(25 Apr 2015, 5:47 pm)northern156 wrote £5.70 single from Durham to Newcastle, typically takes 15 mins. Walk/bus (TEN)/Metro to Eldon Square (Haynarket for the latter) then catch the 685.The date I am thinking of going is Saturday May 9th.
If you'd like I can go with you, date dependent as it'd be a good little day out for me also (I work in Carlisle but still need a proper bus bash!)
Probably would be better having someone to go with as my knowledge of Carlisle is very limited having only been once in the poring rain and spent half of my time taking cover in the shopping centre to keep dry.
(25 Apr 2015, 5:56 pm)northern156 wrote Sorry for triple posting, another thought - if you have a spare bit of money I'd recommend getting the train from Newcastle to Carlisle; not only does it take 45 mins less but you'll get there without having a numb backside (like me now, I'm on 4662) but you should be less bored too.
I have just looked at train fares and it is an astronomical expense. I don't think I'd mind spending two hours on the 685 again as it is a route with some good scenery and I have sat on far worse seats than those leather seats in the Omnicity's for that length of time (Tesmas on the X93).
Also I have just looked at the train times and there is only 5 minutes in Newcastle between the train arriving in Newcastle from Durham and the train to Carlisle leaving and I have zero clue about how to navigate around Newcastle Central Station so there is every chance I'd end up missing it and the next train from Newcastle only arrives 10 minutes ahead of the 685 so I think I would probably prefer to use the 685 instead as I am confident at using the bus but would be nervous about using the train as I very rarely use the train and it would be a lot cheaper for me.
Might drop the AD122 from that day and do it some other time and could probably spend another hour in Carlisle if it would make things better.