Don't expect owt flash off me like Marcus gives you all...

0821 Metro: Stadium of Light to Haymarket - T&WM 4083
0903 X18: Haymarket to Morpeth - ANE 7529
0947 (10l) 35A: Morpeth to North Seaton - ANE 7519
1043 (3l) 35A: North Seaton to Ashington - ANE 7519
1132 1: Ashington to Blyth - ANE 1402
1253 X5: Blyth to Cramlington - ANE 7607
1337 52: Cramlington to Dudley - ANE 1497
1415 52: Dudley to Killingworth - ANE 4517
1427 (5l) 62: Killingworth to Newcastle - SNE 22029
1550ish 309: Newcastle to Sandyford - GNE 6104
1603 58: Sandyford to Newcastle - GNE 5388
1620ish Metro: Newcastle to Millfield - T&WM 4019
1714 700: Millfield to Stadium of Light - GNE 640

Back home safe and sound for 17:35!

Was pleasantly surprised by 7529 - managed to overtake a few cars on the A1! 22029 sounded a bit strange - didn't half have some power though - even gave 4517 a run for its money. Best bus of the day has to be 6104 - sure DaveyBowyer would agree!

(07 Feb 2015, 6:34 pm)Dan wrote Don't expect owt flash off me like Marcus gives you all...

0821 Metro: Stadium of Light to Haymarket - T&WM 4083
0903 X18: Haymarket to Morpeth - ANE 7529
0947 (10l) 35A: Morpeth to North Seaton - ANE 7519
1043 (3l) 35A: North Seaton to Ashington - ANE 7519
1132 1: Ashington to Blyth - ANE 1402
1253 X5: Blyth to Cramlington - ANE 7607
1337 52: Cramlington to Dudley - ANE 1497
1415 52: Dudley to Killingworth - ANE 4517
1427 (5l) 62: Killingworth to Newcastle - SNE 22029
1550ish 309: Newcastle to Sandyford - GNE 6104
1603 58: Sandyford to Newcastle - GNE 5388
1620ish Metro: Newcastle to Millfield - T&WM 4019
1714 700: Millfield to Stadium of Light - GNE 640

Back home safe and sound for 17:35!

Was pleasantly surprised by 7529 - managed to overtake a few cars on the A1! 22029 sounded a bit strange - didn't half have some power though - even gave 4517 a run for its money. Best bus of the day has to be 6104 - sure DaveyBowyer would agree!

I would of seen you had 1311 not been 6 late.

I've only been on 2 buses today! But here is my log -

15:01 - 23 Barley Mow Est to Birtley Crem (NJ11 EXJ)
Me and an elderly gentleman were waiting for the 82 in Barley Mow for a good 15-20 mins, unfortunatly one didn't turn up although it was scheduled to. We did though, see the 23 come down the bank so we hopped on that. The driver was very canny, although he loved his brakes! It cost me £1.30 to get to the Crem so about the same cost as the 82 to Birtley. Anyway, this is my favourite Pheonix bus, I have a really comfortable seat at the front! 9/10

15:23 - 21 Birtley to Barley Mow (6059)
Not this bloody bus again! It's like a magnet! I wasn't so happy with this short trip. The driver clearly didn't want to be there. He was rude, kept speeding up/braking very sharply and wasn't dressed properly. I hate this bus, it has a curse haha!

(11 Feb 2015, 6:53 pm)leestransportphotos wrote I've only been on 2 buses today! But here is my log -

15:01 - 23 Barley Mow Est to Birtley Crem (NJ11 EXJ)
Me and an elderly gentleman were waiting for the 82 in Barley Mow for a good 15-20 mins, unfortunatly one didn't turn up although it was scheduled to. We did though, see the 23 come down the bank so we hopped on that. The driver was very canny, although he loved his brakes! It cost me £1.30 to get to the Crem so about the same cost as the 82 to Birtley. Anyway, this is my favourite Pheonix bus, I have a really comfortable seat at the front! 9/10

15:23 - 21 Birtley to Barley Mow (6059)
Not this bloody bus again! It's like a magnet! I wasn't so happy with this short trip. The driver clearly didn't want to be there. He was rude, kept speeding up/braking very sharply and wasn't dressed properly. I hate this bus, it has a curse haha! If anyone is interested the driver was 3093

The 82 is a joke. I've saw several complaints about it on GNE's facebook page, and on Saturday, it was about 10 minutes late at Heworth!

(11 Feb 2015, 6:56 pm)Tom wrote The 82 is a joke. I've saw several complaints about it on GNE's facebook page, and on Saturday, it was about 10 minutes late at Heworth!

I think its since they changed it, its got worse.

My Get Around from today is as follows;

#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!

(14 Feb 2015, 3:50 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote My Get Around from today is as follows;

#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!

People from Wrekenton/Gateshead are scruffy. Worse than Cramlington, but not as bad as Chester-le-Street or Sunderland. 

(14 Feb 2015, 5:10 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote People from Wrekenton/Gateshead are scruffy. Worse than Cramlington, but not as bad as Chester-le-Street or Sunderland. 

I think you'll find there is one specific area of CLS that is renowned for its rough people, and as a result people get the impression we are all like this...

They live in 'the avenues', the majority of them. Most of them just sleep in their own clothes for a few days before buying new ones at the market at the weekend.

There are a lot of nice areas of Chester-le-Street, such as where I live; an area many desire to live in, but people who do not live here, or come here often, will obviously not know this...

(14 Feb 2015, 5:10 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote People from Wrekenton/Gateshead are scruffy. Worse than Cramlington, but not as bad as Chester-le-Street or Sunderland. 

(14 Feb 2015, 5:18 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I think you'll find there is one specific area of CLS that is renowned for its rough people, and as a result people get the impression we are all like this...

They live in 'the avenues', the majority of them. Most of them just sleep in their own clothes for a few days before buying new ones at the market at the weekend.

There are a lot of nice areas of Chester-le-Street, such as where I live; an area many desire to live in, but people who do not live here, or come here often, will obviously not know this...

Very good stereotyping there lads

Cant be as bad as Easington Lane, Sberburn Road or Woodhouse Close in Bishop

(14 Feb 2015, 5:23 pm)MrFozz wrote Very good stereotyping there lads

Cant be as bad as Easington Lane, Sberburn Road or Woodhouse Close in Bishop

Just trying to defend my hometown. A lot of people get the impression that people from Chester-le-Street are all scruffs, I'd like to see this kid's local area in comparison!

Stereotyping or not, I still find it to be a bit unfair on a lot of us.

Chester-le-Street has some very posh areas, but while it does have some bad places, it is overall a nice place, and I have enjoyed living here for the entire of my life. I couldn't imagine living somewhere else.

(14 Feb 2015, 5:30 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Just trying to defend my hometown. A lot of people get the impression that people from Chester-le-Street are all scruffs, I'd like to see this kid's local area in comparison!

Stereotyping or not, I still find it to be a bit unfair on a lot of us.

Chester-le-Street has some very posh areas, but while it does have some bad places, it is overall a nice place, and I have enjoyed living here for the entire of my life. I couldn't imagine living somewhere else.

Same with most places has it's good areas and bad areas...I happen to live in a bad area, the whole of East Durham is a shithole, lol with probably one of the most poverty-stricken areas in Britain, possibly also Western Europe

(14 Feb 2015, 5:33 pm)MrFozz wrote Same with most places has it's good areas and bad areas...I happen to live in a bad area, the whole of East Durham is a shithole, lol with probably one of the most poverty-stricken areas in Britain, possibly also Western Europe

Not much an East Durham expert, can't tell you the last time I went that way from Durham.

What annoys me though, is that Tommy has probably visited Chester-le-Street a handful of times in his life, and got an impression after watching scruffy people standing on the stalls in the market (which, may I add, is, while manned by a lot of scruffy people, a staple to the area in my opinion) and just assumed we are all like that.

I'd like to second what Adam says, if you venture out and explore parts of an area - you'll soon find only a small minority of it's population is what ruins the area itself due to stereotyping.

I could say the same about Ashington, but I've decided not to on account of the fact that I don't live there, go there often, or associate with people from there.

(14 Feb 2015, 5:36 pm)Adam wrote ah thanks very much.... Must say, it is only a small minority, not everyone as you imply.

There's two things in the world everyone should not be: Judgemental and Stereotypical. It paints a very bad picture.

That it does, had to deal with being looked down upon, judged, stereotyped and stigmatised for years, because I was in Care as a kid, everyone suddenly thought I was a troublemaker, a Smack head, an Alcoholic who liked to commit crimes everyday...I have also been found guilty by association many times, a couple of lads I know ended up going to jail for paedophilia and it did not happen often, we would get dragged into arguments with people who tbought care systems with populated Nonces, Rapists and Murderers

Is it "be against Tommy" time today?

I'm sick of people taking my jokes seriously, then replying with snotty crap.

(14 Feb 2015, 5:55 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Is it "be against Tommy" time today?

I'm sick of people taking my jokes seriously, then replying with snotty crap.

I won't go any further, unless provoked, - but let's say - if you put some bait on the line, the fish is going to pull on it.

(14 Feb 2015, 5:57 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I won't go any further, unless provoked, - but let's say - if you put some bait on the line, the fish is going to pull on it.

Would I have got the same crappy responses if I put a "  " on the end of my OP?

(14 Feb 2015, 5:59 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Would I have got the same crappy responses if I put a "  " on the end of my OP?

Probably not. Because then it would be seen as a joke, even if it isn't too funny for me, who has to face stereotyping like this from quite a few people.

I would still take some offence, how would you like it if someone said to you 'everyone from Ashington is scruffy, worse than most places'? I imagine you would take a bit of offence...as it's your home...

I rest my case.

I dont mind stereotyping sometimes, as long as it is good natured banter, it would only become a problem for me when I heard it over and over again, which I have since 9 years old...At Chorister School, it was assumed everyone on a Council Estate were on the dole who pissed there money up, in Care, what I above applied, I was a out of control teenage criminal.

I dont mind using stereotypes, but can take it to an extent, some that amuse me are:-

The Irish...Terrorists
The Scottish...Tight Fisted Alcobolics who look like Rab C Nesbitt
Americans...Completely Ignorant in the eyes of the world
British...We live in castles, have bad teeth and constantly drink tea
French...Cheese, Eating, Garlic Smelling Surrender Monkeys who wear funny hats
Hartlepool...Thick as pig shit...They did hang a monkey
London...Wide boys, like Del Boy Trotter
Liverpool...Jobless and stuck on benefits

😀😀😀

(14 Feb 2015, 6:02 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Probably not. Because then it would be seen as a joke, even if it isn't too funny for me, who has to face stereotyping like this from quite a few people.

I would still take some offence, how would you like it if someone said to you 'everyone from Ashington is scruffy, worse than most places'? I imagine you would take a bit of offence...as it's your home...

I rest my case.

I don't take offence in your comments about Ashington, all I have to do is look out the window, and there's some scruffy chavs taking cannabis.

Lets leave it at that guys...

We have made our thoughts known now, time to move on

(14 Feb 2015, 6:10 pm)MrFozz wrote I dont mind stereotyping sometimes, as long as it is good natured banter, it would only become a problem for me when I heard it over and over again, which I have since 9 years old...At Chorister School, it was assumed everyone on a Council Estate were on the dole who pissed there money up, in Care, what I above applied, I was a out of control teenage criminal.

I dont mind using stereotypes, but can take it to an extent, some that amuse me are:-

The Irish...Terrorists
The Scottish...Tight Fisted Alcobolics who look like Rab C Nesbitt
Americans...Completely Ignorant in the eyes of the world
British...We live in castles, have bad teeth and constantly drink tea
French...Cheese, Eating, Garlic Smelling Surrender Monkeys who wear funny hats
Hartlepool...Thick as pig shit...They did hang a monkey
London...Wide boys, like Del Boy Trotter
Liverpool...Jobless and stuck on benefits

???

Was going to say something about that but I won't.

Looks like I'm free for a few hours tomorrow morning, probably just from 9-12. I think I'll have a tiny little Get Around, head to my grandma's for lunch then walk back along to my house for the afternoon. My mam's at work, so I can't have a full day out.

Any suggestions on what to do? I was thinking of getting the 36 to Houghton, the 4 to Washington, the revised 82/82A to Concord then see where I feel like going after. I'll be taking my camera with me!

(15 Feb 2015, 5:44 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Looks like I'm free for a few hours tomorrow morning, probably just from 9-12. I think I'll have a tiny little Get Around, head to my grandma's for lunch then walk back along to my house for the afternoon. My mam's at work, so I can't have a full day out.

Any suggestions on what to do? I was thinking of getting the 36 to Houghton, the 4 to Washington, the revised 82/82A to Concord then see where I feel like going after. I'll be taking my camera with me!

Instead of the 82 or 82A to Concord, you could get it to Birtley, as the route hasn't changed from Concord-Washington. Maybe you could get a 28 back to Chester from Birtley? 

(15 Feb 2015, 5:46 pm)Tom wrote Instead of the 82 or 82A to Concord, you could get it to Birtley, as the route hasn't changed from Concord-Washington. Maybe you could get a 28 back to Chester from Birtley? 

I think I'd just be after a ride on the 82 or 82A for the novelty of having rode it after its big changes.

Might get a 56 to Sunderland then a 78 home?

(15 Feb 2015, 5:44 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Looks like I'm free for a few hours tomorrow morning, probably just from 9-12. I think I'll have a tiny little Get Around, head to my grandma's for lunch then walk back along to my house for the afternoon. My mam's at work, so I can't have a full day out.

Any suggestions on what to do? I was thinking of getting the 36 to Houghton, the 4 to Washington, the revised 82/82A to Concord then see where I feel like going after. I'll be taking my camera with me!

You should be stopping in and keeping the puppy company

(15 Feb 2015, 5:47 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I think I'd just be after a ride on the 82 or 82A for the novelty of having rode it after its big changes.

Might get a 56 to Sunderland then a 78 home?

Ah okay

You could continue on the 82 to Heworth, then get a 93 to Saltmeadows (for a few photos), then a 93 to Gateshead then a bus back to Chester?

(15 Feb 2015, 5:49 pm)Tom wrote Ah okay

You could continue on the 82 to Heworth, then get a 93 to Saltmeadows (for a few photos), then a 93 to Gateshead then a bus back to Chester?

I'll just see what I feel like doing when I leave the house, but thanks anyway.

(15 Feb 2015, 6:14 pm)Adam wrote Feel free to stop off at the Business & Law building at Northumbria Uni (right beside Manors Metro). We've got a task set by the Prince's Trust to raise as much money as possible for them, so the team are running a Pick 'n' Mix stall. I, plus two other members of the team, have got the 9am-11am slot in the main reception

Who knows, you could then be the 3rd member of the forum to unmask the identity of me. As far as I'm aware, only Andreos & Simmy know who I am.

Hmm....I think I might take you up on that.

I'll just look for Will McKenzie!

(15 Feb 2015, 6:21 pm)Adam wrote Suppose I'll have to wear my specs then

Can anyone buy stuff from there? 

I'll be more than willing to! What sweets are you selling?

(15 Feb 2015, 6:33 pm)Adam wrote I think so. No-one's going to give a hoot about it. There's always people coming in and out the building to have a look round. You don't need a card to get in and out the building as it's those stupid spinning revolving doors. There's also a cafe in the building right beside our stall if you wanted a quick sandwich and a cuppa as well.

The sweets are already made up into bags. I can't remember exactly what's in them but I know there's fried eggs, foam bananas, cola bottles, giant strawberries, milk bottles, cables, cherries... the list goes on. 

Might pop in then