Category Archives: Travel

16th April picture of the day…

16 Tuesday Apr 2024

Posted by in Flora and Fauna, Musings, Photography, Picture of the day, The USA, Travel, Weather, West Yorkshire

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I know April is renowned as the month of showers, but this is getting beyond a joke! It’s been more like four seasons in one day here in the Calder valley. After yesterday’s little jaunt I had a full diary for working from home, which was just as well as low temperatures and a chilly wind really didn’t encourage one to venture far. That said, when the sun did break through the skittish clouds you could feel the warmth there, it’s just that it was fighting a losing battle with the elements. As the pair of us had a productive and profitable morning we’d arranged to go for a walk just after lunch but the weather had other ideas! One minute there was glorious sunshine streaming through the windows, the next they were being assailed by hailstones! Thankfully, our walk was merely postponed rather than rained off. Conditions soon changed, allowing us to venture out to complete a two-hour circuit which also encompassed a bit of shopping. All the while I kept a wary eye on the skies as we could see storm clouds dropping heavy rain all around us. Fortunately, they kept away from our little patch right up to the last moment, allowing us to make it in the front door before the next onslaught. One of the beauties of living where we are is that when we’re out walking locally we’ve panoramic views around all points of the compass, which gives us time to run for cover if needed.

We survived, but I worry that some of my poor plants may have taken a battering from the weather. Ironic really as only the other day my mother-in-law was telling me I’d planted stuff out too early. So, that’s me for another ticking off then!

Tomorrow the weather may stay dry – although temperatures will be anything but balmy. We’ll be lucky to escape a frost tonight. I’ve some more paperwork to do tomorrow, but if we get the sunshine levels predicted I may venture out with the camera whilst I can. If nothing else, the cherry blossom’s putting on a wonderful display right now and worth pointing a camera at. Although it’ll struggle to match this famous display which forms today’s picture. I took this shot in Washington DC, a city famous for its cherry blossom. Here’s how it looked on the 3rd April 2007.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Stormy weather…

15 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in Climate Change, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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12:00.

What a contrast to yesterday when we enjoyed a country walk uninterrupted by rain. Today we’re back to climatic conditions that can best be described as Baltic with torrential rain! If I wasn’t popping over to Preston to meet up with some friends for an hour I’d have quite happily stayed home at Bigland Towers, watching the rainstorms sweep across the valley from indoors. As it was, Dawn gave me a lift to the station under approaching clouds that were black as Hades. No sooner had I arrived at the station and got under cover before we were hit by two amazing cloudbursts where the rain was sweeping across Halifax in sheets. I’ve seen rain like this many time in Asia, but rarely in the UK.

Right now, after being caught by the tail end of such a burst I’m drying off aboard the 11:30 to Preston whilst watching more cloudbursts sweeping across the Calder valley. Hopefully, I might be in the right place at the right time to get some pictures later as the mixture of sunshine, black skies and rain ir really rather dramatic. I can honestly say I’ve never known a year so changeable or so wet. It looks like 2024 will be setting weather records for all the wrong reasons.

22:00.

Sorry, that was a pretty crap rolling blog. Mainly because the rolling that was done was with laughter once the gang was all together in the wonderful Black Horse pub in Preston.

Our merry band ended up talking about everything railways and a few other subjects in between, all leavened with lots of humour and lubricated with some great beers.

When we left I realised there was little point in trying to do much photographically so I made my way home to Halifax, arriving just in time to walk home before the arrival of the next deluge. Here’s the sky that greeted me as I reached the summit of Spring Edge and began the drop into the Calder Valley.

I’ve a busy day at home tomorrow so the weather’s not going to bother me either way, but let’s see what Wednesday brings…

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Meandering my way to some Merseyside manoeuvres…

11 Thursday Apr 2024

Posted by in Liverpool, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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11:25.

Having spent the early part of the week working from home it’s time to get out and about on the railways again, despite the weather. At least it’s not rained today. Well, yet! I’m currently on a train from Sowerby Bridge heading for Manchester in order to head over to Merseyside for another meandering visit. The Merseyrail Class 507 fleet’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth and ‘celebrity’ BR blue/grey liveried 507001 is working Ormskirk line services today. But first, I’ve got to get over there.

I’ll blog throughout the day, so feel free to pop back and see what I get up to….

12:25.

As I drift Westward the weather’s improved and I’m beginning to think I may be a tad overdressed fot the conditions! I’ve changed trains at Salford Crescent where I swapped my pair of diesel 158s for   electric 331s heading for Blackpool North. I as going to catch the elderly Class 156 working to Southport via Bolton, but the 331s are running late so it’s been hd to let them past. It’s a sensible bit of regulation as you don’t want the 331s to introduce delays on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) at Preston,whilst a few mins on a Southport services causes no problems anywhere.

12:40.

My ekectric dash to Bolton gave me a few minutes to get some pictures before joining the Southport bound 156 I’d fkagged at Salford Crescent. Having stopped st intermediate stations en-route it ambled in 8 minutes late.

With the through tracks long gone and now occupied by OLE masts a pair of 331s stand at Bolton station with a Blackpool North – Manchester Airport service.
What kept you? The Southport bound train calls at Bolton’s platform 5, which was only reinstated during electrification work.

13:45.

Having travelled from Wigan Wallgate to Headbolt Lane I’ve now swapped diesel for battery power. Well, as far as Kirkby anyway!

16:30.

Apologies for the break but I’ve been busy with the camera at Kirkdale. As it’s the Grand National weekend Merrseyrail has put out 3 sets of 2x507s on the Ormskirk services. I only found out as I arrived at the station, so the past couple of hours have been spent getting pictures in the area.

Only a few weeks left in service…

I’ve never seen so many rail enthusiasts on Merseyrail. I even bumped into James, an old friend from Chorley who’d had the same idea as me.

507001 leads 507014 past Kirkdale depot on a return working to Liverpool Central from Ormskirk.

Now, having managed various shots including ‘celebrity’ 507001 I’m heading into central Liverpool for a little while. I’m fascinated by the amount of redevelopment going on around the old dock between Sandhills and Liverpool. It’s such a contrast to the dereliction I remember as a youth – and wonderful to see.

19:15.

My visit to Liverpool was brief for two reasons. The weather deteriorated and the place was packed due to the Grand National. Still, it made for some great people-watching as I made my way between Central  and Lime St stations. On the way I traversed Gt Charlotte St which has become ‘murder mile’. Why? Well, it’s now wall to wall bars, many with open fronts. 99% have live music (competing with each other) and most of them are killing cover versions of popular songs!

Spot the obligatory ‘plastic Paddy’ pubs – and a Wetherspoons.

19:30.

I retraced my way to the end of the Merseyrail network at  Headbolt Lane as there really wasn’t much point in hanging around. I’d have like to have got photos of racegoers in their finery but it was far too late in the day for that – even if the weather had stayed dry. It’s a lesson I learned 20 years ago when I was working for ATOC (the Association of Train Operating Companies) and covered rail travellers heading to Ascot. What goes out can look very posh. After a day on the drink what returns is often anything but.

Right now I’m heading for Manchester aboard Northern’s service from Headbolt Lane to Blackburn via Manchester and Todmorden worked by an elderly but refurbished pair of Class 150s. They’re not my first choice of train but there’s no point in stopping off/changing en-route to Manchester due to the weather. A pity really as I’ve noticed some real progress with electrifying the line around Hindley – which isn’t bad considering I was there last week!

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Dodging the weather…

05 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Food and drink, Lancashire, Rail Investment, Railways, Travel

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10:20.

After another night of heavy rain today’s threatening to brighten up. So much so I’ve decided to risk venturing out to the Wigan area to document progress on electrifying the line between there and Lostock Jn near Bolton. However, I’m taking no chances. I’ve a golfing umbrella strapped to the side of my camera bag – just in case! Right now I’m more likely to need it as a parasol, but the weather’s so unpredictable nowadays I doubt that will last…

I’m currently on Northern’s 10:03 from Sowerby Bridge which will take me directly through to Hindley. It’s running 7 minutes late. Apparently, there’s overhead line problems in Leeds, where the service started from. The railways are having a torrid time of it at the moment with many delays down to equipment failure or the weather. Our Victorian era network wasn’t designed to cope with the climactic conditions we’re seeing due to Climate Change – especially the amount of rain and associated flooding. Still, the Tories have cancelled a large part of our new rail spine (HS2) that IS designed to cope, so that’s alright then…

I’ll try and blog throughout the day but this isn’t going to be a long trip. I’m on shopping/cooking duty tonight so I want to be home at a sensible time!

I crossed the River Calder on my way to the station. It’s swollen but nowhere near as bad as when Sowerby Bridge flooded. Then, the lower floor of this old mill was underwater, as was all the land to the right.

11:20.

Having traversed the Pennines and made it to Manchester I noticed another change kn the approach to Victoria station. Across yo the right is the site of the famous ‘Red Bank’ sidings. These were once the stabling point for rakes of parcels and newspaper vans which fanned out across the country overnight, carrying papers like the ‘Manchester Guardian’ and others that were printed in the city. That traffic disappeared in the 1980s and the sidings wete closed and lifted long ago. Having lain derelict since the site is now a black earh scar as it’s terra-formed whilst being prepared for a housing development. I can see a picture trip in the offing…

Right now I’m on the direct route to Wigan via Walkden, which was once the Lancashire and Yorkshire railways four-track main line. Sadly, the weather’s closing in again. I may need that brolley for its proper purpose after all…

14:30.

S’cuse the interlude but it’s been hectic at Hindley! Thanks to the powers of the internet and the everyday access we have to maps via our mobile devices I found some backstreets and footpaths that took me out to Crow Nest Junction which is to the East. Here I had an interesting hour playing bingo with the sun/rain and railway timetable. I’ll add proper pictures later. For now, here’s one off the phone.

Difficult to believe now but this was once a meeting of four track lines with all the complex pointwork that entailed. As you can see, there’s been a lot of vegetation clearence as the line from the left (Bolton) is being electrified.

16:45.

Homeward bound. After moving location to replicate some of yesterday’s shots I move on up to Westhoughton, a station I’ve never visited before but always promised myself I would. Like Hindley, it has an active station friends group who’ve worked wonders with the steep cutting sides the station nestles in. There’s a couple of footbridges to the West which make for decent photographic perches but not for long as piles have appeared in the cess for future overhead wires. I fell foul of a rainstorm whilst I was here but luckily there was a refuge. Google had alerted me to the presence of this place. The beer school.

I stayed long enough to dodge the rain and enjoy a quick pint of IPA. I’d have been tempted to linger longer as its a friendly place with good beer but I have other things to do. Plus, the weather’s not getting any better. Instead I joined the throng at the station for a train to Manchester. Looking at some of the skimpily dressed and implausibly tanned young women boarding the train for a night out you’d be forgiven for thinking it was midsumner!

20:45.

I’m now back in the bosom of West Yorkshire, putting my feet up at home whilst editing a last few pictures for your delectation. I didn’t hang around after leaving Westhoughton. I’d got the pictures I needed and besides – it’s Friday! Dee had rung me to say that I was off the hook when it came to cooking as she fancied doing one of her specialties (spicy prawns) so who was I to argue? Besides, we’re out and about again tomorrow. OK, here’s today’s selection.

Looking back towards Hindley station from the overbridge by Crow Nest Junction. This was once a four track main line. The express tracks (via Walkden) which occupied the space to the left were added by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1888. They lasted less than 75 years. As you can see, there’s been a huge amount of tree and vegetation clearance to make safe space for the overhead wires.
A long lens shot looking West towards Hindley station which can be seen in the background. The course of the old fast lines is evident.
Crow Nest Junction looking East. The line to the right with the Class 158 approaching is the express route via Walkden. The line to the left is the original 1848 route to Bolton. It’s this section (as far as Lostock Jn) that’s being electrified.
Here’s bi-mode 769450 passing Westhoughton with a service for Southport. There’s little sign of electrification progress here unless you know what to look for. The piles for all the overhead masts are nearly all in place.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

More rail changes. This time it’s Lancashire and Merseyside.

04 Thursday Apr 2024

Posted by in Lancashire, Merseyside, Photography, Rail Investment, Railways, Travel

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I’ll get into trouble for this title. Some people still can’t face the fact the town I grew up in (Southport) was moved from Lancashire to Merseyside way back in 1974, but there you go..

I’d been working from home this morning to put the finishing touches and picture captions to my latest article for RAIL magazine after they’d sent me over the proofs. Then I logged onto the internet and noticed that the Merseyrail route into Southport was closed between Southport and the suburb of Hillside to allow the platforms at Chapel St to be extended into the station in order to fit 8-car trains. This caused me a wry smile. I remember the old Chapel St station. The very same platforms were shortened in the 1970s when the original station was demolished by BR so developers could build a God-awful shopping centre facing the main street in its place. How the world turns!

So, I decided to play a flying visit as the work is due to finish tomorrow. Here’s a few pictures of the work inside the station. As you can see, all three Merseyrail platforms are part of the possession, hence trains from Liverpool being turned back at Hillside.

Now I’m heading back with one more stop in mind. Well, if the weather holds…

19:00.

I stopped off but the weather got the better of me! The idea was to have a look at progress in electrifying the railway from Wigan to Bolton. I’d noticed real signs of progress on my way in so decided to make a stop at Hindley, where a diverse range of work’s going on. Despite threatening skies I made it as far as the famous bowstring footbridge a few minutes walk to the West of the station before the heavens opened – hence the lack of sky in this pic.

An interesting mix, a former 25kv electric unit now converted to bi-mode (diesel and overhead electric) pulls away from Hindley past the recently installed 25kv electric masts.
Looking in the opposite direction towards Wigan, the masts march onwards…

As you can see, the ‘march of the masts’ is getting closer to Wigan. It’s hard to believe now but until the 1960s there were at least 8 tracks here. The area was awash with colleries and ironworks. All are gone. A huge amount of lineside vegetation’s been cleared along the line which has opened up vistas not seen for 40 or more years. Once we have some better weather I’ll be popping back to visit a few more locations to show how work’s progressing.

Squelching back to Hindley along flooded footpaths and in the pouring rain I took refuge in the pub by the station until my train was due. Now I’m Manchester bound under dank depressing skies and downpours.

22:00.

I’m now home and drying out after a very wet evening. As I walked uphill torrents of water were flowing downhill after another downpour. Thankfully it’d just passed so I managed to avoid a complete soaking. As I was stripping off at home our ‘Alexa’ bleeped with a notification for a flood-warning for Halifax. Tomorrow could be an interesting day. Maybe I’ll stay at home…

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. A capital day out…

27 Wednesday Mar 2024

Posted by in London, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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07:30.

I’m on my way to London for the day to catch up with an old friend from Singapore, who’s over in the UK for a few days. I’ve known Nicholas Lim for around 10 years. Having first met up in Thailand we’ve kept in contact through the power of social media. Our last meeting was in Singapore almost exactly a year ago, so it’ll be good to see him again and look at some changes to the capital’s rail network.

Sadly, the wet and grey weather we’re still suffering from in the Pennines is going to be replicated in London. Still, there’ll be plenty to see and do…

Right now I’m on Northern’s 06:53 from Halifax to Leeds to catch my onward connection to London. I was tempted to catch Grand Central’s 07:11 direct service to Kings Cross which is being worked by one of their leased Class 221s today, but this way I get there ahead of it, giving me chance to get pictures of it arriving.

Feel free to pop back later to see how the day unfolds…

07:50.

Of course, there’s another compensation of travelling to London via Leeds rather than direct. My capital bound service is LNER’s 07:41 which originates in Skipton. It’s diagrammed to be worked by one of the company’s loco-hauled sets and true enough (albeit running 7 minutes late) I’m now being pushed to London by this machine. 91111, named ‘For the fallen’. There’s a second bonus. The old Mk4 train sets have a ‘quiet’ coach at the very rear, behind the engine. You can almost always get a table seat here.

09:20.

Today’s not been a vintage one when it comes to timekeeping. We’re currently speeding towards our next stop at Peterborugh 15 minutes later than scheduled as we’ve accrued further delays en-route. Still, the weather’s picked up. There’s sunshine, blue skies and cumulus clouds filling my window – and I have coffee – so I’m not complaining!

18:55.

Well, that was a crap rolling blog, wasn’t it? The day started so well too. Nick and I met up at Kings Cross as soon as I arrived in London. After getting a few pictures the pair of us headed for St Pancras where we caught a Thameslink service to Farringdon in order to board a ‘Lizzie line train Westwards to Ealing. That’s when things started to fall apart. Lizzie line services towards Heathrow were either cancelled or delayed. We decided to make our way to Paddington, then await further instructions. Problem was – the instructions we got after an enquiry at Paddington meant we wasted time. TfL staff directed us up to the mainline station, where a member of GWR staff denied all knowledge of trains to Ealing and brusquely directed us back to the TfL station. That’s when I spotted this.

Bugger…

By the time we returned to the Lizzy line station information (and trains) had been updated, enabling us to get a packed service to West Ealing in deteriorating weather. Then another disappointment kicked in. The battery train wasn’t running. It’d been replaced by a two-car diesel. As Nick had never travelled the route we completed an out and back trip anyway. Bad move! By the time we got back to West Ealing there’d been a power failure which led to many TfL and GWR services being cancelled. After hiding from the rain for 25 mins whilst we weighed up our options a London-bound service arrived from Heathrow, so we made our way back to Paddington. After grabbing a few pictures we swapped to the Underground for the short hop to Euston Square. It was time for lunch, so I took Nick to an old haunt. The ‘Ravi Shankar’ Indian veg restaurant in nearby Drummond St, where we both consumed one of their excellent ‘Mysore thalis’

Suitably stuffed and with the weather brightening up I gave a brief tour and explanation of the stalled HS2 construction work before we headed to Euston so that Nick could exprience the train transition between the ‘old’ Siemens built class 350s and new Alstom built Class 730s – which I consider the best of the company’s new trains.

By now we’d eaten into most of my day so it was time to head to Kings Cross and routes home – until our next meeting…

Right now I’m heading back to Leeds on a packed LNER service whilst Nick’s headed South of the river.

I’ll add the few pictures I’ve managed to get to my Zenfoilo website 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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Contact…

25 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in North Yorkshire, Photography, Railways, Travel, Yorkshire

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I didn’t expect to be blogging today and what there is will be short and sweet as it’s late and there’s so much to talk about that will have to wait until tomorrow.

My laptop problems were resolved just as soon as I got home and plugged in a reserve charger. Suddenly the machine’s battery began to charge and normal service was resumed. That allowed me access to pictures and chance to update the BIOS. Once the battery was full charge and just out of interest I swapped chargers. Lo and behold, the one I’d been using these past few days also decided to work. Ain’t technology wonderful?

I’d expected to be sans laptop for the next few days. Now that normal service has been resumed I can rejig my plans once again and write a blog that will do justice to our trip – which has seen us explore places neither of us have visited before. Looking back at the variety of towns and scenery we’ve experienced I’ve realised that we haven’t at any point left the county of Yorkshire – something that those who claim it’s ‘God’s own country’ would say ‘Told ya’!

We haven’t just come back with memories either – as the car boot’s contained a variety of edible goodies – from fish to pork pies. Rhubarb chutney to ‘chocolate surprise’. Oh, and a few locally brewed beers too…

OK, now it’s time for me to call it a day but I’ll leave you with a couple of pictures.

Here’s the North Yorkshire Moors Railway with two trains passing at Goathland. Many TV viewers will probably best know the station and village by the fictitious name of ‘Aidensfield’ from the TV series ‘Heartbeat’.
One of the shops in the upmarket market town of Helmsley, between Pickering and Thirsk.
Dawn saw this in Helmsley. I’m staying schtum…

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

The ‘office’ has moved…

22 Friday Mar 2024

Posted by in Photography, Travel, Yorkshire

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Greetings from deepest North Yorkshire! For the next few days the pair of us have relocated to Glaisdale, which we’ll be using as a base to explore the area, enjoy some walking on coast and moors as well as sampling some local food and drink. We’re off to a good start. I’ve already stocked up on mince, eggs and Black Pudding from the local family butchers just a few doors down the road. The village also possesses a combined post office and general store which is good for buying basics. We’ve struck lucky with the weather too as we’re enjoying some glorious sunshine, although a bitingly cold wind is taking the edge off things slightly. Here’s a look at where we’re based now.

There’s worse places to be!
The view from the back garden right now. As office windows go…

I’ll blog more later when we’ve been out and about. Right now it’s time for lunch…

18:30.

What a stunning day! Whitby looked at its best due to the weather. We walked around the town for a few hours rediscovering old nooks and carnnies as well as trying out new delights in the cafes, bars and shops. Here’s a few pictures to pique your interest.

Returning with the catch…
It was choppy out there today dues to the winds – as evidenced by the white-capped waves outside the breakwater.
Danby delight. 156448 and 156490 approach the station whilst working 2N31, the 1557 from Whitby to Hexham.
The pair seen in the late afternoon sun about to pull away from Danby.

Now we’re back at the AirBnB, changing from scruffs to more suitable attire as we’re off for a meal at a rather nice hotel not a million miles away. More later…

22:00.

The two of us are now back at our temporary home with feet up in front of a log fire, digesting the lovely meal we enjoyed at the Horseshoe Hotel in nearby Egton Bridge. This dog-friendly pub and hotel has internal decor that’s rather eccentric for this neck of the woods as it’s African themed, but the food is very British. Dawn and I shared a scallop starter before diverging on main courses. I opted for the belly pork with scallop and black pudding whilst Dee satisfied her carnivore instincts with a steak. All three meals were very good and the prices commendably competitive.

Scallops with Cauliflower puree and black pudding.
Belly pork with mashed potato, scallop, black pudding and vegetables.

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling(ish) blog. The Community Rail Awards 2024…

18 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in Community rail, Community Rail Network, Photography, Railways, Rolling blogs, Swansea, Travel, Wales

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09:30.

The wet and dismal day that greeted us when we woke up this morning has morphed into something far more pleasant as blue skies and sunshine have appeared to brighten the day. We’ve been up early and breakfasted as the CRN team will be off to the venue shortly, preparing for tonight’s event. It promises to be a brilliant evening. The Community Rail Awards don’t have the pomp or stuffiness of some ceremonies, they’re much more relaxed. I’ve been roped in to help with some of the prep so I’ll be heading over to the arena for a couple of hours too. Obviously I’m not going to be blogging and spilling the beans about what people can expect, but later on I’ll have chance to have a wander around Swansea to get a few pictures and check out the Maritime museum and marina. Expect some thoughts and pictures later, and then some of this evening’s highlights…

16:30.

Today’s not exactly gone to plan blogging wise as I’ve been roped into several different things and haven’t had time to blog. However, I did get time off to visit the Maritime museum – which is about much more than just the sea.

From old motorcycles to a solar car that travelled from Athens to Lisbon…
The maritime collection
Old steam power…

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Rolling blog. Swansea shenanigans…

17 Sunday Mar 2024

Posted by in Community Rail Network, Railways, Rolling blogs, Transport for Wales (TfW), Travel, Wales

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08:25.

We’ve been up since 07:00, not a time we’d normally expect to be supping coffee on a Sunday, but today we’re heading to Swansea for tomorrow’s Community Rail Awards. This could be an interesting trip. First we head to Manchester to meet up with other members of the CRA team, then we catch a Transport for Wales service all the way to Cardiff, which takes 5 hours. That could be the first ‘fun’ bit as (having checked) I can see that it’s worked by a two-car class 197, so it could get cosy! It being Sunday, the line from Cardiff to Swansea is closed for engineering work to take place, so it’s the dreaded ‘bustitution’ for the rest of the way. Just what you need when you’re carrying all the kit you need for an awards ceremony and a couple of nights away!

Feel free to pop back later and see how the journey unfolds….

10:00.

We’re on our way on our first train of the day – Northern’s 09:50 from Halifax to Manchester Victoria. As it’s early on a Sunday and it’s a four-car there’s no problem in finding a seat.

10:30.

We’ve left the wet weather behind by crossing the Pennines into Gtr Manchester. Whilst our train filled up after calling at Rochdale the journey’s still relaxed. Next stop is Victoria…

10:45.

Ha! I should’ve known better. We’re in Manchester, so of course it’s raining! Not that it natters as we’ve just joined a packed TPE service bound for the airport which will deliver us to Piccadilly.

11:40.

Half A dozen of the team have met at Piccadilly and joined TfW’s 11:29 to Cardiff. Thankfully, it’s one of the new CAF built Class 197s and we’ve managed to secure a couple of tables behind the cab despite the usual scramble for seats. Now the tables are awash with laptops and mobile phones as folk make final preparations for the awards and a few days away.

13:40.

We’ve had a surprisingly good journey so far. At one point we were losing time to Shrewsbury but now we’ve mad that up on the approach to Hereford. The biggest surprise has been the amount of flooded fields around Moreton-On-Lugg. It’s horrendous. Fields have become vast lakes and some roads look like they’re impassible unless you have a 4X4. I really feel for the farmers as the rivers draining the area clearly can’t cope, so planting anything is impossible.

17:00

Made it! All in all, that’s been a very good journey. We were into Cardiff on time and the dreaded ‘bustitution’ worked like a dream. We were off the train and after a toilet stop we were straight onto a coach for the rest of the trip to Swansea. The group’s now checked in at our hotel on the Tawe Basin, right by the Swansea seafront. A short walk away is the National Waterfront Museum (which I’m hoping to have time to check out in the morning) and the venue for tomorrow’s awards (Swansea Arenea) is 5 minutes walk away.

19:01.

Time for the team to dine – at…

Zinco Lounge

22:30.

Well, that was a great (if different) night, but one that had to end early as some of us have to be on duty tomorrow. After the meal where we were joined by old friends such as Richard Salkeld – ex LNER and now ‘Lumo’ – when the wit and laughter was flowing, a few of us met up with other community rail colleagues and ‘newbies’ such as train driver Bessie Matthews, who’s written the Arlo adventures books at a Gin bar called Hogarth’s. Now, you wouldn’t normally find me dead in a karaoke joint, but as I was with friends it turned into an interesting exercise in people watching and insight into Swansea on a Sunday. After all, the Welsh have a reputation for singing, don’t they? True enough. The place was mostly men, and some actually knew how to sing – as did one of our own group – Karen Bennett – who bashed out a great rendition of a Bonny Tyler number whilst getting support from the audience!

Now it’s time to call it a day. I’m looking to seeing more of Swansea in the morning…

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/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312