Want to come along?
Off we go then for a jolly journey by rail, on the stunning Severn Valley Railway.
Into the booking hall...
...Mr HenHouse takes charge of buying our rail tickets for the journey.
The Munchkin and I rest in the coolness of the waiting room at Bewdley station. He's looking a bit pensive, perhaps worrying about evacuation?
Mr HenHouse takes it all in his stride...
The station is a hive of activity on this beautiful Summer's day, lots of families deciding to have a day out by rail, surely the best way to travel.
There are poignant goodbyes for some...
The Munchkin, though is excited and can't wait to get on the steam train.
We are lucky enough to find ourselves most comfortably seated in a compartment coach, beautifully fitted out, fairly recently, probably around 1935.
The boys busy themselves with their reading.
I am happy to admire the view, the fields flying by, adorned with magnificent red poppies dancing in the breeze.
The Muchkin does get quite excited at the sight of the safari park.
We decide to hop off and take in the delights at the picturesque country station at Arley.
It proves difficult to tear the Munchkin away from the little garden railway!
We are pleasantly entertained by a wonderful singer.
Many times, the Munchkin and I are asked by passers by if they may take our photo!
Because the nearby church has been bombed, there is a wedding taking place at the station today.
The Munchkin ponders that if he is going to be evacuated, he wouldn't mind it being here!
It is very hot outside so we wait for the next train in the waiting room.
And here she comes!
Off then to Bridgnorth where we enjoy the mellifluous tones of the wonderful Lola Lamour.
Back on the train, I keep up with the latest trends and think about tackling this month's knitting pattern...
Popping off at Hampton Loade station, the Munchkin is entranced by the working model railway in the garden.
We tear him away and make our way to the end of the line at Kidderminster. The Munchkin has his Identity Card stamped by the officer.
We show him the air raid warden's shelter...
..and he looks inside the Andersen shelter where he might end up spending a night or two.
Folks are bustling round the station, dressed in their Sunday best.
I fancy visiting the Black Market shop but I can see there is a bobby nearby.
Phew, he's moved on, maybe I'll pick up some new nylons. Shhhh!
It's a lovely day so the washing is getting a good airing, strung above the dig for victory garden. That's the privy there at the end!
The living room in the nearby cottage at 2, Railway Cuttings, is looking very spick and span.
In the kitchen , the lady is hard at work making tea.
All her essential groceries are to hand in her pretty green kitchen cupboard.
The Munchkin has disappeared outside the station and can be found admiring this caravan which has just been built in 1941.
I catch them up and am rather taken by the interior. Maybe one day...?
A tad weary, after a wonderful time, it's time for home again and the Munchkin is hopeful that he's going to be travelling in one of these beauties...
...but in these times of hardship, I'm afraid it's more likely to be on this!
It turns out I couldn't resist a few purchases at the Black Market Shop. Don't tell, will you?
Toodle pip!