New blog and newsletter
If you have been following Rambling Photographer in the past, I am migrating it all to this new Substack publication, let me explain
Hi there just a quick one - I am consolidating a number of publications I work on into one, these include Rambling Photographer and other blogs I have run in the past. I love Substack and wish to stick with it, simplify my life and just focus on writing and creating. So I have imported my subs from Rambling Photographer into this new setup. It is divided into sections, which means you can subscribe to receive everything I write here or just the topics you want to follow.
I hope to get back into the swing of this soon… in the meantime, here are a few recent photos and other notes taken here and there….
Ranmore Common, Surrey
There is a National Trust carpark up on the top of the hill that overlooks Dorking. We had a gorgeous cup of tea and cinnamon cake there this morning, served up from this rather sweet little van, “Beatrice”.
The cinnamon bun, pictured below was fabulous. I had taken a bite from it already but had to take a photo for the blog!
Swindon Designer Outlet, part shopping mall, part museum
Last week we visited the Outlet in Swindon to buy a few things. I also took a few photos whilst we shopped.
The last time I visited the Outlet would have been at some point in the 90's and I can remember that I enjoyed it then. I am fascinated by trains, absolutely love them and I think this has a lot to do with why this place appeals so much. There are some great brands there and I did spend a lot on some new clothes. I did find some time to take some photos as we walked around.
The Outlet occupies what was the Great Western Railway Works, the project was carried out by Tarmac Construction, opened in 1997 and the site is owned by McArthurGlen.
Steam engines
The Locomotive currently on display is the 7821 Ditcheat Manor, which is the second of the last batch of 10 engines of the thirty-strong class. Built in 1950 by British Railways. It was allocated to lines in Mid Wales but was also based in Oxley and Newton Abbott. It was withdrawn from service in 1965 and sent to a scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. Thankfully it was rescued in 1980 and after restoration elsewhere in the UK made it's way to the Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon. Today it is on show at the Outlet Center where it has been since 2018.
Prior to that, other locomotives have been on display and from time to time, they are swapped around.
Factory machinery and other heritage
I was fascinated by the former Great Western Railway Works and how it had been developed to host a range of great retail outlets, cafes and restaurants. It has a fabulous ambiance and I really love it. The heritage has been beautifully preserved and I have no idea what any of these wonderful machines used to do - if anyone out there knows, I'd love to hear from you. Just DM me on Twitter :-)