The perfect garden centre.

[vernon]

I visited Markham Grange garden centre with Mrs Vernon. It was a very worthwhile trip.

They had some plants as well.

 

[Archie_tect]

Mrs V is a very patient woman...

 

[midlife]

Takes me back to my old Mamod, I wonder if thy are still made?

Shaun

 

[Dayvo]

I wouldn't imagine it sells many plants!

 

[vernon]

What great engines. I want one.

I've got one.

 

[Fnaar]

Is it really a garden centre, or is that what you told Mrs Vernon?

 

[vernon]

Mrs V is a very patient woman...

She enjoyed it. The smell of hot steam oil, the mesmerising motion of the Stephenson's reversing gear, the reciprocating movement of the connecting rods, the clanking of the poppet valves....

She drew the line when I engaged one of the stem shed's workers in a long conversation about hidden gems of steam preservation and went off to look at the plants.

 

[vernon]

Is it really a garden centre, or is that what you told Mrs Vernon?

It really is a garden centre. The steam engines are a hobby and an indulgence of the garden centre's owner.

 

[Dayvo]

I've got one.

View attachment 87657

That's a sewing machine, Vern!

 

[Jamieyorky]

I havent been for years

 

[Archie_tect]

Takes me back to my old Mamod, I wonder if thy are still made?

Shaun

I once had a Mamod traction engine- used it to power a working Lego windmill I made.... except the sails went round at about 100rpm and then came apart.

 

[vernon]

I wouldn't imagine it sells many plants!

The carpark was heaving. I reckon that 95% of the visitors were in the plant section. I didn't see more than half a dozen people in the steam shed. The garden centre tills were very busy as was the cafe which, as it happens, sells very tasty pies.

 

[Archie_tect]

The carpark was heaving. I reckon that 95% of the visitors were in the plant section. I didn't see more than half a dozen people in the steam shed. The garden centre tills were very busy as was the cafe which, as it happens, sells very tasty pies.

Pies, steam shed? ...was this really Mrs V's idea in the first place!

 

[vernon]

That's a sewing machine, Vern!

OK. Here's a bigger toy of mine.

 

[vernon]

Pies, steam shed? ...was this really Mrs V's idea in the first place!

The pies were a surprise. They also did liver and bacon with onions and gravy served up in a giant Yorkshire pudding - I nearly succumbed to that too.