(14 Apr 2014, 1:15 pm)Tom wrote Yeah, because the 0845/0945 from Newcastle are Stagecoach operated.

Quite right, my apologies!

Re starting and finishing points; I was just going on what's on the back of my teen card and experience of a couple of 685/85 drivers in the past.
I've done the full route on a teen card before so it's no problem - just carry the money to pay for a single anyway.