Bluebell Railway

A secret trip today, Lorraine drove us off to Sheffield Park where we caught the bluebell railway as a late celebration of Pat’s birthday. 

 A strange world. The uncanniness of a station crawling with immaculately uniformed staff, elaborate station messages, warning you that a train was creeping into the station. Men, of course, but lots of women too. 

We were there in plenty of time, so Lorraine, Pat and I made our way into a shed full of engines, which were being minutely observed by train lovers. 

We boarded our train and squeezed around a table, and served by several cheery staff, two women and a man, who brought us pots of tea, and a stand of sandwiches cut in oblongs, and lots of little cakes, such as macaroons, and mini-eclairs and shortbread and fruit tarts and so on, plus there were two scones with cream and plum jam. I particularly enjoyed the scones. 

Pat and Maureen having fun, against a backdrop of the green Sussex countryside chugging by. Also passed a station sign reading Downton, evidence of filming. A nostalgic treat, and a bit like a memory of something in the past, but improved and a little strange. A jolly atmosphere on board with very attentive staff. Among the others on our carriage were a very smartly dressed gay couple, one of whom proposed during our short journey. Not long after there was another proposal too. I felt a bit sorry for the second couple, as their thunder had been stolen, pipped to the moment. 

All disembarked we made off to the nearby Trading Boundaries. Lorraine and I love that place, and as we were buying a gorgeous throw for our bed, Maureen realised that she had left her handbag, which contained her whole life, on the train. 

We drove back to the station, and I went out to attempt to retrieve it. The main offices locked, and eventually I found my way into an administrative section, and after refusing to be fobbed off with leave an email and we’ll get back to you, was then led out to the platform through locked up buildings. I could see Pat at this stage wandering about on the platform in search of the gents. The carriage we were on was locked and in a siding but they opened the door, and I was able to find it. Crisis averted. Collected Pat who had successfully found the Gents and we were led out. After this excitement, Lorraine drove us home. Maureen very happy to be reunited with her bag. All in all, a happy outing for everyone.