Tag Archives: bus

A motorbike and tummy sparkles (Rousse)

My last two trips across the city on my motorbike from Merchiston had been fraught with danger. On the first I rode with my eyes closed (I was tired) and could have easily taken out any other road user or … Continue reading

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An award-winning Australian and pelicans (Rousse)

On the bus back to the airport at the end of the conference, the organisers informed us that there would be an award for the most friendly delegate. From the looks on their faces, I guessed that everyone felt the … Continue reading

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King Charles takes the replacement bus service (Rousse)

I accompanied King Charles on his journey south by train from Balmoral. His carriages were very different from ours. Their worn wood panelling and tatty leather upholstery contrasted with the modern furnishings throughout the rest of the train. When we … Continue reading

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Limbless torsos in Speedos, a bare-breasted woman, children in litter disguise, and booklet giveaways in Morningside (Rousse)

I abandoned weeding a municipal planter on the southern outskirts of Edinburgh so that I could catch a 23 bus back into town and meet my mother on Colinton Road at 6:30pm, as previously agreed. The bus was frustratingly slow. … Continue reading

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On the town with Mark Kermode (Belle)

Our large group left the nightclub and wandered down the strange high street, only to see an old-school Routemaster bus coming over the hill. We ran excitedly to board our night-bus. I knew we needed to change to another bus, … Continue reading

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Cocaine and cheese on self-driving buses in Nantes (Rousse)

I was back in Nantes. This city had changed in the four decades since I left. Here the buses were self-driving, and you paid your fare in lumps of cheese or cocaine. Some passengers, including myself, found it difficult to … Continue reading

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Duchess of Cambridge travels incognito by public transport to Norwich (Rousse)

My new best friend the Duchess of Cambridge and I travelled by bus and train to Norwich. My companion blended in well: none of the other passengers spotted royalty in their midst. When we diverted via Bristol, I offered to … Continue reading

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Fly-tippers and drunks (Rousse)

I expected to sit with JB (resplendent in a green dress) at table 19 at the staff meeting, but instead found myself next to GR. Even though retired for almost a year, LM joined us. GR had just swept the … Continue reading

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Prince Harry and high heels (Rousse)

I travelled to locked down London for training as a new member of the British Secret Service. England’s capital city looked, and sounded, very quiet. I could even hear bird song through the closed top deck bus windows. Soon I … Continue reading

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Turning down Loughborough (Rousse)

I performed well in my interview for a chair at Loughborough University, and it came as no surprise when Eric (the Head of School) offered me the job. I was delighted with this outcome, as was AM, who had always … Continue reading

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