Travel
A Casey Jones moment in the cab of a Groupo 940 steam locomotive at Piazza al Serchio in the Garfagnana of northern Tuscany. Fifty engines of this type were constructed in 1922-3, they hauled heavy mainline freight on the Apeninne lines up and down Italy. 940.002 arrived in Piazza al Serchio in 2015 and is presented as a monument. Italians describe the wheel configuration as 1-4-1, which would be Class 2-8-2 in England’s Whyte classification.
Thunderstorm over the Alpi Apuae in northern Tuscany. We've seen thunderstorms in the mountains each afternoon but hardly any rain the Garfagnana valley, the route of the river Serchio.
Garavan district of Menton is renowned for its gentle climate without frosts, which allows gardens to flourish in sub-tropical splendour. Garavan also enjoys a fine view over to Menton Vielle Ville (Menton Old Town) and further to Cap Martin, around which is an enjoyable stroll on the coastal footpath.
Terminus of the line: one single train all the way through from London St. Pancras to Marseille St. Charles. An early start in London but TGV travel at speeds of up to 300km/hr to arrive in early afternoon sunshine for a view of the Mediterranean from the station forecourt. They serve breakfast and lunch with airline style catering if you want it. But it’s another strike day for the SNCF (French state railways) so the platforms are rather quieter than usual.
- Val Genova - “Valley of the waterfalls”
- Volterra
- Alpi Apuae
- Locomotiva a vapore 940.002
- Menton Garavan
- Aqueduc de Roquefavour
“Visit Sunny Worthing” shout the posters, and it was good to feel sun on our faces today; the slogan could equally read “Come to Colourful Worthing” as the Sussex seaside town seems to have a thing about colours.
