The Poppy Line at Weybourne

We'd been hearing about the little train that runs from Holt to Sheringham for a while, and today was a chance to hop on board. The railway has been celebrating a Festival of Rails programme of summer events this week, and lots of train enthusiasts had had the same Bank Holiday idea as us.

But first a walk to the pebbly beach. Properly on the North Sea coast, the wind was bracing and there are multiple warnings against swimming because of the deep and sudden shelf drop and the strong undercurrents. Fergus, though largely bombproof, and confident in the water, was rightly cautious and we kept a careful eye on him. He's done a lot of swimming in the last week but the substantial waves meant that he didn't venture in too far.

Having walked off some flatcoat energy, we boarded the little train for short trip to Sheringham and back. We could both just remember a time when railway carriages such as these were wood panelled and you had to lean out of an open window to open the door. It's difficult to find that level of loving workmanship in everyday objects nowadays. Probably not very efficient.

The Poppy Line, originally part of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway, opened in 1887 and during wartime carried supplies to build Norfolk's airfields. It closed in1964 but a pre-formed Preservation Society restored it to its original condition. Weybourne Station is certainly worth a look for its old Parcels Hall, now a souvenir shop and buffet, and Stationmaster's Office which is now a secondhand railway bookshop.

I'm fond of trains and this was an interesting little jaunt to end a relaxing summer break. It's unlikely we'll be able to visit before Christmas now except for a few days to pack up before the kitchen makeover. I've had a lovely time.