Sunday, 13 September 2015

Swindon Steam Museum

Hello everyone 

I hope you are all well. 

Yesterday and today I'm at the Swindon Steam museum. It's a special event weekend called The Swindon Railway Festival.

It's a special event being held at the museum, (which is where the Swindon works used to be) so people can come to look at everything as usual or go to the special model railways, trader stands and railway stands who've come along.

I had a great time yesterday looking at everything, which drove mum a bit mad, but she got me back by taking me to the shopping centre next door!
I also got to see Pete Waterman yesterday and again this morning which was a nice bonus. 

I'm back today to help some friends with a stall so I'll probably be a bit tired by the end of the day. 

Anyway, I've put some photos of me around the museum below for you all to have a look at.
Why not pop along to the museum today and have a look around yourself? Or if you fancy coming when it's a bit quieter then you can too, for more information on the museum and this special event go to the museum's website;
http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Speak to you soon
Lots of love
Ben
What the Swindon works used to be like 

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Great Dorset Steam Fair


Hello everyone 

I hope you are all well. 

I have had such an amazing day, I've been to the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

There was so much to see my eyes almost hurt from looking at everything!! (Well certainly my feet do)

The Fair opened today and remains open until Sunday, closing overnight obviously. 

The fair is held every year and this is the 47th year! 
There is absolutely something for everyone, with traction engines, vintage vehicles, stalls, tractors, horses, sheep sheering, craft and food tents and all sorts of things. 

Last year they installed a replica World War One trench system on site which they've kept for this year and expanded the exhibits in that area. It was really interesting to walk through them to gain some sort of perspective of what the trenches looked like, though the conditions in Dorset were far from what the front line would have been like in the war. 

The weather was fantastic while I was there which made the day even more enjoyable. 

I loved looking at all of the engines as well and seeing what their names are. 
There was one at the fair called 'Clinker' which came by road under its own steam from Cornwall (189 miles) to Dorset to raise money for Cancer Research UK, they want to raise £10,000 and are still looking to reach their target. If you are feeling generous for this amazing cause visit their fundraising page ; www.justgiving.com/steam 

I have to say I'm now feeling a little tired, and my feet a little sore so I'm off to bed. 

For more information on the Great Dorset Steam Fair go to their website; www.gdsf.co.uk

I'm definitely putting the Great Dorset Steam Fair in my diary for next year. 

While I was out I also started tweeting, if you want to follow me please do so @ben_the_giraffe

Speak to you soon
Lots of love
Ben
Arriving through the fair ground first thing 
Sentinels
Engines around the site 
World War One area
A bit of the view from the top of the site 
More engines!!
I didn't take pictures of everything as there were so many things to see
Modern style tractors
At the main arena

Horses
Gigantic 
Checking my map before we headed home to make sure I'd seen everything