Why (sometimes) I like going to work on a bus!

On too many occasions I have had to catch the replacement bus to work because South Eastern have decided to cancel my train and this is always at the last minute once you've purchased your ticket for the day. The excuses are varied - points failure, trees on the line, wrong type of ice, leaves whatever suits them for that particular day.

At first, of course, I feel very annoyed and frustrated and either have to wait for one of the replacement coaches which they have only just decieded to ring through for or I can venture onto the local Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells bus.

What I don't quite understand is this - when you have been catching the train, you see the same people each morning and evening and even after three years my fellow travellers are so wrapped up reading 'The Metro' or their books, listening to their favourite music (mine's Radio 1 so I am usually seen chuckling to myself each morning!!) If you try to smile or even say "Hello" - the looks you get back just say it all. They either think you've just arrived from another planet or you've been let out with a day pass from the local hospital....

Once you get onto the bus or coach it is a totally different story. You're normally greeted with a smile as you try and make your way to a seat. Everyone seems more relaxed and are just chatting away talking about what they had done the eveing before, what they may have planned for the weekend and enjoying their journey however long or short it may be.

Also when you are on the bus (up on the top deck of course, if it's a double decker) you have access to a completley different scenic route, the landscape is beautiful and how can you not help but look into people's front gardens and rooms....