Signal post, arms and box

The large red signal is the down starter No17 which gives permission for the train to leave Tenterden Town station and proceed to the down advanced starter No18 and enter the single line section to Rolvenden. 17 is pulled off followed immediately by 18. Note the “spectacles” on the arm and the disk, red and green, which are lit by night by oil lamps behind the arm.

The small disk signal is a shunt signal which allows a train to pass 17 and proceed as far as No18 but to be aware there may be a vehicle waiting at 18 if we’re changing engines.

Got all that at the back? I was at the railway for my biannual medical which I passed without problems. Susan came with me for the ride so we went to lunch at the Vine at the top of Station Road after my medical.

After lunch we drove to Littlestone on Sea near New Romney for a bleak wet walk along the beach. A five mile there and back walk of two halves. Into the teeth of driving rain in the way out and pushed hard by the wind on the way back. It was a good test for our new jackets which performed really well. We’d have been disappointed if they didn’t.

Although desolate the beach was littered, if that is the right word, with marine remains. Loads of tiny shells in three or four long lines stretching for 100s of metres, larger cockles many still occupied (and we chatted briefly to a chap who was collecting some for his tea), some very large shells and large empty cockles, some whelks, mermaids purses and egg sacs and quite a few assorted seabirds. Even poor weather reveals great wonder and interest.