A CRUISE – TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT
50 members of Fu3a set sail from Lymington recently – for a 40-minute cruise to the Isle of Wight!
One group visited the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, where the locomotive named Royal Engineer was on duty. Our picture shows it with Fu3a member Gordon Craggs (himself an RE Veteran) who told us that the loco was used by the Army for many years – and that it had transported him to work in the early 1960s! Gordon writes: “ It could not have been a greater surprise to discover Royal Engineer from 1960-61 (but nameless at that time). What’s more, my grandson Henry, who already believes I am a wizard, is now super convinced having seen the steam coming from the top of my head!”
The other Fu3a group went on to Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s island home, where members enjoyed the splendid Italianate styling of the rooms and furnishings.
It rained hard only once during the day. The steam train buffs were able to join in the railway’s conveniently-scheduled Beer Festival; but at Osborne House some members regretted their decision to walk down to the beach….…
All agreed they had had a really good day out! Many thanks to those members who helped organise it.
