Leaving the house a few minutes earlier than I usually do I headed for my local stop in the rain, hoping that 8248/52 would turn up on the 82, but instead the Bus which seems to be stalking me at the moment in the form of 8324 turned up, as whenever I seem to use the 2 to go anywhere, this Vehicle always turns up, not that its a bad thing, still these Versas have got nothing on the Citaros in which they replaced nor are they as nice as the Micro-Hybrid Streetlites, as this was a short journey there were nothing special to note.
09:55 - X88 - 6011 - Washington Galleries to MetroCentre
After waiting around for several minutes at The Galleries thinking 3943 would show up on the X88 as it usually does, I was admittedly quite disappointed to see 6011 turn up instead with its windows all steamed up I made my way Upstaires and sat a few rows from the back on the Drivers side of the Vehicle, a slow and steady journey ensued to the MetroCentre with 6011 failing to gain as real speed along the extremely messy A1, I was contemplating go home if the Weather didnt improve as it was rather gloomy, but after a few Minutes at the MetroCentre the rain stopped and it looked as though it was going to start brightening up a bit, after I a few Photos here I headed to Blaydon as I had seen a TEN B9TL coming in.
10:31 - 10B - 6083 - MetroCentre to Blaydon
As I approached this B9TL I noticed it was 6083, A Vehicle which has alluded me since MetroCentre Bus Rally 2013 where I lasted seen it, this brightened my mood somewhat and I at the rear of the lower saloon and let the 10 Minute Journey pass by, once I reached Blaydon I made a quick dart across the road just so I could get a Photo, I then made my way through the Shopping Area to Morrisons Car Park where 5238 was situated, having took a quick photo I got a Free Ice Cream which was Delightful, probably one of the best I have had, then Bazza and his Posse showed up consisting of Davie, DanPick, Sid, Jack and someone else whos name escapes me, I boarded 5238 and got myself a goody bag which consisted of the following.
Toon Link 11 Timetable, Scratch Card(Once again I won), A Bus Drawing with Toon Link Branding and Crayons (Shame the Crayons dont match the Colour of the Bus like, didnt realise the Toon Link Branding was Red, Yellow, Blue & Green), someone in GNE Towers must be Colour Blind, suppose 3 of the colours do form the old Corporate Livery but that is beside the point, so whoever can have a few Brownie Points, and whoever decided to put Candy Rock in these Bags is a pure Genius as I love Candy Rock, ohh and its Black & White at least someone got something right, of cause I am just joking about here minus the Crayons, quite annoyed about them, was quite looking forward to doing a bit of colouring in once I finished this Review, guess it will have to wait till I get the correct Colours.
After putting names to faces on 5238 I headed back towards Blaydon Interchange, where I was planning on getting on the 69 to my Dads in Low Fell until I realised it took 33 Minutes, so I let 4915 on the 69 go and I rang my Dad to tell him to meet me in Eldon Square instead and we have Dinner in Toon, wait I mean Town as I am a Mackem and not an Inbred Geordie, 3972 pulled in on the 10A moments later and I immediately thought sack that and waited an extra few minutes for the 11 to turn up.
11:10 - 11 - 4917 - Blaydon to Eldon Square
After opting to not get on 4915 on the 69 I was rather happy to see 4917 show up on the 11, I sat on the side seat Door Side at the front of the Vehicle as I quite like sitting here and getting a perfect view of the Journey Ahead, Once again quite a short journey but that doesnt matter as having a ride on any Wright Renown in the GNE Fleet is a Joyful Journey, will be sad to see these go come the end of the Year, Only 5 Months Left, feeling horrible just typing this as no doubt Marcus will crying into his Sleep tonight at that thought
After getting off 4917 at The Gate I made my towards Eldon Square so I could Photograph 4917 coming back out of Eldon Square, I continued up to Eldon Square where I bumped into Les and Kevin "The Tramp" showed up a few minutes later stuffing his face with a McDonalds, after a few minutes chat with Les I went into the Bus Station as my Dad had just gotten off the 21, We made our way through Haymarket so he could Renew his Bus Pass before heading around onto Northumberland Street to Eat for Less for some Dinner, I had a Cheese & Ham Panini and a Can of Vanilla Coke for £1.80, unreal Value for Money and the Panini was Freshly Made from Scratch also, and was very nice indeed, so if you want Cheap Dinner then I recommend you go there.
After we Finished our Dinner we made our way down to MetroRadio Arena to get our Tickets to see WWE in November, My Dad went to Pay using his Card until the Woman at the Box Office told us there was a £5 Charge for each Ticket when Purchasing by Card, so we made our way to the nearest Cash Point which was the Centre 4 Life, before heading back down for the Tickets, we then made our way back towards Eldon Square, we got as far as Centre 4 Life where I refused to walk any further due to a Blister popping on the heel of my Foot, thankfully as this occurred while crossing the Road I spotted 4841 in the Distance and opted to get on it.
13:28 - 31 - 4841 - Centre 4 Life to Eldon Square
Having boarded 4841 we made the short hop to Eldon Square on what has to be my Last Journey on this particular Wright Renown which has clung on over the past few weeks, My decided he was going to head home as he thing to do at Home this afternoon so I made my way once again to Haymarket as I decided to go over North Shields on the 310 as I done the Route in full before.
13:47 - 310 - 6103 - Haymarket to North Shields
Once again I headed upstairs on what was very quiet with only myself and 3 other occupying the seats in the upper saloon throughout the Journey, I noted a few spots to take photos along the future, tell a white lie actually I only noted one and that was Cobalt as I wouldnt even think about taking photos along the rest of route as no offense but North Tyneside (Percy Main/Meadowell) in-particular are a complete dump.
14:50 - 333 - A20 OJD - North Shields to North Shields Ferry/15:00 - Shields Ferry - Spirit of the Tyne - North Shields to South Shields
Having taken few Photos, Got a Drink from B&Ms I got on the 333 down to North Shields Ferry Landing before hopping on the Spirit of the Tyne over to South Shields, I opted to sit upstairs on the Metal Benches and take in the Sea Air as it was rather warm Downstairs on the Vessel, think I sit upstairs more often when using the Shields Ferry as quite enjoyed the ride over.
Once on the South side of the River I made my from the Ferry Landing down onto Keppel Street where I spent 50 Minutes taking Photos, rather disappointingly I only saw two of the 15Reg E200s, as there were more 58Reg MAN/61 Reg E200s showing up, after getting a bit frustrated I made my way over to the stand for the 20A which I knew would be 8258.
16:04 - 20A - 8258 - South Shields to Sunderland
Rather surprising this journeh floo ont bey which was a good thing as some wifey from Yorkshire with her three kids on the opposite quadrant of seats were doing my head in, nevertheless 8258 provide quite a smooth ride with barely a rattle as we headed towards Sunderland where once we reached Park Lane the Driver missed the Stand thinking she was the 35, so had to do a loop, as this occurred I spotted 4842 another Renown which will be Withdrawn soon come in on the 39 to Pennywell, so I made my way around to get a Photo of both 4842/8258, shame it 8258 overheated once it got to West Rainton, must of sensed Dan was close by with his Camera and didnt fancy posing again for a Photo after I had taken one of it as it departed Park Lane.
16:53 - 8 - 5403 - Sunderland to Washington Galleries/17:39 - 50 - 5257 - Washington Galleries to Lambton
After several Minutes wait I got on 5403 as I couldnt be bothered walking down to Holmeside for the 2/2A, Plus I dont I of bared another journey on a Versa today, I made my to the second from last row at the rear Drivers side of a Red Hot 5403 where I was joined by some lass from Hill Billy Land who immediately started moaning about how Hot it was and how she thought £4.80 for a Single to Stanley was expensive, after brief chat she went silent and cracked open a Bottle of what I think was Strawberry Vodka or something like that, might of been something else.
Having getting off the Sauna that was 5403 I went into Asda for some Fresh Juice and some Doritos where I bumped into my Mother at the self service check outs, of course she made me carry her shopping for her back home, instead of walking we got on 5257 on the 50 for the short journey back home.
Hope you enjoyed reading my Review and I will see you ugly lot tomorrow at Whitley Bay Bus Rally.