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logi1974 · 11 months

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Südengland 2023 - Tag 8

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Da habe ich wohl doch etwas zu viel versprochen, über unsere Tour mit einem Duck-Mobil-Boot.

In der Thames Street, gleich hinter dem Windsor Castle, sollen merkwürdige Gefährte stehen, die auf Kundschaft warten. Sie sind gelb, sehen aus wie kleine Busse, können aber wesentlich mehr als nur auf Straßen herumzufahren: Diese Fahrzeuge können auch problemlos auf der Themse schwimmen.

Die Amphibienfahrzeuge, die im 2. Weltkrieg entwickelt und bei der Invasion der normannischen Küste 1944 eingesetzt wurden, sind seit 2003 im Londoner Straßenbild zu finden. Vorbild waren die Boston Duck Tours, die in der nord-ostamerikanischen Stadt schon länger bei Touristen sehr beliebt sind.

Die Touren starten von 10 Uhr morgens - allerdings nur nicht heute.

Wir kamen früh an der Bushaltestelle, vor dem Theatre Royal,m an, um auf den „Entenbus“ zu warten. Auf der Windsor Duck-Tour-Website sind freundlicherweise alle Orte aufgelistet, an denen die Gäste parken können.

Wir entschieden uns dafür, auf dem River St Car Park Parkplatz zu parken, da dies der nächstgelegene Parkplatz zur Haltestelle ist und obendrein noch der preisgünstigste. Parken in Windsor ist teuer!

Zur Haltestelle sind es nur noch 150 Meter und wir nahmen in freudiger Erwartung Platz. Wer fährt/schwimmt schon mit einem Duck-Mobil?

Die Frage kann schnell beantwortet werden: Wir jedenfalls nicht!

Der Entenbus kam nicht. Dabei hatten wir doch gestern erst noch eine Erinnerungs-Email bekommen, mit der Aufforderung bloß pünktlich zu sein und 15 Minuten vorher einzutreffen.

Ich zückte mein Mobiltelefon und rief die Firma, über die an der Haltestelle vermerkte Telefonnummer, an. Der freundliche Herr am anderen Ende der Leitung erklärte mir: heute finden leider gar keine Touren statt - alle gecancelt.

Ach, wie schön! Was machen wir denn jetzt mit unserem angebrochenen Tag? Erst einmal runter zur Themse Promenade und schauen, was es noch so gibt ...

Ach, guck, da werden doch Bootstouren auf der Themse angeboten. Also, rein in den nächsten Ticketshop und kurzer Hand eine Tour für das nächste Boot gebucht.

Der Andrang hielt sich in Grenzen und wahrscheinlich war das auch der Grund für den Ausfall unserer eigentlich gebuchten Tour: zu wenig Gäste.

So geht es auch hier gerade einmal mit 7 Männekes auf Themse Sightseeing. Wir schipperten zunächst in Richtung Westen, nach Maidenhead.

Der Fluss war wie aus dem Bilderbuch ruhig, der Himmel strahlend blau und ganz leicht bewölkt.

Dieser Teil des Flusses ist nur etwa 6 Fuß tief. Familien und kläffende Hunde planschen herum, dümpeln neben den Schwänen. Die Schwäne gehören übrigens King Charles, davor natürlich der Queen.

Alle wilden Schwäne im Königreich sind Besitz der Monarchen, so will es ein altes Vorrecht. Den Schwanen-Zensus auf der Themse gibt es schon seit dem 12. Jahrhundert. Damals entschied die Krone, dass Schwäne königlicher Besitz sein sollten. „Zu dieser Zeit galten Schwäne als köstliche Speise bei Banketten und Festen“, erklärte der Palast dazu.

Sie werden allerdings seit dem 19. Jahrhundert nicht mehr verzehrt, seit 35 Jahren sind die Schwäne außerdem geschützt; es ist verboten, sie zu jagen. Dank der regelmäßigen Zählung weiß man, dass etwa 1000 bis 1200 Schwäne auf der Themse unterwegs sind und im vergangenen Jahr 120 Jungschwäne markiert wurden.

Wir unterfahren eine Überführung des Londoner Autobahnrings (die Queen Elisabeth Bridge aus dem Jahre 1966) und die Passagierflugzeuge, die im Tiefflug Heathrow anpeilen, erscheinen wie aus einer anderen Welt.

Die Fahrt führte uns weiter flussaufwärts, vorbei an Millionen-Pfund-Villen. In diesen Villen wohnen und wohnen unter anderem sehr prominente Menschen: der Musiker Jimmy Page von Led Zeppelin, der Schauspieler Michael Cain, die australische Sängerin Natalie Imbruglia, um nur einige zu nennen.

Wir erfahren, dass Miss Imbruglia ihr Anwesen, vor über 20 Jahren, zum Schnäppchenpreis (unter einer Million) kaufte und heute der Wert um die 20 Millionen Pfund liegt. Das nenne ich mal eine Rendite!

Gleich dahinter, auf einer eigenen Insel, schließt sich die berühmte Pferderennbahn Royal Windsor Racecourse an. Einzigartig ist die Möglichkeit, stilvoll mit dem Flussboot vom Stadtzentrum von Windsor aus auf die 165 Hektar große Insel anzureisen. Selbstverständlich gibt es für die königliche Familie und andere wichtige Personen private Anlegestege.

Rechts und links der Themse liegen Hausboote, deren Anzahl stetig zunimmt. Wegen der seit Jahren explodierenden Immobilienpreisen flüchten viele Einwohner auf das Wasser, da sie sich die Preise nicht mehr leisten können oder wollen.

Beispielsweise wohnt “unsere” ARD Auslandskorrespondentin und Studioleiterin in London, Annette Dittert, ebenfalls in einem Hausboot auf der Themse. Gelegentlich berichtet sie auch von dort.

Die Fahrt führt bis zur alten Holzschleuse Boveney Lock. Diese Schleuse ist eine der beliebtesten und meist fotografierten Schleusen der Themse.

Über die Ursprünge des Weilers Boveney ist wenig bekannt, obwohl man weiß, dass es hier eine alte Fischerei aus dem Jahr 1201 gab. Die Schleuse selbst wurde erst 1838 gebaut.

An der Schleuse und dem parallel dazu liegendem Wehr dreht das Schiff um und wir fahren wieder zurück nach Windsor. Es gibt einen Punkt in der Tour, an dem man einen phantastischen Blick auf Windsor Castle hat!

Wir kommen wir kurz vor die Windsor & Eton Bridge und drehen dann bei. An dieser strategischen Stelle befindet sich durchgängig bereits seit 1171 eine Brücke, die als Toll-Bridge zur Erhebung von Mautgebühren genutzt wurde.

Die aktuelle Brücke stammt allerdings auch schon aus dem Jahr 1822 und ist seit 1970 für den Verkehr gesperrt, da der moderne Straßenverkehr der Brücke zu sehr zusetzte. Heute dürfen nur noch Fußgänger die Themse darüber passieren.

Wir konnten durch diese Tour wieder einiges Neues lernen, zum Beispiel auch die Tatsache, dass die Windsor Railway Bridge auf Geheiß von Queen Victoria gebaut wurde, die eine private Zugverbindung von London zum Schloss Windsor “benötigte”. Die Brücke wurde von Brunel entworfen und zwischen 1847-48 erbaut.

Wir verlassen die Themse wieder und laufen zurück zu unserem Auto. Wir fahren einmal durch Windsor zurück, bis zu unserer Unterkunft.

Diese liegt etwa 1,3 Km südlich des Castles, in einem Appartement Komplex in dem ausschließlich Ferienwohnungen untergebracht sind. Insgesamt gibt es 8 Wohneinheiten.

Und wie schon in Canterbury, punktet auch diese Unterkunft mit einem eigenen Parkplatz, der im Innenhof liegt.

Sehr nett, der kleine Präsentkorb, der zur Begrüßung bei unserer Anreise in der Küche stand.

Noch aufmerksamer wäre es allerdings gewesen, wenn die Butter nicht schon 5 Wochen abgelaufen und schimmelig wäre.

Good Night!

Angie, Micha and Mr. Bunnybear (Hasenbär)

#Windsor #Duck Tour #Windsor Farm Shop #hop on hop off #Südengland

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palmrrclaymore · 2 months

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I might have a problem, I can't stop

#trolls #trolls fanart #my art #tbt #trolls band together #trolls world tour #twt #brozone #trolls bruce #trolls branch #trolls john dory #trolls clay #trolls floyd #floyd #branch #clay #john dory #bruce #ducks

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stephiramona · 8 months

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Little duckling on tour

#photographers on tumblr #original photographers #nature #landscape #sunshine #summer #little duckling on tour #little duckling #rubber duck #sea #beach

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dreamings-free · 9 months

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how it started..

how it’s going..

FOH sound engineer John Delf and his ever-growing collection of ducks 16/6 + 21/7/23 🦆

#so many ducks!#what the duck #john delf #fitf tour #then and now #16.06.23 #raleigh nc #21.07.23 #lt crew

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elceeu2morrow · 10 months

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jdelf:

[FITFWT 2024 Vancouver, 6.26.23]

#john delf #fitfwt2023 vancouver #6.26.23 #soundboard #tour crew #silver tongues #rainbow ducks

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fitf-ducks · 4 months

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The Ducks of the FITF Tour.

John Delf the sound engineer of the Louis Tomlinson tour started to put in the sound booth rubber ducks that fans gave him to keep him company, and this collection got big this US & Canada leg. So here is the story (that nobody ask for) of how this family of ducks started and growth.

[Disclaimer: I'm aware this could sound like a dumb post to make but i have fun making it and wanted to share what fans created. Also some of this photos and edits are potato quality so sorry in advanced if you don't see very well the details.]

-The Duck family started with the green duck, who was first spotted at the Cuyahoga Falls show (01.06.23) [duck count: 1].

-After that the green duck was spotted in John's photos in different shows, however at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin show (13.06.23) five new friends join in (pink, black, blue, yellow and red ducks), the green duck wasn't alone anymore [duck count: 6].

-The rainbow ducks were spotted in different shows until the Berkley, California show(29.06.23) where a new family member join in: The capitan duck with an anchor [duck count: 7].

-The seven ducks were spotted in LA, Las Vegas, Phoenix but in Irving, Texas show (06.07.23) three new members join in [duck count:10].

In the upper photo we see: the space polka dot duck, the disco duck and the duck the duck with green hair/hat.

-In the Austin, Texas show (07.07.23) two new members were add it: the FITF duck and the futbol duck [duck count: 12].

-The next show that a new family member was added it was in Hollywood Florida (13.07.23), where 1 more join in: the duck chileno [duck count: 13].

-In the Tampa, Florida show (14.07.23) the duck family got bigger with 6 Louis ducks plus a green turtle [duck count: 19+1 turtle].

In the upper photo we see (Louis in Gilford duck, Louis in Cuyahoga Falls duck,Louis in Columbus duck, Louis with 28 clothing white hoodie duck,Louis in Seattle duck and Louis Troutdale duck) and the green turtle.

If you forgot about those outfits here is a reminder:

-In the Atlanta, Georgia show (15.07.23) two new members join: the second duck chileno and the soccer ball duck [duck count: 21 + 1 turtle].

-In the Nashville show (18.07.21) six members join in [duck count: 27 + 1 turtle].

In the upper photo we see: princess duck, angel duck, green with blue glasses duck (later shows it ends up with black glasses),bracelet-flying helmet duck,big red duck, fitf album cover duck.

-In the Charlotte show (19.07.23) in the day the 28 member was add it, the cowboy duck with a pink floatie, at night two more join in Louis in Nashville duck and Louis in Atlanta duck [duck count: 30+ 1 turtle].

Checking this post and this other post and what John posted of other show, for the position of the ducks,the Nashville and Atlanta duck have a penguin on their butt so they can look more like the original Louis(they also have blue eyes like Louis).

I know the quality is not the best but you can see the form of the outfits (Atlanta outfit on the left and Nashville outfit on the right):

-In the Raleigh show (21.07.23), were add it 14 members to the duck family [duck count: 44+ 1 turtle].

In the upper photo we see: 5 long hair neon rainbow light ducks, john delf duck, baby purple duck, duck with blue shirt, North Caroline duck, middle finger duck, black stripes duck, yellow duck with a sparkly shirt and lastly duck unicorn twins.

-In the Columbia show (23.07.23), 16 ducks join the family [duck count: 60+ 1 turtle].

In the upper photo are: triplets soccer ball ducks, clown duck (fandom representation), duck blue shirt, duck with green shirt, sparkly triplets ducks (golden, red, gray ), DIY duck, pilot duck with floatie, mystery red duck (I can't see how it looks), duck with black hat, superman duck, transparent duck, red rocket duck.

-In the Boston night 1 show (24.07.23) we got 2 more ducks and an octopus stuffed animal ?.[duck count: 62+ 1 turtle+1 octopus]

In the upper photo we see High in California duck, soldier duck and cute octopus.

-In the Boston night 2 show (25.07.23), the photos share for this are really dark and I really can't see a lot, for the form and future show post I figure which were the new ones (maybe I could have miss something), in this show were add it 4 new ducks.[duck count: 66+ 1 turtle+1 octopus]

In the upper photo we see writing duck, gray necklace duck, Boston duck and weed duck.

-In the Philadelphia show (27.07.23), the photo is really dark and even edited the quality is not the best, but in this show the rest of the ducks weren't showcase in the photo we only see the new 7 ducks [duck count: 73+ 1 turtle+1 octopus].

In the upper photo we see red duck with a quiff, Luigui the italian duck, punk purple duck, soccer dress duck, blue duck (this is a new one besides the other blue)white duck and astronaut duck.

-In the Asbury Park, New Jersey show (28.07.23) we only see the 4 new duck that join the family [duck count: 77+ 1 turtle+1 octopus].

In the upper photo we see yellow Louis duck, Tomlinson duck, O.R.F.C and beaded blue duck.

-In NYC (29.07.23) in the day we got a video that share the collection and were add it 2 new ducks (maybe john got them after taking the pic of Ausbury) [duck count: 79 + 1 turtle + 1 octopus] .

My edit is awful and I have to put some photos on top so you can see all of them. Anyway in the image we see duck with glasses and mini yellow duck.

-Same day at night more ducks were add it. This is the last one and the most hard to figure it out because of the picture, I probably miss something but this is what I could notice, in the NYC show (29.07.23) 7 ducks join the family [duck count: 86+ 1 turtle+1 octopus].

In the upper photo we see duck shark, crochet duck, hidden duck, darker unknown duck, sparkly big green duck, yellow duck with something in their back and helmet duck.

Just like this collection got out of control, this post as well, If you have links of the story of fans who give ducks or better photos or name suggestions for the ducks please share it with me.

I have the same post on twitter in english and español if you want to share it over there. I'm hoping fans that gift ducks see it and could tag me in better photos so please reblog and retweet.

In the European leg tour John doesn't show the new ducks in all shows and the photos are really dark with not a lot of close ups but I will try to do another recap.

#ducks of the fitf tour #rubber duck #john delf #rubber ducks #fitfwt #fitf tour #fitf world tour #keeping up with the ducks #louistomlinson #louis tomlinson

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louisupdates · 10 months

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Louis ducks on tour [fitfdailypromo]

Louis Tomlinson, FITFWT23: Tampa. 14.7.2023

Ducks: Gilford, Cuyahoga Falls, Columbus

#louis tomlinson #ducks on tour #fitfwt23: tampa #14.7.2023

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bingelller · 1 year

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eras: speak now (2010)

#speak now #speak now tour #taylor swift #my edits #duck

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oldshowbiz · 6 months

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The filming location of Duck Soup is located in Pasadena at 1145 Arden Road. It looks the same today, but for some reason nobody knows about it or ever visits it.

#filming location #duck soup #the marx brothers #groucho #groucho marx #pasadena #kliph walking tour

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weirdowithaquill · 6 months

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Traintober 2023: Day 23 - Big World

The blue tank engine pulled into the Big Station with his coaches, spotting the Fat Controller standing on the platform. “Ah, Thomas! Thank you for sorting out those vans earlier – I can’t believe they missed those on this morning’s Kipper.” “Not a problem sir!” Thomas said, an idea bubbling in his boiler. Surely he’d be able to convince the Fat Controller that a grand trip around the world was a perfect marketing strategy! Sir Topham Hatt was always looking for new ways to bring tourists to the railway after all.

“I’ve had an idea! How would you like it, sir, if one of your engines could be the very first to go right the way around the world?”

As Thomas prodded the Fat Controller for an affirmation, he didn’t notice a certain Great Western engine at the other platform, listening in closely.

***

Thomas thought he’d made a safe getaway, right up until he heard a pointed cough from behind him. “Well, Thomas, what’re we doing now?” “Duck?!” The Great Western Pannier tank sat in the hold behind the blue tank engine, with a pointed eyebrow raised. “What’re you doing here?!”

Duck coughed pointedly. “I came to stop you. You can’t go galivanting off across the planet! You need to let Carly lift you back onto the dockside this instant!” “Um… Duck…” “What?” “The boat’s moving.”

Duck went a very interesting shade of red, and said nothing for a little while. Then…

“We’re going back as soon as we reach Dakar.”

Duck raised an eyebrow at Thomas as he was rather coldly rejected by Ace. As much as he wanted to go home… or maybe hop on that ship bound for Italy… he knew rather well that if someone didn’t chase after the idiot they called a Number One tank engine, Thomas would inevitably end up down a mine, white water rafting his way towards certain doom.

And once was enough.

“Thomas, how about we just… go to Dar-es-Salaam. We can maybe catch a boat back to Sodor from there.” “No Duck, we’re not going back now! We’re going a trip around the world – or at least, I am. You can go back to boring old Sodor and you’re little forgetful branchline.” Duck hissed crossly. “Forgetful! Says the engine that forgets his passenger trains every day and needs Stanley to pull Annie and Clarabel. At least I remember to do my work, instead of wandering off to freaking Africa!”

Thomas raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

“Oh? So why’re you here?” “Stopping you from doing something stupid. Again.” In lieu of a reply, Thomas puffed away, asking aloud whether or not it was possible to reach Dar-es-Salaam from Senegal. Duck wondered if Thomas had ever seen a map – there were no railway lines across the Sahara! And yet, the blue tank engine seemed to believe that if he just asked loudly enough, some random shunter would couple them up to a line of trucks and send them across the continent!

“Dar-es-Salaam? Are you going to Dar-es-Salaam?” Duck looked over, and saw several trucks all beam at the tank engine. “Oh no… oh no, Thomas—” “We’ve been waiting for you!” The trucks were hooked up to Thomas by a little shunter with side tanks and a stove pipe funnel. Duck watched on with interest. These trucks didn’t seem like the ones on Sodor.

“So you are the new engine?” asked the foreman, striding over from his office. “Well… I…” “We, are the new engines – sir,” Duck interjected. “But only for this run. We’re being transferred down to Dar-es-Salaam, so the railway thought it best we take the trucks with us.” “Two of you?” he asked slowly. “You are both so small though!” “Little engines can—” Duck cut off Thomas again.

“We are small, sir. But I’ve got plenty of water, and Thomas here is full of plenty of hot air.” “Hot air?!” “Oh! Like steam,” said the foreman. “It is… one of your…” “English jokes, sir,” Duck replied sweetly. Thomas went red in the face, and let out a great cloud of steam. Duck just sidled away to couple on behind.

***

The two quickly discovered just why the foreman had been so sceptical. They had been put on a slow pick-up goods, being halted at nearly every station between Dakar and Abuja to pick up and put down trucks. Thomas continued to watch in shock as five trucks became eight, then thirteen, then thirty!

Duck quietly uncoupled when the last lot were shunted onto the back of the train, and sidled up alongside.

“We’ll not make it across the rest of the continent with just the two of us.” “Yes we will!” spluttered Thomas. “I don’t even need you back there! All you’re doing is slowing me down!” Duck rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll find a brakevan for you, and you can continue alone.” “A brakevan? We haven’t needed one yet! The land is flat, Duck – the trucks can’t roll away!” Duck rolled his eyes. Every wise engine knows that brakevans aren’t just for runaway trains.

Nonetheless, Thomas did wait for the Great Western Pannier to find a brakevan, before heaving and groaning loudly as he tried his best to drag the heavy train away. Duck’s driver just shook his head in disbelief.

“First I let you talk me into this, then I let you talk me into not helping that struggling fool – I’m so losing my job.”

To his credit, Thomas did make it to the next shunting yard – but there, a large orange tank engine shunted ten more wagons onto the back of his train. Thomas winced as he felt them being coupled up.

“Um…” “Your face!” cackled the orange engine joyfully. “You really shouldn’t look so surprised – there are always a lot of trucks for Dar-es-Salaam, you know,” she added. Duck chuckled. “Oh, he knows,” he said with a smirk. “He’s just stubborn.” “I don’t need any help!” “See?” Thomas hissed steam at Duck, who puffed backwards to avoid it. “Well, I can help you,” offered the orange engine. Thomas glared. “No! I just said I don’t need your help - just watch me! I can do this… by myself!” The orange engine looked rather hurt. Duck sighed.

“Come on, he’ll wind up in a mess in a moment, and then he’ll change his tune. He always does.”

And Duck was – inevitably – right.

The orange engine’s name was Nia. And having saved Thomas from derailing (and then horrifying Duck by suddenly rushing backwards down a hill), she was easily accepted by the Pannier into the little group. Thomas, meanwhile, just sniffed.

“Couple up while you can,” Duck advised. “He’s a loose cannon, this one �� he’ll have run off on you in a puff if could. Trust me.” Nia took the Pannier tank’s advice, and the pair helped push the heavy train up the rest of the hill – and then along the beautiful scenery of the Sahel region. Duck was enamoured with everything.

“I’ve always wanted to sail away and see the world,” he admitted to Nia quietly. “Just… to see what it’s like for myself.” “Oh, me too!” grinned Nia. “There’s one place I’ve heard of in China, called the Rainbow Mountains.” “Wow…” murmured Duck. “That would be incredible to see… Personally, I’ve always wanted to see Greece, or Italy. They say the views over the ocean are some of the best in the world.” The two smiled – perhaps, their journey wouldn’t be so bad after all…

And then Thomas spoke up.

“Will you two shut up! I’m going to be the first engine to travel around the world!” “Circumnavigate is the right word,” muttered Duck. “Well, you’ll need our help to get to Dar-es-Salaam at least,” smirked Nia. “Cause it’s 5000 miles away.”

Thomas spluttered and coughed for several minutes. “5000 miles?!” “Well, at least the trucks will help you,” hummed Nia. “Trucks? Helpful?! When pigs fly!” “The trucks back on the Great Western used to be helpful,” said Duck. “But that was because they knew the importance of being really useful.”

Thomas just rolled his eyes, and let the pair – and their ‘useful trucks’ start a sing-along.

***

Duck chuckled as he and Nia greeted Kwaku warmly. Behind them, Thomas tried to butt in and ask about Ace – but instead, Duck decided to indulge in the local greeting himself. “And how are you, Kwaku? How are your wheels, how is your boiler, how are your pistons? Have the tracks been taking you where you wish to run, and have the other engines been good to you?” Kwaku beamed.

“Now you! You understand the importance of knowing your fellow engines.” Duck chuckled. “Oh thank you. It’s similar to a greeting we had back on the Great Western – though, we just liked to ask: has all been well with you and your shedmates?” Kwaku and Nia both looked intrigued; Thomas blew his whistle loudly to get their attention.

“Excuse me! Have you seen a yellow rally car named Ace?!” “So rude!” sniffed Duck. “Interrupting a conversation like that.” Nia and Kwaku agreed. “Most disrespectful,” muttered Nia. “His designer would be ashamed,” agreed Kwaku. “Ashamed of every insult he makes against both his class and his home.” Duck sighed.

“Our railway is normally much nicer than the blue puffball makes out – he’s normally too. But recently… he’s been foisting off his duties on other engines so he can go galivanting off to my branchline to mess with the little engines.” “Little engines?” asked Nia. “They cannot be much smaller than Thomas, right?” Duck laughed; Thomas glowered.

***

Amazingly enough, Nia joined the pair on their next ship – this one bound for Rio de Janeiro. “Hopefully we’ll catch up with Ace there…” murmured Thomas. Duck grimaced. “I don’t like this Ace,” he said. “He seems like a bad influence. If such a car had come round Paddington…” “Then he’d have been the most interesting vehicle there,” snapped Thomas. Duck glared. “How dare you—” “I didn’t want to bring you, Montague. I wanted to be the first, I wanted to see the world! But you just had to come and ruin it.” Duck went silent, and both he and Nia went unhappily to sleep.

Pulling coffee from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to San Francisco in the USA was yet another job that seemed impossible. “There can’t be a railway line through the Darien Gap!” huffed Duck. “It’s impossible! Not even the road goes through there.” And yet, they were loaded up with coal and water and shown the entrance to the Pan-American railway (which Duck had rather… mixed feelings about).

Nia, on the other hand, was excited!

“We’re going to be able to see monkeys, and panthers, and—” “Snakes.” “Thomas, seriously? Snakes? Are you just wanting to frighten poor Nia?” Thomas didn’t reply, just chortled up front.

It took all three engines several moments to heave the heavy train into motion. Most of the train was made of covered vans filled with sacks of coffee, however a couple flatbeds had been coupled up between Thomas and Duck, to hold the coffee beans that didn’t fit into the vans.

With Thomas in front, it wasn’t long until both Duck and Nia grew bored. The blue tank engine was off in his own world again, fantasising about racing Ace. “Hey, look!” exclaimed Nia excitedly. “It’s a toucan!” Duck gazed over and gasped in amazement. “I’ve never seen a toucan before!” he said. “Oh, I wish I had a camera.” “My fireman has one!” Nia replied. Her fireman leaned out of the cab to photograph the toucan; and then he was taking photos of the parrots, of the capybaras, of monkeys and even a panther that stalked by the lineside.

“How incredible!” murmured Duck. “The scenery here is just…” He and Nia both gazed up at the tall trees that swayed in the breeze above them, practically dripping with vines and vibrant flowers in almost every colour of the rainbow. There were also hundreds of insects, and it wasn’t long before all three crews were putting up fly nets.

They’d just started off again when a certain blue pain-in-Duck’s-bunker spotted his new best friend Ace, and they were speeding off suddenly without stopping for water.

***

Once again, it was Nia who saved them, when Thomas ran dry, and they almost had to dump his fire. Had their crews not used the giant leaves from some nearby shrubs to create water funnels for all three engines – which was Nia’s idea – then he may have had to have his fire dumped.

Rain fell hard in the Amazon jungle – though Duck wasn’t quite sure where they were. “Perhaps we’re nearly in Colombia?” suggested Nia. “It is getting warmer.” “We might even be on the equator right now!” exclaimed Duck excitedly. “No we’re not!” snorted Thomas. “If we were on the equator, we’d see a big dotted line!” “Thomas, you dim-witted blue puffball! That’s a marking on a map, not a real thing!” spluttered Duck.

Thomas sniffed. “Oh please! You just want to stare at the trees. We need to get moving to get Ace to his next rally!” Ah, yes. Ace. They’d found him upside down on the side of the line some miles back, and already Duck wanted to shove him back into the undergrowth.

“You tell him Thomas!” cheered Ace. “We’ve gotta go fast – there’s no time for this sightseeing. I might be out of this race, but I can still make it to North America – continent number three!” “We have coffee to deliver,” Duck reminded sternly. “Which means we’re going to San Francisco. Unless your race starts from there, you’re out of luck. It’s a miracle we’re even helping you in the first place! It’s not the Great Western—” “Oh shut up!” groaned Thomas. “Don’t you have anything else to justify your ridiculous rants, Duck? Great Western this, Great Western that – the Great Western Railway is gone!”

Duck didn’t reply – instead, he went silent, and just glared at Thomas’ bunker.

Which was of course the exact moment that the tracks began to sink into the mud and ooze beneath them.

Both Nia and Duck were all too happy to split the train and ‘race’ through Mexico and Arizona. The two took one track (and the majority of the trucks), while Thomas got Ace, the flatbeds, two vans and the brakevan.

“On your marks!” called Ace. “Get set! Go!”

And with that, the three were thundering along, Nia and Duck working in tandem to draw ahead of the blue tank engine. “This is better!” cheered Duck. “No Thomas, no Ace, no worries!” “You shouldn’t talk about your friend like that,” Nia huffed. “Friend?!” spluttered Duck with a laugh. “Please! You heard him – we’ve never been friends, Nia. Mister Number One doesn’t like me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. At least with him gone, we can finally go see those Rainbow Mountains you were talking about, instead of being dragged after the Blue Puffball.”

“Why do you call him that?” quizzed Nia. Duck laughed. “Oh, it’s a nickname a diesel with a giant claw gave him a while back,” he said offhandedly. Nia gaped at Duck in shock. “What?!” “Ah, now this is a fun story…”

And so, even though they were still racing Thomas through the Arizonan desert, Duck and Nia took the time to share stories about their home railways, as well as marvel at the sublime scenery that surrounded them, including the Grand Canyon itself.

***

Thomas didn’t come. He had ditched them to play ‘rally car’ with Ace. So, Duck and Nia didn’t wait. Instead, the pair boarded the next ship bound for China, excited to go and see the famous Rainbow Mountains in China. They were located at the Zhangye National Park in the north of the country, so the pair had plenty of time to see some of the other wonders of the ancient nation on their way, from the bustling city of Shanghai to the Grand Canal to Jiuzhai Valley National Park. It was gorgeous!

Better yet, they met Yong Bao on their way. Duck had previously met the gentle giant back when Britain had hosted the Great Railway Show, and the Chinese engine had spent some time at the Big Station helping out Henry, Murdoch and Hiro on the heavy goods trains.

“The Rainbow Mountains are beautiful this time of year,” Yong Bao grinned. “It is such an honour to be able to share them with you. Thank you both for finding the time to come all this way to see our sights.” “I’ve always wanted to see the world,” said Duck with a smile. “I remember once talking to Percy about it back on Sodor, during a regatta. He said it was impossible because engines can’t float…” “Really?” hummed Nia. “I used to stare at the sunset and wonder what the world looked like!” “Me too!”

Yong Bao chuckled.

“Well, we can go see the Rainbow Mountains together – and then is there anywhere else you want to go?” “Italy,” Nia replied. Duck’s eyes widened. “You said you wanted to go there, right?” “I… you remembered?” “Of course I did! We’re friends,�� said Nia. “And you remembered that I wanted to come here.” Duck beamed. “Oh yes!” Yong Bao chuckled at the pair. “Come on, we had best get moving – you need to see the Rainbow Mountains, then head towards the Himalayas so you can start on your journey to Italy.” Yong Bao coupled the pair up to a passenger train he was pulling in that direction, and the three set off.

“I… I don’t have many friends,” Duck admitted quietly to Nia after a few minutes. “Most of the other engines think I’m a bit… too uptight.” “Being proud of your work and heritage is important,” said Nia. “You should not be ashamed of it. You just prefer to get all your jobs finished before relaxing – it is honourable.” “Agreed,” chimed in Yong Bao. “You have a friend in me, Duck.” Duck smiled a watery smile – he felt close to tears.

“Thank you. Thank you both.”

Yong Bao left them at the base of the ‘railway through the clouds’, and the two continued onwards up the highest railway in the world on their own. It wasn’t easy going. The lack of oxygen made their fires burn cooler, and each puff was a pant – but still they kept on going, spurred on by the scenery that they were seeing. They could see the Himalayas stretched out in front of them, the roof of the world covered in ice and snow.

Both engines talked in hushed voices, both so not to disturb the animals dozing by the line in certain areas – and to not trigger a landslide in others.

That was when they heard a loud, shrill whistle. Duck and Nia both looked back – there was Thomas, speeding up the side of the mountain and whistling fit to burst, calling out their names. Both of them sped up, eyes turned upwards. They were wary of triggering an avalanche.

A tunnel loomed ahead. Nia and Duck puffed in just as there was a deep, dangerous rumble above them. The two slammed on their brakes as a giant avalanche came roaring down the mountainside. The whistles cut out – then started again, only this time alarmed.

“Help! Help!” Duck’s eyes were wide. “Come on, we have to rescue him!” he exclaimed. The two raced back out the tunnel, to find snow everywhere. They charged down the line, and found Thomas off the rails near a sharp bend. He was tilting over the edge of a cliff face, his front buffers hanging over nothing.

“You secure him,” Duck said to Nia. “I’m going to find help further down the mountain.” “Got it. But hurry!” Chains were secured between Thomas and Nia, while Duck sprinted back down the mountain.

“I’m sorry,” Thomas said after a moment. “I was stupid to listen to Ace – he just seemed so cool… and it made me lose sight of who my real friends were.” “I think,” said Nia, “that you need to save your apology for Duck.”

The two sat there for several moments – and then Nia felt herself slipping. Snow was shifting under Thomas, dragging him further over the cliff edge. Nia strained against the weight of the blue tank engine – but it was a losing battle. Just as she felt her trailing wheels lift up off the rails however, Yong Bao and Duck steamed up behind her, buffering up and pushing forwards with all their might!

“Yong Bao!” cheered Nia. “Duck, you found him!” “I heard the avalanche and came right away,” Yong Bao replied. “Whoever was dumb enough to whistle so loudly in an avalanche zone put everyone in danger.”

Thomas blushed, and looked at his buffers in disgrace. “I… I’m sorry Duck,” he said eventually. “I shouldn’t have been so mean. I… I don’t know why you’ve put up with me so far.” “Well, it wouldn’t be very good if you went and rolled down a mountainside,” smirked Duck. “It’s just not the Great Western Way.”

Yong Bao smiled, listening to Duck’s roundabout forgiveness of his friend.

“Here, I will guide you the rest of the way,” he offered. “It is safer.” “Thank you,” said Duck. “We’d really appreciate that. And… maybe our drivers could exchange email addresses?” “Sounds wonderful,” grinned Yong Bao.

***

There was just one last place to go before returning to Sodor.

Duck gasped in astonishment, gazing out over the city of Venice. Thomas and Nia sat on either side of the Pannier tank, all three staring out across the lagoon to where the ancient island city lay, great buildings made of limestone rising up out of the sea.

“It’s incredible,” Duck managed to say, tears in his eyes. He’d actually fulfilled his dream. “I… I never thought I’d ever come here.” “And I never thought I’d leave Africa,” Nia added. “But I got to see the Rainbow Mountains.” “And I never thought I’d leave the yard,” Thomas finished. “But I got to see the world, and I’m glad I got to see it with you both.” “Thank you,” murmured Duck. “It… wasn’t too bad seeing the world with you either.”

They still had a long way to go to get back home to Sodor – a route filled with gorgeous scenery, incredible cities and a trip through the Channel Tunnel – but they weren’t in a hurry. Perhaps there was something to leaving for a little while to see the world, mused Duck.

And as the sun set over the water, the three friends stood on the pier and let the world pass them by, content to spend time together.