Broithe

PM sent - the old Coal Traders ones don't pop up so often these days..

I had to use the 'big camera' this year - can't get sneaky arm's-length shots with it, but the place seemed slightly less crowded than previous years. The general standard is still rising - such that nothing really stood out above the rest. I couldn't keep track of layout names, but it's included in the shot where it was a viable proposition.

We had the usual potential for entertainment in the car-park swamps. I had my annual sausage roll, still as good as ever, though constructed to a different loading gauge this year. Well worth a visit, if you're in the vicinity - plenty big and much more civilised than Warley.

As always, I finally got there today. A few pictures to give a general idea of what was on offer.

Don't go mad now - think of our pockets....

My uncle had a farm about a mile from Ballybrophy, with a churn stand at the roadside. The milk went to Donaghmore Creamery, about two miles south of the station and I don't remember there being any milk traffic from the station.

I usually intend to go Saturday - and end up going on Sunday. We'll see what happens this time.

I find Imgur very useful - all my own pictures on here are through there - you can form folders, making things easier to find later, too. When you've uploaded a picture, it's just a matter of copying the link and pasting it in here. http://imgur.com/

It's this weekend, for anybody in the vicinity. http://www.staffordrailwaycircle.org.uk/exhibition/

We have a big exhibition here at the weekend - if I spot one, I'll get details and pass 'em on.

For those that partake of Twitter, tomorrow marks 30 years of IÉ and, starting at 5am, there should be a series of potentially interesting info-tweets through the day. https://twitter.com/IrishRail #24HRSinIE Irish Rail said - This Thursday, 2nd February, is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Iarnród Éireann. To mark the occasion, follow us on twitter @irishrail to get behind the scenes of Iarnród Éireann for 24 hours, to get a glimpse of how our team of 3,800 people deliver your train service. From line inspection to stations, from train maintenance to signalling, through day and night, #24HRSinIE will give you a unique insight into your service and the people who provide it. It all starts at 05.00hrs on Thursday, so be sure to check out @irishrail tweets throughout the day. To thank you for travelling with Iarnród Éireann over the past 30 years and celebrate #24HRSinIE you can get 24% off online bookings tomorrow 2nd February, between 12 midday and midnight tomorrow night, simply enter code 30IE2824 on the payment page.

I have become aware of this event - I think it's open to the public, but it could be worth checking first.

Health & safety! Blood shows up far too well on scenery. There are those on here who remember Imperial Airways, I'm sure. Lovely stuff.

I heard a version of it done on BBC Radio 4 once- many years ago...

Frederick Forsyth's short story Sharp Practice takes place partly on a Kingsbridge to Cork train. http://storytellingresources.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/play-outline-sharp-practice.html