Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Steam Train To The Seaside


I left Goathland (Aidensfield) early this morning, the village was very quiet, the tourists hadn't arrived yet. 

The Aidensfield Arms is on the left and Scripps garage/funeral parlour on the right.

The station looked lovely in the warm sunshine, plenty of moorland heather on the hills.

Our train arrived on time. 

It travelled tender first down to Whitby.  As far as I know there are no turntables or loop lines so one way is always going to be tender first.

The train was absolutely rammed on the way to Whitby, so me and the boys ended up doing a Jeremy Corbyn. 

Approaching Whitby station. 

Once off the train I headed down to the water front, but the place was heaving and wasn't quite what I was looking for on my few quiet days away.

However it was lovely to see peeps enjoying themselves in the sun. 

I would loved to have spent a bit longer in Whitby, but I dont do crowds well at the best of times and having to try and get the two little doggies through the throng was just to hard.

I headed back to the station and caught another steam train up to the market town of Pickering.

Much better, I virtually had the train to myself.

The train travels through some stunning scenery. 

Sammie was a lot more relaxed! 

Pickering was a lot quieter, so we had a little walkabout then popped into a pub for a pint. 

We caught the last steam train out of Pickering back to Goathland.

From there it was short walk up to the Aidensfield arms where I can use their wifi and do the blog.

Tomorrow will be a complete day of doing nothing apart from walking in the countryside away from the madding crowds.



Monday, August 29, 2016

Off To The North Yorkshire Moors or is it Moops

If you ever watched Seinfeld you will understand the title of the post, it was the classic bubble boy episode, check it out here. Elaine and I have called it the moops ever since. Seinfeld is the only American comedy that we found funny.

Back to today, I have sorted the funeral, arranged the wake, sorted all the bank accounts so I was at a loose end. I really am trying to keep busy, the reality set in a few days ago that this is indeed real, that she has gone and I will never see her again!

The mornings  are by far the worst, I awake feeling quite numb, then Elaine's voice resonates in my head......dont feel sorry for yourself, dont mope, dont blame me if you are miserable etc.    

It works every time, she never wanted me or indeed anyone to mope around feeling sorry for themselves on her behalf. 

I decided to head off to the North Yorkshire moors and try and moor up somewhere near the North Yorks Steam Railway.

I set off from the farm at Macclesfield then stopped at Tesco for fuel and a quick shopping top up.

I now have to totally rely on my Tom Tom sat nav now I have lost my co-pilot and navigator, Although to be fair I have been using Tom Tom for years, I love sat navs.

Sammie assumed the position in the co pilot seat whilst Bombo slept in the back.


The traffic was pretty good apart from a bit of a hold up on the A64 near York.

The M62 is England's highest motorway, and does suffer in the winter months. 

This is the famous farmhouse that sits between the carriageways on the motorway, apparently the farmer refused to sell to the road builders, so they built a carriage way each side of the farm, it must be so bloody noisy.  

It was a lovely day for a drive, with the temps in the low 20s 

I moored up in a farmyard close to the village of Goathland, made famous as Aidensfield in the heartbeat series.

Its perfect, I am on my own with only the railway for company.

A diesel came past first.... 

Then a steam engine, I am in heaven, I will stay here for a few days. 

It is a real suntrap, so I just sat and watched the trains whilst having a couple of beers. 

The only downside is that there is absolutely no phone or internet signal so I have walked about a mile to the closest pub, 

A couple of  pints of  Black sheep and use of their wifi was in order.

Tomorrow I will catch the steam train to Whitby and have an explore.

Its a bit strange being on my own but far better than just sitting on my large buttocks and crying into my beer.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Keeping Busy

Its been a week  since my lovely Elaine passed away, every day gets slightly easier, plus I have been so busy sorting the funeral, and all the other things that have to be done when someone passes away.

It has been made easier with the help of friends and family taking me out for a drinks and dinner.

The most amazing part though are all the messages I have been receiving from all over the globe, I always knew that she was special but wow!

A really lovely gesture was from George and Sue who bought our old boat Caxton, they have put a framed photo of Elaine and her beloved boys on board Caxton, so once again she will be aboard the lovely ship and cruising the canals.


I also have Elaine in my ear every morning saying dont mope and sit around, get out there.

This I have been doing, as well as arranging the funeral etc I have been walking the boys around the local country side.

Yesterday I met David and Lisa (NB What A Lark) who were going down Bosley locks, I would liked to have done a bit of lock wheeling for them, but I had to head back into town.   

Another job I had booked in was to get a new MOT on the motorhome, it doesn't run out until next February, but that would mean I would have to return to the UK to get it done, and if I am in Spain it would be a bit of a drag, especially in February. Now I dont have to come back until next August, which to me makes a lot of sense.


It was a tight fit to get it in the workshop and on the ramp, but with a bit of effort they got it done. The mechanic was amazed at the condition of the van and thankfully it passed with flying colours.

The MOT is so strict in the UK and everything is checked thoroughly, back in Oz the rego test as it is called in NSW was absolutely piss week, if you could drive it there it would pass! Some states dont even have a test!

The only thing I haven't been able to make myself do since Elaine passed is to go food shopping, I just cant bear the thought of it, but I will have to do it soon the cupboards are looking very bare, and I only have a few pickled eggs left to survive on.

Thanks again for all the lovely messages, they are so much appreciated.

XXXXXXXXXX


Saturday, August 20, 2016

My Little Elaine Tribute

Its only been 2 days since Elaine passed, I had it all planned how I was going to handle it, I  knew it was going to be hard, I just didn't realise how hard.

Whilst I am in a up moment I have been going through the blog and facebook taking out photos, its quite an easy job because Elaine was always smiling, there were no unhappy moments.

Its a bit self indulgent, but the blog is fantastic for reminiscing, so much more than a photo album. 

I'm sure some people think it is strange to put it out there in the public domain, but I find it quite healing and it helps me a lot to share it but not to have to talk about it face to face.....strange but true, in my case anyway.

Firstly a poem that Elaine found and had it engraved on our first little doggies (Byron) grave. I find it very apt for Elaine as well.

Do not stand at my grave and weep 
I am not there. I do not sleep. 
I am a thousand winds that blow. 
I am the diamond glints on snow. 
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. 
I am the gentle autumn rain. 
When you awaken in the morning's hush 
I am the swift uplifting rush 
Of quiet birds in circled flight. 
I am the soft stars that shine at night. 
Do not stand at my grave and cry; 
I am not there. I did not die.