southern42

Hello all. Welcome to the end of my time off, I shall be back on duty in the morning checking out Ivor for next week's WTT. Today, a trip northbound, awakening at 5 o'clock for a 6 o'clock getaway. Of course, I am used to this sort of thing but I am not so sure about my companions. East Lancashire Railway - Storm the Castle Saturday 20 April 2024 Bury to Rawtenstall Companions: Tender and Southern42 We made good time in the car to Bury Station car park, in time to capture the first whiffs of steam beyond the end of the platforms. 8:31 8:32 8:34 Up and over the platform stairs, and I get to see her 8:36 8:37 ...for the first time since July 2018 in the engine shed at Didcot Railway Centre during her rebuild. 8:38 A brief chat revealed that the coal came from Kazakhstan: lovely coal that doesn't clinker, it just burns very quickly! So exciting to see her in steam at last...and celebrating her 100th Anniversary. 9:45 Rawtenstall Next instalment, the Journey. In the meantime some links: https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/67/4079-pendennis-castle https://didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/502/going-loco-march-2022 Back soon. Regards, Edwin

Rummaging through the photos, again, I find the view from the Falling Sands Viaduct looking north towards Kidderminster. What I did not see, due to the trees, was how close to the canal the River Stour runs. Another surprise, the moon from the train. 19-04-24 19:07 Surprise as in it was the best photo of the moon on any of my acting PA's 'phone cameras - ever. It looks like the moon! maximum zoom Another place...another journey...another post... Back soon. Thanks for poop pooping in. Edwin

Thanks, Hroth. I often wonder what type of construction is holding us up when crossing over the various bridges. I shall have to get an over-and-down periscope and have a look. 😂 The video, below, certainly shows the craftsmanship, imagination and determination used on the Falling Sands viaduct to enable the trains to run. I found this video @ https://www.fallingsandsviaduct.org.uk. As to the Falling Sands Lock, we all know I come from a story. So let me introduce you to a link to David Godson's story of 2006, "FALLING SANDS LOCK Foley Park, Kidderminster", but maybe not for the feint hearted. Having rooted around a bit: a Link to a map of the lock's location. It shows that the Lock in the above photo is further round the bend to the south (top of picture) of the railway line. Interestingly, the map also shows some old railway sidings to the south (right of picture) of the railway line on the west side of the viaduct. And if anyone wants more SVR videos, there are plenty @ https://www.youtube.com/@SevernValleyRailwayOfficial. Hope this helps everyone. Edwin

Hello and welcome to some more of my journeys up and down the line. You are most kind, sir. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the many hidden talents in this part, too, not of me but of the many others who make these journeys both possible and worthwhile. Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala : Part 4 Thursday 18-20 April 2024 From Kidderminster and Bridgnorth Companions: Tender and Southern42 This time, I am taking a look at the Severn Valley. Towns such as Kidderminster with its larger than life railway buildings, Bewdley with its roof tops and The Great Western (centre), and Bridgnorth up into the hillside. [Who turned the lights out? The screen has gone dim? Power cut - the wind I expect - the Macbook plugged into the mains... PA.] so... I'm crossing the river, I'm crossing the river (Crossing the river), I'm crossing the river... To get to you. Devlin / Nowels / Steinberg The railway following the course of the River Severn between Bridgnorth and Bewdley. Crossing the A458 crossing the river below. Passing the ‘blue pipe’ bridge crossing the River Severn to carry water from Chelmarsh Reservoir to the Hampton Loade Treatment Works before being piped to the Midlands. Crossing the River Severn at Arley (note the cameras I missed last time;)* as it approaches the reservoirs at Trimpley between Highley and Bewdley, meeting up with the river, again, at the other end. Crossing the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal from Kidderminster *While looking through the photos, again, I had a couple of surprises, the camera group, above, being one of them. The other, also on the subject of animals and things, were these because whatever they are, they are so small in the distance I can hardly see them. They are (after I looked them up, you understand) the distinctive, black with white stripe Belted Galloway (of course, everyone knows that!). On maximum zoom! And the last one for Ivor, a bit larger but small, and beautiful, nonetheless. It is the wonderful No.72 Fenchurch** from the Bluebell Railway . I bet they could share some stories among themselves. ** Crossing the river, I get to you! Bridgnorth It was an excellent few days journeying up and down the line but I am sure there is much more to explore and get to. Until next time, Regards, Edwin

Hello and welcome to more of my journeys up and down the line. Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala : Part 3 Thursday 18-20 April 2024 From Kidderminster and Bridgnorth Companions: Tender and Southern42 This time, just looking through the windows so, let's get started. Despite the sun in the lens, many views were captured. As posh as it may seem, I can't see a thing down here. What about this? Held up high! Hmmm. A bit too far away. Hampton Loade Comfy but I'm facing the wrong way. Ah! That's better, so let's have some more rocky terrain Highley Quarrying, Highley << Link to a bit of industrial history. We pass: a lot of farmland, some with pheasants Hampton Loade and some with lots of sheep (I wonder if they are Welsh), Chelmarsh Arley Eardington a daddy long legs taking a rest; Station loop opposite my coach window, Highley and some camels and rhinos seemingly unperturbed by the daily Safari Park parade; Bewdley but I have to wait for the return trip for the horses and the cows to make an appearance, Eardington Chelmarsh although cameras were out quite early in the fields, Eardington Bridgnorth at the end of platforms, and along station approach. Arley Kidderminster I guess that is it for now. Just a few more pics to sort out. Don't go away. Regards, Edwin

give me fever when you kiss me Fever when you hold me tight Fever in the morning Fever all through the night Romeo loved Juliet Juliet she felt the same When he put his arms around her He said...

Beyond the sea - Bobby Darin

Hello, I am pleased to be back with more pics of our journeys up and down the line. Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala : Part 2 Thursday 18-20 April 2024 From Kidderminster and Bridgnorth Companions: Tender and Southern42 Looking through the photos reminded me of this little song: Red and yellow and pink and green Purple and orange and blue I can sing a rainbow... (Arthur Hamilton) So, let's get them sorted. Red and Yellow Arley Bewdley Bridgnorth Arley Eardington Kidderminster Bewdley Bewdley Arley Pink Highley and Green Museum/Cafe, Kidderminster Purple and Orange and Blue Kidderminster West Midlands Railway Class 172, Kidderminster Colas Rail, Kidderminster. Hmmm. Has anyone got some weathering powder? Arley Well, can you sing a rainbow? Back soon with just a few more pics from our journeys up and down the line. Thanks for poop pooping in. Regards, Edwin

Hello all. It is good to be back. I have some time off so I have decided to take a Spring break on the Severn Valley Railway for some more Great British Railway Journeys. Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala Thursday 18-20 April 2024 From Kidderminster and Bridgnorth Companions: Tender and Southern42 I arrive in Kidderminster with my companions on Wednesday for another set of journeys just round the corner from Kidderminster Station. The plan is to have rides on all the locomotives and visit all the stations, except Eardington which has a long stopover between trains. Perhaps next time. We have the event timetables so, having remembered a lot about boring things like Timetables and Regulations from Dai Station, I am able to help my companions plan the journeys, once again. Journey Day 1 Journey Day 2 Journey Day 3 when we drive the car to Bridgnorth to save half an hour off the homeward journey. I will start off with a few locos and some technicalities. Day 1 Thursday 18 April 2024 On display in front of the Museum at Kidderminster is Blue Peter which my companions first saw inside Barrow Hill Round House some years ago. I do like a blue engine. It goes with the uniform! 09:03 Kidderminster Our first loco of the day is 4MT 75069 off the platform at the far end. 4930 Hagley Hall should be there but is temporarily indisposed. 11:36 Highley footpath The train is a couple of coach lengths off the end of the Highley platform, any alighting passengers having to move into coaches to the rear to get onto the platform. 12:51 Highley Platform Our train, the 13:00 to Bridgnorth with 1369 tank engine, waits in the loop for the 12:53 with 13268 to pass on its way to Kidderminster. 13:38 Bridgnorth and there is movement underfoot on No.29 to move the crest plate to the centre bracket. That is all for now. I shall return with a variety of colours our journey up and down the line throws up at us. Thanks for poop pooping in. Back soon. Regards, Edwin

' morning all from red dragon land. Cloudy. 8.5C. Back from a few days visit on the SVR. Rather chilly but lots of (unexpected) sunshine around so plenty of photos taken... Kidderminster ...er...by me, not them! Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, Kidderminster Trimpley Reservoir, Arley New line side home, anyone?!? Chelmarsh, Bridgnorth River Severn, Chelmarsh, Bridgnorth Home Saturday afternoon. Had a couple of family members over, yesterday, to finish off a great weekend. Lots of stuff to start sorting out now, a long job but I have to begin sometime! Take care. Be good. Get started. Polly

' evening all from red dragon land. 19.50 A big yellow ball is lighting up our part of the great universe... 😎 and the wind has taken itself off somewhere else. I have just about managed to keep up to date on here over the last few days but no posts - that I recollect, anyway. 🤔 OK! I own up - I have been putting more effort into my toot on the flute. There were some aspects that were not coming on as I would have liked and rather than give up I decided to do a lot more repetitious note bashing...er...blowing! I also decided to stop acting like a Novice and play a bit more like the (silver) flute player that I once was, even without the twiddly bits. Amazingly, it seems to be working as, this morning, I was gobsmacked at how well (....for me!) the first line of the song came out, with all the twiddly bits nicely in place. So, I know I can do it but do not be too appreciative as I have a dozen more lines to go... Take care. Be good. Plod on! Polly

' morning all from red dragon land. Still windy but not as much and sun squeezing out through the clouds. 11.8C though I doubt it feels it! Just about managed to catch up on the last 24hours on here, so it must be coming up to mugadecaf time so I will be short. Time put into lots of toot on the flute repetition is showing some benefit, but it still needs more but I am encouraged to continue, simply because some of the more tricky bits occur later on as well. Oooooh! Sun has popped out. 😎 Some paperwork work from officialdom will have to be sorted and filed away this afternoon. So that will clear one part of the worktop! Take care. Be good. Keep on top of things. Polly

' afternoon all from red dragon land. Wetnwindy. I will say no more! Still not favourable for the outdoor G word. I can see some things are doing well: the clump of Espano-Anglish bluebells after I cleared their growth area of overlying stones but we will have to wait to see how well the flowers do; the peony, in bud, looks mighty promising; but not sure about the iris which did really well last year - so much wind some of the leaves are broken already. Lots of flowers are doing extremely well, namely the yellow variety threatening to reveal its clocks is spread all over the weed patch...er...lawn. Some G investigation will have to take place when the weather improves. Flute maintenance this morning, bamboo flutes having had their monthly clean and oil. Played brushed up a bit on a few world lullabies on the plastic flute this morning just for a change. Time to think about dinner. Take care. Be good. Keep an eye on things. Polly

1990s. I had just completed a couple of art & design courses, when Mr Suvvern came home and said one of the uni professors wanted an oceanography drawing redone for publication and later other requests came from others such as for diagrams on ohp slides to be redrawn. The department had just lost their team of draughtsmen (pen and paper job - "old hat"!) and many academics were not at that time adept at using the computer. I started with Freelance Graphics which began a short career in computer aided design (CAD), eventually becoming a web authorer (programming in html, etc, and designing web pages and drawings, charts, etc for them) in several uni departments. "What's a webpage?" was my first question when asked to do the given job in the first department. By the time I retired, systems for doing the job were increasing and fast changing and I was glad to be out of it! Excellent while it lasted. I still do a bit of graphic design stuff but mainly for myself and family and, occasionally, on a voluntary basis for any of the groups I belong to. Designing Apps is all the rage, now, among other things. I only have to look at one of our offspring's CV to see that one! And, of course, you only have to look on here to see the take up on the latest craze illustrative packages, @iL Dottore and others in which I have been well and truly featured. 🎀 🎶

' evening all from red dragon land. Mix of sea mist down yonder, and alternating rain and sun. 09:30 this morning. I delved into my little book about ragas, today, but, although it has a glossary at the end, I find I shall have to create my own glossary for all the words and phrases in the book that are not on its list! My memory is not brilliant at the best of times, and I find I am constantly looking up familiar words to rediscover what they mean. Nothing knew - I have the same trouble in English - hence I go for the so called "easy" crosswords - mostly, anyway! The trouble I find with the easy crosswords, is the high repetition of clues and answers which tend to make me head for the more edicated puzzawls.

birthday It's my birthday too, yeah They say it's your birthday We're gonna have a good time I'm glad it's

Me and my shadow - Robbie Williams & Jonathan Wilkes

and weird answers!

' night all and nos da.

' evening all from red dragon land. Sunny today. Cheered up Mrs Suvvern no end. Just a quickie before my retreat to the TV. New dishwasher arrived yesterday and was installed by Mr Suvvern. It ran ok but the washing tablet remained in its little compartment instead of falling out. A second attempt with the tablet on the bottom tray, additional things for washing added, and it went off smoothly. Kitchen cupboard re-loaded with its bits and bobs and all went well. 👍 The last few days, toot on the flute has been getting very particular - work on the first line of the song only and how one twiddly bit fits in - EVERY time, please! Pleased to report it is fast getting there and I have moved onto the next twiddly bit. This is more about the sound of it which depends on a combination of air movement, the lips, breathing, as well as the fingers. Simple sound but getting it right every time has been difficult but is improving. That's it. Not very exciting but I feel a lot happier now things are moving. Take care. Be good. Look on the bright side. Polly

' morning all from red dragon land and happy bank holiday, if you have one. Unexcitingly overcast. 7.0C Pinecone pundits say its precipitating <<look out of the window!>>, nearly put off Mr.Suvvern going out on his bike ride. <<Ah! I wonder if they are trying on their AFD* antics...>> Getting into a wash-up, leave-to-drain, wipe-up, put-away, wash-up....routine. New dishwasher should arrive tomorrow. << 😁 >> Yesterday, I made a start on sorting out "stuff". Weeding out for the recycle bin is top priority...this will take some time which is, partly, why I have left it so long... <<massive sigh>> A toot on the flute coming up after a few quick manoeuvres with Henry around the place. Take care. Be good. Just gerronwivit. Polly *April Fools Day

In my case to stop me going mad when I keep failing to keep time. Well, it seems to have done the trick as, apart from the need to come up for air every so often, I kept going for 20 mins on the beat box's tabla accompaniment. I had another session yesterday evening with the metronome (volume turned as low as possible!) to sort out a couple of details on the first line of the song and some encouraging progress was made. So, this morning's session with the beatbox, I just played the one line over and over, with extra time out focussing on one of the short phrases that was upsetting the balance of things. Although not 100% happy, the 5 note twiddly bit now fits within its allotted 1/2 beat and the following phrase starts on its beat, if a bit wobbly - some more repetition with the metronome should cure that. Nice and sunny so thinking of taking a walk...or I could just sit here and watch the little fellas on the bird feeder. I will catch up on here later. Take care. Be good. Be persistent.

' morning all from red dragon land. Sun and blue sky. Shame it was chuckinitdarn not long ago because everything is saturated. To top it all, showers all afternoon are prescribed by the pinecone pundits. Garden temp. 7.2C warmer in the sunny part, of course. EN (earlier news) So much for getting the Jobbies done before the groceries arrived, yesterday. When I went to put the dishwasher on, there was a problem. (One for Mr S.) So I spent the rest of the morning washing and drying its contents by hand. A new machine job, maybe? Doh! Mr S will be investigating/fixing it this afternoon.Even a temporary fix will suffice for now. In the meantime, there is some washing up to be done! ION Thereafter, a toot on the flute session in the warmth from the fireplace - trying to make the most of it as time for the stove's winter use is fast running out. Yesterday evening I spent half an hour just on the first line of the song with a videoed metronome set at 36bpm* . It will be interesting to see how I get on this morning at that speed with my own beatbox setting which has a different rhythm. *Giving the beat of the basic notes before additional notes (ornamentation aka my "twiddly bits") are added. Be good. Take care. Enjoy the sun/other offering of your choice while it lasts. Polly

' morning all from red dragon land. Some white stuff everywhere this morning. Where did that come from? And down beyond the bottom of the village too. Supposedly, it was only destined for higher places. Melting by the time I got up. Garden temp. 1.7C by then. 4.8C 6.2C now. Sun arrived at the end of the garden. 08:15 Melting fast even in the shade. C&C groceries shifted to this afternoon instead of tomorrow so better get crackin' and get the place sorted before they arrive. Take care. Be good. Be ready. Polly

' afternoon all from red dragon land. Yay! Sun has popped out! Lots of cloud around though. A few toot on the flute exercises this morning were not brilliant but do suggest some progress. Another bash, shortly, may pave the way for a better session, tomorrow but no guarantee but I live in hope. I was thinking of putting on my nice newly cleaned up and polished boots and going off for a walk until I opened the front door... Nor'easterlies...Brrrrrrrr. Hmmm.... Decided on a mugadecaf instead. Take care. Be good. When in doubt, put kettle on! Polly