Weekend Wanderings (1)

Voyaging By Voyager

The fbbs are off for a week's holiday in Largs (last visited in the summer of 2016). It holds many happy memories for Mrs fbb who holidayed there for many years with her family and fbb has grown to love the place. But this year, disaster has struck!

The landlord of their usual gaff, a first floor flat with generous bay window facing the sea ...

... has inconsiderately taken a long-term let. Boo-hiss.

Undaunted by this catastrophe, Mrs fbb, with the help of the interwebnet, has thankfully found an alternative just a little nearer to the ferry terminal (off to the right on the above window shot).

The bay window is smaller ...

... but there will still be views across the water to the Isle of Cumbrae.

fbb offers the usual warning about internet access (for a fat fee - not included in the flat rental!) and possible blogging curtailment and/or failure.

As you read this, the happy couple will, most probably, be on their way and there is a story to tell (as usual) about the journey - due in Monday's blog.

In case you were thinking of dispossessing the fbbs of their family silver ...

... during their Caledonian absence, please remember that next door neighbour, c/w slavering ferocious hound, will be on hand to repel boarders. The fbb's cat, however, always ready to defend the property, will doubtless be asleep!

P.S. They are probably "plate" anyway.

Double Decker for Glasgow

Last week the City welcomed its first A380 flight from Dubai. Much fine gold has been spent by the Airport authorities to get these super jumbo planes to fit!

As well as loads of "ordinary" (?) airline seats, the plane has First Class compartments ...

... elegant "bathroom" facilities ...

... and a bar!

All of this spread out over two decks of comparative luxury - if you pay top whack for your trip!

Sadly no pictures could be found of the outdoor heated swimming pool.

And Talking of Big

Over the pond a gang of lad and lasses have been fettling up a steam locomotive - and not just any a steam locomotive.

The "Big Boy" was a gi-normous freight loco with 16 driving wheels ...

... and a huge amount of  "grunt" (engineers' technical term).

Here is the second loco for the double headed excursion run.

If you like big, the one-off loco below was also big but it is no longer extant.

Designated 4-8-8-8-4 it had 24 driving wheels but was not as long physically as Big Boy.

It is hard to grasp the size until you see the loco (without tender) being moved by road.

If you would like to own your very own Big Boy, you can buy a non motorised HO scale Revell kit ...

... or a working HO model from various manufacturers.

The excursion will run from Ogden (Utah) near the Great Salt Lane ...

... across eastwards to Evanston.

If you want to ride behind Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 next month, a ticket for a 65-mile one way trip across the Wahsatch Grade that was the reason for the engine’s creation and the primary operating territory for the 25 locomotives will cost you what may be a record amount for a U.S. steam-powered excursion, $3,000 for a coach seat, $5,000 for a dome seat. 

Rally Good At Wellingborough

Last week's "do", organised by the small but beautifully formed Wellingborough Museum, was a success as usual. Northampton correspondent Alan sent a few snaps that he took as he enjoyed the day.

First in line astern are TWO ex Southern Vectis "Ollies" (Leyland Olympians).

There was a fine selelction of buses in the long-remembered National Bus Company leaf green attire.

XNV 882S (VR) and RBD 111M (Willowbrook bodied Ford) all began their lfe with local operator United Counties and may well have been ridden on by fbb!

HTA 844N is a Western National "original" and far from home!

... and a Stagecoach "biggie".

654 VVV was with Mortons for a while before returning to Stagecoach stripes in preservation.

But, for those who like riding on old buses (yes, these are now classed as "old") or photographing same, the Wellingborough running day was well put together, as usual.

P.S. Today is NOT (and never has been) Easter Saturday. Ecclesiastically speaking it cannot be so labelled as Easter Day has not yet happened. This year Easter Saturday will be on 27th April. Today is HOLY SATURDAY!

Pedantic, moi?

 Next Wanderings blog : Sunday 21st April 

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Saturday - The Day When Nothing Happens?

At least, not until Sunset when Sunday begins!

But we will stay with the scene until that Friday sunset. Some strange happenings are recorded variously by the Gospel writers.

It appears the Jesus was on the cross for three hours, a surprisingly short time. Those crucified were often left semi-conscious for days "pour encourager les autres".

He has already prayed for forgiveness for those that brought about his death.

They were always playing their part in god's plan.

He has refused some pain numbing refreshment.

His pain was necessary.

Oddly, he cried out (in Aramaic, his native tongue) implying that God had abandoned him.

He carried our sins ...

The sky turned dark.

... into oblivion.

The temple curtain was torn in two.

Opening the way for the people to access God, not requiring Priests as go-betweens.

The pagan Roman guard saw Jesus as The Son of God.

Recognising the truth.

Each one of these "happenings" was seen then, and subsequently, as powerful images of the purpose of the pre-ordained Crucifixion.

But it was nearly sunset, nearly Sunday and nearly the Sabbath.

A senior Jewish Official (another Joseph) obtained permission to take the body and place it in his own prepared tomb. There was no time for a proper burial, that would have to wait until Sunday.

The tomb was sealed and guarded, just in case ...

... and nothing happened.

It was the Sabbath.

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