On The Trains

Hello there everyone! Well, after a hiccup-y couple of weeks, we’re back on our regular timetable. And how apt, because Paddy and Plunkett have been out and about on the trains again! They’re really getting around this summer, aren’t they?

Now, let’s check in and see where they’re off to today!

Oooh, nice view from here…
Leaving Fortwilliam - Paddy and Plunkett - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesThis beautiful beach with its tempting turquoise waters greeted the boys as they set out from Fort William. Paddy was all for stopping for a quick paddle, until Plunkett reminded him how very un-tropical that water was likely to be. Fortunately, there was something else to catch his attention a little further along the line…

Paddy and the Harry Potter Viaduct - On the Trains - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“Plunkett! LOOK!”

Famous Trains - Paddy and Plunkett - CrawCrafts Beasties
Image on the right sneakily borrowed from http://www.travelandleisure.com

“It’s the bridge from the Harry Potter films… We’re going to HOGWARTS!”

From his extensive reading of the guidebook, Plunkett knows this place is Glenfinnan Viaduct. He also knows that by letting Paddy think that he’s going to be joining Harry Potter Beastie and Hermione Beastie at Hogwarts this term…
Harry Potter and Hermione Beasties by CrawCrafts Beasties… He will be able to admire its 21 soaring arches in relative peace.

And Plunkett was able to keep Paddy practicing his spellcraft all the way to the end of their journey, at Mallaig Harbour. Entranced by the boats and the fresh sea air, Paddy forgot all about his wizarding ambitions!
At Mallaig Harbour - Paddy and Plunkett Trains - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesThe port at Mallaig is the gateway to the Western Isles, and although Paddy would happily have traded in his rail ticket for the chance to be captain of a pirate ship, Plunkett gently reminded him that this post is supposed to be about trains. Speaking of which… We’ve another one to catch! Don’t be late!

“GASP! Plunkett, is this our train? It looks just like the Hogwarts Express!”
Paddy Finds the Hogwarts Express - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesPlunkett reckoned that it was close enough – this still-active steam train is the Jacobite, and it’s a dead ringer for Paddy’s beloved Hogwarts Express. Better still, it runs an almost daily service from late April to early October. All aboard!

And while Paddy kept an eye out for marauding Dementors and supporters of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, Plunkett settled back to enjoy the wild beauty of Rannoch Moor.
Rannoch Moor - Scotland Trains - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesA few trains later, the boys were back in Glasgow… And because travelling Beasties know how to have a good time, they invited themselves into an empty penthouse suite in a nearby hotel for a little R&R.

“Paddy, come and look at the view!”
Plunkett Admires the View - Glasgow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“Can’t talk! Eating!”
Paddy Snacks - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Finally, several sandwiches later…
Paddy and Plunkett in Glasgow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“Not bad at all! Hey Plunkett, where are we off to next?”

“I don’t know… Pass me that train timetable, and we’ll see!”

We’ll catch up with the boys again in a couple of weeks… I’ve some new Beasties to share with you all first, so be sure to join us again next Tuesday to meet them! See you then!

 

Paddy and Plunkett in Fortwilliam - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Scotland Bound with Paddy and Plunkett!

Hello there Beastie friends! As promised, Paddy and Plunkett have hit the open road again, in search of Beastie-sized adventure! Although, since they’re on their way to Scotland, their journey really begins on a stretch of open water…
Beasties Take the Boat - CrawCrafts BeastiesHmmm… There is a lot of water around. It’s coming down from the sky too, by the looks of things. Hopefully it won’t rain for their entire trip!

Fortunately, the lads outran the clouds, and left them behind on the other side of the Irish Sea. They were glad to hop on a bus without getting their paws wet…
Beasties on the Bus - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties … And were soon speeding along the road to their next port of call – Glasgow!

Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland, and was considered by many to be the “second city” of the British Empire during its heyday in the Victorian era. Although the city was hit hard by the decline of the heavy industries (especially shipbuilding) upon which its fortunes were built, it has bounced back in recent years. It’s earned a reputation as a centre of culture and style, while its industrial past makes it an interesting place to visit – for both humans and Beasties!

This was only supposed to be a brief stopover, but that didn’t stop the lads from getting to know some of the locals.
Pigeon Welcoming Party - Scotland - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesThey might have hung out in the square a little longer than planned… Quick, get to the train station!
Plunkett Boards the Train - Scotland - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesThe boys got a few funny looks as they navigated the turnstile – honestly, you’d think people had never seen a Beastie before. But luckily they got to their seats just in time.
Paddy and Plunkett take the Train - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesWell, I say seats – they find they get a much better view when they stand on the table.

“Where are we actually going, Plunkett?”

Wait a sec – did you not check where the train was heading before you boarded?!

Apparently not. But the Beasties’ haphazard approach to holidaying usually works out just fine.
Paddy and Plunkett in Fortwilliam - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties“This is the life, Plunkett!”

“Yes, Paddy – not bad at all, is it?”

I’ll reveal where the terrible twosome landed in the next post… But if you think you already know, be sure to share your guesses in the comments!

See you next week!

Paddy and Plunkett at the Glasgow Mausoleum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Bonny Beastie Scotland!

Paddy and Plunkett in Glasgow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Paddy and Plunkett are back!

Or, more correctly, they’ve gone on holiday again and sent me more tales of their adventures to use on the BeastieBlog. This time, they’re exploring the delights of Scotland!

Their journey begins in Glasgow, which is almost a homecoming for them – I’m a quarter Glaswegian myself, so there should be a teeny bit of Scottishness knitted into the genetic material of these otherwise Irish little monsters!

Their first photocall was at the Glasgow Necropolis…
Paddy and Plunkett at the Glasgow Mausoleum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
…What is it with Beasties and graveyards at the minute?!
Paddy at the Glasgow Mausoleum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
They also visited the Transport Museum – Paddy has a bit of a thing for classic cars.
Paddy at the Transport Museum, Glasgow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
I think he’s going to have to find someone a little taller than him to help with the driving, though. Meanwhile, architecture buff Plunkett had stumbled on this incredible staircase at the Central Hotel, in the railway station!
Plunkett at the Central Hotel, Glasgow - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
Since they were in the station anyway, the two of them decided to hop on a train and head to Aberdeen on the north east coast… And look what they found when they arrived!
Paddy and Plunkett find some local yarnbombing! H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties
How nice of the locals to knit up a cosy Beastie hotel for them to stay in!
Paddy and Plunkett at the Aberdeen Yarn Bombing - H Crawford/CrawCrafts BeastiesPaddy and Plunkett get cosy at the Yarn Bombing - H Crawford/Crawcrafts Beasties“We think we’ll stay here for a while… Check back with us in a week or so!”

About Paddy and Plunkett
Paddy and Plunkett are a special sub-species of Beastie called “Barróg Beasties”. “Barróg” is the Irish word for “hug”, which neatly sums up how friendly these little monsters are! They’re also special because they’re made from 100% Irish wool, which is spun and dyed in a family-owned mill in Co. Kilkenny.

Super-observant regular readers may also notice that further changes have been afoot on the BeastieBlog – after nearly two years with the same look, I was encouraged by Blogging 101 to consider overhauling my theme. I’d love to know what you think of our makeover… let me know in the comments!