I was aiming for the 0850 685/85 from Haltwhistle to Newcastle and thankfully I made it.
685 0850 Haltwhistle to Throckley, Hexham Road - ANE 4664
I locked the car up at Haltwhistle and walked to the Market Place. I waited around five minutes for what I was hoping would be a Pulsar to Newcastle; however 4664 appeared. This was previously my favourite Jesmond Omnicity so I wasn't too fussed at first. (On a side note it appeared with Newcastle 85 on the blinds where it should be Haydon Bridge for Newcastle 685).
I sat on the offside quadrant where the emergency exit was so I could properly hear the engine; plus the outside seats here have small armrests on. I got to Bardon Mill and realised I had left my camera in the boot of my car - b*llocks! I thought about getting the next one back (which turned out to be 4662) however I saw no point in this as I'd just be even later setting out again.
I later realised that this bus was horrible to be on. The rattles it gave were horrendous (although not quite as bad as a few GNE Percy Main examples) and it generally didn't sound too good. Even at speed the road noise it was giving wasn't normal at all. This has now become my least favourite Omnicity...
Given it was a heap, I thought of alternative ways to get rid of it as soon as I could. Hexham was a possibility although I didn't fancy a 20min connection for another Scania so I looked at Throckley. I'm usually annoyed when all 85s go through Throckley (there's already perfectly ok bus services serving the village with Newcastle) however I bailed for either a 4min connection for a 22 or a 7 min connection for an X82. I noticed the inbound X82 pass the roundabout so hoped the 22 would appear sharp-ish!
22 1000 Throckley, Hexham Road to Newcastle, Market Street - SNE 19219
Along came a 'standard' E400 which I was rather pleased about so sat right at the front upstairs. My view was somewhat restricted with the partially transparent advertising on the top window at the front, something I'm not overly keen on on these Enviros. Not to worry. After stopping at all stops pretty much (and messaging Marcus who was waiting for me) I was soon by the banks of the Tyne. From here I think this is a gorgeous route scenery-wise, I would definitely do it again. Shame I had a driver who was too much of a wuss.
I met with Marcus who was waiting for me and we then walked up past Grey's Monument and up to Haymarket Bus Station (I think!) where we waited for my favourite Pulsar for me to go on, 1480. We observed 1482 and 1481 right next to each other but no 1480, bugger! We walked up to the island outside Haymarket where Marcus took some photos (grr) and I had a bit chat with Steven Hodgson and one of Arriva's drivers I'm good friends with. I then got bored and went to Eldon Square where there was nothing about - so as I drank my latte and ate my bacon and sausage baguette, I boarded an X1 in the aim of getting the same cracking Cadet I got in June.
X1 1125 Newcastle, Eldon Square to Washington Galleries - GNE 6049
I gave Marcus a wave before I headed off, informing him of a red Renown approaching on the 11. I assumed he went for this (which was later confirmed reading his review) and I soon got to Washington. I looked at the boards and there was an 85 due soon as well as an 82. The first one, the 85, was due in 5 mins from now so I went to the Galleries in search of something sweet. I did my fastest ever Poundland move (very conveniently placed I must say) and got a nutritious bag of Kitkat Pop Choc. I made it back to the bus station to see a President approaching on the 85. Very, very tempting this was but I remembered I was here for the Cadet. I waited and waited for the 82 to turn up... in its stand was a delayed 50 to South Shields (with a rather attractive driver) with a red Streetlite. Once it had left though the 82 turned up...
82 1207 Washington Galleries to Concord Bus Station - GNE 8254
RESULT! Although it wasn't the same one as last time (8262 - what a beast of a bus) it was still a Cadet. I was under the impression this was a service for Heworth or Birtley, however around 30 minutes later I arrived into Concord - oops! (Tip for next time, read the destination boards). Not to worry, this bus was rather good and sounded pretty healthy although there was a small kid shouting and screaming on "mam mam mam can we go to the swimming baths" and making a huge racket etc. Good job they got off, I was secretly hoping he'd trip and fall on something sharp. That or get run over by a car.
I alighted and a Fab56 turned up right behind, bound for Newcastle so I boarded this and sat right at the back on the top deck - something I rarely do.
56 ~1230 Concord Bus Station to Newcastle New Bridge Street - GNE 6096
I sat and had my scrumptious and healthy bag of chocolate biscuit things. It was an alright journey, the bus was about a quarter full through Wrekenton and the announcements were so quiet at the back that I could hear myself think for once! Passing through Wrekenton I noticed two Quaylink Q1/Q2 services passing at a set of lights, must do this bit of the route one day. I was soon crossing the Tyne and ended up at New Bridge Street where one person decided to stay on the bus....(!!??).
I then walked up to Haymarket Bus Station via M&S (the slowest....walk....ever....) and noticed that 1480 wasn't here but 4501 was, a Renown-bodied Volvo B10BLE. Naturally, I boarded.
54 1314 Newcastle Haymarket to Gosforth - ANE 4501
I messaged Marcus to inform/boast and then got this beast. There was only a handful of folk on and it was a rather tidy vehicle inside. We then waited outside Barras Bridge for around 5 minutes. I'd like to know which muppet decided it'd be a good idea to throw roadworks in, halving the capacity of the road here, as I would like to punch them. That or continuously mess with their perfect toaster setting for a year to make their life a nightmare.
This bus was alright at speed. Not the best but it handled it well; just a lack of character I guess. Soon got to Gosforth where I thought I'd get to Regent Centre then something back... wrong! I was on the 54 so turned right towards South Gosforth Metro station. I alighted and walked back to Gosforth and waited around 15 mins for the next bus. (I had just missed two).
Along came an Arriva MPD on the X14 to Newcastle; I sighed. I looked at my phone and as I looked back up I noticed an ALX300 turning the corner working an inbound 54 - what a save! A Q3 was right behind but I wasn't fussed as I hadn't had a go on an Arriva ALX300 for a while now.
54 1330 Gosforth to Newcastle Haymarket - ANE 4519
Coming back was alright. This service had about 5 people on; 3 others alighted at Gosforth as I boarded. I was soon stuck in the roadworks at Barras Bridge again. Got into Haymarket where I alighted and then walked to Eldon Square. At Eldon Square there was hardly anything around; I therefore waited and noticed a Lolyne arriving on the X25. This being a route I had never done before, and being 3878 - a bus Marcus had recommended to me, I boarded. Not sure where to mind but hey ho.
X25 1355 Newcastle Eldon Square to Chester-le-Street Front Street - GNE 3878
I sat on the lower deck at the back to get the engine noise. Even ticking over, this thing was a beast! Soon away and we arrived at Gateshead and sat for four minutes as the 1405 off Gateshead. The thought occurred to me that I should alight here but it's hardly a decent trip for a bus with limited days left (from what I understand) and no certainty of bashing again any time soon. I lasted it out and used my Bus Checker app to see where it goes - through Wrekenton (for a third time today, lucky me) and down to Barley Mow and round the back of Birtley. Marcus gave me some great tips for where to alight (past a pub called the Wheatsheaf) but I couldn't be bothered with any connections and lasted it out to Chester where there was a driver change. I realised how lucky I was doing this route on this bus with the amount of Eclipses on other X25s. 3878 gave some cracking kickdowns (apart from one time going up a bank near Wrekenton where it was just on the limits of doing so but unfortunately didn't) and was a great runner too. The scenery was great as well, looking over the valley as I headed south!
Soon enough I ended up at Chester and crossed the road for some more food and a drink. Naturally I walked into Poundland; after just missing an Angel I thought I'd get the next one in 7 or 8 minutes time. I got a reduced Chicken and Bacon sandwich with those (imo highly overrated) Fish and Chips snacks. As I waited in the queue the downright thick staff member couldn't add up items (in a f###ing pound shop) and was generally being slow about scanning. I then walked over to another till where the woman had a face like a slapped arse. I also witnessed some other lovely people of Chester generally being uneducated thick bigots. I then got two bottles of water for a pound, where I watched an Angel pull away.
I sat down and quietly sobbed myself to sleep as I ate those horrible picked onion snack things. Another Angel turned up and I boarded that northbound. Won't be visiting this place soon, had enough of it again.
21 1454 Chester-le-Street Front Street to Newcastle Eldon Square - GNE 6062
This was an alright journey with 6062 not liking its batteries; a lot of standing starts were done with the diesel engine! Sat at the top deck front on the offside. Soon enough I was out of Birtley and in Gateshead. Crossed the Tyne and was zooming along the Central Motorway where my route knowledge failed me and I thought we were going to plough into the back of a Streetlite on the slip road below the Metro Radio offices! Luckily went on the underpass before going to New Bridge Street. I met one of my other friends in Newcastle and we decided to go to Wallsend. We waited for another mate to turn up before we boarded the 40 off Blackett Street.
40 1510 Newcastle Blackett Street to Wallsend Interchange - SNE 12067
With 12067 already being dud for haulage I wasn't very impressed. The route seemed to take forever past Byker too; however we got to Wallsend. My two mates went for a pint at the Wetherspoons. I would've joined but quite frankly wasn't in the mood to. I saw a North Tyne Links MPD running round so I boarded this little beast on the 80.
80 1620 Wallsend Interchange to Battle Hill, Bewick Drive - GNE 553
Already I could tell I was in for a great trip on this MPD. I was wanting to do the North Tyne Links for ages; seeing as the likes of the East Durham MPDs have been replaced and I thought these may be next. This was good although I hadn't a clue where I was going. After checking Bus Checker, I noticed the journey would take approx 45 minutes to North Shields - way too long! I was going to stick to North Shields but after passing Tyne Met College I recognised where I was; Battle Hill. I breathed a sigh of relief and crossed the road where I boarded a Newcastle-bound 310 to meet back up with my mate.
310 1635 Battle Hill, Bewick Drive to Newcastle St Mary's Place - GNE 6108
I could properly relax now I was in familiar territory on a Cobalt Clipper. This was a good journey; sat on the nearside rear wheel arch but then hit heavy traffic on Coast Road near the top of Jesmond. This soon sorted out and I bailed at St Mary's Place. I then went to the Metro and boarded the next one south.
TWM 1708 Haymarket to Monument - TWM 4001* 4040
To my sheer surprise, 4001 turned up with 4040! If I wasn't meeting up I would've went to South Shields on this, absolute cracker of a set even though the doors weren't opening properly unaided. The original announcements, PIS screens, noises, everything was just great! Soon had to bail though at Monument...
100 1720 Newcastle Blackett Street to Metrocentre - SNE 22413
As per usual, 22413 was on 100 duties. After buying a doughnut from Greggs I boarded this beast and we went off to the Metrocentre. Quite a good example of an ALX300! Handed in a bag left by someone at the Metrocentre to the driver and then noticed a red Renown sitting on the 31 stand for Newcastle. Boarded....
31 1738 Metrocentre to Newcastle Eldon Square - GNE 4916
This Renown was a pretty good vehicle although I'm pretty accustomed to them now so I can't comment on anything mega nice about them. Observed two CrossCountry 221s passing each other on King Edward Bridge and was soon once again at Eldon Square.
TWM 130 1810 Monument to Haymarket - TWM 4040 4001*
I can't remember why we got the Metro to Haymarket but we did and to my shock it was the pair I was on earlier! Boarded 4001 and was on for 2 minutes before ending up back at Haymarket before walking to Eldon Square to head home.
85 1845 Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham Bus Station - ANE 1413
My ANE driver mate was on this one so I decided to get this back home. 1413 is a brilliant vehicle; sat in the OAP bit on the offside. Soon got to Hexham for the required change of bus and operator to Carlisle.
685 1941 Hexham to Haltwhistle - Stagecoach in Carlisle 27141
27141 is the least-ridden E300 I have so was a nice surprise. We boarded and sat right at the back where one old bat gave me a funny look for something I said (I don't recall it being in any way rude/offensive). Stupid cow. Seen a man dressed as a Twix at a pub in Hexham. Near Melkridge there was a young lad who managed to spill his coffee all down the bus, what an utter muppet. His mother told him to tell the driver (couldn't have picked a worse time for it the idiot, going down narrow roads in dusk). I then managed to forget I parked my car in Haltwhistle, nearly being overcarried by the skin of my teeth! Got back to the car and drove home.
Thanks to Marcus (and my other two mates) for making this day great. Looking forward to October.
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