Norfolk Again

A flying visit to Norfolk again today, a round trip of about 250 miles (sorry Bom and GracieG, once again no time to call and say Hello).

When we first started looking for a house to buy in the area there was one which we really liked the look of from the outside, was in a superb position in a road we liked and within easy walking distance of everywhere we would want to walk in town. In fact, it seemed perfect in every respect apart from one; it was already sold. Yesterday we got notified that it was back on the market as the sale had fallen through so we immediately telephoned to arrange a viewing. What a disappointment! It was fairly clear as soon as we walked in that we were not going to like it; although it was only built around 2002 it had been subsequently converted to a poor standard, the layout was awful and it was generally unloved. I can easily see through things like decoration that is not to our taste but we would have needed to replace everything; doors, skirting, coving, kitchen - the list goes on. It might have become a bit of a game-changer on our move; we have always known that we might have to compromise on some things and would love to move to the area but today we thought "Could we give up the house we have for this?", and the answer was "No". It doesn't mean the move is off; just means it has become a lot less likely.

But you're not interested in all that! You want to know what this wonderful machine is! Well, it's a Great Northern Railway 'N2' 0-6-2T No 1744 at the North Norfolk Railway, on loan from the Gresley Society for three years. It's a condensing engine which means the steam is re-used, and it last appeared in Kings Cross Station in April 2016 when it attended the unveiling of the statue of Sir Nigel Gresley. And if you don't know who Sir Nigel Gresley is, be ashamed.

So there. You're up to date.