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ABOUT ME. JULY 2009 I am pleased to welcome you to the past six
months of 'About Me' and of course my family.
Click on the thumbnails to view a larger
picture.
We started off the year with my wife June suffering very badly
from a 'flu' bug. So bad was this bug that she gave up smoking
cigarettes. I gave up about 6 years ago and now we have a much
better living environment AND June looks so much better and is
better in health.
Early in the year we had an unusual heavy snow fall and of course
the younger generation took full advantage of this. David and
Natasha's pictures below.
We had a number of happy occasions during the period and a few
of these are set out below.
Hannah
P.J
Our friend Melvyn who resides in London sprang a surprise party
for his friend Danny at
The Worlds End at Ecton. Many friends and relatives came to this
nice event
One event that I do really enjoy is a Burns Supper. I like to
stick me 'Tammy' on me wee head and have a bite of the Haggis. This
was held at The Columbia Hotel. Wellingborough.
Next on the agenda was Paulines birthday. Held at my favourite
restaurant ( The Thai Garden ) this was enjoyed by friends and
family.
OK, enough of all this eating and drinking. We did another rail
cruise this year. This took us north through Leicester,
Chesterfield, Leeds, Hellifield and over the Settle and Carlisle
line across The Ribblehead Viaduct for a three hour stay in
Carlisle. From here we travelled to Newcastle Upon Tyne and headed
south to Durham, York and Chesterfield arriving back in
Wellingborough at 10pm. That was fifteen hours after we left. Cost.
£49. Terrific value for money.
Fabulous scenery was enjoyed on this excursion which prompts me
to say a few words about Julia Bradbury. This lady narrates a great
deal of outdoor programmes for the BBC. Railway Walks and Lakeland
Walks. To me she is one of the best presenters on British
Television. No one is more natural than Julia. Well, for me anyway.
The programmes are also available on DVD.
Now lets move on to some of our railway visits. I do a great deal
of modern image photography but deep down I love the smell and smoke
of steam engines. That is why my pal Ernie and I went to The North
Norfolk Railway Steam Gala. A three day event full of smoke and
steam inhalation. Mmm Lovely.
Before more steam railway visits I thought I had better give June
some attention. I took her and our dog Molly on a one month holiday
to Thirsk in Yorkshire and seventeen days with our great friends of
over fourty years in Dumbarton , Scotland. During this time I did a
lot of modern image railway photography visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Carstairs, Beatock to name a few. The pictures can be viewed on my
Fotopic site. Besides trains I am sure that you are aware Scotland
has some wonderful scenery
http://kbsmiletrainpics.fotopic.net/
Now home from Scotland it was time for war !!. Yes the 1940's
Weekend at the Great Central Railway. Re-enactments of war time with
Military Personnel and civilians all dressed in the costumes of the
day. This together with mock battles and steam trains makes a great
event.
Another great railway event was
Twelve engines in steam on a preserved railway must have made this
the steam event of the year.
Getting away from railways again. During the Springtime there are
a number of woodland areas where the ground is a carpet of
Bluebells. I delight in taking my Grandsons out and this visit to
Badby Woods was no exception.
Look out. the police are about Benjamin
had a visit to the local Police HQ
No, Sorry, Can't resist it. Final visit to Steam Railways during
this past six months was to the K&WVR
Every worker on this preserved railway is a volunteer including
Frank ( above ) over 90 years old.
I have to say what a smashing show they put on for the
enthusiasts. The line is only 5 miles long but on this occasion they
brought in a mainline steam engine, Leander and a rake of West Coast
Railways coaches and ran an express steam service from Keighley to
Settle Junction three times a day. Brilliant it was too.
Now here's a show for everyone. While I was busy with my trains,
my wife who is five years my junior and has a bit more vigour was
singing and dancing on stage at The Castle Theatre in Hello Dolly.
So what have we to look forward to between now and Christmas.
First We hope to visit our niece Laura and Ian who reside in Dorset.
Another Steam weekend is booked for Ernie and I. The West Somerset
Autumn Gala.. Many trips out with the Grand children and lots more
modern image photography. Oh yes, I am all ready to book our 2010
summer holiday. Where ? Scotland of course. Stay tuned in.
************************ Aha, You did stay tuned in ! Good
because another six months have past. This report covers
July to December 2009.
Ernie and I did go to The West Somerset Steam Gala. This was another
great event up to the normal standards of this enthusiasts line. On
the Friday we went to Severn Tunnel Junction main line station for
modern image photography then on to the steam gala for Saturday and
Sunday. On the way home on Monday we spent some 'wet' time at
Westbury station. These pictures can be viewed by visiting
http://kbsmiletrainpics.fotopic.net/
Eldest son David left the hotel chain where he was head chef and
moved to a company which is involved in up market contract catering
for management and staff of office complex. He now has less pressure
and is very happy. June and I are pleased about that.
A few enjoyable times have been had at Sywell Aerodrome. This is
just a couple of miles away and a nice place to take the
grandchildren.
I'm sure that you are aware that both steam and modern image
railways play a very big part in our lives. Below are some pictures
taken on our visit to a superb steam gala at The Great Central
Railway. The family group shows some of the happy people we meet on
our travels.
These few pictures were taken by the grandsons at Northampton
station
Our other son PJ managed a visit to one of the railway events. He
now works for a major DIY chain. There are whispers that he and
Jemma my get wed next year. OK, lets move on to food. We had a
dine out occasion a few times during the past months. This visit was
to The 'Ock 'n' Dough at Wellingborough
 
This is a good food 'chain' pub with two main courses for a tenner.
Ever heard of a BOG PLANT ? Well I bought one out of fascination.
No. I don't keep it in the bog. it's on the bath room windowsill.
'Across the road' Brian had his 78th birthday and it was around
this time that we made our way to a lovely unspoilt village in
Dorset. This was a long awaited visit to see my niece Laura, Ian,
Pippa and Sammy Joe. We had a splendid mid-week break and are hoping
to go again soon.
With happy memories we headed home for a superb Sunday family lunch
prepared by Natasha and David
Now amid all this happiness PJ is having terrible migraines and is
having treatment, I suffered badly with an infected , ulcerated
ankle which I am pleased to say has healed after six months of
treatment. I now wear surgical below knee stockings. June has not
had a 'fag' for twelve months so congratulations are in order.
Most of the family have had little upsets along the way...BUT...
with all the good things that our lives are blessed with we just
cast away the little miseries 
Halloween was good for the kids and I believe that their mums and
dads enjoyed it too.
   
Not long after Halloween the snow descended upon us, by golly it
sure was cold and as usual the country did not cope very well.
Schools closed, trains cancelled, councils run out of salt and
people were staying at home ' snowed in ' !!
 
All through this time the children had a whale of a time including
Mathew and Benjamin. These pictures were taken at Marholm.
  
One of the delight of our year is the candle light carol service at
the tiny Rothersthorpe village church. At 4pm after lunch at
Dunkley's Railway restaurant we all walk to the church to hear the
Christmas story and sing carols. After this we take the short walk
back to Teresa's house for nibbles passing some nicely decorated
houses.
The festive season is upon us and we are well happy to take part in
anyone's celebrations.
June and I take this opportunity to thank every one who helped to
make our Christmas so happy. We wish you all a happy, healthy
and prosperous year ahead. |
