Yep - we caught the X21 from Sunderland when we missed the 22 by minutes once. Caught it up at Peterlee. Only possible when we have a day ticket, though. If it's just me and big'un and we're only going to Sunderland, it's a fair bit cheaper to get him a return.

Of course I'm basing my assessment of the 22's reliability lately on the fact that it passes my front window and 9 times out of 10, it passes more or less when it's supposed to. Similarly, I meet various ones on the school run and it's usually at the same places at the same times.

Something must be up today, anyhow, because there's been 2 heading towards Durham 15 minutes late, now, with another just over 10 minutes late. I don't know whether there's roadworks or what. They've been coming from Durham pretty much on time, though and I've noticed that the spare bus is on the route, today.