Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 June 2007 21:45:03
Today has been one of the those days that God tries to teach me things I need to know. In His usual way He uses the sledgehammer approach, as this is the only way to get through to me.
Today's lesson was a continuation of several others. This course has being on for the best part of 30 years. Every year sees a little more progress. At the present rate the work should be finished around the end of eternity.
The lesson in question? Patience. Why God needs to teach me this is a puzzle to me. I mean I'm the most patient person I know. Just ask anyone who doesn't know me...
How was this lesson performed? Well, are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.
A few weeks ago I had an idea. I was reading a copy of Steam Railway magazine, a magazine for lovers of steam trains, obviously. Then was a large article on the Cotswold Festival of Steam Weekend at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The highlight of the weekend was the appearance of Green Arrow, the last surviving example of the LNER V2 Vulcan class. At the end of the current season she goes onto static display at the National rail Museum at York.
Mmmmm, thinks I, that's half term week. I think that the nephews will love that. We can take them away for the day and then let them stay over so their mum and dad can have a night of peace and them time. So everything is arranged.
Then, as the time gets nearer changes happen:
1. FW is offered the opportunity to hold a Fairtrade stall at the local Community Hall..... on the Saturday. Ok we can go on the Friday.
2. 2 weeks ago the eldest rings us. He doesn't want to come now because his girlfriend is going to stay over. Would it be ok if he didn't come as he'd like to stay with her. So I said, "It's ok. She can come too!"
3. Last week FW gets her new job. She works 15 hours a week. Monday, Tuesday and........ FRIDAY!!
4. Last Monday Sad Sister asks if she can come as well, unless I didn't want her too. Great, 2 adults and 2 kids.
5. Thursday night I call Sad Sister to arrange everything. Can you guess what happened? "I've double booked. Would you mind if I don't come?"
Friday morning arrives. T&E rushes to send work e-mails in time to take FW to work on the way to collecting the 3 kids. Have time for a cuppa before we leave and then its off for the 60 minute drive to Toddington. Of course, we have to use FW's car as mine only accomodates 2 people. Discussions on who will sit in the front. After 10 minutes we agree on Whingey Boy (WB) on the way up; Shouty Boy (SB) from the train to the local Little Chef for lunch and then Girlfriend (GF) for the rest of the trip home.
We've benn travelling for 30 minutes and the natives are getting restless. GF's mum had bought them a bag of Maltesers each. Great idea? Not on a day as hot as today. After 5 minutes I have one nephew wiping choccie covered fingers on his jeans and one has eaten all his but has half the pack smeared over his face and the rest wiped into his jeans. How is it that GF is spotless?
Enroute we discover that GF has never been on a steam train. Then we discover that she's never been through a tunnel before; this line has one 765 yards long. Upon arrival we board the train. The only seats are at the front, in the guards coach. There are 2 double seats with an open area in front. We then have discussions on whether or not we can sit there. I say yes, SB says no. We finally agree that, though it is a disabled area unless someone wants to use it we're ok.
We have a pleasent journey from Toddington to Cheltenham Race Course - yes, its the Greenbelt Line. Then we have more discussions on the journey back. Do we go all the way on this train? Do we stop at Winchcombe and then get the Green Arrow back to Cheltenham? Where will we eat?
We decide to stay on the the train as Black Prince (a 9F, the last class of UK steam produced) is swapping with Wadebridge (an "air smoothed" West Country) and look at the model railways at Winchcombe before travelling back to the Race Course. We then have a little huffing and puffing from SB on the journey back. His suggested game of Eye-Spy goes well until he misses a turn and then sulks, and sulks, and sulks and..... sulks.
We change trains and get onto the buffet car. The kids choose their snacks. SB has Jelly Babbies and Tango; the other two have a pack of polos and a can of Tango each. Am I not a wonderful Uncle?
Upon arrival at Toddington I ferry everyone back to the car and we go off to the Little Chef for lunch. On arrival we find that SB has left his coat on the train. What can you do with a 6 y/o?
Thankfully I left with 3 and returned with 3. Not just that but we left at 10:30 and didn't return until 17:00. As I write SB is asleep on the sofa bed in the backroom.