A Tale Of Two Cities

… except that there weren’t any. Sarah & Sylvia got caught in these big time yesterday, and as I was reading it out, the Ka started swerving to the right… but very quickly rectified, before we hit the crash barrier! Oops… but anyway, this was once we’d got to the M25. By this point we went via A505, M11, M25, M23/A23 etc., A27 (Brighton By-Pass), then downhill at the University through to the Downs Hotel lights, then turning right.

In the car, I was ok. I became a little bit nervous in the car, but not too bad. I knew all the questions that I’d be asked, and I thought I had done enough question asking of my own, to know what was involved (see last Saturday between Montrose and Stracathro!) Sarah was in for her 10 week post op check-up, right before my initial consultation. I could see Sarah sat across the seating area, together with Sylvia, and Zoe. Sarah and Sylvia went off to see Phil Thomas, and Zoe stayed to wait for them, and then proceed to visit another friend of theirs upstairs (which I’ll come to later on). I was ok. If I’d not read the experiences of a previous visitor, then I’d be a lot more nervous here.

As S&S came out, Zoe joined them, and we agreed to talk and chat afterwards. At this point, Carla came out for more coffee for Phil, as to “perk him up a bit”… I didn’t ask. Just before the time came, I offered Caroline to come in with me… and she agreed! which was good. When the time came, Liz & Carla came out for me, and we spoke briefly on a few specifics, before being taken into see Phil himself. (we did briefly meet on the reception desk, although I only twigged later). He was then getting into all the specifics, explaining the specifics from his diagram. Then, the phone rang.

“Tell her to get her a**e in gear”… he said. (It was the 1230 appointment person, who had just arrived at Gatwick with around 40 minutes to go). True, he doesn’t mince his words right enough! I feel sorry for whoever that was… but the receptionist could probably filter it out. I’ve missed a variety of buses & trains over the years, so I could sort of sympathise – but we very quickly went back to my own issues. We talked about a number of things, and I was able to answer most of the questions… until they stumped me! “How heavy are you?”

Aah f**k. (My weight does have a habit of going up and down). “I don’t know… have you got a set of scales there?”

Well, they did – in the cubicle - and at 6 foot and 17 stones, I am currently a little overweight. I had to go back off behind the cubicle, on the bed for the physical, and I’d been warned last Saturday by Sarah that this could “mess with your mind”. It wasn’t so bad, but I could see why some people wouldn’t exactly enjoy it. I’ve had fingers and worse stuck up tighter places, so a brief check of the “area to be worked on”, and he said the words “hmm, that’s interesting”.

Turns out my weight is a bit baldy distributed. Although I am technically a little overweight, there is no build-up of fat on the area to be worked on. There is enough material to work with, and no requirement to get rid of any genital hair before hand. (Yes… that is a result – time, as well as cost and pain!)

So, we all got back to the main room (Phil, Liz/Carla, Caroline and myself), and we discussed what will happen. In brief, there is no need for any hair removal. There is no need to make any changes to my life, but losing 10 kilos would make me feel better, and make the recovery more pleasant. It wasn’t tied into the work or anything, it was just a suggestion – and it would also help my depression etc.). At the moment, I admit I am doing a bit of “comfort” eating, so cutting that out should make this easy. As for a date – well, the “first available” is quite a bit away, given that he is fully booked through the summer. We are therefore looking at late August, early September time. As has been echoed by just about everyone there, the staff there are fantastic. I wasn’t at all concerned or upset, but they wanted to reassure me as only they could. While this is the person who will be performing life-changing work on my body, the significance seems to be hitting in gently, rather than shaking me up.

We got out, and myself & Caroline sat down briefly (so I could send Sarah a text, as requested – Liz and friends encourage the use of mobiles at the hospital). We were happy, and Caroline was hugging me tightly. I wasn’t upset at all – in fact, fairly happy at the result.

As we were sat in the delightful waiting area downstairs (and I do mean that, the place seemed more like a hotel than a hospital), Sarah came downstairs alone (from the first floor of the hospital). She said that Jasmine and her mother were happy for me & Caroline to come and see them… and we headed upstairs to her front-facing room. This didn’t show us the view from the back of the hospital, but faced onto the Warren Road (lots of B&H 2’s and 22’s going past!). Now, if I remember rightly, this was her first day back on solid food post-op. She was happy, content, and enjoying the lot. So, for a Saturday morning, she was fairly talkative – and had to be, with myself, Sarah & Sylvia, Caroline, and Zoe (as well as her mother) to speak to. That wonderful post-op “glow” that is talked of seems to be already in place, and genuinely she was in no pain. Everyone says religiously that “it does not hurt” – but I don’t fear pain. As if I needed any more reassurance, Jasmine’s wellbeing was more than enough to show that yes, this was the right place. It somehow seemed that making it personal, and talking to people, has taken the edge off what could have been a routine appointment with an un-named person, in a huge hospital. Zoe left for Manchester, and soon after we left Jasmine & mom to chat for a bit, while we raided the coffee machine. Sarah, Sylvia, Caroline and I sat together in what is the ophthalmic outpatient waiting area, but not on Saturdays it would appear. One of the nurses passed, and recognised Sarah from her visit. That was reassuring. – by this point, I’d long passed the point of needing to be reassured. It just added to the atmosphere. Maybe I’m lucky, but then again, it means Sarah has also been lucky, Jasmine is lucky too, Zoe is coming here soon, and everyone else who has came and gone – many every week – are also being well cared for. I can live with that. It all seemed so “right”. The view from the back of the hospital, over the Downs, is like this…

S&S had offered the two of us to come to Cambridge for the evening, which we gracefully accepted. It was while we were sat down that she said “Neither of you are afraid of snakes, are you?” I’d remembered reading the story of Axmister’s bite, but Caroline appeared to have forgotten… but we agreed to meet up around six-ish.

We headed back, but headed back to the seats to avoid interrupting Jasmine’s bed bath. Her mother joined us in the seating area briefly, and we talked. It seemed wonderful that she was being so supportive of her daughter (in my eyes), and that she was willing to talk of such things. We rejoined Jasmine, and then left about quarter past two I think. We headed out to the car park, and I’d somehow managed to make a half hour appointment turn into to a three-hour visit – it truly is a wonderful hospital, the staff are good, the patients get exceptionally well cared for. As we left, I noticed a stash of copies of the current slimline edition of the Brighton & Hove bus timetable on a table behind the exit – Tails Prower 2040 had picked up one for me on his previous (completely different) visit to Brighton a few weeks ago, but I still love how they can fit the entire city map and summary timetables onto what is effectively an A3 sheet of paper! As you will have gathered, they seem to be magicians in this part of the world… maybe it’s something in the water!

(For the bus hairies reading this, there seemed to be a lot of Route 25 branded buses passing through Woodingdean on the 2/22, but I presumed these were just spare at he weekend because the 25 is the University service. If I remember rightly, and I am no expert on this part of the world, the 25 buses are the newest in the fleet – being the huge Scania OmniDekka 90-odd seater jobs – which looked just about every bit as functional as stylish. One in construction is on the front of the current [winter] edition of Pocket Bus Times).

So, we split here in the wind, vowing to meet again later in the evening. Sarah showed off by managing to start her Toyota Synergy hybrid drive car in electric mode – and yes, it was wonderfully quiet!

So, what a day so far – and it was far from over. We went back essentially via “outward route in reverse”, but I could tell someone was being especially thoughtful and caring for me! We agreed that because we were heading out for a curry in the evening, we didn’t want to fill up right now, but stopped at Clackett Lane services – another M-way services that I’d never visited before. I’m not collecting them or anything, but this weekend it seemed likely
Note that the Apple windscreen sticker was not applied by the current owner! I pointed this out when she visited to collect it, and she had not noticed it until then! We talked about all what we’d just seen and heard, and I was very happy - awestruck maybe. We then carried on the M25, naturally going through the Dartford Tunnel rather than across the QEII Bridge in this direction. I was in a wonderful state of mind – almost enjoying this a little too much.

It was about fourish by the time we left Clackett Lane, so we decided to head straight for Cambridge via the M11. S&S have a wonderful place not far from Cambridge Station, and directions were supplied by return text message. It was at this point that Caroline made her one slightly incorrect turning manoeuvre during the entire 250+ miles trip, and pulled into a bus stop to attempt a u-turn. We made it – just! Cambridge is a city I’ve never been to before, and it looked wonderful. MAN’s and Tridents of Stagecoach (ex Cambus) appeared to be the mainstay of the Citi branded network around the city, and were well loaded throughout. Some familiar faces could be seen on the Park & Ride services – the first batch of East London Tridents, which are now non-compliant for TfL work, but perfectly adequate for the rest of the world.

So, we got there, and found a tiny parking space – Caroline did well at parking the Ka in it, and we were reunited with S&S. We managed to interrupt Sarah’s livejournal posting session, which included a rant about her gridlocked M25 the day before! We met the snakes (my apologies that I didn’t remember all the names, but it had been a busy day by this point!), as well as talking about some trans related stuff too. After getting my rear kicked by Sarah on Super Mario Kart (I’ve not played it since SNES days, and this was my first shot on a GameCube), we headed for The Golden Curry.

They were unusually busy for a Saturday night, and the waiter apologised for this. They said that they had an unusually large group, which they don’t normally take on Saturdays. We had a small round table up against the window, which was perfect for conversing and watching the City go by (Citi?) The food was excellent, and probably the best that I’ve had from such an establishment. All the food was served up brilliantly, After much talk and entertainment all round, we headed back to S&S’s place for a bit, where a pot of Jasmine tea was served up in honour of the person we’d visited earlier! We called it a night around 2300, when Sarah started to flag. It was a truly wonderful night, and we left with safe wishes for my journey north.

Now, if you thought, “that day couldn’t possibility get any better”… there was still time!

We drove down the A10 to Royston, and headed straight to Caroline’s flat, which we had left about fourteen and a half hours before. We talked in the car, and I pointed out how well she’d looked after me for the weekend. We got back in her flat, and she started making hot chocolate. During this time, I slung my arms around her shoulders, and thanked her for everything… told her how I felt and what a wonderful person she was, and we sort of went from there. We sat down on the sofa, and we were very much in love. Caroline’s now my girlfriend, partner, lover, call it what you will. The next time we checked the clock, it was 0230 on Sunday morning. To avoid any suggestions of “April fools”, we agreed to metaphorically stoop the clock for a few hours at 23.59.59 on 31.03.2007… or do the bus industry/London underground trick and call it 2630 hours…

Remember when I was depressed back in January? A certain woman was first on the scene to say lots of nice things to me… and things went from there. I have turned my life around, and am now a very happy woman.

Labels: caroline, surgery, transition, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:59 0 comments

Dundee to Royston – on a Friday

I got to Dundee Bus Station in time for the 0900 megabus to London. To my own surprise, we started the trip with Volvo/Plaxton Panther 54009 – one of the brand new single deck, 65 seat, 15m long ones – pulls up, blinded M11 London. Is this wise, given that it’s a Friday? Well, this was all irrelevant as we changed to Neoplan Skyliner 50150 (double deck, 91 seat coach) at Perth Broxden Park + Ride.

I called Caroline on the bus, just as the controller came on the coach and yelled almost parallel to the mouthpiece of the phone… and then a young child was crying, quite a bit, so we decided to stick to texts for that point. We got in and out of Glasgow on time, to head south at 1100.

I briefly checked my email several times using the new brick (mobile). I had received an email from Stuart Henry at Travel West Midlands/Travel Dundee re my letter of complaint on Service 14. To their credit, they are willing to have a meeting at work (noting when I will be in and not). Travel Dundee’s MD is currently on annual leave, but back soon. I will deal with that in more depth early next week.

When we got to Preston Bus Station (pre-redevelopment), a few sights taken from the window of the coach included a Solo headed for Blackpool! We were very lucky with roadworks and accidents, because of many miles of stationery traffic on the M6, and then the M60, but both the opposite way! We were due into Manchester at 1540/out 1545, and were a bit late on the way out due to traffic (in the main). Roadworks then started to hit us – the M1 was meant to be a problem. Bear in mind that we were “due” into London at 2015. A few passengers asked about a stop (the toilet was blocked) when we did a driver change at Watford Gap Services, so we stopped there from 1900-1915. I sent Caroline a text at the “35 miles to London” point, but of course, that is when it starts hitting worse with M1 extensions and widening.

I spotted my first London bus – an ALX400 (DLA I think) from Arriva, running off the 142 dead back to Garston (Watford) garage. Now I know that I have (almost) arrived. Soon after, we got to the legendary Staples Corner (junction of the north Circular, Edgware Road, and the M1). It is now home to Staples stationery store, amongst others. Having said that, it was not where the name came from – apparently there used to be a mattress factory here called Staples – I never knew that until last week! We finally got in well over one hour late. I made it out to the tube station, and had enough credit on my Oyster card to make it to Finsbury Park for the First Capital Connect train to Royston. (The previous franchisee, National Express owned WAGN, was informally known as “We Are Going No-where”).

Now, here is a simple figure to work out.

OPTION ONE
Victoria to Kings Cross, £1.50 single by Oyster (off-peak) x 2 = £3.00
Kings Cross to Royston, £24.50 Saver Return
TOTAL - £27.50

OPTION TWO
Victoria to Finsbury Park, £1.50 single by Oyster (off-peak) x 2 = £3.00
Finsbury Park to Royston, £20.50 Saver Return
TOTAL - £23.50

So, work out how the same length of journey can cost an extra four quid, for no additional saving – just a different stop to jump ship. Kings Cross to Finsbury Park is about the same on the Victoria Line as it is on the overground – the latter gets about seven minutes. I had to visit overground briefly to get tickets for this bit of the run, and the first three machines had issues – only the fourth and final one was working! The new Finsbury Park bus station (remember I’ve not been here for some time) has been tidied up quite a bit, from the one I used to remember from years gone by!

So, from Finsbury Park north, not quite the 2057 (fast) or even the 2111 (stopper) that I expected to get – in fact, not until the 2211 stopper an hour later! so I sent a text to Caroline to tell her… and got one back saying “I somehow knew you would not be here until 11 hunny. I’ll be at the station waiting for you”. This is nice… even more so as the train didn’t leave Finsbury Park until two and a half minutes late! The train was a nice electric thingy, but still in Network SouthEast livery (or so it looked like), and the sealing strips were hanging off the side of the wall. Lots of label sticking of new fleetnames, and even a nice poster about how things would improve under the new franchise with First. That sounds familiar… In any case, it was a quiet and smooth journey, and although it sounded like Ned-U-(Don’t)-Like at Hitchin, I was the only one in my carriage for the last few stops to Royston. The train was blinded (and announced) “Cambridge via Stevenage” until after we left there, and it became “all stations to Cambridge”. Anyway, we got in about six minutes late to Royston, and Caroline was there, waiting for me. We chatted for a bit, and then she worked on supper until about 0100 hours on Saturday morning. Appreciated, given that I’d been travelling for 14 hours…

Tomorrow is going to be more fun – a visit to the surgeon and back. The rest of the day is pretty much open. Wonder what might happen…?

Labels: caroline, london, subway, transition, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:33 0 comments

Early doors

(Thanks for all the messages and words of support in the meantime).

regards, love & hugs
Suzy xXxXx

p.s. In the meantime, who can Spot The Suzy in this picture, taken by Andrew Macintosh? Taken at Newtyle Church on the “last Leopard” day. Everyone has their back to the camera – see if you can guess which one I was…

Labels: quiet day, transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 14:05 0 comments

Oh dear…

Currently wondering how I would be after several days without caffeine. Last time I was in hospital back in 2001, that was different – I ended up with a headache. Next time, that might not be a problem…

Labels: transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:40 0 comments

Service 14

Anyway, where was I – oh yeah – this is the first time I’ve ever complained in such a ”strong” manner. Given the severity of the situation, and the fact that non-existent snow was blamed for the problems, I think this needs more than just an acknowledgement…

Labels: transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:52 0 comments

So near, yet so far away

Labels: work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:01 0 comments

Summer Time Started When?

David said “I didn’t wake you up did I ?” and I for once tried to say “No…” completely unconvincingly… still, never mind, went back to bed for a lie-down, and ended up asleep until the back of four…

When having the radio on later, the comment was made “You know when you sleep too long, and you feel worse for it?”

Well, today I do.

Labels: quiet day

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:00 0 comments

Farewell To The Leopard

Over the years, Strathtay have had three numbering systems – letter prefixes from 1985 to 1993, the three-digit numbers from 1993 to 2006, and the five-digit Stagecoach “telephone” numbers thereafter. Between 1985 and 1993, the numbers of Leopards ranged from SL1 to SL69, but not all at the same time (plus towing vehicles). At renumbering, those in the fleet were renumbered i.e. SL18 became 518 – 5xx series being used for the Leopards, and the four P-type Tigers. During this time, a further two examples (570, 573) were acquired. In 2005, the fleet were allocated Stagecoach series numbers, but following the CC enquiry, application did not start until 2006.

So, to begin with, we all made it to Dundee bus station in time for the 0900 departure on Service 57. The service bus is Trident 18506 (now back at Blairgowrie), but the duplicate was Leyland Leopard 25773.

25773 (EGB 73T) was new as Central Scottish T341, eventually being sold by KCB Network (1473) to Strathtay (573). During 2005 this vehicle went to Meffan’s, who have since been absorbed into Strathtay. It’s manual gearbox, and made for an interesting run for the first two journeys – 57 Dundee to Perth via Blairgowrie, and 16 Perth to Dundee.

As we backed out of Dundee with more than twenty passengers on board (more than the service bus managed!), we had the company’s network manager Dougie King at the wheel. Drivers were all Stagecoach group staff and managers, with Matthew Tosh volunteer conductor for the day. The promotional merchandise cupboard at head office was raided, and passengers were rewarded with pens, pencils, rulers, and AirDirect747.com branded mints…. All takings from the duplicate buses are to be donated to the Dundee Maggie’s Cancer Centre.

As there was enough time, photo stops were taken at Newtyle Church, Alyth Square, and then we crossed the River Echt into Blairgowrie. As we did so, we were in the queue for the lights, and our driver managed to stall the bus… We changed drivers at Blairgowrie Wellmeadow, and this gave us time to swap drivers too – with the former Strathtay commercial manager/director Sholto Thomas taking over the wheel. One of the long serving Blairgowrie drivers got out of his car a bit down the road for one last photo of a Leopard in Blar.

We got to Coupar Angus, and had a photo stop at George Street. During this time, the driver of the Trident in front of us was trying to get our attention for some reason. He wanted our driver to be reminded that he had to go into Scone Park + Ride (57’s have only been going this way since the beginning of January.). So, we did, and this worked out nicely for a photo stop with an almost new MAN/East Lancs on Stagecoach Perth Service 7. As the driver said once we got to Perth Bus Station “I wanted him to know how we feel…”

Upon arrival at Perth Bus Station, numerous goodies to behold. Once we’d finished with the take-away, there were buses outside to be nabbed too! The “service bus” on the 16 was Volvo/Wright 21124 (ex 613), PSU 374. The driver Gerry was quite pleased with the idea of a duplicate, and even more so if the dup would take all the passengers! Several additional passengers joined the bus here, and this included the Stagecoach Scotland MD, Robert Andrew.

We had another Stagecoach manager driving us out of Perth to Dundee, and photo stops were taken at Errol Cross, and Longforgan Turning Circle. In-between both of those, we were travelling up towards Grange Level Crossing, and had the turn for the minor unclassified road past Powgavie Farm towards Kingoodie (no bus service since 1986), Despite several calls from the back of the bus to go “straight on”, the driver turned right, calling me to question “just what part of ‘turn right’ didn’t he understand?"...We got back to Dundee. 25773 reversed into place, to pair up beside the next one, 25709…

25709 (TMS 409X) was new as Midland Scottish MPE409, but became Strathtay SL45 at the bus group reshuffle in 1985. In 1993 it became 545, then later 25709. Towards the end, it was earning its keep on a school run from Blairgowrie to Alyth, or some runs on Service 60. This bus has an (semi?) automatic gearbox.

We left Dundee towards Arbroath and Montrose on Service 39, with around 37 passengers on board! The bus was driven by Arbroath depot’s Jamie McEwan, who got off at Arbroath to allow him to work his shift driving the newer buses of the fleet! All told, we had about 45 different passengers on the various trips, with some coming for a quick taste, others travelling for the whole day. The service bus that we were duplicating was Volvo/East Lancs 16935 (Ex 715). A photo stop was taken between Dundee and Arbroath at Ethiebeaton Park (Dobbies Garden Centre), where Strathtay (now Bluebird) Commercial Manager Jim Gardiner nabbed the bus for a picture. From Arbroath, Dougie drove us north once more, and this continued at Montrose as Service 30 to Stracathro Hospital.

As the bus was heading north of Arbroath (just after David had rang), I had a quick check of my emails on my mobile phone, and I had one from Sarah, replying to one I’d sent her the day before. I sent her a text message, as it was a little bit easier than tapping in wap… As we were heading north out of Montrose, I got another call ion – from Sarah herself. Only thing was, 25709 was making quite a noise, as I am sure you can imagine. So, I said I would call her shortly – and after a brief photo stop at Brechin Panmure Street, we got to Stracathro Hospital. The hills and open fields of the Howe of the Mearns were in view, and I wandered over the grass and called her back. We talked for a bit, and afterwards I raided the timetable stand at Stracathro Hospital (not that there was a lot there) before we got ready to head south-westerly as a 21 towards Forfar.

We were due off at 1600, and Volvo/Wright 21126 (ex 615) PSU 376 got to Stracathro sharpish, and drove out just as quick (perhaps not realising he had management watching… and then following?) Well, this bus had a reputation for doing some serious speed when needed – quite often the limiter would kick in – so it was kept back for 16’s, and some short Megabus duplicates. This bus went off in service through Brechin, and out onto the A90. Dougie drove the Leopard with quite a good performance – mind you, anything less on a dual carriageway could be seen as a problem! For what was one of the fastest buses in Dundee depot (when 21126 used to be there), I was somewhat surprised that 25709 managed to catch it up! We left the A90 at Quilkoe Junction (the one before that for Kirriemuir – where you can head to Forfar, but not leave it), and at Heatherstacks Farm, we had someone who wanted to overtake the Leopard. Good, he did… fast overtake… oh **** where did the other bus come from perhaps, when hw saw the Volvo in front… lol

So that was, almost it, The driving of the last run of the day went to Sholto, and this duplicated the Service 20 (a M95x XES series Olympian) from Forfar to Dundee. Once we got into Dundee, we even did the City Centre loop – we didn’t have to, but who could deny one last lap of honour, especially as the driver was enjoying himself?

You can see all my pics on my Fotopic site. Many thanks to everyone who helped with today’s events, and thanks for observing the notable event that it was. This week’s £5.80 spent on a Rover was therefore totally different to the runs I had last Saturday, but will of course be totally different to that of next weekend!

Labels: transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:48 0 comments

More of the same – x2

54010, the newish Volvo/Plaxton Panther that I got home two weeks ago, is my chariot south to Glasgow this time. Third time I’ve been on one of these fifteen meter long beasts (sorry!), and I’ve only just realised that the seat armrests CAN roll forwards! During the trip, several passengers were still having difficulty with the lights and ventilation! Never mind…

I forgot to mention it here last time, but First Glasgow have a two-journey off-peak ticket for £2.00 – two journeys anywhere (return or transfer) for £2.00 (well almost anywhere, not the X6 and one or two others). As that would do me to/from Sandyford, that was purchased 32600, on the 16 heading west. I only noticed this for the first time about a month ago, but the building occupied by Sandyford used to be the Glasgow Eye Hospital… did you know? We had our usual hour to talk, and I’ve managed to complete the brief overview of space, time, and Suzy’s major life points so far.. lol

In all seriousness, these are proving to be very useful, especially on getting a “third party” opinion on things. Alex noticed that I was noticeably happier this time, and getting that way every time I’ve visited her so far! The time was also used to talk about my future, including a few things that I’d not said to anyone else so far… hopes, worries, fears, or just being delusional? A bit of everything I think! I go back again in three weeks.

I thanked Alex for yet another useful session, and left the centre. First Glasgow Service 57 is now terminating in Sauchiehall Street opposite Sandyford Place i.e. back to the “old” arrangement (thus meaning if you want dropped off opposite the centre, you won’t need to walk around the block in the rain…) 61024 took me into town, got a few things, before taking the subway up to Buchanan Street (car 206 – one of the to-be-refurbished trailers), and then 54008 took me north on the M8 back to Dundee at 1330. In heading to work, I was in Whitehall Street looking for a bus, and then walking-and-looking-at-something-else meant that a Travel Dundee driver walked right into me. Oops!

In tonight’s Evening Telegraph,there was a letter from one of my colleagues, complaining about Service 14. This wasn't sent in by me, but I know who sent it in. The letter said...

"WE ARE angry and irate workers for Site in Dundee’s technology park.

The Travel Dundee 14 bus is constantly 20 minutes late, making us late for work.

Several of us have emailed and telephoned Travel Dundee to no avail.

We are angry this has been on-going since November, with no explanation.

A dozen or more workers are hit. — Sitel Employees."

Unfortunatly, Travel Dundee have given us the brush-off...

Stuart Henry, corporate affairs manager, said, “Firstly we would like to thank the readers who took the time to raise issues surrounding our 14 bus service.

“Comments from our customers are vital if we are to continue to operate an efficient network across the city.

“With regards to the general level of service, Travel Dundee, like all other road users, experienced huge problems during the days of the recent heavy snowfall which we saw in the city. This adverse weather impacted on the timetables of all our services throughout that two-day period.

“With regards to the 14 service, in particular, we would like to urge those passengers who have raised direct concerns surrounding the service, to contact us directly by phoning us on (01382) 201121 or, if easier, email us at mailbox@traveldundee.co.uk with the specific times and dates that it’s claimed the services were operating late.

“If there is a larger issue, then we would be very happy to meet with the complainants to ensure a positive outcome.

“We are constantly monitoring our bus services and are committed to providing a first-class service.”

It would appear that the manager in question is based at Travel West Midlands head office in Brum, where there was snow recently! As my own boss then said when I tried to explain this… “What f******g snow?”

So, 2300, finished, home – for now – and I get to stay in bed for an extra hour before going out tomorrow. Yey!

Labels: shopping, transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 13:38 0 comments

Docs away!

So, another “review” visit to my own doctors. As I’d been on the new stuff for a month, he wanted to ensure all had gone well. That bit went well enough, and I was even able to get my repeat prescriptions (which I would have got earlier in the week, but because I was visiting here today, it would not have been any quicker).

Anyway – same story as before, I try to save time by visiting the local chemist up the road, and they’ve got one item out of stock… and one of those that I’d ideally need today… but I found some in town. Back to work fairly quickly, and onto 2300.

Good news is, I think that will now be me “stocked” for two months – assuming nothing else goes wrong in the meantime! Next visit to the gp isn’t even booked at the moment, largely because they are getting a systems upgrade next month.

Now you know why I buy a DaySaver on my trips to the doctors…

Labels: depression, transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:36 0 comments

Race For Life – Sponsors Required

Labels: work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 13:35 0 comments

Do we have to?

Labels: quiet day, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:34 0 comments

We Couldn't Start The Generator...

I got to work, and everyone is being sent home! The generator has apparently “blown up” and the building was in darkness!

Message for other Sitel (formerly ClientLogic) staff at Riverside House Dundee – don't worry, no-one is injured or hurt, and there are no obvious signs of damage to the building. If you are due in on Tuesday (20 March), call 07917 766879 and listen to the recorded message, sometime on Tuesday morning. This will explain if work is still closed or not.

I guess now with being sent home, I truly HAVE done everything at work...

... so at the moment, I am sat in Ubernet typing this up...

Labels: work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 16:10 2 comments

Hammy Is Dead...

posted by Suzy Scott @ 15:45 0 comments

Two from TfL

Mayor secures first ever three-year pay agreement on the London Underground

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone today welcomed the first ever three-year pay and conditions agreement between London Underground and the trade unions covering all staff.

The unprecedented agreement follows a sharp fall in disruption due to industrial disputes since the Mayor took control of the Underground in July 2003.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "This three-year agreement is great news for both Tube passengers and staff and is a real landmark achievement.

"Passengers will benefit from the stability provided by the first three-year deal for all staff in the history of the Underground.

"Staff will receive above inflation pay rises each year. At the same time, we will be investing record amounts in renewing the Tube.

"Whilst there will always be differences from time to time, my administration is committed to developing a partnership between the trade unions and management to deliver the best possible services to Londoners.

"This agreement is a good example of what that approach can achieve."

The three-year agreement runs from April 2006 to April 2009 and provides for the following pay increases:

• Year 1 (payable from April 2006): 4 per cent
• Year 2 (payable from April 2007): RPI+0.5 per cent (or 3 per cent whichever is greater)
• Year 3 (payable from April 2008): RPI+0.6 per cent (or 3 per cent whichever is greater)

All Underground staff are also eligible for a bonus of £250 or £500 each year if customer satisfaction targets are met or exceeded.

TSSA members voted to accept the London Underground offer by over 80 per cent in November last year.

The British Transport Officers' Guild has also accepted the offer.

ASLEF is balloting its members on the offer, with a recommendation to accept, and the RMT advised London Underground today that they have accepted the offer.

London Underground Managing Director Tim O'Toole said: "This multi-year pay deal is a real achievement, particularly as it is the first for several years to be accepted by all the trades unions without any industrial action.

"This agreement is good news for both passengers and Underground staff as it delivers stability to the Underground for three years and allows us to concentrate on the delivery of the major line upgrades - the first of which, the Jubilee line, is due to be due to be delivered in 2009."

Labels: london, subway, transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 15:28 0 comments

In the morning...

I then left the hospital, came back to town...

Labels: transition

posted by Suzy Scott @ 13:09 0 comments

Late changes of plan

Labels: quiet day, shopping, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:02 0 comments

Rovering around

Started on the 1125 20B from Dundee to Forfar, with Volvo/Wright single deck 21126. The bus driver correctly waited to time at Gateside Road End (until 1150), as we had arrived a couple of minutes early. This somewhat frustrated the passenger sat opposite me!

I got to Forfar, battled the winds, and waited on the next journey. On my trip in October, I mentioned that Strathtay were taking on some work to the Forfar depot from the “sister” company Meffan’s. Neil Meffan has since retired, and the remaining school buses from Kirriemuir depot will be relocated onto Strathtay licences. It means that it is coming up for five months since Strathtay’s Forfar depot took on the 117 (morning journey), 124/125 and 128 services. Mercedes Vario/Alexander ALX100 42357 had been transferred from Hull to Forfar for the 117/124/125. The bus does not have seatbelts, but has been fitted with an orange LED destination display. So, the driver had his last smoke for now, and we got ready for 1238 departure time (after a quick call to the boss, for help with navigating).

Today was the first day of Glamis Castle’s “summer” season opening. (Note previous comments about snow due anytime now). So, as a result, most journeys on the 124/125 (and Sunday service 20C) now run into the castle grounds. We squeezed the bus through the gates in, and back out. We then headed for Eassie and Newtyle, and the driver then questioned if I’d done this run before (I was the only passenger). I said that I had a few times, then he said “is this the right road for Eassie?” Well, when Meffan’s drivers did the route, it was often made up on the spot, so anything sometimes went in that regard. We had a passenger waiting for us, who got on during the one-way sector of route on the way to Newtyle. The driver actually went the “correct” way around Newtyle to end outside the church, not opposite it as the Meffan’s drivers did every time!

So, I got off the bus here, and had seven minutes before the next one. We’d got in two minutes early, so no rush! Trident/ALX400 18509 on the 57 took me from Newtyle to Blairgowrie, where I then found I had an hour and a bit to spare before my next bus. More extravagant spending i.e. £8 on a new jacket, as well as some new skirts which I liked the look of. (Almost floor length, even on me, is a challenge!) It was at this point that I had a text in from Adam… and an exchange of texts saw me agree to take on his shift tomorrow evening.

After this, a bit of something different. While Strathtay have ran a Service 71 in Dundee since 1999 (and a previous 71 from 1986-1989), they added another earlier this year. From Monday 7^th January 2007, they took over the contract from Smith & Sons for Service 71, which links communities to the north-west of Blairgowrie. The bus leaves Blairgowrie, over the River Echt, and heads up Hatton Road, over the “bailey” bridge, through Bridge of Cally, Ballintimum, Kirkmichael, passing Straloch Primary School, before reversing at a “private road” sign at Tarvie Road End. However, on Saturdays, two journeys have been newly extended beyond Tarvie to continue to Moulin and Pitlochry. Tarvie is an un-natural terminus, and it’s been this way for more than two decades. Glenisla Coaches had ran the route as long as I can remember, before Smiths won the tender in 1995. The number (71) was added in the 1999 retendering by Perth & Kinross Council. I did the bit from just before Kirkmichael to Pitlochry previously on Service 501 last summer, but this is totally different. This was the tenth week of the extended service, and it was one of the reasons I wanted to go for a bash today.

A good choice for today’s run was Mercedes Vario 42225 – the newest step-entrance bus at Blairgowrie that was small enough! We had one other passenger on the way up from Blairgowrie to Kirkmichael, and of course I was going end-to-end, i.e. Blairgowrie to Pitlochry, on the 1507 departure. We climbed out of Blairgowrie passed the redevelopment of Keathbank Mill, the “snow gates”, the holiday park, through the villages, over the signal-controlled clattering “bailey bridge”, before dropping our passenger in Kirkmichael. After that, it was a winding single-track road for most of the way to Pitlochry, and it had proven too much (in the wind, but dry) for one driver, who was being recovered from the fields by a contractor. We got into Pitlochry with a moment or two to spare, and I had about 10 minutes – long enough to see former Tayside Volvo H157 CSP still in at Yule’s depot, and Stagecoach Perth’s 56-plate Solo on the 24 shuttles.

For the return, we had two passengers as far as Kirkmichael too! One other female passenger boarded the 71 from Pitlochry to Kirkmichael, and I stayed on through to Blairgowrie Tesco (stop on the one-way loop around Wellmeadow). The driver who we spotted crashed on the way to Pitlochry was now being towed back, and passed us shortly after the “Blairgowrie 22” (miles) sign. Interesting to see a new section of route that has lasted just 10 weeks with as many passengers as the established bit of the service!

Anyway, Volvo B7/East Lancs 16932 of Dundee depot, on their early evening run on the 57, took me back from Blairgowrie to Dundee. Not sure where the intended Trident was, but this was almost good enough – except the bus needed a shutdown-and-reboot at Rattary Cross… and subsequently put in a fairly good turn of power for most of the trip. The drivers module (ticket machine data cartridge) was showing as full, so he was advised by control to issue manually written emergency tickets. This slowed the trip a little, as each fare had to be looked up in the book! I got off just round the corner from home, and got to the foot of the stairs, to see a couple in full embrace in my doorway. I waited till she made eye contact, and wiggled my keys and asked if I could squeeze by… they moved…

Labels: transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:53 0 comments

No Way Out, and Anniversaries

... well, not that I was looking for one, honest! Looks like (for the time being at least) I am staying put in Bruce’s team, which seems to end the uncertainty for now. Several times this year I’ve had 2 or 3 managers at different times, and it’s only half way through March.

Long-term readers of the blog (and the website, going back further) will be aware that, in the last few years, Good Friday has been memorable for several different reasons. On Good Friday 2004 (9^th April), I started full-time transition – admitting to the world what I’d known for a long time.

On Good Friday 2006 (14^th April), or Geed Geed Friday as it had been dubbed, we’d gone for a team night out. One hour after I left, in the last few minutes of Good Friday, they crossed over Perth Road. The last 16 heading back to Dundee, driven by a very experienced driver (Mr G.), slowed down, but still managed to hit Harrison, who cracked his face off the windscreen. As I’ve said since, that night he reinvented what it meant to go out and get smashed on a team night out…

… Subsequently the bus (Strathtay Dart 307) was off the road till Monday awaiting a new windscreen from the contractor, and the driver in question still remembers the incident… needless to say, Harrison isn’t really allowed to forget it either (the team website was then endorsed with “We are planning another team night out, hopefully with no buses included this time”). He made a very quick recovery (more than a dozen stitches, but not kept in overnight).

So, what is happening this year on Good Friday? Not sure, but we have a team night out (Bruce’s team) for the following night… once again, hopefully with no buses involved!

For the rest of he evening I spent the time working out a trip out for tomorrow – subject to weather of course… seeing as how cold wind is due for most of the weekend, and snow into early next week!

Labels: transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:59 0 comments

We’re off to see the wizard...

Anyway, my letter and appointment card from the Sussex Nuffield has arrived in the post today. These things mean so much on the phone, but even more when it is in your hand! Yet another stop on the road, yadda yadda yadda.

And, it’s fifteen days away.

Can I just say….

AAARRGHGHGHHHHHH………. HERRRRRRRRRRRRREE WE GOOO………………

Right, I feel so much better now…

Labels: transition

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:51 0 comments

A day off…

Then followed a huge sequence of calls, texts, messenger messages, and the like, as I tried to work out part of my plans for the rest of March, and most of April 2007. As a result, I can confirm that I am going away for a bit in April to see a couple of friends down south, whom I have met before, but it’s going to be a surprise for one of them! It also takes me to places I’ve never been before, and also it will hopefully help to reduce my chances of metaphorical “itchy feet” later in the year…

Perhaps slightly short notice, but a bit more than last time! I have been sent a snapshot of the promotional picture… yes, Friday week (23^rd), The Illusion Principle are playing at Glasgow’s Barrowlands 2, alongside Second In Line, Net Kill Casino, and My Kindred Spirit. Tickets cost £5, and the gig starts at 2000 (8pm). If you can get along, please take this chance to come along and heckle Adam… lol… actually; don’t heckle him, as I’ll get yelled at for it…

Labels: quiet day

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:49 0 comments

The whole clit & caboodle

Now, cast your mind back to last Tuesday (6^th) when Dr Westwater said he’d chase things up for me. Remember?

(Chase up – eight days? Wow that’s good, but more than likely I was already queued and waiting a date. OK, so I’m teasing this out, but WTFN?)

So, got a message to call her back – so I did, then went to see the managers & the agency – then called her back again.

Yes, for the benefit of those who’ve not heard it anywhere else, I’ve got my initial consultation with the surgeon I’ve been referred to, for the last day of the month at Sussex Nuffield Hospital, Brighton.

That means Saturday 31^st March. It is one year exactly to the last weekend when I was in Brighton… how spooky is that? Last time, I came down Friday night by bus, and on the Saturday did some stuff around London before megabus to Brighton, route 700 along the coast to Portsmouth, and then a train (booked via megatrain) back to London, before returning home on the Sunday morning. This time, things are going to be one hell of a lot different, even in comparison to the last Leopards trip the previous Saturday!

Now, on the phone call, Liz mentioned she was booking in some post-op patients for the same clinic. I said “ok”, and thought (to myself) of a few names I’ve heard recently. First chance that I had, I spread the good word with Sarah – after all, she’s not long been for the same stuff, and her journal
has been essential reading. I told her my date, and she asked me when… turns out that she has the appointment slot (for her post-op 10 week check up) before my visit… OMG, we will meet! lol

The lord of co-incidence is currently working overtime on my soul… have mercy! (As my colleague Adam said later on “what are the odds” – and this time I could answer with “well it was one in ten or something…” so now you know…)

Anyway, speaking of him, he’s currently living in Carnoustie… so the last few minutes at work were spent marking up a copy of the current Angus Council bus timetable for Carnoustie with each journey he has to get to/from work over his differing shifts. He went for the 76-that-continues-as-a-73A after work, and sent me via Bluetooth – yes, my first Bluetooth file transfer since buying the new brick last the week – his band’s new track ”Save The Empire”. The track was recorded at a practice, using a mobile phone, so he warned me about the quality –but the playing was highly polished! I am told the band name “Save The Empire” was the one two bands before “The Illusion Principle” – and of course, “10 Days Late” (or was it 10 Day Slate – I forget) was in the midst. Have we both been working in the same place too long now? In any case, it’s a bit of yell and thrash, with a different sound doing the vocals (and it shows).

Best day of the year so far? Well, it has got to be up there with them… looking like March is going to be a very good, if busy, month! Most medical-related mileage in one month i.e. three visits to Glasgow and one to Brighton? It may well be surpassed later in the year, lets see!

(you know I love all it really…)

Labels: transition, transport, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:48 0 comments

Leyland Leopard thrash – one last time!

In order to commemorate the passing of the last Leyland Leopard/Alexander Y type single deck buses at Stagecoach Strathtay, a farewell event is being organised for Saturday 24^th March 2007. Subject to availability, one of the remaining Leopard's will duplicate the following service journeys:

Service 57 - 0900 Dundee bus station to Perth bus station (a.1052)

Service 16 - 1155 Perth bus station to Dundee bus station (a.1310)

Service 39 - 1350 Dundee bus station to Montrose High Street (a.1509)

Service 30 - 1510 Montrose High Street to Stracathro Hospital (a.1539)

Service 21 - 1600 Stracathro Hospital to Forfar East High Street (a.1636)

Service 20 - 1640 Forfar East High Street to Dundee bus station (a.1715)

Anyone interested can join the buses at any point, and stay for any number of journeys. Usual fares apply, including the £5.80 all-day Strathtay Rover.

Further information should be available later this week through the company
website at www.stagecoachbus.com/Strathtay

The three remaining Leyland Leopards are as follows -

25709 (TMS 409X) - originally Midland Scottish MPE409 (Strathtay SL45 then 545)

25755 (YSF 75S) - originally Fife Scottish FPE75 (Strathtay SL55 then 555)

25773 (EGB 73T) - originally Central Scottish T341 (Strathtay 573)

Since the company formation in 1985, Strathtay have operated a total of 71 full-size Leopards over the years, plus others as towing trucks – SL1 to SL69 as they were, plus 570 and 573. The Duple Dominants went when the first Darts arrived in 1993, the T-types did not last long, and then all the Y-types have slowly disappeared. 25755 is now entering its 30^th year of service! The first two are the 60 seater runs used for school runs between Alyth and Blargowrie High School, or school runs on Service 60 between Blairgowrie and Aberfeldy. These two were “upseated” to have 3 + 2 seats near the back (instead of 2 on each side), to allow more passengers on the one bus. The T-registered Leopard is normally used on a run from the Noranside area to Kirriemuir Webster’s High School. Replacements are due to be some ex-Fife Volvo/Plaxton coaches, upseated for the purpose.

If you join in, look for me on at least some of the trips! For the passengers, it will be good to finally see the back of these – but, it gives the gricers one last “thrash”. I was not so much of a fan, but since going home from the successful job interview in September 2002 on XSS 43Y (543, was SL43, now preserved), I guess you could say they’ve grown on me.

Labels: transport

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:55 2 comments

Busy day

If anyone sees any items of cutlery heading for my shoulderblades, please return them to the canteen, thanks.

Labels: transition, work

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:45 0 comments

Bam Bam is back!

So, as I was around tonight, I had a listen to the show. OK, it wasn’t as “in your face” as the original, but maybe it was never going to be (especially, like BamBam said, when you have all the Capital management watching what you are up to)... The show started with a recorded clip of a kid saying something along the lines of “We won’t say anything that might offend young ears, because we’ve got a [bleep] [bleep] [bleep] bleeper…”

What has happened in the last year? Well, Streetboy is not there – believe it or not, he is working the streets of Tottenham. Not “pimping his ass”, but as a roofer! If you want some of the crude stuff, subscribe to TheShow.com.

Capital Radio said

“Listen to the best music and banter.
Monday - Friday 7pm - 10pm Bambam joins Capital to take over the weekday evening show.

Bambam is well known on the London radio sceene (spelt incorrectly for a reason?) for his un-orthodox style on the mic. Now, BamBam, and Kat Shoob (yes, the sexy one from ITV’s ‘The Mint’) are exclusively here at Capital with a new weekday evening show.

He will be bringing his very own unique style and humour to the station. So, listen Monday - Friday 7pm - 10pm.”

That’s putting it politely… BamBam is a talented presenter and individual, so please have a listen beyond the swear words!

Labels: london

posted by Suzy Scott @ 23:41 0 comments

At home – all day!

… So what did I do with my day? It was warmish weather out (allegedly), I had a few pennies to spare (not a lot), where did I go? I sat at home and chatted to a certain American for almost the whole day…

… Time well spent, I think… and repaying his recent support and loyalty. Many days recently (when we’ve been chatting before I start my shift), I’ve felt like curling up in front of the pc, chatting for the day, and not bothering with the rest of the world… well today, I did!

Labels: quiet day, transition

posted by Suzy Scott @ 18:40 0 comments