Whalley
It didn't go quite as planned. I had every intention of getting the 5:35 train from my local station. The night before, I charged and prepared all my equipment, or so I thought. The teleprompter app I downloaded failed at the first hurdle. I thought I was being clever preparing a script and had planned to use said app to prevent waffle. I eventually got to the train station at 9:20. This was due to falling asleep downstairs, waking up to go to bed, then waking at 6am, completely disorientated. It took me a cup of tea, followed by a coffee and porridge, just to begin to start the day. I packed my backpack and left the house at 9 o'clock, although I wouldn't arrive in Whalley until 12:30. I would have arrived earlier if I'd gone by bicycle. I had to get 3 trains to get to my destination.
However, I had to wait 35 minutes at the first station, which was Preston. That was a colourful wait. As it was Saturday, the platform was full of hen parties, some heading home with severe hangovers and others starting their celebrations. Both groups must have been freezing, as I was fully dressed for an autumn walk around Whalley, and they were almost naked, apart from the cowgirl hats and boots. Another platform observation is when the station announcer tells everyone loudly over the tannoy that there is no smoking or vaping in the station. It doesn't mean move behind a post and vape, because when you breathe out, you look like a steam engine. We can see you.
The train from Preston to Blackburn arrived. I boarded and off we went. 15 minutes later, we arrived in Blackburn, where the fun would start. As soon as I got off the train, I heard a loud female voice, "What the f*** is your problem?" I initially thought it was a domestic, but no, this woman went up to everyone and asked the same question, until eventually she was escorted from the station. I deliberately walked to the very end of the platform to avoid this conflict.
The wait was supposed to be 35 minutes. It ended up being nearly an hour. I'm looking forward to the refund due to the delay. First, we had the platform change. Platform 2 became platform 1. The train was due to leave at 11:35. The train arrived at 11:20 on platform 1. It waited until 11:38 before the conductor went along the platform, telling everybody we were waiting on another train to connect them together before leaving. This would involve 3 engineers, 2 drivers, 2 conductors, 2 station staff, and another apology. It turns out connecting 2 trains is difficult.
The arriving section of the train was 2 carriages. The section already in the station was 2 carriages. Quite a queue had developed on the platform, as the train was already late, even before the additional carriages arrived. When the additional carriages eventually arrived, they made everyone disembark so they could couple the trains together. The passengers obviously didn't get clear instructions, as they all thought they had to board the train that was already sat in the station. So now the platform was even busier than before.
The driver of this train had to shout at all the people who were attempting to get on the train to stand back, whilst he drove the train into the front of the train which had just arrived and they had disembarked from. He did this with such vigour and gusto, there was an almighty bang, as he drove his train into the other, so much so he had to reverse and try again several times. This resulted in 3 engineers appearing from nowhere, just like the shopkeeper in Mr Benn. The conductress came down the platform explaining that something was now broken, and another 10 minutes passed, but we were then allowed to board the train. The original 2 carriage train left a few minutes later without the 2 carriages that we'd been waiting for.
15 minutes later, I arrived at Whalley Station. For a station at the end of Lancashire's longest viaduct, it was quite a disappointment. The station was fenced off, and any resemblance of the grandeur of the original station had gone. The station building had been sold off, and there was no access. It could have been so much more. I attempted to film on the steps, but the teleprompter app I had purchased was rubbish, and I couldn't remember my script as I was a little stressed. Eventually, I gave up and headed to the Abbey.
Exiting the station from the Blackburn to Clitheroe platform, you go down the ramp, cross the road and walk along the same side as the viaduct. This brings you to a crossroads close to the River Calder. Straight on is the river crossing. To go to the Abbey, turn left under the viaduct. You then instantly feel like you've gone back in time. The first thing you see is the Whalley Gatehouse. It is the first piece of the Abbey you come across, and walking through it is like walking through a church. I do believe the first floor was a cloister where people prayed, or a lookout point used to pour hot tar on any invaders. Coming out the other side are wonderful stone buildings, including 2 church buildings which are both worth a visit. At the end of the street, turn right into Whalley Abbey. The history of the Abbey is long and full of stories.
On the day I visited, which was a sunny autumn day, the Abbey was quiet, with only a handful of people visiting. As I had a stressful journey, I decided to head straight for the cafe. The cafe was cosy, and in the centre was a large table surrounded by people having lunch. They all had sticky label name badges on. I ordered and sat on a comfy chair to enjoy my toastie and coffee. After lunch, I ventured into the grounds. Whalley Abbey is beautiful and majestic. I was lucky that it was such a sunny autumn day with little or no wind. I wandered the ruins, filmed, flew the drone and enjoyed the few hours I was there. The crows had certainly made the Abbey their home on the edge of the River Calder. They had discovered every nook and cranny of the Abbey ruins and made a lot of noise about it. Leaving the Abbey, I headed back towards the viaduct to fly the drone, but was too close. I did get some shots, but it would be better if I was further away. Maybe next time.