So, after being asked by certain members of my smallgroup to share my embarrassing moment in Tesco’s car park I’ve been encouraged to share yet another story which made people giggle. Good to know that the mundane events in my daily life provide entertainment for you all!!

On Monday, I had my first day at my new job. Now, the journey from Corstorphine into the City Centre of Edinburgh usually takes approximately 20-25 mins (depending on traffic). But knowing it was festival time, I decided to leave an hour before I had to be at work – you know just to be on the safe side…I didn’t want to be late on my first day, did I? No.

So, I go along to the number 26 bus stop. The number 26 is like one of the best bus services ever. I’ve never had to wait longer than 5 minutes for a bus. But on Monday, that was not to be! 12 minutes later (after walking to the bottom of Drum Brae) a bus FINALLY came along. On I got. I still had plenty of time to get to the centre….all was well.

We reached Haymarket, and suddenly the traffic got reeeeaaaalllllllllyyyyy sssllllllooooooowwwww. 20 minutes from Haymarket to Shandwick Place. Yes, that’s right….20 minutes to go between TWO bus stops!! Then we just came to a stand still. I was in a backwards facing seat, and suddenly realised everyone on the bus was looking at goings on in the street. What are they looking at? I thought.

So I looked round…

…a car was on fire in the middle of the road (not majorly), and there was the fire brigade, blocking off traffic in 2 lanes. Eventually they got the car moved. We got to the West End bus stop.

And didn’t move for another 10 minutes.

Why? Well, when the bus got to the traffic lights at Lothian Road, I saw why…a Citylink coach had broken down (I presume) was devoid of passengers and a driver, and stranded across both lanes at the opening to South Charlotte Street (which is the only route for traffic heading south or east on that part of Princes Street). Traffic Wardens were directing traffic (badly) and we sat there for a while trying to get past all the silly people trying to queue jump…

By this time, it was 6 p.m. and I was supposed to be at work.

So I got off the bus just before Castle Street, and ran along Princes Street, across the road, up the Mound – knocking tourists out the way and the ones who deliberately dithered and got in my way when they saw I was in the hurry got some huffing and puffing in their direction (I managed by God’s grace only to give 1 dirty glare between Princes Street and Potterow!) and just reached the centre minutes before Liz’s client was to arrive. I was 20 minutes late, bedraggled and with a stitch in my side.

So that’s how I was late for my very first day in my new job.

A car fire AND a broken down coach blocking a road in the city centre of Edinburgh in the same hour….what are the odds of that, eh?!