From Petworth To Rowden Mill

What's The Grub Like?

fbb was a little anxious to espy the picture, above, of 'table set for breakfast' showing a minuscule plate of fruit bits, but he need not have worried unduly because ...

... 'Full English' is included in the room rate! Phew! 

It certainly ought to be.

Smaller rooms are cheaper (better expressed as "less expensive") but somewhat more than the fbb's cheapskate budget. The rooms look something special!

And dinner, sir?

fbb always likes a sprinkling of hazelnuts with his beetroot carpaccio. Of course you knew that it is a 'classic Italian appetiser'.

fbb has oft hankered after a hearty portion of beef wellington, and yes, he does know how it is served.

The puds look intriguing.

fbb would always go for the crumble!

But again, the price is a bit too posh for the gourmand grandfather!

Afternoon Tea, Sir?

Sounds delish! But ...

... fbb is more likely to seek a mugga tea and a Belgian bun in a "caff".

But the old man can always dream of a relaxation of his personal fiscal rules.  Maybe today's equivalent of a Postal Order (a very high face value Postal Order!) might arrive, Bunter style?

Bunter's never did. "Oh, I say, you fellows!"

And So To Rowden Mill

It is just outside Bromyard, Herefordshire ...

... on the long-closed line to Leominster.

You need to zoom in on a modern map to find Rowden Mill station today!

There it is, close to Rowden Abbey ...

... which doesn't look much like an ecclesiastical establishment, but neither did Downton Abbey! 

Next door is Rowden House ...

... now a school specialising in autism. Maybe it is these two big houses that provoked the Railway Company to choose the name Rowden Mill rather than the larger nearby community of Bredenbury?

Wikipedia tells us all about Rowden Mill station.

Rowden Mill station was bought and restored as a private residence by John Wilkinson. He re-installed sections of the track either side of the station, on which are presently housed British Rail Class 03 shunter No.D2371, various Wickham self-propelled trolleys, some carriages, goods wagons and a GWR Toad brake van. At private gatherings, the stock is propelled along the line, while the site is opened occasionally for public access and viewing, but without operational trains.

The stock listed is pictured ...

... with a better look at the diesel shunter.

But things may have changed since the Wiki newshounds composed the entry above.

Zoom in to Google Earth and the freight stock is gone and what appears to be a carriage is parked. 

There is also a notable white parasol.

Wrong again, fbb! The wagons are still there, a couple beyond the cattle dock ...

... with a parasol to keep the coos cool. 

The brake van IS still there, but it looks a bit different.

The carriage also looks different from the usual Mark 1 offering. It is shorter.

Clearly things have moved on at Rowden Mill! The properties changed hands in 2017.

More tomorrow.

  Next Rowden Mill blog : Fri 3rd July