For a recent arrival in Merton Park the K5 Bus had the fascination of a space ship—a ride on the Mitcham Belle offered a journey into the unknown and a chance to explore the neighbourhood —the easy way.

The Mostyn Road section is mapped as ‘Hail and Ride’, so the would-be passenger does just that.

Hearing that I was new and green the driver was friendly and interested. For long sections of the route there were no other passengers so he gave me a commentary and pointed out places of interest on the way. The stop for Tesco is convenient, but the return stop is through another exit and across the roundabout “You cross on that crossing up there”. He recommended Kingston for shopping and pointed out that there were bus stops at both bus stations ad the Railway Station, also that we stopped near an ASDA and the Kingston Hospital.

The terminus at Ham is in a newer residential area and not very near Ham House or the river. Here we had six minutes, so we walked up and down ‘to stretch our legs’. The driver told me that they like the K5; “ we call it the Pensioners’ Flyer -- the passengers are always nice and treat you properly”. Perhaps this is because the drivers treat the passengers in the same way. This one was helpful and good-humoured, and for much of the route he had a silver-haired load.

The bus passed along many residential roads in Norbiton, New Malden and Motspur Park, but other people’s curtains, front doors and gardens are always interesting. It was a fine, sunny afternoon, the trees blossomed and the flowers bloomed.

The round trip took about two hours. There is a K5, in both directions, every hour between Morden Station and Ham, and I shall be riding again soon.