I am 70 years of age and live in the Newton area of Surrey. I have a metal knee and back problems that preclude me from cycling. Were I able to cycle, at my age, I would have been gone for a whole day or even longer than I am going to describe below.
I went into the kitchen at about noon and decided to open the window – the locking mechanism on the PVC windows was seized-up and almost impossible to move, hence it was extremely difficult to open the window.
I grabbed a screwdriver and removed the mechanism. There was no adjustment to the tension.
I realized that I needed a replacement so I jumped in my car and headed off to the hardware store on Fraser Highway. It did not have anything compatible.
I was sent to a door and window place off King George Boulevard at 24 Avenue in South Surrey.
Their limited stock did not contain the required article, so they sent me to their supplier on 80 Avenue near 130 Street in Surrey.
I had left home at 12:40 p.m. and returned home at 3 p.m., so I was in my car driving around trying to purchase the necessary lock to ensure my house was secure for a period of two hours and 20 minutes.
According to the environmentalists, I should have taken the bus.
Perhaps that works in downtown Vancouver where there is 10-minute or 15-minute bus service, but I live in Surrey where many, if not most bus services, run every 30 minutes.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a thousand words are necessary – so here goes.
As I live about four blocks from the bus route along 144 Street in Surrey, I could have walked these four blocks to the bus stop at 76 Avenue, catching bus # 341, and proceeded north along 144 Street and 148 Street to Fraser Highway.
I could have changed to bus # 502 and proceeded southeast along Fraser Highway and alighted near the hardware store.
I could have spent 10 minutes walking and 10 to 15 minutes in the store before I learned that there was no compatible item.
I could have departed the store and taken 10 minutes to walk to the bus stop. I could have caught bus #502 and proceeded northwest along Fraser Highway to 152 Street. From there I could have taken bus # 345 south along 152 Street to the White Rock Centre Exchange.
Then I could have caught bus #C53 which would have taken me to the vicinity of King George Boulevard to 24 Avenue.
How long would this have taken – I have no idea, but a loooooooooooooong time.
As the item was not available at these premises, I would then have retraced my route back to the White Rock Centre Exchange on bus #C53 and changed to bus #321 and proceeded north along King George Boulevard to the Newton Exchange (72 Avenue). There I would have taken bus #319 along 72 Avenue alighting at 132 Street.
Then I could have caught bus #324 and proceeded north along 132 Street alighting at 80 Avenue. Then I would have walked three blocks to the business premises on 80 Avenue.
Finally – success!
Having achieved my goal of procuring a new lock for my kitchen window I would have headed home.
I would have walked back to 132 Street and taken bus #324 south along 132 to 72 Avenue. There I would have changed to bus #319 and proceeded east along 72 Avenue to the Newton Exchange. I would then have taken bus #341 initially east along 72 Avenue and then north on 144 Street to 76 Avenue. A four-block walk would have taken me back home.
Fortunately it was not raining, and it was a pleasant afternoon.
Additionally, the article in question was not some bulky or heavy thing that I would have had to struggle with; it easily fit in my pocket.
So... to all those of you who think we should all be taking the bus – are you out of your minds?
Mac Savage, Surrey