We've gotten pretty accomplished at using public transportation in England. It helps that the bus runs in front of our pub/accommodation, with the train only a few hundred yards away. I have never been willing to drive in the UK. It's the "wrong side of the road" thing along with the narrow twisty roads full of interesting things to be looking at instead of what I should be.
From the window of the bus we saw this. And as it was only a mile from home base I had to go back and inspect.
These are traffic bollards, sturdy posts on the edge of roads. Just in case a distracted, careless or American driver comes by. They are of course outside the village school.
A nice union of form and function. I suppose the fact that the tip of the pencils is red is just for that added bit of safety, not a reminder of papers to be corrected! They look sturdy. I bet they'll still be standing when students no longer know what a pencil actually is!
3 comments:
You really need not fear driving in the UK or any other former territory that still uses RHD. First visit in 1985 with new wife, just walked up to the rental agency and picked up a mid size (what we in the U.S. call sub compact) car. Imagine the consternation of the rental clerk when I kept insisting on manual shift, apparently no Murkin had ever asked him for same prior.
Jumped in to the "wrong" side and drove off. The brain simply flipped all road conventions for me, no muss no fuss even though it was my first outing.
The great surprise, was the frantic arm grabbing by ye new wife, who was just not accustomed to looking over cliff sides (no railings in most of the UK) as we motored about the isles, I am sure I was at least 12 inches inboard to the road. We did England, Wales and Scotland for 2 weeks and a non vehicle jaunt to Belfast with bus tour of the north up to the giant's causeway. Oh to be so young and foolhardy once again, but we survived and are still together ;-) We do try to get over to Eire and or the UK once every 4 years or so. Maybe 2026 will be our next if still ambulatory.
Oh, I probably "could" do it, but I would not enjoy it much. And I do go there to relax and enjoy.
Can't disagree with the enjoyment part, it is more relaxing to go rail or bus and see all the scenery instead of just at stops. We shall see, wife has very low patience (tolerance) with public transport of any kind. Nine hours in an airplane returning from UK has her twisting in knots and she absolutely refuses to go to OZ with me when I mention all those great 15 + hour flights endured for business over 40 years. Sigh!
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