As a kid, I can remember standing in the old Gateshead Metro every Friday with my Dad waiting for the bus home from Tesco. Watching all the buses come through showing such exotic destinations as Sacriston, Parkside, Seaham Harbour, Frosterly, Peterlee, Hartlepool, Chester-le-Street etc. Not to mention the vehicles - Nationals, Bristol VRs, Olympians, Metrobuses (a special mention must go to the expresslink Metrobuses - they sounded fantastic!) - it all just got me hooked. From then I wanted to be a bus driver and go to all these places.

Then I grew up and got a job in an office! Best laid plans, and all that...