Arran

Sundae · 03-21-2013, 10:10 AM

Trip to Arran.
I got the bus from the hospital to Luton central, and thought I'd have to get another bus to the airport. Turns out there was a bus waiting just across the road which went to London VIA the airport. Worked out well - got on and had luggage stashed, got double-seat.

Snowing in Luton that day, the whole time I was there. Didn't settle, but made me unsettled re what would be waiting for me on my journey further North. Luton is North of Aylesbury, London is South of both. So effectively I would be retracing my route once I got on the coach in London, but it's an express so you have to go to London to catch it regardless. £10 isn't a bad fare, given it's now over £20 from Aylesbury to London.

Got to Victoria with time to spare. SO... MUCH... TIME...
Did reading and drinking water and toilet breaks (30p!) and just couldn't wait for a warm coach and a snug berth.

Didn't get.

The sleeper coach broke down before it got to Victoria.
We were loaded onto a normal coach. No bunks, no welcome tea & snacks, no breakfast in the morning. Just traffic all night North. Multiple stops for complaining drivers, yap yap yap. Cold air and noise and discomfort. I dozed off between about 05.00 and 06.30. Refund due to Limey - hope this reminds her to claim it.

My bag weighed a ton. Well, it was heavy.
I lugged it out of Buchanan Street Bus Station and stood wondering at the map. I had to get to Glasgow Central Station (I've only travelled to Queens Street before - except with Limey guiding me) when a friendly Glaswegian asked if I need help. He gave me clear and simple instructions and made it sound much closer than the map suggested.

Not only that, but having followed his route, he popped up as I was crossing a junction and pointed out a billboard to me, saying it was just above the station. Bless him. It was downhill all the way at least.

So there I was, on time, at Glasgow Central station. Too weary from dragging my bag to take any photos but on the train to Ardrossan Harbour on time and okay. With a bagel. My naughty excess to replace my missing breakfast. 08.20 is bagel time, right?

glatt · 03-21-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae

So there I was, on time, at Glasgow Central station. Too weary from dragging my bag to take any photos but on the train to Ardrossan Harbour on time and okay.

It's a certain kind of hell, having to shuffle across town on only a few hours uncomfortable sleep, dragging your heavy luggage. Why don't they ever put bus stations and train stations (and airports) in the same place?

xoxoxoBruce · 03-21-2013, 03:46 PM

Easy, train stations came first and blocks of businesses grew up around them, so when the bus stations were built everything close was taken. They could plan some inexpensive, convenient means of shuttling, but I wonder if Glasgow has enough traffic to justify it.

And airports, well they have their own issues, some are so big you have to catch a bus or cab between terminals.

03-21-2013, 10:10 AM	#1
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Trip to Arran. I got the bus from the hospital to Luton central, and thought I'd have to get another bus to the airport. Turns out there was a bus waiting just across the road which went to London VIA the airport. Worked out well - got on and had luggage stashed, got double-seat. Snowing in Luton that day, the whole time I was there. Didn't settle, but made me unsettled re what would be waiting for me on my journey further North. Luton is North of Aylesbury, London is South of both. So effectively I would be retracing my route once I got on the coach in London, but it's an express so you have to go to London to catch it regardless. £10 isn't a bad fare, given it's now over £20 from Aylesbury to London. Got to Victoria with time to spare. SO... MUCH... TIME... Did reading and drinking water and toilet breaks (30p!) and just couldn't wait for a warm coach and a snug berth. Didn't get. The sleeper coach broke down before it got to Victoria. We were loaded onto a normal coach. No bunks, no welcome tea & snacks, no breakfast in the morning. Just traffic all night North. Multiple stops for complaining drivers, yap yap yap. Cold air and noise and discomfort. I dozed off between about 05.00 and 06.30. Refund due to Limey - hope this reminds her to claim it. My bag weighed a ton. Well, it was heavy. I lugged it out of Buchanan Street Bus Station and stood wondering at the map. I had to get to Glasgow Central Station (I've only travelled to Queens Street before - except with Limey guiding me) when a friendly Glaswegian asked if I need help. He gave me clear and simple instructions and made it sound much closer than the map suggested. Not only that, but having followed his route, he popped up as I was crossing a junction and pointed out a billboard to me, saying it was just above the station. Bless him. It was downhill all the way at least. So there I was, on time, at Glasgow Central station. Too weary from dragging my bag to take any photos but on the train to Ardrossan Harbour on time and okay. With a bagel. My naughty excess to replace my missing breakfast. 08.20 is bagel time, right? __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-21-2013, 03:46 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Easy, train stations came first and blocks of businesses grew up around them, so when the bus stations were built everything close was taken. They could plan some inexpensive, convenient means of shuttling, but I wonder if Glasgow has enough traffic to justify it. And airports, well they have their own issues, some are so big you have to catch a bus or cab between terminals. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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