Visit to the DRI 23 Oct 2008

This morning I went to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary to have an ultra-sound scan of my neck. Apparently, I have nowt which I should be worried about, but it seems that living for 18 years in this area has given me Derbyshire Neck (as well as inclining me to use words like 'nowt').

Trip to Norwich 17 - 20 Oct 2008 Part 3

Sun 19 Oct 2008

In the morning Kim, Mark, Emily and Ethan arrived and stayed a while. Lunch was a delicious vegetable soup with Brenda’s home-made bread with sundried tomatoes. In the afternoon, Paul and I went to the Kings Head at Reepham, where I had a half each of Golden Newt and Cambridge Best Bitter. I preferred tha Newt! We had a look at the two ancient churches there which are somewhat bizarrely joined together at the corners like Siamese twins by a small, rather more modern building. Then on to the massive Salle Church, 'Cathedral of the Broads'. Next to Aylsham, where we had a look at the locos in the Bure Valley Railway workshop. The trains of this light railway run on a 15-inch gauge track, like those of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch in Kent (apparently the two railways exchange locos from time to time). Finally, we went to ‘Little Switzerland’ south of Coltishall but didn't stay long. This was, I believe, the first time I had been to this wood in about 40 years. We had pheasant and I sampled Brenda’s home-made crab-apple and quince jellies. More wine and catching up!

Mon 20 Oct 2008

Paul showed me around his garden and we went for a walk through the alleyway and round the streets at the back. Kim and Ethan came round again. Lunch was a lovely meal of Salmon in a delightful sauce. Brenda made me a Cornish pasty which I had later on the train.

I left about a quarter past 4 to go to the station and, after a dry day up to that point, the skies opened as I crossed Mousehold Heath and I got drenched . The train left on time but continually lost time on its way to Nottingham, so that we arrived there 20 min late and I missed my connexion to Langley Mill. I cycled home in the dark and cold. To date East Midland Trains have not answered my complaint!

I enjoyed these 4 days very much. This was another first: the first time I have travelled to Paul and Brenda by bicycle! It reminded me of my first visit ever to Norwich, also on two wheels: in 1965 with my 500 cc Norton Dominator.

Pics show: Kim with Millie; all the family; Emily; Ethan; the family departing by yellow cab; the King's Head, Reepham; one of the Reepham churches; Salle church; BVR loco No 7.

Trip to Norwich 17 - 20 Oct 2008 Part 2

Sat 18 Oct 2008

My landlady told me that the eastern Europeans don't go into pubs as a rule for fear of incurring the wrath of the locals who participate in a sport known apparently as 'fozzie-bashing' - there's nothing like a traditional English welcome, eh? I left Wisbech soon after 8 and passed along busy but flat roads to Outwell, (apparently an earlier tramway through this village was the inspiration for some of the Rev Awdry’s ‘Thomas’ stories) and Downham Market, where things got quieter again. This little town has a charming black and white clock-tower in its center. On the entry to the town I crossed the River Great Ouse which I am sure was flowing upstream! I do hope it is tidal at this point; otherwise I have no explanation, apart from perhaps global warming.

Over the next few miles, I had to climb a little and I found it necessary to stop frequently to check the map. I had a cup of tea and a pleasant chat with some of the employees at a pub in Oxborough, one of whom came from Chesterfield and knew an ex-colleague of mine from Clowne. Small world, innit? I stuck my head inside the grounds of Oxburgh Hall (note the different spelling - which I didn't until I came to write this up), a 15th century moated manor house, then made made my way to the main B-road which goes to Watton and Norwich. This was another flattish road, except over the last few miles before Norwich, some of which were rather hilly. Then through the city center and up through Mousehold Heath and on to Paul and Brenda’s. 63 miles. Good to see them again. Paul had prepared a sort of ‘finishing line’ for me to cross, like a rider in the Tour. Brenda had prepared a chicken dish for supper, which was lovely, followed by lemon meringue, which she knows is one of my favorites. We drank wine and swapped yarns long into the evening. Pics show the Mullicourt Aqueduct on the A1122 SE of Outwell, the River Great Ouse at Downham Market, the Downham Market clocktower, Oxburgh Hall and Norwich Cathedral in the not very perpendicular style - curse this viewfinder!

Trip to Norwich 17 - 20 Oct 2008 Part 1

Friday 17 Oct 2008

I got up at 6 and set off for Norwich on my bike just before 8 - I always take a lot of time getting ready! The first part of my journey took me through Nottingham and all the rush hour traffic, which was not very pleasant. The other side of Nottingham, there were pavements alongside the A52 to ride on but these ran out after Bottesford, and I took my chances on the main road. From Grantham to Bourne and Market Deeping, the route consisted of quieter, undulating roads: much nicer to travel over. Finally for this day, my route took me across the Fens to Wisbech: very flat. I had had the wind behind me all day and the weather was dry and sunny. 88 miles. Wisbech is a funny place: every conversation I overheard seemed to be in some east European tongue and nobody was able to give me directions to anywhere. A couple of young blokes were completely perplexed when I asked them where the town center was. Suddenly I had a brainwave: “Centrum?” I asked. “Ah, centrum! Yes, go straight on, turn right …“ I found the town center without problem! I dined in the Wisbech Weatherspoons, the Wheatsheaf, where I also supped three pints. Noisy, cheap and cheerful! and strangely, no eastern Europeans. I stayed at a B & B for only £22.50, where I slept well and had a good breakfast the next day. My camera got broken when I was at Conkers the other day and I cannot see the screen clearly. The only pic I offer here is that of the church at Wisbech, actually taken early on the Saturday morning.

GCR Steam Gala

Well I'm sorry, readers, but for some reason which I do not understand I cannot put a video clip onto my posts. Maybe the files I am trying to load are just too big! (28 Mb) Here are some stills from last Sunday instead.

Steam Gala at the Great Central 12 Oct 2008

There was a Steam Gala over three days (10-12 Oct) at the Great Central Railway, Loughborough. Loughborough ... six (arguably 7) phonemes in twelve letters - ridiculous! Wasn't it George Bernard Shaw who said that you can pronounce GHOTI as 'fish' using examples elsewhere in the English spelling 'system'?

Sylvie and I went to Quorn (make what you want of that, but we are not vegetarians) on the Sunday. We saw six different - very different - steam locos in service. I include a few video clips which I will attempt to put in the next postings. Enjoy them!

Trip to the Peak District 9-10 Oct 2008

On Thursday S and I drove into the Dark Peak, visiting Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs briefly en route and stopping at the Cheshire Cheese, Hope for lunch. We then went to Upper Booth, from which we began our walk to Kinder Scout via Jacob’s Ladder and as far as Kinder Low trig point before setting back. Wonderful views and rock formations (see the pics), and worrying soil erosion. We stayed at the George Hotel, Hayfield. For the evening meal I had black pudding with whole grain mustard for a starter, followed by cajun chicken, after which raspberry cheesecake and coffeee. All washed down with a bottle of Chilean red. Mmmm!

After a very good night’s sleep, we arose to the usual sumptuous English breakfast which kept me going for a large part of the day. We walked 2.5 miles from Hayfield, along the Sett Valley trail, to New Mills. This town was an eye-opener! Swift-flowing streams in gritstone gorges, high railway viaducts, old mills and a modern walkway over the river – amazing! Bus back to Hayfield (used my Codger’s Card) and lunch again at the George. Then a visit to a well-known nearby town which readers are invited to identify! Back to the reservoirs via Snake Pass and then return to Heanor via Eyam. Beautiful coutryside! Two wonderful days! And we never even left our own county!

Latin Exam 8 Oct 2008

This afternoon I did my Open University Latin exam, thus marking the end of study until next February. I thought it went rather well and I'll be disappointed if I didn't get a distinction. One question foxed me though: I had to chose 5 noun-adjective pairs which were in agreement, out of ten. I found 6 and, try as I might, I could not find one amongst them which I could eliminate. I lost a lot of time over this and eventually, after thinking about throwing one of these pairs out, I included it after all. I'm not sure how my examiner is going to deal with this!

The big translation was Cicero's account of Regulus, having been captured by the Carthaginians, being sent back to Rome to ask for peace and an exchange of prisoners. Reg swore to put this offer to the senate and to face death if they didn't accept it. When asked by the senators what his actual opinion on the deal was, Reg said that he didn't agree with it! Thus, he had to go back to Carthage to certain and horrible death, despite the pleas of his wife, son and friends to remain in Rome. 'I would rather do this than be a perjored consul', he said. Could you see our politicians behaving with such integrity?