Whey Aye Five O on the 47 is an odd one!
Must have been some dead mileage at the start and beginning of that one. Did Gateshead have nothing available?
The Boxing Day loads I saw of the 21 looked really good. I was partaking of a few in Low Fell and 3 passed the Cannon full (1 towards Newcastle and 2 away) and unable to pick up. A good sign!
RE: Go North East