West Somerset Railway

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One Arm Artist - Update

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Attended first orthopedic clinic today and discovered an iPhone app for posting blogs. Now I can type with one finger!!! Arm is now in a full brace and still very painful - unable to do much but gathering thoughts for new paintings for 2010. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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Peter Bowen discovers the Antrim Coast

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The Antrim Coast — Northern Ireland This is one of the most interesting and scenic coastlines in the United Kingdom. There is lots to see and do including castle ruins, tour the world's oldest whiskey distillery, discover small harbours, and hike along the famous Giant's Causeway (a World Heritage Site). Dunluce Castle These romantic ruins, perched dramatically on the edge of a rocky headland, are testimony to this region's turbulent past. During the Middle Ages, the castle resisted several sieges. On a stormy night in 1639, dinner was interrupted as half of the kitchen fell into the sea, taking the servants with it. That was the last straw for the lady of the castle. The countess of Antrim packed up and moved inland, and the castle "began its slow submission to the forces of nature." While it's one of the largest castles in Northern Ireland and is beautifully situated, only ruined walls are left standing today but well worth a visit. The 16th-century expansio...
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6024 King Edward I West Somerset Railway Spring Gala 2010

King Edward I is a GWR 6000 Class steam locomotive. The locomotive was built in June 1930, and was originally housed at Plymouth Laira dept, before being transferred to Old Oak Common, London, in March 1959 and finally to Cardiff Canton depot in 1962. Withdrawn from BR service in the June of 1962, No. 6024 was sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales with No. 6023 King Edward II, where they languished in the company of 300 other locomotives. Inspired by preserved class-mate No. 6000 King George V's 1971 breach of British Rail's steam ban, in 1973 the King Preservation Society bought No. 6024 for around £4,000, with the purpose of restoring it to mainline condition. With many components missing, including its double-chimney (currently fitted to No. 6000), and with piston, connecting and eccentric rods and slide-bars cut through, at the time the project had all the appearances of the ultimate "mission impossible". Both Nos. 6023 and 6024 were available f...
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