Golden Age (28) : The Flying Squad

The Flying Squad in this novel by Edgar Wallace is indeed the famous Metropolitan Police unit though don't expect a Sweeney-esque romp here. Instead is a decent if largely unoriginal crime tale set mostly in the dingier parts of London.

Bradley is the police inspector aiming to bring down drug smuggling gangs in the London docks. Linked to the hoods is Anna who wrongly believes Bradley was responsible for her brother's death. As the story progresses her resolve and hatred for Bradley wanes. Naturally they fall in love and head off to... Brazil? 

Although a reasonable read the story does run in circles frequently and would have been much improved with a bit of editing. Some of the characters, especially Anna, often act quite odd.

Back to Minworth

I returned to Minworth yesterday to take some more photographs along the canal. The week before my canal walking had been curtailed by a gang of geese but luckily this week they were terrorising someone elsewhere! You can see my Minworth photos here. I also did a local walk on Saturday and discovered the remnants of railway sidings at the oil depot near where I live. I've driven past many times but some things you can only see if you are on foot.

Hi Fella memories

A few weeks ago I began a long term project to clear my Mum's loft out of all the junk that has accumulated up there over the last few decades. There is a lot of stuff up there, much of it I am unclear as to why including dozens of computer magazines from the early 1990s! One thing I did find up there was a children's book my Mum bought me when i was a child many years ago. I did not throw this away.

"Hi Fella" by Eza Zistel is the story of a puppy who gets lost when the box he is being transported in falls over the side of a truck. He has to learn how to survive, at first with a raccoon and then a cat, until he can find his way home. Wherever or whatever that is. It is a delightful story and I am glad it was dumped up in the loft along with everything else instead of being thrown away. Sometimes hoarding is good.

Churches (87) : St Cuthbert, Shustoke

The parish church of St Cuthbert, Shustoke in Warwickshire dates from 1307 and was built on the site of an earlier church with some Norman masonry re-used. The church has a West tower, a nave, a chancel and a South porch. A spire was added to the tower in the 15th century. The church was built from red sandstone.

The church was restored in 1873 with the chancel and porch being rebuilt. However, four years later a fire caused by a lightning strike badly damaged the roof and internal fittings forcing another church restoration!

Model Week : Another coach updated

Another coach has been updated with passengers and has joined the active fleet at Birches Green. The Ybbstalbahn coach has replaced the VIR coach which has now into storage. This is one of the railway's oldest coaches and has maken a welcome return.

In other model news the first model kit project of 2021 has begun!