Saturday 25th May
We both had a good nights sleep. You can hear the trucks braking as we are not very far from the main road but that didn't keep us awake. As I sit here typing this I can hear the whistle of the steam train. It seems to be calling me - I don't know why? We did the Rattler ride many years ago but it was pulled by a diesel as the steam train broke that morning. What with floods they had years back and the fact it was closed while repairs were made to the track we'll just head on down to the station for it's return to get a few pictures we think. Also the journey is only half as long as when we did it. So Gai gets up early for us to be able to go to the train station to see the Rattler return from it's morning run. We get there about 11.40am and Gai spots they have scones with jam and cream. What a good plan she had - just what she fancied. So I order her that and get myself a chicken and vegetable pie. Well it is the first pie of the trip. So while we're waiting the train comes in, so Clive forgets about everything else but taking photos. Once it stopped he's off to the top of the platform to go and take more pictures of the engine and also Mr. Have a Chat, gets talking to the drivers. They don't currently do a 'Driver for a day experience' but there is talk about letting people in on the cabin to at least experience that. Meanwhile the food comes. They unhook the engine and then drive off to the turn table to turn it around for the afternoon journey. About 15 minutes later, by which time Clive has consumed his pie, it's on the way back, so he's off to the other end of the platform to take more pictures. Meanwhile Gai is getting stuck into her scone with cream and jam. They go to just under the foot bridge where they stop to take on water, so we decide to leave as the afternoon trip doesn't go until 1.30pm. We bought a Valley Rattler T-towel and a mug for Clive for his green tea.