Chance encounter on train lays tracks for true romance

AN uMhlanga couple has told how a stuffy train ride landed them in each other’s arms.

July 1957- on a hot summer’s day in Britain Peter Wilson was traveling from York to London when he met the love of his life. Unfortunately for him the train was full, forcing him to stand leaning towards a window to get fresh air.

It was when a stylish young lady wearing a fascinatingly big, white hat came to stand next to him, blocking the air. Sixty years later, that young lady is still his breath of fresh air.

“I remember asking her to take her hat off. She ignored me and pretended not to hear me. Fortunately for me the ride was a bumpy one, which along the way compelled her to eventually talk to me,” said Wilson. 

As the train ‘choo chooed’ away, the beautiful Renèe kept on falling on the gentleman who asked her to take her hat off.

“He had decided to sit on his luggage and I kept falling onto him. Eventually he offered me a seat next to him,” she said. 

By the time the three-hour train reached London, the couple had made arrangements to meet again.

In other news:

On the 11th of October 1958, the couple boarded the train to ‘together forever’. As this year marks their diamond anniversary, the couple said they are truly blessed to have each other.

“I couldn’t have chosen a better man,” said Mrs Wilson. 

In 1960 they moved to back South Africa, to start their family in Peter’s homeland.

The uMhlanga couple had three children together. Sadly they lost their eldest son to a car accident when he was only 16-years-old.

“Dealing with the pain of losing your beloved son was the worst time for us. But we were there for each other and that’s why we are still here,” she added. 

The couple now in their mid 80s and still as happy as they were when they first met. To celebrate their 60th anniversary they will have lunch with close friends.