Originally planned as a "two shots down one shot back" of the last two Golden Hind Tours to Plymouth due to other commitments, nature had a say right from the outset! So I have arranged this presentation as a one shot of the down leg on the 9th Oct. and a one shot return on the 25th Sep. plus a "continuity out-take" of the 25th down leg in the most horrendous of conditions.

In still conditions 61306 can be heard climbing Tigley Bank before appearing on Rattery Bank with the diesel on the back obviously giving some assistance as the train is down on schedule. However, Mayflower looks and sounds spectacular as she puts in a "full shift" of effort on the climb with the kind of performance which has won her many admirers through the season.

The light is failing quickly at this time of the year as the whole of the dash along Teignmouth Sea Wall is captured by two cameras. 61306 whistles as she passes the first camera but the sound takes a little longer to reach the main camera, so one becomes two! With smoke and steam aplenty the train falshes by and into Parsons Tunnel as we say thank you and farewell to a plucky locomotive.

And finally.......
as many of us say when out in all weathers: " you don't have to be mad but....."

This should have been a great shot of the climb of the lower slopes of Dainton Bank and if she had come through on time, it would have been. But she was 7 minutes late leaving Newton Abbot, just enough for the weather to completely change and the mother of all squalls sweep in from the moors. Just remember, this is not over exposed but shot through solid wind and rain which just wants to knock me and the camera gear flat on our faces!!