2015 – a stay at home year

 Holidays, In the garden, Weather, What I do  No Responses »
Jan 052016
 
2015 - a stay at home year

Despite having over a dozen overseas places on my ‘must visit’ list, 2015 was a year in which I stayed on these shores, unless you count the Channel Islands as abroad. Although outside of the United Kingdom, I don’t regard our annual holiday in Herm as a trip overseas. Holidays Apart from a day trip to Llandudno in April, my first holiday was a repeat trip to the Outer Hebrides, this time on an organised rail and coach trip. The last time I was in the Hebrides, Sandra and I flew there and drove the length of the Isles from Barra to Stornaway. [Read more]

Derby HS2 proposal offers glimmer of hope for Selston

 What I do  1 Response »
Oct 082013
 
Derby HS2 proposal offers glimmer of hope for Selston

A new proposal from Derby City Council, which if accepted would see the proposed High Speed 2 railway line run through Derby, offers a glimmer of hope that the route will be deflected away from Selston, Pinxton and the site of special scientific interest at the former Bentinck Pit. The current proposed line will run through Strelley and Nuthall, before following the M1 and passing around the edge of Selston. A 100 metre viaduct is planned to pass over the former Bentinck Pit site, which is earmarked for a recreation park in the near future. The new proposal, submitted by [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam – day eight

 Holidays, What I do  No Responses »
Sep 192013
 
Welsh Mega Steam - day eight

Homeward Bound After a hectic week of coach and train travel, our last day arrived. It was another bright and sunny day when we made an early start at Wrexham University. Hearty breakfasts consumed, we set off at 08:45 for the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway at Welshpool. The special gala day celebrated 50 years of a preserved passenger railway between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion. The line closed in November 1956, but re-opened in April 1963. There was a re-enactment the last train to run on the line, with music provided by the Aberystwyth Silver Band. Diesel and steam traction was provided, [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam – day one

 Holidays, What I do  1 Response »
Sep 062013
 
Welsh Mega Steam - day one

Alfreton to Bangor via the Great Orme Tramway This was a holiday that I was unsure about going on because it involved riding around on trains for a week, and staying in university student accommodation. The journeys between the various train rides was by coach. Despite my doubts, day one wasn’t too bad. The first place to visit was the Great Orme Tramway at Llandudno, but to get there, I had to take a journey involving three trains from Alfreton to Llandudno Junction. The first part was a short trip on Northern Trains to Chesterfield, where I changed for the [Read more]

Welsh Mega Steam 4

 Holidays, What I do  7 Responses »
Sep 052013
 
Welsh Mega Steam 4

Welsh Mega Steam 4 was an eight-day holiday that I took between August 24th and 31st 2013 in which I toured the preserved railways of North and Central Wales. A group of 32 were on the trip, which was organised by Railtrail Tours, and was the fourth year they had run the trip. Staying in university accommodation, and using a coach to visit the various sites, the itinerary for the tour was as follows: Day 1 – Alfreton to Bangor via the Great Orme Tramway Day 2 – Lakes and mountains Day 3 – The long and the short Day 4 – Bangor to [Read more]