GREAT ATMOSPHERE

The railway that runs from Dawlish to Teignmouth is the most expensive to maintain in Britain.  This is mostly because it is built along the seawall and, in places, along the beach and it is constantly beset by storms.  The rail line runs along the foot of the cliff to the left.

The railway was one of the first built by Brunel in the mid-1800s and was initially propelled by atmospheric pressure.  By building along the waterfront, Brunel managed to see off the competition from stagecoaches which had not been able to get down to the sea from the cliffs.  This is (I think) the Union of South Africa Torbay Express passing through at the weekend - still attracting a fair number of enthusiasts.

The South West Coastal Path runs more or less alongside the railway on this stretch, but, unlike the rail line, runs over the cliffs instead of through them.  This takes the coastal path up and down more often than the spot price of Brent crude.  Here it climbs alongside the few houses built on the cliffs.

And between garden walls.

Sadly, it swings back to the cliff edge just as it reaches The Smugglers Inn, so no temptations in one's way (unfortunately).

And up over the cliff, with Dawlish now clearly visible (and indeed Exmouth beyond) in the distance.

These cliffs are a constant problem.  Just a few days ago, another house, a little south of here, fell into the sea when the cliff collapsed.  The path is now quite close to the cliff edge.

 And as the path plunges down again into another hollow (only to climb steeply up again the other side), you can just see the rail line below disappearing again into a cliff tunnel (there are five along this stretch of coast).

Back among habitation on the clifftop, the path passes again through gardens.

  I turned back here across open fields, through farmland and the outskirts of Holcombe village. 

Sadly, these fields might not be open very much longer, as planning permission has been sought to build dwellings. 

The cirl bunting is a local species of bird, but I've never seen one, so I'm beginning to suspect it might be one of those imaginary creatures summoned up (like the lesser spotted newt) to prevent development.  From here the path passes through woodland, which I guess will not be redeveloped,

Back into Teignmouth.  A perfect way to spend a couple of hours at the end of the day, working up a thirst, ready to sit and watch another sunset.

SALAD DAY

When Dr Beeching decided to axe a number of rail lines in England in the 60s, one earmarked for closure was the Mid-Hants Railway, which linked Hampshire villages between Arlesford and Alton and notably provided transport from the Hampshire watercress beds to London.  In 1973, volunteers managed to raise enough funds to buy back the line from Arlesford to Ropley, complete with its small fleet of steam locomotives.  Although a small fleet, the engines were all fairly large, powerful machines needed to pull rolling stock over the hills at Medstead,

 

the highest station in Southern England.

 

Although, through an extraordinary act of vandalism, or self-mutilation, British Rail had torn up the remaining track from Ropley through to Alton, the volunteers continued raising funds and eventually were able to buy back the line and indeed relay the track.  It is now possible to take the train from Arlesford, through to Alton, where the Mid-Hants has its own platform and station buildings, and then connect again with London trains.  And thus was born the Watercress Line.  

 

As you can see, the watercress is still grown here.

 

All the maintenance of trains and track and buildings, and indeed the running of the entire link line, is still carried out today by volunteers.  And it is very popular for days out.  What could be more fun than a run on an old steam train, a lunch at the station buffet at Arlesford,

 

(and such good value!) and a leisurely run back?  So, when we heard that Wallace and Grommit were going to be on the platform too . . . well, what could stop us?!  And, as an afterthought, we decided to take the grandkids with us.

Here's Lily with Grommit.

 

(and a hot chocolate). And Isaac with Wallace.

And here are all three of them with both of them.

Some ads on the platform:

 

Luckily, when the inspector came round, we had our tickets.

 

And there was even a buffet car on the train.  Note the loose chairs.

And a grand day out was had by all.  And I think the grandkids enjoyed it too.

PETERSFIELD RAIL 150TH ANNIVERSARY