Dear Bloggers,
First of all, I would like to apologise to my readers for not writing the last couple of times. I have been busy learning the new routes and transforming our bedroom as an exam for our youngest daughter, who is studying to become a stylist for homes and businesses. A large amount of work and putting in loads of new knowledge.
A couple of times a week, I drive the commuter bus as my full-time job in Lemmer. I just switched from Groningen and Drenthe, and now I am driving the buses in Fryslân province. Sometimes I drove a bus out here, but now I have to learn the new routes for me and know as much as possible. I like to drive around here, as this is like home to me; this is the part of the country where I grew up. I start by driving by car to the bus stand in the industry park in Lemmer, parking the car and logging in for duty and then starting up the bus that is on my duty sheet. The first trip takes about 5 minutes or a bit more, depending on where you start your part. I finish my commute bus ride by the next bus station, and sometimes you have to switch vehicles after the coffee break. Nothing is new to me in that way; only the vehicles are something I have to get used to.
By riding my second bus, which I pick up from the buffer place parked at the station, through the historic centre of Bolsward, one of the small cities in my province. (Fact: this is one of the eleven cities known by the ice skating tour.) Through the front and side windows, the scenery is beautiful: pancake flat, usually green, and dotted with rural farms. I have time to appreciate the passing images, and occasionally I think to snap a picture or two. Usually I don’t have my camera with me, so I use my phone. The bus windows can’t be opened and are varying degrees of dirty, which adds a slightly grey patina to the photos.
To me, it matches the weather: grey, more often than not. a rainy day somewhere between Lemmer and Leeuwarden. Notice that fields here are not defined by fences but rather by water-filled ditches. It occurred to me yesterday on my way home, as I gazed absently out the window of my car, that I’ve taken lots of pictures of these passing scenes, yet I’ve never shown them to anyone. I decided it was time to go ahead and show you some of them. As you can see, they’re not the highest quality because I used my phone’s camera, the window was dirty, and we don’t have that much time. Nevertheless, to me they have a certain atmosphere: a muted quality that matches my meditative mood as I am at the job.
It’s time to pause, a moment of suspension, and a time to think between two buses and a lot of new driving activity. I can tell you that I love it.
Speaking of bicycles, the photo below was taken at one of the stations along the way. (Another fact: there are more bicycles than people in our country, the Netherlands.)
The sun does occasionally shine, however, and on those days the mood on the bus is always more lively.
How do you get to work? What is your commute like? Do you see beauty along the way?
Add a comment below!
Drive safely.
The Old Sailor,
