Until recently I couldn’t tell
you the last time I went on a long distance bus journey. You could definitely
say I’d become a travel snob. I love my car. I love being in my own space,
having my own space, and being able to stop whenever I can. So I was a little
less than pleased when I realised I didn’t have the cash to throw into my
petrol tank for a visit home. I couldn’t even do the train, which is my second
favourite form of travel after my car. The prices so last minute were
ridiculous, so my last resort. Getting a coach. I don’t know why I’ve got such
a disdain for coach travel. Well long journey coach travel anyway. I spent so
much time on them during my first two years of Uni, travelling to see my then
boyfriend that I think I have conjured up some negative feelings towards
them. I think 3.5 hours on a cramp uncomfortable
coach is enough to scar anyone for life.
The ticket though was £6, and
when comparing that to a £60 train or car journey I thought I couldn’t’ really
argue. I finished work and headed over to Victoria to get the coach. I know
it’s me severely overreacting but God, I was really dreading it! Haunted memories of my previous journeys at
stupid o clock came rushing back. Leaks through the roof if it was raining.
Freezing buses, or equally bad swelteringly hot ones. Why could they never just
be working correctly? Then the dreaded thought, what if it’s full and I get a
shit seat? Oh the horror of it! Bounding down the M4 in an aisle seat, or on
the wheel, or even worse, next to the toilet.
I arrived at Victoria, and it was
rammed! I managed to get a seat and just tried not to talk to anyone, though I
could see we were all trying to figure out when to queue up. Was one of the
queues forming for our coach? There was
no way of knowing. So I sat. As the time dragged on I realised I desperately
needed a pee, and the way was too packed for me to get my suitcase. Plus I’d
lose my seat. Turning to the girl next to me, I weighed her up. She seemed like a
hippy. She had a massive backpack on, and smiled at me when she saw I was
looking. So I took a chance, and asked her to watch my bag as I darted to the
loo.
She was still there when I got
back and was talking to another lady. We began chatting the 3 of us, and the
non-hippy was actually travelling on my bus as far as Bristol. She was studying
in London so we had a lot to chat about. I did wish the hippy lady was coming
with us though. I asked her where she was from and she replied “nowhere
really.” Well that was a statement I needed more juice from, but alas she was
heading somewhere else.
Getting on the bus I was met with
a happy surprise. It looked as if since I last travelled these fleets of
coaches had had a little make over. Obviously with their growing popularity they
had a bit extra cash to splash on the buses! There was no smell of urine coming
from the toilet, and all the interior was clean and new. It was full on the top
deck so I sat at a table seat. Which I’d never done before. I’m not a fan of
someone sitting next to me let alone another 3 next to me.
The seat was comfy though, and
there was room between myself and the other three people at the table to put
all my stuff. The thing I’ve realised now is that dreading the bus was half the
battle. I even made some travelling companions on the way. We chatted between
us, and played various card games which one of the boys had on him. I played a
while, sat and read, and then just stared out the window and had some time with
my thoughts. I even got some extra work done because they had Wi-Fi! Wi-Fi. On
a coach. Now that blew my mind a bit I must say.
The journey was pleasant and over
quite quickly considering the 3.5 hours I was on it. It has the same comforts as a train but with a
tenth of the price. So adding on the extra hour and a half still seemed worth
it rather than spending £60.I had such a good experience that I’m tempted to
never use my car again to go home. As much as I do love travelling in my car, I
hate traffic, and I thought sitting on the coach I had some relaxing time to
myself. I had time to do stuff I like doing, and just relax, taking in
the scenery and the people. Not worrying
about cars, and jams, that was the drivers issue not mine. So the next few
trips I’ve booked home are on a coach. I’m just hoping that I didn't luck out
and get the one coach that was nice, maybe next trip will be the coach of my
nightmares! Eek, watch this space.
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