Had an appointment to pick up some glasses for Big'un, in Durham, at 10am, so after a bit of a rush, ended up arriving at the marketplace on ANE 1600 on the 22 at about 9:30am. After doing a few things we needed to do, we still had 10 minutes to spare, so we hung around Millburngate so he could take a few pics.
His glasses turned out not to be ready, so we had to factor a return to Durham into our day. Big'un had commented that we'd never done the X12 Durham-Middlesbrough, though, so we ended up on a very full Max Pulsar, leaving Durham 10:20.
Turned out that Big'un (now noticeably bigger than me, btw) wanted to alight in Stockton, so we did. And we bumped into Marcus, just after we got off the bus! he met his photographic aim within minutes, getting a few 7s and a couple of repainted 15s. We went for a little walk, after finding a loo in Debenhams (not the best cleaned one I've ever been in) as we both needed a leg stretch.
Caught the X10 which turned up pretty mch on time at 11:43. it left late, though, after a bunch of young lads with scooters spent ages arguing about their fares. Ended up sat upstairs with the lads in front, still whining about everything and some rather foul mouthed young men behind us.
Got as far as Norton and said young men started shouting about "bus w****ers." Repeatedly. I guess they'd seen an enthusiast with a camera. Young lads in front, annoying as they were, didn't deserve it, got a load of abuse for turning around and looking.
Thoroughly bored, we jumped off at Heworth. Settled on the Q2, when it arrived. Judging by the conversation from the seats behind us, Felling, Carr Hill etc have not changed since I lived there!
Quick journey on the X1 from Gateshead into Eldon Square. Spent about an hour having a good wander around Newcastle - essential things such as wee, biscuits, cashpoint that doesn't give you a handful of twenties.... Racked up a few thousand steps on my Fitbit, while I was there.
Decided to sample the 1 to Wrekker. Stood outside the Odeon, trying not to get annoyed by the rattly scrolling ad. One eventually turned up - running late and terminating at Gateshead! Onmicity was an omnicity. No idea if it was a good or bad one because it never got a chance to show off.
Finally jumped on another Q2! Enjoyed the ride up Memory lane, AKA Dryden Road and Kells Lane. Stood in Wrekker hoping I didn't get recognised or mugged. Never have liked the place. An X1 arrived sharpish, though and we were in HLS by about 3:30-ish. Had to snatch a pic of the "improvements" at the Galleries, though. Linked to in the What Has Amused You Today thread.
Ended up on a 20A to Durham. All seem to be streetlites, now the last few have arrived. The NS definitely says "Graneries"! Google seems to think that that ewneek spelling of the word is correct, though!
Arrived in Durham around 4:15 and waited over 20 minutes for glasses. I'm trying to (sensibly) lose the tyre I'm carrying, lately, so passing Bell's twice was torture. Wanted to save the calories for the wine I'm now enjoying! Went to wait at the North road roundabout and his battery died. Fellow proper entusiast there - half decent camera and a massive notbook full of fleet numbers and crossings out! Ended up on one of the E400s on the 22 at 5:07 - arrived home a little early, mind. Big'un was slightly rattled by a cute baby girl who dared to take only ONE of her shoes off!
Still thing that Arriva should make the 22/24 interworking a permanent thing, tbh. They're both 3 hour round trips that always have a problem en route.
