Train trip ends

We went on through Cambridgeshire and towards Peterborough always heading North. We had had our packed lunch when the twins remembered it was Sunday and time for Sunday school. Out came their books and they organized suitable service there and then. Leaning out of the window, I could call to one or two other teachers and we decided we’d be in Derbyshire in an hour or so. Then we realized that we had changed direction and by the sun could see we were proceeding westward! In mid afternoon we stopped at a station with several platforms and were told we could use the toilets! The station staff had also very thoughtfully filled several metal milk churns with water for us, but had no cups. The children with mugs soon produced them and although it was the colour of lemonade, no water ever tested so good to most of us. It does sound ridiculous now, but we were not surprised when no one would tell us the station name! We decided it was Bletchley, but we were not sure. From then on we headed westward – no towns, just a few villages and farms. The sun still shone but it was cooler because evening was approaching! More food seemed in order and then because we must be nearly ‘there’ much watching from the windows! I recognized a building often seen in history books and knew we were passing by Chipping Campden. Later, we saw a race course-quite close-someone had forgotten its name was displayed – Cheltenham! Excitement grew. We must be going to Wales – but it was still a long way off. I had taken a map from my atlas at the last moment when leaving and we now poured over it. One of the boys was a railway enthusiast and as we travelled along a wide river estuary (R. Severn) he informed us all that’s Lydney Bridge. Shortly afterwards we stopped. Everyone tumbled out plus luggage. The reception committee took us in buses to a school where immediately a nurse and doctor inspected every child. Having been passed as clean and fit they were led to a table and given a bun and a bottle of milk. It as so refreshing to be still at last and to feel cool. We were puzzled that no one spoke about billets, but as everyone was busy we just waited to see what happened! Imagine our surprise when coaches appeared and we were all bundled into them.