They are the great midland expanses that have remained young in realisation of just what our common share and responsibility in sea-power mean to all the mankindly world.

CBR calculated the estimated cost of reinstatement of the route, based on 2012 prices for the original Borders Railway project, as £644m. Admittedly, that's about four years out of date now, so it's looking more like a billion pounds, says Walton.

Surely he dieth even now.'True,' she said, with a start. `Oh, why did I not come before! I am unnerved - my hand trembles, even mine - and yet it is very easy.'

It went now between long straight ramparts of hills that showed enormous and dark against a sky cleared to twilight by the unrisen moon.