The Public Transport Saga: The Return

Well, folks, my next mission is to return west. Left the office with the boss and luckily caught the bus as it was about to leave (boss wasn't too chuffed about running, he said it's unnatural). Anyway, minimal traffic, silly cyclists and the odd cutter-upper (usually, those Prius cabs) but go to Waterloo quite swiftly. This time a tad wiser, I made an informed decision and caught the faster train (16min) compared to this morning's scenic adventure. But in comparison no seat and sandwiched like a sardine toastie quickly placed in an icebox. 

I'll update when I get there!

Arrived at Richmond (there was no Brentford train without waiting for it and those know me know I'm impatient). This slightly chilled toastie is now loosely vertical in a sauna known as the number 65 bus. Random obscenities are being thrown about the bus for no reason whatsoever.

Having reached the junction of Popes Lane and South Ealing Road, I was only one more instalment away from home. And so I thought. This junction was a driver/cyclist/pedestrian-inflicted spaghetti jam. The traffic lights are out. Swiftly, I texted LBE and tweeted TfL with my newly acquired observation. 

Fearing for my life in between this mechanical mayhem (closely avoiding an intimate moment with a cyclist) I reached my bus stop. Within minutes 4 buses arrived. Had to encounter the same as this morning SSE roadworks. Finally, got off at destination and was promptly welcomed by the opening of a new Lebanese restaurant. Would've popped in but was craving to be seated at home. Journey time 1h45-ish and 91% battery power used.

The Public Transport Saga: The Strike

Well, folks. It started well. Got up early. Only had to wait a minute for my bus on my alternative non-Tube route to work. Then half a mile down the road we encounter roadworks (ah yes, those by SSE who have been promising me [councillor hat on] they would be done by Christmas, last Christmas. 

Anyway, we eventually get past them. 

Next hurdle, crossing the A4. Hurdle, more like brick wall surrounded by a sea of red double-deckers and school run survivors. Well, whilst stuck in the aforementioned congestion many school kids wanted to get off. Bus driver didn't allow it (H&S). These teens started causing a ruckus and being abusive to the driver, and finally pressing the emergency button on the doors. Anyway, after sitting on the bus for 15 mins, the bus driver then voluntarily opened the doors and this was my only chance of escape. Escape, I did. Now, onto the next five furlong trek by foot, past the idling buses, rowdy kids and the heavily-polluted A4. Feel a small success as I managed to get to the other side without a whisker of injury! Found Brentford station down a smelly and urinated alleyway (LBH - please clean up your public thoroughfares). 

Bumped into a neighbouring borough former cllr colleague, Matt H. Awaiting the Waterloo train we had a natter about today's by-election where the wonderful Patrick Barr is standing (good luck, babes!). Platform sunbathing is a new thing to me, but as I have no choice but endure this luxurious chore, I contemplated my next moves into the capital. Surprise, surprise I managed to get a seat. This is virtually impossible on a non-strike Tube....

Update - I have realised I am sat on a train which stops everywhere possible. 

Current ETA at work 0925. That's a 100min voyage.

Just had a strange moment. Whilst checking my bus app on the progress of the next 507 bus the waiting time jumped from 4mins to 8mins in front of my eyes. My blood was bubbling away at this stage. Suddenly, my bus turned up. No notice, no nothing. Is this is a runaway bus not wanting to be tracked? A mystery, albeit an irrelevant one, I will never unravel.

Arrived! 107mins door to door with plenty of doors in-between and 69% of battery power later. Speak later peeps for my return journey this evening x