Had a fantastic day out on a North East Explorer today. Didn't use it to it's full potential, but in terms of satisfaction; certainly milked it. I woke up at 09:00, and after preparing myself for the long day ahead, I made my way to the bus stop for my 78 to Sunderland.
#78 - Chester-le-Street Durham County Cricket Ground to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (09:42 --- 10:14) - Go North East 4906 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
I arrived at the bus stop with plenty of time, and as the bus was due at 09:40, an elderly man came running up to me asking if the 78 had been yet. I said no, and he said he had ran all the way down from the Black Horse, having forgotten the buses weren't serving that stop. Only 2 minutes late, but when I boarded, the extremely friendly driver said ''good morning'' and knew exactly what I was on about when I asked for an Explorer. This Saturday journey normally has around 5 people on, but today when I boarded, it was more like 10. Took my seat just above the step up, and enjoyed the ride through to Sunderland.
The driver was brilliant at time-making, and got us to Sunderland 3 minutes early (surprising, having been 2 minutes late when I boarded). He was very courteous, had impeccable manners, and must be among the friendliest drivers at Chester-le-Street. Thanks to his driving skills, I got to Park Lane with plenty of time to catch the 10:19 Metro to Airport. Walked down into the Metro, everything was quiet as I walked down, but on the platform there was around 20 people awaiting the next Metro.
Tyne and Wear Metro - Park Lane to Haymarket - (10:19 --- 10:55) - Tyne and Wear Metrocars 4072
and 4044
I heard the rumbling of a Metro in the distance, and joined other people who walked towards the platform edge. It came into sight, with 4072 leading and 4044 on the rear. I chose to sit in 4072, and parked myself near a door at a row of 3 seats facing another row of 3 seats. As the next announcement, for Sunderland, came on, I noticed a slight smell of urine... Barf! I put my earphones in, and at some parts of the journey it felt like the noises produced by the engines could be heard in space! Not a bad journey though, in terms of how crowded some of my past Metro experiences have been. I now also have an incredible desire to sit at the front of a Metro at some point... No need for Train Simulator then! haha
I would especially enjoy doing that as we cross the River Tyne between Gateshead and Central. Will try that at some point. Anyway, I hopped off at Haymarket, and made my way up to ground level. Walked into the bus station, and went to buy a Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt from Gregg's. As I came out, I saw a Coastliner enter on a 308 for Blyth, so upon Dan's advice, I went for that.
#308 - Newcastle, Haymarket Bus Station to Blyth Bus Station - (11:04 --- 12:21) - Arriva North East 7803 - Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini 2
Driver pulled in at 11:02; 5 minutes early, so as there was only myself and about 4 others queuing, he asked if it was alright for him to have a quick puff on his pipe (something like that!). He quickly had a smoke through his pipe, and two of the OAPs waiting asked him if he knew of a Fish & Chips place in Blyth, to which he was very helpful and full of advice. He seemed a very nice driver. I had the upstairs to myself, but only about as far as the Coast Road, about 10-15 minutes into the journey - when a dad with two little girls got on, and of all places, they sit at the other set of seats at the front... Yay! We hit around traffic around Whitley Bay, which disrupted the whole journey. We got to Blyth over 10 minutes late, and 7803 was regulated.
I enjoyed this journey, some of the views out to sea as you head along the coastline are absolutely spectacular. However, the buses do get quite busy, which I suppose was a downside. There's nothing nicer than sitting at the front upstairs with a view that lasts for miles and miles. I hopped off at the bus station in Blyth, and after wandering around like a lost sheep, I found the stand for the 1.
#1 - Blyth Bus Station to Ashington Bus Station - (12:27 --- 13:03) - Arriva North East 1504 - VDL SB200/Wright Pulsar 2
I saw the 1 pull in, with the destination set for the return to Widdrington. Obviously, I wasn't intending to travel this far, but nonetheless I boarded for Ashington. I noticed the passenger numbers boarding at Blyth were quite high; I didn't realise the 1 was such a popular service. Sat at the very back, as my favourite seats were taken by some OAPs. Guess I got lucky, as I was informed by mb134 that Pulsars were quite lucky on the 1. After finding out I would normally have gotten an MPD, I was most pleased at my fortune!
A nice ride into Ashington, and the heating at the back of 1504 was great! After disembarking alongside a store (can't remember what it was) - I headed across to the depot. Nothing there of note, think there were a few things towards the very rear of the yard, although I couldn't get a good enough photo using my zoom. I did, however, take a photo of Dart 1301 parked up in full view outside of the depot. I assume it's a layover bay? As I walked towards the main part of the bus station, I saw my X22 pull in.
#X22 - Ashington Bus Station to Newcastle, Haymarket Bus Station - (13:10 --- 14:03) - Arriva North East 7527 - Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro400
Was pleased I had a non-refurbished example, as it performed well! Some people say these E400s aren't too good; after doing the whole route from Ashington to Newcastle, I have to say I was impressed with how 7527 ran. Some of the large gaps along stretches of road between stops were flown through, it picked up enough speed to ensure we picked up a bit of time by the time we reached Newcastle. Had a very friendly driver as well, who had some great driving and customer service skills.
Got to Newcastle, and we were dropped off at the bottom stand. I had a brief conversation with mb134 outside the Gregg's in the Haymarket bus station, and told him where 7523 and 7524 were, as he had asked me to look out for them as they had working plug-sockets, and he needed to charge his phone. After this, I made my way across to Eldon Square, in hopes of an Olympian. After around 15 minutes of looking up to Percy Street, in the midst of observing other things, I hit the jackpot. A yellow double decker appeared on the horizon, and this was definitely the highlight of the day.
#X70 - Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station to Consett Bus Station - (14:27 --- 15:26) - Go North East 3822 - Volvo Olympian/NC Palatine 2
I hopped on with ease, and noticed I had the upper saloon to myself. I would have taken an interior photo, but just couldn't bothered. As we left Newcastle, I noticed a slight squeel from the engine. However, as I've said before, Olympians are among the smoothest vehicles I have ever tried. As we hit Gateshead, about a dozen people boarded. A woman by herself sat behind the stairs, a couple with a child at the very back, and two teenage girls at the front seats opposite me (I had ''bagsied'' the seats with the huge legroom) sat upstairs. As we headed through the small villages and massive fields to Consett, they all slowly left, until by the time we hit Consett; I was alone once again.
Spent quite a bit of time on this journey listening to the Blockbusters theme (citaro5284 will be happy!!) to celebrate how incredible the ride was. I felt invincible towards the last 5-10 minutes of the journey, when the upper deck was deserted bar me, upstairs on a powerful workhorse. hehe
#78 - Consett Bus Station to Chester-le-Street Durham County Cricket Ground - (15:28 --- 16:42) - Go North East 4904 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
What a nice way to end such a great day; the underpowered 4904! A personal enemy of mine, I was slightly peeved to see this was operating the 78 out of Consett, when I walked to the stand. Got little power in it's engine to be fair, and goes as slow as a snail! What didn't help matters was a family (you know what I'm on about.......) that boarded in Grange Villa. The 4 kids (yes, 4!!) all sat in random parts of the bus, while the mother and father (both inebriated I think...) got the tickets. They sat at the very rear, and when we hit Pelton, a young couple boarded with a child in a buggy/pram/thingy who were obviously enemies of the woman. She whistled at them, shouted down the bus at them, and called them ''mongs'', amongst other things... Pleased when they disembarked in Chester-le-Street!
When we left Chester-le-Street (pretty full, quite surprising for half 4 on a Saturday) the driver made an error with the diversions. Instead of turning up along The Avenue(s) he miscalculated his speed, and overran it (that's what I'm assuming, as I heard him say something inaudible when he drove on). He received guidance upon hitting the roundabout at Waldridge, and went all the way down until he re-joined the diversion scheme at West Lane. Talk about a detour! haha
Had a great day out, and was in the house by 17:00. Certainly got what I need out of it - a ride into Northumberland, a Yellow Bus Olympian and a couple of Renowns!
Marcus
The one just next to the bus station. Not familiar with the area at all. Like I say I recall seeing one or two things towards the back of the place I visited, but I couldn't get a good enough photo with it being so far away. 
at least you'll know for next time 
) smell coming off him, I accidentally touched some urine on the seat.