It’s The Final Countdown…!
22 buses, 4 trams, 6 trains, 8 counties, 4 Hanover House guest rooms, 3 libraries, 16 Wetherspoons and glorious sunshine over 7 days constituted Bus Pass Trip 12 which was my fourth and final trip this year. Rail fares and accommodation totalled £130 and, as ever, bus travel was completely free. I ventured through Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Greater London and Kent and spent progressively more money the further south I went. I dread to think what my Wetherspoons bill will amount to!
The 3 Local Studies libraries I visited (to research theatres where my great-grandmother had performed) were in Northampton, Reading and Croydon and produced varied amounts of information. I discovered that The Royal theatre in Northampton is still a ‘working’ theatre, though it was closed for renovation at the time, so a return visit to attend a future performance is a ‘must’.
My Hanover sleep-overs were in Loughborough, Northampton, Henley-on-Thames and Windsor, where I managed to watch the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle. It was an incredibly hot day and I certainly didn’t envy the guardsmen wearing their red double-breasted tunics and bearskins. From there I travelled to Folkestone to spend a couple of nights with a friend before returning, 1st Class, by train to Manchester! I switch from the ridiculous to the sublime!
In addition to 2 beach cleans I picked up dozens of pieces of rubbish and, as most of you are aware, posted very exciting pictures of them on Social Media. Ha-ha!! I engaged in ‘rubbish’ conversations with some very interesting people, including Dave Brubeck’s daughter-in-law, Catherine (wife of Darius Brubeck, Jazz pianist in the Darius Brubeck Quartet) and Catherine Bell, head of Broadcast Systems, Europe & Africa, for Fox Networks Group. Some TV publicity for my new role as Litter Heroes Ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy would be nice!
I’m always very conscious that I rarely have either time or Wi-Fi connection to respond to all your messages, likes and retweets, but I assure you that I’m always very grateful for your continued support and encouragement. Once again, I’ve visited many new places, twisted the arms of new recruits and had the greatest fun. It’s a rubbish life but someone has to do it!!!!
And finally, to all you wonderful ‘eco-warriors’ doing your bit, please remember to never let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big!
Thank you and much love to you all.
Rubbish Ruth.