Very Brief Steam Train Ride

This afternoon, on this very hot and sunny day we drove to our favourite cafe/ farm shop for lunch. Their ducks have recently had babies. The first picture was taken before lunch, the second, after. Well it was a very hot day and they had just eaten well!

After lunch, drove down to Watchet in Somerset and took the West Somerset Steam train to Washford., a which is about a 10 minute trip. From there, we walked down a couple of  footpaths until we found what used to be an old mineral railway line.  Small engines used to carry iron ore to the local harbour. The last engines were second hand trains from the London Metropoliton Line. So they were made to run in tunnels.

Why is it that when you want a decent pic of a butterfly, it folds up its wings and pretends to be drab? This was a painted lady, you wouldn't think she was proud of her colours though, would you?

You've known me take better pics of wild geraniums too! I tried for ages to eliminate the sun from these eye popping little beauties, but still, the sun has bleached their showiness! Sigh!

Now, I have shown you the wildlife here is the industry:

Here is a link, with a map of where we walked:
http://www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk/welcome/sites-to-explore/watchet/   You can also find a link with more details about the steam railway there. Here is an interesting link for those of you interested in the local histoy of the area http://www.quantockonline.co.uk/quantocks/villages/watchet/watchet.html
What is Watchet Blue? Find out more here and also more about the paper mill-
http://www.watchetmuseum.co.uk/social_history.php.



They were made by Bayer Peacock's in Manchester. The rails have long since gone, but what is left is a  footpath amidst shady trees, and signs of wildlife. Today because it was so hot, we saw many butterflies, including a painted lady, we heard a buzzard, but I think it could have been a chick calling to an adult from it's nest under the cover of the trees. We also saw a beautiful green and yellow striped dragonfly. I am sorry, it was to quick to photograph, but if anyone knows the name of this beauty, Steve and I would like to know!

I managed to do some knitting while we were there

 and we got a photograph of a Hymec engine, Steve says that they are pretty rare these days, not many were made in the fist place. They were used for China Clay Trains, as well as passenger trains in Cornwall.