I don't think it helps that some people are routinely sniffy about catching any bus anywhere for any reason. A lot of people I know with this POV would be a lot better off putting their prejudice aside and not forking out more than they could afford to keep cars on the road, too.

Big'un's other big interest is coins. They've taken a bit of a back seat (ahem) since he got into buses but that was a much more insular, navel gazing hobby to have. We were quite pleased when he started taking an interest in transport. It's not really an odd hobby to us - I was brought up spending the day trawling round bike and car rallies, so the bus events are no different, really. He doesn't give a flying fig what anyone else thinks. Nobody else's opinion on anything matters to him.

If I stop to take a quick photo when I'm out on my own, I always have the ready excuse of "my son will love this!"

There's worse things than coming from Manchester. Hull anyone?