I think the copy of "Steam Engines at Bressingham" - written by Alan Bloom - is still on my shelves at home. It was certainly a book the I read, and reread as I struggled with English which was my weakest vital academic subject. It told of a man running a horticultural business with a passion for steam, who branched out into old traction engines just after their twilight, when a few had been preserved, most cut up, and a few abandoned as rusting hulks.

In the book, I read how Alan and many helpers restored Boxer and Bodicea and Bella and Bertha with a patience I have never had and could only admire. And Alan went on to add narrow gauge railways (yes, plural!) to his collection and then, on the withdrawal of steam from British Railways in 1968, two locomotives from the National Collection - Thundersley, and Oliver Cromwell, which drew the very last steam train, were placed with him on loan.

A Tomcat Course coming up this week in Norwich, a desire to take a day's break, and Lisa and I had a chance to see something in Norfolk on our way - and what better than Bressingham Gardens, at Diss.

As you see, Bertha and Boxer are still there (and a search in last few minutes reminded me that the book was published 38 years ago) which I suppose I should find remarkable, and in a way I do. But Alan passed away, aged 99, last year and the place frankly disappointed. You could see the love, but you could also see the slight gone-to-seed. But perhaps my expectations were unreasonable; I had built the place onto a pedestal such that it was bound to disappoint. I'll leave you with some pictures to you can make your own judgement. And - for all my comments - do drop in to the place for an hour or two is you're passing and have a look.









(written 2008-04-20 21:13:23)

 Z200 - Places
  [2411] Further North - long summer days and lovely countryside - (2009-09-19)
  [2392] Lymington, New Forest - some pictures - (2009-09-03)
  [2387] to Clifton Down and Avonmouth - (2009-08-30)
  [2316] Guadalajara - a special tour of a lovely city - (2009-08-01)
  [2207] North Antrim Coast - a jewel thats well worth a visit - (2009-05-29)
  [2205] An evening walk in Carrickfergus - (2009-05-29)
  [1837] Alfred the Great - (2008-10-13)
  [1807] A sad town in the sunlight - (2008-09-22)
  [1804] Colvin and Carlisle - (2008-09-20)
  [1755] Istanbul - (2008-08-15)
  [1730] Punting on the Cam - (2008-07-31)
  [1715] Pictures from South Hampshire - (2008-07-21)
  [1714] Hillier Gardens, Hampshire - (2008-07-20)
  [1652] Old Sarum airfield brings back fond memories - (2008-05-24)
  [1639] Minehead Marauder - (2008-05-11)
  [1638] Pictures far apart - (2008-05-10)
  [1624] From Freddie the fallow - (2008-04-27)
  [1590] All Change, Portsmouth Harbour - (2008-03-23)
  [1537] To Wales - where theres still a toll on the bridge - (2008-02-11)
  [1536] A Weekend in Liverpool - (2008-02-10)
  [1524] Nottingham - just text! - (2008-01-30)
  [1460] Christmas fare in Ljubljana - (2007-12-05)
  [1457] A day in Ljubljana - (2007-12-04)
  [1456] Right up to the top of the City - (2007-12-03)
  [1425] Melksham v Ely - (2007-11-09)
  [1307] Troy, up state New York - (2007-08-17)
  [1298] From Leeds - (2007-08-10)
  [1244] FolksFest Bristol - German beer, Bratwurst and music - (2007-06-24)
  [1229] Where am I? - (2007-06-11)
  [1204] Spot the difference - (2007-05-25)
  [1147] A picture (mostly in words) of Helsinki - (2007-04-14)
  [886] Signs of Leek - (2006-10-04)
  [778] Weekend in Ireland - (2006-06-26)
  [740] Finishing up in Dhahran - (2006-06-01)
  [730] Reading the newspaper and working with other restrictions - (2006-05-23)
  [727] A journey, an arrival, a people - (2006-05-21)
  [713] Pictures from my travels - (2006-05-07)
  [685] A couple of days away - (2006-04-15)
  [670] Architectural Heritage - Devizes - (2006-04-04)
  [403] Full circle - made it back to an old haunt - (2005-08-05)
  [218] Golden Nugget - (2005-02-17)
  [186] Lull - (2005-01-22)
  [92] Hard work, Hard sell - (2004-10-18)
  [70] Red Luas - early life and times - (2004-10-02)
  [66] A Taste or Ireland - (2004-09-28)

Back to Not daring to be an anorak

Previous and next or Horse's mouth home

Forward to A small picture does not always cut it!

Linux and Java Course in London
Norwich and London
User and Group settings for Apache httpd web server
A small picture does not always cut it!
Steam Engines at Bressingham
Not daring to be an anorak
PHP training courses every month
When an array is not an array
Regular expression for 6 digits OR 25 digits
Comfy Chair - Floating Harbour, Bristol