Market Drayton

Ninety years ago last Thursday my mother was born in a rural cottage near the site of the battle of Blore Heath. I was born in the house she was brought up in. At the time it had no bathroom or electricity. Strangely it doesn't have a blue plaque on it yet, though it does now have a bathroom and electricity.

Anyway, the occasion meant a trip to see the extended family, including those in the nearby graveyard. And, for me, a chance to really try out the Leica Q2 Monochrom now I'm over the initial learning curve. One thing I'm clear on is I would rather work with the .DNG files than the very flat JPGs it produces.

The photos are around and about Drayton, Hales and Market Drayton Museum

A quick update. Thanks to the power of social media I was able to identify two "mystery items" for the museum.

The Past is Going Fast

 We've lived here for seven years, and there has been one building I keep meaning to take photos of.  

Especially since a lot of new housing going up in our local village seems sure to lead to it being demolished, as our traditional old garage was to provide an entrance to another new estate. 

It, and the other outbuildings, are part of what used to be an everyday thing - the farmyard in the village itself.

We drive through the village a lot, but rarely stop. Although it is quite large there is little there. Two pubs, neither of which are great and the world's worst sub-post office. The saving grace is a brilliant butchers, but I avoid that for the sake of my wallet.

A road-closure, linked to house building, did give me the chance to finally cyle there and choose my viewpoints.

My apologies these photos are over-processed. A combination of my phone's annoying habit to make it's own creative choices and trying to edit them in bright sun.

A brief return to Flemish Quay

 It isn't looking good.

Installing and organising new shelves in the workshop has taken a lot of effort. It still isn't quite finished. Add on top of that a wife and dog with serious health problems, family events, a never quite under control garden and a love affair with a new camera and it is fair to say it has been neglected. 

But the biggest factor has been my dissatisfaction with the building on the left. . There are such a lot of things that I wish I had done differently. 

For now, I'm going to keep it, though changing a few things I simply know will always bug me, like the bargeboards. They are simply too short for a model clad in the thick brick sheet, and not a fault with the kit itself.

As an insurance policy I've bought a second one, so that if I do conclude it isn't worth saving I know I can still continue. 

A Bit of a Ramble - part 2

With wife and dog tired out from Saturday's trip just Paul and I set out to do one of my favourite loops visiting local attractions. In fact there are a few other attractions on the way that we didn't have time for, such as The Riverside Railway in St. Neots and the Manor in Hemingford Grey. Both are highly recommended and the Manor has the added benefit of a great pub nearby.

We started at Houghton Mill. This is a truly lovely spot that we return to again and again. On a sunny day it was incredibly busy, but the plus point is that there were a lot more guides around to share their enthusiasm and knowledge. 

The next stop, at Ramsey Rural Museum  will feature in Part 3

A Bit of a Ramble - part 1

The other weekend Paul, the Best Man at our wedding, came to visit for the first time since lockdown. It seemed an ideal opportunity to visit some relatively local attractions. Unfortunately at the cost of missing yet another 16mm Association show.

First stop was the Wells & Walshingham for their 40th birthday gala. Despite often passing the station this was the first time I've actually travelled on it. 

We had lunch in Holt, but didn't have time to visit the North Norfolk Railway, and ended the day in Blakeny 

By the time we got home, Gigi had had enough! So we left her, and Issy, at home for part 2.

Ferry Meadows Railway

We live about twenty, very long, miles from Peterborough. It isn't a city we visit for pleasure, though I do like the Cathedral. 

On the outskirts though is Ferry Meadows Park. This is delightful in itself.

There are lakes, cafes, play areas,  watersports, long walks, and a small farm shop.

It can also be reached by using the Nene Valley Railway, which has stations at Orton Mere and Overton.
Although we try and use the NVR every year it does seem to have got expensive for what you get these days. Overton is a gem though and a great destination for walks in the park.

In the park itself is Ferry Meadows Railway, and on a glorious Saturday that was our destination, accompanied by grandson and poodle.

Like the much-missed Wells Harbour line this is very much a working line providing point-to-point travel between the visitor centre and car park to the lakeside and major play area.

As a result, it takes the carriage of pushchairs seriously

It is also a delightful trip. Having recently changed hands there is no prospect of steam running again, but I doubt many travelling care. Freddie was certainly content to consider the Alan Keef loco a Choo-choo train.

Gigi enjoyed it as well. It is her second miniature railway trip in a couple of weeks because last weekend we took her on the Wells and Walshingham. But that is for another post...