Friday 24 February 2012

November and Bluebells

Last Saturday we took Mathew to the Bluebell Railway for a promised day out, which we all enjoyed. Matt was a bit apprehensive, not knowing what to expect I suppose. Couldn't dig him out of the train to be photographed alongside an engine, but nevertheless he enjoyed his day, and so did Grandad!

This was "our" engine, a "Bacon slicer", that is a BR Standard class 4 2-6-4 tank for anoraks,which was about to attach itself to the train we rode

On arrival at Kingscote the engine ran round, not for much longer as the route through to East Grinstead will be open before too much longer I believe



Handsome engine this one, on the other train in steam, a "Woolworth", for anoraks a SR N class 2-6-0, with the Horsted Keynes signalman taking the single line token from the crew, ready to give it to "our" crew so we could proceed back to Sheffield Park



Back at Sheffield Park there were more engines to see in the shed 



and a last look at the Woolworth before we set off home


On the way to Sheffield park I went via the A2/M2, down Detling Hill and round the M26/M25. Between Dunkirk and Detling we counted 14 Common Buzzards in ones and twos along the way, smashing. None on the way home, but heavy rain spray and mist, not so smashing (luckily!)

Back home on Sunday nothing would do but that Matt and I re-created Bluebell Railway trains on the layout in the shed, just as well I got the appropriate locos!

Last night I put the moth trap out for the first time this year, in spite of a hopelessly dull UV tube, for which I have now ordered a replacement. Even so, it attracted 2 moths overnight, this Hebrew Character

 and this November Moth, in spite of Waring and Townsend saying confidently they don't fly in February, tell me if I'm wrong, someone. It might of course be a Pale November Moth, but this would require inspection of it's genital claspers to confirm, and if you think I'm examining a moth's willie to do this, you got another think coming!

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