We Meet Up With A Dear Friend

We Meet Up With A Dear Friend

We were so blessed with the weather on Saturday, 14 May; it was warm and sunny, and just perfect for a visit to the Epping Ongar Railway - our first foray, in fact, since the pandemic struck, and put a stop to so many of the happy things we love to do.

Our dear friend David came down from Macclesfield, and stayed in a local hotel, and we spent a wonderful weekend together. David in the son of a lovely lady called Zelma, who used to live in Durban, and when my Mum was also in Durban, she and Zelma were such good friends. Like my Mum, sadly Zelma is no longer with us, but having David back in England again means we can all meet up, share happy experiences with each other, reminisce about old times, knowing our friendship will endure forever. 

Last weekend really proved the point - it felt like it was only the other day when we had last met up, and we just carried on as before!  

On the Friday, Wendy came over to cook her signature dish of steak and onions, with Yorkshire puddings; we had a lovely day, relaxing and just chatting. Like every city, over the years Durban has seen so many changes; it was interesting remembering how it used to be, with all the shops we knew and loved to visit; the cinemas, the Theatre Playhouse and the City Hall, which was designed by Stanley Hudson, as a replica of Belfast City Hall.

Then on Saturday, we drove to North Weald, and exchanged the e-mailed paper tickets for our traditional card "Edmondson" tickets to travel on the EOR.

 We caught the 11.00 a.m. steam service, and what a thrill it was, to be riding behind a loco working hard on its way from North Weald to Ongar, and back again! It's been a long time since we last did that, and it was so good to be back.

David and I got permission from the driver to climb aboard the footplate, and had time for a quick chat with the fireman, building up the fire ready for the off.  

We were also allowed to look round the shed - being careful to avoid any trip hazards! - and saw Isabel, the star of Bob's book, "Isabel Finds A Home." At the moment, she is being refurbished, and her wheels are off, but we all hope it won't be long before she is fully restored, and given a clean bill of health to return to service. 

 This little piece is really a reminder we can keep everything going: friendships, engines, seeing volunteers at the Stations who were genuinely pleased to see us. Apart from everything stalling for so long because of the pandemic, during this time some of the railway folk have also had to cope with various health problems of their own - like I had last year - but we have shown that, with a little bit of effort and determination, we can overcome all these obstacles.

The best part was sharing our great affinity with the EOR with David, and we all hope it won't be long before he can make another trip down south to see us - and enjoy more chuffing times!