Tuesday 17th June 2025

In November 2024, the Dover Fast track bus service began. Initially using diesel engined buses until the electric ones ordered were serviceable.

Eight months later, and there's no sign of the electric buses, and from what I saw, peak services are half full, outside of that, a handful of people use the service.

All this for £34,000,000 outlay in building the road and bridge over the A2.

Back in November we walked most of the way into Richmond Park, but I have been meaning in walking the southern part, which links Whitfield with Fort Burgoyne.

So, after coffee, Jools dropped me off while she went to the dentist, and I looked for orchids.

And other plants.

Between the sports centre and the start of the bus road, I counted 93 Dacht spikes, most clearly Common Spotted, as were probably the others, though they had the features of Heath Spotted.

I snap both kinds for future investigation.

I had hoped the mile-long stretch of road, which is lined on both sides by wild flowers, would be orchid rich too, but sadly, I guess, the soil, despite being recently turned over, was done too recently to allow orchid seed to set.

This part of the road was built on part of Watling Street, which should have been protected, but it was where a Brexit-related facility was due to be built.

That was then not needed due to the harm to the economy such veterinary checks would have done, so the land was used for this bus-only road.

Two services an hour in each direction, off-peak.

I walked down, taking shots of the road and plants, but soon it was the same flowering plants and shrubs, and it was getting warmer minute by minute.

Mullein, Wild Carrot, Viper's Bugloss, Weld, White clover, Mallow and Ox-eye daisies just going to seed.

Two dog walkers pass me, and a lady going to a gym class at the sports centre along with a bus going each way.

Otherwise it was quiet except for bird song, and the quiet hum of traffic on the A2, out of sight in a cutting.

I reached the end, Jools called. So I told her where I was, and she would pick me up on the way home.

Once she arrived, we went via Guston, Pineham, Whitfield, in a huge circle really, back to Swingate and to Tesco.

We rush round getting what we need, then back home before it gets too crowded and too warm outside.

Phew.

It was nearly eleven, and time for breakfast.

I spend half the day chasing a parcel from DHL. One which they have lost.

Then found.

Then damage.

Then repair.

And finally decide it couldn't be delivered. So sent it back to Beers of Europe.

Leaving me beer-less.

Beers of Europe get an answer from DHL which I couldn't, and a replacement is being sent.

Sigh.

This has all taken 15 days so far.

It is too hot to do anything, really. So, we take it in turns to sit out under the awning with Mulder and Scully, then back inside to cool down.

We even have beer/cider with our lunch of breaded chicken salad rolls, so struggle to stay awake in the afternoon.

Dinner was another helping of Caprese, with some store-made bread. Its too hot and time consuming to make my own.

So, slices of tomato, topped with slices of mozzarella drizzled with balsamic vinegar and cold press olive oil. Seasoned then basil leaves arranged on the slices.

Lovely.

I had some fine wine to finish, which I do finish.

Somehow, custard doughnuts had slipped into our trolley, and even though I wasn't hungry, I made brews and had one with a cuppa.

Lovely.