bigland 