Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Scotland by train - part two

I have had to rewrite this one as there appears to be a problem with the whole page - my PC must've taken over and I can't retrieve it to go the way I want it - I know what I mean!!!!

BUT this seems so long ago now - our train trip to Edinburgh.  We will be going to Scotland again in October but by coach and to a different part of the country. 
As I have reread this it is difficult for me to remember what had happened previously (part one posted 18th June!!)   ....................

Sunday morning found us at Edinburgh Waverley Station looking for our platform to catch the local train which turned out to be a very clean and bright train, on which we had a really pleasant 30mins trip.
We think that the turret might be the Castle
Lithinglow Station was only tiny and when we arrived, as in train people, plus the photographers both the platforms were absolutely packed out and I found it very frighteningly dangerous until I found seating inside.
Back into our seats on our train again, waving to people on bridges, in gardens and everywhere they could reach!!  The train whistle alerted us to the fact that cameras were around.













Over the Forth Rail Bridge now, looking across the the Forth Road Bridge and the roads we had travelled by coach back in the Spring.











We arrived at Stirling and managed to have a few hours there while the engine was watered, oiled, polished etc.  We walked as far as the shopping centre, it was very hilly so we stopped at the phone shop where PJ was able to purchase a cover for his Galaxy Note.
We then went into McDs - yes! We found another one!!! and had our lunch   ......well ........ what else did you expect?!
Actually we were not alone as some of the other passengers were there ......... and then the Footplate Crew came in for their lunch as well!!!


 When we arrived back at the station for our return journey, we found the platform and the bridge crowded out with steam enthusiasts and guess ......... photographers!!


Found some eye candy!!!!
The staff were having a break as well

 










We climbed back on board and carried on with our journey, which entailed returning back over the bridge but we decided to get off at Lithlingow and have an early night.




We went to Bella Italia for our meal, and after queuing for some time, we sat at a table by a window looking out onto the front of the Kirk (Church in English!).  Our meal was up to the normal high standard and we were served by a very cheerful young man.

We then had a stroll around and turned in for the night.

Next morning we took our time going back to the station, managed to get some photos, not just of the architecture but also the hill......

The first bit of the hill from
the Station

onward and upward!!!!


















What was curious were all the little side alleys off the main road, we knew from our previous visits that this is where the poorer people ended up living -  the rich people moved in and took over the houses for themselves.


Our return journey was very pleasant, especially as we knew the staff by now and when we reached Carlisle we visited the cafe again and then had a pleasant walk around.




These interesting murals were on the wall but I can find nothing on the Internet about them



When we reached Crewe, we had to get off the train as there was another steam engine in and we needed to change platforms, we just sat on the platform people watching.

Crewe station had the usual photography crowd and some just brought their children to see the steam engines.
These coaches were parked up just outside the station at the  biiiiig heritage site owned by Pete Waterman (the music man).  We hoped that the ones we had booked for our trip to Sunderland to see Bruce 'The Boss' Springsteen would not be like this!!!!

We had to stop by Carstairs Junction for water during our trip, which going up was by some dog kennels (who hated us being there and spent nearly the whole time barking at us!) but on the way back the view was huge!!!!




no-one interrupted their shopping trip to stop and take photos







We arrived back in Brum about 22.00hrs tired but happy and ready for our beds.  The gentleman was there again to open the gate so that we could reach our cars, say our goodbyes and drive off into the darkness to home.











What a wonderful time we had.

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