Our friend invited us to a little party to celebrate his 70th birthday last night.
He had hired the small restaurant in his village to host a private function for around 30 of us. Free bar and food he said, so we opted to travel there and back by bus. Fortunately, the party started at 6 p.m. which fitted in just right with our Sunday bus timetable as it is a 50-minute journey there and the buses only run every two hours.
We had a great evening with much talking and laughing. The food was a hot buffet and there was plenty of fizz doing the rounds.
Our bus home was due to leave from outside the restaurant at 9:45 p.m. but the party was over by 9 pm and the restaurant staff were ready to close up. There is nothing else open there at that time of night and we didn't fancy sitting in the dark and cold bus shelter for 45 minutes but a friend kindly offered to drop us off in Peel, the closest town, where we could wait somewhere warm to pick up the bus. Our friend's brother was also planning to travel on the same bus as he lives in another village halfway between there and Ramsey. The three of us waited comfortably in the little micro pub just a three minute walk from the Peel bus stop. A little glass of something was in order, obviously.
There were only half a dozen other passengers on the bus so we had a warm, comfortable and peaceful ride home with just a brisk ten minute walk up the hill from the bus station to wake us up .
A quiet day today, sitting inside watching the latest gales and rain batter the garden... again.
No sing songs or drunks on the bus? I would love to have public transport especially at night.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it was too early for the drunks? I wouldn't fancy being on the last bus.
DeleteSounds like you had a lovely night and it was a great way for your friend to celebrate his seventieth birthday. Was there a lavatory on the bus or did the driver stop for you and Lord Pee to nip behind a hedge?
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a lovely night.
DeleteP wisely went for a pee in the pub just before we went for the bus.
What a lovely way to celebrate your friend's birthday. It's a long time since I've been on a bus, and you make it sound such a pleasant journey.
ReplyDeleteIt was very pleasant. The last bus back may have been less tranquil though!
DeleteSounds like a good night was had! Last time I was on a bus was Park'n Ride when my son lived in Oxford. ( about 2 years ago..it is impossible to park in Oxford!!)
ReplyDeleteWe use the bus quite a bit as parking in town is difficult and on our rare evenings out we can both have a glass or two of wine.
DeleteThat's exactly the way I'd live to celebrate my 70th. A small restaurant, good fizz and food, great friends and lots of laughter and it's all over by 9!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great night and a bus ride at the end, not having to worry who drives or how.
Happy birthday to your friend. Cheers
Thanks Linda. Hope you do enjoy yours, whenever that may be.
DeleteSounds like a nice birthday party! Public transport (buses, trains) is very important to me as I don't drive.
ReplyDeleteI am starting to have problems with my eyesight so prefer not to drive anymore. Our bus service is important to me too.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful night out! Is your walk home well lit, or do you carry a flashlight?
ReplyDeleteIt is reasonably well lit up to the beginning of our lane so we carried a torch just to guide us up the last stretch. We had a wonderful view of the moon and Jupiter again.
DeleteIt was obviously an enjoyable night. I was prepared for you to say you had to wait an hour or so in the cold and dark, so I was glad to see that was not the case.
ReplyDeleteIt almost came to that.
DeleteSitting quietly after all that alcohol?
ReplyDeleteQuite possibly.
DeleteSounds like a good time was had by all! How very civilised to finish at 9 pm and I admire you for taking the bus. I would have been tempted to get a cab home so I could still have a drink...
ReplyDeletexxx
Taxis are horribly expensive here. Too much for us!
DeleteGlad you had fun and the bus schedule worked out for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen x
DeleteHow nice to go to a party ..... we haven't been to a party for ages. It's good that you could take the bus ..... any party we would attend would mean about five buses if, indeed you could get there by bus !!! If we want a drink it would have to be an Uber for us ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteWe do have some positives to living on our little island xxx
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