Mid-Cornwall Lines - 1950s Western Region in 00

[Mallard60022]

Blimey St, you are far younger than I imagined!😏

How lovely to see a mob of geezers gathered around the Chapel, worshipping the mighty Railway.

Have a damn fine visit.

Sincerely

Mad Duck.

[St Enodoc]

I left a grey and damp Shildon yesterday for equally grey and damp Sussex.

 

I was surprised to find that Shildon signal box is still operational with at least one semaphore signal in use! Here's the station with Locomotion beyond the bridge in the background. Why was I standing on the Down platform rather than the Up?

 

Because, being the nerd that I am, I decided to make the short hop to Bishop Auckland before heading to Darlington, so that I can ink in the whole branch on my map of routes that I've travelled.

 

A quick change at Darlington to an LNER 801, then a Thameslink 700 to London Bridge and finally a South Eastern 375 took me to Battle, where No 1 daughter picked me up. It was still just light enough at Robertsbridge to see the good progress being made on the K&ESR station. A destination for a future trip without doubt.

[Michael Edge]

You should have stopped in Yorkshire, it's nice and sunny here.

[St Enodoc]

1 hour ago, Michael Edge said:

You should have stopped in Yorkshire, it's nice and sunny here.

Same here today!

 

[St Enodoc]

The fine weather continued throughout yesterday, so...

 

...we went for a very good lunch yesterday at the Ash Tree Inn at Brown Bread Street, washed down with a pint of Harvey's Best Bitter and another of Battle Brewery Abbey Pale.

 

 

 

To work off the effects we took a short stroll around the village where my daughter lives, which has some lovely buildings and views of the Weald.

 

In the evening, we celebrated her birthday at the local pub, washed down that time by Long Man Best Bitter.

 

Today I went to the Brighton show where I had a great time meeting old friends and playing with operating Dave Clements' Lakeside, inspired by the logging railroads of Southern California. I also bought some odds and ends, both new and second-hand, for the Mid-Cornwall Lines.

 

My favourite layout was Portsea, a 3mm scale model based on the Portsmouth and Southsea area in BR green days.

Edited November 19, 2023 by St Enodoc

[hongkongmike]

Ah, Harveys Sussex Bitter, one of my favourite brews when I lived in Chailey (near Cooksbridge) in the early 1980's; glad to know you're having a grand time in the UK John; trust ASLEF won't upset things too much!

[St Enodoc]

2 hours ago, hongkongmike said:

Ah, Harveys Sussex Bitter, one of my favourite brews when I lived in Chailey (near Cooksbridge) in the early 1980's; glad to know you're having a grand time in the UK John; trust ASLEF won't upset things too much!

Mine too.

 

I've checked the ASLEF situation and by good luck the strikes seem to be on different operators from the ones I'll be using on the relevant days.

Edited November 19, 2023 by St Enodoc

[St Enodoc]

Sunday roast with Long Man Rising Giant and, inevitably, Harvey's Best Bitter again was followed by a visit to Steamlights at the Bluebell Railway. That was a most enjoyable experience, not just for my two pre-teen grandchildren but for their parents and grandad too (enhanced for the grown-ups by some mulled wine at Horsted Keynes).

 

Here are a few photos (for the record, 80151 was our loco hauling 6 Mk 1 coaches. With a greasy rail there was some noticeable slipping on the ascent of Freshfield Bank).

 

Sheffield Park footbridge.

 

80151 and train at Horsted Keynes.

 

Lighting installations at Sheffield Park.

[St Enodoc]

Nothing of railway interest to report today but I did have yet another pint of Harvey's with my lunch at the Lamb in Eastbourne.

[ian]

26 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

...but I did have yet another pint of Harvey's with my lunch at the Lamb in Eastbourne.

 

I think I can see a pattern developing here.

[St Enodoc]

8 minutes ago, ian said:

 

I think I can see a pattern developing here.

Last chance for Harvey's tomorrow - then, possibly, Marston's Pedigree for a few days and a cornucopia of choice next week in Yorkshire...

[TrevorP1]

4 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Last chance for Harvey's tomorrow - then, possibly, Marston's Pedigree for a few days and a cornucopia of choice next week in Yorkshire...

John, if you find yourself near Beck Hole at the end of next week do not return to Australia with visiting The Birch Hall Inn - although I realise you are on a ‘schedule’ and their hours are a bit restrictive. I can thoroughly recommend the own brew, ‘Beckwatter’. No connection, just a very happy customer! 
 

 

[St Enodoc]

1 minute ago, TrevorP1 said:

John, if you find yourself near Beck Hole at the end of next week do not return to Australia with visiting The Birch Hall Inn - although I realise you are on a ‘schedule’ and their hours are a bit restrictive. I can thoroughly recommend the own brew, ‘Beckwatter’. No connection, just a very happy customer! 
 

 

Thanks Trevor. I don't think I'll make it on this trip but it looks like one for the future.

[acg5324]

Been to the Birch Hall Inn, it was good….very busy but it was during the summer time.

[Barry O]

Enjoyed a few beers there one Sunday night with the late Mike (Captain) Cook. We had a pork piece each.. very nice.

 

Bas

[Chamby]

I am truly shocked by the recent ravings on this thread… you travel half-way round the globe to reach these shores, but not even a whiff of Ozzle’s Proper Job on draught???

 

So near… but oh so far!

[St Enodoc]

20 minutes ago, Chamby said:

I am truly shocked by the recent ravings on this thread… you travel half-way round the globe to reach these shores, but not even a whiff of Ozzle’s Proper Job on draught???

 

So near… but oh so far!

Well, I can't disagree - but so far it hasn't been available where I've been. Last night, however, after the Brighton MRC club night, I did consume a pint of Doom Bar (and then one of Gun Brewery Best Bitter).

 

https://www.gunbrewery.co.uk/chummy-bluster

Edited November 22, 2023 by St Enodoc
speling

[Chamby]

31 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Well, I can't disagree - but so far it hasn't been available where I've been. Last night, however, after the Brighton MRC club night, I did consume a pint of Doom Bar (and then one of Gun Brewery Best Bitter).

 

https://www.gunbrewery.co.uk/chummy-bluster

 

PJ is rarely found on draught east of the Tamar, it’s still mostly a local delicacy and (dare I say) the better for it!  It’s sister Tribute does venture further afield as a guest ale though… and tinnies are appearing upcountry on some supermarket shelves these days.

[Oldddudders]

I think I used to see Proper Job on the bar at the Buccaneer in Babbacombe, but usually chose Tribute. When Steve and Marion retired, the ambience changed, and we now walk a little further to the Babbacombe Inn, where I seem to drink Chardonnay. 

[5BarVT]

Devon and Summerzet (and Cornwall?) pubs are always good for me and I’ve never drunk a pint of ale/beer/bitter etc in my life.

 

l be a zider drinkerr.

Paul.

[Oldddudders]

1 minute ago, 5BarVT said:

Devon and Summerzet (and Cornwall?) pubs are always good for me and I’ve never drunk a pint of ale/beer/bitter etc in my life.

 

l be a zider drinkerr.

Paul.

Sherry usually drinks cider if we aren't sharing a bottle of wine. Inch's, so she has a half-Inch!

[TrevorP1]

6 hours ago, Chamby said:

 

PJ is rarely found on draught east of the Tamar, it’s still mostly a local delicacy and (dare I say) the better for it!  It’s sister Tribute does venture further afield as a guest ale though… and tinnies are appearing upcountry on some supermarket shelves these days.

 

Yes PJ on draught is a rare cop outside of Cornwall, come to that not every St Austell pub in Cornwall has it. Certainly it's very enjoyable when the opportunity arises. I have some tins put by for Christmas so we'll see what they're like. Tribute doesn't like me so normally I'll volunteer to drive if there's no PJ.

 

Also worth a try, if you can find it, is Sharp's Sea Fury. So far I've only ever seen it in The Victory in St Mawes.

 

 

[TrevorP1]

4 hours ago, 5BarVT said:

Devon and Summerzet (and Cornwall?) pubs are always good for me and I’ve never drunk a pint of ale/beer/bitter etc in my life.

 

l be a zider drinkerr.

Paul.

 

I got drunk on cider when I was a lad... Never, ever, ever again! I can still feel the pain of trying to pretend to my mother that I did't have a raging hangover! (No doubt she knew anyway...).

[treggyman]

Sharps Sea Fury is an excellent ale......

Doom Bar used to be when it was brewed in Cornwall before Coors took it over.

Now it's brewed in Burton on Trent in my opinion it tastes more like a cross between Bass & Worthington E...Neither of which in my opinion are very palatable.

As far as I'm aware Sea Fury is still brewed in Cornwall....Hence the better taste.....

 

Cheers Bill

[5BarVT]

2 hours ago, TrevorP1 said:

 

I got drunk on cider when I was a lad... Never, ever, ever again! I can still feel the pain of trying to pretend to my mother that I did't have a raging hangover! (No doubt she knew anyway...).

Early in my career I shared lodgings with other youngsters from Torbay.  They regaled me with stories of tourists (they did say which northern english county they were from but I’ll keep that quiet) who thought cider was weak watery stuff . . .

until they stood up (briefly!).

Paul.