All The Way ...

 ... By Public Transport.

The weather on Thursday 21st was not good ...

... (what wasn't snow was ice) and the omens were even less good when the fbbs motored (slowly) to Axminster station to buy their tickets in advance. Only they couldn't ...

... because the clerk had been moved to another station. Furthermore the self-service ticket machines can't do advance sales!

But Friday morning dawned bright, clear and chilly with main roads and paths to the bus stop clear.

Axe Valley was 10 late at the station, but the ticket window was unencumbered by other customers and the travelling twosome were seated comfortably by 1100 for the run to Salisbury.

Here, onward travel was only a couple of minutes late, with GWR providing the ride ...

... to Southampton Central. 

After a visit to the "facilities" on platform 4, there was 15 min to wait for the Quay Connect bus.

Because of roadworks the bus was diverted away from its usual city centre stops but all was explained at stops and on the bus.

Transfer to the Red Jet was straightforward ...

... so much bigger, more comfortable and, above all quieter than the Shearwaters which started the fast service many many years ago.

Today it is a superior but far less exciting ride. On the original hydrofoils the driver sat up front in the same cabin as the deafened passengers. 

Although the Red Jet timings all worked for the fbbs, the timetable was really odd. Usually two boats run a half hourly service, so the single journey plus turnaround is just 30 minutes.

But one boat is away for its MOT, so the remaining boat now runs a 70 minute frequency with a single trip taking 35 min. Daftly, Red Funnel have recently sold their spare boat to South Korea.

So what happens if the one remaining boat breaks down?

Guess!

Correct. There is no fast service. Good business decision Red Funnel!

It's  not that long ago that diddy buses squeezed into the Island's West Cowes ferry terminal ...

... but now you are guided to the Carvel Lane stop by markers on the pavement.

It works well, although fbb knew the way, of course.

Service 1 runs every 10 min from West Cowes to Newport ...

... where the fbbs were residing at the quaint and characterful Wheatsheaf Hotel.

Fare Axminster to West Cowes was £54.60 OAP rate each; plus free pass rides on AVT and Southern Vectis buses. The Quay Connect at Southampton is included in the through fare.

Surely, some might think, it would be quicker and cheaper by car?

fbb will try a price and time comparison in a later blog.

  Next Wight Oddments blog : Tues 3 December