Bus Trippers Photos 2014
Christmas Lunch - Thur 11th Dec 2014
Bus trippers, together with other U3A members and groups, enjoyed a delicious festive lunch at Waterlooville Golf Club.
TEA WITH ELVIS - Wed 10th Dec 2014
A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at the Grosvenor Casino in Gunwharf. A christmas tea of sandwiches and cakes with mulled wine, hot drinks and crackers were provided. This was followed by a christmas quiz and the highlight of the afternoon an ELVIS TRIBUTE SINGER. Lovely to hear Elvis again and sing a long to his old songs.
Stella and Brenda
Hinton Ampner dressed for Christmas - Mon 8th Dec 2014
As is quite common with the Bus trippers, the co-ordinator did not have a clue where to get off the bus. Undeterred, she engaged the bus driver in conversation about the possibility of informing us when we had arrived. As the bus driver had not driven the route before, she didn't know either. The joint scouring of her list of bus stops, together with advice from people already on the bus as well as the 15 or so in the queue behind, failed to locate the nearest stop to Hinton. Sensing that the patience of our fellow bus passengers might possibly be waning, we took our seats on the top deck and spent the next three quarters of an hour playing the time-honoured travel game of guessing whether we were nearly there yet. In the end, the excellent bus driver dropped us right at the gate.
Probably not since the time of itinerant pedlars and wandering minstrels, has anyone actually walked up the impressively long drive to the house at Hinton Ampner. Car after car crept slowly past us, the occupants clearly confused as to whether we were part of the festivities or possibly eccentric landed gentry. Several cattle grids added to the jollity of the day as we teetered across them like tightrope walkers. The gentlemen had to be restrained from gallantly throwing down their coats to assist the ladies. (That may be a slight exaggeration.)
The house looked lovely in a very homely sort of way. The temptation to sample some of the sweet displays was quickly scotched by the discovery that they were glued in place.
Winchester Christmas Market - Tues 25 Nov 2014
Counting is not top of Deputy Coordinator Averil's priority list, ("I think it was somewhere between 16 and 19 people who went"), but ensuring everyone was in high spirits, having a laugh and a good time, certainly is. Despite hiccups like the bus being 20 minutes late; cold, wet, miserable weather; and the bus windows being steamed up so no one could see the lovely autumn trees, it was a very good day. The stalls were lovely with the hot mulled wine one doing a roaring trade. The No 67 bus driver on the return trip deserves a very special mention for his kindness.
Hambledon Vineyard - Wed 19 Nov
Three Bus trippers and 4 guests took the 2 hour tour by a young Frenchman. This was followed by a tasting. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Chichester Cathedral Tour & Concert - Tues 18 Nov
Despite the total failure of the co-ordinator to do any co-ordinating, 7 Bus trippers all got on the same bus to Chichester, did the tour and attended the concert. June and Pam wrote:
Two of us got on the bus, wondering if we were the only two going, then Sheila got on, then the other four at Waterlooville. We all commented on the fact that we hadn't been contacted but we are U3A-ers. We can cope!!!
We started off by going to Wetherspoons for a coffee before going to the cathedral where we were very fortunate with our guide - a lovely lady called Margaret, who gave us a very interesting tour. She told us things we hadn't known before, and she enjoyed our visit too, as we asked questions. Top marks to Dorothy for these. After a bit of lunch, we went back to the cathedral for the concert and found it packed but were guided to the RAF little chapel on the side where we had comfortable seats and listened to the most wonderful performance by a violinist and pianist. It was beautiful.
Emsworth Auction - Friday 7 November 2014
Three's a crowd? Not when you are counting Bus trippers. We spent a most convivial day mooching around Emsworth and discovering several unexpected little gems. Three is also a great little number when you are getting on buses, deciding where to eat, and concluding within 5 minutes of entering the hall, that the auction that day was not our cup of tea at all. What did we learn from the day? We learned not only that a certain No. 39 bus driver was extremely heartless, but also an awful lot about dodos.
Gunwharf & Vue Cinema to see Pride - Thurs 6 November 2014
We had a great day. Very good film. Very amusing and well acted. Did our own thing for lunch and then met for coffee and biscuits - all included in the Seniors' Club film price of £3.10.
Little Woodham Historic Village, Gosport - 6th October 2014
Intrepid. There's no other word to describe the 14 Bus Trippers and 6 guests who all turned up for this trip in some of the year's most atrocious weather. Leaping like gazelles, twice we braved the (nearly) 2 foot swell which was bouncing the Gosport ferry around like a tennis ball, and landed in one piece. The scenic route on the bus from the ferry to the far side of Rowner, was a bit of a blur as we couldn't see through the misted windows and pouring rain. Fortuitously, our leader Lena had carried out a recce in slightly better weather and was able to spot our stop through the gloom and lead the way through the housing estate, rivulets, mud, muddy puddles, slippery muddy leaves, muddy paths, and torrential rain to the oasis of Little Woodham. Lingering longest in the houses with real fires, we were able to gently steam our way to a state of near dryness. Miraculously, we even managed to learn a thing or two about life in a 17th century village. Did you know that painting your kitchen blue, keeps the flies away?
Grow! Cook! Eat! event at West Dean College - 4th October 2014
Despite the miserable weather, 7 Bus Trippers, led by Kim, attended this October celebration of the English harvest. The highlight was getting front row seats for the cookery demo which meant they were able to try the food prepared by MasterChef's Dean Edwards and guest celeb Russell Grant.
Isle of Wight - 19th September 2014
For our September visit to the Isle of Wight, we went prepared for rain or shine but not snow! But there it was - a great pile of it just a few yards from the hovercraft terminal. After much debate it was generally agreed that it must have been an ice ball dropping from a passing plane.
Moving on, we split into 2 groups, one to Osborne House, the other on a walk to Seaview. Half a mile along the coast and we walkers were exercising our jaws on coffee and rock cakes. Fortified, we pressed on for another 2 whole miles at which point the supremely fit and healthy, led by the human sat-nav Penny, carried on to Bembridge while the rest of us decided that the delights of Seaview were just too good to miss. Spending the next half an hour, dismissing several establishments for their lack of wine, funny smell, priceyness, or unappetising menu, our discerning group finally settled on plates of chips and mayonnaise outside a pub, in the sunshine, overlooking the seashore and beyond to a very exotic-looking Southsea. Bus tripper nirvana.
Meanwhile, the Osborne House group, led by June, were working their cerebral socks off considering whether a love of history in young people, could best be encouraged through live visits to historical houses or through new technology such as the Horrible Histories series. Interestingly, the group members were divided in their conclusions between those who thought live visits had nothing to offer young people, and those who thought each method had something to offer.
Walking back to the Hovercraft terminal, and once again passing the great pile of snow, we noticed for the first time, in five feet letters, the words, "Planet Ice Arena" on a large building nearby. Lifelong learning? 
A review from the Osborne House group...
After the bus ride to Clarence Pier then the trip on the Hovercraft to Ryde, we then made our way on a double decker bus to Osborne House. The weather was kind to us again, and 12 of us enjoyed visiting the house and gardens, though the time flew by so quickly, that we didn't have time to visit all of the attractions to be viewed, but it was enough to whet the appetite for another visit maybe, one day. Of course, the High Point of the trip was being able to sit in the front seats on the top deck of the buses, looking out at the beautiful Island scenery.
I have already been asked to organise another trip to the Island next year, so I wonder if our creaking bones could cope with the steep walks of Blackgang Chine or the Funfair and coloured sands of Alum Bay, or maybe the more sedate Steam Railway at Havenstreet. As a very big Isle of Wight fan, all of the above sounds great to me, but the BusTrippers will have to decide.
Chilli Fiesta, West Dean - 8th August 2014
A chilli day in August suggested Kim and 5 Bus trippers were off to the Chilli Fiesta at West Dean. There was the usual dash to the top deck of the buses to enjoy the scenery. There was so much to see and do at the show and the tastings were wonderful. Some had goat curry for the first time for lunch. The free wine tasting, including 6 very expensive wines, went down very well. No one felt like buying it but the experience was very much enjoyed. After that, the cravings were for a nice cup of tea and just as everyone was ready to drop, June discovered the restaurant serving tea AND scones. Lovely! Well done Kim for coming up with the idea and organising it brilliantly.
Solar boat trip around Chichester Harbour - 30th July 2014
If you haven't heard of the solar boat trips run by Chichester Harbour Conservancy, then let 22 Bus trippers assure you that you will have a brilliant time. Not only did we have sunshine, calm waters, fabulous views, free binocular usage, no diesel fumes or engine noise, and onboard loo, but we were also given an insight into the heyday of smuggling in the local area. Faaantastic! Of course it wouldn't be a Bus trippers' outing without the bus trip, and our journey on the once-a-week-on-a-Wednesday 300 Emsworth & District bus, not only took us the scenic route to Emsworth, but also back in time to the 1950s. Priceless!
Coincidentally, on returning home, the following email appeared in the co-ordinator's mailbox:
Imagine a job with no boring bits. Where you get to meet loads of interesting people each day. And where the view from your seat changes every single minute. That’s just what it’s like when you’re a First Group driver... and the good stuff doesn’t end there, either.
Tempting!
Hayling Island Beach Hut - 14th July 2014
To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive", may be an apt quote for some Bus tripper excursions … but not this time. Mary M had very kindly invited all and sundry to her beach hut on Hayling Island where we were welcomed most warmly with bunting, flags, carpet, comfy seating, china mugs and teapots, napkins, a seemingly endless supply of tea and coffee, shortbread biscuits (who can resist them), and last but not least, delicious scones with jam and cream (everyone's favourite), all graciously served by Mary and her lovely assistant, Hazel. For entertainment there was plenty of lively conversation but also the challenge of erecting the gazebo. Very willing though a group of us were, we rather lacked the necessary skills meaning that Mary had to leave her tea making duties to bail us out. Probably thinking that it would be wise to take advantage of our lunchtime absence at the fish 'n' chip shop, to dismantle the gazebo, Mary & Hazel had to battle with the sudden blowing-in of near-gale force winds trying to hoist them into the air. It was very impressive that Mary did consider, just for a nanosecond, the suggestion that they repeat the event for the camera.
The opening quote finishes with "… and the true success is to labour". Well Mary and Hazel, you certainly did a lot of that. The rest of us just had to put up with having a lovely time. Thank you.
Winchester Hat Fair - 4th July 2014
Without having a clue what they were letting themselves in for, and probably only because they were free that day, five Bus trippers signed up for the trip to Winchester Hat Fair. The journey using our free bus passes was even more eventful than usual as, because it was a school day(?), there was no 10.30am 67 bus from Petersfield to Winchester. This left us with an extra hour in Petersfield. Demonstrating admirable quick-witted, problem-solving skills, Carole suggested a trip to the free Physic Garden, and Lena reminded us we could collect a free coffee from Waitrose along the way. Reinvigorated by the coffee and soothed by the garden, we boarded the 67 Zelabus, to be deposited in the middle of nowhere half an hour later. It was only when we pulled into Winchester bus station that we believed this was truly the planned route and that the 67 Stagecoach we had boarded in the deserted lay-by in the middle of nowhere, was pukka and not part of a fiendish bus-jacking plot.
The delights of the Hat Fair need to be experienced in person to be fully appreciated but the 2 hours we had there flew by in a whirl of magic and mystery and delightful entertainment in the buzz of a beautiful, sunny Winchester day. The icing on the cake was that, apart from our lunch, it didn't cost us a penny. Yaaaaaaaay!
Chichester - 10th June 2014
Bus trippers enjoyed a well-earned bit of rest and relaxation after their guided walking tour of Chichester on a brilliantly sunny day. Well done Pat for organising it.
D-Day Museum - 20th May 2014
A good day had by all. D-Day Museum, then into Southsea Castle for a hot bowl of soup, (appreciated particularly by me as I was under dressed for the day!) We looked around the Castle and then went on to Knight & Lee's. Home again - all on our bus passes! Well done to Terry for organising it.
Old Portsmouth - 14th April 2014
"It's such a perfect day. I'm glad I spent it with you. Oh such a perfect day. You just keep me hanging on. You just keep me hanging on." Lou Reed's song really seems to sum up our Guided Walk of Old Portsmouth. Great trip, great company, great guide, great weather, and a great walk, building up our appetites for great food ……… but, boy, did they keep us hanging on.
Oxford - 31st March 2014
Our first overnight trip took us to Oxford, a stay in Keble College, and breakfast in their magnificient Great Hall. We may not have rivalled the Bullingdon Club in terms of outrageousness but at least one landlord clearly noted our presence and brushed aside the need for a table number when we returned the next day. Not all our time was spent in idle roistering - on coming across a fellow who complained of the boredom of life after work, we made it our business to acquaint him with the many and varied opportunities on offer through the U3A. So enthralled was he by this box of delights, that he lost all track of time, and was confronted on leaving the pub, with the sight of his bus pulling away from the stop outside.
Chimes Restaurant - 5th March 2014
It had been 4 days since the Bus trippers last sat down for a meal, so it was clearly time for another. Zig organised a trip to Chimes for the Hampshire Fare themed 3 course lunch, after which, several of us felt the need to burn off a few calories with a brisk 5 minute walk to Debenhams and their 25% off sale. Result!
Petersfield Beer & Cider Festival - 1st March 2014
Bus Trippers brought their fine palates along to the Petersfield Beer & Cider Festival on Saturday 1 March. Determinedly, we made our way through the 43 local ales and 5 ciders, coming up with incisive comments such as "Lovely" for Triple FFF's Moondance; "Er … um … err ..." for the 6.0% I Can't Remember; and "Yuuuk! Well named!" for Pressed Rat and Warthog. It was quite quiet on the bus home.
