I did something other than Sewing!
On Friday afternoons at work the conversation usually turns to our plans for the weekend. My fellow florists get up to all sorts of different things whereas my reply is usually " Oh you know me... I'll be sewing".
This week I had something different to say!!
My reply was " Mr Daisy and I going on a a twilight trip on a vintage steam train through the Blue Mountains!!"
And that's what we did.
On Saturday at precisely 4.48pm the train arrived in clouds of steam and smoke.
The sound was thunderous!! Really, really, really loud!!!
We were in economy but it seemed luxurious compared to modern trains.
We settled in nicely
and were soon on our way.
I didn't capture it in a photo but at lots of points along the tracks people were lined up to wave as we flew by. Of course we had fun waving back!!
The views were picturesque, the Blue Mountains are always beautiful.
Travelling with the windows wide open created a more intimate experience with the passing vistas. The wind blew in our faces and also blew in little bits of coal from the engine. At one point I looked down and noticed the little bits of coal had gathered on in my napkin,
Some detail shots from around our carriage,
funny how I'm attracted to circles in my photos.
By the time we returned to catch the train home it was dark.
but that just added to the fun and added another element of the experience.
As we pulled away from the station the conductor kindly offered to turn off the lights in our compartment so we could more easily see out the windows. It was a clear night and the stars really put on an extra shiny show for us. As we rolled through the mountains on our way home we reminisced about our train trips in the past from the Red Rattlers from our childhood days to stories of travelling overseas.
We soon arrived at our station. Happy travellers, slightly windswept.
It was so good to get out and do something different. It certainly blew the cobwebs away.
But it's also nice to spend the day in my sewing room - that's where I'll be today!!
And Mr Daisy will be off flying planes , but that's another story for another day.
I hope you've got fun things planned too.
37 Comments
Your life has happy excitement. Makes me happy too as you know it does. hugs from Charlotte
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,wow what a fantastic trip ,we are going on the blues train at Queenscliff early Nov for my sisters 50th birthday and we have a meal and listen to bands and people singing blues music all the way. Thankyou for sharing your journey,enjoy your sunday my friend.xx
ReplyDeleteRachael,
ReplyDeleteThat sounded like so much fun! It seemed like I was on this train ride with you. I wonder what's going to come out of your sewing room today after being inspired by the Blue Mountains. Those circles look pretty cool!
What a fantastic experience. You are in such a pretty area and this is another great way to see it.
ReplyDeleteSome of my best memories of travelling overseas is on trains! It might be time for another trip on Puffing Billy! And isn't it lovely to do something really different- it's a holiday from the mundane, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteHow much fun! I've never even seen a steam train, must now make make the effort to see & ride in one. So glad you & Mr. Daisy had a good evening.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post! Added to the list of 'must do' when we are next in NSW! Sounds such fun. Happy sewing today.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful day! We have been talking about taking a train ride and now I really want to go!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like lots of fun! Glad you were able to enjoy it...and still have time for sewing...win/win!
ReplyDeleteLove the reflection of you in the window of the economy car! Great picture of the two of you. Looks like a lovely adventure to experience. Nice to have a break now and then.
ReplyDeleteYou went on a proper train! It looks like you had fun :-) They are fun! Even with the cinders blowing in... DH's dad is a huge train nuffy and they used to own a carriage (or compartment) like the one you rode in.
ReplyDeletejust fabulous! i have always wanted to do this! very romantic!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun and so romantic until you realise just how dirty that coal is and what an innovation electricity must have been. But you catered admirably and saw it through. We had fun in the emergency room getting dear girl's brow glued! And you thought your steam train was fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous experience for you - those old coal driven trains are so romantic, aren't they!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my! That looks like such a fun day! I love that you had drinks and a meal in your car...trains are so romantic! Your Mr. Daisy has a serious model plane there! I didn't realize they are so big. My husband is a pilot and he is leaving here in a bit to go play with his plane too!
ReplyDeleteOh FUN! between you and Rebecca I am getting to 'know' Australia!! Had to look up Katoomba and progressed from there. I was surprised at names that were the same, we Have the Three Sisters in Oregon (very different mountains!) and Yosemite in California.
ReplyDeleteI remember train rides in England fondly but the ones in Europe were ALL business and ON TIME...or else :)
Thank you for an interesting post.
What a great adventure. The sunsets have been so spectacular lately that the evening views must have been stunning. Glad you both had a great time.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks incredibly romantic and a bit like an old movie. I kept expecting you to say you'd been involved in a murder you had to solve or some espionage incident or something !
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys had a wonderful time ( you look so fabulous by the way!!)
What a truly fun thing to do. Looks like yo had a great time, and I'm glad the bits of coal were in your napkin and not floating around in your wine.
ReplyDeleteWOW - what a fantastic trip, dear Rachael!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing....
Hugs
Deborah
It looks as if you had a really wonderful trip. Steam trains are wonderful aren't they. We have a few local ones that do excursions at various times during the year and I love to bring my two little boys with me as they really love the experience. I sometimes also bring some hand sewing to do, it feels aptly "olde worlde" and I happily stitch away as my two little ones enjoy the experience and keep up a running commentary on all that is going on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous trip!
ReplyDeleteThat looked like so much fun! Now what will you be making????
ReplyDeleteHow fun !!! What an awesome experience. We did the zig zag with the kids years ago and we had a blast. The soot in your teeth and the wind in your hair makes you feel the whole experience :)
ReplyDeleteWhoo! This looks like so much fun! Kind of a time-travel adventure. You and Mr. Daisy are adorable together. You are so right. It's hard to get out of the sewing room on the precious weekends. This is a good reminder that we do need to stop and enjoy the other parts of life sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun! Love seeing pictures of you both !
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun adventure! Great to be able to eat well while out enjoying the sights too.:)
ReplyDeleteUna gita meravigliosa!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an awesome day!! Thanks so much for sharing the photos with us. What a great photo of you both together with happy smiles :-)
ReplyDeleteNow that sounds like a fabulous way to spend a Saturday night!
ReplyDeleteNew experiences always give a new perspective on things. Looks like you both had a great time.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Mr Busy Bee Quilts is also into flying machines. He has quite an extensive collection of rc helicopters!
ReplyDeleteWill your next quilt feature circles prominently?
What a Grand Day Out! looks like such fun and your photo essay of the trip makes me feel like I was there. You always have the best adventures. the food looks amazing.
ReplyDeletesweet photo of you and Mr D
Hey, that looks really fun :D
ReplyDeleteOh Rachael I want to go on this...I absolutely love trains!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous! That must have been so much fun. I see some familiar features of the old carriages from when Mum would take us to Sydney in school hols from Mt Vic. You have to feel for the ladies trying to hang their washing out to dry in the days of steam trains. The must have hated the soot.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! My son loves steam trains from when he was little watching Thomas the Tank Engine so we have done a few steam train rides. I have loved every one of them. There is something very romantic about it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.