Spoilt as a kid. Had days out with the grandparents on the 26 from Barley Mow - nearly always a toss up between a Metrobus or Atlantean of some type.
Trips out on the 551, 725/726 which was generally a VR or Metrobus and the 777 which was a National.

People pay good money to ride the restored versions and I was regularly getting on nearly new vehicles for a 5p fare!

Sitting above the driver upstairs, peering down the porthole, at the bottom of High St West in Gateshead - as the driver took the opportunity to change the blinds.
Great stuff.

edit: Seeing your post Marcus, it would have been my Grandads birthday today too.