A balmy Saturday in June saw members of the Railroad Club come together in Oxford for an eagerly anticipated reunion; one dedicated Railroader even missed the school function she’d organised, such was the level of commitment!
Off games and unable to take part in the afternoon’s tennis at Merton Street, I’m ashamed to say that instead of hot-footing it to the court, I checked into my room in New College (wow, student beds are small…) and strolled around college with the broadest smile on my face! I’m not sure it ever felt this good when I was an undergrad – always late for lectures, Chemistry tutes with quite possibly the scariest prof in Oxford and endless practicals in smelly labs. But without the work, well, Oxford in the sunshine is just the best! I bought a book in Blackwell’s and tried to look clever, climbed the Tower of St Michael at the North Gate… yes I was unashamedly in full on tourist mode and loving it!
And then to Merton Street … where the doubles matches were in full swing, with the Railroaders rolling back the years and showcasing their skills (and the odd shank) to an appreciative dedans. An afternoon of laughter and friendly competition, with old teammates happy to be back on the Oxford court. And the highlight: a tennis masterclass by Spike, Rob, Geoff and Craig – how do they make it look so easy…?
As the sun began to set, the Railroaders traded their tennis whites for black tie and reconvened at Vincent’s Club for a champagne reception in the wood panelled lounge.