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Best of British or the Luck of the Irish .




I was going to take the day off from driving . I was drawn to Langley and went to their library for free wi-fi but got there too early as it opens at 11am on a Saturday . On a whim I decided to try out Whidbey Islands free bus system . ( It is not free of course but is paid for by a 0.6 % sales tax instead of charging passengers ( riders) a fare ) . I rode the hourly bus to Clinton which was 15 minutes late on its trip from Oak Harbor . A local told me that here they operate on “ Island time “ a phrase “Calk heads “ will be very familiar with .
WARNING TO CALKHEADS OVENERS AND OTHERS WHO TRAVEL REGULARLY ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT !
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES CONTAIN DETAILS OF THE COSTS OF TRAVEL IN THIS REGION WHICH IS LAUGHABLY CHEAP COMPARED TO ISLAND PRICES ! at £1.00=$1.50.

I took the ferry to Mukilteo which is FREE to foot passengers leaving the Island , the costs being covered by the high price paid by foot passengers going in the other direction ( $ 3.95 ) and the outrageously excessive cost of travelling with a vehicle ( $ 8.65 one way ) . These high prices are necessary to subsidise the cost of running the service regularly at quieter times for the convenience of residents . First ferry 05:05 last at 02:00 twice an hour except there is no 01:30 sailing . Crossing time 25 minutes .
On the Isle of Wight foot passengers cost $ 28.00 for a return and the standard car and driver return is
$ 158.00
I rode the 113 to the Linwood transfer station $ 1.75 then took the 511 express to down town Seattle $ 1.00 extra . Walked about . Went one stop on the new underground section of the light rail system ( free ) This was a bit weird as there appears to be a shortage of the electric trains so the rails are set level with a concrete base and they use diesel electric BUSSES ! As well .
Went on the underground tour - a must for the true but comic history of early Seattle . Went to the Seahawks/Sounders Stadium where preparations were being made for the “ Sounders “ soccer game that evening . There would have been a rail service ( also called the sounder ) after the game but it was early so I retraced my steps eventually getting off the ferry at Clinton at 18:10 .The return journey cost $1.50 as my earlier ticket was still valid ( they can be used any number of times within a limited period I believe 6 hours .
Feeling smug I retrieved my bus timetable . Last bus left at 17:50 ! Everything is not perfect ! I walked up the hill and went into a small coffee and wi-fi shop to call a taxi . This would save me a 5 mile walk by the roadside . Phonebook and phone duly provided . First taxi was in Oak Harbor so would have been costly . Here my luck held . , second - the south Whidbey flier was just dropping off at the Clinton ferry so he was with me in 3 minutes for a reasonable $ 15 .
I drove back to the coffee shop where they made me an out of hours breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausages while they settled down to a Mexican take away and a game of trivial pursuit . They invited me to join them in the game . I declined as I was dealing with this blog and my sons problems ( drinking ) over the phone .
I got to the state park at dusk . It was full but I drove in anyway . I talked to a cheery South African lady ranger who left me talking with her family and friends round their personal camp fire about the Eden that is Washington and the messes made by governments .
She returned shortly and as I had expected against the odds she had found a space for me and I bedded down for a good nights sleep . Goodnight all and Adam IF YOU CANT CONTROL YOUR DRINKING DON’T DRINK AT ALL !

Comments

  1. The Man on the Clapham Ambulance15 June 2009 at 00:41

    Nice to meet you, Hinchey. I too was born between the commons, a stone's throw from Kyrle Road. Keep the Clapham flag flying!

    ReplyDelete

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