A ride on the Santa Special

Today we took Violet and Stella-Rose, along with their mummy and S-R's daddy, on the Santa Special, a seasonal event on the Epping Ongar Railway
We first took this special trip in 2018.  I did book for last year but regulations for the pandemic meant that it was cancelled.  The current round of regulations, meant Santa and his team of helpers had to make a number of adjustments at short notice, which they managed splendidly.  My picture shows them as they travelled the length of the platform, where we waited opposite where our carriages would eventually arrive, and spent time chatting to every boy and girl, giving lots of time for photo opportunities.  At Ongar, presents were distributed cleverly from the platform through open carriage windows and every child was chatted to and addressed by their name.  See extras for Violet's sack which contained her present.  Although of course this year there could be no cosy fireside chat with Santa back at the stationhouse (regulations/restrictions), the experience was magical.