Quote from: Tonye on Today at 01:06:18 PMTailgunner - Midnight Blitz.

Never heard of them, but I soon will as I am adding this album to my collection on my Ipod.
Brother in-law lent me the album.

Tony.

I've just listened to the first few bars of Midnight Blitz - sorry but a big no from me on that one.

Tailgunner - Midnight Blitz.

Never heard of them, but I soon will as I am adding this album to my collection on my Ipod.
Brother in-law lent me the album.

Tony.

The Tale of the Lost Railway (Part – nine )

"I say Bertie , this is a mighty fine estate that your chum Sir Archibald owns. The countryside around here is absolutely  splendid and these grounds are just so well manicured and beautifully maintained".

Bertie Poppingham, along with his younger brother Bonzo, had motored down to Devon in Bertie's 1938 3.5  litre SS Jaguar 100. Having enjoyed a very pleasant luncheon at The Prince Regent Hotel in Tewkesbury the pair were in good spirits.

"I'll be darned", exclaimed Bertie as the Jaguar took a slight jolt which the superior suspension dealt with at ease.  "If I'm not mistaken  those were railway tracks set into the driveway  that we've just bumped over. That old rascal Archie must be setting up some sort of full sized garden railway. He did mention that the reason for inviting us down for a few days was to discuss a top secret railway related matter. Oh, by  the way, you did pop those two bottles of  Bollinger RD into the hamper didn't you?".

"Of course", replied Bonzo, "Looking forward to sampling it later. We'll have to ask the butler to put it straight into the chiller".

The pair drove through the superb gatehouse arch before approaching Baskerville Manor, a large, beautifully proportioned  17th century mansion. The final section of the drive was lined with tall , nicely shaped Italian Cypress trees which  opened out onto  a crescent shaped forecourt boasting an ornate fountain as its centre piece.


Bertie and Bonzo passing through the gatehouse arch on arrival at Baskerville Manor

Bertie swung the Jaguar to a halt.

The brothers climbed out  just as a silver Rolls Royce came to a halt behind them. The immaculately dressed chauffeur was out of the car in a flash in order to open the rear door from which emerged three top hatted gentlemen.

With that Archie appeared at the top of the half moon shaped steps which led up to the heavy mahogany front door.

"Bertie my dear old thing", gushed Archie as he charged down the steps, two at a time,  before embracing his old friend, "It's been a few years but it's so good to see you again. A pleasant enough drive down I trust?"

"Indeed, a most pleasant drive. It's so good  to see you too Archie", said Bertie. "May I introduce Bonzo, my younger brother. He's a little less excitable than you and I but has an extremely quick wit. Put him in the cockpit of a Spitfire or Mosquito though and he'll come alive. You really must ask him about his exciting encounter with a Messerschmitt off Dover. It'll make a good story over a cognac or two after dinner".

Archie shook Bonzo enthusiastically by the hand then, almost as an afterthought, turned his attention to the three bowler hatted gentlemen.
"Good afternoon to you all on this fine afternoon. Welcome to Baskerville Manor. I'm Sir Archibald Hardcastle but please, please do call me Archie.

"Thank you so much", replied the taller of the three, "I'm Gerry Fiennes, Chief Operating Officer to the British Railways Board. Please let me introduce John Hammond, General Manager of BR Western Region and Ronald Parker, Station Master at Moretonhampstead".

All six men shook hands exchanging pleasantries as the y made their way up to the front door of Baskerville Manor.

"Tompkins here will direct you all to your rooms" explained Archie, "and he'll see to your luggage. Shall we meet in the study at five thirty for pre-dinner drinks".

At that moment Archie's wife, dressed immaculately in a yellow dress, appeared from an adjoining room.  Archie  turned to the guests. "Gentlemen, let me introduce my beautiful  wife Lady Felicity. Please do refer to her as Flic though, we both simply hate standing on formality".

As everyone followed Tompkins up the stairs to their rooms Bonzo whispered  to  Bertie, "I say, Bertie, what a stunner Lady Felicity is".
"Indeed so", replied Bertie, "But remember, she's Flic not Lady Felicity. I rather hope she'll be joining us for dinner as she'll lighten the mood if the railway talk gets a little too stuffy".

To be continued........

Great one @kusojiji

Metallica. Pretty neat video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vOV-dqvPV0

Quote from: Newportnobby on Today at 10:41:10 AMMaybe another first mention for a band
One of my early rock 45s.............

Wow, I haven't heard this one in ages! Awesome!

That wailing and gnashing of teeth from the football fans over the border 

Maybe another first mention for a band
One of my early rock 45s.............

Quote from: crewearpley40 on July 13, 2026, 10:03:05 PMWho remembers 66 and what happened then ?
Rattin sent off, Sir Geoff Hurst only goal. Ramsey branded the Argentinians as 'Animals'

As it happens, the infamous Antonio Rattin died last Saturday at the age of 89. After his playing career he was a not very successful coach, and more recently had been a National Deputy (equivalent of our MP) in the Argentine parliament, but over here he'll always be remembered for his Wembley strop in 66. No evidence of him having had any interest in N Gauge, disappointingly ...

PW

Oh well, at least England can have another go at Argentina this coming Saturday in the RU Nations Championship!

Tim