Faster than witches...
Can you see it?
The steam train?
A shot in the dark. Well no, a shot in the early morning schoolyard.
Early to be out, but a morning to say goodbye to eager campers with my camera to hand. Capture them gathering in excitement; capture the stowing of bags and provisions; capture the crates of food and the glow of friendship, and hark! While the teacher briefs her class, the morning train leaves the bridge, gathers the village in its embrace, and whistles for the High St crossing. Whistles? This is a modern service - the Coastal Pacific, with its brand new, luxury viewing carriages - yet... look hard at the photo, today the train to the Picton Ferry is being hauled by a steam engine and I can find no mention of it on the Trans Scenic website.
So , the train whistles and one parent with her camera around her neck, runs to the single vantage point, can't get close, snaps anyway, no time to compose... and captures (centre stage) the flag pole, a passing police car, and oh joy, the engine itself! And is aware that Elwin would have completed his steam certificate at Te Wai Poutini Polytech by now, fitting him for work in the tourist sector.
I recently made a booking for the Eurostar, between London and Paris. Now I want to travel by steam between Rangiora and Picton!
Travel by steam to the close of this day. It has been lovely - with time to do things for pleasure, just because... I drank coffee in pretty Victoria Park with my sister and chatted with friendly teenagers, admired the butterflied flower beds and strolled around the Secret Garden with my cats (stray Catkin has joined the fold).
Then it was time to try out The Sagittarian's Tuesday Tipple in honour of Owen's first ever exhibition.
With an extra glass for Saj and Owen's other blog-sister Louciao.
Cheers!
And then, with no-one but myself to cook for, it's time to eat the way I want to eat.
