DaveF

When I was visiting Mum and Dad it was sceduled about the time I often went out for a walk - when they lived at Radcliffe on Trent and later at Bottesford the station was only a few minutes walk from their house. It was the same for Dad, he often worked from home even in those days and later when he was ill it gave him a litle bit of exercise. David

Today has passed pleasantly, so far. After I had done some odds and ends I went into the garden and removed all the bulbs from the tubs and pots so they are now ready to plant the summer plants - though one or two of the tubs will go, I have a friend with a relative who is looking for some. I also did some weeding until I found I was struggling to stand up after kneeling. I had to lever myself up by hanging onto a rose arch. Then I went to the beach and walked on the Prom and Links. Fortunately I parked in the first space I saw as the bottom end of the car park was full of TV vans as Vera was being filmed there today. They were still getting ready when I walked past. It was warm but humid and misty at times over the sea. I took a few photos, see below. I called at Tesco Extra on the way home and treated myself to some English strawberries, very tasty. I really went to buy a loaf. Since lunch I've been scanning photos once again. I've also started to sort out books and other things to get rid of - some to charities, other items to the tip. It is now a very nice sunny late afternoon and have just been outside to water the plants in the greenhouse. This evening will more more scanning unless I get very bored and find something to watch. Battery gun. It is a dummy. Low tide beach with old WW2 anti tank blocks partly exposed. TV vans in the car park The battery with two TV people discussing something. David

Mainly Class 101s at Wylam on the Newcastle to Carlisle line this tea time. Wylam Class 101 Carlisle to Newcastle April 81 C5339 Wylam Class 101Newcastle to Hexham 20th Aug 84 C6599 Wylam Class 101 Hexham to Newcastle note tail lamp illuminated 20th Aug 84 C6600 As seen in the photos below single line working was not taking place that day. Wylam Class 101 Newcastle to Carlisle 20th Aug 84 C6601 Wylam Class 101 Carlisle to Newcastle 20th Aug 84 C6602 Wylam Class 101 Newcastle to Hexham 20th Aug 84 C6603 Wylam SR 777 Sir Lamiel Stockton to Skipton via Carlisle 20th Aug 84 C6605 David

I had 3 Citroen Dyanes at various times, 1 orange, 1 blue, 1 yellow. They were all very reliable and I got used to planning well in advance if I wanted to ovetake something. There was a "bit" of body roll when cornering fast. David

I thought some of you might find this old car of interest. It shows my grandmother in either her car or a very early car of my grandfather's in the early 1920s. It does also appear in the old cars thread but I know not everyone looks at that. Someone has attempted to hand tint it. David

Does anyone know what car this is? It's a photo of my grandmother in either her car or grandfather's in the early 1920s. Someone had attempted to hand tint it at some time. David

The garden beckons this morning, it's time to take the bulbs out of the tubs and put something else in instead. I wonder how many I can do before I seize up? Then there are some pelargoniums to pot up for the greenhouse. After that I should...... but not today. A charity bag came through the door yesterday, it actually asks for books so they will be given some, I've even identified a few r-----y books that they can have. It is time I accepted that I am not going to re read all the books I have read before, I have enough unread ones in the house. Thinking of snakes I have seen three adders that I remember. One was in Essex, I can't remember exactly where but it was lying on a bank of earth in the sun. Another was on a footpath by the Ffestiniog Railway, I nearly stepped on it while getting ready to take a photo. The third was on a field trip with 6th formers in Kielder Forest with one of the forest staff. It was in March in the year so the snake was just lying in the sun on a patch of grass warming itself up. We were just lucky to be there on an unseasonably warm day. David

Something of a mixed bag of photos along Great Eastern lines. Frinton on Sea Class 309 Walton to Liverpool St July 75 J4528 Thorrington 309625 Liverpool St to Clacton 2nd Nov 79 C4861 Thorpe le Soken Class 305 Colchester St Botolphs to Clacton July 75 J4529 Harwich Mar 75 C1878 Mistley quayside where there was once track July 75 J4532 David

I was the first to arrive at church today so unlocked and got things ready, then others turned up who had things to do. Fortunately I had taken a copy of the readings, collect and closing prayer with me as no one else involved in the service had. All went well though and there was nice coffee and biscuits afterwards. Shortly after I got home the post came followed about 5 minutes later by a parcel via Royal Mail from a shop in Sheffield with 3 boxes on wheels, the wheels being set 32mm apart. They were at a very good price, not much more than much smaller versions of the same things. After a good macaroni cheese for lunch I scanned some more old prints. I received an e mail from the Salvation Army about my great great Uncle, the dates and his name and his wife's maiden name all fit so I think I have got the right man for the family tree. The only thing is that his wife's first name is not quite right but the name they have is a diminutive of what I think her real name is. He really did work for them in Nigeria in the 1920s, there are records of him leaving and returning to Britain on dates which seem right. Sometime I will have to get in touch with them again as my mother's side of the family were also involved with them at an earlier date and I have found a photo of someone in his uniform. Then I had a look at the photos still to scan - a pile of albums a bit over 18" high from 1953 and earlier and a second pile of albums about 10" high from about 1950 and later. Finally yet another pile of papers and abums nearly 12" high containing more photos, newpaper cuttings and other documents. I may be busy for some time. Once again some photos go back to the 1860/70s. I planted some begonias in clay pots in the greenhouse as they are really indoor varieties and had a tidy up in the garden. Now why I am feeling weary? Tea tonight will be prawns with bread and butter for a change and then a quiet evening. David

A few more photos around Bottesford on the Nottingham - Grantham line. Bottesford South view north on GN and LNWR Joint Feb 82 C5623 Bottesford Class 114 Grantham to Nottingham and Class 47 47453 Glasgow and Edinburgh to Parkeston Quay July 83 C6108 Bottesford Class 105 Nottingham to Grantham Aug 83 C6166 Dad is also taking photos Bottesford Class 47 Glasgow and Edinburgh to Parkeston Quay Aug 83 C6167 Bottesford Class 105 Skegness to Nottingham Sept 83 C6313 David

Another whole pale print of Dad's at the west end of Nottingham Midland. As usual he was taking advantage of his track permit. The Kodak Retina camera was one he kept for a number of years, I can remember it. David

There used to be a nice set quite close to where I live, at Winning on the Blyth and Tyne in Northumberland. There are photos of them in this thread and on my flickr site. I don't know anything about that DME car, I don't think I ever saw it. I had intended to go on the trip these photos of Dad's are from but wasn't well so Mum went instead. David

A dry but cloudy morning and mild enough to open the greenhouse door to give the plants some fresh air. Shortly I will set off for church, hopefully when I get there someone will know what is happening. I should have a parcel delivery via Royal Mail sometime today, I may try to do some gardening after lunch. David

The Stockton and Darlington at Fighting Cocks and Etherley. The ones at Fighting Cocks were taken when Mum and Dad went on a weekend trip led by Ken Hoole in 1975. Fighting Cocks Class 101 damaged June 75 J4396 Fighting Cocks June 75 J4397 Fighting Cocks site of 1825 station building looks later June 75 J4398 Fighting Cocks June 75 J4399 Etherley 08225 18th May 85 C6940 David

I've just sorted out the photos I took while I was at Newbiggin by the Sea this morning, here are a few of them. A coble, still used for fishing. They are becoming rare but are still found in Northumberland, I see one most of the times I go to look at the sea. The Bay at Newbiggin around low tide. Miniature version of "The Couple" sculpture looking out to sea from just behind the promenade. Newbiggin by the Sea breakwaters. The full size "The Couple" can be seen on the white structure on the far breakwater. David