(11 Jan 2016, 8:23 pm)Jimmi wrote You should be able to spot a Lowlander within about 20 minutes in Durham City Centre on at least one of the services listed. They can often pop up on the 49/49A as well.
Usually doesn't take that long for one to come into view when I'm in Durham, so I'll just stand and get some photos while the time passes for one to come along. That is if I don't get pre-occupied elsewhere, and don't end up in Durham at all.
(11 Jan 2016, 8:30 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Was going to suggest pretty much the same as Jimmi! You could do all that on an Arriva day ticket, too. We're probably doing similar, at the weekend, as I have my voucher to use and we haven't been that way since before Christmas.
The run out to Crook is a nice one. (And some of the street names are awesome). Unfortunately, the 43, 48 etc don't connect up so well, but you could grab yourself one of the maps and do a few there and back runs, if you see the right vehicle.
Take a cushion.
I've yet to do Durham-Crook, I might save it for another outing, perhaps an Arriva-based one. I had a little look at some timetables, and the 43 and 48 both provide a 15-minute and 20-minute frequency respectably between Durham and Ushaw Moor before heading to Esh Winning and New Brancepeth.
Re: the cushion. The only Y-reg Lowlander I've had (that I can recall!) was 7443 on the X24 one time, and I managed to get the back seats which were very soft and had a cushion base, unlike the Urban90s elsewhere on the bus. Think if it's just a short journey, I can hold out.