#36 - Riverside to Houghton-le-Spring Church - (09:50 --- 10:13) - GNE 5202 - Scania L94UB/Wright Solar
I got quite happy when I saw this coming down Ropery Lane, as I hadn't had a Laser or Gold Citaro in a while now, and last time I made do with the fantastic 8258. What made the journey with 8258 even better was a friendly driver, and I had yet another with 5202. I took my seat after getting a nice greeting from the driver, and put my earphones in to relax and enjoy the journey with. The bus itself was very clean, and quiet up until Avenue Vivian, when about a dozen people got on. The majority children. Nonetheless, I survived the journey to Houghton-le-Spring Church!
#20A - Houghton-le-Spring Church to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (10:16 --- 10:41) - GNE 4968 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
Not many comments to make on the driver, he seemed no different to the majority. However, in the middle of Houghton a few families got on, I swear there must have been ten under 5s on by the time the journey ended. And, all I heard throughout the whole of the 25 minutes was some babies crying, two little girls repeatedly shouting (whilst playing) tic tac toe, the list goes on! Dreadful.
#8 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street Market Place - (10:53 --- 11:39) - GNE 4899 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
I was looking forward to nearly an hour on this beast! In my experience, 4899 has always had fantastic heating, brilliant sounds, etc, but a woman at the front of the queue was asking the driver loads of questions about her Buzzfare. Taking her time as well! Anyway, we left Park Lane about 2 minutes behind, but this monster picked up enough speed to sit at The Galleries for 5 minutes. Brilliant journey overall, and I loved every minute of it. I will be really sad when these B10BLEs go, I imagine they'll be seen by younger enthusiasts in the future as what I see the Leyland National as - absolute beasts. They'll go down in history, I hope one gets preserved!!
#78 - Chester-le-Street Market Place to Stanley Bus Station - (11:53 --- 12:28) - GNE 4904 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
Another B10BLE, I was having a field day! The driver was yet another friendly one, and I sat at the back letting the journey go by. The bus was relatively full, but I had the back to myself, mainly just OAPs down the front making it look busy. However, 4904 wasn't as good as 4899 - and through some of the more scenic countryside parts of the 78 route between Chester-le-Street and Stanley, she was slow as a snail! How Robert describes 3814, quite disappointed with it really...if I had to pick one, now that 4852 is gone, I wouldn't be preserving 4904!
#8 - Stanley Bus Station to Pelton Schools - (12:46 --- 13:06) - GNE 4853 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
After being rather annoyed at myself for not taking any photos like I had said, I was really happy when I saw a Lime branded B10BLE - and even better it was 4853, with it's LED displays. In ride-terms, 4853 was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've always thought the 8 route between Chester-le-Street and Stanley is absolutely brilliant, and I enjoyed every minute of it. However, despite leaving Stanley a minute or two late, we made it to Pelton for enough time for me to have a ride on the 34.
#34 - Pelton Schools to Chester-le-Street Market Place - (13:10 --- 13:17) - GNE 8302 - Optare Versa V1110/Optare
An old acquaintance of mine was driving, a driver called Eddie. A lovely guy, been driving at Chester-le-Street for years I gather, he used to do the X22s when they had a rota. When I boarded, he greeted me with 'ello, Marcus, long time no see, where've you been today then?'. A lovely way to greet a customer, and seeing as I hadn't seen him in ages, I was surprised he remembered my name haha. Anyway, back on topic, 8302 was a very smooth ride. I think it's one of the best Versas I've ever been on! A lovely little journey.
#36 - Chester-le-Street Market Place to Riverside - (13:40 --- 13:50) - GNE 5203 - Scania L94UB/Wright Solar
I was doing a bit of spotting in the centre of the market place, and saw 5203 come in about 5 minutes ahead of expected. I walked across while the driver stood having a cigarette outside. I showed him my Get Around and Key Card and took my seat. I was the only person on, but when we left at 13:45 we had about half a dozen at most. Another very quiet journey, and it ended the day off nicely.
Had a fantastic day, would do it again. Bit annoyed I didn't take a photo of 5363 when it was at Houghton, as I had a few minutes before my 20A, and nobody was around. It was stationary for about 5 minutes too, I think I should have taken a photo...but I had a great day on the whole!
