Grand day

[bigyetiman]

OH is a member of the BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Club) and she got tickets for the members day this year, and we were treated to all the "Toys out of the box" as they put it as they flew all their planes in formation, the first time they have done that had everything up together, usually it is just the standard "Memorial Flight" Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster on display with the Dakota if the Lanc is unavailable, or she comes along as a solo. display.
Then on way home, middle of nowhere we started noticing people and cars along the side of a road, then we noticed the rail line, OH pretty quick said, "rail line, people, means Flying Scotsman, park up quick" parked up and 5 mins later along she came. here are some pics from the day.

When 5 Spitfires, Hurricane, Dakota & Lancaster go over your head, it is quite something

 

[Hen-Gen]

Sounds a grand day out, to quote Wallace. Never got into planes but trains are wonderful. Easy to understand why so many preservation societies have sprung up.
Don’t know whether you agree but I think Mallard is one of the best examples of industrial design I’ve ever seen. A thing of incredible beauty and performance.

 

[bigyetiman]

We would both love to see Mallard steaming along. That was a fabulous design and never bettered.
OH pointed out it was actually 4 Spitfires not 5

 

[LadyA]

My late husband loved trains and would always travel by train if he could. We once spent a month touring part of the US by train. It was a fantastic way to see parts of the country you wouldn't really see by car. However, the US rail system is abysmal and I believe getting worse. The only train that ran on time was the one we left our nearest city on! And we're not talking 10 ir 20 minutes late. We're talking hours. Anything from 2 to 4 hours late and one memorable day, we ran 7 1/2 hours late!

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[bigyetiman]

Have spoken to many Americans who are amazed we run rail replacement buses, in the States if the trains stop for any reason it is up to you to find a way home.
I know a friend who asking for a train to Delhi from somewhere was told "it could come tomorrow, perhaps Wednesday , we are expecting it indefinitely" which was so Indian she just found it amusing, train arrived in the evening.

OH dad was 18 years old when he became a bomber boy on the Lancaster's, which is where her love of the plane started, her dad loved them all. She does have a soft spot for the Dakota though as it often flies over the house

 

[dianefairhall]

Like Hen-Gen I never was fond of planes. Love steam locos, though. I see the Scotsman has had a colour change and smoke deflectors added.

 

[bigyetiman]

Someone else commented on the smoke deflectors. It was a shame it wasn't smoking well as it went by.

We have the locomotive Tornado coming past us on the Fenchurch Street line in December. We can go up the road and go across the farmers field and get a good view hopefully

 

[Hen-Gen]

Didn’t know the Tornado so had to Google it. Another impressive bit of engineering.

 

[bigyetiman]

We will do our best to get a good pic.
Meanwhile we have had some good Naval ships visiting up river from the mighty HMS Albion which does amphibious landings, HMS Argyll a Duke class Frigate, HMS Severn another Frigate in her new dazzle livery in remembrance of the Atlantic Convoy patrols.
The tiny HMS Magpie the smallest vessel in the navy which does hydrographic surveys

 

[dianefairhall]

I've never seen Tornado so would welcome a pic. Good to be able to see all those RN ships locally. We have had some NATO exercises round here recently but didn't see anything.

http://www.hebrides-news.com/nato-war-games-16921.html

 

[bigyetiman]

9 December is the day for Tornado, OH is working out the best field to lurk in, trying to find a good spot with a suitable gap in a hedge. Or it will be stand on the bridge and look down the track.

We are lucky with the ships as Port of London Authority publish a list of ships arriving and departing, so you can plan accordingly. The cruise ship Disney Magic is currently doing 2 day trips from Tilbury and every time it arrives/leaves, its ships horn plays "when you wish upon a star". The good people of Tilbury and Gravesend are getting a bit tired of it, especially in the night

 

[dianefairhall]

I truly pity the poor people of Tilbury and Gravesend. I can only assume the passengers enjoy it. (Opinion from a lifetime Disney hater).

 

[bigyetiman]

I feel the same to.

There was a programme on BBC 4 last night on Tornado's attempt to break the 100mph speed record.

we get some lovely tall ships up river to, some with lovely figureheads. We usually pop up to West India Dock where they berth for close up pics, and you can usually get invited aboard, if you chat nicely
Cuauhtémoc makes quite an entrance, as she enters port she fires her cannons, and like ARC Gloria the crew are all on the masts

 

[LadyA]

Beautiful pics, BYM!

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[dianefairhall]

What a beautiful vessel and wonderfully turned out! The pic of her bow in front of the glass building is striking. I prefer the last in the full sun, though.

 

[bigyetiman]

It's always a bonus if you can catch them on a sunny day, especially the South American ones with the big battle flags. But they are not all big as you can see from Vera Cruz, a traditional Portuguese caravel Portugal does have a Class A cadet tall ship Sagres.

The best entrance ever was the Indian cadet ship Tarangini which entered Sunderland with a decorated life size elephant on deck, and all the crew Bhangra dancing and throwing flowers. Their crew parade was equally lively.

 

[dianefairhall]

A delight to look at. Thank you, BYM.