Hogwarts and Heading Home

The next day the clouds came back, and light spatters of rain heralded the return of normal autumn weather.

Dawn over Ben Nevis.

All street musicians know the extreme benefit of a dry location with built-in reverb. As Troy and I were headed through the station’s pedestrian underpass, a street musician melted down at the sight of Troy, stopped playing, dropped to his knees…and I had the recorder running. Listen closely…. Yes! I threw all my change in his case!
 

It happens that that magnificent steam train known the world around as the Hogwarts train departs from Fort William twice daily. There were loads of kids in burgandy and yellow scarves. Many pictures were taken, and the train sported Hogwarts banners on the open doors.

“The Lancashire Fusilier.”

It is a coal-burner steam locomotive. Amazingly quiet except for the steam, but VERY smokey.

Departure.

Waiting for our own train southbound, Troy and I walked the long waterfront sidewalk at Fort William. The sky cleared over briefly and gave us this last beautiful view of the Highlands towards the Atlantic Ocean.

A brief sun break over Fort William.