As much as I would had liked a lazy Sunday, you know the kind, leisurely thumbing through the paper, savouring a nice cup of coffee and then getting comfy on the couch with current knitting project, I'd decided that a bit of physical activity was required. So, off we went to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum.
The Museum is housed in a 19th Century Pumping Station, built to supply water to West London for more than 100 years. It has 5 Cornish Beam Engines (which are enormous), 2 of which are fired up on the weekend. The Grand Junction 90 is the largest working beam engine in the world.
Compared to the beam engines, the triple is a much more modern design and is the most common type of pumping engine built for waterworking after 1900. It represents the intermediary stage in development between beam engines and internal combustion engines.
A visit to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum is highly recommended, especially if you're interested in Steam or Water works.
..and we ended our day out with a visit to the Bell and Crown. How appropriate that it had a view of the Thames.
I don't know that much 'physical activity' was involved ... AND you didn't have to go too far for it. ;-)
Posted by: valentina at July 4, 2005 03:56 PMLooks like a lovely time, that sounds like a place my father would love to visit and my husband, but since neither of them have a passport, I doubt they'll actually ever get to go.
Posted by: Rebekah at June 6, 2005 06:37 PMI particularly enjoy your photo-excursions. I spent a year studying in England, but I hardly got to see a thing besides the university library. Alas!
Posted by: Beth S. at June 6, 2005 04:58 PMLOL at Mary's comment about blocking while in the steam museum!
If it had really been a Kaffe Fassett sweater, do you think you could have lost it in the crowd???? Perhaps! xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at June 6, 2005 04:48 PMI went to a steam rally this weekend but only saw knitted dollies - the kind Amelia is very fond of!
The shawl looks very pretty but you look like you are trying NOT to knit in public!!
Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah at June 6, 2005 04:36 PMOh, I find myself practically breathing down the necks of people wearing handknit sweaters, looking at details and such. It's strange that a lot of yarn is sold in HK but I hardly ever see people wearing the knit up goods!
Nice slideshow, BTW!
I've been to the Steam Museum when I was an art student its great in the week as it is mostly empty and you can take great photos or sketch to your hearts content. Knittings looking good to x
Posted by: nic at June 6, 2005 10:04 AMI didn't know there was a Steam Museum! What a wonderful view of the river!
Dawn
Posted by: dawn at June 6, 2005 12:08 AMI'm envious, you have such interesting weekends! I can't wait to see where you go next weekend. Thanks for sharing it with those of us whose weekends are slightly more monotonous...
Posted by: kerrie at June 5, 2005 10:39 PMWhen you said, just because you're in a steam musuem, I thought you were going to get something out that needed blocking! Maybe I was getting ahead of things...
Posted by: Mary at June 5, 2005 10:31 PMUs knitters have an eye for knit items. I spotted a woman in the middle of a crowd in Boston with a felted bag and practically tackled her in an attempt to tell her how much I liked it! Turns out, her daughter made it for her!
I love all your pictures.. Especially the iron man!
Posted by: Dani at June 5, 2005 10:18 PMYou're hiding over there with your yarn and needles like a couple of teenagers making out in public. What a fun image!
Posted by: Krista at June 5, 2005 10:10 PMYou really are a knitter who does it everywhere aren't you? Good on you! Looks like a wonderful day out and a lovely way to end the day.
Posted by: Tracy at June 5, 2005 09:58 PM