Stockton & Darlington railway 200th and Mince Stew

 

 

I make no excuses for another trip along the original railway journey.  All my life I have heard about this, and even on occasion been along part of the route that is still operational.  The creation of the railways in 1825 was the most powerful movement of the 19th century in my eyes.  A century of innovation indeed, but without a railway to carry it all from one place to another quickly it would not have succeeded and certainly would have been hindered for many years.  

The sight of a replica 'Locomotion' trundling along is gives a wee bit of understanding as to how it must have appeared to the people at the time.  Engineering in the north-east of England had been going on for many years, so many would understand that one day something big would arrive.  However, with the majority still employed on the land, and that would continue for many years, the sight of this great moving black machine must have been something of a wonder.  Just remember your thoughts when you sighted an engineering feat, or a view or the latest technological wizardry that left you wondering, the people around must have felt similarly.

Many of those who watched quickly understood that here was an opportunity to save energy by climbing aboard the coal wagons and getting a free hurl to their destination. So successful was this that soon such 'passengers' had to pay for the privilege!  Within five years, 'The Rocket' was hurtling paid passengers between Manchester and Liverpool at 30 miles per hour, as long as you bought a ticket!

What I liked about this report was the 'ownership' of the railway.  The news reporters and the people involved are proud that this came from the north-east, not some fop down south.  This was 'their' railway, and it belonged to them!   Typical 'Geordies!'  George Stephenson, and his son Robert, were typical 'Geordies,' George in particular.  He was happy to be called 'the father of the railway,' though others had produced engines of various types before this.  George's railway actually worked successfully, which made a big difference.  These two men did lay out many railways in the UK and abroad, both in Europe and South America.  That is one reason why so many South Americans have Scots, Welsh, Irish or English names.  The navvies who went with them to build the railways often remained behind, or at least had a wife while there, for the use off!  

George used the term 'Railroad,' at first, but when his suggested route for one was considered too expensive his amended plan used the term 'Railway,' and it has remained such ever since.  Note in the USA they call it 'railroad,' possibly elsewhere also. 

Within five years of the 'Locomotion' taking coals to Stockton passenger services had arrived.  By 1851 it was possible to travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross, London within 12 hours.  With occasional stops on the way.  Before this a stage coach could take two weeks, depending on the weather.  Such a transformation of society, such a transformation for iundustry, supplies to factory soon became goods on offer worldwide.  A nation transformed, not so much by the industrial revolution but by the railways that made that industry operate.  

We owe a great deal to this 1825 event.

Low Carb Diabetic 

   

This caught my eye.  This is the type of grub I have been forced by poverty to turn to more and more.  Though my last effort, which may remain with me always, was based on chicken, not mince, this because mince was so much more expensive than chicken today!  

The recipe here differs somewhat from my own in that it produces acceptable flavour, my recipe varies between aged cardboard and aged dishwater.  At one point I took to calling mine 'Flanders Stew' as it tasted similar to the mud found there during the Great War.  And one young lass who ate at my abode shut down my kitchen, it turned out she worked for the environment people.  

My recipe is simple, meat, beans, more beans, sauces (anything), salt and whatever is lying around.  Then I have to force myself to finish 5 or 6 of the things stored in the freezer.  And the freezer, filled with such items, is the way forward in this wealthy man's parliament. 

I recommend this site.

The Labour Conference is on!

No, I have not bothered either...

The 'Locomotion' & the 'Rocket'

 

As you know, it was 200 years ago that the first real railway service came into being.  The line from Stockton to Darlington was created to shift coal from the pit to the docks.  It was a success, such a success that people jumped upon the coal wagons for a free trip to the terminus.  Soon however, they were being charged money for the privilege.  

The engine, seen here in a 1925 celebration run, was the 'Locomotion.'  This engine was in use until 1850, not counting the time the boiler exploded in 1828, killing the driver, one John Cree.  Of course, within 10 years this engine was obsolete, and while George Stephenson had designed the 'Locomotion,' his son Robert, produced the 'Rocket,' which in 1830 opened the first real passenger service between Manchester and Liverpool.  That line is still in operation today for the most part, you can see on 'Cab Ride' video just how straight the line is.  Little to interfere with the line at that time, bar a Moss or two.  

Much of the Stockton to Darlington line is still in use, though as you would guess both lines are much improved from their beginnings.  Engine drivers from the past would still recognise some of the line, though the surroundings would be very different indeed.

I mention this as I read today that the replica 'Locomotion,' built as near as possible to the original, will be used sometime soon on a run along the Darlington to Stockton line.  This will ensure problems for the authorities involved, not least the safety aspect.  The train will manage to make it along the chosen course however, the rail followers who rush to observe the run of this train will no doubt trample across the lines, interfere with the daily run of local services, and probably end up under a train at some point.  This indeed happened in 1930 when William Huskisson got down off the train to speak to the Duke of Wellington and got himself run over by the 'Rocket' on the other track.  The train had stopped for water, and it was normal stage coach experience for passengers to wander about until the stage coach was ready.  Unfortunately, the speed of the approaching train was something they were all unaccustomed to.  William's leg was broken and he died on the way to the hospital.  It is to be feared that 'enthusiasts' will endanger themselves also in an attempt to see and photograph this event.

I will not be there, just saying.

The 'Locomotion' was used as a stationary engine for a while, then, because of it's importance it was preserved for the nation.  I can remember it standing in Doncaster station for some years, and after some travels it now resides at the Locomotion Museum in Shildon.

Camulodunum Town

In spite of the persistent cough, the weariness caused by this cold, and the usual aches, I set off for a trip on the railway to an ancient city, Camulodunum!

Once again Greater Anglian Railways  worked well.  Trains were clean and on time, staff efficient, almost pleasant, though some would say the seats a wee bit hard.

The only downer was the two women, one young and one far from young who sat down in the seat in front of me.  The coach was empty so they sat next to me and talked!  Not just conversation, but grannie, who was dressed for a walking trip, and the painted hussy talked excitedly, enthusiastically, and said nothing!  

But they said it loudly!

I looked out of the window in case they turned in my direction.

It was indeed a very long 8 minutes before the train moved on the stroke of 10 am.  I looked forwards to 10 more minutes of this before we change trains.  However, the young creature left two minutes later at Freeport, clearly working in a shop designed for women with an arty feel and too much money.

Silence fell. 

The next 8 minutes were wonderful.  Only normal conversation could be heard through the now more populated coach.  As I pulled myself up to leave I noticed the walking grannie do the same.  As I alighted I ensured I moved to a distant part of my connection, which was full of normal passengers.  

Only a man asking for my ticket bothered me here. (£9:50 with old man card) 

One thing struck me, in days of old a job on the railways was for life.  Families followed their forefathers into the railways, it became part of the family.  I did not get the impression that many of the staff on the platform felt this way today.  Possibly drivers may have a different view of it all?

First call was to the ruins of St Botolph's Priory, built under the auspices of one William Rufus around a thousand years ago.  Reformation days saw it closed and soon it fell into disrepair.  However, to get there I had to pass St Botolph's Church, built 1836 in a type of Gothic style, next to the Priory, indeed it sits on what was the kitchen areas of said priory. 

I noticed this was open, it was not open last time I was here about 10 years ago, and now they open for prayer between 12 - 1 pm.  Good for them.

Considering the ruins are only half of the original size, people must have used the stones on their houses over the years, it speaks volumes of the importance of Augustinian's to William the Conqueror and his family.  Surely most houses at that time would have been plaster and lathe?  

Placed just outside the old Roman walls this must have been an astounding site for the locals, many of whom will have been forced to work on building it.  The Norman's liked to make a statement with their buildings.

Through what had once been a window, possibly making use of coloured glass, I saw this couple along with a man playing what I think is called a 'concertina.'  The couple stood over a grave or two and sang while he played.  I considered approaching and enquiring but thought better of this.  Who knows how long this has been going on in Colchester graveyards?  

The priory came to house many grave and vaults of the great and good.  One was Dr Roger Nunn.  He became a doctor in the town, rose to prominence, was involved in many good deeds, became Mayor eventually, helped the building of St Botolph's Church, and the hospital, which is still in use.  He gives the appearance of a man of ability who succeeded in improving the town for all classes.

There is of course, a war memorial in this graveyard.  The phrase 'The Glorious Dead,' reveals the sense of loss at the time, and the need to believe the cost was worth it.  It also gave those mourning somewhere to congregate as so many were buried overseas, or not identified.

The difference between Colchester and Chelmsford is simple, Chelmsford is boring, just a shopping centre, Colchester has these small roads full of shops.  The arrangement, caused by living inside the Roman walls gives the place a character not found in Chelmsford.  This long road, lying just outside what would have been the walls, has three names in different portions.  We are standing in Sir Isaac's Walk just now.  Who he?  In Colchester tells us...

 Sir Isaac’s Walk

Sir Isaac’s Walk was named after Sir Isaac Rebow (1655-1726), a local landowner who was Colchester’s MP for many years, and also its mayor, recorder, and high steward at various times. He lived in Rebow House, at the corner of Head St and Sir Isaac’s Walk.

The historical record shows that Rebow was a corrupt politician who left the town’s finances in a terrible state, and was cruel to his family and servants.

He was also a director of the South Sea Company, and a major shareholder in the East India Company. The South Sea Company was set up to ship enslaved African people to Spain’s colonies in Latin America. It is estimated that the company transported around 34,000 enslaved people over the 25 years it traded. The East India Company was also heavily involved in slavery and forced indenture in India.

He does not appear to be a nice man.  Still, Colchester named that section for him, what does that say about them?

I had no choice but to haul my bulk, in the heat, across to the Balkerne Gate!  This was the Roman exit heading west, passing my house as they tramped, hoping to spend the night at the crossroads in town, thus giving the troops a one day march, unless an emergency forced them to continue further.  

It is kept in decent condition, in spite of the publican next door sometime in the 1840s knocking half of it down.  This he did because the railway had arrived in Colchester, well, actually far from Colchester, at the bottom of the hill.  He made space so travellers could see his hostelry.  The station cannot be seen from here today however.  

I considered entering for lunch but noted his 'Pint £5:20' notice outside.  Possibly to keep students away, possibly for those attending the Mercury Theatre opposite and to the left of the photo.  They can afford his prices.

What once was used as the bothy for the Roman soldiers, mostly from Gaul or Germany, while on guard duty now hosts a couple of attractive plants, happy to live on the old stones.

St Peter's Church here at the top of North Hill, and you have to realise Colchester sits at the top of a hill almost all around, was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.  The church was probably begun in Saxon times yet little is known of those far off days.  There were then two priests which reveals wealth, and the town had seven in all indicating other churches were nearby.  When the Priory got going it took over the church in 1102, typical big business, and appointed their own man in charge.  

Things changed over the years, buildings are developed, bits added, and in 1692 an earthquake shook the town damaging the tower and knocking chimney pots off roofs.  I do not think any were killed but shock upset many.  This church flourishes today but unlike St Botolph's, no longer remains open at lunchtimes.

Priests were a strange bunch, most followed where they were told to go but occasionally one appeared to believe the scriptures.   One such was John Ball, he was working in Colchester at times, though his somewhat radical sermons and his desire to make use to Wycliffe's bible in the vernacular caused much annoyance to the Archbishop and others.  

He was jailed several times, banned from preaching, but still managed to speak all around Essex and Suffolk, until jailed again in Kent.  In 1381 he was released by Kentish rebels and addressed the rebels at Blackheath saying:-

'When Adam delved and Eve span, 

Who was then the gentleman? 

From the beginning all men by nature were created alike, and our bondage or servitude came in by the unjust oppression of naughty men. For if God would have had any bondmen from the beginning, He would have appointed who should be bond, and who free. And therefore I exhort you to consider that now the time is come, appointed to us by God, in which ye may (if ye will) cast off the yoke of bondage, and recover liberty.'

 

Arrested in Coventry, tried convicted, hanged, drawn and quartered.  

I wonder what he would have made of the Church of England today?

Having noticed the £5:20 charged at the 'Hole in the Wall,' I lost any intention of having lunch.  However, the name of this pub made me  consider it again.  I mean, in Camulodunum you have to visit the pub called by that name have you not?  I considered the people sitting outside and decided it was worth a try.  I slunk wearily to the bar, a bar offering a dozen beer pumps featuring beer I had never heard off.  That's the trouble with pubs, unless you know the company running them you have to guess what beer is on offer.  The not too keen barmaid sulked when I indicated IPA, the only name I knew, suffering me long enough to give back change.

This is a decent, well laid out establishment, who's clientele appeared to be of similar age to myself.  It was likely that most were regulars, though the board across the way advertised cheap student drinks.  I suspect they may be drawn in come evening time.  If in town again I would once again enter in. 

I was happier to sit than I realised.  Everything was aching, from my feet up and my ears down, and I had only been wandering about for just over an hour.  Nothing for it but to sit there watching young students pass by.  Are these girls 16 or 18 I wondered?  Are they at the16 year old collage or the University the town boasts about?  There were many about, this being lunchtime, mostly female, few males, why?  I once got a single deck bus home, an hours journey, full of such females from the 16 years collage, their conversation is not what I wish to endure again.   

Enlivened by IPA, but not by enough, ought I to return for another?  I made my way to the castle.  On the way I noticed the M&S store had closed down.  Such a busy wee town yet both Debenham's and M&S have gone, I think Primark is the only large store left.  What does that say about the cost of living and big business competence?  

The Castle is of course not a castle.  It stands on the remains of the Roman Temple, supposedly the temple of Claudius, and the remaining double arches that form the basement were the only parts of the temple to survive that nice Boudica woman when she passed through.  The Romans and the Romanised locals who sheltered there were trapped when the place was burnt to the ground.  

Rather typical of a woman in a bad mood I say.  

It is £13:50, no concessions for the aged, to enter, so I didn't.  It is 20 or so years since I was inside, when I and one other whoever he was, got a tour by a Blue Badge Guide.  Very good it was too, and since then vast sums have been spent doing it up, hence the entry fee.  Mind you I was not capable of walking around there yesterday. 

The gardens around were busy, sun now shining without cloud cover, and judging it was getting time for a train I headed back down via all the charity shops along the way.  Sadly this was disappointing, though each and everyone of these shops was busy, as nothing suited my needs.  

I could not avoid this impressive war memorial.  The figures on it are tremendous.  The council at the time clearly considered themselves important enough to spend vast sums on an expensive and outstanding memorial to the fallen.  How much of that is civic pride as opposed to remembrance you can work out for yourself.  

I stopped off for a moment in St Botolph's prayer hour.  This lies just around the corner from the station, as indeed does the magistrates court in case you require it.  Then climbed aboard the train that had just arrived.

The railway crossing here allows a view of the old houses dating back many years that flow down from the East Hill.  Once the town expanded it had to go down these hills as the centre has little space.

It was then I realised I was not on my train.  I just climbed aboard, somewhat surprised at how quickly it left the station, before realising this train runs just between Colchester and Colchester Town.  No one warned me about this.  I was surprised and wondered if this could pay, however the number climbing aboard as I changed once again made it clear this was a popular train.  £3:10 single ticket, good for those coming off one train, and Colchester is a busy station,  and cheaper than the bus to get from north of town to south.  

Once again a short wait brought a 720 to head me homewards.  I moved to the head of where the train would stop partly to take pictures with no-one in the way, partly because the walking grannie was there also.   Anyway I positioned my self so the train at my next change would stop exactly at the lift shaft.

It didn't.  

It went two coaches further.

I made use of the lift, walked to the next one, kept the door open for a cyclist, again kept it open as he left, and moved to the front portion of my train which arrived as I walked.  All that was left was hobbling up that steep hill, finding food ready and waiting for me, and sleep, lots of sleep, oh and a bit of cramp.  

This morning I ache everywhere.  No trips for a while now.   

'Tales From the Fast Trains'

The premise of this book is simple, just jump on a Eurostar train at St Pancras and head off into a lovely city for a weekend break.  Great idea but not so easy if you are in Inverness or Blackpool.  It is also difficult if you have less cash than writers living the London high life.  Another difficulty is Brexit.  Since the book arrived in 2011 things re crossing borders have changed, travel now has hold ups not imagined at the time this book was written.

I already have 'Ticket to Ride' and 'From Source to Sea,' two of the authors other books, both of which were an enjoyable read, so I thought I would attempt this one also.  There was one slight flaw here.  A travel book is about travel, the places visited, and the peoples met.  Good writers, and Tom Chesshyre is a good travel writer, and his writing in this book when describing the places and people visited is indeed good.  However, on this journey he is accompanied by a female referred to at all times as 'E.'

This is where the book falls down.

Instead of travel writing this is a blog for family and friends about the couples weekends.  Weekends in which visiting places and describing the area in a manner which takes the reader into those places is replaced with a quest to see how many references to wine bars and their contents can be found.  Half the book, and I only got half way before I gave up, concerns wine bars and alcohol in various countries, the wine, beer and spirit being alongside details of her problems being more important than the city around them.  Travel brings problems but do we need to know all the minor ones we at home are already suffering ourselves?  

Paris, Lille, Dijon, Lausanne and Antwerp are alcoholic stops for the couple.  Now I confess little interest in visiting any of these places, and the writing does not inspire me, especially as if I were to follow the couple around my liver would need replacing by the time I returned.  In themselves some of the destinations may be worthwhile for a weekend or longer, however, I wonder about those who appear to notice the surroundings via bleary eyes.  I can remove my glasses and get similar pictures and save money.  

I confess I gave up in Lausanne.  His 'E,' may have been impressed by the despotic cleanliness, the views over the lake, and the expensive room, but her contribution lessened the effect of his writing.  It was possible to carry her long with him and stick to describing the places, instead he had to include 'E' in everything.  Very romantic, but poor journalism.  

Next time, I suggest he throws his baggage in the car, and drops her off at her mothers.

I do not recommend this book, but his others are worth a look.

Trailer...

 

Railway Station Silence

Williton WSR

Watching the station at Williton on the West Somerset Railway  it struck me how quiet railway stations can be.  Now I am hoping to visit one or two next week, I am being released for one day from this hermitage, and will travel by rail, not steam sadly.  Watching Williton I am struck by the silence.  

Normal railway stations of whatever size, follow a similar pattern.  People will stand about, at great distance form one another, looking at their watches and comparing what that reads to what the rail time indicator states.  They will follow this by glaring down the line in a bid to hurry their train.  Their journey may be for business or pleasure, the start or end of a holiday, or even just for a day trip to some town along the line.  Many and varied are their journeys. 

Others, and all platforms have at least one, stand at the far end of each, camera in hand, awaiting a train.  Many 'enthusiasts (I dare not say 'anorak') know what trains are running, their numbers, and possibly the drivers life story also.  I tend to keep aloof from such as they at stations.  

When the 11:47 arrives there is immediate action.  Passengers, sorry, today they are called 'customers' by rail companies, anyway, passengers move towards the doors expectantly, people tumble off, glad or not to be at their destination.  Movement fills the arena as bodies progress this way and that, luggage may be heaved on or off, children dragged in similar fashion mostly to stop them falling under the wheels.  A cluster ascend the stairs following the 'Way Out' sign, only those for the next, 4 mins late, train stand around once again checking the watches.  The anor enthusiasts discuss the departing '185' or '68,' and prepare for the next adventure.  

Suddenly it is all silence.

The last carriages disappear into the distance, a railway employee makes his way back into his office, all stands till.  Only the station cat moves, and that to be closer to the one woman sitting quietly awaiting the next train.  Station cats rarely belong to the railway, they live nearby and come into the station for company, and return home at eating times.  When one of the two station cats at Huddersfield passed away last year Twitter was full of tweets of condolence from those who have been subjects of the cat while waiting.  Some have fan clubs!

In the siding a pair of wagons stand tall.  No-one appears to know why they remain there, one day they will vanish and watchers will be none the wiser.  Now they stand silent.  Not to far from the station vehicles pass apparently ignorant of the railway.  They belong to another distant world.  A space surrounds the line, outside life continues, inside all stand quiet.  

For station staff there is always work to do, only a hand full operate a station today but in times past the station master ensured his men were always busy, and experienced men learnt how to look busy at quiet times.  

Silence reigns for quite a while.

Suddenly, as people begin once again to gather movement returns, platform staff wander about, in larger stations at least, passengers gather, the cat continues to dominate the public, and then in the distance a small object appears slowly heading this way.  

Again there is movement, noise of swishing doors, people speaking, seeking directions, shuffling towards the exit, then silence once again.  

I think I prefer the silence...

Saturday night, on Shed.

 

At the Station

As I have nothing to say, and some people like old foto's of railway stations, here is one from the past of Tunbridge Wells station.  Stupidly I have not noted the photographers name, which is not unusual for me, but it is a simple yet powerful photograph.  It certainly looks very Bert Hardy.

There is something about railway stations and railways in general that entice photography.  Possibly it is the light and shade as seen here, especially when done in Black & White images, and there is just so much to take pictures off.  

The stations and their environs, the buildings, some almost 200 years old, give opportunity for the camera.  The Sheds round the back full of items of which few understand their uses.  The wagons, the engines themselves, and those in Heritage railways give special pleasure when noted, make for super photography.  Add in the weather, whether bright sunshine or dark overhead clouds, a bot of steam or colour and a picture appears.  

The people also, if they do not notice you and belt you one, can give great pictures.  Excited kids or dogs, less excited mothers fussing around, bored passengers awaiting, the items carried and these days the dress sense, or lack of it, make pictures.  With Heritage railways it is mostly 'look a like' men, stomachs reaching out further than the camera lens they carry.  'People watchers' can enjoy large stations for hours.  

I must get on a train soon...

King and Privatisation

The Kings speech took place today.  I did not watch this, I was not invited so I gave it a miss.  This is where the royal comes in, sits on a throne, reads a speech written by his government and has to avoid muttering 'This is absurd!' at every other item.   I would indeed like to hear what Charlie thinks of the speech and the many words he has to proclaim.  I suspect he has already made clear to the PM his opinion of them all.  

Will anything much 'change.'

Some things will be pushed through in spite of obvious dangers, others will benefit the nation in some manner, other bills will slowly die and be forgotten as always.  Most will not affect most of us.  Not this time.  With a large majority of closed minded yes men behind them Starmer will mostly get his way.  Once again the much maligned House of Lords will provide the strongest opposition, and not just from the hundreds of Tory peers put there because of large donations.  The Lords can be a great opposition to governments, Thatcher's main opposition came from there, including Tory Lords.  I suspect more from the Lords now.

One good thing is rail nationalisation.  The greedy operators who took millions out of the railways and left an overpriced, confused system behind will not be missed.  The plan is to have a 'Great British Railways,' in operation soon.  This all sounds just right to me, but hold on, 'ScotRail' is owned by the Scottish Government, how will that ft in with the 'English' 'Great British Railways?'  Keir has not bothered to ask that one.  Railways, like buses, water, gas and electricity ought to be run for the sake of the nation, not private profit.  Way back when Birmingham's then leader Joseph Chamberlain, bought out the 'Coke and Gas Company,' nationalised it if you like, for the sake of Birmingham and saw production, industry and the town flourish.  Why can this not be done nationally with these things now?  There are many excuses as to why, but all come from those investing in these private companies.  It is time these important services to the nation were serving the nation, and come to think of it this includes the Royal Mail.  Let's get that back from Czech hands.

Wednesday Rumblings

Sometime ago I wanted to visit Egypt.  The history, tourist sites, heat and fancy foods all attracted.  Now, I canny be bothered going anywhere.  That said, Egypt, seen here from space, is an interesting phenomenon in many ways.  The ancient history, fancy writing, and those huge pyramids let alone the architecture built by pharaoh this and pharaoh that.  All worth viewing.  

Egypt today is once again run by a dictatorial regime, but can you run such a country any other way?  The vast majority of the populace are young, jobs few, conditions not good, and opportunities up and down.   What hope for the future outside of history?  That appears to be all Egypt produces.  There is agriculture, though whether any arrives here in the UK since the absurdity of Brexit I doubt.  There is Natural Gas, coal and oil, but the poor do not benefit, as 'trickle down' works in Egypt as well as it works anywhere else.  Some very rich Egyptians as well as very poor ones.

Now Islamic, once a powerhouse of Christianity with only vestiges left, and the Coptic Christians, going back many centuries, suffer needless abuse by Islam.  

Egypt guards the Suez canal, a wealth creator if ever there was one, and surely one of the most important waterways in the world?  We saw recently how one ship blocked the canal for a few days and disrupted China's economy by ding so!  

Egypt is a powerful nation in the region, a very large army which keeps itself above the rest.  Always ready to take over government when called upon, and even when not called!  

Egypt is well worth a guided tour if you can keep the hawkers away.

Tunbridge Wells Train Station. Photographer Neil Nevinson, 1950s.

Why is it that pictures like this, taken in the 1950s can be so simple yet so good?  If I try to take this picture it will be very different.  OK, the camera and lens will make a difference, but even so the fact that it is dated, black & white, and the outfits also of a differing age all present a view that varies from anything we can capture today.  

Adverts ought to have a special rate of tax added to them.  The more deceitful they are the higher the tax!  Take this one, three flimsy pathetic non foods, add a few pieces of rounded cardboard and wow, something worth looking at!  All lies!  And apart from what is in the meat, what is the cheese made out off?  We will not ask about the bun.

I got an email regarding the Gas today.  Like the recent Electric one it was forcing a new tariff upon me, a more expensive one, to save me when costs rise soon, while celebrating costs coming down now.  I smell a rat.  Indeed I went for the change, is there an alternative?  I checked the increases, all the while noting prices are falling yet my costs rise.  If the Labour Party was a Labour Party it would be bringing this nonsense to an end, but they will not.  It is clear that this Labour Party is for the  business word, thon billionaire who started 'Phones4U' (if that is the correct name) is now donating to Labour because they are for business instead of the workers.  A true conservative party!  

We have been taken over by a right wing coup, big business, often in the USA or Saudi have made use of the mess we are in to force the Farage's upon us, divide the nation, give us Brexit and now Freeports and SEZs.  Prices will rise, wages stagnate, more social problems lie ahead under Labour.  This may not affect Scotland so much but now we know how the SNP has not got independence in sight, in spite of the latest manifesto.  Deviants and weirdo's may be OK under the SNP but independence is far from important.  The middle class Scot shows his comfort lies in Westminster. 

Corfe Castle Rail

Lime St Liverpool 1954

Trapped indoors hiding from the bright sunshine, though I did risk this at 7:30 when I popped up to Sainsburys, I spent some time watching people at Corfe Castle Railway Station where 'Railcam' have now introduced a live cam.  This is a Heritage line, closed by BR years ago and reopened and worked by volunteers.  A Diesel show was on this weekend, something to bring in the crowds, and many men, and with the castle itself just above us for a visit many women also, camera carrying was in vogue.  I am jealous!

I was at the castle a couple of years ago with my friends from Bournemouth.  We struggled up the hill and struggled down again wishing we had visited the place 20 years earlier.  The view of the railway was a good one, naturally no train arrived until we moved on.  It was a good week however, and I decided then we must go onto that train when the steam is being used.  I then looked up the prices and we have been hesitating ever since.  Now she is not well this trip may not occur for some time yet.

The castle was well placed defensively, situated in the valley between to hills, on the road from the dock which had been used way back into Neolithic times, yes even your granddad was not born then, and the area I suggest sees more pleasure craft than working boats.  

Cromwell decided that it had to be blown up.  His worry was those opposed to him, those King lovers, would retake the place and make it a stronghold against him.  His dynamite worked well.  What also worked well was the locals removing stones to build their houses.  Many down in the town have indications of once being part of the castle, decorative pieces, names, etc.  Today these small cottages will cost you an arm and a leg, just as much as a railway ride!

Railway Station

The picture posted the other day came from this short film taken in Victoria Station sometime during the 1930s.  They say it is Victoria Station however I am convinced this is Waterloo Station at the time.  I could be wrong, this has been known before... 

The historical aspect is interesting, the outfits, the uniforms, the sailors piling of the train obviously from Portsmouth (I say), and the porters rushing to, I assume, the 1st class coaches for the tips on offer. 

Otherwise has there been much change?  

Obviously electric trains abound today, only one is noted on this film, the platform area has been renovated, signalling and information boards modernised, but overall the people, the attitudes, the waiting to go or for someone to arrive remains the same.  Few men are without hats, most have waistcoats, jackets and ties, more ladies have chosen not to wear hats than the men.  Do most appear middle class?  Many rush to the 'Third Class coach,'  It is remarkable that so few are seen smoking, few are eating anything, is this because only seated cafes were available then?  It certainly appears to be holiday season, and if going on holiday the sun ought to be shining, and so it is!  

Lovely to see the engines that arrive, they are used to push the outgoing service on its way.  I was not aware of any steep gradient on those lines, but I suppose we wouldn't notice with the trains today. 

The impression is not of a dirty, grime covered station of our memories however.  Liverpool Street always looked as if it was recently covered in grime, now much improved, Victoria I only saw when renovated, as with Waterloo.  Others may have differing memories.  

 

The film has been 'colourised' by 'Upscaled History,' which boasts a number of ages films they have treated.  Well worth a look.

WikiMedia

Quiet Day

Another day of joy and laughter.

A trip for bread, and a day watching a video of a train from Kings Cross to Hull.  What more could you wish for?  

The sun shone, on the video also, I fell asleep, and ate.

A busy day for me.

A quick look around revealed no news. 

However, that nice Man Vargas did score again the other night, that's two goals in two games, as he begins to adapt to Scottish football.  I told you he would be popular.