The Summer of '26

It’s been a really, really, long summer In oh so many ways And even though we worked most days We have still managed to get out and about And had many forays

We’ve travelled around Despite the heat Mostly by train And we have still found Some places we’d never visited Plus some we wanted to go to again… and again

On my own to Kent I’ve been And my ex-work colleague seen Then on that day, to boot, I joined my daughter-in-law on her commute

To Carmarthen castle with my nephew I went And in the town a little time spent Then back to Pembrey and Burry Port For the coastal walk to Llanelli And from there a train caught

For the first time in many years we made A trip to the Swindon and Cricklade Our nearest heritage route Though rather too far to go by foot

In Trowbridge we had a meal Using up the last of a deal We sometimes travel just because we can Not as part of a wider plan…

I did some volunteering at the corps I hear you ask what was that for? Seems that the word’s got about That I’m good at sorting things out There was tonnes of rubbish for junk modelling To organise for their kids club

Then I had a day beside the sea A long standing friend and me We watched the tide come and go It’s very therapeutic you know

The Vale of Berkeley branch Had long been out of use But to celebrate 150 years since its launch As that seemed a good excuse They got a GW pacer running

Marlow’s known as the donkey line We go there from time to time Along the river is Bourne End So that way we did walk and wend We even found a cool ice cream

My cousins came to Oxford To spend the day with me We started off by having luncheon And then visited the Ashmolean

Next to the Bluebell Railway we went After many, many years They were mostly running diesel Because of risk of fire fears

Last year we found Yeovil miniature railway shut So we really hoped that it would not Be another wasted trip But as we arrived they were opening up

For our pearl anniversary We had a night away In Swansea we did stay Then further west to Milford Haven and Tenby All in one day

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Also had a green GW pacer On their short running line It was rather damp at that time

Our last trip, on the bank holiday Was to Cutteslowe Park For a ride on their trains We got back to the station just before the rains! Various family celebrations we’ve had Time to be together and be glad Especially when they come with food And if it’s homemade it’s extra good

We’ve enjoyed blackberries in abundance But apples have been rather lacking Unlike my baking Muffins, bread, crumbles, and much more

So to the summer we now bid farewell Though it feels like here for ages we did dwell And with yet another hot spell forecast Seems the rain did little the heat to quell!