Thursday, 3 April 2014

Bus Wanker to Bus Lover

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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