DaveF

A cold NE wind this morning, I don't think I'll be doing much outdoors except for a quick walk to stretch my legs. At least there are some breaks in the cloud. The groceries have come, this week's substitute is a wholemeal loaf with sunflower seeds and spelt. I will try it to see what it tastes like. I may do some modelling or photographic things today. This evening is the annual church meeting to elect churchwardens and to hear the PCC report on the year and elect the members. It does not sound exciting, I'm not sure if the day will even be interesting. I've found that yet another level crossing on a road I regularly use will be closed for about 10 days towards the end of the month. I begin to wonder if this is all part of a big scheme to make it impossible to drive anywhere. The bus diversionary routes will add quite a lot of time to journeys. One of the other roads I would have used to avoid it is also having a closure for yet more level crossing work. I just hope that once the trains actually start running, possibly late this year, that it will all have been worth it. Sadly my new local station will be just too far to walk to and I rarely go the places the line will serve, including Newcastle. David

Some photos taken around Derwenthaugh just west of Gateshead to start today. Derwenthaugh 0-4-0Ds in yard of Raine and Co Delta Works Jan 84 C6341 Derwenthaugh 37068 Jan 84 C6344 Derwenthaugh Class 101 Hexham to Newcastle Jan 84 C6345 Derwenthaugh Cobra coal containers Jan 84 C6346 Derwenthaugh coke works 08370 on loan to NCB Jan 84 C6355 David

It's been mainly dry here so far, just a few raindrops every now and then as clouds speed by on the wind. Leonie came and cleaned very efficiently as usual, I've got the washing done and dried. After coffee I went for a walk along the promenade, it was breezy and cold but invigorating. There were several patches of cowslips in the grass, larks singing overhead, house martins chasing insects and terns fishing some distance offshore. Real Spring weather! Even a kestrel flew past on its way to look at the grass in the dunes by the harbour. During the afternoon I have cleaned the fridge and tidied the freezer, some very old bread went in the bin - it had got behind other things, goodness knows how many months it had been there. I put some things in the garage and bought a small bottle of plastic solvent back into the house which I had used a while back. Later on I looked for the bottle as I thought I had put it on my modelling table. I eventually found it in the porch - then I remembered I'd picked up some leaflets which had come through the door and must have put the bottle down. I had an e mail from Teachers' Pensions saying I could download my P60 and look at payslips etc. It "only" took 10 minutes to log in as the site was very slow. Then I had to confirm my details but unless you actually pressed at least one "Edit" button nothing happened when you tried to "Confirm". Eventually I got what I wanted and downloaded it. To get back to the site from the pdf you see for downloading or printing you have use the back button which is not really a good idea. I have just had a look at the help pages, it actually says that even if you do not want to change any details you may have to press edit before you can move on. I think the software was written by the same company who wrote other software I encountered when I was teaching and afterwards, it was always poor and glitchy. I've had a look at my garden, there are 34 different species of plant in flower which is pleasing, the garden is only a typical 1980s semi detached house size. Cowslips by the beach David

Chaloners Whin Junction, south of York in 1966 and 1967 for this tea time. Chaloners Whin Junction Class 25 D7509 up freight Oct 66 J652 Chaloners Whin Junction Class 55 D9007 down Oct 66 J656 12.00 Kings X to Edinburgh Chaloners Whin Junction Class 40 D258 up freight Oct 66 J657 Chaloners Whin Junction Class 47 D1523 down March 67 J797 11.00 Kings X to Newcastle Chaloners Whin Junction Class 101 Leeds to Scarborough March 67 J801

I didn't sleep too well last night, I felt sore - in other words I had done a bit too much over the past few days and the scar was complaining. When I woke I was bothered about something, eventually I realised it was the rug I'd put back on the living room carpet because I no longer like it and was worrying about lifting it. In the end I went back to sleep. This morning it took about 2 minutes to roll the rug up and then to roll it across the room and back behind the sofa again until such time as I am able to take it to the tip. What a stupid little thing to bother about! This morning is sunny after some heavy overnight rain so the greenhouse is flooded yet again. I've done my part of the housework - the dusting. Leonie should be here soon to do the rest. The washing is on so now I can settle down to have a hopefully quiet day with a bit of rest. Talking of cars, I have a Toyota Yaris Hybrid. On the journey home from the garage on Saturday the fuel consumption was exactly 100mpg. It drives nicely, it is comfortable, quiet and has enough space for me. It has more power than you might expect as when I put my foot down it uses both engine and battery, very useful when joining dual carriageways from slip roads at busy times. I intend to keep it for as long as possible, the previous one was just 5 years old when I swopped it last autumn and this new model is better. The only annoying thing is the lane change warning and that is mainly becasue of the way some road markings are painted. David

A trip to the Lake District this morning to look at Lakeside station on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway in August 1975. Lakeside station from Gummers Howe Aug 75 J4603 Lakeside Fairburn 4MTT as CR 2085 Aug 75 J4604 Lakeside Fairburn 4MTT as CR 2085 Aug 75 J4605 Lakeside Fairburn 4MTT as CR 2085 Aug 75 J4606 Lakeside MV Swan Aug 75 J4607 Lakeside MV Swan Aug 75 J4608 David

I can see how you had you wheel smashed by the Range Rover. I used to enjoy driving over them but that was in the 80s and 90s when I quite often went that way, though not often in summer. If I did go in summer is was early in the morning when it was quieter. To me they were a lot easier to drive over than some of the Swiss roads. The one I found most hair raising was high above the Rhätische Bahn on the line to Disentis from Chur. The road was on the south side of the line from Castrisch to Bonaduz with a small detour to Versam Safien to look at the station. It was quite narrow, some hills and bends but big sheer drops with hardly anything to stop you if you went off the road. I only drove along it once. The better road is on the north side. Some of the narrow Northumberland lanes can be "interesting" especially now more people have big4 wheel drive cars such as Range Rovers and no idea of how to drive them. They won't even go onto verges on the single track sections. I avoid some bits of road in the holiday season and am wary of them except in the depths of winter - because then the Range Rovers don't come out because they can't drive them in ice and snow. I used to enjoy driving in the north of Scotland but I don't think I would now for the same reason. David

Once again all went well at church today. As the bishop was acting as a stand in vicar he just wore the normal robes (chasuble) for a Sunday between Easter and Whitsun along with his cross, no mitre and no crook (crosier). On the way to church I saw something very unusual - 2 BMWs with working indicators, even more unusually they went in the direction they indicated. Back home I decided a reasonable Sunday lunch was needed not the rather bland ready meals I've eaten since surgery. So I got out a ready to heat up pulled pork in sauce and did fresh vegetables, followed by apple pie and custard. Next step on the road to normality will be to cook raw meat! I had some pleasant wine with it, the only trouble was I ate a lot and needed a nap later on. The water level in the greenhouse has gone down a lot, I was able to brush some of the mud out of it but sadly rain is forecast for overnight. Tonight will be some TV. I note Countryfile this evening is partly about driving over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes. Is it meant to be difficult? Then I'll watch Midsomer Murders for light relief. David

Grassington in 1965,1966 and 1967 along with Cracoe in 1973. Cracoe Tilcon Class 31 running round Aug 73 J3360 Grassington BR Class 4MT 75039 Aug 65 J289 Grassington Class 4 75041 Dec 66 J721 Grassington Class 4 75041 Dec 66 J722 Grassington Class 4 75021 July 67 J938 David

I've just had a close look at the Stirling photo, you are right it does have two trains. I'd never noticed before. David

A sunny morning with a fresh breeze, it feels quite cold. The usual Sunday e mails etc are in hand, then I will go to church, a bishop is taking the service today. After that it depends on the weather, there may be showers later. David

In Scotland for this morning. Some of the photos may of use to those who have model harbours on their layouts. The first of the Stranraer photos was taken while I was a student, we had arrived there in a coach from Manchester on the way to Northern Ireland for a Biology field trip very early in the morning so we all went for a walk, I took a few photos. I remember we were all hungry and it was too early for anywhere to be open, in the end we found a bakery (not a shop) which let us have some very freshly baked rolls. Stannergate Dundee Class 101 Arbroath to Dundee Aug 74 J3934 Stirling Class 27 up Aug 73 J3337 seen from the castle Stonehaven (nea)r Aug 74 J3926 Stranraer harbour Class 27 April 70 C211 Stranraer Harbour July 74 J3833 Stranraer Harbour July 74 J3834 David

They were straddling it on the dry bits - but their cars are soooo wide and big and posh. David

I needed to go out quite early this morning as I took the car to the garage at 08.30 for its 6 monthly check as part of the paint/alloys/tyres warranty. While it was there they valeted it inside and out for free which has saved me a job. All is well, there is a small bit of damage to the surface of a sidewall but nothing to worry about and some scuffing of a wheel which I knew about. I was parking and found a pothole right next to the kerb as I reversed into a space. It is purely cosmetic. The garage send a photo to the warranty people, they may decide it needs refinishing. If not I can touch it up myself. I remembered to take a book to read while I waited as I was there for about 90 minutes. They now have an automated check in system, I think it was as quick when you simply handed in the keys at service reception and checked they knew what to do. They did send a link to a video of my car being inspected so I know it has been done properly. The drive to the garage was pleasant, the floods have receded, there were only 2 places where the water was still halfway across the road and there wasn't much traffic. However a number of drivers think that you have to straddle a white line on narrower roads. Coming back I drove along the coast which is always a nice journey. I had a walk around a big Currys at Silverlink shopping centre (the garage is just across the road) and had a good look at some things I am considering buying in the fairly near future. I notice I have some discount vouchers I can use if I get something this month. Back home I looked at photos again, both old and new. After lunch I did some church things and then watched the Grand National. I didn't mind which horse won as I don't bet on them. Then Amazon delivered two orders which was a bit surprising as one item was originally scheduled for tomorrow - for some reason it came from Ireland which seems a bit odd for a book. I only know because in the tracking section there is a mention of Ireland and customs clearance. The garden is still towet to work in and the greenhouse now only 1" of water on the floor. David

Around the Southern for this afternoon together with a ship which provided passengers for boat trains. Graveney Class 411 Ramsgate to Victoria Feb 77 J5630 Hollingbourne Class 414 6077 Lenham to Maidstone30th April 78 C3812 Hollingbourne Class 414 6105 Maidstone to Lenham 30th April 78 C3813 Hollingbourne Class 414s 6077 and 6105 30th April 78 C3814 Swale Class 414 6159 Sheerness to Sittingbourne 25th July 78 C3918 going away Queen Mary approaching Southampton circa 1962 JV558 David

A batch of photos from Swayfield on Stoke Bank this morning. Swayfield Class 55 up 15.25 Leeds to Kings X June 73 J3213 55021 SwayfieldClass 47 47448 08.41 Halifax to Kings X Aug 74 J4000 Swayfield red flags on fast lines for engineering works Sept 74 J4030 Swayfield Class 47 up Dec 74 J4124 probably a special working Swayfield Class 56 up test train Sept 77 J5818 Swayfield Class 55 down Kings X to Edinburgh 30th May 78 C3874 55012 David

That sounds just like where I live. The railway is reopening to passengers so the main road has traffic lights where they are building a bridge to replace the level crossing. The level crossing also has part time temporary lights. On average it adds up to 15 minutes to each journey. The road avoiding all this also has a level crossing - which is about to close the road for 2 weeks so thay can build a footbridge. The same road has also 2 sets of temporary lights for the water company. The two roads meet just outside town to form one road, which also has roadworks. On the north side of town a third level crossing is still closed, this week the main road nearby flooded and was closed, it also has roadworks. The third road only has minor road works at the access to a housing estate. There are only three roads into town. It is easier to stay at home. David

I've been going through today's e mails. My gas and electricity bill is going down by £15/month and my mobile bill this month is £2-80. A good day. Even better - the sun has put in an appearance. David

I decided to go to a garden centre this morning. Leaving town I found only one set of lights by the new roundabout works, the ones at the level crossing/station site were turned off so only 10 minutes was added to my journey. Just north of Morpeth I leave the A1 where it changes from dual to single carriageway, there was a traffic tailback as sometimes happens, fortunately there was just enough room for me to get onto the slip road without having to stop. I had my free cup of coffee and a nice cheese scone and found the thing I was looking for - a long handled trowel as bending is not easy yet. The handle is a bit longer than a normal spade so I can easily remove small weeds and plants, it also enables me to reach across the very wet soil without standing on it. I also had a look at The Works outlet and found a few books I couldn't live without. I managed not to buy anything else at the other outlets and left just before noon. It is a large place, it takes about 5 minutes to walk from the door to the restaurant at the far end of the site. I came a different way home into the north side of town to avoid the roadworks by using the newish northern Morpeth by pass which worked well. But why do some people drive at 10 mph under the speed limits and then stop at roundabouts when there is no other traffic? On the way into town I stopped at little Asda which is about half a mile from big Asda. It is useful as it often has things in stock which big Asda doesn't have, that proved to be true today - and I ended up with a 25% discount as things I wanted were on offer. I had a ready meal for lunch - a shepherd's pie which was vacuum packed and keeps for over 6 months without refrigeration or freezing and then heats up in a microwave. I looked at the ingredients, there didn't seem to be anything "man made" except for the Worcestershire sauce. It was very tasty. This afternoon I've tried out the trowel and done some church things. David

Some WCML photos around Hademore and Harow and Wealdstone. Hademore Class 87 Euston to Carlisle Jan 76 J5028 Hademore Class 310 Nuneaton to Stafford Jan 76 J5029 Harrow and Wealdstone Clas 86 Liverpool to Euston June 76 J5291 Harrow and Wealdstone Class 501 Watford to London June 76 J5292 going away Harrow and Wealdstone Class 501 down June 76 J5293 Harrow and Wealdstone Class 310 down June 76 J5294 David

A dry morning with a small patch of blue sky to the north. Last night's forecast suggested rain later, this morning says a bit of drizzle then dry but cloudy and still mild. I woke at 06.30 and decided to have 5 minutes more, the next thing I knew it was 08.15 so I quickly got moving and have just about caught up. The next task is to look at the roadworks map to see which roads are open and do not have long delays before deciding what to do. David

Thanks for the information about the J20 photo so I now know it is at March. I've updated the caption. Now for today's photos. These are again from Switzerland at Zweissimmen, an end on Junction between the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois) metre gauge line from Montrues and a branch of the BLS, standard gauge, from Spiez. Very recently trains have been developed to allow through running from Montreux to Interlaken with aoutomatic gauge changing at Zweisimmen. The photos are from August 1991. Zweisimmen BLS Re4/4 175 Interlaken Ost to Zweisimmen 16th Aug 91 C16450 The loco is in the middle of the train. Zweisimmen MOB ABDe8/8 4003 Zweisimmen to Montreux 16th Aug 91 C16451 Zweisimmen MOB BDe4/4 5004 Zweisimmen to Lenk 16th Aug 91 C16452 Zweisimmen MOB BDe4/4 37 16th Aug 91 C16454 Zweisimmen MOB BDe4/4 3002 16th Aug 91 C16455 Zweisimmen MOB GDe4/4 6003 16th Aug 91 C16457 Zweisimmen MOB GDe4/4 6002 16th Aug 91 C16458 David

I'll have to be honest and admit I don't know, I didn't look at the railway in Cambridge until the 1970s. All I can say is that it was one of a small batch for which there was no catalogue entry but was in Album No1. When I scanned it I took the caption details off the notes he had written on the back of the print. If it isn't Cambridge it will be in the area, I know he visited March from time to time and sometimes travelled to Liverpool Street. Does anyone know? David

After church this morning I had a meeting to discuss both writing and actually doing intercessions to make sure I am up to speed. It turns out I have the right books, a couple more have been suggested and duly ordered. It was also decided that I don't need training on speaking clearly as no one has complained when I do readings - it must be from my teaching days and speaking in school halls. So "all" I have to do now is write the prayers, starting with next Thursday's and then the ones for Ascension Day in May, then about once a month. I went into town to collect my prescription, unusually the pharmacy was very quiet, then I had a walk round the shops but didn't find anything I wanted or needed. Not that there are many shops any more. This afternoon I removed a few weeds from the garden but it is still much too wet to do any serious work. Apparently it will rain again tonight. A few days ago I found some old cassettes including one of John Betjeman reading his poetry. Today I came across a USB cassette converter. Perhaps one day I will actually digitise them so I can listen to them. David

Black and white late 1940s photos at Cambridge from Dad come next. One is at March Cambridge B1 up Yarmouth to Liverpool St c1948 JVol1202 Cambridge B17 1624 up pass c1948 JVol7270 Cambridge J15 ecs 1947 JVol1438 March J20 1947 JVol1429 Cambridge K3 ord pass 1947 JVol1430 David