When our son was small we spent many an hour at model railway exhibitions. I cannot say that it’s the most exciting hobby in the world, but even today I can’t resist taking a peak. Books are an abiding passion of mine, so when I found that I could combine the two at Barter Books in Alnwick, I was quite excited. You could spot the newcomers as, like me, they gazed at the overhead tracks as the trains rattled by. Regulars were simply curled up in an aged chair, with a book or three.
Not everybody’s idea of action, I have to admit, but a great way to spend a rainy afternoon. Patti is hosting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week. Are you taking part?
restlessjo 
Definitely a fun way to spend a day……cakes……there was cakes too.
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There certainly were! We popped in here for refreshments, after Alnwick Castle 🙂 🙂
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One needs refreshments 🙂
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I love model railways Jo! Each year we go with my German Language Group to an Oktoberfest evening at the local Rhein Donau Club for German speakers here in Perth – they have the most wonderful miniature railway that they have been working on for years. It covers German, Swiss and Austrian places down to the most incredible detail – I could watch the trains going round for hours!
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It’s funny the fascination of them, isn’t it? When my son lost interest and turned to guitars I quite missed them. 🙂 🙂
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Yes there is something about those little model railways Jo! My son in law loves them too! 🙂 🙂
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This would have been a fantastic attraction to my husband and to me! I’m the book lover, and he’s a retired railroad switchman with a passion for model railroads. His only significant hobby other than gardening is maintaining his outdoor model railroad. What a special place!
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I did think of you when I saw this, Debbie. Thought you might like it, for just that reason. 🙂 🙂
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I’d be very happy there. Jerusalem suspended is a brilliant idea. That song always take me back to primary school. Happy Saturday darling xx
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We could snuggle up in opposite armchairs. 🙂 🙂 And they had pistachio and cranberry slices in the cafe! Happy Saturday, Gilly!
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I prefer my trains full size and luxurious, with champagne. 🙂 I have to say that what caught my attention in these photos was the quotes from “Jerusalem”!
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The Venice Simplon Express is but a dream for me, Karen, but the quotes were real. 🙂 🙂
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Oh yes, that would be marvellous.
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That sounds (and looks) like the perfect bookshop for me.
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It was a lot of fun, Elaine. Good cakes in the cafe, too! 🙂 🙂
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Could it get any better? 🙂
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Trains are such fun to watch. Lovely memory, Jo.
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Wow! That’s an amazing mural. a mural in a bookstore, two things I love
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All that and a model railway too. 🙂 🙂
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Looks and sounds like a really interesting and fun place to visit 🙂 I love the mural, are the people in it famous or just ordinary people?
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It’s a great mural, isn’t it? A bit high up to observe all the people and the trains were a distraction, Eunice, but I think they’re just modelled on the local gentry. 🙂 🙂
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Studying it I can recognise these – the man in the brown suit and bowler hat looks like Brian Blessed, the guy standing behind him is Timothy West. The guy with the red neckerchief could be a young Jonathan Ross, to the right of him (black jacket) is Benedict Comberbatch. Bottom centre (yellow shirt) is Matthew Kelly and the guy sitting down with the white suit is Billy Connolly. Or maybe I’ve just got a very vivid imagination! 🙂 🙂
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Aha! I’ve just looked at the website and it seems they are all famous writers from the 1800s onwards but I still think they look like who I think they look like 🙂 🙂
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Sorry, Eunice. Just home from a funeral so I didn’t have time to respond properly this morning. I’m quite happy to agree with your suggestions. 🙂 🙂
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What a fun place.
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It definitely is. Great for rainy days, Sherry 🙂 🙂
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BB is a wonderful place. I love it. Thanks for the reminder, I don’t get there very often.
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Somewhere I’ve always meant to go, and I finally made it! Not so very far away, either. 🙂 🙂
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Looks like a very interesting place to spend some hours and explore – nice photography too!
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It was a good use of a rainy afternoon. Nice cake too! Thanks a lot 😃
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Voltaire said “The multitude of books is making us ignorant.” What I take him to mean by that is, no books but his and mine should be stocked by libraries and book shops! 🙂
P.S. Love this post!
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Well, at least I won’t be competing. 🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot!
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