My journeys yesterday:
0941 21/X21 Newton Aycliffe - Peterlee - Sunderland (ANE 4814)
1240 510 Fawcett Street - Chichester Road [Airshow] (SNE 19643)
1415 510 Chichester Road [Airshow] - Fawcett Street (SNE 16839)
1505 510 Fawcett Street - Chichester Road [Airshow] (SNE 16839)
1540 510 Chichester Road [Airshow] - Fawcett Street (SNE 16833)
1720 X21/21 Sunderland - Peterlee - Newton Aycliffe (ANE 4813)
Started the day off on 4814 which made me happy as this example actually has WiFi that works so I wouldn't go stir crazy from the lack of internet connection as the signal on O2 especially on this route is terrible, normally on a EcoCity with no WiFi I get reception until Rushyford then non until Peterlee then weak signal again until Ryhope. The seats in this example are alright although are nothing on the fabric seats on 4812/4813. This is a long journey and was made even longer by some moron in a removal van not wanting to move to let us through in Wingate so he just proceeded to shout and swear at the driver of the 21. We ended up leaving Peterlee late as there was actually a fair few passengers boarding the service also because the driver was making a phone call.
Once I arrived in Sunderland I got some photos around Park Lane then later headed towards Fawcett Street for some photos before taking my place in the queue for the 510, sadly the queue was to long for me to jump on 16833 so I ended up getting lumbered with Enviro 400 19643 which did annoy me a little although at least I got to sample one of these examples and it was actually quite a decent bus I thought and it had free WiFi.
Got photos around where the Airshow shuttles were heading to/from, there was a few other enthusiasts around when I arrived including Lee Calder and there was others although I am not totally sure who some of the rest were although I did recognise one or two others including Peter Barclay but was too nervous to go over and talk to any of them so I ended just creepily lurking. 16839 eventually turned up behind an E400 but as there wasn't many waiting for the 510 the passengers all got on the E400 and 16839 went straight back to Sunderland much to my annoyance so I ended up waiting for 16833 which didn't come back so ended up waiting until 16839 came back and I managed to get the front seat with the brilliant amount of leg room. Quite enjoyed my journey on this especially as this is only the second time I've been on one of these examples and this would likely to be my last opportunity to ride one so I couldn't turn it down. Saw 16833 back out on the road so decided I would ride that as well.
After having some lunch went back round to Fawcett Street and saw an Olympian turn up although annoyingly it was 16839 again not that it was a bad thing as when I got upstairs I saw 16833 just behind us so I would try and get that back to Sunderland. Got back to the Airshow site and hung around for a few minutes until later joining the queue when 16833 turned up behind an Enviro 400, thankfully I was at pretty much the back of the queue so once I was the front the E400 was full so I was pretty much the first person to board 16833 back to Sunderland grabbing the front seat again for this journey back to Sunderland. Whilst in the queue waiting for 16833 I spotted Dan and someone else getting photos.
Got a few photos around the Stadium of Light and Wearmouth Bridge areas with mixed results, just my luck a cyclist would ruin my photo of 3943 round by the Stadium of Light although many of the other photos turned out well. Got back into the City Centre to wait for a photo of SimpliCity 8323 on the 20 and was surprised to see a Prince Bishops Solar 5215 turn up at that time instead although thankfully for me it was actually on the 35 so I got a snap of that closely followed by 8323 on the 20. Then I went to Poundland to get myself a packet of Haribo's for the journey home. Headed back to Park Lane for more photos as I would have just been stood bored in the queue for the X21 otherwise.
After slagging it off for it's lack of WiFi on here earlier in the day of course 4813 would end up being my journey home wouldn't it! Another pretty busy journey, hopefully not just a novelty because of the Airshow. The seats are so comfortable on 4813 (and 4812) puts the Sapphire and MAX e-leather seats to shame. This one actually went down the A19 at a fairly decent speed even doing a spot of overtaking. The lacking of internet made this a long boring journey it has to be said and was glad I was on the bus rather than being outside in the pouring rain.
Thanks for reading.
Tomorrow I am considering getting Quaylink photos although the weather forcast tomorrow is well, awful and I am trying to think of ideas for photo locations although I am struggling to think of slightly more unique ideas and I don't know the Quaylink routes very well (hopefully I won't find myself mistakenly ending up in Wrekenton or anyone else I don't really know). Also going to try and get a shot of the JH Coaches 23 in Birtley. All of this depends on time and weather and also if I can be bothered to stand in the rain getting photos although annoyingly I have to go out tomorrow.
RE: Bus Related Outings and Reviews