Sunday 7th December 2014

Saturday.

The weekend

In fact, the (shortened) weekend.

As I am travelling back to Denmark on Sunday, this will have to do for my weekend.

We laid in, me until nearly quarter to eight, as at this time of year sunrise is about that time, and it seemed dark outside. I opened the curtains to see clear blue skies and the day was looking good. Dowonstairs Jools already had the coffee on, and so I got dressed and went down to be met with the first cuppa of the day. Lovely.

At just before nine we drive into town to run a couple of more chores, then onto Samphire Hoe to see their new visitor centre, and to have a walk around the Hoe, always a pleasure when the weather was as wonderful as this. It was a glorious day, chilly, but in a nice way, if you understand. It felt like December, but with the sun shining the walk was wonderful, me snapping the curving paths as it made for fine photographic opportunities. Back along the track at the foot of the cliffs, and into the car as we, or I, had a date with a train.

As usual.

A class 47 hauled railtour does not sound exciting, what was once a very common site here in Kent and for in in East Anglia, but as the weather was so kind, I thought we could go to Chartham to snap it, then find a country pub for lunch. A great plan. And in addition, a friend from Flickr, Will, said he would meet us at Chartham to snap the train too.

Along the A20 to Folkestone, then up Stone Street almost to Canterbury before turning off along the country lanes to Chartham. I grabbed my camera to get my angles right before the tour was due, and to see if WIll was waiting. As it was, he wasn't, but I snapped a couple of Javelins as they zoomed through, creating fine shots with the old signal box and level crossing.



Will arrived with ten minutes to spare, on a stopping service from Canterbury, we take our positions, and after a thumbs up from the signalman, we know it was show time. Accelerating from a red signal, the two 47s growled their way through the station, looking wonderful in the bright sunshine, even if their hard working engines left a cloud of clag in their wake.

We walk back to the car and drive to The Chequers at Petham for lunch and a pint. Tempura fried shrimp followed by steak and Guinness pie for me. And a pint of hopped ale. Lovely. Food and beer is top notch.

We drop Will back at Chartham for his train home, then we head for home ourselves, as Jools has an appointment with the barnet mangler at four, and I have an appointment with the sofa. ThHe football is great, Chelsea and Arsenal both lose in the Prem, and City win a Wigan, holding on for a 1-0 win. It is, at least, a start.

Cheese and wine for dinner, whilst listening to more Wittertainment. And the day has gone, how is that possible? Whilst outside the full moon rises above the glistening countryside.