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.
