HMS Archer

Listed on the AIS as 'Coalition Warship undertaking Military Ops' it was quite exciting to head off to Scarborough harbour to see what was happening. On arrival, however, it was soon clear it was a slightly exaggerated description. HMS Archer is a small (lifeboat sized) training vessel and the 'Military Ops' turned out to be Royal Navy cadets titting about trying to park it.

Another Mine!

Another sea mine which has now become a giant collecting tin for Shipwrecked Mariners. This one is by the harbour in Scarborough and still has the metal spikes attached. After a good prodding I can confirm that the spikes must have been deactivated.

RAF Lissett, 158 Sqn Bomber Command

The village of Lissett was home to a WWII airfield, and is just inland from the East Coast south of Bridlington. It was home to 158 Squadron, flying Halifax heavy bombers. The site has now been turned into a wind farm with each of the large turbine generators being named after one of the aeroplanes that operated from the base during wartime. The memorial for those air and ground crew who lost their lives during this time is situated on the edge of the site, adjacent to a local lane. It is a very haunting experience to drive around the bend and suddenly come face to face with the ghosts of a bomber crew returning from a raid. The lifesize memorial includes the names of all those lost from RAF Lissett which are etched into the metalwork. Also at the site is a wooden bench in memory of an Air Gunner from the Volunteer Reserve who flew from the airfield as part of the crew of 'Lili Marlene'.

Filey

The Lifeboat House wasn't open on the Cobble Landing at Filey, so my collection of Lifeboat photo's has stalled at an early stage. On the promenade, however, is an old WWII sea mine which is now being used as a collecting tin for The Shipwrecked SeaMariners Society. I remember these 'collecting mines' being quite common at seaside towns when I was younger, but you don't see them so often now. (I think there is one at Fleetwood too). Not sure how they get the money out though....
The second photo shows a flower bed in the town gardens which contains 5 stone blocks, believed to be pillar bases from a Roman construction. These were discovered on the Brig, which used to have a Roman Fort/lookout tower on it.Maybe these are something to do with that?

Peasholme Geisha

It has been a while since we last had a walk around Peasholme Park in Scarborough. There have been one or two changes, one of which is a sudden outbreak of tree sculptures. This one is, I think, a Geisha which is in keeping with the Oriental theme of the park.

Lifeboat Collection

The start of an ocaisional and ongoing collection of Lifeboats from around the country. This one is at Scarborough operating on The North Sea.

WWII Coastal Defence

This is what is left of part of the coastal defence system for the East Coast to protect Cayton Bay from any attempt the Germans made for an invasion. Bits of the structure, which have broken off, can be found at various points down the cliff face and there are some pill boxes embedded in the sand on the beach. The entrance door has been blocked in to stop local youths using it as a drink/drugs/sex den.

Spot The Spelling Mistake.........

.......that's right! It should read ''All The Bastards' Easter Action!''.

Bank Hall

Mineshaft cable wheel from the old Bank Hall coal mine in Burnley. Made into a piece of public art in 1990 to commemorate the coalmining history of the town and situated in Bank Hall Park which itself has been reclaimed from the site of the old pit.

Preston Railway Station

It's been ages since I was last on Preston Railway station. It used to be a regular spot to pass through, around 25 years ago, as we made our way to the away games.
We'd catch the first train out of Blackburn on a Saturday morning, change onto the Main Line at Preston and then it was off to places south...usually London!
The station still looks very familiar nowadays, although the rolling stock has changed quite a bit.
The local trains are are lot nicer than the old (even in those days) 108 DMU's that used to rattle along the East Lancs Line, whilst the mainline trains seem to be longer, sleeker versions of the newer local units.
Apart from one 47 parked north of the platforms, I couldn't see any engines or coaching stock.
All the 85's, 86's & 87's had disappeared, which was a shame. Not sure if there is still any loco hauled passenger stuff anymore. I didn't see any at Preston.
The 'day on the train', enforced on us whilst the car was in for warranty work, was a nice change, although the cost and timing of the rail service wouldn't be too brilliant if I had to fully depend on it.
Nowhere near as good as it used to be when it was British Rail.