When I think of summer holidays, I think of fun, excitement, late nights and lazy mornings, new adventures and most importantly
NO SCHOOL = FAMILY TIME
As a family we are in a privileged position that my husband and I own our own business.
For us this dynamic has been a god send with Billys ever changing situations.
For one it gives us the freedom to write our own schedule.
Over the last 7 years, we have been on a journey of self-discovery as a family.
So much so, we have had to adapted to our new surroundings to survive.
I think the biggest discovery was
‘Seizing the day’
Admittedly in the past we haven’t be great at doing this, mainly due to our old mind set putting in too many obstacles in the way.
I have found by not taking the risk/opportunity at times, can create lost chances all together.
So, this summer was full of opportunities.
Mainly ad-hoc adventures.
Which in my book, makes it more exciting.
If anyone knows Billy well, you will know he loves trains and steam.
This love started with Thomas the Tank Engine and this has moved into many avenues over the years and this summer was no different.
On the second week of the holidays, Billy started to research Rev. Awdry the creator of Thomas the Tank.
Which lead Billy down a rabbit hole of information about the back story to the books and the creation of the Island of Sodor.
All summer I have heard about how Rev. Awdry volunteered on a railway in Wales called Talyllyn Railway.
So, from week 2 to week 5 I would often get new updates on the research he had done from ‘YouTube’ and from written books he had found on the internet.
Surprisingly, there are many older enthusiasts or in some ways historians on this topic and I can see Billy becoming one of these one day.
When I listen to Billy you could honestly hear the passion within his voice to the point, I suggested to Alec that we just needed to go.
So, at the end of week five, I frantically booked a campsite that Billy had mentioned from one of the many YouTube researching sessions.
Thank God he was planning for this non-existent visit.
Then the tickets were purchased and surprisingly the day we wanted to go, was the last children’s day of the year.
In someways, it just felt like it was meant to be.
So, on the morning of the trip, we got into the motorhome and handed Billy the tickets.
I’ll let the video show you, his reaction.
All, I’m going to say is, he was one very happy boy.
Over the next 6 hours we went through some breath taking remote country side to reach Tynllwyn Caravan Park.
Even that the travellers were weary, the caravan site didn’t disappoint.
And just like Billy said, the railway ran adjacent to the caravan site, which we could see out of the motorhome window.
So, while we were getting settled in, we heard the faint sound of a whistle.
Billy sat bolt upright and looked out over the railway and in an excited voice said ‘Steam Train.’
Within seconds we had our first sighting, of steam pluming out of the funnel and the sound of ‘clickety clack’ on the track.
Then from behind the trees appeared a spectacular narrow-gauge engine.
Billy started waving frantically and from nowhere the driver turned, smiled, and waved back.
His little arm waved faster and his little voice said ‘Did you see that; did you?’
Next morning, bright and early, Billy was up and ready to go.
Still filling us in on the days delights, just in case we weren’t listening the first time.
With a minor setback, of no early morning taxis, we packed the motorhome up in double time to make the first train of the day.
On the way, Billy said that I needed to go and see Rev. Awdry’s study that is on display.
I nodded and he said, Rev. Awdry and you, both write stories.
He smiled and turned his head to continue looking out of the window, communicating his knowledge on all things Thomas.
When we walked in, we were greeted by the station master and directed out onto the platform.
The first train of the day was being steamed up ready for the first outing.
Over the next 5 hours, we went on 4 trains, visited waterfalls, read about the Quarry, eat cake, took in the scenery, looked around the museum and planned our next trip.
Billy expressed his favourite part was seeing Rev. Awdry study and the OO gauge track he had in there.
On many occasions, I have mentioned the importance of Thomas and his Friends within Billy’s treatment and recovery.
Thomas and his Friends gave Billy a reason to get up and fight when the chips where down.
Like most of us, Billy needed a ‘why?’ in this life changing moment.
So, there was no better way to celebrate Billy’s 6th Liver Transplant Birthday, than this trip.
Firstly, thank you Rev. Awdry for this amazing rabbit hole of fantasy which has turned into our family adventures.
Secondly, a BIG THANK YOU to all the staff at Kings College Hospital and Southampton General Hospital for all your support and endless care.
Who would have thought this relationship would last a lifetime.
As always, our thoughts are with Billy’s Donor and her family and friends at this sad time of year.
As we are celebrating second chances and honouring her, they are mourning the loss of a family member that gained her wings to early.
This day is always filled with mixed emotions, due to it being a bittersweet moment.
On my final note, Happy 6th Liverversary Billy and we hope this year brings you good health and lots of happiness.
Love Mum and Dad xx
P.S. we are super proud of you and how you handle your given life.
Remember you may not feel strong but you are
Love
The Rose-Tinted Mum
The Rose Tinted mum 