31 May - here she is (Patreon)

These are some photos of our new lady, Sea and Fire. I did these with proper lighting and with a proper camera.

The statue as I mentioned before was paid for with money left to me by Aunt Jackie and she is in her memory. 

Also in the photos here is a photograph of me with Aunt Jackie when I was in Durham studying for my Masters many years ago.

Jackie was a school teacher for much of her life but she also had a huge interest in preserving historic steam railways.

In fact she met my Uncle Michael when they both volunteered on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire in England.

If you have ever seen the beautiful Railway Children movie this is where it was filmed. Their wedding reception was on a Pullman train pulled by a steam engine. And, poignantly her funeral wake was also held on a steam train which as you can see here which had a wreath in her honour.

For her work in railway preservation Jackie, along with Uncle Michael was awarded the “Outstanding contribution to Railway Preservation Award” by the Historic Railway Association in , 2010.

Jackie also achieved an MA in Railway Studies from York University.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of her passing. I do so hope she is looking down and feels pleased with the lady in our hallway and the passion and joy that went into creating her.  

Eduin and Veronica really put their heart and soul into this statue and I feel very fortunate that they are our friends. (fortune brought us all together as Eduin and Veronica were the landlords of a house we rented before we moved to Can Punxes).