#36 - Riverside to Houghton-le-Spring Church - (09:55 --- 10:13) - GNE 8258 - DAF SB120/Wright Cadet
This bus was very nice, and I think it might be my first Deptford-based Cadet. Driver was surprisingly friendly, and greeted me as I got on, which added a bit to the journey given what they have been like previously. Journey was very quiet, everyone who did get on got on on Avenue Vivian. Had it all to myself before that, and I feel this set my day off to a great start.
#20A - Houghton-le-Spring Church to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (10:16 --- 10:40) - GNE 4992 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
Another very nice Deptford driver, looked like my opinion had been changed. 4992 made for a very nice journey, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The journey itself had no more than 20 people on at any one time, which makes a change to what some of these 20s can be like at this time on a Saturday morning.
#56 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange to Wrekenton High Street - (10:48 --- 11:39) - GNE 6091 - Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2
Three in a row, as this driver was another friendly chap. Bus itself was very quiet, and added to the journey quality. 6091 was extremely smooth, and I had the front seats upstairs to myself all the way to Wrekenton. I did consider getting off at Concord as there was a few things stationary in the bus station, but I opted to stay on and not destroy my plan.
#52 - Wrekenton High Street to Gateshead Interchange - (11:53 --- 12:39) - GNE 8338 - Optare Versa V1110/Optare
God this was a nightmare. The scruffiest of people got on just outside of Wrekenton, and a child with them was turning around pulling rape faces at me...not only that, 8338 was a disgrace! Every bump in the road meant a bump at the front then another feeling at the back. Every single knock or rattle could be felt. But, having said that, nothing beats the seats on a Versa, some of the softest I've ever had!
#28 - Gateshead Interchange to Pelton Church - (13:03 --- 13:35) - GNE 4930 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
Guess who my driver was?? Pat.
When I got on she asked me how I was, etc, and she provided a very careful and comfortable journey. And Solars are hard beasts to tame! When I got off we had a brief conversation as there were a couple of people on (presumably going to Beamish) and then I disembarked.I got off at Pelton Church for a reason - I decided to pay a visit to my grandparent's grave. After locating it and saying a few words, etc, I just left and walked down to Pelton Schools. When I got to Pelton Schools, I saw 4904 on the 78 heading to Sunderland, and I think I may have seen Tom on.
#34A - Pelton Schools to Chester-le-Street Market Place - (13:59 --- 14:06) - GNE 8302 - Optare Versa V1110/Optare
Another comfortable journey on a Versa. And it wasn't ruined by a bumpy rattly body on it, or scruffy people getting on. I enjoyed this little journey.
#X22 - Chester-le-Street Market Place to Clifford Terrace Chapel - (14:09 --- 14:12) - GNE 6016 - Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President
Running extremely late, I didn't notice this until I got on and realised it should have been here over 15 mins ago! lol A pretty good journey on a Volvo President, albeit short. Driver seemed a bit of a comedian with the OAPs. Not bad.
Had a great day out, and only for £3.75!
