After an invite from The Watercress
Line to join in the 30th Anniversary celebrations we descended on the railway
for the weekend. The first train was leaving Alresford at 11AM, so we had to be
at the station before then. The paperwork looked like we were the only cars
there, and we were going to be in prime position.
10ish, and we didn't beat John
and Vic, Pete turned up with Keith in the Series 1, and Scottish Dave in his
Midget. Carol and Mark turned up after that in their Midget, and we had the
full compliment for the day. The Morris men entertained us with some great
dancing, and the most wonderful headgear with fresh flowers. These made it
through the first dance then started carpeting the car park. |
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Part of the deal was travel
permits, so we were able to travel on the trains all day. So we had ice-cream
at Ropley after returning from Alton, and then doing a tour of the engine
sheds. Pete was recognised, and roped in as a guide (not a girl guide - don't
tell him but he wasn't bad either) and it all took far longer than we thought,
so after learning about train restoration we went back to Alresford and fetched
the cars.
We were staying in
Alresford so it was off to The Ship for a meal and some very acceptable real
ale! We can recommend this establishment, it's in Bishops Sutton, the welcome
is friendly, and the food and drink excellent!  |
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Sunday saw Lyn and Alf, Barry and Jenny, Scottish Dave,
and Pete, Lou and Sam at the station for 10, no Morris dancers this morning, so
it was a bus ride instead. We went off around the town in a 1964 Leyland bus,
on the top deck, at the back. We then went off on the train to Ropley again! On
returning to Alresford, and failing to find Barry, it was my (mis) fortune to
have to suffer the ordeal of a footplate ride to Alton and back. For those who
are interested, it was a Canadian Pacific, Merchant Navy class. And has a
firebox of 48 ½ square feet! It was rather warm.
We all
agreed that the weekend was a great success, especially as we managed to raise
the banner on each day with the permission of the Railway! If you haven't
visited yet, then take a look at the website, it's on the links
page.
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