My day started at Central Station as opposed to my native Brockely Whins as my Dad had something to do around there. Immediately spotting 6131 on the 43 which I missed. I then waited for the next 44 which of course was one of my stalkers up there, 5337 so I abandoned that idea and caught the 47 up to Blackhall Mill..
Journey 1 Central Station - Blackhall Mill, Mill Race GNE Volvo B9TL 6121 15:24 - 16:13
Ive only ever rode the Eldon Square to Metrocentre section of the 47 so thought it would be good to ride the full section, And it didn't disappoint!
You leave the Metrocentre and go 2 mile down the road and then its like your in another planet, through Rowlands Gill and up through the Hills to High Spen were the route meets with the 11 and then through very rural areas to Chopwell were we arrived to find the V9 to Consset operated by a unidentified Solo, That route I will have to do in the Summer Holidays. The most Spectacular part of the route is the 1 and a half mile hill. From up top you can see Chopwell , Blackhall Mill various landscape and woodlands and a vast amount of hills and moors, after all this area is the start of the Pennines. I alight at the Mill Race stop and wait 15 mins for the 11.....
Blackhall Mill is a stunning place, the bus will drop you off by the small river that marks the boundary between Tyne And Wear and County Durham. its very scenic and a place I recommend for Photos aswell as the top of the hill just before Chopwell.
My next journey would be on a Toonlink Omnicity on the 11 back to Eldon Square....
Journey 2 Blackhall Mill, Mill Race - Eldon Square Bus Station Scania C230UB Omnicity 16:33 - 17:40 GNE 5235
The Bus was 5 minuets late but that didn't bother me, it was a nice day. The driver came flying up the street in his Omnicity and quickly braked to let me on, I board and sit at the back on the engine. Going from past experiences with Omnicitys I knew climbing the 1 and a half mile bank out of Blackhall Mill and Chopwell was not going to be easy and it wasn't, with the driver with his foot to the floor only managing 5 mph up the steep bank also have to comment on the engine. It was not in good shape by the sound and performance of it with the typical Scania whooshing sound to go with it. Passenger count was good for the full journey with most staying on all the way to Eldon Square. Other things to note is that High Spen bus stand is quite a good place to get photos It is served by daytime 11s and Evening 47s.
I alight to find 4843 on the 28A, 5148 on the 11 and 6018 on the 21 though I was tempted to get 4843 to Gateshead I missed it so waited 4 mins for the Omnidekka on the X70.... Also to note I seen a Bus Enthusiast taking photos of buses, I ask if he's on Flickr and says no but hes on Facebook so I say thanks and leave him to join my next bus
Journey 3 Eldon Square Bus Station - Gateshead Interchange Scania N94UD East Lancs Omnidekka 1745 - 1808 GNE 6128
What should of been a quick hop over the Tyne came to a halt when Gridlocked roads around the Gate meat we were stuck in the same place for a Agonising 15 mins!
the rest was just like anyother Omnidekka, Fast, Smooth and spacious and before I knew it, I was in Gateshead Metro.
Note the rear of the inside of the buses lining hade gone so the rear of the bus was actually detached from the rest of the bus though I didn't think no more of it as I've seen this before.. After letting one Citaro go past cause I ridden it I find a surprise for my 27 home......
Journey 4 Gateshead Interchange - Jarrow Bus Station Volvo B7TL 250hp Wright Eclipse Gemini GNE 3963 18:33 - ? Note this service terminated short at Jarrow.
Yes I have the beast that's 3963 on my 27! I've never been on this B7 in ages, Kickdowns galore and the nice sounding ZF made this journey the best today.
The bus was packed lower and upper deck but reduced once past Hebburn and Monkton Lane. One thing that I did notice was how slow it was pulling off the spot in 1st gear
but then back to normal in 2nd Gear. Apart from that nice bus and I managed to get a headache of how loud the bus was.....A headache I've still got today
I don't wait in Jarrow for long as my 88 was due 2 mins after me arriving on the 27 and guess what....litrally out of 3 Versas in service that day I manage to get one
Journey 5 Jarrow Bus Station - Brockely Whins Perth Avenue Optare Versa 8296?
I didn't take notice of which one I got on because all 09 reg Versas are terrible anyways. Nothing much else to comment on apart from that the Versas on the 88 are rank
Give me a SPD anyday.
I then alight off the bus and walk the short distance to my home and that is todays ( Saturdays ) outing.
Hope you enjoyed it and have a good rest of your weekend
Thanks for reading
