Excited. Early start. Drove to small port village, ready to catch 8am bus to start of walk, which would finish 15 miles later back at the port. Surprised to see a dozen people at the bus stop. All from the village, catching up on the week’s gossip. Bus arrived, I was last to alight. Single to place X, I requested. Bus driver looked at me strangely, then shook his head. Not this bus, son, it’s the one right behind. We both looked behind, only to see that bus pulling out and going past. I jumped out, waving madly. To no avail.

I’d just followed the queue, without looking at the bus number. Next bus: 2 hours later. Hmm. Called a taxi. Amazingly, the village had one, and she was available. Pricey, but…started the walk earlier (taxi beat bus), driver gave me lots of local tips, and I was reminded of the importance of due diligence (ie looking at bus numbers). Hasn’t happened again…