-
Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
What will be your first leisure based bus journey after lockdown?
- Thread starter Llandudno
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
scotrail158713
Established Member
I'll be taking a trip on Borders Buses at some point, as I want to try the parkrun in Kelso. This obviously depends on when parkrun is allowed to restart again, but it's one trip that I'll definitely be doing at some point. To get there for a 9.30 start requires a train to Galashiels or Berwick-upon-Tweed and then the 67, so I think I'll make it a circular trip from Edinburgh and go via Berwick on the way down there and back via Galashiels (or the direct 52 if/when it restarts), or vice-versa and come back on the 253 from Berwick.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Someone else who ties in a trip out with a Parkrun
I've done it a few times before. It's a bit skanky but I do what you probably do and have a smallish rucksack with a change of clothes, wet wipes, towel and some deodourant I'll be doing the same with Minehead parkrun and the Exmoor Coaster!!FWIW, the 67 from Berwick to Kelso is a fantastic run out; in fact, I love the Borders but that is one of the best routes. I'd suggest you get the direct bus down (it'll be running by June when Parkrun starts back) and then get the 67 out to Berwick. Lovely scenery and the tantalising glimpses of sea; shame that Berwick isn't half the town it used to be.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Someone else who ties in a trip out with a Parkrun
For 2018-2019 I did a massive tour of the country doing 5K in every actual city on the island of Great Britain (though because of the obvious logistical difficulty only about 10% or so were Parkruns, I'd typically go for a weekend, do a Parkrun but then do another 2-3 cities in the same weekend if nearby). It was mostly by train, but buses were used where trains weren't available, and I used some Megabuses/Citylinks in Scotland for a change from trains. I suspect other passengers indeed didn't appreciate it!
I'm inclined to think I might consider repeating a few favourites this year.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Can you do 5k in St Davids?For 2018-2019 I did a massive tour of the country doing 5K in every actual city on the island of Great Britain (though because of the obvious logistical difficulty only about 10% or so were Parkruns, I'd typically go for a weekend, do a Parkrun but then do another 2-3 cities in the same weekend if nearby). It was mostly by train, but buses were used where trains weren't available, and I used some Megabuses/Citylinks in Scotland for a change from trains. I suspect other passengers indeed didn't appreciate it!
I'm inclined to think I might consider repeating a few favourites this year.
Alongside the usual things like missing friends and family as well as all the other restrictions, I've really missed Parkrun over the last year. I did Newport Riverside a couple of years back, parking up on the Chepstow road and getting some Newport Bus Scania in. Finished parkrun, hoody on and a quick trot to catch the Gold X24 to Cwmbran. Off, then into the local Costa by Cwmbran bus station, ordered my drink and then quick change/freshen in the toilets. Grabbed the coffee and then back out to catch the bus to Pontypool. Sorted and civilised!
Fingers crossed (etc etc) that I'll be doing a few more of those mad Saturdays.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Can you do 5k in St Davids?
The rule I applied was "in, to, from or through", and I took the strict definition of city, so London had to include the actual City of London, for example. Had a lovely circular run round the coast for St Davids, it was one of my favourites. Must admit it was by car though (it and St Asaph were, public transport was a bit awkward!) I think they were the only two by car, though.
I've had health issues over the summer (non COVID) which has knocked my running badly, but I do look forward to Parkrun being part of the comeback.
But on the other point I do recall a lot of awkward changing and freshening up in station bogs!
The Border Buses routes are great, make sure you check there app for any day ticket or route offers. I've done the two routes between Gala and Berwick, both nice. I done Berwick to Glasgow all on local buses few years back via Gala and Peebles.
scotrail158713
Established Member
Yep. Some courses are lucky enough to have showers nearby, so they can come in useful. Usually it's a case of a change of clothes and spray of deodorant in a toilet though.Someone else who ties in a trip out with a Parkrun
Yeah, I had a look on Google Maps the other day and it does look nice. If the times for the 52 work out then I might take that down, but I remember checking last year when the parkrun in Kelso started and I think the first one didn't leave Edinburgh until around 08:30-09:00. I'll definitely take it in one direction though.
I completely agree with this. I wasn't religiously at one every week, although I was most weeks, and I didn't really appreciate it for what it was until it has been gone for the last 12 months. What I'll find more frustrating though is in June when the English events restart, whilst there are none up here, which as things stand is going to be the case. If it continues like that for long I might take a wee trip down to Morpeth as there's now an event there, situated just a short walk from the station. I had a look online the other day and there are some very reasonable fares available, so it's very tempting.
I believe it's strictly a Daytripper Plus - I only mention that minor distinction because a normal Daytripper doesn't allow you to use the CityZap/Coastliner, whereas this does.
I think my first big trip will be a coast to coast journey using it - by very early bus down to Scarborough, then using Transdev from Scarborough to Preston, then using the train to return back to Gateshead. It looks just about possible with some good luck. Definitely one for late May/June though - not least so I can have dinner en route!
Aictos
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Apr 2009
- Messages
- 10,403
Well I have my eye on a few I like to sample, top of the list is the Burnley Bus Company's X43 Witchway service calling Burnley - Rawtenstall - Prestwick - Manchester but also Stagecoach's X5 service calling at Bedford - Milton Keynes - Buckingham - Bicester - Oxford.
So am I the first person to have actually done a full post-lockdown trip?
I thought about going out on Monday as the weather forecast was good, but I wasn't organised enough. Thursday was my chance:
Alarm at 04.15, out of the house at 05.10, drove to Buxton. A rather tedious drive as virtually all of the last 55 miles is single carriageway with 50 limits and lots of lorries. Arrived at 8.30, coffee and a snack from Greggs and bought a sandwich for lunch. Then off on the Stagecoach 65 at 09.10 to Tideswell, an E200. About 45 minutes in Tideswell, a quiet but attractive village which I had been through but not stopped off at before. Similar to Eyam but without the historic interest and therefore fewer tourists. On with my first Hulleys bus, a Solo on the 173 to Castleton. I had intended only to go to Bradwell but since the 272 timetable had been changed to only serve this village on alternate journeys this didn't work out so I had a quick 10 minutes in Castleton. Then on First 272, a Streetlite, to Hathersage. Here there is a small open area in the village centre which has been commandeered by one of the eating places into an open air area and this was buzzing, while the other pubs were closed. A short trip on a Hulleys Versa on the 257 up to Ladybower Inn. Just 13 minutes to cross the road and wait here. The Ladybower Inn was also open and the bus stop has a good view over the reservoir although it is a shame there aren't stops down by the traffic lights you can change at. Bang on time, at 11.58, another Versa with leather seats pulled up on the X57. And so for my first time across the Snake Pass in a bus. There were 3 passengers already on board, a group of elderly men. Great views over the Ladybower Reservoir to start with and then over the hills as we climbed up. A twisty road with quite a bit of traffic, the bus was well able to keep up with the prevailing road speed and was almost tailgating cars for a while until we caught up with a lorry and slowed down. There are a number of more spectacular roads and the summit doesn't have the 'presence' of some but I can still thoroughly recommend it. The better views are generally on the south side of the road but the sun was high enough for this not to be a problem at midday, could be in winter though. The descent was probably steeper than the ascent and before I knew it we were in Glossop, where I alighted. The X57 to Sheffield was boarding across the road, it had two passengers on it and it looked like two more were joining. This was a Scania Omnicity, I hadn't realised that Hulleys had any of these but I would think this ideally suited to a route like this.
Glossop was busy with plenty of people sitting outside in the sunshine. From here I took the High Peak 61 (another Versa and another scenic section) to Hayfield for 20 minutes wandering round this pretty village, then a Stagecoach E400 on the 358 to New Mills, a Solo on the 60 to Newtown and then a Scania on the 199 to Hazel Grove. This was a surprise as I thought the route was all Citaros now, but it looked like one had been replaced by the Scania in the morning. This was about 5 minutes late, my only late bus of the day. Several people on this and the Citaro we passed headed towards Buxton just before Hazel Grove was full to standing. I suspect the 199 between Stockport and Whaley Bridge at least is quite remunerative. From Hazel Grove (nothing to see here) I took the Little Gem 391. This was a VDL SB180 / MCV Evolution, the first time I had been on one of these. Seemed a pretty competent bus as it made its very roundabout way around Poynton and surrounding rural areas. The middle of Poynton had a "shared space" area where right of way is given to whoever has the biggest manhood rather than any logic, which clearly left long queues if anyone timid approached. If this has improved things I hate to think what they were like before. The village centre here had lots of outside eating places, all busy. Eventually out into the countryside and then to Bollington. This is a village I didn't know but from a past life as a canal tripper was keen to stop and have a look. The canal soars over the village and was well worth a visit. Then on to Macclesfield on an Arriva Pulsar on the 10, here at the moment half the workings are effectively an extension of the 38 from Crewe and half a local Solo. Not long in Macclesfield and I got off near the bottom of the town centre. Several of Arriva's awful new 'bread vans' to be seen. Finally back to Buxton on a Solo on the glorious 58 across the Cat and Fiddle road with its fantastic views both sides.
Quite encouraged by the loadings. Most buses had at least a few people on board the whole time. Only on the 257 from Hathersage to Ladybower was I the only passenger. Three others on the 58 from Macclesfield all the way to Buxton. Several on the 391 from Hazel Grove round the various areas of Poynton but we were down to three after that. And busiest was the 199 between Newtown and Hazel Grove. All the connections worked like clockwork.
Back at Buxton at 6.00, then headed the same way home. Stopped off at a services for a KFC. Exhausted by the time I got home, about 16 hours out of the house but delighted to have been out - first trip for 7 months! Glorious day, a few fluffy clouds in the afternoon but not enough to spoil anything. Recommend!
By the way most of the above was written today, Friday, so 'yesterday' was Thursday - by merging the posts this has been lost.
I have now sorted out a more complete selection of photos from this trip. Hope it is OK to post these and not against forum rules.
Buxton
Tideswell
Castleton
Hathersage
Ladybower Reservoir
Snake Pass
Glossop
The road from Glossop to Hayfield
Hayfield
New Mills
Bollington
Macclesfield
Across the Cat and Fiddle road back to Buxton
I thought about going out on Monday as the weather forecast was good, but I wasn't organised enough. Thursday was my chance:
Alarm at 04.15, out of the house at 05.10, drove to Buxton. A rather tedious drive as virtually all of the last 55 miles is single carriageway with 50 limits and lots of lorries. Arrived at 8.30, coffee and a snack from Greggs and bought a sandwich for lunch. Then off on the Stagecoach 65 at 09.10 to Tideswell, an E200. About 45 minutes in Tideswell, a quiet but attractive village which I had been through but not stopped off at before. Similar to Eyam but without the historic interest and therefore fewer tourists. On with my first Hulleys bus, a Solo on the 173 to Castleton. I had intended only to go to Bradwell but since the 272 timetable had been changed to only serve this village on alternate journeys this didn't work out so I had a quick 10 minutes in Castleton. Then on First 272, a Streetlite, to Hathersage. Here there is a small open area in the village centre which has been commandeered by one of the eating places into an open air area and this was buzzing, while the other pubs were closed. A short trip on a Hulleys Versa on the 257 up to Ladybower Inn. Just 13 minutes to cross the road and wait here. The Ladybower Inn was also open and the bus stop has a good view over the reservoir although it is a shame there aren't stops down by the traffic lights you can change at. Bang on time, at 11.58, another Versa with leather seats pulled up on the X57. And so for my first time across the Snake Pass in a bus. There were 3 passengers already on board, a group of elderly men. Great views over the Ladybower Reservoir to start with and then over the hills as we climbed up. A twisty road with quite a bit of traffic, the bus was well able to keep up with the prevailing road speed and was almost tailgating cars for a while until we caught up with a lorry and slowed down. There are a number of more spectacular roads and the summit doesn't have the 'presence' of some but I can still thoroughly recommend it. The better views are generally on the south side of the road but the sun was high enough for this not to be a problem at midday, could be in winter though. The descent was probably steeper than the ascent and before I knew it we were in Glossop, where I alighted. The X57 to Sheffield was boarding across the road, it had two passengers on it and it looked like two more were joining. This was a Scania Omnicity, I hadn't realised that Hulleys had any of these but I would think this ideally suited to a route like this.
Glossop was busy with plenty of people sitting outside in the sunshine. From here I took the High Peak 61 (another Versa and another scenic section) to Hayfield for 20 minutes wandering round this pretty village, then a Stagecoach E400 on the 358 to New Mills, a Solo on the 60 to Newtown and then a Scania on the 199 to Hazel Grove. This was a surprise as I thought the route was all Citaros now, but it looked like one had been replaced by the Scania in the morning. This was about 5 minutes late, my only late bus of the day. Several people on this and the Citaro we passed headed towards Buxton just before Hazel Grove was full to standing. I suspect the 199 between Stockport and Whaley Bridge at least is quite remunerative. From Hazel Grove (nothing to see here) I took the Little Gem 391. This was a VDL SB180 / MCV Evolution, the first time I had been on one of these. Seemed a pretty competent bus as it made its very roundabout way around Poynton and surrounding rural areas. The middle of Poynton had a "shared space" area where right of way is given to whoever has the biggest manhood rather than any logic, which clearly left long queues if anyone timid approached. If this has improved things I hate to think what they were like before. The village centre here had lots of outside eating places, all busy. Eventually out into the countryside and then to Bollington. This is a village I didn't know but from a past life as a canal tripper was keen to stop and have a look. The canal soars over the village and was well worth a visit. Then on to Macclesfield on an Arriva Pulsar on the 10, here at the moment half the workings are effectively an extension of the 38 from Crewe and half a local Solo. Not long in Macclesfield and I got off near the bottom of the town centre. Several of Arriva's awful new 'bread vans' to be seen. Finally back to Buxton on a Solo on the glorious 58 across the Cat and Fiddle road with its fantastic views both sides.
Quite encouraged by the loadings. Most buses had at least a few people on board the whole time. Only on the 257 from Hathersage to Ladybower was I the only passenger. Three others on the 58 from Macclesfield all the way to Buxton. Several on the 391 from Hazel Grove round the various areas of Poynton but we were down to three after that. And busiest was the 199 between Newtown and Hazel Grove. All the connections worked like clockwork.
Back at Buxton at 6.00, then headed the same way home. Stopped off at a services for a KFC. Exhausted by the time I got home, about 16 hours out of the house but delighted to have been out - first trip for 7 months! Glorious day, a few fluffy clouds in the afternoon but not enough to spoil anything. Recommend!
By the way most of the above was written today, Friday, so 'yesterday' was Thursday - by merging the posts this has been lost.
I have now sorted out a more complete selection of photos from this trip. Hope it is OK to post these and not against forum rules.
Buxton
Tideswell
Castleton
Hathersage
Ladybower Reservoir
Snake Pass
Glossop
The road from Glossop to Hayfield
Hayfield
New Mills
Bollington
Macclesfield
Across the Cat and Fiddle road back to Buxton
Last edited:
- Status