Somerset, Devon and Cornwall

For this holiday someone asked If it could be not quite so fast But I always feel challenged to Find lots of railways we can do

To Weston first I chose to ride Whilst it was still quite a high tide Though it seems I’d arrived too soon Some places weren’t open ‘til noon A great start for my holiday Three sunny beaches on the way To meet t’others at Temple Meads Where we’d fulfil our dinner needs Thence to Exeter Premier Inn To this brand we have seldom been But its location was just right From its front door station’s in sight

Next day up early westward bound And in Penzance a bakery found Then from St Erth to St Ives Bay We were having a branch line day Change at Truro for Falmouth Docks Calling at several halts and stops From Plymouth on to Gunnislake Pizza Hut our dinner did make

Three nights spent at a Travelodge But noises there were hard to dodge Shortly after it turned midnight I was woken with quite a fright The fire alarm had just come on And off … and on … and off … and on … Apparently a smoke machine At the night club had caused this scene!

On Saturday we wanted to Visit the branch that goes to Looe Fortunately there’d been less rain So ‘twasn’t flooded there again Travelled onward to change at Par As you get to Newquay from there

Took a miniature railway ride And spent more time at the seaside Later when we were feeling worn Dined at Wetherspoons in Camborne Before finally heading back From the west country up the track

Turned out somebody didn’t know What you could see at Plymouth Hoe They thought we were going to take Them to see an old garden rake Though ‘twas windy and getting dark There were still great views from that park Smeaton’s tower and across the Sound Ships and Drake’s Island could be found

Sunday travelled on ample bus Luckily without any fuss Heading first to the Plym Valley And a train ride for our tally Then it seemed to me to be hard To find the Royal William Yard Through gates, past shops, you had to go But no sign clearly told you so

Across the river we did float In Cremyll’s little ferry boat Landing then at Mount Edgcumbe quay Great Woodland railway for to see After we’d eaten our ice cream Rushed to Plymouth Miniature Steam Next dinner in Mutley, we made It to church on Royal Parade

Monday headed to home, Swindon Via the beach at Paignton We rode route to and from Kingswear And then decided we were near Enough to see Babbacombe beach Which by cliff railway we could reach This year is its centenary We got a souvenir magnet free

Fin’lly we waved bye to the sea And boarded the train at Torquay We knew we were nearly back at source When we saw the Westbury white horse