Phlights of phancy Phriday

I was sort of early into the office today, had a short lunch break, and left mid-afternoon to catch a train.

Well you see, there had been a helicopter flying all day between the airport and Holyrood.  I was watching now and again on the tracker and noticed the pilot was pretty much following the railway each time, ending with a big loop around Arthur's Seat and another at the airport.  I started to think perhaps there was a special train running, ever since some rail enthusiasts let their enthusiasm get the better of them when Flying Scotsman returned to the main line, and they had to patrol the line from the air.  On loading Real Time Trains I discovered by chance that the West Coast Railway Company was running a service from Edinburgh to Carlisle today, mid-afternoon…so a plan was hatched to see it somewhere.  I actually wondered if it might be something towing Tangmere back to base.  The helicopter though turned to be nothing more than a sightseeing charter thing.

But somewhere was Curriehill station and before long, Brush Type 4 class 47 47832 appeared hauling six carriages including three Pullmans with its stablemate 47804 on the back.  Driver certainly wasn't hanging around, reaching Carstairs 8 minutes early and Carlisle 2 minutes early.  All I know though is that it was an unadvertised charter trip, probably with fine wines and Belgian chocolates.

In blazing sunshine and still with my winter linings in my motorbike trousers, I rumbled home to get changed into bikey stuff for another offroady ride into the trees to calm my frenzied brain, because goodness knows I needed it.  Back to Bush estate for half a lap, then headed up to the far side of Glencorse reservoir for the view and the peace and quiet, sending lovely bestie a photograph and a quick message.  The real destination of course was Penicuik to get something for tea, eventually anyway, so I crushed gravelled my way back to the A702, ascended for a mile and did a very random, explorey ride around the high part of the estate, including using a road I wasn't supposed to, and following some more little trails through the trees.

In the park I came across the Penicuik Archers, whom I planned to join once upon a time, but I don't really need yet another hobby that involves acquiring expensive equipment.  I watched them for a while, shooting at targets near and far.  I didn't expect them to aim quite so high to make the distances.  Tea obtained I headed home and tucked in with another episode of Jersey's finest detective.