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…
This 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…
“Plunkett! LOOK!”
“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…
… 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!
The 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!”
Plunkett 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.
A 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!”
“Can’t talk! Eating!”
Finally, several sandwiches later…
“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!
Hmmm… 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!
… And were soon speeding along the road to their next port of call – Glasgow!
They might have hung out in the square a little longer than planned… Quick, get to the train station!
The 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.
Well, I say seats – they find they get a much better view when they stand on the table.
“This is the life, Plunkett!”
