(6) BRISTOL to MOSCOW, 1965: a pastiche.
Some of teachers at Withywood Comprehensive School in Bristol, together with a couple from Totton Grammar School in Hampshire, bought an old bus and in August 1965 took a group of schoolchildren to the USSR. The events of that trip I shall recount elsewhere, with (??) some photographs. Here is an “other” version of the trip. The pictures are from the Всесоюзная художественная выставка [All-Union Art Exhibition], Moscow, 1961.
We expected dull,
monotonous scenery,
but found it fascinating
and the towns – picturesque.
The weather was relatively mild, for August.
The roads were excellent,
especially in built-up areas.
We were once or twice held up,
and once were nearly lost.
The natives were friendly
and the campsites, good.
The police were often very helpful.
Shopping was a delight.
We took it in turns to make supper,
while the others waited expectantly.
When supper was over
we settled down with a long drink.
One of favourite campsites:
with excellent amenities.
We liked to sit around and
discuss the day’s events.
The girls would go off to the shops
and the lads guarded the camp
Early morning: washing
and loading the bus.
Then: a minor catastrophe! We broke down…
We tried calling for help
We even changed one of the tyres, but no use.
Extensive repairs were necessary,
and we only just managed to scrape together enough money
to get home.
tpriestl 