The Inkwell
Salford, 6th April 2020
#fowc #engine
Every mechanic knows – it’s
Not the wheels , but the engine that
Get’s a driver from A to B
It’s truly – the heart of any transport
Naval, bus, car or motor bike
Exception – if you’re reliant on foot or pedal power
#fowc #carriage
Sat by the platform
it waits for the sign as
gentlemen and ladies alike
now make their way to their furnished cabins
a wonderful journey to places wonderful
lakes mountains and streams – but they have to wait for the flag
#Fowc #Track
Sunday 14th April
Two lines of sturdy steel
Rolling down the road, from point a to point b
A thing for the engine to be able to travel
Connecting people and places across this isle
Keeping people moving
#CFFC #Airplane #Engine
The thing makes the plane fly!
#DiscoverWP
Old Trafford, Manchester , 5th August
Time : Zero Nine Hundred Hours.
Location : Imperial War Museum North, Old Trafford, Manchester
Destination : RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire
Having done the Great Orme (see here) Bill Nigel and me meet up for a trip to the Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire.
Travelling down the M6 from Manchester and then the M42 we reached our destination, despite queues and roadworks.
Upon arriving at RAF Cosford, we enjoy a bite to eat in the form of soup and a roll in the café. I had the Tomato (V.Nice!)
Then we hit the Galleries. Each hangar told the tale of planes that flew in the first and second world wars, as well as some of the individuals that took part in their operation. A mini timeline, similar to that of IWM North’s Main exhibition space (only a lot smaller) told the history of the RAF from its earliest time as the Royal Flying Corps all the way to the role played in more recent conflict in the Middle east.
I particularly enjoyed the Test flight Gallery. This explained the developmental process behind Planes like the Spitfire and the Harrier Jump Jet .
War in the Air had both Allied and German Planes on display as we read how they came to be, and their roles in the Battle of Britain and beyond. I’m pleased to say I saw a Supermarine Spitfire up close whilst walking round the exhibit, and the one I saw was the oldest surviving model in the world
All planes have to have something to make them tick – and Cosford’s collection delves deep into many of the engines that got them going.
I also viewed the artillery used by the RAF Regiment – The Air force soldiers who are assigned to protect the airfields.
It was a most enjoyable day – a pin, bookmark and mug – as well as my photos will remind me of viewing some great pieces of aviation history….just need to get the photos off the camera now 🙂
Something for Historical scholars to spot – my pic shows a statue of Lenin in the distance – but can you spot the other Russian leaders in this pic ?
The train was never late,
not in our town.
Track fixed on a surface, brown.
Two lines with sidings
and stations along the way
Three clockwork engines
with wagons to play
Going down two tracks
from east to the west
passing through bridges
built by the best
And Engine made sound,
like the locos of the past
built by a craftsman,
you knew it would last
As you pulled all your cargo,
from city to th’sea
till mum or dad called up
it’s time for your tea!
Little Old Red is resting,
he’s done its best.
When the world was at war,
and bombs fell to the floor
These crafty bombs made fire
over concrete and grass
so firecrews met round him
to work they’d amass.
Putting out fires and
protecting from damage,
A meal th’crew would eat
was the most they could manage
And taking their cue,
from the wardens in black
the fire crews stopped fires
from the enemy attack
As Little Red emptied
eighty pools in a day
Keeping the danger
of fire at bay
But now that war’s over
the spotlight’s now on him
as he tells tales of the firemen
that isn’t quite so grim
