Seem as I can't get on the laptop right now I can't upload the photos to Flickr, so in the meantime here is my review for today.
0932 7 Newton Aycliffe - Ferryhill (ANE 1523)
I know lame this is going to sound lame especially as I'm now 21 but for this journey I was joined by my dad who was heading to work. Switched off for this journey, didn't even connect to the WiFi until we reached Chilton. Pretty standard uneventful journey really.
0954 56 Ferryhill - Bishop Auckland (ANE 7456)
With extra buses being required at Belmont due to the Millburngate Bridge roadworks some of the allocations have temporarily changed, the 56 has seen double deckers appear recently and they often seem to be on the journey that leaves Ferryhill at 0954 so I'd thought I'd take a chance and see what turned up, thankfully 7456 was what turned up. Was quite a nice journey was pretty quiet sitting upstairs and there was only me with a mother and child plus one more passenger boarding in Coundon. One downside to double deckers on this section of the 56 is the trees striking the bus.
1022 6 Bishop Auckland - Spennymoor (ANE 1468)
Pretty average journey really, not the best it has to be said, it just sounded a little rough and not very fast, don't know what Belmont are doing to these Pulsar's, even Darlington's 09 reg examples sound better. Decided to jump off at Spennymoor as I wasn't really enjoying this journey too much.
1048 X21 Spennymoor - Durham (GNE 6038)
Wish I stayed on ANE 1468, there was water leaking from the roof which meant it was dropping down onto the seats and passengers and it felt rather damp and cold to. There was also a gap between two of the lights which is not good when you have water dripping down from the roof. Also half the panels on this bus upstairs were different shades of gray. I think it's **** poor that a bus is going around in this state and I am thinking of complaining to GNE as I was not impressed with this which is what saw me abandon ship at Durham (that and I spied 7618 on the 46 and I wanted a photo). See photos of 6038 in the GNE Latest thread.
1116 21 Durham - Chester-le-Street (GNE 6063)
Mercifully much better than 6038 although in typical fashion on the 21 the WiFi wasn't working and the announcements were barely audible, didn't even notice that it was even audible until I took my headphones out and made an effort to listen out for them. Decided to alight in Chester-le-Street in the hope of catching the X25.
1210 X25 Chester-le-Street - Newcastle (GNE 3879)
I caught the X25. Was quite pleased to get a Lolyne on this journey as I haven't been on one in a while and it meant I got to sit upstairs and I got the front seat which meant I got to see the views. Think the X25 is quite a nice route on this section, I am yet to do the Langley Park - Chester-le-Street section but I may do so one day. When we got to Wrekenton I spotted Davie walking past.
1330 X20 Newcastle - Ashington (ANE 7492)
Stupid me, for some reason I thought the X20 left at 1315 for some reason but it actually leaves at 1330, well at least it should do although this journey left a few minutes late. Quite a nice bus inside, the seats were pretty comfortable. Pretty quiet journey, must have been no more than 20 passengers on this journey. Fortunately the few minutes delay was made up and we arrived pretty much on-time.
1443 X20 Ashington - Newcastle (ANE 7491)
After getting a few photos including the Phoenix double decker on the 30 and a quick trip to ASDA to keep out of the rain for a bit and kill a few minutes I made my way for the X20 back to Newcastle. Was kind of hoping for an ALX400 as something different but sadly I got 7491, oh well! I was the only passenger to board in Ashington Bus Station and was the only passenger upstairs until we got further round the route. Was pretty quiet journey again.
1635 X21 Newcastle - Durham (GNE 9119)
Thought I'd get this back to Durham so I could sample it again. Still don't think much of it, seemed pretty slow as we were heading out of Low Fell and past the Angel, think the performance is pretty similar to the Presidents currently used on the service but at least this is nicer inside than most Presidents *cough* 6038 *cough* excuse me! I ended up getting papped as it was leaving Eldon Square although I was sat on the opposite side so it's unlikely you'll see me in that photo.
1732 7 Durham - Newton Aycliffe (ANE 1522)
Ending the day on Sapphire. Pretty standard uneventful journey home with me making use of the free WiFi on offer and zoning out and relaxed on the journey home.
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to get the photos on Flickr tonight although I am unable to gain access to the laptop right now so the photos may not be up until tomorrow. Sorry about that!
Jimmi
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