The Paparazzi Strikes

Jennifer, a work colleague, heading to the office as I staked out the street in the morning...

Open Letter to Mr Lunchtime Bus Driver

Dear Sir

You've probably noticed the multitude of road works around Edinburgh at the moment, and will most certainly have realised that you are being diverted around Charlotte Square. What you may not have noticed will have been the total lack of provision on Charlotte Square for pedestrians to cross what amounts to two fast-moving lanes of traffic and a car park. That would involve intelligent thought.

I waited quite a time at lunchtime today for a gap to cross the road. At that point you were some way in the distance and there was sufficient time for me, and a lady next to me, to walk across. It came as something of a surprise, therefore, to find myself 6 feet from completing the crossing, and have your double decker bus whizzing a foot behind my elbow.

What is certainly clear is that you were going a bit more than 30mph, had clearly speeded up on being confronted with pedestrians having the temerity to cross the road, and and had decided to drive as far right as you could (without striking the plastic barriers of course, that would be hazardous, and despite the totally empty lane to your left) in order to intimidate said pedestrians who were encroaching in your space.

You have a large bus. I am a soft and squidgy human being. It's a somewhat uneven contest, and you, sir, are a cockwomble. The most irritating aspect is that my heart was in my mouth a little too much for me to think immediately of getting your service number or licence plate, and your haste was such that you were around Charlotte Square and onto George Street (having got lucky with the lights) disappearing into a sea of identical buses before I could begin to pen my complaint to Lothian Buses in my mind (though at the time dragging you from your cab and seeing just how brave you were without tonnes of steel and glass around you would have been a more likely option).

Next time you try that just hope and pray that the pedestrian you wish to 'give a fright' or 'make an example of' doesn't trip or falter. Those buses these days are fitted with video cameras, and it will be plain for everyone to see just how much of an idiot you are.

Many thanks, and may your eyes be eaten out by rabid ferrets.

Anthony

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Rejected blip:

Was it cold this morning?

And for those following the lurgy situation - it's still hanging around, not as bad as it was last week, but annoyingly ever-present.