We won a prize!

We don't win anything, but we won a prize!

Previous post - while we were at the Steam Fair we joined the West Somerset Railway Association,  because we joined that day particular day we were entered into a draw to have lunch on the Quantock Belle dining car.

We had a phone call one evening, we don't normally answer phones calls if we are eating but we did on this occasion.  We were told we had been entered into the draw and our name was pulled out.  Because we live the 'wrong' end of the line, they gave us tickets to travel the one and half hour journey to the other end of the line and come back on the Quantock Belle.  We could have gone the out to Bishop Lydeard by car but what would we have done in Minehead for a couple of hours.........?  Perhaps come home..................... anyway we decided to just have lunch (click to enlarge and see bottom of menu)

one of the two dining cars

We decided to fore go the Cream Tea, and rode out to Bishop Lydeard, on the early train, we only had a forty minute wait then we were aloud on our train to come back.  It was not something on the top of our to do list, in fact I don't think it was on the list at all.  It was all very nice, the journey took just about two and half hours, going very very slowly.  

Blowing Away the Cobwebs!

The sky went black, it was only just before midday and the heavens opened!  Two minutes later sun was low in sky and very bright.  It was then we decided to go down to the sea just to blow the cobwebs away, back to work tomorrow after being off from the Friday before Christmas. 

Since blogging I have never actually taken photographs of Minehead when the tide was in.  This morning not only was there bright winter sunshine but the tide was in!

Looking towards Butlins (not in the picture)

The from Butlins to the Quay

It was 11.58 when this photograph was taken at the "human" sundial



Although there wasn't a train in the station.  There was a surprise in the station shop.  A surprise in which I had to do a double take, then I'm still wasn't sure until the lovely lady said hello, it was Hen.  Lovely to see you all gain, hope you enjoyed your trip to Minehead and you didn't get too wet.  After a little chat we said our goodbyes to them walked back to the car and drove home in time to see darkness arrive and the heavens open again about an hour after last time!

Jolly Weekend!

Beautiful weekend, well in the Southwest anyway! Anybody would think it was a height of summer, but alas no it is 2nd October, something to do with the Gulf Stream! And it is very disconcerting that is is really hot and it gets dark by 7.30 and getting dark earlier every minute. Bit too hot for me I'm afraid, I don't do heat very well. We both had a wonderful weekend though. First of all we went to Taunton yesterday morning just to look at the shops I bought Liam some clothes (a fur lined jacket would you believe?) for part of his Christmas presents; I also tried to purchase cotton sheeting for the quilts I am making but the shop said they were ordering Monday. Then we had lunch, did a bit more looking round the shops.  When the time for the carpark was up we drove to here and had a fun afternoon Great place for nostalgia in childhood TV. I can actually say I remember every Dr. Who since 1963 with William Hartnell (never thought then I would actually have a son who would appear in an episode of Dr Who) and although I personally was not allowed to watch much TV especially on days weatherwise like today, and I was only allowed to watch things approved by mum, and remember TV was not 24hrs then either I could name nearly every character!........Oh! I feel really old!

There was a different varieties of radios

and televisions in every corner and space possible

Muffin the Mule - one of the first television puppets

as well as many toys and games with a TV theme

as well as books and annuals

as well as radio annuals

I remember this character very well.  He is called Twizzle.  Twizzle had concertina legs who always helped his friends.  Is there anyone else would like to remember Twizzle.......?

photo collection of the Man from Uncle

I have a blank wall in my kitchen, I asked for a large picture of David McCallum

Wasn't allowed one!

after afternoon tea and cake at the museum

we went to see Hen and her lovely family and wonderful cottage

I purchased this for Caitlin, but grany thinks she may keep it to be played with only at her house.  The dollies are mine from when I was Caitlins age.  I managed to find the knitting pattern to re-make the white clothes! 

Yes that is a grass skirt you see on the black doll, but it has been there since she was created probably the early fifties!

This morning we went a book fair and bought these Caitlin and Liam

after lunch we went to the station to see what was there as it was a Steam Weekend.

...........it was Norton Manor having a photo-shoot on the turntable!  Something us locals don't often see because they only seem to use it for special weekends! 

Cornish Pasty's........................?

It seems the whole franchise is wrong!

someone else has complained about it too!

Sunday Afternoon

We do many exciting things, or should I say not so exciting things on a Sunday. We cut the grass and make an outing of taking it to the recycling centre for disposal. We stop at the station, and although it is a actually a "Mixed Traffic" weekend, i.e. the diesels are in town I think we missed the trains and the hustle of the people stepping on to and stepping off the train.

Even the beach was quiet for 3pm on a Sunday afternoon!

I found these books on the station book stall

Now perhaps I can get my garden to grow properly!

These books looked interesting

I saw these books on the book stall

and thought of my son

he is trying to be an actor!

The weather may be sunny...........

.............but we have a TORNADO here in Minehead!

- continued................

Here are some of the photographs we took

yesterday lunch time.

Tornado arriving at Minehead Station
Tornado being filled with coal
Well it was lunchtime!

We saw some strange sights too...............


Someone worshipping the engine!
Actually he is a professional cameraman!



Someone giving the coal a drink because it was thirsty!
(to keep the coal dust from flying everywhere)


This attractive signpost is outside the station

The weather may be sunny..........

.........But we have a TORNADO here in Minehead!

The Train....................

now standing on platform 1 is.........................

The above photograh is courtesy of David & Jane Bates

for Dunster, Blue Anchor, Watchet,

Williton, Stogumber,

Crowcombe Heathfield, Bishops Lydeard

You see this view when you alight the train!