Extraordinary Experience On The Bus

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 17 Jan 2023
  • 1716 reads
16 comments
 

Dear diary...Monday 16th January 2023.

Just had to record this entry.

 

I started off my bus ride into town as I normally do. Everything was as it usually was, until we got to the third bus stop across the road from the Manor pub.

This was where I had an encounter, along with other passengers that I will never forget, and probably will never happen again.

A middle aged man sat with a lady in a wheel chair on the opposite side suddenly became agitated, gazing out the window. I couldn't work out what he was saying, it was just mumbling.

I don't like to be nosy, so I looked out my window. But then as the bus came to a stop and the doors opened, a lady got on. The man suddenly stood up and headed towards the doors looking quite concerned. I thought at first someone might have had an accident, but then the lady in the wheelchair started laughing.

The man investigating further was getting quite agitated and started to back up away from the doors. This was when with great astonishment I noticed a large beak and long feathered neck appear around the corner, before the body of a huge swan began to ascend the bus, looking rather self important like it was a paying customer on its way somewhere.

In a moment of amusement, we watched the brave bus driver step from his seat to direct the waddling rambler back out onto the pavement, then we were once again on our way.

There's a wood and a lake behind the pub, so I was sure the poor swan would find its way back quite easily.

I giggled inside at the idea of this giant bird returning to the lake, telling its mate of the experience on the bus.

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Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

oh wow - that really was an extraordinary encounter Jenny! what a shame you didn't have a camera with you

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi insert,

it certainly was extraordinary, and I do wish I'd had a camera, but I don't think anyone thought about taking a picture, it all happened so fast and was just so amusing in the moment. My partner's son drives buses, so maybe the driver mentioned it when he got back to the depo, I'll have to ask him when I see him next.

But thank you for reading, it was just something I couldn't resist writing in my diary entry.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The bus driver must have been quite brave, – swans can be quite dangerous, especially if they think you are attacking them! They have a hefty swipe with those wings I think, and maybe the beak. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

yes you're right the bus driver was very brave, but he didn't seem at all nervous, in fact he had a smile on his face and kept very calm. 

The swan seemed to understand the situation, because it was cooperative and didn't even open its wings, just waddled off up the pavement, leaving on lookers stunned.

Thanks for reading and letting me know your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Kurt Rellians on

A strange encounter! I wonder what would have happened if the swan refused to get off the bus? Or if it went for a ride on a public bus?

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Kurt,

now that would have been another story if the swan had refused to get off. Imagine it flapping its wings around the bus, would have caused absolute chaos, there would have been such mayhem I really don't want to imagine.

Thank you for reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

A wonderful story that made me smile...as did Kurt's comment above! :)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

glad you enjoyed and  It brought a smile, it certainly had me smiling the rest of the way to town.

Thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

https://www.swanstravel.com

Good one, Jenny :)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Ha, ha! laugh That made me laugh. Thanks for sharing Ed.

Glad to know you enjoyed.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Oh Jenny, what a BRILLIANT  story!!! Thankyou so much for sharing :0) I have been on an tube train in London (not an underground bit) with a pigeon, which walked up and down like a ticket collector, then flew away when the doors opened, as if it knew where it was. I wonder if your swan was planning a new way to migrate?

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

These birds are certainly getting braver arn't they Di? I liked your idea of them finding a new way of migrating. Perhaps the swan and pigeon wanted to visit their relatives...now that would be a funny thought.

I think you could go a whole lifetime and never have an experience like we had, it's just about being in the right place at the right time.

Thank you for your kind words, and I enjoyed your story too.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Unusual encounter indeed Jenny. It is amazing that a swan would want to enter a confined space or a strange object, like a bus unless they’ve evolved and now understand it is a way to get around without flapping wings. Maybe the swans in that pond sent this one out there to test what it would be like? Since it didn’t work, they may regroup and come up with another plan so I'd keep a watch on that bus stop. smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You maybe right Penny. I wonder if all creatures are becoming braver. I'm put in mind of that famous story, Animal Farm. Me and my partner saw a couple of Swans out on the iced up lake, they didn't seem bothered, by us but appeared to move in slow motion, as if in a dream like state, it was quite fascinating to watch.

Thank you for reading and your input on this piece. It was good to hear from you.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

What intrigue! Can't blame you for being so curious. Read it a few times.

Keep well Jernny and all! Tom

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks so much for reading Tom, it certainly was a strange experience.

You keep well and take care too.

Jenny.