Suffolk Subterranean Surprise (2)

Trendy Treatments Treasure

Before the low loader arrived there had been some spectacular preparation.

fbb is not sure where he would go to buy a length of standard gauge railway track, plus, of course, a whopping gurt crane to unload it; but that's what the owners of Apple Mount Retreat have done.

Here the low loader is reversing its load on to the site ...

... and the manoeuvre looks a tad on he tricky side.

But "the lads" know what they are doing and the load is soon being gingerly delivered to the track.

Once in situ much more work was needed to turn this elderly car (from London Underground via the Isle of Wight line) into accommodation at the retreat. But the results are truly wonderful.

Steps and decking with the sliding doors now hand operated (?) ...

... leading to a well appointed interior.

Catering, relaxing and sleeping ...

... are all very swish. And, of course .,,,

... "the usual offices" are of high quality with shower alongside.

Now, some of our readers are old enough to remember Camping Coaches on British Railways.

They were usually old (very old!) panelled coaches ...

... but very well appointed for their day.

The pre-nationalisation railway companies offered a variety of locations, usually in holiday areas and often accessible by train.

The adverts often suggested cheapness of accomodation ...

... but when a hyped-up junior fbb tried to persuade his parents to book one, they told him that they were far more expensive than Mrs Miggins' B&B. So it never happened.

All fbb  could do was to dream as they drove over the railway at Newton Poppleford and there, in all its enticing mystery, was the camping coach.

For the ferroequinological accomodation experience, fbb had to wait until he took Mrs fbb to The Sidings, north of York for a wedding anniversary "treat".

And you get a free massage!

As overnight freight trains rumbled past on the East Coast main line, just outside the bedroom window, the whole coach shook, giving the sleep-deprived occupants a deep muscular vibration treatment - and it was FREE!

fbb is not sure that Mr fbb appreciated the "luxury". ...

... especially as good'n'strong Yorkshire rain rattled on the carriage roof like peas on a drum!

There are, of course, many sites where railway carriages have been turned into eateries with accommodation but, mostly, they are not right alongside a busy main line!

The line was not electrified when the fbbs stayed there!

But staying in an Underground car would be something very special, wherever it might be planted!

Yesterday, fbb mentioned a possible bus link to Apple Mount via Chambers (A GoAhead company) and a bit of a walk. 

But what about approaching from the east, i.e. alighting at Thorpe Morieux Church.

You can just about spot the church tower across the field.

It turns out that this possibility opens up the usual.

 Next Variety Worm blog : Saturday 11th May