I HAD a tedious rail journey from Euston to Preston last Friday at 4.30pm, leaving just as darkness was caressing the landscape.

I found my reserved seat in carriage B with a young lady sat next to it.

The lady sat turned out to be of such a dynamic personality I doubt I will ever forget her, she made the Euston to Warrington station (that was her stop) seem like I was strapped inside a rocket train. That section of the journey went by so quickly.

By contrast my remaining journey to Preston dragged.

I am an old chap who has little time for timewasters but that mid- 30s lady brightened up my journey so much I wanted to say a belated thank you for shortening my possible dreary journey in a poem.

‘The fastest journey of my life’

We met as strangers, fellow passengers on a train,

From Euston to the north west, oh what a pain.

By iron horse we sped, simply to get to our homes,

We spoke and discussed many things in our lives, it was clear, you were no ordinary gal.

You blitzed my mind with your dynamic, capable and strong, confident personality of both listening but explaining,

You understood the Germans, just how I did too.

Their ways and their foibles, your words were so true,

How different from the way ladies are generally seen by us mere mortals, I mean us men!

It was so refreshing to share a journey with a lady who had such a dynamic confident personality.

That journey to the north was over in a heartbeat, as you departed at your Warrington stop, my journey slowed down almost to a stop.

Thank you dear lady for your conversation, you enlightened me far more than any could know.

I will remember you always as you departed that train.

You told me you travel quite a lot in your life, well dear lady please always take care.

PETER BLACKBURN Lancashire