Random ..... Training and Birds

Sometimes you have your day all organised.
Sometimes you THINK you have your day all organised!!!

The Plan:
meet with a colleague from Training in the morning
finish up round at M's in the afternoon

What actually happened!!!!!

We drove over to meet with B&S - meeting up at Severn Valley Railway station at Kidderminster.  They were going to an art exhibition's private opening and thought we could meet and have a natter etc.  We had not visited this station before so this would be interesting.

There is quite a large station area before going onto the platform and a new 'canopy' had just been erected which gives it a really olde worlde feel. 

 

We went into the Museum and had a cup of coffee (with cake!!), met Gerald Broom  and then R&S  asked Gerald if we could join them for the private viewing of the exhibition!!!  ooer! never been to a private viewing!!!

It was all very civilised - glass of wine or orange, crisps, small sandwiches - and then we perused the paintings ............. all train related of course!  We were asked to vote for which we thought the best so that made us take note, PJ and I had different tastes and I voted for three!!!  I am not good at making decisions!!

Some of the artists were in attendance which was good and we were introduced to Roger Bell who first bought 6201 Queen Elizabeth engine to save it from extinction. 
What a lovely man!  his friend Brenda was also interesting, I chatted more with her and had an interesting historical background from a personal point of view.  Just before we left we were introduced to an author but unfortunately didn't catch his name. 

All this networking, PJ will soon be well known in Railway Circles!!!

We had aother cup of coffee and then left to come home.

Just following in HRHs footsteps!!!

We came home along the 'B' roads, as is our want, and decided to pull off and visit Webbs Garden Centre as we knew there was a Bird of Prey Centre there and PJ wanted to visit.  I did not mind, I presume you have already gathered I rather like plants!!!!

We had met this guy previously on a visit to Blakesley Hall and thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.
Did I mention that there was a violent thunderstorm while we were at the exhibition, we heard the thunder but  .........................
Chatting with the staff at the garden centre it had been quite horrendous and the rain kept making an appearance while we were there but nothing too bad.  PJ managed to get some good photos on his phone and I managed to get a couple of Everlasting Sweet Pea - one in red and one white.  We also managed to buy a new tool belt for me, as it is a long walk from one part of the garden to the other at training and I always seem to leave the tool I need behind.
We were both pleased with this extra visit and as we started off on our journey home we could see the black clouds in front of us.   We managed to skirt most of the storm, although at one point as we crossed the motorway we had everything!!!  It suddenly started raining and then the drops were sooooo big and then hailstones! Soooo large! I kid you not!!!  the sound as they hit the car was frightening, and as I looked back over the motorway it disappeared under a white cloud - that's what it looked like ...............
I was so glad we were on a side road but then           it stopped          just like          that                 stopped!

We decided that the best way home would be the quickest, never mind scenic ................ as we reached the outskirts of Birmingham we took a wrong turn so had to turn round which meant we waited while the lights were on red .......................... the heavens opened again .............  unbelievable!!!               By the time the lights changed the rain had become a drizzle and by the time we reached home the sun was out ............................ so typically English weather!!!!