Keswick

Yesterday I did something I have wanted to do for years.

I took the 555 bus from Kendal to Keswick, through Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. The journey was worth waiting for.

Having prayed about the journey as well, everything fitted into place. As an older person, the availability of toilets is becoming more important. There isn't one on the bus but because of the Kendal Community Toilet Scheme I could use the one in McDonalds.

As soon as I reached the Bus Station the good old 555 was in and waiting, and so was a seat just where I wanted it. This was upstairs half way down on the passenger side. From that height I could see sights I had never seen before from a car.

There were gardens to be seen, fields with cattle, sheep and even a few geese. And then of course there were hills. I remembered a line cut from the famous film Night Mail - "Hills like slaughtered horses."

As we passed through the Southern Lake District, lapping water appeared on the left with hills beyond. We were able to descend towards Keswick past Thirlmere Reservoir. Having flooded and devestated the road in the winter, it is now quite low. This reminded me of the summer of 1976 with its drought and lack of water. Forty years later we have a little reminder of that.

The only two negative things about the journey were that the bus was crowded, and there was a child constantly screaming and screeching downstairs.

Once in Keswick I made use of my free drink from Booths by buying the almost cheapest item I could find. This was a Snickers bar which I ate later.

I then visited the Keswick Convention tent and heard the end of a Bible Study. After eating lunch by the river I was delighted to meet some friends who used to live in Bentham but have moved to Selby. This couple just happened to sit in the same spot as me. I'm sure it was a God-incidence.

And so the return journey. This was in a very much emptier bus in sunshine. Sitting in the same position I got a different perspective, but enjoyed it none-the-less.

What a great way to use a bus pass.

Debut ride

On Monday I used The Bus Pass for the first time.

I was waiting for 11:25 bus from 11:15. By 11:50 it still hadn't come and I was informed by another man who was waiting that it had broken down. Eventually a replacement bus arrived at 12:05.

As we were finally leaving the Ingleborough Community Centre the other man rushed to the front of the bus and asked the driver to stop. He then dashed off to the Recycling Bins to retrieve his bag which he had left on the top of them.

So we wound our way through the lanes and villages of North Yorkshire and Lancashire to the great city of Lancaster.

With the lateness of the first bus I only had just over an hour before the return bus went. So I disappeared into Sainsbury's to buy some muesli and a quick lunch.

On the return journey we had yet another bag incident. This time a man left his shopping on the bus when he got off at Hornby. He had to hail it to get the goods back again.

So I learned a couple of things from this: Don't take the bus if you have to be somewhere at a particular time, and watch your bag.

Free NHS Prescriptions

I celebrated my 60th birthday three years ago by getting a going to the local pharmacy. Not that I had chosen this as my special place but I needed medication.

It was a delight to be told that I no longer had to fork out cash for the said item. What a joy to look at my newly acquired 60 badge still perched on my lapel and realise that I had Come of Age. Woopee!!

I needed some more three years later and was delighted to get free medication again. It was also good to think that I don't need to take advantage of this offer very often.

The Winter Fuel Payment

I got a letter from the government the other day saying I was entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment. I had to call them on the phone and claim it. This I did and I should get an extra £200 into my account at the end of November or beginning of December.

This is very helpful. Thank you Lord Jesus for providing through the UK Government.

The Bus Pass

They tell me that in African countries age is treated with respect. We in our society treat it with disdain.

We often hear "He's the wrong side of 30" or "I have been doing this for more years than I care to remember." It all points to the current idea that Youth is All. Well, I want to be counter-cultural. 

I am now 63. I have lived long enough to be entitled to a Bus Pass. And I intend to use it. Follow me, if you dare.