Killin

Big adventure this weekend25/10/08,we headed for Killin. When we planned this expidition it all sounded so easy,but we never took the weather into account. I arrived on Friday at the Maragowan Caravan Club Site about midday,there had been a bit of rain and there was a small puddle at the entrance to the site. By Saturday when my pals turned up the entrance was completely flooded and the lower part of the site under at least 4 feet of water. I had been out of the site earlier and was reading newspapers in my caravan when I got the call from my pals to say that they had arrived but couldn't get into the site because of the flooding. Then the water started to get on to the next higher level---to where my caravan was--awe naw time to move,but to where? I ended up sharing a bay with a VW camper van,and had to leave my caravan till Monday till the water subsided a bit.
Ten out of ten to the site wardens for their help and hard work during that weekend and to the fire service who turned up to rescue 2 floating caravans.

Peppercorn A1 Pacific Steam Locomotive

Exciting times for all you steam fans out there,apparently some brave souls have built a brand new Peppercorn A1 Pacific steam locomotive. There were 49 of these powerful steam locos built in the late 40s early fifties and by 1966 all had been scrapped,so that meant none were around for preservation. I first became aware of this project in the early nineties when a guy I used to work with was going around trying to get people to invest money in this project. I showed the leaflet with all the information about how they were going to do it to my good friend Sam Holding the well known Wigan publican,who had a passing interest in steam engines. His retort 'ah wouln't invest in that lad,they are building it in Germany.' However,I am aware that certain parts of it were built overseas,but am sure most of the work was if possible carried out in the UK.

The new one is numbered 50 and carries the name Tornado,and it is now in service. Well done to all involved,and Mike Fanning who first got me interested in this project cheers I owe you a drink.