(22 Jun 2016, 8:24 pm)Jimmi wrote Can't be bothered doing a full review and I forgot to note some buses and times, so here is a few points from the day.
This morning I started the day by getting the train from Newton Aycliffe to Bishop Auckland with Pacer 142020 providing me with this journey. I then caught Weardale Solo GO03WMS upto Stanhope where I then caught the Weardale X21 to the MetroCentre with Greg In Weardale appearing for the first few minutes of my journey, was quite a nice journey, especially the Stanhope - Crook section of the route.
Next I headed over to Newcastle where for a change of scenery, I caught Nexus service 84.
After an expensive lunch from Greggs who have put their prices up again, I caught Nexus service 33 to Regent Centre operated by Kingsley's, was hoping for the SPD but I got the Cadet and sure enough what was the other offering on the 33 today? Yep, the SPD!!!
Then caught the Sapphire X22 with 7502 providing the haulage to Bedlington, amazingly the plug sockets worked although the WiFi wasn't so great and the destination panel was taped down with white tape. Amazingly this one actually had some performance unlike some of the 57 reg examples.
Then I caught the 19 to Cramlington with 4980 operating this journey, not been on a Volvo B7RLE in a while so this was a nice change, annoyingly I saw an IndiGo on the run an hour behind which would have been a good odd working to photograph. In Cramlington I had some prats in a flat bed van shout at me as I was taking photographs. Was pleased to be leaving Cramlington although I was disappointed that my journey to Killingworth was MAX base liveried Pulsar 1408, I like Pulsars but I was hoping for something else, although at least I could use the USB charging points to charge my phone.
In Killingworth I was approached by a community support officer asking as to why I was taking photographs, so I had to explain the hobby, thankfully he was happy with my explanation then left me to continue with my snapping. I was going to get a bus to Whitley Bay but it was 10 minutes late, it was another Pulsar and a load of school kids, so I rejected it and ended up on the 54 with OmniCity 4661 providing me with a journey to North Shields which was boiling and thanks to roadworks, a painfully long journey!
In North Shields I decided to head to Burger King for some tea, I then hoped and prayed for a double decker on the 17:22 9 to Sunderland and sure enough 3888 turned up (guessing this bus must come off the 434/448), I took a front seat upstairs to get a good view of the Tyne Tunnel, just wished the seats were a bit less worn down.
Arrived in Sunderland just in time to catch the X21/21 home to Newton Aycliffe with 4814 being my chariot for my final journey of the day which pleased me as 4814 has WiFi and unlike the WiFi on 4811 which I nearly always get on the 21/X21 it actually works! Thought about getting the 5A home but couldn't be bothered waiting, so I decided not to be lazy and walk home.
Thanks for reading.
I saw you on 4661 at about 15:26 next to Killingworth baths, I had just got off 19676 on the X63