Trainspotting in Devon

One thing I've noticed since moving to Devon is that quite a few preserved steam locomotives are allowed on railtrack main lines in this area. Special trains run most weeks somewhere around the country and Devon is popular due to the scenic routes they use. A lot of people are aware of these trains so if one is due you can normally tell from the number of people standing by the railway with cameras and video recorders

Photographing them at speed is quite a challenge, so sometimes I let the camera take a video instead. The brand new Steam Loco "Tornado, 60163" has been here a few times this year on the 'Torbay Express' and so have one or two others. Attached video is Tornado's first visit to Torbay. It travels down to Kingswear, leaving Railtrack at Paignton and finishing its journey along the Paignton to Kingswear Steam railway, which conveniently has a turntable where the loco can be turned round for the return journey to Bristol.

Watching the rain

I had high hopes for this summer, May and June seemed to go very well weather wise, however as soon as July appeared the sun decided to become intermittent and lots of rain has followed.

This morning I should be playing bowls, but the captain rang up very early to advise he was calling it off due to the weather forecast. That's sometimes a mistake, but this morning it was spot on, the wind has been blowing the rain sideways for the last two hours.

I feel sorry for all the people on holiday this week, at least now we live here all year round we are guaranteed some good days. And even bad days can have dry spells, we just have to make the most of them.

Too much to do, too little time.

I can't work out where I use up so much time. I can only assume people who blog are very organised and are natural writers or they have very little else to do. I'm sure the second option isn't the case so I will credit them with being very organised.

Now that summer is here I am quite busy with the outdoor bowls season, I play whenever I can or whenever I'm asked and in the last couple of weeks I peaked with 6 games in one week, plus the last ten-pin game of the season. If I'm not playing its usually because we have other commitment's.

I also got engrossed in researching some family history for a friend, which was fascinating as they went to and from America earlier this century and there are lots of records associated with these journeys.

Just when I thought I was catching up, my web sites mysteriously went off line, so I have decided to move them to another hosting company. That is now my first priority, just in case anyone is looking for them (at www.tameclan.me.uk). As I move the pages I notice errors and updates that need doing so I am doing that as well.

Facebook also has a lot to answer for, I have got a bit addicted, to the point where I have to log on every day to see who's doing what. Its a useful site for keeping up with friends though, and I like to see other peoples photos as well as uploading my own from time to time.

Must go now, back to the web site rebuilding.

Bob