We managed a very rare thing, today - an outing only on GNE services. We'd bought explorers, too, but couldn't risk not having the right tickets if we'd missed our last bus.
Arrived in Durham at around 10am on 657 on the 59. We had this bus to ourselves for the first 5 minutes or so, but by Bowburn, it was pretty much full.
After helping out a few people confused by nonsensical displays in Durham bus station we left on 6060 on the 21, about 5 minutes late. This was absolutely packed for most of the journey. Noticed that this vehicle has the new visuals but not the new voice-over for the NSAs. Big'un was a little dismayed when we missed out Blackett street and approached Eldon Square via St Mary's place and Haymarket. I explained that there might be a problem on Blackett street. Turned out there had been an incident on Percy Street, causing it to be completely cordoned off.
We had lunch at Northside diner and did a bit of shopping - a new coat for me and some smellies from Lush. Everything was much more pleasant than on Saturday as it was so much less crowded and more relaxed.
After a good leg stretch, we headed back to Eldon Square and caught a slightly late X30 to Stanley. A Northern Omnidekka was doing this journey. We went upstairs and had room to spread out a bit. The Omnidekkas don't half shift, but they're complete and utter boneshakers. I though I'd avoid the back pain by sitting in a better seat than last time I made along journey on one, but no, I'm in flaming agony, now! Unusually, I found the staircase easier to get down than up, btw. They're steeper than I like, but the pole is well placed in the centre of the spiral. Instead I stumbled on the way to the stairs, as my legs were a bit unsteady from the vibrations.(Oi!)
Despite running a little late, we only had a 5 minute connection to a 16A back to Durham. These are definitely the better Mercs in the GNE Fleet. Very soothing engine noises and no problems at all with the rather lumpy landscape between Stanley and Durham.
We arrived in Durham at about 3 - so no later than if we'd waited for the next Angel and it had been on time. After a wander around a few charity shops, we opted to catch the 59 again. The driver was a little less cheerful than this morning, but doing the same 2hr route for the 3rd time in a day probably does that to you! Busy again, all the way to Cassop, then there was just us two and an old guy. Turned out we could have done this day on GNE day tickets, but had we missed this 59, it's a 2 hour wait for the next one!
The Indigo solo on the 59 is a much more comfortable ride than the Scarlet band E200s on the 58, though you don't half get thrown around on the bends and some of the dips in the road. Some of the roads were still partially flooded from all this week's rain, which explains why the bus was splattered with mud all up one side, the second time we caught it!
We passed the 22 that we didn't wait the extra 12 minutes for in Wheatley Hill - it was an odd working, too, which amused Big'un.
RE: Bus Related Outings and Reviews