Christmas 2010 (Part 2)

Father Christmas in his grotto

Having left my tripod behind on Sunday, another visit was in order to get some photographs before everything gets packed away for next year. Being a weekday it also affords the opportunity to catch up with some of the behind the scenes activity such as horse repairs and locomotive rebuilds.

Christmas 2010

Father Christmas

Well, where did the last year go to?

It doesn't seem that long since we last visited Father Christmas and here we are again. My car is having its MOT so we use grandma's, and as we arrive I realise I forgot to swap my tripod over - so long exposures to capture the Christmas lights are out of the window today. Fortunately I did bring my fast portrait lens and a ring flash so all is not lost.

Volunteering - One year on

I have now been a volunteer at Bressingham Steam Museum for one year, and thought it would be good to look back and reflect on my first year.

When the idea of writing a blog dawned on me that very first day whilst I was cleaning the cranks, I didn't think that I would have much to write about and that my entries would be limited to a handful given my time on site would be limited as my skills were more "back office".

Gilding and major surgery on the Gallopers horses

Gilding is a costly business

Whilst the principle aim of today was to make a start on photographing the collection, it also happened to be the day that Yvette was in. Yvette is a volunteer whose particular skill is applying the gold leaf to the horses on the Gallopers.

Yes, they contain real gold.

Carl's big day and another Seymour date

A long time dream fulfilled

It was during my first day of trackwork back in February that I met Carl for the first time. I've seen him lots of times since, both when volunteering and as a visitor since he is a regular volunteer working as a guard on the three narrow gauge lines.
Recently Carl started his steam training in preparation for driving. This involves learning the principles of steam on the beam engine in the locomotive shed, and he could be found in there during this year's Thomas event.