Fri 190523
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Table of contents:-
- 11:45 AWOKE: RECEIVED MY 60+ FREE BUS TRAVEL PHOTOCARD
- 12:56 THINKING SHOULD I GO AND GET MY BIKE FIXED AT BRIXTON HALFORDS OR NOT...? DIDN'T GO HALFORDS
- 16:00 WENT OUT TO GO AND USE MY NEW 60+ FREE BUS/TRAM/TRAIN/TUBE TRAVEL PASS
- CONCLUSION: FIRST DAY OF USING MY 60+ FREE TRAVEL PHOTOCARD
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11:45 AWOKE: RECEIVED MY 60+ FREE BUS TRAVEL PHOTOCARD
Well, as usual, first thing I did when I awoke was to go and check out the post...; because they said they would be sending me a FREE bus travel photocard within 5 days.
When I looked all along the floor...no, nothing. Then, when I looked upwards towards where the letter box is...there was just a single envelope...that was hanging through the letter box.
Before opening it, I 'felt' the envelope...in order to detect if there was any card in there...; and, sure enough there was.
Next, I hastily opened up the envelope...to see exactly what was inside...it could just be some other card that's been posted off to me...because one of my other cards might have run out...so, they might have sent me a replacement.
Sure enough, I received a FREE bus travel photocard. I could hardly even believe my own two eyes.
Thinking about all of the things that I'm going to do with it...???
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The only trouble is, I'm way older, now; and, therefore, have far less energy than when I was young. So, it's likely most of my journey's out will be 'short' rather than 'long'.
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-(Thinking to myself...I should have taken a far better photo...! Too 'late' to go change anything, now, though!)-
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- 12:56 THINKING SHOULD I GO AND GET MY BIKE FIXED AT BRIXTON HALFORDS OR NOT...? DIDN'T GO HALFORDS
Yesterday, I made an appointment to go and get my bike 'repaired' at Brixton Halfords.
However, things aren't quite as simple and straight forwards as it sounds...; the bike's back wheel refuses to turn...?! So, that means I have to 'drag' the bike going very slowly...all the way over to Halfords bike store...going through West Norwood, Tulse Hill, Herne Hill, Brixton...which is quite a few miles...3 whole miles, at least.
-(NOTE: It is very difficult, indeed, to 'drag' the bike by using the front wheel alone...as the front wheel isn't stable but turns; had it been drag by the back wheel...; then, things might have been so much easier.)-
So, I'm thinking to myself...I got my FREE bus travel pass; therefore, I don't need to 'pay' anything to get the bike fixed. I can leave that to another day, instead.
Today, just use the FREE bus pass; and, have fun seeing what sort of things I can do with it...I think, the letter mentioned...not just bus; but, including: tram, train, tube, -etc.
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- 16:00 WENT OUT TO GO AND USE MY NEW 60+ FREE BUS/TRAM/TRAIN/TUBE TRAVEL PASS
STREATHAM/ST LEONARD'S CHURCH
The first trip I did was take the bus from up the road...going down to Streatham; I recall I got off at St Leonard's Church...because I wanted desperately to take a 'leak'...so, I went to the back of the church...which is away from the main road where people can see me.
Only much to my surprise...I encountered quite a few, possibly, 'homeless' people sleeping behind the church; I remember seeing, at least, 3/4 of these.
The first one I encountered was a woman...; and, she started cursing at me...who are you/what do you want/go away...and, so on. I didn't bother saying anything at all to here back in return.. Instead, I just tried to find a different place to go take a leak. Then, I came across one guy sleeping on the ground/and, another.
BALHAM/TRAIN STATION
The next time I used the pass was to travel on the bus towards Balham.
I actually wanted to find out where is Balham Halfords bike branch? But, when I asked a guy right near Balham Station...he told me it was a 10 minutes walk down; and, frankly, I didn't too much fancy doing that.
So, instead, I just jumped on the train...; and, headed off towards West Croydon station.
WEST CROYDON/TRAMS
I got out of West Croydon station...to go and use the Tram. I'd never used a tram service before. It was interesting...; I mean, just a little bit different...from riding a bus...; but, honestly, not that much.
I got out at Whitgift Center in Croydon...using the underground fly way to cut across the busy street.
Actually, I recall going upstairs of Whitgift center to use their public toilet facilities.
Then, I came out of Whitgift Center...and, walked towards Croydon Boxing Gym...; -(I used to attend going there before; so, I already knew the way)-; I was glad to see the gym was still there in existence. But, it was only kids classes...during the early evening. Some kids were doing martial arts/others were doing boxing.
I asked the boxing trainer...how much is it to use the gym facilities...he told me £7.50 per session/or, £40.00 'unlimited' for the month.
At that point I left...knowing that, right now, I cannot afford that sort sum.
WENT BANSTEAD/MARKS AND SPENCER STOP
My cousins live in Kingswood; and, to go there I used to take the 166 bus from Croydon; then, get off at Banstead/Marks and Spencer bus stop....; then, walk the rest of the way...either along the highway.../or else, going through farmer's fields, instead.
I got off at Banstead/Marks & Spencer bus stop. Took some photos of some expensive cars: Ferrari/Posche/Bentley/-etc.; at an upmarket car sellers called, Romains. Then, walked along the highway for a while...; until I got to Burh Heath entrance. Walked along the famers fields...by following the straight path...until when I reached Furze Hill. Walked downwards towards Monica Road (I think, it's called)...which, eventually took me to Kingswood train station.
Went around the corner...of The Kingswood Arms pub...and, kept on going until I arrived at the farmer's fields.
Then, when up the hill to go and visit seeing my cousins.
They were, of course, surprised to see me arrive...as I hadn't been over that way in ages...not since last Christmas, in fact. I showed them I now have a 60+ FREE travel pass...; but, it only works in London.
THE RETURN JOURNEY HOME...SAW 2 GIRLS ON THE TRAIN EXPOSING THEMSELVES
KINGSWOOD TO PURLEY
I missed the 2nd train home before last...; and, got on the very last train to return home...I think, it left at 10:52 PM.
As I walked on the train...I saw two young girls...teenagers...exposing themselves. I don't know if they were drunk, possibly...?!
Anyway, I completely ignored them...and, just kept on walking until I reached the very end of the carriage...whist they remained being at the front.
FROM PURLEY I TOO BUS TO CROYDON/THEN, FROM CROYDON TOOK A NUMBER 468 BUS HOME BACK TO WEST NORWOOD
I'm not too familiar with Purley area...; but, I asked people questions...and, they directed me on how to get to the main road. I had to take an alley way...; then, a next. Finally, cross the road to get to the bus stop.
I took a 466 bus...to Croydon; and, then, switched to at number 468 in order to arrive back home in West Norwood.
When I did arrive in...the clock showed that it was 12:00 midnight on the dot.
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- CONCLUSION: FIRST DAY OF USING MY 60+ FREE TRAVEL PHOTOCARD
This was my very first day of using my 60+ FREE bus/tram/train/tube travel pass; and, at least, I did make use of it...as opposed to just, quite lamely, staying in.
Frankly, being out on the street when you are aged 60+...does tend to scare me quite a bit...like what if I run into a fight...?! Would I be able to fight back, successfully...when I'm really 'totally out of shape'. Well, there but for the grace of God go I...
It's certainly been enjoyable using the pass...; and, I'm more grateful than I have any words to say. However, I'm also aware that there are many dangers involved with using London transport...as, frankly, you never quite know exactly what might happen, next...?!
It's why I tended to prefer using a bike...to move around London town...; at least, you have your own 'private' space...and, no stranger comes to bother you. Plus, the bus drops you only up to a certain point...; but, the bike delivers you straight to the door.
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Another thing I'm deeply 'aware' of...is whereas before I used to stay in nights; because my mum got really scared when I went out at night...she wouldn't got off to sleep until when I had returned. So, to save her having to worry...I would just stay in at night.
However, now that she's passed on...(RIP)...I am able to stay out nights as much as I please. The only trouble being...as I'm no longer young, anymore...; therefore, I don't have the energy and strength as I used to when I was young...to want to run/walk going for miles and miles.
It's for that same reason why I came home...and, stayed in. Otherwise, if I still felt huge energy as when young...I would not have remained being inside of the house, anymore.
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