(23 Feb 2014, 3:07 pm)Tom wrote Hoping to get either 11th-15th or 18th-22nd August in Cumbria, but won't all be for buses, but will be going up to Keswick and Cockermouth and Carlisle on another day, Carlisle hopefully soon.

(23 Feb 2014, 8:47 pm)Dan wrote Looking to head over there for the day of Stagecoach North West's Open Day this year, followed by a week-long trip (coming back each day on the 685 so it's cheaper) in summer.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:11 pm)Tom wrote £26 is cracking value, as I believe it is cheaper than 2 X 3 Day Child North West explorer (totaling at £30+).

I'll be staying in Kendal for 4/5 nights, and hopefully visiting Morcambe, Lancaster, Windermere, Barrow and Ambleside, with West Cumbria (Cockermouth) and Carlisle on other occasions.

Might even be worth staying over rather than having a week long one, Dan.
Possibly one night in Whitehaven, so one day in Whitehaven, Workington etc., one in Kendal as it's easy access to the lakes, and one night in Lancaster before heading home? It's brilliant if you can get the £29 saver rooms with Premier Inn.
http://www.premierinn.com/en/search!execute.action

EDIT: Where/when is the open day this year?

(23 Feb 2014, 9:16 pm)Dan wrote 29 quid is a trip to Edinburgh and back (as an adult) with the cost of dinner in there too! Right cheapskate, me.

Hasn't been at Carlisle for a while so I think it should be there. When... I don't know.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:11 pm)Tom wrote £26 is cracking value, as I believe it is cheaper than 2 X 3 Day Child North West explorer (totaling at £30+).

I'll be staying in Kendal for 4/5 nights, and hopefully visiting Morcambe, Lancaster, Windermere, Barrow and Ambleside, with West Cumbria (Cockermouth) and Carlisle on other occasions.

Might even be worth staying over rather than having a week long one, Dan.
Possibly one night in Whitehaven, so one day in Whitehaven, Workington etc., one in Kendal as it's easy access to the lakes, and one night in Lancaster before heading home? It's brilliant if you can get the £29 saver rooms with Premier Inn.
http://www.premierinn.com/en/search!execute.action

EDIT: Where/when is the open day this year?

(23 Feb 2014, 9:24 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Sounds similar to a trip I did in April 2004. Had a Stagecoach Gold Rider ticket which cost £15 and was valid on any Stagecoach bus in the UK apart from London. Was intending to go back and forth to Cumbria. Got tedious quickly.

Mon - Travelled accross on the 685, was delayed heavily into Carlisle and missed my connection to Workington, so stayed in Carlisle and did the City services plus a run up to Bowness on Solway on a Merc.

Tue - Made my connection, went to Workington and Whitehaven. Returned via Keswick. Another breadvan ride from Keswick to Carlisle.

Wed - Went up to Dumfries, managed to get permission to visit the Stagecoach depot. Returned to Carlisle via Lockerbie.

Thur - Went to Carlisle on 685. Caught train to Lancaster. Then caught bus from Lancaster to Blackpool. Stayed at B&B near Rigby Road depot.

Fri - Went to Manchester via Preston.

Sat - Headed home from Blackpool via Preston, Lancaster, Keswick, Carlisle to Newcastle.

Sun - Did a return trip from Wallsend to Bowness on Solway on the AD122.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:26 pm)Tom wrote Did the AD122 used to go to Wallsend like?

(23 Feb 2014, 9:29 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Indeedy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/53115167@N03/11919992976/in/photolist-jak5Ch-jah2fZ-djG47b

However think in the last year Stagecoach ran it, it was curtailed to Newcastle to Bowness or Carlisle.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:33 pm)Tom wrote I'd like to see it operating from Wallsend again!

(23 Feb 2014, 9:37 pm)tyresmoke wrote It'll be interesting to see who runs the Newcastle based board this year. Not been registered yet but required a Euro5 vehicle (if I remember right).

(23 Feb 2014, 9:40 pm)Tom wrote Alba Travel are still operating the Hexham-Carlisle boards?

(23 Feb 2014, 9:52 pm)GMitchelhill wrote For Wednesday, I would recommend that you do a triangle trip to Blackpool and Preston.

For example do Kendal - Lancaster - 42 to Blackpool - 61 or 67 to Preston - 40/41 to Lancaster - Kendal.

(23 Feb 2014, 10:10 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Not really. It be more worthwhile then going to Morecombe.

Journey time is an hour or so between each place (30 mins if you get the 61 between Blackpool and Preston). Preston bus station is awash with buses that leave via the same exit.

Rough plan (using winter timetable) I would use (Journey times are a lot longer then expected, usually takes half the time in my car):
555 - 0844 - Kendal to Lancaster - 1000
42 - 1040 - Lancaster to Blackpool - 1213
61 - 1402 - Blackpool to Preston - 1514
41 - 1730 - Preston to Lancaster - 1835
555 - 1915 - Lancaster to Kendal - 2022

To be honest, I found you only need about 30 minutes in Lancaster for photoing outside the bus station. Blackpool and Preston are more of a goldmine for buses (and trams in Blackpools case).

(01 Mar 2014, 11:16 am)aureolin3249 wroteAnyone out anywhere interesting today?

(01 Mar 2014, 11:42 am)Dan wrote Walking the routes of SC Sunderland services 16 and 20 for some out-of-town shots!

(01 Mar 2014, 11:47 am)Michael='33255 wroteAny good area's u found so far?

Might be able to get a couple of shots near the hastings hill pub

(01 Mar 2014, 11:50 am)Dan wrote Managed to get a few in the Grindon area. Got one outside of Sandhill school facing towards the park with Monopoly-like houses in the background. Quite like that one.

(01 Mar 2014, 11:51 am)Michael wrote Nice, its a good area as it has the roundabout, are those the new houses your'e on about, which look like Monopoly houses?

(01 Mar 2014, 11:55 am)Dan wrote Been years since I've been in the area so I don't know. Plain orange houses?

Managed to get a photo of all 15 of the ones out in service today. Heading to Newcastle now!

(01 Mar 2014, 12:02 pm)Michael wrote Think so, u must of being out early haha

Have u got all 17 gas buses in photos while out in service?

Only 23 more to go :p

(07 Mar 2014, 5:54 pm)Dan wrote Anyone got any plans for tomorrow? We're forecast clouds but I think I'm gonna have to get myself out... This school week has dragged.