A little taste of...

Sarah called today to borrow some suitcases, they are off to the seaside for a few days soon. Noah and Huey came too and as it was such a lovely day we all went outside. Sarah for a well earned snooze in the shed and Noah, Huey and I played on the beach,  we built lots of sandcastles and decorated them with shells. We had great fun, 

to round off the afternoon the boys did a show, wonderful, a rap by Noah accompanied by Huey.

They only stayed for an hour but they had a little taste of the seaside before going. Of course it was nothing like the real thing even so it would keep them going till they got there. 

Does this remind you of anything? I must admit when I thought about it it reminded me that this isn't my real home, I'm just passing through. I have a much better home in heaven but just occasionally I get a little bit of heaven down here and even though it isn't the real thing it keeps me focused on where I'm going. I see God in nature, in the beautiful sunset, in the clear babbling brook, I see the compassion of Jesus in a friendly thought and kind deed. I see in the evil sin soaked world a little glimpse of heaven when I speak to God in prayer, when I study His word and gather with His people, I have a hope and assurance through Jesus Christ that this is not all there is I have a home with Him, but while I'm passing through He shows me a glimpse of heaven. 

This world is not my home

John 14:1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Huey goes to Butterley Station

Last week Noah came to see me and we had a trip to Butterley station, this week it was Huey's turn to spend some time with mama, I hadn't planned anything as the weather man said it was not going to be a good day, mostly rain. So it looked like we would be spending the day indoors playing and maybe doing some crafty things, both the boys like making things.

Huey was a little upset when mum went and so we had a cuddle while we decided what we were going to do, "Can I see the trains mama?", how could I refuse. So clothed in raincoats and wellies and armed with camera with card and charged battery (No card in it last week) we set out, we had just got through the gate when Huey said "I don't like rain", bless him he was upset again. I'm not surprised though as the wind was blowing in our faces and the rain was cold. I explained that we didn't have to go out we could in fact be in a nice warm house, having a nice warm cuppa, doing lovely things in the warm. No, Huey wanted to see the trains, "But I don't like the rain mama", "I'm sorry Huey I can't do anything about the rain". Eventually we arrive at the bus stop which I might add doesn't have a bus shelter, I shielded him as much as possible, of course the bus was ten minutes late. "I don't like the rain mama", "You can be happy in the rain Huey", said I smiling through chattering teeth, "I don't like happy in the rain!!!!". Hurrah here comes the bus.

Huey was much happier now we were finally on our way, fortunately we didn't have to wait at the station for the train as one was about to leave as we arrived. I had forgotten it was bank holiday so  it was a special day, they had a Victorian theme.

We got off at Swanwick museum and had to tackle the rain again, we had lunch in the cafe, Huey had a children's picnic bag, jam mmmmmm, there were toys in the corner and so he had a play, finding a toy mobile phone he promptly called his mummy. "Mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy"........ "It's mummy" :)

 When we went out the rain had subsided so it wasn't too bad. Huey had a paddle in every puddle and so it took us awhile to reach the shed were the trains are kept.

 He was thrilled with all the trains but his favourite was the yellow one. 

We went up and down every isle with lots of "Wows".

Every puddle had to be paddled on the way back and so it took awhile again.

We had to go over the bridge to get the steam train to return to Butterley. Oh how I hate those metal steps, Huey "It's okay mama I can manage on my own", mama, "No Huey, you need to hold mamas hand because she can't manage" :)

Huey was thrilled to see that the train that was pulling the carriages was the same as the model train we had bought him last week when Noah and I went, we rode in 3rd class and had the carriage to ourselves it was lovely.

The train goes past Butterley station and across the Reservoir before doubling back and stopping at Butterley, "It's the sea, mama".

All in all we had a lovely time despite the rain and cold, my grandchildren are an absolute pleasure and delight to be with and I am greatly blessed. Thank you Lord.

Noah goes to Butterley Railway

Noah (my soon to be five year old grandson) and myself had a day at Butterley Railway on Wednesday. I went to pick him up and then we caught the bus straight through, I hadn't told him where we were going so it was a lovely surprise. Of course I had forgotten it would be busy because of the holidays. When we got on the train first things first out came the camera, the battery had gone so after much searching I found another one and put it is only to be greeted with the message, no card, argh. Noah bless him keeping everything in perspective, it's ok mama you have your phone. 

The train started and off we set, we rode all the way to Golden Valley and then came back and got off at Swanwick Museum. We had a look at most things but didn't realise they had a beach until we were on the train coming back but it didn't matter because there was plenty to see and do, I did as Noah suggested and used my phone to take photo's.

One of the first things we did was to go into the children's play area 

and then up into the signal box, I have to admit I didn't like the steep metal stairs. 

Next we went into St Saviour's church which is called the ‘Tin Tabernacle’ and has been rescued from the railway village of Westhouses.  It was built in 1898 to support the village of Westhouses  and moved to Swanwick Junction when it fell into disuse. It was built with support from the original Midland Railway Company for worshipers in this railway town. 

By this time we were both feeling a little hungry and headed off for a cuppa and a cob, they do a lovely picnic bag for the youngsters and they could choose ham, egg or jam sandwich, Noah chose jam, it also had an orange, a pack of quavers, a cake and a small bag of sweets, plus a fruitshoot drink, Noah had already had a banana on the train and half a large apple when we got off, I think he must have hollow legs :) 

Having refueled we set off again to explore and went into the sheds with the old trains in, it was fascinating, Noah had a great time, there was a box with free train magazines in so he tucked one under his arm. I think the only thing we both found difficult was the smell, a combination of grease and soot, old wood and metal and leather, not forgetting the rust and dust. Even so we went up and down all the isles. 

We went and had a look at the model railway, I had to pick Noah up so the he could see, and he really like it. There was certainly a lot of work gone into it. 

Then we came out and got onto the miniature railway that goes through the park for about a mile.

After that we went up the the Princess Royal shed but didn't go in as I think the smell was too overpowering for Noah, he just poked his head in and said "It's ok mama" but coming back down the path we spotted some teasel and some bulrushes, Noah felt the teasel and was surprised how prickly it was,

I pulled down a bulrush for him and his face lit up when he felt how soft it was. Noah called it a sausage plant, (sausage is his favourite food besides jam).

My favourite part of the day was seeing a Weasel, then I really missed my camera. It popped up between the slabs in front of this shed and then disappeared under it. We watched it for quite a few minutes as it ran over the tracks under the slabs and popped up in between them. 

It was time to head back for the train to take us back to Butterley station. But the day was not over and we headed for the Reservoir and had a walk around, there was quite a lot of men fishing, (I'm wondering if that was because it was the school holidays and the menfolk had come out of the way). Noah talked to the cygnets but we didn't have any food for them so they didn't stick around. 

It was getting towards teatime and so we headed to my home, what would you like for tea Noah "Soup", :) yet another favourite. Tomato soup and cobs, then fruit in jelly with yogurt a lovely way to round off the day, especially when you can suck up the last bits with a straw. 

As soon as we came in Noah said he had something to do in the kitchen when I went in he had written a message on my fridge.

I have had a really nice time.

Me too Noah.

I am so thankful for a lovely family and the time I spend with them. God blesses me in so many different ways each day.

Lamentations 3:

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

     Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
     Great is Your faithfulness.

Thank you Lord.