Time, travel and birthday presents
IT WAS Mrs C’s birthday last week. Now, running a busy newspaper means opportunities for long, leisurely shopping trips and spending hours pondering over the perfect present are a dim and distant memory. So I’d like to introduce you to my tried and tested method for ensuring the birthday person gets the gifts without the stress and hassle of dither and delay.
It’s all thanks to Reading Buses, and it is a bit like that old ITV lunchtime show 60 Minute Makeover. Well, almost.
There’s more makeovers, no DIY and no TV cameras.
But it does take 60 minutes.
Reading Buses sells an epic ticket that allows as much travel as you like on its network – any bus you fancy, any destination you choose, as many as you like. The catch is, it has to take place in just 60 minutes.
The beauty is the ticket is £2.50. Given the single fare is £2.10, the dim and distant Scotsman in me (no idea how far back the family tree goes to find him, but he has to be there) the chance to save £1.70 is a chance to get a third of a pint later.
The ticket starts from the moment you activate on the smartphone app, so as soon as you step on the bus. Make sure you’re the last one on for extra, precious seconds – the clock is now ticking.
Last week, there was a traffic jam, which meant the bus took longer to get to the town centre. But, I’m a pro. I’ve done this before and I was ready.
Thankfully the Purple 17 stops in Minster
Street meaning it was a quick stroll to The Oracle. One shop, one look round, one admiration of the precious things and then one outfit straight to the till – a cardigan, a T-shirt, some trousers, and some amusing socks.
Tap out, in the bag, out the door.
In and out in five minutes.
Straight out the doors and off to Heelas (it’s very confusing when people pronounce it John Lewis) where the cards and puzzles are handily right next to each other.
Another quick pick-up, a bit of chit-chat with the cashier, and a nod at the security guard wondering who the mad man with a bag is.
Finally, a few tasty goodies: Straight out of Heelas, on to Friar Street, into a supermarket, items off the shelf, and whizz through the checkouts.
Mission almost accomplished … there’s normally time for a pint at The Alehouse. Alas not today as there’s another appointment to get to, so it’s straight to Jackson’s Corner and on to a bus.
This trip had taken 25 minutes, and it took another 20 for the bus to navigate the misery that is Kings Road almost rush hour traffic.
So, office door to office door in 45 minutes – I think that’s a record.
The 60-minute ticket is a marvel, not just for saving money, but for focusing your mind when there’s a mission to be run.
In, out, no time for thinking, just make a decision and go for it. It’s perfect for ensuring the objective is met without agonising.
Admitedly, the strategy has been honed over many years, helped by favourite high street stores are no longer with us - farewell Debenhams,
Gap and Muji. There are some stores not on the possible list; we’re not big fans of fast fashion, preferring more durable pieces for our wardrobes.
The principle is sound. Sixty minutes, door to door, to create one happy birthday girl.
In fact, it look longer to wrap the presents up than it did to buy them.
And the gift receipt is in the bottom of the bag, just in case. After all, money can buy you many things, including a bit of time, but it can’t always buy you taste.