We had an absolutely wonderful day out yesterday. It began for me with a rude awakening by my my alarm clock at 05.00am. Following a quick shower, dressage and hair preen I then conducted my usual checklist to make quite sure that we had everything with us, you know the usual day out necessities, camera, packed lunch, mobile, tablets, tickets, drinks (of both the non-alcoholic and alcoholic types) face wipes, toilet paper (in case the onboard one runs out) and last but not least daughter. (I forgot my glasses *sigh* there’s always something you forget isn’t there?)
Following a walk down to the station we boarded our train at 07.59am, right on time. As usual, owing to the fact that the train is 12 carriages long and our station is only three carriages plus the engine in length, we had quite a trek down the train to reach our carriage which wouldn’t you know it, was the very last one. I felt as if I had walked a mile by the time we eventually sat in our seats!
It was a very enjoyable journey to Whitehaven. The hills and mountains of the Yorkshire Dales were on your right hand side, and the flat expense of Morecambe Bay and the coastline on your left. Not only that, but the further we travelled the more the skies cleared and the sun shone, so that by the time we reached our destination we had a cloudless sky and glorious sunshine! I was able to walk around Whitehaven all day with just my t-shirt on. We all laughed as we walked out of the small railways station at Whitehaven when one of the passengers asked her husband
“Where are we going first?” and he jokingly replied “Tesco’s!” seeing as there is a store right outside the station!
Making our way across the supermarket car park we were soon strolling along the front of the harbour. As you walked along there were small metal fish inset into the cobbled road. They were all leading back to the fish statue which stands on the front just as you exit the car park and were so attractive.
There were absolutely loads of boats of every description and all shapes and sizes moored in the harbour and they made a fantastic sight. As we neared the Beacon Museum which was intended to be our first port of call, we witnessed a really funny sight. Five geese were all walking in a line along the road! All the cars had to slow right down and wait for them to waddle along. Seems like they were also intent on paying a visit to the Beacon, because when we emerged from there some time later, all five of the geese were busy pruning themselves on the grass verge outside!
The museum was very interesting and we spent about an hour in there, then we made our way around the corner to view the statue to the miners. A quick walk along the harbour wall (I wanted to visit the lighthouse which is stood at the end) was short lived because K was frightened she would fall off it into the sea. (It was about 5 or 6 foot wide.) so we made our way back and treat ourselves to an ice cream in the Bistro which is underneath the Beacon Museum.
I took a quick saunter along the other pier so that I could take a photo of a small boy looking out to see with his telescope, then we made our way into the shopping area to take a look around that. As you walked along there were some mosaic plaques in the walkway which were very attractive and interesting so I took some photos of those as well. As always we never seen to have enough time to see everything, and we had to begin to make our way back to the railway station. I was amused when a lady stopped us as we neared the station entrance and asked us what was going on.
“ I’ve never seen the railway station so busy! “ she stated. “What is going on?” so I explained to her and her companion that we were all on a chartered train and had obviously swelled the population of Whitehaven by quite an amount if only for a day!
Finally our train pulled into the station and this time our carriage was right behind the engine and opposite the platform so no walking a mile down this time! During the journey back and following a our tea where I risked eating a chicken pasty we opened our two small bottles of White Zinfandel wine and enjoyed a wonderful relaxing journey home.
It was approximately 21.15pm when we finally rolled into our small station and all piled out onto the platform to wend our separate ways home. As usual with cheery farewells to all our fellow passengers, we quickly made our way into town and ordered a taxi home. A fantastic day out, glorious weather (we have been so lucky this year with the weather when on our day trips haven’t we? ) I wonder where we’ll venture to next time? So from her and me, here’s to our next train outing!
TG 
Rest of the photographs are here in this photo album. Enjoy!
Technogran's Tales 