Last Slam Door Trains

Many years ago I used to commute to work on these trains and gradually they were replaced by newer models and now there is only one place left in Britain where they run - on the Brockenhurst to Lymington Branch line. However progress has even overtaken them and on Saturday the last slam door trains will have their final run on the branch line.

So for nostalgia here are some photos of the trains:

See you soon.

Family

I’ve been looking through old family photos recently and I came across this grainy photo of my great grandfather George. It seems odd now to think someone would visit the beach wearing his best suit and tie but this is what they did when this photo was taken probably in the late 1920’s.

George was a plumber and every year he would visit Bridlington for his family holiday - so presumably this is where the photo was taken. Not only was George a plumber but he was also a very good drummer. It’s funny how talent is passed from generation to generation, yet this talent seemed to miss some offspring. His daughter never had the talent but my father (his grandson) did. It missed me but has now reappeared in my sons.

I like the grainy quality of this photo as it is so reminiscent of the photo of my son’s great great grandfather George. This is my youngest son playing the drums in the Indie Rock Band:

La Heroine

The band used to be called ‘Rabbit of Fire’ which I have written about before, but they have now evolved and in doing so have developed a reputation for being ‘ Much better than good… Ballsy Indie at its best…”

Simatik Promotion

-  to quote another source (other than being a proud mother).

They launched their EP earlier this year and have become well known in the Cheltenham, Gloucester, Worcester area.

Brilliant music guys - well done!

And would George be pleased? Undoubtedly!

See you soon.

xx

Thoughts on being a grockle

I thought I would walk along with the tourists (grockles in this part of the world) so I went down to Lymington Quay - past the shop that sells shellfish, where a local cat queues along with the people - but he’s no good when it comes to paying for the prawns he likes.

I walked down along the cobbled street until I reached the quay where people were eating lunches, children were throwing crab lines into the water and others were eating ice creams.

If you wait by the quay you might see the elderly train trundle down to the ferry terminal taking people to and from the Isle of Wight.

Or if you want a smaller boat you can have a boat trip along Lymington River into the stretch of water that separates the mainland from the Isle of Wight.

Of course you can always moor your boat in the river and take your dinghy out to your mooring.

A friend of mine spent 22 years climbing on and off her boat, from a dingy, and now she is older she was wondering how much longer she could do this - then good news she got a mooring alongside one of the jetties.

So no more balancing in small boats.

See you soon.

xx

Bournemouth Air Festival

Last weekend we spent a very hot, sunny day watching the Bournemouth Air Festival. Whilst not being a great fan of Air Festivals, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The planes fly over Bournemouth beach and, because of the air space available,  there are wonderful panoramic views of the aircraft throughout the displays.

There are bi-planes as well as helicopters and modern warfare aeroplanes.

Unfortunately due to adverse weather conditions at the end of the show, the Red Arrows (which is the famous RAF dispaly team) were unable to perform all of their display, however we were treated to their low level display instead.

I must admit the one job I would not want to do is to be a wing-walker - well done girls you gave a terrific performance:

See you soon.

xx

Summer Holidays

Where have you been on holiday this year? This is one resident of Paignton Zoo I came across when I visited Devon this year.

Apart from a few wet days, the British Summer hasn’t been as bad as I thought it would be when the weather forecast said that the jet stream was too far south bringing wetter weather in Britain - but maybe it was wetter further north.

The result of all this there has been a bounty of purple thistles and the purple heather is now covering the heathland in the New Forest.

There is nothing nicer than the slowness of travelling on a steam train. We have somehow lost the appreciation of looking around us in an effort to get from A to B quickly and losing part of ourselves in the meantime. Apart from Swanage Steam Railway that I have written about before, the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway is scenic and well worth a visit…..

along with the South Devon Railway…..

See you soon.

xx

Holidays in the UK - your turn!

I was just thinking isn’t it about time we had some decent weather this summer so that I can go out without carrying wet weather gear? I was looking through photos of past summers and they are dominated by beautiful blue skies.

- with the odd cloud thrown in…..

I thought it would be good if you left a comment to tell me where you are spending your time in the UK this year - are you going to the sea, the countryside or the mountains? Let me know I would love to hear.

See you.

xx

Happiness is (2)………………..

Pink roses in my garden

The beach in summer

Walks in the forest

Sunsets

See you xx

Nature’s Tapestry

A tapestry of nature…………..

Nature’s sculpture…………

Nature’s palette………

xx

Milford Designs Updates

Don’t you just love this photo? - the sheer surprise!

I was in Poole Park this weekend and also at Lyndhurst Community Centre and I would like to welcome new customers to this blog. It was lovely to meet you all - many people were from the local area but several were on holiday. Welcome to the people from Hereford, Huddesfield and East Kilbride also the couple from Holland and Rose from Kansas. I hope you all enjoy your holiday.

Here are the latest updates; I am now making real gemstone earrings in sterling silver using Lapis Lazuli, Tiger’s Eye. Dalmatian Jasper, Picture Jasper, Turquoise, Cherry Quartz, Lemon Chrysophase and slice Agate. I am also able to make earrings for you in a style that would suit your requirements.

If I am at a spring or summer fair, and you are able to attend, please come and say hello we would love to see you - I’ve just bought a red gazebo so you can’t miss my stand.

See you soon.

xx

Happiness is

Happiness is:

the face of a daffodil

watching the sun rise

seeing the first foals born in the forest

shades of the blue sea

giving and receiving a smile

a lick from a friendly dog

listening to ‘The Lark Ascending‘ by Vaughan Williams

the song of a robin

feeding the birds

a warm cuddly cat