Friday 27 August 2010

Great Dorset Steam Fair

Sorry folks. I have been away again in Devon. There will be no update to the blog until I have returned from the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Updates due from W/C 6th September.

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Morwellham Quay

Recently, both me and Matt Bisp spent a few days in Devon at our usual camp site at Berry Head, Brixham.

We decided one day to visit the Copper Mine, now under preservation at Morwellham Quay at the top end of the Taymar. I personally found this a wonderful experience and is well worthy of a visit. You also experience a visit to part of the mine now open to visitors. The small train, fully caged in order to protect you from potential failing rock.

The mine is on the Devon side of the river, which is fully navigable to the sea at Plymouth.
The other bank on the opposite side is Cornwall.

During our visit we also drove further down towards Plymouth where the river is wider and had to be crossed by various means, including I. K Brunell's railway bridge, now 150 years old this year.

This bridge originally carried Brunell's broad gauge railway into Cornwall.

This photo is looking towards Saltash in Cornwall. The Royal Albert Bridge
This next selection of photographs are of the Morwellham Quay facilities as restored to date. Further restoration is on going.

The interior of the local shop

The now restored giant water wheel

The forge and workshop

Yes, well folk died early in those days




Cottage accommodation, looking towards the water wheel

This is the type of vessel used to transport the copper ore. The river is not navigable from this point further north for this type of ship.












Monday 9 August 2010

Trimpley Vintage Show

On Sunday 1st August I visited the Trimpley Vintage Show. This is a one day event and I went as a guest of the Bisp family, who took the Wheel Horse and Ford 1200 tractors for display.

Set in rural Shropshire, this is a lovely little show that was well attended.

There was very little steam, but the event was well attended by a lovely selection of vintage and classic cars. The tractor section was small but interesting.

Here are some photos I took, and leave for your enjoyment.