Terrier at Tenterden Town

Trying to get as many turns in as possible while we’re still down in Kent. Have turns booked for May and June when we’re coming back to organise, pack and see about the sale of the houses.

Milestone day on the railway as it is 25 years today since the opening of the extension from Northiam to Bodiam, our current terminus in East Sussex. By 2028 we hope to have completed the final section from Bodiam to Robertsbridge - it’s already under construction.

The Terrier, as you may recall is synonymous with our Railway. They worked the line for decades and are well over 150 years old. This was the only choice for marking the 25th anniversary!

I had a young trainee with me in the box at Tenterden, practically very competent, knows the rules and all that but is quite a challenge to communicate with.

There was a tricky bit of shunting to deal with at the end of the day. I wonder how well he would have managed communicating with the shunter to agree how the moves would take place?

We heard yesterday that a near neighbour had suddenly died last week while I was away. A massive heart attack without warning. Quite affected the day as we often spoke to him and his wife while we were out walking. A salutary lesson, if it is needed, to value each day.