I WAS going to write a few words of praise for Arriva, now that it has replaced those beat-up, clapped-out, old rattle boxes with new stock, and better time-keeping on route 46 from Crook to Durham.

But that was before Friday, June 12. After a day’s walking, and with one eye on the time, I arrived at Piercebridge, three buses from home.

In Arriva’s timetable fantasy world, the magic time for the No 75 was 3.19pm, when I would be whisked off to Darlington in time for the No 1 leaving at 3.35pm. But this is the real world, and the bus didn’t show until 3.34pm.

I boarded with a heavy chest, my travel plans and praise for Arriva left in tatters at the bus stop. I did, eventually get home, albeit much later than planned.

However, my spirits rose again on arrival at Bishop Auckland bus station, safe in the knowledge that my next and last bus, Weardale Travel, would be on time as usual, and it was.

Nothing really changes, does it?

Brian Short, Frosterley, Bishop Auckland.