20th
June 2014
Ribes Vila Mountain village
Montserrat by rack train and funiculars
Vintage Train Bombadier?
Steam Locomotives Monsters of the Track
Vall de Nuria Hotel & Sanctuary accessed only by train
we travelled in a historic train car "Cotxe-salon"
Restored Engine
Vintage Carriages
Te AVE high speed train
Catalonia
Train Rides
I
have just returned from a fantastic holiday in Catalonia Spain with a
very special group, of rail enthusiasts. We travelled the length and
breadth of Catalonia,riding miles and miles of track, into hidden
valleys and climbing high mountains, staying in small villages and
far out towns, sunshine all the way. We flew into and out of
Barcelona a magnificent city that deserves a second and third visit,
go see. This was our 5th tour with PTG Tours and they did not
disappoint Dorothy nor myself,hectic but well worth the effort. Shot
some three hundred photos, I always amaze myself that the photo turn out as well
as they do, because half the time we are racing along shooting photos
through windows.
Wrote this poem dedicated to all who love Trains.
Wrote this poem dedicated to all who love Trains.
Catalonia Train Rides
A sleek elegant
train, races smoothly on,
Carrying a
group of English rail enthusiasts.
Content to ride
miles and miles of track
That flies
swiftly beneath their feet
From one
destination to another.
Seeking new
and vintage trains.
In far distant
lands.
Old neglected
rolling stock
Hidden in
overgrown sidings,
Sheds and
breakers yards world wide,
Are lovingly
restored
By proud
enthusiasts
And dedicated
volunteers.
Toiling away in
isolated sheds.
To be admired
and venerated by many
Who travel far
and wide
Seeking out
these unique icons of an age long gone.
In Rail
Museums
Filled with
different type and classification
Of rolling
stock ,
Restored to
their original state.
To ride in
comfort and style
To the
indisputable
Rhythm rarely
heard today.
Clickity click
clickity click clickity click.
The points sing
out as they race along .
Exciting
exhausting, always exhilarating
Is this never
ending need to ride the rails.
Val Cook
June 20014
Vilanova Railway museum
Montserrat Monastery
Vallvidrera's Funicular
New England-2000
Montserrat Monastery
Vallvidrera's Funicular
New England-2000
Italy-2010
Portugal-2011
Southern France-2012
Catalonia-2014
Wonderful memories
Wonderful memories
Arriving home I
was greeted with a overgrown garden,the lawn almost knee high.It took
some effort to get it back to normal but two days on I an back on
track in my normal routine. Its great going away,but oh so much
better coming home. Before leaving I had a guy come measure for new
blinds and today they have been fitted, I am so pleased as they make
the rooms bright and cheerful. The next project is a new computer set
up, cable free!
Dorothy and I
drove over to Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland on the Wednesday to
meet up with friends for lunch,it was very sunny and hot but we sat
outside all afternoon under the `brollies` catching up with all our
news with so much laughter. Betty is a volunteer warden at the youth
hostel there for one week in June every year so we always make an
effort to get together its a wonderful ride and a lovely
village,sometimes we stay over but not this year.
Hope your all enjoying the better weather
" Friendship is unnecessary,like philosophy,like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that gives value to survival."
C.S Lewis
Love you all Val X
Hope your all enjoying the better weather
" Friendship is unnecessary,like philosophy,like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that gives value to survival."
C.S Lewis
Love you all Val X
