How We Were Chuffed on Wednesday

You may remember that last year we had a steam train ride to Kingswear with Saphos Trains. We enjoyed it so much we booked again this year to go to Shrewsbury. It was an earlier start, as it is further to go, but we were at Romsey station in good time to catch the train at 6.50 a.m. The plan was for a diesel to take us to Bristol, where we would meet a steam locomotive to take us on to Shrewsbury and back.

We had a morning snack box, as before, though we didn't think there was quite the variety as last year's. 

But the coffee was fine, and 

the fizz, which arrived soon afterwards, was 'Pink Lady Pear Cider' - which I would call perry, but that's what the label said. Some people were disappointed that they weren't getting bucks fizz, but that didn't worry us. 

When we got to Bristol, it turned out that the steam engine, which we were supposed to meet there, was stuck at Taunton, on the far side of an 'incident', and not expected to get through in time to take us up to Shrewsbury. So the plan was changed, so that the diesel that had been on the back of the train (at Bristol you change direction) would take us up to Shrewsbury, and if the steamer could get through in time, it would meet us there, to bring us back.

All the way up to Shrewsbury there were photographers waiting for the train, and we wondered if they had known that we wouldn't have the steam engine on, or that it might be worthwhile waiting around until the engine came through later. We therefore arrived in Shrewsbury about an hour earlier that originally planned, so had longer there than scheduled.

We had a pleasant wander round, and a cool drink in a cafe with an outdoor area overlooking the river.

Then we made our way back to the station, and sat around for a bit until the steam engine arrived (see main picture for unobstructed view)

We had ordered an afternoon tea, and when we we finally able to board the train, after several others (going to various places in Wales, Birmingham, and Manchester) had gone through our platform, we found the stand set up at our table with two little jars of strawberry jam all ready.

Later we were brought a selection of sandwiches - here are Mr Bufo's

and these were mine. They had taken proper note of my food intolerances, which was nice

Along came some sparkling English wine - which wasn't wonderful, but not too awful, and we shared one can and brought the other home, and there was tea and coffee ad lib.

And then the cakes arrived 

And the cream, swiftly followed by the scones - although there was only one each, and they were fruit ones, which I never feel are correct with jam and cream.

We thought it was a bit off that we didn't get an afternoon snack box this year - we had paid (or rather it was paid by Mr B's elder daughter as a birthday present) quite a lot extra for the tea, and if we hadn't done so we'd have had the snack box as everyone else did. We had thought the tea was an extra, rather than instead.

But all in all it was a very pleasant day out, and we'll be looking to see where they might be running one next year that we can get to.

And Now we're past the Equinox

Autumn is upon us, and although I haven't done much blogging, I have been fairly busy. The 'Heirloom' blanket is finished, and another is being worked out.

Two more reprinted EJO books have been prepared for publication - one is already out and one currently at the printers, with more to do for next year, so no let-up on that front.

One of the summer highlights was a rail trip to Dartmouth. We joined the train at Romsey early one Saturday morning, and were diesel hauled to Taunton. Then 'Sir Nigel Gresley' took us to Kingswear via Exeter and Paignton, and our tickets included the ferry crossing to Dartmouth. We took a picnic lunch and were served fizz, unlimited coffees or teas, and a 'snack box' each both morning and afternoon. 

That was so generous that we almost could have managed without taking anything of our own, but Mr Bufo's quiches are well worth the carrying. We managed to park at Romsey station all day for just over £2, so when we were finally dropped off again at about 9.30 in the evening, it was just a quick drive home - and a lovely day!

We'll be doing our usual end of season trip to Cleeve Abbey soon, and the year will be over before we know it!