I had to go to the dentist in Bromsgrove.
Usually if I need the car during the day I take my daughter to work, use the car, and then fetch her again.
This time, she needed the car all day, so, for the first time in about 60 years, I had to make a local bus trip.
For me, being a nervous traveller as you know, this was a giant leap for Mimkind !!
I have used the bus many times for long distance travel. I even wrote a poem about it, and it is published on The Write Site.
Somehow the long journeys on a bus were far less stressful than flying ! Probably because you are allowed to knit on a bus – nothing remotely ‘weapon’ like is allowed in a pressurised tin can!!
Anyways, back to my big girl adventure on the local bus.
My children have made sure that I am up to date with all the technology required nowadays, so I have the app that allows me to just click and pay.
There is a bus stop right outside our house, so I duly wrapped up warmly and merrily walked the few steps to stand there and wait. The bus arrived on time and having felt very proud of myself for paying with my phone, I sat and watched the suburbs go by before getting off in town.
I had a while before my appointment, so I did a short Charity Shop browse before walking to the dentist. Nothing major this time, just to replace a filling.
Now, the return journey.
Another long wait, so I checked the Charity Shops on the other half of the High Street. Nothing took my fancy that day!
At the bus station, I waited with some very nice people and some school teenagers. When the bus arrived we all piled on and I was delighted when the bus started moving. Then it got slower and slower and crawled in a circle back to the bus stop – it had broken down. I heard a moan from the Upper Deck “Not again!!”
So we all piled off.
Now, do I wait an hour for the next one that drops me right outside the door, or catch the next bus and take a long walk? I decided on the latter.
Another triumph at the entrance, and this time, we were ‘off’. I had got chatting to another passenger who helped me get to the right stop. I had forgotten the ‘push the bell’ routine!!
Phew, I hadn’t realised how far I would have to walk – uphill – to get home, but took it slowly and enjoyed the early May blossoms and that put a Spring in my step as I neared home.
I have never enjoyed a cuppa and a couple of dark chocolate digestives so much!!
Now, I am looking forward to my next local bus adventure.
