Today was my first jolly around since moving. I really needed to study for 2 exams next week (audit and budgeting/costing - in case Mr Wazoo is interested/can offer any tips
), but instead went on a big trip whilst taking my books with me.
Started in Wells with the 10.30 126 where I bought a £10 day. It was 69445 and it was a lovely ride all the way to Weston - B7s are more than suited to 126 and the like and i'm very pleased (as I think are the drivers) that they stayed in Wells. 69445 flew up the A38 after Axbridge, proving just how powerful they are and how perfect they are for country work. On the way we saw 66936 and 69440, the latter being a bus that seems to be making a very regular appearance on 126. Got into Weston and saw the lovely 66726 (see the rubbish pics
)
Then it was to 21. The one that was waiting which was leaving about 10 mins late was 32859, so instead of having my backside broken to pieces, I went and had lunch and waited for the next 21. Whilst waiting saw 66726 again, 66723/5/7 and 66934 (I thought all 55 B7s in Weston were in Urban) on W7 and 44910, 44914/5 on W3. Then onto 21 and what came along 5 mins late - 61594. Horrible bus for passengers - if FSW is reading this, please either send this back to Glasgow or refurb the seats - the seats are awful. I had to sit on my coat for the whole journey, which is not nice. Mechanically the bus is fine - much the same as the other 02 stuff. Went all the way to Taunton on this. Not many people on at all - single deck is fine in winter. On the way saw 32844, 40591/3, 32817, 32930, 32874, 32843, 40585, 33382 all on 21/A. In Bridgwater saw 40588 and 40590 on 1 and 40594 on 14. Webberbus have now really got a stronghold in Bridgwater - is it now time that First withdraw from Bridgwater. Obviously 21 would still have to run (as it only just makes money), but split it at Bridgwater and run Taunton-Bridgwater from Taunton and Weston-Bridgwater from Weston. Then run X75 from Wells. No point anymore with the rest, as they've let Webbers take virtually everything there now. Ashame really.
In Taunton, First still have a good stronghold. Got in early and had a look around. Saw at the depot 32935, 33379, 48225, 55102 and 48234. At the bus station there was a stack of old rotting buses parked up - 40034, 42472, 43823, 50285, a Vario, 42252 and a Trident - obviously stuff they can't sell. All vehicles apart from 43823 have had their display boards taken out. On the road coming in/out I saw 47536/7 on P&R, 45111 (6), 44922 (5), 44923 (2), 43867 (5). In bus station saw a very busy 30 - full to the brim was 62183. That should be hourly and single deck is fine. 69013 on 28, 62245 coming in on 28, 48272 on 25, 40584 coming in on 25 and 40581 going out on 22A. So then caught 54 with a late 33381. Those really are lovely buses - a lot of bumps and a few odd rattles, but I had a very nice trip to Yeovil, especially with the sunlit views along the way. On the way saw 32954 coming in on 21, 48273 and 32936 on 54.
Got into Yeovil (it's looking even worse there now - loads more shops gone out of business, ashame) about 15 mins late. Had a look around and 60914 was waiting to go out on 377 without a driver at 16.45. Asked around to see if it broken down or not - even asked the office staff if it was going out, to the response of I expect so - helpful
Waited a few mins and gave up to have a look around. 42950 was waiting to go out on 58A, 53111 on 1, 53052 on 57, 53056 on 3, 53110 on 1, 42952 on 1 and 53611 was in bus station. 53057 is now in Urban and was in the bus station for a while til going out on 2. 69447 turned up on 377 and the break down truck turned up for 60914. Back on 377 on the way i saw 53614 on 1, we met 69446 just coming out of Kingsdon (stupid to have them meeting there and saw 60912 in Street on 377. Also saw 35166/7 on 376. Back in Wells 69443 and 69438 were in depot, with the solo dead at the back and 2 Streetdecks.
Overall a very nice day out, seen some lovely views and interesting things, but would have preferred a better vehicle on 21. And I still managed to do plenty of study!