I Love Country Bus Journeys

I set off on a bus journey today, from Dorchester to Chilcompton, Dorset to Somerset, schedule all planned and memorised. There's a tight first connection, a 10 minute window, between the buses at Yeovil. I tell the driver, he gets the message and pulls out all the stops! Hurtling down the country lanes at breakneck speed, I'm impressed by his commitment, but at the same time, slightly fearing for my life!! The driver skilfully overcomes obstacles on the way, a slow tractor full of steaming manure, a cyclist, impossible to overtake safely on the windy country lane, a level crossing at Sherbourne, where the red flashing lights seem to take forever ..... until finally a train lumbers slowly across the road and we're on our way again, full speed ahead. Past woodlands full of snowdrops, fields full of rooks and starlings. Then slowly negotiating small villages of thatch and stone, skilfully missing ancient eaves and walls, by inches. Back on the main road. "Don't worry love! We'll make it in time!" The driver yells out. And we do! With 5 minutes to spare! We give each other triumphant and exuberant congratulations! Both well chuffed at the outcome. Life is good!!

published by Julie