Categories: uncategorized
Date: 14 September 2008 09:22:14
Yesterday FW had the day off form her part-time, part-time job and we decided to make a day of it.
First of all we went to Blaenavon to see the class 56XX that they have brought in for the weekend to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. There is something majestic about seeing a puffing up the incline with a few coaches and a diesel electric locomotive behind. It was also good to see so many people there as well. A few months ago I took Shouty Boy there on a cold,wet, dismal day and we were the only ones there.
The railway only have 3/4 miles of track at present but earlier this year they received a large grant to expand the line down to the remains of the Blaenavon High Level Station, about a mile away. That should be open at Easter 2010. In addition they have plans to run down to Abersychan and up to Brynmawr. Brynmawr hasn't seen a train since 1961.
With the sunshine yesterday even Blaenavon looked beautiful. For those who have never been the area around is bleak and desolate. There are still several spoil heaps from the days of coal mining and, being so high up, very little grows there. Yet when the sunshines it has an atmospheric beauty all of its own.
Afterwards we met dad and Stroppy Boy and went to the first home match of the season. It was Stroppy's first live rugby match and he seemed to enjoy it but didn't reall know what was happening and started watching the crowd instead.
We lost 42-26 to Llanelli in the end. Their class, pace and experience showed through and we could find no answer. Yet there were many positive points to take away. It also brought us back to earth after our narrow loss (31-36) away to Neath, the champions, last week.
In the evening we managed to do something we have'not done for a while and visited Homebase for some bathroom sealant.... No!!! We not that fool! We went out for a meal, only the local Harvester, as it was a spur of the moment thing, but it was good.
The downside to the day was that I had to work as my Irish customer had an emergency on because a French jet had an engine go "Bang" and need a replacement shipped out ASAP. So I spent a lot of time on the Blackberry and phone. Thankfully it didn't intrude that much.
However that is reason that i'm on here at such an ungodly hour on a Sunday. Better get on and wake some other poor sap up then.