OVERSEAS TRAVEL
Initially, it was hoped that the 2021 expedition cruise to Iceland which I'd booked would be able to go ahead but the frequent changes to government regulations caused the operator to cancel the tour. I'd had to cancel my proposed trip to Myanmar in 2020 because of travel restrictions and these restrictions continued in place at the beginning of 2021. Following elections in Myanmar at the end of 2020, which resulted in a landslide victory for the National League for Democracy, on February 1st 2021 the election result was repudiated by the Myanmar army who seized power alleging voter corruption. The chequered history of this wonderful country has entered another tragic phase. I decided there would be no overseas travel for me in 2021.
To find more about overseas visits I've made in previous years, see:-
Jan Ford's Travels (2001 onwards).TRAVEL IN THE UK
Jan Ford's Travels - The early trips (before 2001).
Jan Ford's Travels: Around the World in pictures
(alphabetic list of countries with links to pictures).
In a normal year, I would expect to make a number of trips (mainly by rail) to various destinations in the UK. Following the partial easing of restrictions in July 2021, I made a couple of day trips by rail to re-visit Liverpool and Blackpool and a trip to Croydon but other planned trips didn't materialise, apart from a few short rail trips in connection with my work. During the coronavirus Pandemic, rail passenger numbers were around half of normal, with 'emergency timetables' in use and increased likelihood of train cancellation at short notice as staff 'self-isolated' following positive tests for Covid-19.
The Cambrian Line in 2021 25-Jul-2021
A day trip to Liverpool 21-Aug-2021
Blackpool by Electric Train 28-Aug-2021
By Train to Croydon 12-Sep-2021
Trade Show at the National Exhibition Centre 19-Sep-2021
To Stockport by Rail 14-Nov-2021
My excursion to Liverpool included the mandatory trip on the Mersey Ferry.
Blackpool Tower with one of the preserved trams on a 'Heritage Tour'.
RAILWAYS AND PRESERVATION
All preserved railways were seriously affected by the Coronavirus pandemic in 2021, as they had been in the previous year. I continued as a member of the Old Locomotive Committee and remained a volunteer at The Battlefield Line but in 2020 I'd resigned as a working volunteer at Peak Rail although I continue to support their aspirations.
The Old Locomotive Committee
The Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO) usually organises two events each year: the Annual General Meeting, normally held at the Museum of Liverpool where the locomotive 'Lion' is on public display and the 'Lionsmeet' event. 'Lionsmeet' enables live-steam models of 'Lion' to be run and members to meet up. This event is hosted at the running track of a different Society of Model Engineers track each time. In 2021, as in 2020 Coronavirus legislation stopped both events, making OLCO's periodic newsletter called 'Lionsheart' especially important.
All my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee are here and you can find more information (including how to become a member) on OLCO's website here.
The Battlefield Line
At the beginning of 2021, Coronavirus legislation limited operations but on 19th July (optimistically called 'Freedom Day' by the government) most legal restrictions were lifted. The arrival and rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 triggered the re-imposition of various mandatory restrictions in early December. My own involvement in public operations was initially limited to a few DMU turns and my first steam turn in the year was not until 29th August when I was re-united with 'Wightwick Hall'. I should have had a second turn on 'Wightwick Hall' on 30th October but the steam locomotive was 'stopped' for leaking stays a few days earlier so, instead, I had an interesting training day on a Class 20 diesel-electric. However, I did manage one further turn on steam with an eventful 'Santa Special' on 19th December.
Battlefield Line 'Santa' Trains 2021 (in preparation)
Class 20 Diesel Electric Locomotive 8-Jan-2022
Getting Back on Track 6-Nov-2021
A Day on the DMU 13-Nov-2021
6989 'Whightwick Hall' ready to leave Shackerstone on an earlier date.
Jan poses during preparation of 7822 for the 'Santa Specials' on 19-Dec-2021 ('Foxcote Manor' at the Battlefield Line)
You can find all my posts about the Battlefield Line here.
Incidentally, you can find all my posts about Diesel Multiple Units here (or refer to the 'Index' here).
Myanma Railways
Because of the pandemic and the military seizing power in Myanmar, I was unable to visit Myanmar in 2021. Just one new post was added in 2021, when I finally managed to describe a visit during my 2019 trip (my incorrect numbering of the workshops visited is still to be corrected):-
Railway Carriage Building and Repair in Myanmar 8-Aug-2021You can find all my posts about Myanma Railways (in reverse date-of-posting order) here or refer to the 'Index' here.
BREWOOD HALL
The committee which organises the Brewood Garden Party, held in the gardens at Brewood Hall, decided at the beginning of 2021 that, for the second year running, it would not be possible to stage the event because of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
There's an album of pictures showing the 1-acre garden through the seasons in 2021 here with a separate album (covering a number of years) showing the fungi which appear annually here. There's one post from July with musings on the garden in 2021 here.
Brewood Hall had some light falls of snow in November 2021.
During the year, as always, various repairs were carried out around the property. In 2021, I documented some of this work, together with work from previous years, including a domestic disaster from 2018 when a burst water pipe resulted in expensive repairs.
Brewood Hall Maintenance (3) 1-Aug-2021You can find all my posts about Brewood Hall (in reverse date-of-posting order) here.
An unfortunate occurence 31-Jul-2021
Brewood Hall Lantern Roof 18-Jul-2021
TY GWYN
Ty Gwyn is a small commercial woodland around 27 hectares in area near Corwen in Wales.
In 2021 I finally achieved my ambition of taking a boat on the small pool when, during a visit with Ann and Dean on 12th June, they surprised me by suddenly producing a new inflatable boat. The weed growth made manoeuvring the craft with the oars rather difficult but I had a great time and the weather was really warm. I had good weather again for a visit on 17th July with my friend Geoff.
There's a report covering both visits here
Jan relaxing on the pool at Ty Gwyn 2021 (Photo: D Mould)
To see all my posts on Ty Gwyn, click here.
'ROAD TO MANDALAY' SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Since 2008, I've supported these educational and medical charitable initiatives in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. I'm also currently a trustee of the Belmond Myanmar Foundation in the U.K. which also provides support to this work. Educational Support is provided to a wide range of schools and orphanages and Medical Treatment to all is centred on the Bagan Medical Clinic which was opened in 2011. Until the Covid-19 pandemic, I made at least one visit each year to see as much as possible of the work but, in 2020 and 2021 this has not been possible. On 1st February 2021, following elections at the end of 2020, the army seized power alleging election fraud, compounding the problems of the Covid-19 Pandemic as the country descends into deadly civil war. Because of the combination of the pandemic, the actions of the army and the civil unrest provoked, the United Nations estimates half the population in Myanmar will shortly be living in poverty, making the need for relief work greater whilst the risks involved in supplying that help increase. Despite the risks and difficulties, help continues to be provided by dedicated local people with some overseas financial support.
You can find all my earlier posts on Educational Support here.
You can find all my earlier posts on Medical Support here.
OTHER BLOG POSTS IN THE YEAR
This review covers trips and events during the year but doesn't always include other types of post such as:-
Technical articles;PREVIOUS ANNUAL REVIEWS
Historical articles;
Work-related topics;
Recollections of past events;
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
