Great Western Coffee Shop

Bashing some new (to Finn) rolling stock.

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/IMG_20190226_115447_2_700x375_zpsgblk0sfo.jpg)

Looks like a bus with sideways seats, the ones I always wanted to sit in as a kid (if there wasn't an upstairs) and my mum never did.

Not a bus, sorry.

IOW by any chance ?..

Yes indeed.

A day where Finn experienced heavy rail, bus, hovercraft and 1938 tube stock. And the new (to me) car. None of them fazed him.

More pictures of our day in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight to come...

Due for replacement soon; the SWR report into the future service is running late.

However:
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/class-230-trains-could-be-on-their-way-to-the-isle-of-wight/

Sitting somewhere in DfT

Yes, knew I had seen it somewhere before

https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/coming-up-in-the-february-issue-of-the-rm-dft-decision-on-island-line-future-deferred-for-three-months/

Our overseas trip.

The day started at Fratton station after a overnight stay nearby. I'd bought a Day Return from Fratton to Shanklin via Hovertravel. A short train ride to Portsmouth and Southsea, then the Hoverbus to Southsea Hovertravel terminal. Some time to kill here so Finn had a run on Southsea Common. Then to the hovercra ft. My first flight on the Griffon 12000TD craft introduced in 2017. Larger and nicer inside than the previous AP1-88s, although no longer with forward facing windows in the passenger compartment. Finn was not at all fazed by the skim across the Solent.

On the island we took the train from Ryde Esplanade to Brading. where we stopped for lunch in The Bugle Inn. Highly recommended. I had bangers and mash with one sausage donated to Finn!

After lunch it was back to Brading station, then down to the end of the line at Shanklin. A quick photo stop then straight back to Ryde.

Back at the Hovertravel terminal I was able to watch and film some pilot training with the second of the Griffons. They were taking the craft out to the end of the pier then returning.

Back on the service craft for the return to the mainland, the bus to Portsmouth Harbour and then train back to Fratton.

A grand day out in glorious unseasonal February weather.

Waiting at Southsea Hovertravel terminal.
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/rps20190228_194041_zpscmrrctse.jpg)

The old signal box at Brading station.
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/rps20190228_194314_zpsx4qsuzx6.jpg)

Finn admiring the 1938 stock at Shanklin.
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/rps20190228_194203_zpsdxld5vxm.jpg)

Takeoff and landing at Ryde Hovertravel terminal.

As a postscript.

Having the means and finances to get out and about again, after nearly a year of very straitened circumstances, is doing wonders for my disposition.

There were some very dark days in that period, and fighting the powers that be took its tool. I don't pretend for one moment that my mental health is now all fine and dandy, but having the means to get out and explore this great land is certainly helping.

I was seeing pictures of the last central London run of TfL's 1938 tube set the other day - apparently reksignalling there will stop it running there.  With the IoW units up for retirement soon ... I wonder if any will find any operational (preserved) future.  How are the tubes what were on Alderney doing?


Must catch up.   But then we're planning that.  And was good to see you in Westbury.