just saying hello!

It has been a while since we have travelled anywhere!  I did take a bus trip to Aviemore recently though.  This was for an Annual General Meeting for a group I belong to.  This was the beginning of October and I had forgotten what a gorgeous bus trip it was.  At our monthly meeting last night, the few of us who had travelled there all remarked on what a gorgeous day it was to travel.  Unfortunately, the return journey was just foggy!

I have had a bus pass for a few years and enjoy using it, but had never experienced the Gold Ticket offered by Citylink buses.  I had always heard about this but didn't understand how it works.  A bus pass in Scotland offers free bus travel throughout Scotland after the age of 60.  It is a wonderful service.  When I researched what this service meant and why it was called "gold"  I discovered this information on their website - the  Gold Service was developed to rival First Class Train Service and the buses offer more leg room and also snacks and drinks along the way!  Since over 60's travel free, no matter the distance covered, they do have to pay for the drinks and snacks. So my trip from Glasgow to Aviemore cost me 50 Pence each way!  Quite the bargain and I now understand the attraction of this way to travel long distances in Scotland.

As I was finding my seat for the journey to Aveimore, I asked the attendant which side would be the best for scenery.  He said it really didn't matter but suggested the left side.  During the journey, he would offer suggestions and warnings about up coming fantastic views.  (I think the fact I have an American accent made him assume I was a tourist, I was certainly not going to correct him!)  Also during the journey, I was served 2 cups of coffee and 2 lovely snacks, one was an Empire Biscuit and one was shortbread.  This was for a 3 hour journey. This bus was destined for Inverness but many of us disembarked at Aviemore.  I have no idea if they were fed again before Inverness!

Here are the photos I took from my window. The views were breathtaking. What a joy to live in such a beautiful country.  What you won't see are pictures of Aviemore itself.  I am on the committee so was assisting most of the weekend and didn't get out to see any of the countryside there.  But I always have that to look forward to another time!

Crossing the River Clyde in Glasgow.

We were probably a bit too early for the real Autumn colour, but what I was able to see from the bus window was beautiful. 

Until the next time....