Great review Marcus! Here's mine:
Right, to start the day off I was up at 0545 so I could get ready for my first bus of the day. I was originally planning on going to the Lake District which would've meant driving to Brampton at around 0610 or catching the 0643 685, setting off in the car at 0630. Tough choice but I decided I'd go to the North East.
SiC 685 0643 Greenhead to Lemington Road Ends - 27142
On the first service of the day was 27142, I've actually grown to like this vehicle. As I've mentioned previously it has a small whine when the power is put down, and with my stop being on a dual-to-single carriageway you have to, to prevent traffic colliding with the back of the bus!
Good little trip, although there was a drunk/drugged man sat at my favourite seats on these E300s right at the back on the right-hand side. He was asleep for most of the journey so didn't really bother me, I sat about halfway up the bus on the left hand side. Didn't get too full either which is pretty standard for this particular service.
Noticed GNE Red Gemini 3941 standing at Hexham Bus Station with Not in Service on the blinds. Would've been on the 0738 10 to Newcastle so I was pretty glad I was on this E300!
Passing Blucher, I looked at my phone to check the time, it was 0801 (we were running around 4 mins late at this point). Checked Google Maps (Directions for Public Transport) and noticed there is a 7 due at Lemington Road Ends at 0803. I got my bag ready to bail and, on the roundabout over the A69, decided to go for it - it was all or nothing. I knew I'd have to run as the 7 stop was around a tenth of a mile up the road. Driver was driving so slowly on the 685 too so this set me back a bit!
Ran all the way up, with a woman in the way as she walked to the shop, to my relief a MAN 18.220/Alexander ALX300 approached the stop with several others flagging it down. I was out of breath for the next minute or so!
SNE 7 0803 Lemington Road Ends to Metrocentre Interchange - 22042
Finally on board this beast, it smelled of sweat near the back where there were the last few seats left. Not to worry, since it was downhill pretty much most of the way I didn't really notice much engine thrash but a smooth and comfortable ride nonetheless. Got to Metrocentre at around 0818 ish and didn't really notice the journey!
I hadn't had any breakfast because of being up so early, therefore I was planning on going to a Wetherspoons to have a decent cooked one. Went upstairs to Wetherspoons in the Metrocentre but it was closed so I went back to the interchange, going in one of the glass-like lifts and across the bottom floor, forgetting I'd have to go on the top floor once again to come back down!!
GNE X66 0829 Metrocentre Interchange to Gateshead Interchange - 5393
2 others were lingering around the X66 stand so I thought I'd join them, I was wanting one of these today anyway. One came round the overbridge and must've offloaded about 2 Streetlites full of people!!! Must say, after seeing the livery in the flesh I really like it! Couldn't give a monkeys about the metro gnome lol. Got onboard and sat near to the back on the right-hand side. Half a dozen people boarded with me and we set off right-time. Not a big fan of Streetlites really, but I really did like this one (definitely a lot more than the Micro Hybrid crap!)
Enjoyed the trip down the busway along the Tyne (not been along there for years) and we got to Gateshead in no time.
I was thinking of getting a Gateshead Loop or Orbit today as I've never been on the service before. One of each had just left as I got in so that plan was scrapped, so I waited at the 27 stand for South Shields - would get a Merc down to Jarrow or Shields itself.
Then turned up a Pronto President and sat for a while...
GNE X21 0844(?) Gateshead Interchange to Bishop Auckland Market Place - 6038(?)
Been absolutely ages since I've got an X21 from Newcastle through to Chester and I was really impressed by how long it took! The bus was very well-kept too, got up to a decent speed (wished I used my phone speedometer app) on the A1(M) and we were at Chester in 10-15 minutes! Ride was very comfortable and there were some decent engine noises too. I was sat on the raised-up seats on the rear wheel arch on the left. Got past Chester-le-Tip and onwards to Durham and Spennymoor. There was an old, large woman of foreign descent talking to herself in a different language on the approach to Durham which I couldn't help but chuckle at. Looked on my phone at the Wetherspoons website and noticed there was one at Bishop. Having not been there for a good while I stayed on this bus over there.
During the journey, I downloaded an app for my phone (Bus Checker UK) for free which actually turned out very useful. It lists every bus stop in the UK and shows the scheduled (or real-time in some cities) next departures as well as showing the bus' journey on a little slidey bar thing with an accompanying map. I'd really recommend it, was ace!
I alighted at the Market Place and noticed the pub to the left. Went in and had a gorgeous Large Breakfast plus coffee and some water whilst watching BBC News on subtitles.
After this, I went to Home Bargains and picked up some chocolate for the day (2 packets of mint Poppets and a bar of Dairy Milk Puddles (minty gooey filling). Walked down the high street towards the church (I assumed the bus station would be this way) but soon got lost and just opted for the nearest bus stop. Here's where the fun really began.
ANE X1 1050(?) Bishop Auckland (opposite Morrisons) to Shildon, Masons Arms - 1594
Looked down the Street for an X1 Streetlite to approach the bus stop. It looked packed but I got on anyway and charged my phone up a bit. Wasn't a fan of this bus really, seemed too jerky and sterile (if that's the right word). A few stops down this gobby lass (dressed in full tracksuit, had 'Chav' written all over it (not literally)) and her pals boarded and she started yelling 'I need a plug socket'. Pissed me off a bit! Anyway, got to Shildon where the driver grabbed his change dispenser, jumped out the doors and ran to the back of the bus. I then heard the warning buzzer so thought the engine door was open... the gobby chav went outside to then announce it had 'brok down', then the driver came back in after a phone call to say he had a diesel leak and this was the bus' first day on the road.
A dozen people alighted and boarded the 5B which was right behind and the gobby lass and her pals (after demanding her money back) finally buggered off with their mother in the car, suffice to say she didn't look like a model.
Silence then ensued for a good 20 minutes as we waited. I tried playing eye spy to myself but the scenery wasn't very nice so gave up. Phone charger was off so I limited my use on that. Eventually, Solo 2856 turned up with a fitter driving and I was getting pretty excited thinking that would be our replacement! But no. Driver flagged down the bus behind (itself 8 minutes late) and told us all to get on that which was already quite full.
ANE X1 1140(?) Shildon, Masons Arms to Darlington, Woodland Road - 1591
Sat next to a youngish chap on the aisle seat. Nothing really to say, I was planning to go to Middlesbrough earlier but that was now out of the window as I was now a good 45 minutes behind schedule. Got to Darlington to see a load of police cars ahead, we were brought to a stand. Lots of people then started talking and muttering, I asked the guy I was sitting next to what was going on and he said there's a guy on the roof and pointed him out.
Most of the bus then lined up to get out and the driver (rude get he was) started shouting and saying don't you DARE go further forward past this bus.
I, along with a good dozen, went past the front of the bus to the other side of the road to watch events. This loonatic was chucking roof tiles at the police, with riot shields, and shouting expletives. I stayed to see if he would actually jump (I'd imagine there'd be a round of applause) but the police aksed all of us to move on. I asked how to get to Darlo centre and she said past Gladstone Road. An EcoCity and an MPD passed Gladstone Road so I, naturally, took some pics of them. (Will appear on Flickr at some point hopefully).
Got to Tubwell Row and, now annoyed with Darlington itself, went to find the next 7 or X21 to get myself out of here. Walked to Stand H and caught the 1237 7 away.
ANE 7 1237 Darlington, Tubwell Row to Durham Bus Station - 1517
Was a very good bus but a horrible journey, just seemed to take forever to even get to Ferryhill! Some very nice kickdowns from this VDL beast though and the heavens opened from Chilton area. Got to Durham in a slightly better mood.
Looked at the next departure boards and noticed the next X21 or X22 were a good half-hour away so I just stuck around to see what would turn up. This...
ANE X12 1355 Durham Bus Station to Gateshead Interchange - 7620
Seen this beast come in and thought I couldn't resist it! Sat on the seats right next to the driver and away we went, I love this seat - the front glass bar is only half the size of others and you can see pretty much everything! Very good run in the bus wasn't that busy, the next 21 was just ahead though.
TWM 1449 Gateshead to Monument - 4039 4050*
Got the Metro to fill today's craving for one. Went to Monument and walked up through Eldon Square (was absolutely heaving) to the Bus Station, I was aiming for a Toonlink to Blackhall Mill before they get ruined. However the next one was in 25 minutes so I wandered around, eventually giving up and going to Haymarket to board an Arriva ALX300.
ANE 44 1510 Haymarket Bus Station to Regent Centre - 4516(?)
Decent little bus this, nothing really to say about the journey. Thought about getting off in Gosforth to then get the Metro somewhere but decided against it and went to Regent Centre instead.
TWM 1528 Regent Centre to Haymarket - 4087* 4035
Got a seat on the Metro and headed back to Haymarket to see if there was anything else on offer.
Walked through the Bus Station to Eldon Square where I caught a glimpse of something yellow....
GNE X30 1545 Eldon Square to Stanley Bus Station - 3823
Yes, 3823! Back seats were occupied so sat near the stairwell on the right hand side. Some old cow got on complaining it was low floor as she got on the right-hand side of the entrance door where the step is higher(!). I was wanting to punch her but didn't. Very good bus on a great journey. Driver said he had a low floor earlier but it broke down.
The hills up to Sunniside were immense on this, the number of great kickdowns was brilliant! Was tempted to go to Lanchester but knew it'd be too late for me coming back so I got off at Stanley. Popped to Greggs (it was still open at 1630!) and headed back to see something red on another stand!
GNE X30 1633 Stanley Bus Station to Gateshead Interchange - 3802
Not been on a Lolyne for ages so was a great experience. Pretty much dead too!
Got to Gateshead to then go to Metrocentre so I could catch the 1713 TEN back to Hexham which connects with the last through bus to Carlisle. Seen 5332 turn up so went off the idea. However, checked my app and noticed there should be a 49B due any moment, and to my surprise, a Myllenium turned up after being Not in Service!
GNE 49B 1658 Gateshead Interchange to Metrocentre Interchange - 3973
This was the best bus of the day for me, really clean and tidy but also nice engine sounds and a really good runner. They need to sort the signage out about exiting through the central doors however, I went to use them (clearly signed to use them) but driver asked for me to alight using front ones. Not to worry, really good trip anyway.
Got to Metrocentre to find out I missed the 1713 TEN by a few minutes, luckily I had a plan B though. Nipped to loo as I was bursting and returned to catch the 1627 6 to Lemington, the exact same service I caught last time (ScotRail Class 156 departs for Glasgow a few moments beforehand).
SNE 6 1627 Metrocentre Interchange to Lemington Road Ends - 22039
Thankfully not as full as the Dart SLF I had the other week, but cosy nonetheless. I opted for a seat near the back for some engine noise and there were some bloody annoying X Factor wannabees sat right at the back, all girls about 14 years old and younger, screaming at the top of their voices along to sh*t music. They all got off at Lemington and I had 5 minutes of peace before alighting for my 85/685 home.
Alighted at the stop at the roundabout and thought that I had a good 20-25 minutes before my bus, so instead of wasting it I had a little walk to Blucher village but got sidetracked by a few buses passing (of course I had to get the camera out, sun was out too!). Looked on the Arriva app and seen it was 6 minutes late at the top of West Road so kept walking along on Stephenson Road to the dodgy-looking Chinese takeaway.
ANE 85/685 1802 Blucher, Hawthorn Terrace to Greenhead - 4662
4662, worst of the lot. It was quiet enough and the bus got up to some good speeds en route but it was just soooo boring! I was being thrown about like a ragdoll, my backside was numb, my back was aching and I think my legs were wobbling a bit when I got off. Don't think I picked the best seat though, the one right behind the driver with the coloured transparent panel.
Hope you've enjoyed reading this review!
Sean.
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