I left the house at 09:45ish, and made my way through the housing estate before walking up towards my nearest bus stop on the Durham-Newcastle stretch; Clifford Terrace - just beyond the top of Chester-le-Street Front Street. I had with me £20 (a ten and two fives), and got to the bus stop for about 09:55. The bus was due at 10:03, but after a couple of minutes, I saw an Angel B5 on the horizon...
#21 - Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace to Durham University Hospital - (10:06 --- 10:23) - Go North East 6065 - Volvo B5HL/Wright Gemini 2
Having received word from a certain somebody (*cough*citaro5284*cough*) that the vehicle would be 6070...I got a bit of a surprise when 6065 showed up. I showed the driver my key card, and handed over a £5 note for my Get Around day ticket. Once I had done this, I headed upstairs. The front seats had been snatched by two OAPs (who were asleep!) and took my seat a few behind. I suddenly then remembered that 6065 was the vehicle involved in that tragic cyclist accident in Low Fell...and I suddenly wished I had 6070 instead! I don't feel comfortable on a bus which someone has died under...probably just a sign of respect. Anyway, 6065 provided me with a very nice journey into Durham, and I pressed the bell to get off at the Durham University Hospital.
Once 6065 had glided off to Durham Bus Station, I stood with my back facing the bus stop, which was deserted, and got my camera out. It felt like absolutely ages before anything appeared heading north, whereas everything seemed to be heading into Durham. Then, 1323 appears. I get my camera ready, zoom in, and the second I take the photo, a car passes it and ruins it. Same with a Volvo President on the 15A, a Newcastle-bound Pulsar on the X2; the list goes on! I decided 'sod this', and headed back into the warmth of the bus stop, still empty, to escape the cold.
#43 - Durham University Hospital to Durham Bus Station - (10:41 --- 10:46) - Go North East 5288 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
Within two minutes, a Diamond Merc appeared. I was hoping for 5284, to make a certain someone's day...but it turned out to be 5288. The heating was perfect, ideal for what I had just suffered out in the cold. However, the bus was absolutely packed - half a dozen standees (myself included). Not many comments to make on this very short journey. I guess it was alright.
When I disembarked at Durham Bus Station, I spotted the perfect photo opportunity. 5288 was still letting passengers off, and I took a photo from that spot at the top. I hung around for about 5 minutes, and took a few photos of buses parked up at that set-down spot. I then went for a little wander around the city centre, visited a Gregg's for a Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt then headed back to the bus station for a ride along to Bishop Auckland.
#X21 - Durham Bus Station to Bishop Auckland Bus Station - (11:34 --- 12:06) - Go North East 6021 - Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President
After waiting a while, this X21 appeared at the top of the bus station, nearly 10 minutes late. Although this didn't bother me, as I hadn't been waiting long. We left Durham Bus Station at 11:36, and got to Bishop Auckland for 12:06. I didn't make many notes on the journey, although I will say - I think the X21 route between Durham and Bishop Auckland is very scenic - bit like the X43 between Stanley and the MetroCentre. The upper deck, where I sat at the front, was very quiet, making the journey a lot nicer. Although I did just stick my headphones in and let the journey go by!
After getting off in Bishop Auckland Bus Station; I watched 3878 stand at the Newcastle-bound stand leave, before 6021 went and parked up in the layover. I spotted a great photo opportunity, and took a snap of her in the layover. However, I used Arriva's 1503 on the 1 as cover, and avoided being seen by a gang of about a dozen chavs at the bottom of the bus station, they looked very intimidating so I just left it at that.
#X21 - Bishop Auckland Bus Station to Durham Bus Station - (12:32 --- 13:12) - Go North East 6021 - Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President
I watched the next driver emerge and cross the bus station to get 6021 going again, and I got on and took my seat. It was rather quiet, and then half of those chavs got on, and guess where they sat?...the top deck was all mine prior to that, and they sat at the back like they were at home. It wasn't so bad, I had my headphones in so could only just hear them, and at around Spennymoor, the bus started to fill up with people heading to watch the match. Then, we struck massive traffic on the way into Durham, but luckily got to Durham Bus Station only about 5 minutes late.
I felt like going up to that spot again for some photos, then saw a 21 at the top of the bus station on the way in, so I just decided to go home.
#21 - Durham Bus Station to Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace - (13:15 --- 13:32) - Go North East 6058 - Volvo B5HL/Wright Gemini 2
Not many comments to make on this journey, although I did make notes on the announcements. I didn't feel bothered by them at all, even though it was just a 15 minute journey. Had a rather motionless driver at the wheel, possibly a robot although I'm not sure.
Overall, had a great day, even if I didn't do too much. I'm pleased I took some good photos while I was out, and I will probably do so again next week.
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