Racing for a butterfly - South Devon Railway

About 1 hour's drive away is the South Devon Railway.  We decided to go for the second train of the day and arrived just as the first was being cleared to leave.  Just a few minutes earlier ...

Nevermind.  The smell of coal burning met us as we exited the car park, I am immediately in steam train mode.  Over the bridge, down the platform almost off the end we went to look in the museum.  Not as I remember when it was the Dart Valley Railway, but they have lost some space to the A38. We then went to look at the workshop and finally along the river path.  On the path we spotted a butterfly, and stopped to try to get a photo.  I can't get close enough.  In the bushes was a Sooty Copper.  No chance of getting a picture, because the running man demanded passage.  Where was he going in such a hurry? The path is now blocked at the A38.  It feels quite unnecessarily closed in, and barred.  For the sake of it, the powers that be are making the world smaller.

The engine for the day was the 1369 saddle tank.  The carriage has ancient 'bouncy' sprung seats, probably with horse hair on top of the springs.  Then the dog people get on. The dogs are fine, the people talk incessantly, ignoring the train altogether, and again our peace is ruined.  I don't want to hear your conversation, just enjoy the ride.

The Dart is a wide shallow river sometimes flowing over largish stones and mud, sometimes bedrock. Every so often there are small 'rapids'.  Ideal for kingfishers, but not today, although the water looks clear and clean.

In Totnes, we walk into town passing at least 3 signs pointing to the town centre all saying 0.9km.  They can't all be true, most likely none of them are.   

On the way up Fore Street, to the High Street we buy ice cream - 2 for £15, seems a lot. In the town square we have a conversation with 2 guys trying to give away Bibles.  I pray they get some customers.  They are from the local Free church.

On the way back to the 3pm departure, we try for a shortcut and almost get lost on an industrial estate. There is just time for tea in the Rare Breeds Centre Café before we must board the train.

On the way back I see a woman in a swimsuit by the bank of the river, which is surely not deep enough to swim in.

Then it back to the cottage, via some diversions for closed roads, to watch the England vs DR Congo.

Race Around the World - Bicton Park Botanical Gardens

Elephant Fountain near the entrance

 The Bicton Botanical Gardens have a selection of trees (mainly) from around the world.  The entrance looks like a large garden centre, but there is so much more.  There is also a formal garden (Italian), and a church on site.  Although this is no longer used, and was locked.

When the gardens were opened, the owners decided to also build a railway as the house had been separated from the estate and is now Bicton College.

We wandered around the gardens, took a trip on the train, then went inside for lunch.  The food was good, my cheese scone was one of the best I had ever had, but it was ridiculously expensive. 

Palm House

The palm house is the most impressive building on site.  Built before Kew Gardens, it is constructed so that the glass panes for part of the supporting structure, and make the dome freestanding.

 
The stream had been dammed to make the lake and various features had been built on its way down the gentle slope.  We got to Fairy Falls, and walked up the steep bank to the hermitage (locked).  We sat on the seats outside to watch the dragon flies hunting over the pond. It was warm in the bright sun, hardly a cloud in the sky, and a gentle breeze.  Lovely, until ... three or four women arrived and sat on the next seat.  I do not want to hear about your health problems, your relationship problems, or those in your family about to give birth.  The moment was ruined.  We moved down to the Japanese pagoda.  Quiet again, this time disturbed by a family taking pictures - at least that's a normal activity.

We finished by re-visiting the American garden and the giant redwoods. Then the rain began.  It was not quite light and we were soon in the car, where the rain stopped pretty quickly.

An excellent day. 

Welcome to the Wakey Races - The race to Weston

We travelled to Weston, a journey of about 4 hours 30 minutes.  Two stops were planned, at about 3 hours away, and about 1.5 hours away.  The standard of driving, particularly on the motorways was appalling, hence the title.  The standard of road management, having appropriate signage on the gantries was also poor.  As we approached Cobham services, the road ahead was beginning to slow.  It's 20 minutes early, but we stop for lunch anyway.  Cobham services was busy, but OK.  When we restarted the journey it took us 5 minutes or so to catch up with the back of the jam.  The second stop was at ??? on the A303.  One of those new type of services, with Starbucks and Greggs laid out like a retail park.  The most expensive tea in the country.  This stop was also early, so we ended up with as third stop, because biology doesn't always work as slowly as you might hope.

We arrived in Weston a little after 17:00.  Immediately, I managed to lock us in the cottage, which is really just two rooms carved off the edge of a big farmhouse. Leaning through the window I unlocked the door from the outside, it hasn't happened again.  The cottage is small, but OK.  However, there have been a few other issues.  The shower mat was covered in mould, there doesn't appear to be any hot water, and one of the towels has dark patches on it.

We drove to Tesco's to get some shopping, about £80 worth, which is much more than I was expecting.  Still, we are set for the next few days. 

Dial Direct Insurance Renewal Review

Posted on Review.com 

M&S has stopped fronting their car insurance.  The handover was smooth, and the renewal quote competitive.  I made two calls to sort things out, both to the same lady, who recognised me and dealt with all my queries.  A bit odd that they don't give an Insurance Certificate until after the insurance has started.

Hadleigh to Leigh-on-sea

We drove to Hadleigh Country Park.  Google Maps directed us further down the Benfleet Road than I remembered going. We ended up having to reverse up a steepish hill on a narrow driveway leading to two or three very large houses.  Then it was back to St. Johns Road, and down Chapel Lane, as I remembered it from our last trip.

It is a beautiful day, with clear views over the Thames Estuary.  The path from the Country Park to the Castle is covered in crushed stone.  We spotted a sparrow with something in its beak.  It looked like a piece of plastic, the sunlight glinting off it. As we watched the sparrow repeatedly bashing whatever it was on the ground, it became clear that it was a dragon fly.  Once it had knocked the wings off, it flew away with its prize, leaving us to examine the remains, a shining lacy wing. 

After about a mile, we arrived at the castle.  Once a trio of mums had decided they were not staying, I was able to take a picture of Southend Pier between the towers.  Last time I did this it was an overcast day.  (https://3cephas.blogspot.com/2022/06/hadleigh-park-and-castle.html)  Hopefully this is a better picture.

Instead of walking down towards the railway, we followed the Saffron Trail.  It runs about halfway up the hill and is a purpose made track, used for walking and cycling.  I'm not sure if it was here last time we came, but it has definitely been here a while as there are shrubs growing through the plastic base.

As we arrived in old Leigh, the tide was coming in.  We had lunch at The Peterboat and wandered through along the high street to the beach, where we turned back.  Now with an ice cream we sat on the sea wall and watched the river.  Then went to look for the cockle sheds.  I can remember it being very open, and running up (or trying to) the piles of cockleshells. I could dive into them too, like a ball pit. Now, it is much more developed and access behind the cockle sheds is much more difficult. The sheds themselves are much more modern with lots of stainless-steal in a bright environment.  It used to be dingy, hot, and smell of fish, none of that now. The boatyard is also now behind a huge fence, where it used to be open and easily accessible.

We decided to get the bus back, as it was due in about 5 minutes.  The driver of the number 26 had other ideas.  Pulling into the wrong stand, he drove straight through, and completely ignored the passengers, all of whom were less than regulars.  

The next one was 35 minutes away, so we waited.  We got off at Homestead Gardens and walked down Chapel Lane.  By now it had started to rain a little.  Once we were in the Hub Café, the rain came down harder.  I left my bag behind, over the back of the chair, so halfway down Rayleigh Road, we had to turn around to retrieve it.  Fortunately it was still there.

Up the path

On Monday the council came to repair the path that leads to the Laindon Road.  Each day, they arrive after the morning school traffic has gone, and leave before the afternoon school traffic arrives.  Meaning the path is never shut for the school children. The markings for the repair appeared weeks ago and were beginning to fade.  All the patches except the last square needed repairing.  The edges are not that well sealed and the repair to the path on Wednesday looks like the tide has in and out over it a few hundred times.

 

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle

We visited Colchester Castle.  Not knowing Colchester very well, we parked in the Britannia Car Park, about 10 minutes away.  I still don't know if there is a nearer, cheaper Car Park.

It doesn't look like a traditional castle, but it is one of the most important monuments in our history.  Originally built by the Romans as a tribute to Claudius, the remains were used to build a Norman castle after 1066.  We had a guided tour that took us into the foundations, but couldn't allow us on the roof as there are repairs in progress.  The 2000-year-old Roman concrete is as good today as it was 2000 years ago. 

The castle was later used as a prison for the witch trials, where girls as young as 15 were tortured and put to death as witches. 

After our guided tour, we had lunch at "Cod of the Castle", just outside the gates. The food was very good.

Then we went back inside for a better look around. There are Roman displays, Norman displays and the prison has a video imagining the witch trials, which is powerful.

The Colchester Sphinx caught my eye. 

Once we had finished in the castle, we walked around the grounds, found ice cream, and on down to the river, where there were a lot of swans (10+).

Soon it was time to return to the car, our 5 hours were up.

There are some lovely roses in the rose gardens surrounding the castle, and in the park.  These two caught my eye, because of the colours and the petal shapes.
 

A lovely day out. 

Karen @ her 21st

Karen @ her 21st
Originally uploaded by fisherpeter_d.

Originally published in 2006 

Here's the picture of Karen, that I promised to share with her. It was taken @ her 21st Birthday party. It is one of a possible 3 that will be used on the mission board, along with her newsletter, of course.

Battersea Power Station

Anyone who is vaguely familiar with London will recognise these chimneys.  Battersea Power Station has been an iconic sight in London since the 1930s.  Today we paid it our first visit.  It is, of course, no longer a power station, it ceased generation in 1983.  After many years as a 'ruin', it was converted to a retail space.   I understood this before we arrived, or even decided to book on to the BDRA trip.  Nevertheless, I found the trip slightly disappointing.  The amazing building has three levels of high-end retail.  I'm not one to shopping unless I know what I want.  I didn't go with that agenda.   Jo went up the chimney lift, which gives you a few minutes to look out over London, to Wembley, Wimbledon and the city centre.  I stayed in the museum, with my 'carer ticket' issued for free.  Nice of the very young lady selling tickets to let me in for nothing. This is where the disappointment comes in.  The museum is poor, or perhaps extremely basic.  There is the briefest history of the build, a simplistic explanation of the process of generating electricity: coal in, steam out, turbines generate power, the synchronising controls that match requirements for the grid - voltage, frequency and phase.  That's it - what a missed opportunity.

The inside is truly impressive, if you look above the shops.  The crane was used to move materials around the power station.  It would be lovely to see it working, providing views of the interior of the building.  It simply supports a walk-way, that we could not find access to.  It's also worth mentioning that the direction boards in the retail space are wrong.  Twice we tried to find the nearest toilets.  Both times we were directed the wrong way.  Once said go left (should have been right), the other said turn around.  I don't know what that should have been.  Outside there is a land train that circles the building and plays a short recording describing some of the power station.  I don't know if it was any good because the background noise of London and the surrounding area made it impossible to hear most of it.

Outside there is a land train that circles the building and plays a short recording describing some of the power station.  I don't know if it was any good because the background noise of London and the surrounding area made it impossible to hear most of it.

Outside, at the site entrance, there is a sculpture made of metal fins.  I couldn't find anything describing it.  Maybe it was there to symbolise the turbine, but I immediately thought "What is Smaug doing here?".

Local Election 2026. Baslidon and Essex

 

The local elections have been said to be a triumph for Reform UK PLC.  That's not the whole picture.  In Billericay, the Conservatives retained their seats. Not my ideal, but not the worse that could happen.  In Baslidon, Reform took 11 of the 14 seats, which is no surprise, as the Labour led council was very unpopular and apparently chaotic.

We will now see how the council responds to the planning applications that are going through, particularly in Billericay, where they had been rubber-stamped.  This led to an unreasonable amount of development, with no improvements in infrastructure.

Here's the new numbers 

Labour	12
Conservative	12
Reform	11
Independent/Other	7

Essex, meanwhile was won by Reform UK PLC, convincingly.

 

Party	Seats	Notes
Reform UK	53	Gained control of the council.
Conservative Party	13	Lost long‑held majority.
Liberal Democrats	5	Minor representation.
Independent	2	Includes non‑party councillors.
Green Party	1	Single seat.
Labour Party	1	Single seat.
Residents for Uttlesford (R4U)	1	Local party.
People’s Independent Party (PIP)	1	Local party.

 I can only hope we do better than Kent, where Reform made a complete mess.

How will the new council deal with the problems that they have.  The main issue for Essex that I see day-to-day is the awful state of the roads, but I suspect that that is not the worse problem they have.  I expect the Essex part of my council tax to rise by the maximum allowed next year, and for things in Essex to get slightly worse. 

Artimis Mission

The first sign that the baby human race was about to take a step away from its birth planet occurred on 12 September 1962.  The President of the United States of America set his country the target of putting a foot on the moon and returning home.  I was almost 8½, and largely unaware of what was happening.

The program did not go well.  I remember being shocked and saddened by the disaster of Apollo 1.  Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee died in a fire in the command module, although I couldn't have named them at the time.  There was a short pause in the program.  

On 21 December 1968, Apollo 8 was the first spacecraft to leave earth orbit. The first tiny step had been taken.  My excitement at the whole program and the optimism it generated were enormous.  Apollo 11 put 2 men on the moon, as did 12, 14, 15, 16 and finally 17 in December 1972.

Next stop Mars, or so I thought.  But NO!

I've had to wait over 60 years before someone was prepared to try again.  The Artemis program has less hype, and has generated less excitement that Apollo.  My two eldest grandsons are a similar age now, to me at the Apollo launches. I watched the Artemis 2 launch with them, by the wonders of the internet, which certainly made it more exciting and interesting. 

The development has also been much faster, Artemis 2 is the equivalent of Apollo 8 - doing a loop around the moon.  Now they are safely back home.  I have to say that my excitement at this mission, though great, is nothing like my excitement in the '60s and '70s.  There is more awareness of the dangers, and the way corporate America works - including the shortcuts it takes.  But all credit to the to all the scientists and engineers involved in the mission for getting something so complex and leading edge, working so quickly.  I don't want there to be another disaster.  I'm looking forward to Artemis 4 and another landing and return.  I'm excited for that.

I'm looking forward to the baby human race taking its second tiny step. 

The Hornchurch Passion Play

The Hornchurch Passion Play takes place on the green, next to the Queen's Theatre.  There is free parking in the next door Sainsbury's Car Park.  We left home in time to arrive a little after 6pm.  We got there and found that was a little too early.  That gave us the opportunity to get some chips at the local Fish and Chips shop - just six minutes walk away.

When we arrived it was still daylight, we could see all the sets scattered around the edge of the green.  I took a 360º video of the scene from roughly the centre of the green.  You can see that below.

The performance starts with a greeting to the Passover festival by the Priests - emphasising the need for security and the good behaviour of the attendees.    

The scenes are a mixture of the up to date and the first century - but mostly the first century.  The dialogue is taken from the biblical accounts with a lot of additional imagined material to explain what is going on to an uninitiated audience.

I described the dialogue as "The Passion meets Peckam". (A reference to Only fools and Horses).  That is not a negative criticism, it is the feeling I get from the dialogue, simple, familiar and easy to access.  The drama that results is powerful and made me think about who Jesus is as a person, and obviously why He would go through such a situation.

A brilliant addition to our usual Easter activities. 

Wood Anenomies

Sunday afternoon is a good time to visit Norsey Wood. It's a little too early for bluebells, but I'm here for the carpet of white, the wood anenomies. A couple of years ago I walked these woods almost every day.  Now, not so much, but the paths remain familiar - most of the time.

The first few are near the start of the trail - out of the car park toward the exit and second left.  They are such delicate flowers, so I tried to get closer in.

This is about as good as it gets with the current lens.  Following round the trail, the wood changes, there is a 'dead area' where there are many fallen trees.  This is not so managed as the rest of the wood.  I wonder, would primaeval forest look like this? 

Of course, humans get involved, so it cannot be entirely primeval.

At this time of year, the wood is waking after its winter sleep.  The large trees have, no doubt, started, but are not showing leaf yet.  The younger once get a head start. 

There is new (to me) coppicing on the easy access path, at the end of the trail.  While I had been walking around, I had been thinking that not much had changed in the last 45 years or so that I have been visiting the wood.  One thing that most definitely has is the dead hedging.

Recent path through coppiced area blocked by dead hedging.

Much older dead hedging protecting what may once have been coppiced.

 

Giving Up

There comes a time, and for me, it is now, when there is giving up to do.  We live in an ageist society.  At a certain age, arbitrarily, we are forced to re-apply for things, such as a driving licence.  We are also given things, such as a bus pass.  There are other things that we also have to re-apply for, in my case that's my licence to preach and lead services.  That is harder, and will likely be the subject of another post.  For now, I'm concentrating on the things I can no longer do on the roads.  I could keep, or reacquire that, but I would need to get medical approval.

Gone are:

C1	Medium Vehicles	Between 3,500kg and 7,500kg MAM.
C1E	Medium Vehicles	As C1 and tow a trailer over 750kg, as long as the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12,000kg
D1	Minibuses	9 to 16 passenger seats.
D1E	Minibuses	As D1 and tow a trailer over 750kg

I'm not in favour of age limits at the older end of life.  Licences should be renewed every few years, and I may concede that after a certain age the frequency should increase.  People do not grow old at the same rate, some show signs of age before others.  I'm not in favour of concessions for pensioners either.  Pensioners should have enough money to pay the full price.