the big adventure is over ... and NEVER AGAIN... well to be fair... it could have been worse!
But why are bus stations soooo abysmal?

First I had to wait an hour in Bristol Bus Station ... Not anything like enough seats, one outlet for lousy coffee ... no left luggage facility (had there been I would have gone shopping)

Then I boarded a lovely half empty bus (two seats for me!) and we went to London Victoria ... which is just as abysmal a bus stations!

It took me an hour and a half to get a seat. To find the booking in was hard (boy was that place well hidden) and the place was filthy! Pigeons flying around and at you all the time and begging for food and getting it... and then predictably doing what pigeons do when the have eaten! YukYukYuk  and nobody seems to be interested in cleaning anything. The place needs fumigating!

After hours hanging about in this hell hole, there was another fantastic bus. The original bus had broken down and they had to bring a new bus. This turned out to be a brand new VIP bus! WOW ... amazing leg room, reclining seats and real comfortable! Brilliant - even though the drivers seemed to be somewhat cheesed off at having to drive us common folk!

Off we go to the ferry - no not the tunnel. Then on the other side stops in Lille, Brussels, Düsseldorf and a petrol station etc.

Arriving in Dortmund I was nearly sorry to have to leave this bus! JUST missed the train ... argh ... Another hour waiting for the local train to Iserlohn ... Jungle express ... don't pick flowers while train in motion!
And then I am with Mama !!! Hurrah ... Journey's end ... could have been worse ... was OK!

Now for a drink ... hurrah a glass of wine waiting for me! ... and a stretch of the stiff joints!