Exeter, 19th Aug 2011 7:50pm

Another unwritten law about England is that train stations are usually nowhere near the town centre. Weymouth, where I stayed yesterday, was a very pleasant exception in this matter. It took me only a minute to reach the seafront. Unfortunately, though, the Tourist Information was at the very tip of a pier at the other end of the seafront. With a rucksack weighing 29lbs and a promenade plastered with seagulls and kids running about, that was one hell of a march. And I did that only to find out that the only place offering accommodation at an affordable rate was a backpackers hostel - near the station. I could hardly turn that down. At the Bunkouse Plus I spent the cheapest night so far, at £16.95, in a twin room but the other person didn't show up. I also observed two girls in the living-room. I was, however, very careful not to talk to them; they were Swiss (from Basel; the accent is a bit of a giveaway) and Swiss people are exactly the people I don't need on this trip (well, they might come second; islamic terrorists blowing up public transport would be far worse). I planned to leave the hostel early in the morning, before anyone was up...

You might remember that I once brought up the subject of narrow roads and shaky bus rides. In any case, here's the sequel. In order to get from Weymouth to my next destination of choice, Exeter, I could've taken the train for £35. As you can imagine, I rejected this expensive idea and headed down to the seafront to get a coach. Weymouth - Exeter on the CoastLinX 53 cost me exactly £6.70. Included in the price: a 1 hour rollercoaster ride between Chickerell, Abbotsbury and Swyre. As the bus climbs a hill and descends into a valley at 30mph, over and over again, you can't help thinking about those long, straight roads in Kanses, on which trucks seem to be gliding along - not bumping up and down like here. I said it once and I say it again: A country that serves eggs, bacon, beans and sausages for breakfast should have more stomach-friendly roads.

Luckily enough for me, I only had a coffee for breakfast. After four hours (4 hours for 50 miles! Narrow roads...) I arrived in the capital city of Exeter (which is apparently pronounced "exde"). I'm planning to stay in Exeter a bit longer and so I checked in at my hotel - a place of the unusual sort: Holland Hall @ the University of Exeter. It always astonishes me how one instantly feels smarter upon entering a university. And not only smarter but sporty as well (free use of sports facilities, thank you very much!). I guess I will get out of the city for the weekend and tour the surroundings to then check out Exeter from Monday on. Also, I feel the unusual urge to go shopping but I can't, for my rucksack is jam-packed.

Keep walking...

johnniewalker