The initial plan yesterday was to go shopping in stoke, but I woke up with an idea: it would be far more fun to go to Chester. That way we could see a much more engaging city, and, with any luck, I could introduce Lyn to Charlie. Before we set off, we tried to phone c, but without much luck, so we took her number.

The trip there was uneventful. I expected Crewe to Chester by bus would take about an hour, but it took slightly longer, which would have a bearing on what time we could leave. We got to Chester, starving, at about half two, so we popped into m&s for a bite to eat. Everywhere was crowded. Before we ate though, we got Denny to phone Charlie, who said we should pop over at four, for tea. So we had some m+s toasted sandwiches to fill our rumbling bellies before setting off to find the burrow.

This took longer than expected – I swear those roads keep moving. They never look the same twice. Anyway, when we did find Charlie’s house – or rather Charlie’s old house, as she no longer officially lives there – we were welcomed in with open arms. It is always such a pleasure to go there, which is why I do it so often. Mrs Jones bade us sit by the fire: ‘you must be freezing’. And there we sat, with coffee and whiskey-macks, and talked. At one point, Lyn and Charlie were discussing music, and I had no idea what they were going on about – they seemed to get on really well.

The time to head off came too soon. we came up with an embryonic plan to go to Amsterdam together, which has got me really excited. Charlie’s half term is coming, so we agreed to see each other sometime then. I’ll probably pop over one afternoon, and stay the night. Mrs. J made us sandwiches and snacks to take with us, which I am now extremely grateful for. As she says: ”you never know when you’ll see food again”. She then guided us back to the station.

Traffic was less heavy last night, so it didn’t take so long to get home. It was still a bit of a hurry to get from Crewe bus station to the train station, but when we did, we had just enough time for one last drink. Then it was time to hurry to the platform. Randomly, I bumped into mike, Ricardio’s landlord, but was in too much of a hurry to say hi. I plan to pop over to theirs to explain later.

I managed to make a proper farewell to Lyn this time. Then Denny got his train back to Liverpool. And suddenly I was alone, there on the platform. I sighed, and turned for home.

I made for the bus stop outside Crewe campus. I must have waited at least 45 minutes. Then the bus came, and I put my arm out, but the bus refused to stop. I started to panic. I wondered about driving home myself, in by chair, but then I told myself not to be so stupid. I went back to campus and told security. They tried to get hold of someone who could take me home, but with no luck. The next bus would be an hour, so I sat in the bar and ate Mrs. Joneses sandwiches. Never have I been so grateful for a cheese sarnie and hot-crossed bun.

An hour later, feeling much better, I went back out to the bus stop. Ten minutes later, one of the security guys came and sat by me: ‘I’ll make sure it stops this time’. It is people like that, and people like the joneses, who re-affirm my faith in mankind. I got in shortly before eleven, checked my mail, blogged, and went to bed smiling.