I’ve not had a holiday for thirty years running…
But I’ve had a few trips, that were harrowing,
Some of them were great and exciting,
The last one was very moving…
Papplewick Pumping station, celebrating,
The war years, remembering…
Many folks in period dress, & vehicles too.
Towards the end, I saw Thomas Crewe,
Not having seen him since 1962,
Hard to believe he was now ninety-two,
My old RAMC TSM, memories, we did imbue!
And I enjoyed the nattering and view!
People in period dress were all about.
Many are in period uniforms.


I had a lengthy talk with this mother and daughter.
They had a fake baby that looked and felt so real.
I told my mate; he agreed, that the effort
put into the celebration and memory of the
was fantastic. He loved the baby!
There were Italian, German, Russian and Polish uniformed visitors. Period policemen too.
A mini steam train on the tracks attracted many of the children… and me too, twice!.

Many vehicles that had been used in the war



.
.
Restored family vehicles too!
Some of them just after the conflict
A demonstration of how fires were fought

German and British troops enacted mock battles around the storage pond.


A Tribute to Wartine Singing ladies
Just Great to listen to!

I felt like was part of a family there.
Mostly ex-forces, and families that loved through it..



The Working boiler house


Inside the Pump House.
I was amazed!








Outside the pumphouse, I was struggling down the steep steps, to get down to look at some, a military ambulance and refreshment vehicles, serving up original drinks and food. The kids were amazed to see loose tea leaves.
I know; it’s not like skiing on a snow-piste.
Or trip on the QE2. Or visiting Disneyland.
An elderly chap in a uniform from the first world war came out from the blood wagon and asked if I needed help getting down the steps. As I was thanking him, saying I’m taking my time, thanks, I’ll make it and laughed at myself… I was totally gobsmacked when I recognised he was my old TSM, Tom Crewe! How old would he be then?
He certainly must have been 30 years older than me surely?
We chatted as it dawned who we were, and Ex-TSM Crewe remembered me from training, all those years ago.
What a natter we had, me mostly listening and taking what he had been through. Which of course he never mentioned back then to me, a new square-basher.
He is the reason I’ve responded to this WP Prompt.
Not the exciting type of vacation or day out…
But meeting Mr Crewe, made it the most memorable.
Bless You, TSM; no, now, Mr Crewe!
Aha, I’ve found a photo with me in it!
A first world war type ammunition horse & cart
The chap allowed me to fuss the animal. Loved the horse.
TTFNski, Each!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All the same, he’s a good-looking brute, is he not?
Definitely Thursdays this one above. Hehe!
No, this might be last Thursday…

The colour of the urine in the night bag was a disappointment.
All of a sudden, I remembered taking these after I looked at them. The bottom field was the one above I took mid-morning through the balcony doors and windows. The grass does not look very green; we could do with more rain.
The afternoon’s clouds
This one was a delight for me. I could see tentacles, an animal’s head & shoulders, a ghost and a tea mug.
I could almost taste this again when I looked at it.
I believe the Doctor at the
Got it spot on, when he told me that any pain relief would take a day or two. He was right, too!
The ankle ulcer and swelling are taking their time to die down.
High sunshine out now
I can see the puffer clouds have faces in a couple of them.
I missed the Heartbeat programme in this sneak shot of Carer Chris. Hehehe! As he was putting on the night pouch to 
Gaviscon Advanced. Apparently, it’s cheaper to buy than the Peptac. But… the aniseed flavouring they use in this one, is overpowering the tastebuds! Urgh!