2011 – Issue 1 of 4

LONDON TO CARDIFF IN 1931;
(1) (5)
Today’s long-distance express coach “We reach the town in time for lunch.
Is certain to provide
(I get hungry on these trips)
The last word in efficiency –
I’ll have to fuel up the coach,
A service nationwide.
Then buy some fish and chips,
It wasn’t such a rosy picture
The garage closed for holidays
Fifty years ago;
Now that could spoil my plans,
The ‘good old days’ were not so good, But I have more luck in Northgate Street --
As these few lines will show.
It’s Pratt’s and sold in cans”
(2) (6)
Let’s join the London to Cardiff coach “We cross the River Severn,
Those many years ago.
Then we’re on the road to Ross;
We ask the driver of the roads; The market’s causing quite a jam --
“And were they fast or slow?”
The cattle have to cross;
“No motorways for us” he says.
We stop again. The radiator
“No rapid cruising speed,
Shimmers in the sun.
Just narrow twisting stagecoach roads At last we’re clear, then into Wales
That hinder and impede”
To make the homeward run.”
(3) (7)
“The journey takes eight hours or more “I’ll have to stop at Newport --
In this old coach of mine –
There’s a parcel in the coach
From London’s cobbled streets we start, For the draper in the High Street
And though it’s not yet nine. He waits for our approach --
There’s horse dawn vans and hackney cabs, He wants to keep me talking,
And many an open bus.
But I’ll have to get away;
But pressing on, we leave the town, There’s only twelve more miles to go,
Its bustle, noise and fuss”.
It’s been a long hard day.”
(4) (8)
“Our first stop’s Oxford at eleven, “At last we enter Cardiff,
And at the Café Royal
And draw in to our stand.
We stop for coffee while I check
A lady sitting at the front
The water and the oil.
Slips sixpence in my hand.
At quarter past we’re off again Thank you driver, safely home --
And rumble out of town;
There’s tired you must be!
It’s fifty miles to Gloucester now
Tired? Yes, I’m fit to drop,
So I keep the throttle down”
But I’m used to it you see.
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