I’d an intention to write another reservoir blog today as Dawn and I were out exploring recently, looking at locations across Yorkshire and Derbyshire – but that’s going to have to wait until tomorrow as today’s proved to be a busy one – and the sun’s re-appeared (despite the threats of thunderstorms).
Having made the most of the day and called into our local to enjoy the sun and a pint in the packed beer garden we’re now back at home and I’m slowly copying more pictures of that infamous (by now) recalcitrant hard-drive. Today I’ve been moving old slide scans off it, which has prompted today’s picture. I have tens of thousands of pictures in my archive, going back nearly 40 years, so it’s easy to forget what I have sometimes, so the act of copying them over can jog my memory. This picture was taken in Georgetown, Malaysia back in 1992. I’ve always loved the fact we can be brought together or separated by the same language depending on circumstance – or spelling. Poorly translated menus have always been a favourite, but sometimes the humour is more basic. Here’s an example. I walked past this shop in Georgetown, Malaysia in May 1992 and immediately did a double-take.
If it was a delayed delivery, did you get to ask him where’s your fook hing coffin?
Sadly, this place is no longer there. He’s made his last coffin. Maybe it was his own – who knows?
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today, after a busy morning at home sorting out various chores we decided to abandon Bigland Towers and make the most of the cooling weather to get out for a walk and explore somewhere new. The state of the counties reservoirs is a hot topic as we’re one of the few places with a hosepipe ban – despite the fact you can’t walk far in Pennines without falling over a reservoir!
We decided to drive up the the hills above Walsden and Mytholmroyd, where the Calder valley snakes around the moors and head for a trio of catchments, namely the Warland, Light Hazzles and White Holme reservoirs.
But first we stopped off at a location we’d visited the other week. Baitings Reservoir (at the bottom right of the map), where the level has dropped a good 2-3 feet since our visit on the 7th. The old bridge in the picture has become quite a tourist attraction!
Heading on up the hill we parked the car on the road down to Cragg Vale before heading off along one of the dirt roads that form much of the walk, which isn’t strenuous as the area is actually pretty flat. The area’s popular with dog walkers, but that brings me on to a real gripe. The gate from the main road is a dumping ground for bags of dogshit. I mean – why? Do these people believe in the existence of a poo-fairy, who will magically remove them because they’re too lazy to dispose of them or don’t want their precious cars contaminated?
Take it home with you – or don’t have a dog. Why should the rest of us have to put up with yours and your dog’s mess?
First stop was White Holme reservoir, which – was only down by a few feet, not bad compared to some. The levels left these little beach areas exposed, which would have made a pleasant place for a picnic.
Next was the Light Hassles Reservoir, a narrow body of water that bridges and connects the other two bodies of water. This seemed to be at its normal level.
Before heading on to the third and final reservoir we took a detour to admire the views, which would be superb on a clear sunny day, because you can see right across to Manchester – and beyond. En-route to the viewpoint we passed a few dozen cows which were grazing or drinking, supremely unbothered by the odd human walking past, disturbing their idyll.
Cows ignoring us and the views, with the skyscrapers of the city of Manchester visible on the horizon. Hollinwood lake in the foreground, the warehouses of Milnrow in the middle-distance and the city of Manchester on the horizon. I’d love to pop back here on a clear sunny morning to see how the view looks.
Having taken time to soak up the scenery we continued on to the last reservoir – Warland, which was suffering from the lack of rainfall.
That’s a lot of missing water!
This particular reservoir was bult in the 1850s by the Rochdale Canal company to ensure a ready supply of water to keep the canal across this part of the Pennines open. It was extended in the 1920s by Rochdale Corporation Water Works, who left their mark with stonework like this.
We really enjoyed the walk, which covered around 4 miles. We’d loved to have explored more (Stoodley Pike is only a short walk away) but we’d run out of time. Instead we headed home via Cragg Vale and a couple of drinks in the always welcoming Robin Hood pub where I managed to make the young lady behind the bar’s day. She spotted my camera which I lent it to her for a while so that she could have a play after she’d knocked off work. Having studied photography she was delighted to be able to muck around with such a serious piece of kit. I love being able to do that!
The heatwave is due to end this next week with rain predicted on Tuesday. I doubt it’s going to make much of a difference, so expect more reservoir blogs over the summer…
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Back at home after a busy couple of days in London, I’ve dropped down a couple of gears. Much of today has been spent with my feet up as I begin the process of editing the hundreds of pictures that I’ve taken. The weather’s been rather cooler than in the capital, which is welcome, although temperatures are due to ramp up over the next few days. Just in time for the hosepipe ban which Yorkshire water are imposing from Friday. It’s hardly surprising. We’ve only had 15cm of rainfall between February and June, leaving reservoirs at 56 per cent capacity as opposed to the normal level of 82 per cent. Ah well, carrying watering cans full of greywater up and down the terraces at the back of the cottage will keep me fit! I’ve no idea how long the ban will last, but with this dry spell set to continue I can’t imagine the ban being lifted anytime soon.
Tomorrow I’ll be continuing in the same vein as today, although I expect to be a bit more active now that I’ve rested. Even so, there’s a lot of photos to edit and caption, along with preparations for my next RAIL magazine article. Right now I’m going to leave you with today’s picture, which was taken in Lewisham yesterday. I’ve mentioned how the area has become a mini ‘New York’ due to the rapid development and expansion of high-rise accommodation. Architecturally, some of it is rather colourful and pleasing. These aren’t the bland concrete monoliths that we threw up in the 1970s, they’re actually rather attractive. However, I can’t vouch for the build quality or what they’re like to live in.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
After yesterday’s central London gig I’ve stayed in the capital with a friend here South of the river. I don’t head back to West Yorkshire until this evening, which leaves me free to explore some of the railways that were once familiar territory but which I’ve not visited for a while. So, expect a rolling blog from me today as I traverse 3rd rail country South of the river, with a potential diversion into East London where I once lived.
Here’s a shot of what I’ll be after. The class 465s were built for British Rail back in the early 1990s. They’re living on borrowed time now. Some are already stored whilst the rest of the fleet is due to be replaced in coming years. They’ve been stalwarts of the Kent commuter services from Charing Cross, London Bridge and Cannon Street for over 30 years.
1150.
On leaving Streatham Hill I caught the circular Southern service to London Bridge via Sydenham and the main line. I was tempted to stop off, but the light wasn’t right. Instead I ended up in Lewisham, where it was perfect for getting shots of trains crossing the complex scissors crossovers at the London end of the station (pictures later). Over 20 years ago I spent some time here working for the local health authority, documenting the work of their community TB team. I don’t recognise the place now as it’s become a mini-city full of high rise blocks. To be honest, it’s a change for the better. Lewisham was a bit of a dump and had a poor reputation back then. Now; with it’s new transport links like the Docklands Light Railway, it’s a good place to live.
Now I’m off exploring again. This time, by taking a train to Hayes aboard one of SET’s ‘citybeam’ Class 707 units built by Siemens which (foolishly) South-West Railway let go in favour of the Bombardier built Class 701s. That went well!
12:15.
The Hayes branch is an interesting little line that wanders through South London before ending at a simple two track island platform perched upon an embankment. Sadly, now that trains are all 10 car, but, it’s a crap place to get pictures.
13:40.
I’m gradually making my way from Gates to Lewisham, stopping at most of the stations along the line to get pictures – and a tan! I really like this route as there’s lots of interest. The train fleet’s a mixture of old and new, there’s some lovely stations – abd there’s even a tram interchange at Elmers End.
17:00.
Well, I’ve covered some ground so far. I’m now taking a break and gaving a pint outside an old haunt in Greenwich, having ventured along the Docklands Light Railway as far as Poplar, North of the river. When I moved to London in 1986, this scene didn’t exist.
But then so much of London has changed. I’m constantly surprised to see where new blocks of flats have sprung up like weeds on what used to be vacant or old industrial sites.
But I see that as a positive. When I moved to London it was a city in decline with a shrinking population. Not any more. Now it’s thriving. Forget what the racists and bigots try to claim, it’s also far safer too. Some folk try to pretend it’s an unfriendly place, the reality is the opposite. So many Londoners are from elsewhere, they’re here to naked the most of the opportunities the city offers, which means they’re more open to others. Just as I was when I came here. You can be who the hell you like here. No-one cares and no-one judges.
Being in Greenwich has brought back a lot of memories as it’s a place we often used to visit from the East End. Then an ex-girlfriend bought a flat here back in the early 90s, and I helped her renovate and decorate it, so I was over quite often.
22:00.
The end of the day didn’t quite go to plan..
As I was enjoying my pint in the sunshine in Greenwich I checked train times, only to find things had gone away. I’d left a bag at my friend’s, but getting back to his, then travelling across London to King’s Cross in time to get my Grand Central service back North was leaving several hostages to fortune. In the end I decided to head straight to King’s Cross. There’s nothing I’m my rucksack that I can’t do without for a while. Beside, it’s a good excuse to return to London and spend more time with Hassard.
Right now I’m almost home. We’ve just left Mirfield. This packed service has emptied out en-route but there’s still enough folk aboard to pay the train’s way. I’m looking forward to getting honest after two day’s travels. I’ve a stack of pictures to edit – which you’ll start to get to see from tomorrow.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m off again. This time I’m heading back to London for a couple of days. I’m working at a Parliamentary reception this afternoon, but first I’ve got to get there, which involves travelling from Halifax on Grand Central’s first train of the day – the 07:12. Right now it’s time to get ready to head off to the station, so see you later. I’ll be blogging throughout the day.
08:00.
My walk to the station revealed the fact we’d had heavy rain overnight, which was welcome, but I doubt it’ll have made much of an impression on our empty reservoirs. Still, the stroll was pleasant as the coolness of the day meant I didn’t overheat en-route!
Now I’m sat on one of Grand Central’s two ‘Voyagers’ (221142) as it bumbles around the backwaters of West Yorkshire en-route to Doncaster in order to access the East Coast Main Line. This is a busy train with coaches fully reserved. Sadly, the wifi is kaput in mine, so I won’t be doing the work I’d hoped to.
09:15.
We’re currently speeding South along the East Coast Mainline, non-stop after our Doncaster call. It’s a bittersweet day to be heading back to the capital as today’s the 20th anniversary of the London bombings that killed and injured so many people. I was there that day. I’d been working at home in Crouch End when the first news reports came in. Public transport was at a standstill so I grapped my camera kit and cycled into central London. Getting a sense of what was going on and where was difficult as the mobile phone network was jammed. You were reliant on radio or TV reports to get an idea of the scale of things. Many office workers packed up and tried to get home, leading to massive queues outside mainline stations like Fenchurch St. Others gave up trying to get home and congregated in pubs. The atmosphere wasn’t panicked, it was more defiant. I felt very proud of my fellow Londoners that day.
Made it! Now to make my roundabout way across London to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament.
The ‘Cross…
10:40.
Crossing the river – just for the fun of it!
12:15.
Objective in sight…
21:30.
Sorry for the absence but it’s been a busy day and we’re restricted to what pictures we’re allowed to take and circulate of the House of Commons – even on the terrace. That said, the event was a very good one, with lots of MPs attending to meet their local community rail groups. The main speaker was Lord Hendy;
These gigs are always challenging for me as I know so many people and they know me – which means you can get embroiled in lots of conversations but appear terribly rude when you suddenly spot a picture opportunity so have to make rapid apologies and dash.
Meanwhile, here’s a few post-event pictures from my travels around London post the event.
London Bridge.
23:00.
Time to wind things down. After the Parliamentary gig I spent time revisiting old haunts before pitching up at my old friend’s new place in Streatham Hill where I joined him, his son and a Norwegian friend for a barbecue which became great cross-generational (and country) event. Now it’s time to relax and reflect. Understandably, the local media is full of stories (some very harrowing) of 7/7 – a time I’ll never forget. But, right now, I need to focus on the future whilst still remembering the past. Tomorrow’s going to be another busy day. I’ll be up early in order to edit todays pictures in advance of what I’ll be taking tomorrow. Oh, then there’s a decent chance of a rolling blog as I don’t have (lovely as they were – even the one’s with sub-machine guns) Parliamentary staff and police breathing down my neck.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Silly o’ clock arrived half an hour ago. I’m now up and prepping to leave the house to walk to Halifax station in order to catch the 06:00 train and head to Morecambe on the Lancashire coast, stopping off en-route at Heysham Harbour on the only train of the day which serves the once thriving port. I’ll update this blog regularly, so feel free to pop back and see what I get up to as there’s going to be regular stops throughout the day…
06:00.
My walk to the station was through streets deserted of humans. There was just me and cats who were making the most of owning this fine sunny morning before the dogs and their walkers ventured out.
Now I’m on the first train of the day, the 05:59 to Leeds. This is a busy 3-car – already half full, which isn’t bad for this time of day.
09:00
My first train only took me as far as Bradford Interchange, where I swapped stations, walking across a deserted city centre to get to Forster Square. During my research into this trip, I discovered an odd service. Forster Square trains are all-electric nowadays. Bar one. There’s a single daily DMU service from Forster Square to Lancaster, leaving at 06:41. There’s no return working either. So, me being me I decided it was worth getting up at stupid o’ clock to try it out!
The train was worked by a 2-car Class 158. Rather appropriately, one of the ex-West Yorkshire PTE units was used today. I was one of only two dozen aboard from Bradford, but as it was an all-stations service it soon filled up.
Tempting as it was to stay aboard all the way to Lancaster, I had other plans so disembarked at Skipton in order to get some pictures. Skipton is a gorgeous old Midland Railway station that still possesses many original features like the iron and glass canopies. The journey along the Aire valley was lovely. I even spotted deer calmly grazing in a field by the railway near Cononley. All the stops we called at were busy with commuters heading into Leeds, leaving each station car park full of their cars. An hour after arriving at Skipton I was on my way again. As we headed further out into the countryside, the landscape became more rugged. As usual, the railway took the path of least resistance, meandering along river valleys where it could, which afforded lovely views.
Now I’m at my next stop. Hellifield, so it’s time for a nostalgic interlude in 24H, the wonderful station cafe.
1245.
I’ve moved on once more after a lovely historical interlude at Hellifield. The station cafe contains a wealth of old photos and railway artifacts, which bear testament to what an important railway junction this once was.
Leaving, I caught the 11:11 across the ‘little North-Western’ route via Bentham to Carnforth. This is a traditional ‘clickety-clack’ railway as the rails are still jointed, producing that classic noise as trains pass over them. I’ll write more about the line later.
After a pause at Lancaster between trains and chance for a quick (but expensive) pint in the station bar, I’m now en-route to Heysham Harbour aboard the left hand one of these two Metro-Cammell built beasts.
15:15.
Having experienced both Heysham and Morecambe I may have to revise my view of the latter. Heysham is exactly as I remember it. A dump only useful for getting the ferry to/from the Isle of Man. The station’s reduced from its expansive 5 platforms to half a one just large enough to cope with a two-car train.
All change for the Isle of Man ferry…
Morecambe has been rebuilt too. The old station closed in 1994 with the site being taken over by new commercial developments. But the 1907 building survives.It has a number of uses now, including as a Greene King pub – a restoration which is rather good (just forget about the beer).
Opposite the station is the Art Deco Midland hotel- another gem that is undergoing further restoration. The old Colin Compton joke (‘they don’t bury the dead in Morecambe, they just stand them up in the bus shelters’) ran through my mind – and it’s true that a lot of the people I encountered were of a certain age, but…
A lot of money has been spent on the seafront, the beach is clean and deserted and the views across Morecambe Bay are sublime. But ‘fleshpots’ and nightlife? Nah. You come here for the quiet life!
‘I wandered, lonely as a cloud’…
Having fortified myself with chips and mushy peas (well, this IS the seaside) I made my way back East aboard a Leeds bound train which reversed at Lancaster before heading back across the ‘little North Western’ to my next stop, Bentham where I met up with Gerald Townson, an old community rail colleague, so that I could learn lots more about what the local Community Rail Partnership have been up to along the line.
Bentham station with a Lancaster bound service calling.
19:40.
Now I’m back in West Yorkshire, having a brief pitstop in Shipley before heading home via Bradford. It’s been a diverse day, but I must admit the early start is catching up with me!
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’ve had another productive day here in’t Pennines – even if the weather has been wild and windy. I’ve been reminded why growing Lupins in the front garden is leaving a hostage to fortune. There’s hardly a year goes by where their flowers don’t get battered and smashed by high winds! This year’s no exception, apart from the fact there’s been few flower stems this year. That said, the offshoots I’ve planted at the back of the house have fared better due to being sheltered from the winds coming off the valley. Whilst it’s been windy with some depressingly grey clouds hanging around, the only rain we seem to have had was overnight. To think, this time last week the sun was cracking the flags!
Much of my day has been spent wading through the hundreds of pictures I took last week. Now they’re all edited, captioned and on y Zenfolio website. There’s too many updated galleries to list individually, so here’s a link to the ‘recents’ section which will show you which ones have been updated. Now that’s done I can concentrate on other things – although that means another day staying in as I’ve a lot of stuff to sort out in the cottage. At least I don’t have to get goggle-eyed staring at a computer screen for most of the day!
Talking of which – it’s time to go. But first, here’s the picture of the day, which was taken at Manchester Piccadilly on my way back from London.
For the photographers amongst you. This was taken on a Nikon Z9 with a 100-400mm lens at 400mm – 1/000sec at F8 and 500asa.
Transport for Wales are one of several operators who run trains to Manchester Airport. Here’s one of their new CAF built Class 197s passing through Piccadilly station, having left Holyhead on Anglesey earlier in the day.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Today’s been a hot and sticky one here in West Yorkshire. Temperatures have hit 28 degrees here in the Calder valley, yet much of the day skies have been overcast with little breeze to ameliorate the heat. Still, I’m not complaining. Much of my day’s been spent indoors anyway as I catch up with various chores after a few days away. The washing machine’s been busy and my computer keyboards taken a bashing as I catch up with emails, invoicing and picture editing – along with researching future opportunities. Expect several hundred pictures to appear on my Zenfolio website over the next few days.
By early evening I was ready for a break so nipped out for a long walk, picking up some food shopping before ending up in my local pub (the Big 6) in time to join friends for the Friday quiz – and a slice of free pork pie! The quiz is neither competitive nor serious, digressions and anecdotes are not only allowed, they’re de rigueur! Despite such meandering we were finished by 19:30, at which point is was time for me to wend my way home for a quiet night in (Dawn’s away with her family in Surrey). Now I’m editing the hundreds of pictures I’ve taken this week whilst listen to music. Tonight’s soundtrack is provided by Todd Rundgren.
I’ll leave you with two pictures today.
Waiting at Brixton for the very first Northbound underground train of the day at 05:41 yesterday. No riots, no graffiti just ordinary Londoners on their way to work (and me). Meanwhile, back in West Yorkshire, it’s free pork pie Friday in the Big 6, with an ever-changing range of real ales as a backdrop.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
After two lovely days in London catching up with old stomping grounds (and old friends) it’s time to head back up North for a while. Admittedly, I’m doing so at an ungodly hour. Having caught a silly o’ clock bus from Streatham to Brixton and arriving in time to catch the first tube train of the day to get me to Euston I’m now flying North aboard one of Siemens finest class 350s as far as Crewe along a route that I’ve always considered as ‘home’ – the West Coast Main Line. It has so many memories attached to it, both business and pleasure.
It’s rare to see Euston this quiet. But check out the time..
Today’s another where the sunshine’s going to be cracking the flags. It’s only early but we’re already in T-shirt and shorts temperatures. I’ll be blogging on and off throughout the day, as the mood, trains and wifi take me. This trip is another where conditions are just too good to spend the trip glued to a laptop. Instead I’m going to enjoy window-gazing, with music as a soundtrack. So far I’ve had the Moody Blues, Paloma Faith and the Rolling Stones for company…
07:45.
We’ve just left Rugby, a station and town that has a huge place in my memories – for all sorts of reasons. Here’s two (rail connected) ones. Taking pictures of young professionals ‘speed dating’ on a Virgin Pendolino from London before they returned to London back in 2005. Later that year I spent much of Xmas and Boxing day stood in the middle of the tracks during an infamous Network Rail blockade which was part of the West Coast Route Upgrade. It didn’t go well…
08:33.
We’ve arrived at Stafford under cloudless skies. Remember I talked about trackside at Rugby? Ten years later I ended up doing the same thing here, spending much of 2014-15 splitting my time between major rail upgrades here and at Watford Junction. If I remember rightly, Xmas day 2014 was spent in a hotel here between shifts. Oh, this section of the journey’s musical accompaniment is ‘the best of Meatloaf’…
17:30.
Cor, is it that time already? My trip to Crewe was faultless. I had time to spare so I enjoyed wandering around a station I’ve known since my early teens. Admittedly, it’s changed a bit since then! Mail and parcels traffic (along with the associated infrastructure) is long gone. The diesel locomotive depot hangs on in private hands but it’s not the same. The massive lighting tower remains- but without lights – or the thousands of Starlings that used it as a roost.
Despite everything that’s happened over the decades (or, in the case of HS2 -what hasn’t happened) Crewe remains an important railway junction.
I moved on aboard a local Northern trains service to Manchester which was operated by a repainted but unrefurbished ex-West Mids Class 323. Now I’m taking time out in Maanchester where the sun’s cracking the flags in the same way it did in London yesterday. The heat’s starting to cause problems for the railway due to lineside fires and the threat of buckled rails. At Least all I have to do is make it back across the Pennines for now.
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, 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 me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
My day’s begun here is leafy South London. I’ve stayed in Streatham, where an old friend has moved to from his former home in Clapham. Today’s plan is to spend the day exploring old haunts on the 3rd rail network before nipping North of the Thames, heading back into central London. It’s a beautiful day here, with wall to wall sunshine. – ideal for photography.
One of the train fleets I’ll be looking at is the old BR built Class 465-466s operated by South Eastern. These are gradually being withdrawn or stored, with the whole class due to be replaced in the next few years. Here’s one from yesterday, at St Johns.
I’ll be blogging throughout the day, so feel free to pop in and see what I get up to…
11:15.
I didn’t make it far, but that’s because I’d forgotten just how much fun pootling around on the South London suburban network actually is. Admittedly, I miss Southern’s old Class 455s, but as they’ve been replaced by more modern, air-conditioned stock with plug sockets – I doubt many other passengers do.
I moved two stops to Crystal Palace, a magnificent junction station with a rich Victorian history and home to one of the two TV towers that dominated the city. The other being another palace (Alexandra), which I lived in the shadow of for many years.
19:30.
Apologies for the gap, but I’ve been having a wonderful day discovering new places across South London whilst also checking out some familiar territory. A warning to any right-wingers reading this. I love multicultural London in all its diversity. It’s a breath of fresh air after the staleness of some parts of the UK.
Having left Crystal Palace I checked into another Junction (Norwood) only to find what was once a good spot for taking pictures is now overgrown. Never mind, there’s other opportunities. Businesses around the junction have obviously suffered these past few years with many empty retail units, but there’s still a lot of life.
Heading on, I caught a train to West Croydon – another old haunt from when I fist started coming to London solo back in the 1970s. I used to stay with an ex-girlfriend in a shared house just down the road in Wallington. My, how things have changed! I came here to take a few spins on the Croydon tram network, a system I was well overdue for visiting. I ended up taking pictures at several locations, including Croydon East, before stopping off several times on my way through to Beckenham Junction.
Trams old and new in central Croydon.
Croydon, like many multicultural areas get a slating from the right-wing. Is it the land of milk and honey – obviously not, but I love the diversity and vibrancy of places like this. By West Croydon station I popped into the bus station cafe cafe staffed by two young women which offered a great range of food – including some delicious veggie Samosas. Sure, there’s lots of fast-food outlets, but there’s also lots of shops selling fresh ingredients, be it vegetable, meat or fish. Far more than back in staid old West Yorkshire. I noticed a number of shops selling wet fish – something that’s very difficult to buy at home nowadays.
Of course, dominating the whole area has been the TV tower. Wherever I went it was omnipresent (as you’ll see in the pictures later). It was only when I escaped into the city and Thameside that other structures took over. Like this view – which I never tire of…
The square mile bakes in the sun.
Now, after baking in the sun for much of the day I’m taking time out at where I’m staying in order to recharge mine (and other) batteries whilst having helped out a couple of other friends who’re staying here tonight. The group (sans me) are off to a black tie dinner in central London, so I’ve been playing butler, ensuring that everyone is suitably attired. Now I’m taking a break to catch up with this blog and download some pictures.
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Paul Bigland 