Coach Trip

[Borage]

Our local Women’s Institute hires a coach and does a trip to visit lovely places such as Stratford upon Avon and Worcester. There is a coffee stop on the way and time to walk around as many of the ladies are elderly and get stiff sitting too long.

Ludlow is less than fifty miles, no problem, I thought, about 70 minutes according to the route finder. The 7.30 a.m. start was a bit of a shock. The coach from a local company was brand new and much bigger than usual. I should have been suspicious. We took an odd route and stopped to pick up another group half an hour later and not much nearer our destination. Two more groups and three hours later we still had not reached our destination! Nor had there been a comfort break, and the steep steps to the W.C. made it inaccessible.

We had two hours in Ludlow and nearly seven hours in our seats on the coach. Walking around on the coach was not permitted. I got cramp and swollen ankles and dreaded the return journey fearing a DVT or saddle embolism. I was able to buy travel socks at Boots the Chemist, and spoke to the pharmacist and bought some aspirin and took a dose then and in the evening. I spent my two hours walking, all around the castle, the town, the mediaeval church and all the narrow little streets to get my circulation back.

With MPN’s we worry about long flights, I would say, BEWARE OF COACH COMPANY DAY TRIPS!

[lizzziep]

I made the same mistake a couple of years ago! I'd never been on such an uncomfortable coach, I have severe arthritis as well as the ET and couldn't get up and move easily. I was in agony for days after and also feared consequences with being sat so long.

[Stevesmum42 in reply to lizzziep]

Hi Lizzie. Quite agree ,coach trips seem like a good idea but my ankles look like pigs trotters when I sit for any length of time. So a no no from me too.

Regards Sandy x

[Chaz1]

Thank you for sharing. We were looking at doing a Coach Tour of Normandy as neither of us fancy driving. I had thought about it being long days for Hubby (ET/PV) but that at least he could sleep while we travelled, hadn't thought about him being cramped in the coach for long periods. Will have to factor that in.

[Borage in reply to Chaz1]

I remember a thirteen hour coach trip from Paris many years ago. The most frustrating part was the last two hours so near to home dropping people off all around Birmingham.

[Chaz1 in reply to Borage]

That would be very frustrating. I think I might have to convince my brother in law to come with us & he can do the driving/navigating. We can then stop when we want & it's bit all on me.

[Sallush]

Train journeys are the way to go? Or a cruise perhaps? Freedom to get up and walk around.

As a PV patient, I had a PE after a short haul flight (Crete - 3.5 hours) so flying is not an option for me.

Always looking for safer travel options.