Today we headed to Bury to catch a steam train for afternoon tea. It was my birthday treat from my Mum and Dad and I was so looking forward to it.
The train pulled into platform 2 of Bury Bolton Street station. We couldn't have been more giddy if it had been Harry Potter's 9 3/4!
Along the platform, past the regular carriages...
...to the First Class buffet cars.
The tables were already laid.
A plate of sandwiches each.
And scones, French fancies and chocolate-covered strawberries to share. Yum!
A toot of the whistle, a puff of steam and the train chugged its way along the East Lancashire Railway line. Dad reminisced about sitting on the railway bridge when he was a nipper watching the steam trains go by.
I was too busy munching to take many photos during the journey but spotted these old mill buildings at Summerseat.
And lots of fields full of sheep and rabbits too.
Rawtenstall is the end of the line. We were able to get off the train for a while to watch the engine move from one end of the train to the other.
You might remember that we visited Rawtenstall back in April and photographed the gates made from railway tracks which are part of the Irwell Sculpture Trail.
As I was taking photos, one of the guards asked if Chickpea and I would like to climb aboard the footplate. Yes!!
All too soon it was time to set off back to Bury and the end of our adventure. We had a brilliant time and I'd love to do it again. There are lots of different dining experiences on offer from simple cream teas to 4-course dinners, so you never know. Toot-toot!
A couple of random photos to finish. This caterpillar was wandering across the pavement near our house. I was walking home from the supermarket laden with bags when I spotted it. I dashed back home, threw the bags in and ran back out with the camera. It turns out it's a vapourer moth. A tufty back, a brushy tail and horns! Weird and fascinating all at the same time.
Enjoy your weekend. x
Firstly, a very happy belated birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate with a trip on such a nostalgic piece of transport. And, the afternoon tea, how amazing! The chocolate covered strawberries wouldn't last long with me :-) You took some gorgeous photos. Have a wonderful weekend xx
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely birthday treat, i do love a steam train and made even nicer by an afternoon tea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely birthday treat. Like the vapourer too!
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds like so much fun - the tea looks delicious. I wish we had something like that over here. My grandson who is 10 has instituted his own tea. When he comes home from school he and his mom (my daughter) fix a tea and they have tea time. It is not as fancy as yours, but I love that he thought to do it. He's not ever been to a real tea, he has only read about them and decided he wanted to have tea after school. He started this when he was 7 and they continue even now. Of course it must be in his blood - his family is from the Featherstones in England - they even had a castle in the family until recently.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great birthday treat, belated Happy Birthday wishes:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! What a great day out! The tea looks wonderful and as though you enjoyed the whole experience a lot! So glad for you. What an amazing caterpillar that fellow is! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day out, I love going on trains, never been on a steam train though. They use to go past my house as a kid so have a love for them, the food looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
That looks such a fun way of enjoying an afternoon tea. I think i would get all giddy too! French fancies and strawberries dipped in chocolate...Yummy!
ReplyDeleteThis post warmed my heart, Julie! What a wonderful birthday treat! Belated Happy Birthday, btw! I LOVE trains, but rarely get to ride them. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday Julie! And what a fantastic birthday treat...a day to remember always.
ReplyDeleteMarianne x