Every morning, a little purple train comes underneath the railway bridge at Findern. The signal beyond the bridge turns green, with a line of white lights pointing to the right. The train shimmies across the main track and turns on to the branch line. Usually, I am watching from the bridge, imagining the train going over the canal, negotiating the level crossing, and continuing on its way west. This morning, I am on the train. Back when I was walking along the River Dove, I crossed the North Staffordshire Railway line almost as many times as I crossed the river. One day, I told myself, I will get that little purple train from Derby to Uttoxeter and see all this again. I had thought of the line as rather sleepy, but in fact the train is quite busy. I find a seat by the window and start to eagerly track the landmarks. The man opposite must wonder why I am taking blurry photos of damp level crossings, but he doesn't comment. The only picture which comes out well is a splash of rainbo...
Getting through life one cake at a time.