7. Gun emplacements Needles, Isle of White.

Edit.  I realise that I recognise 11 too but I've had my turn.

The Railway Inn at Westbury ...

Northern Lights illuminate skies across the UK

Residents across the UK were left stunned as the sky was illuminated by the spectacular colours of the Northern Lights on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The natural phenomenon, known as the Aurora Borealis, is the result of increased solar activity.

Such occurrences are mostly visible near the Arctic Circle and northern Scotland, but particularly strong activity levels meant they could be seen across Wales and as far south as Devon, Hampshire and Kent on Saturday night.

The Met Office has said sightings could continue to be possible during clear skies until Tuesday.


And this was the picture-perfect view in south west Wales, from Tenby in Pembrokeshire - Image © BBC Weather Watchers / Lucy

Northern Lights are caused by powerful solar eruptions from the Sun, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).  Towards the end of last week, the Sun was observed to unleash CMEs directed towards the Earth.

This stream of charged particles can get captured by the Earth's magnetic field and directed into our atmosphere, especially towards polar regions.  When these charged particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen, coloured light is emitted - this is the aurora.

The chances of seeing the aurora vary across the UK depending upon its strength. When activity levels reach 200nT (nanotesla) the aurora would be visible in the north of the UK, but not the south.

On Saturday evening, those levels reached 600nT, meaning it would be visible across the whole of the UK, even in the south, which is a much rarer phenomenon.

Experts have previously said 2026 will be a peak year for aurora-spotting as the Sun has been in a heightened state of activity as part of its 11-year natural cycle.


A purple glow could be seen across the sky in Salisbury, Wiltshire on Saturday - Image © BBC Weather Watchers / Carolyn R

If you missed out this time, the aurora may return on Sunday.  The Met Office has said sightings remain possible across Scotland and similar geomagnetic longitudes during clear skies until Tuesday.

To see them, you need to look northwards, away from bright streetlights, and view the aurora through a mobile phone camera.

The reason you need to use a camera is because in low-light conditions at night our eyes use rod cells to see - these cells do not perceive colour and so we actually see in black and white. Cameras do not have the same limitations.

Good to have an account of the Ship at Brimscombe. I think I'm right in saying that the local authority bought the building and promoted its use as a pub - to safeguard it during the interim time before the navigation is re-established.

The two town centre Wetherspoons in Swindon are not that close to the station, so much so that some people struggle to find them - let alone try any black pudding.   

Slight bias involved?  .  I have visited Nailsea, as friends live there. Would like to visit Tyntesfield again, but there doesn't seem to be a safe walking route between N&B station and the NT site?

1. The Wetherspoons in Nailsea is not particularly close to our local railway station, but it's the closest you get;

10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 13:08

10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 13:08 will be terminated at Westbury.

It will no longer call at Chetnole, Thornford, Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.

It has been delayed at Weymouth and is now 13 minutes late.

This is due to a fault on this train.

Will be formed of 3 coaches. Toilet facilities are not available.

Additional Facilities Information
The front coach is not in use. Please use the last two coaches.
-
There is no accessible space available.

12:25 Westbury to Swindon due 13:08

An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 12:25 Westbury to Swindon due 13:08.

Due           Station   Status
12:25   Westbury   12:25
12:32   Trowbridge   12:32
12:42   Melksham   12:42
12:52   Chippenham   12:52
13:08   Swindon   13:08

  The Salisbury to Exeter Rail Ale Trail encourages people from near and far to visit local pubs by train and has gained national recognition as a significant tourism and leisure initiative, being awarded a Certificate of Excellence at the recent Community Rail Awards in Newcastle. 

The trail includes 19 pubs along the railway that links the two cities, all of them within easy reach of the stations in the towns and villages it serves.  Collect 10 stamps to win a T-shirt.

11:43 Swindon to Weymouth due 13:57

11:43 Swindon to Weymouth due 13:57 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Frome, Bruton, Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill, Thornford, Yetminster, Chetnole, Maiden Newton, Dorchester West, Upwey and Weymouth.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

1. 

2.  Rose & Crown, Trowbridge (an excellent hostelry);

3.  Queen's Tap, Swindon (another excellent hostelry).

I can't quite place the first one.  Not The Railway Inn at Yatton, I assume? 

CfN. 

That looks like it would be an attractive alternative for getting to Gatwick from Reading compared to the current GWR Turbo service - assuming decent rolling stock.