Yes I remember Adlestrop
Yes I remember Adlestrop. We arrived in the summer of 1915, the sun beamed down through the windows of the first class carriage, it was impossible to remain cool, the train chugged to a stop, the station was bare and derelict, you couldn’t help wonder why an earth a station had been built here at all. Did anyone even live in this ghost town. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted as the train chugged to a halt. It didn’t take long for the men to pull out their handkerchiefs to dab away the beads of sweat, which dripped down their necks, landing on stiffly starched collars, the women and children were exhausted by the rays of the sun relentlessly beating down on them, their fans totally inadequate to cool them down, ladies bosoms heaved trying to catch a breath, fighting the whale boned corsets constricting the air out of there lungs, the design made to hold them straight and proper in torture.
Although the discomfort was immense you couldn’t help your wondering eyes, as they peered out onto such natural beauty. It was like a painting of nature that had been untouched by the destructive hands of men, everything was still, as you gazed out to the horizon, where the hills greeted the clear topaz pool sky, the golden stone walls divided up the vast landscape with elegance and charm, it seemed as though they were part of nature’s work not man made, perfectly complimenting and crowning natures glory. The smell of sweet nectar filled the air, complemented with aromas from the fresh meadows yonder, the willow herb and grass had grown wild, covering the earth in perfect harmony together, dancing with the flowers of summer. I cocked my head as a sweet tune twitched my ear, and before long I’d spied the sweet singer, dancing against the willows blossom, this shining black figure the perfect entertainer, at this venue of nature. The blackbird stood out amongst the feathered crowd surrounding him, watching in admiration, chiming in as backing singers to his happy tune, his coat glistening in the sunlight beams, through the thick branches and lushes green trees, parading his black beauty, chest plumped with natural instincts to be king of the trees and a testosterone filled urge to meet his lover. Yes I remember that day in Adlestrop, although the trip was short the picture is forever embedded in my memory! Something I shall never forget! The jewel of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, where Mother Nature’s purest work is on display for all to see, untouched by man, the way god intended this world to be. The train horn sounded and the train roared alive as it’s journey continued along the tracks, you couldn’t help but look back, and steal one last glimpse of the beauty of Adlestrop, I smiled as the blackbird continued to sing and hop, ready to entertain the next train that’ll stop, and rob a few minutes of a fresh breeze and lay there eyes on nature’s hidden jem that is Adlestrop.
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