"I like to travel light, especially when travelling alone."
So, a few days ago I set off on a 9-hour cross-country trip from Newton Abbot, in the South of Devon, to Leicester City, East Midlands, UK, via the UK's reliable National Express Coach service.
I find travelling by coach more reliable and less hassle than the train for long distances with connections, as the buses are pretty much always on time. However, on this occasion, my first bus in Newton Abbot was delayed 10 minutes due to major traffic delays from Glastonbury Festival and an accident on the motorway.
One perk from travelling on the National Express is that there is free Wifi, and USB sockets for charging. This is convenient, for me to catch up with work using my laptop.
Travelling Light
My goal was to fit everything needed for 7 days in a single 30 L backpack, along with my crossbody handbag, with my hands free. This turned out to be a simple task because when packing for a trip in the summertime, clothes and shoes can be light and easy-to-wear garments.
Cargo trousers are my preferred style when travelling long distances. I find that having zippered pockets handy for the bus or train tickets, itineraries, and quick access to small cash or bank cards, instead of having to open my handbag or purse. Cargo trousers are also convenient to place emergency cash in pockets, which would be useful in the event of being pickpocketed, as it would be less likely to have a thief go through all my pockets, instead of grabbing my bag and making a quick run.
I like wearing a headscarf on domestic journeys for hygienic reasons and also for carefree less maintenance; So braiding my hair and covering it, is one less thing to care for while travelling. Also, a headscarf prevents friction with public headrests and helps prevent pollution and contamination as headrests are seldom cleaned in buses.
Light Colours for High Visibility
My long journey meant that I would be arriving late at night, so I opted to wear bright colours for high visibility for my safety and in consideration of motorists. Lighter colours and fabrics are also cooler during the hot humid/dry summer heat.
💡Top Tip
It's convenient to pack similar colours so that mix-matching outfits is easy.
Window vs Aisle Seat
I prefer travelling in front of the coach, and it's always tempting to have a window seat for the view. However, I choose an aisle seat so that I can get up to stretch my legs and take toilet breaks on the coach without disturbing my neighbour. This is a good way to combat fatigue and muscle cramps, and a little exercise helps with blood circulation.
Sitting in the aisle seat also less strain on turning my neck to look out the window, as it's spectacular to watch the sunset and a lovely time for reflecting and watching moving traffic along the lanes.
Travelling fast on the motorway is contrasting with how I live my normal life, slow and easy. With the delay of my first bus and some congestion around London, my bus arrived at Victoria Station in London 7 minutes after my original connecting bus departed.
I was not stressed, as the delay was on the driver's side. This was quickly resolved by the ticket operators who advised that I would be able to board the next scheduled bus, an hour later than my pre-booked one. So with the delay, I quickly grabbed a coffee and sandwich which re-energised me for the second leg of the journey.
Thanks for stopping by:)
All Images are mine.
Wow you're a true Gangster, traveling by bus and all! My wife always put the good ol wig on when it's time to travel lol, but I guess the scarf works better, especially with the current heat!
If the bus doesn't stop and happen to continue further down, and accidentally cross the ocean, then continue toward Spain, you are very welcome to stay for a coffee!
You make travel look so cool, let me tell ya!
Hehe! Thank you 😊
It's been a long time since I visited Spain. I should keep it in mind. The only thing is that I know hubby would prefer to return to Madrid, which would be fine for me because I've only been to Barcelona and Cataluna:)))
That's a long journey!!! When I do Bristol to London it takes about 3.5 hours of which 1 is stuck in the London traffic.
The public headrest thing is a concern but headbands don't suit me, sometimes in winter I wear a hoodie, but normally I just don't think about it and make sure I wash my hair afterwards, which I always do every day. Your point about wearing bring colour clothes at night time is a very good point, I think I should start to get more different colour cloths, currently my wardrobe is rather monocolour, but then that wouldn't be minimalist anymore.....
Have a great time in Leceister.
That's a short time from Bristol to London. If I'd travelled via train from Newton Abbot to Leicester return, it would have cost me just under £300.00 and it would have been over 8 hours of travel one way.
I think wearing bright colours at night comes from driving at night in Jamaica. Black in black is a big concern for motorists there.
Hehe! Somehow, I still have a variety of different colours in my wardrobe, and everything just always seems to match perfectly 😆
Thank you! Yes, it's always nice to be back in Leicester:)))
Oh my gosh!... What a "cool" thing to be able to take a trip like that in a bus!... Taking photos, using the laptop and the service is quite punctual!... That makes me think that our transportation system Here, it's like something out of a horror movie!... I don't want to extend myself, but getting on a bus here (Venezuela) is a "passage to infinite suffering"... I could spend hours describing it, but suffice it to say that they are very unpunctual, too many people (standing and sitting)... And using a laptop in a bus here is something that not even a Samurai would dare to do!... ha ha ha...:) Ah... The first world is like "another planet" sometimes for us here ha ha ha ;)... I love reading these things here on #Hive, thank you very much for writing and sharing @millycf1976 friend, beautiful sunset photos!
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I am a clear image of what you've described. I guess the public transportation in Venezuela would be similar to travelling on a regular bus in Jamaica. They are packed like sardines, and filled with pickpockets. As a teenager, it was a hobby of mine to watch pickpockets in action. I always clocked them and was on alert to punch them in the face. They operate so slick and fast.
Yes, that's true. It's a civilised way to travel actually, and the service is well maintained, and timing is super efficient normally, and the cost is reasonable compared to the train service. The train journey would have been an hour shorter for 3 or 4 times the cost of the coach.
😂
Thanks for your lovely comment and for your support. I appreciate it:)))
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Yeah whoever said that trains always run on time was an idiot. They are frequently late and often don't show up at all lol.
Zipper pockets would be great to protect valuables from pick pockets - good point 👉
I like traveling with only a backpack. You can fit a lot in the right kind of backpack. I can do a full week vacation in mine - in the summer. It's a great way to travel.
No, trains are only on time and reliable in Japan.
I don't travel frequently by train in London, so I wouldn't want to have to navigate my way around alone, especially for the underground. I didn't mind it when I was younger for pleasure, but these days it's nothing but stress.
Yeah, I love travelling with a backpack 😎
Yeah delays are very stressful. Not worth it. Buses in Canada would be horrible though as well because of traffic lol. Our trains are shit and our traffic is shit. There is no good mode of transportation here lol
Inter-town and inner-city buses are unreliable and ridiculously expensive. However, the National Express cross country is an excellent service despite being privatised. The drivers are courteous and handle bags for airport travel too. That's something to remember if you ever visit the UK.
Travelling on trains, especially in London is the most unfriendly experience, ever lol.
Good to know. Thanks for the tip 👍
Cargo britches are the best! Don't think I've worn anything else in years, being able to have everything important on you is rather nice. Wish we had a bus system like that, it'd be nice to go on adventures without having to worry about a vehicle.
This is the most lightweight one I've ever had from a Spanish designer called Fitst4. They would be ideal for camping because they could hand wash and dry in no time.
National Express feels like luxury travel and drivers have an "in-drive passenger announcement script" and give updates about delays on the journey. 🙌
You are a wonderfully considerate traveller. I like how the ideas blend into each other, making it all a very logical packing process (I would imagine). Also, that color really suits you, it's very summery and carefree.
I'm an aisle person, too. All the way. :D Sounds like you had a productive and fun journey
Thank you 😊
Yes, it was a good journey. Just long and tiring, but my friend is a chiropractor, and he and his wife installed a super comfortable bed in their guest room.
It's also lovely to be back in Leicester, where I have lived for many years:)
Wow! What a great idea on how to travel light. I usually do the same, do not have my luggage, and only have my backpack so I could easily move from one transportation to another without being stressed about the things I am carrying. That is why I call myself a backpacker. Hehe. Or unless I have to travel for how many days, then I have the luggage but still limited to only one, compressed and everything there. By the way, you look so cool with your cargo pants, and I so love that camou bag. Indeed, you are so beautiful inside and out my dear friend, Milly. Best regards and have safe travels.
Thank you 😊
Yes, it's important to pass a "kung-fu kick test" when dressing for my travels. Also, I want to be able to jump and run if I need to.
Cargo pants are lighter than jeans, as I hate any form of discomfort around my waist.
Thanks for your lovely compliments:)
Hello dear friend @millycf1976 good afternoon
excellent choice of clothing for a long trip, as you say, cargo pants allow you to carry useful things in your pockets
I'm glad you got a window seat and enjoy the scenery while traveling.
I take this opportunity to wish you a happy start to the week
Thank you 😊
Yes, cargo pants are awesome. I am selective of which ones I do airport travel in though, as sometimes, zippers can set off the metal detectors and cause more hassle than anything.
I was lucky with my first leg of the journey that I was able to occupy both the window and aisle seats.
May you have a lovely week ahead too:)
Travelling light is the only way I know, more baggage just means more trouble for me. That's why I got myself a trusty duffel bag about 4 to 5 years ago. Clothes and everything else I need, my duffel bag can carry 7 to 10 days worth of stuff.
So, I just pack, put it on my shoulder, and I'm on my way. I might carry a little messenger bag for the little stuff, and that's it. No suitcases and non of that heavy stuff please, I'd rather stay at home than carry a heavy lot of suitcases. 😂
It's so much less hassle to travel light, especially in the hot weather.
I was like that as a teenager. My mum used to wonder what was wrong with me, and I always used to tell her, that I need to be able to escape quickly in case of emergency, without losing anything 😅
OHHHH! That's exactly what goes on in my mind, in a way. 😂
Hehe!😂
Hello, Milly!
Light traveling is the way to go :) When I have visited Europe I confess that I love to travel by train, maybe because we don't have them here. I find it relaxing. But I know that the coach is much more convenient sometimes and much cheaper.
I loved the idea of traveling with cargo pants. I hadn't thought about how convenient it is to have several pockets to store things.
Have a great time on your trip 🤗
Hey Coquicoin!
Thank you 😊
I totally get you wanting to travel via train when you go to Europe. The train is my favourite mood of transport. However, I hate to navigate my way around the London Underground when I have connecting trains, as they're always changing platforms last minute, and I don't particularly like crowded places like that where it might be challenging to escape in case of emergency 😆
You totally had it all planned out from your dress to your packing. Irrespective of how hard I try, my travel bag always ends up congested. I haven't mastered the art of packing in a minimalistic way yet.
I always fall for this temptation because I love sitting close to the window, especially in buses. I like to get the firsthand feel of the incoming breeze.
I enjoyed reading this.I hope your journey was a good one.✨
I actually wished that they would keep the windows open for natural airflow. However, it's normal for these coaches to have an air conditioner in the hot weather and the heater on in the winter.
Still, it's a pleasant trip overall, so I can't complain:)))
This is when I would have made an exception.
I'm glad you had a great trip 😊
Packing light is so difficult for me. As if it's a task that I cannot do smoothly. Oftentimes, I oversee situations and it results to over packing. Also, I prefer to be seated in the window seat because I can have extra space for myself and a window where I can rest my head. Thanks for sharing this!
It takes some serious practice. I used to always pack excess stuff trying to cover all possible scenarios.
I feel much better now.
Thanks for stopping by 🤗
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Sometimes I also like traveling alone, because for me it can calm my mind, he he he.
I can understand that 🤗
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Oh, more pizza? I just ate pizza 😋
You're so pretty @millycf1976. Your whole fit looks like you're ready to and set for adventures. It looks like it was a comfortable trip, I haven't really had a comfy long trip like this on road before, I'm looking forward to it.
I'll keep the tip about light colours for visibility in mind.
Thank you @wolfofnostreet 😊
I do hope that you'll get to travel this way one day. It's quite comfortable even when full, and it feels civilised as everyone is normally quiet, but friendly enough.
Have a lovely week ahead:)))
I'll be able to quite soon actually because I'd be moving to the UK for school in a few months.
Have a lovely week!
Ok! That would be a marvellous experience to attend school here in the UK.
All good wishes 🤗
I've been travelling with National Express to Bournemouth for 10 years now. It's about a 7 hr journey but very cheap compared to the train.
I sit at the back where the emergency exit is. I'm tall and there's more leg room there. I also like to be near the toilet. I find walking up the aisle difficult if I'm sat at the front. I nearly end up on someone's knee! I also tend to become the toilet monitor. Other passengers either think the toilet door is locked, or they try to pull the door outwards instead of sliding it. I spend a lot of the time saying "slide!" 😁
In all of the 10 years I've been travelling on the coach, there's only been the odd issue beyond their control. I know it's a long journey but as long as I have wifi I can catch up with things. I just wish I didn’t get as buffeted about in the toilet cubicle. It's best to go to the loo while travelling down the motorway. Once I get into London, there's too much stopping and starting and going round corners for my liking. I practically exit the loo with concussion! 😁
Haha, when I travel with hubby, he prefers the backseat, so the same thing happens to me. I become the toilet attendant, saying the same "slide" or getting up to help passengers with the stiff door. The last time hubby said, let's sit in the middle so you don't have to be the toilet attendant today 🤣
That's a good tip about using the toilet on the motorway.
Driving through London, was reminiscent of my younger years. I haven't spent much time there since I've been living in the UK, unlike when I used to live in Jamaica. London was the only part of the UK that I knew then, and I spent all my time roaming and exploring the streets then. Hmm, I should try to plan even a day in London 😁
I'm beginning to think I need to sit in the middle or ask for a job!
Haha! I was starting to feel that way too. The middle of the bus is not too bad, actually, but for leg room, then the back might be best, or right behind the driver at the front 😆
A lot of travelling tips I just learned reading this, you are so knowledgeable, especially wearing a comfy pant with pocket, never going to forget these tips. I also love travelling light, but having children now makes it almost impossible.
Thanks for sharing🥰