Looking down on the City
The new board is taking off a storm! I'm kind of glad to be a part of it! Although I've been "helping out" with assorted smf technical issues (I've been running SMF boards of my own for well over a year, and helping with other boards for another year), and other permissions issues etc., I will be "taking part" soon enough! They all appear to be having fun, and with up to 200 new posts to read a day, there's plenty for everyone. They've also started a "blogs" board, for those members to explain what they are doing in their own life. Seems to be a good idea, might try it on my own.
Today was also an early start, but today was slightly more sane! Visit to Dundee City Council (floor 16 IIRC, which is near the top of Tayside House - hence the title!), as they'd asked me to take a critical eye over their route map and stop plans for the city centre bus stop boards. Turns out there will be a conference coming to the city, and they don't want all the other council area officials (those who didn't get so much money in the handouts!) picking holes in their work! Then the day job, and then home, and then more smf help!
Shattered!
One of the jobs I couldn't do yesterday became today, so Dundee - Dunfermline and back before going to the day job! I was shattered by the end, but not lost out. Only thing was, bus was late due to roadworks on the way up to the Forth Road Bridge, so I was 15 mins late for the day job. I am really worn out right now - combination of (some of) the pills, the extra work, and other committments lately.
Remember my musings from Monday? Said "friend" has now told at least two friends of mine that I'd told him (the complete opposite of what I actually did) ! This is what I can't take - stirring up further trouble, just to get attention. It's harsh, I know, but it's true. I didn't create this situation, and now I'm trying to get out of it, I'm still being attempted to be strung along. His text messages are now getting a lot more agressive, claiming "i'm calling the f*****g shots" etc. From now on, I'm not reading them, and I will delete them on sight. Will save me from any more harassement.
Genetic theme again
I was up late through the night with friends, thankfully for “pleasant” reasons. I mentioned (yesterday) that I’d assisted a friend with setting up a new forum board for herself and her friends – well, until 0330 – my time! It's up and running, and all the members are happy in their new board (100 different sub-boards too!) quite happy. One of the members I'd known before, but I'd not spoken to in a couple of years. She saw my avatar that I used on the last board that I saw her on, and recognised me, after all this time! How cool is that? Maybe not so. With a picture like that (which incidentally, I "borrowed" from HotOrNot.com), no-one could forget that face. Except, in the interim, she's been suffering really bad with her head, even though she’s only 22. That kind of reminds you how short life is, and it would come back again today as a “theme”.
I don't work at the call centre on Tuesdays, but I had some shopping visits to do. One was closed... but not that far away. The weird thing was, the phone number on the paperwork was for somewhere in the north of England, and the phone number above the door was just ringing out! A few pictures were taken today, and I then headed for Ninewells Hospital, for my 2nd speech therapy appointment at Ninewells Hospital.
Remember what I said about life being too short? Well I knew that today, my sister (Ruth - see her two links on the right) was having her genetic test results today for Huntingdon's. As I was leaving around 1500, she came up and tapped me on the shoulder. She was going in with her new boyfriend (Kris) for the test results. When I was on the bus to town, got a text from her saying she ”good news". This means she's in the clear. Good news for her (and my brother, who was done some time ago). They can now get back to what they wanted (my sister has a new job starting tomorrow). My life remains as it is. All what happens next year (2007/2008) will eventually be futile when I'm not able to fend for myself in years to come. Thankfully that time is a long time away, and there is still hope. It did leave me feeling "on a limb" as it were, but I'm over it. I was happy for her, and my brother. Seems like they got most of the health, and I haven't!
Spoke to my special someone, a very special and cuddly guy, who talked me back into smiling, and told me to go for a nap with some chocolate... and it helped! Jay, as ever, you’ve been wonderful!
I got up again, after my nap (Jay had headed off after his work!), about the back of eight. I’d logged in to help, and it’s been another long one in helping all the friends, and friends of friends (well, they are all certainly friends now!) get logged into the new forum.
This day was good, overall – would have been better if I’d not had a slight emotional dip, but I’m over it now. Everything else was good!
Totally contrasting "friends"
Bank holiday Monday for most, but I was working. Thankfully, after previous incidents...
My friend who had been constantly accusing me of doubting him is back on the same trail again, so I sent him a text (before work) saying I’d keep my information to myself… which was intended as a bit of a “lay off” message. I’ve really not got the time to spend 3-4 hours at a time, listening to him repeating himself, when I know I’ve not done anything wrong! When I turned my mobile phone back on after work – eight text messages accusing me of everything under the sun, and a sweary voicemail (which actually filled my voicemail box, as it was the 10th)! I’ve tried to help him, I’ve tried to support him, and now he’s trying to stir it all up again. Sorry, but my life is going to be short enough as it is, I’m going to leave him and let him live his own life from now. I rarely do this, but after many years of getting similar things, I’d rather not.
Another friend of mine was interested in setting up a new forum board - similar to those I've setup myself. To avoid her splashing out until they decide how they like it, I've given them some of my excess server space, and I was up late helping her set it up. They seem to like it so far.
Sunday In Perth
I was through in Perth for the day – with the intent on touring as well as shopping. Whilst there I got a text message to inform me that a good friend called Ron Doig had died - we knew it was coming because the poor old guy had been this way for a while. He was 77.
Today was the last Sunday of the Perth Vintage Vehicle Tour, but it is also running for one day tomorrow i.e. Monday 28th, for the bank holiday weekend. Since the Routemaster (EDS 50A) arrived at Perth, they’ve stuck with that for what turned out to be the rest of the season. You can see all the pictures here, from the last Sunday in service this year.
Then, I had the chance to do some things I’ve not done before. I’ve always admired Diamond Geezer’s ramblings through various parts of mostly East London, explaining what he sees through researched articles and pictures. Perth must be (after London) the place I’ve spent most time, passed through most often – after Dundee of course. I’d passed Branklyn Gardens, Moncrieffe Island and Barnhill Toll many hundreds of times (remember I used to work in Perth for several months 1998-1999), and I’d only just noticed on a recent trip all the lettering on the side of the old toll booth is still visibile – I will go back to that another day. There are is also a lot of walking potential around the Hill, but again that too can be for another day.
I had a look into Branklyn Garden (see this picture, and subsequent shots). When the woman serving on the counter asked if I’d been before, I explained that I had not, but passed it many times! She said she’d been told this from lots of visitors, who see the signs, but never get the chance to go in. (This is where stopping buses prove more useful than non-stop, in my case, but there is a car park for other visitors). Lots of stuff I’d never seen before, and we are just feet away from the main Dundee Road. I left the Gardens, crossed over Dundee Road, and pointed myself facing towards Bridgend/the north. The sign shows the location of the footbridge which runs from Dundee Road (beside the former Hillside Hospital , and then comes to an “abrupt” end. You then turn a sharp right past the signage, and then join an iron footbridge which is part of the railway line. This is the first part of the view upriver, and then (in the next picture) you can see the footbridge as I can . The church in the background will be passed later. As you start walking across the iron bridge, you can see a “pink house” further up from the old hospital. You then make it halfway, with a set of stairs for those going to/from Moncreiffe Island and golf course - not the scheme to which buses 5 & 6 operate…
As you walk over the bridge over the second part of the Tay, you can look south towards the “roundhouse” (the old tourist information centre in the mid 1980’s), and look towards Perth and the Queen's Bridge. There is also a south-east look, looking back towards the golf course. As you make it closer to the end of the bridge, you then can see Tay Street and the churches, you then come down a set of steps, onto Tay Street itself.
After a few moments pause on one of the benches (I’m sure there was one, or was it a ledge?) on the side of Tay Street, I headed northwards to the lights looking towards the Queens Bridge (this is the one for buses back to Dundee, Aberdeen and Blairgowrie), I then did a bit more exploring on foot, via Canal Street, Fleshervennell?, Watergate past the McEwans stores, before walking along the High Street end-to-end almost, down New Row, and into Leonard Street for the Bus Station. Then headed for home.
Around & About
Today’s trip never saw a lot of pictures, but was busy enough! MAN 22402 on the 99B from Dundee to Guardbridge, Volvo coach P568 MSX on the X24 from Guardbridge to Glenrothes, Mercedes 40472 on the 40 from Glenrothes via Woodside to Coaltown Of Balgonie, then Moffat & Williamson’s ex MTL/Metroline MAN/Optare Vecta N702 FLN – bit a retro moment, on the 2 back via Eastfield to Glenrothes, and then back to Stagecoach with Volvo 52478 on the X54 from Glenrothes to Dunfermline, Dart 34725 on the 78 from Dunfermline to Stirling (now with Route 78 branding), then Volvo 20173 on the 47 from Stirling to Crieff, Olympian 14706 on the 15 from Crieff to Perth, then Strathtay Dart 33267 (ex 317) on the 16 from Perth to Dundee.
Ninewells Again
Coming back to do the same things, in many different locations, can sometimes lead to a deja-vu experience. When I was much younger (4 I think) I was referred to the speech therapy unit at Dundee Royal Infirmary (as it was then) - subsequently I was found "tounge-tied", and I then had my tonsils removed (when I was 7 I think). Subsequent changes to realign my body with my mind have resulted in this referral from Sandyford to Speech Therapy at Ninewells, but there has also been an interesting twist while I've been waiting the few weeks that I was. That twist was, my voice has been intermittently cutting out on calls at work, and when speaking. The new starts that I've had on have also noticed this, and the customers. So, this was all kind of well timed... It's going to be another series of appointments over the next few weeks, and I am going to try and get them all on Tuesdays (or Monday/Wednesday mornings where possibile) to avoid clashing with work. As Ninewells is just around the corner from the Tech Park, not a lot lost. We've got quite a lot to cover, so I will post how we get along over the coming weeks and months. Came back to town via the Perth Road, getting a Strathtay bus (with another Forum member conducting!) to Perth Road, walking to Riverside, then getting the 72 into town.
Lathalmond Weekend - Part Two
Pictures from the second day of this year's event can be found here.
Lathalmond Weekend - Part One
Pictures from the first day of this year's event can be found here.
A to P via D
I went back for another shot of The Round O today, and a few other things besides. Bought another £30 weekly SuperMegaRider this week, given the large number of out of town trips that I have coming up!
Took former 715 on the 39 from Dundee to Arbroath, then Volvo 16934 on the 73A/41 from Arbroath Bus Station to Warddykes, then Warddykes to Arbroath Bus Station, then it changes to a 73 Ninewells Hospital, and I got off at Timmergreens Shops - enabling me to snap this Dart eeking out from Charles Avenue. I then got former 704 back to Dundee via Carnoustie on the 73A - which I had snapped in Dundee three hours earlier when it did the last trip of the same!
I then headed home briefly, before heading back out for Perth. Former 423 (and in even older money, ST23, plus all the Kelvin/Central numbers before that!) took me on the 54 from Dundee to Perth, before it continued from Perth to Invergowrie as a 54A. I pointed out to the driver that we had an asleep passenger on the back seat... wonder what the kids of Perth Academy would have made if they ran up the back of the bus and found him asleep? Given the litter that gets left behind on that run (the bus then works the 1710 76 from Tech Park back to town, so I've seen it before), it's probably just as well. Told the driver just before he went off, and he made a note to go wake him up! Some time around the town, before I headed up to Perth Broxden on RBY of Smith & Sons, RBX on the way back, and then I got off adjacent to the Bus Station, allowing me to take Solo 251 on the 54X back to Dundee. Despite the weather, I enjoyed the trip - see pictures here!
On another note - said friend appears to have made up. It's the Lathalmond weekend tommorrow... so no doubt I'd have bumped into him anyway. We shall see if it lasts... I'd like it to, but for reasons I will explain later, I have my doubts.
100 journeys in 16 days
Nothing really exciting to talk about today, at work. Overtime is now at double time, to cope with a slower new system, which I've still not been trained on, because every time the training starts, the system crashes on us! Anyway, that's by the by. Once I calculated the trips, I realised that tonight's ride back from work to town (on an Strathtay Dundee depot Solo that I forgot to log) was trip/ride number 100 of the month, in just 16 days. I knew this double-work would get me out and about, but... it's all good.
The Round O & Travel Wishart - Your New Look Arbroath
Yesterday's changes included the relaunch of Strathtay's Arbroath Town network - the 41-45 - as The Round O (see last week if you need the explanation of the name!), and new Service 35. This also was the date of the new tenders on selected evening, Sunday, Saturday morning services, and it also marks Travel Dundee's Angus outpost (Travel Wishart) winning Services 37, 46, 49, 50 (which require two buses - well, one and a bit buses, for most of the day).... In time for The Round O launch and marketing campaign, Strathtay now finally have a website!
Firstly, I took former 713 on the 39 from Dundee to Arbroath, then I got to the Bus Station. This is the offside of a "RoundO" Dart - as you can see, standard Stagecoach livery, and a "blob" in almost identical a location to the blob on the Fife express coaches, just at a higher angle. The roof route branding reads "Timmergreens . Warddykes . Kirkton . Cliffburn", with a "blob" on the front, and another on the back window, with stick map.
I then went around to the Morrisons store, to snap up one of Travel Wishart's (ex-Travel London from the C1) Optare Solo's on the 46, which was due (no sign of JP's 53 all day, and it should have been in the store just before this was. Guess the summer has ended early?) As you can see, S233 EWU (ex London 233) is in the 90-degree-angle version of Travel West Midlands/Dundee livery, and the bus has an orange LED display. The driver slowed down quite well when he saw the camera, but there is an adjacent Stagecoach Strathtay advertising board for The Round O - can someone snap a Wisharts bus passing it? As I hinted at briefly, yesterday Strathtay introduced a new Service 35, linking Arbroath bus station, the waterfront (back via Millgate Loan), past the Red Lion, Westway, and into Hospitalfield. The bus is timed to be worked off the 27 (Arbroath - Forfar - Kirriemuir) most of the time (2/3 Forfar, 1/3 Arbroath), which is similar to what some journeys on the 50 done before. As a result, the 35 now leaves at almost exactly the same time as the 50, and the digital display buses (Darts, Volvo's etc.) show Hospitalfield/via Red Lion 35. The journey I was sampling was the 1256 from the Bus Station. That arriving 27 carries onto the Bingo, so Arbroath depot supplied a minibus for this one rounder. The bus was 42231, which displayed Red Lion Caravan Park 35 - with the driver specifically winding past Hospitalfield ! In addition to myself, a handful of other passengers were picked up, and when we got to the Dundee Road opposite the Red Lion, driver told the passengers that this was as far as they went i.e. not turning into the caravan park, but the bus would on the way back. He continued to explain it was a "new idea they've had" and made no comment about the company losing the gig for the 50 in the first place... I was the only one up to Hospitalfield (that may change if/when the Asda store opens at Westway), and the only one back. Roadworks on Westway held up the bus considerably. Ironically, any other hour, I wouldn't need to worry about missing the connection, because I was going for the 27! We did make it back to the bus station in enough time.
Before I left the bus station, I took this back end shot to illustrate the rear & nearside of The Round O promotional lettering. I then carried on to Kirriemuir on the second last through 27 of the day, on 21046 (former 606). Another one that I'd often passed when in Kirriemuir was Barrie's Birthplace - a small house on the Brechin Road, where JM Barrie lived when young, and what gave him the inspiration for stories about boys who never grew up, etc. As it's a residential area, photography inside is limited, but it's worth going in for a nosey one day, if you've never been before (watch out for the local cat, which seems to like coming in free for a lie-down!) See the official NTS page here.
After that, I took former 952 on the 20A from Kirriemuir to Dundee, then Dart 317 on the 16 to Perth Road (picking up the balance of my prescriptions from the end of last week), then 16935 on the 73 to Ninewells Hospital. I killed some time up there with pictures, before carrying on into the evening with a Travel Dundee evening saver (after 6pm) in which I took Volvo 62 on the 1807 14 from Ninewells to Kingsway West Retail Park. There, I saw two Bova coaches from Smith & Sons on farm worker contract hires (to take them to/from the superstores). Then I took similar 61 on the 14 to Kingsway Fire Station, before walking down Strips of Craigie Road (sending texts to someone who still isn't listening - see Saturday's post!) to Broughty Ferry Road, getting 47224 on Strathtay's 75 to Broughty Ferry (same driver who had me on the 16 earlier on!), then a Travel Dundee Gemini on the 10 to Barnhill, and another Travel Dundee Volvo single back to Dundee City Centre on the 9.
Medipark
Last Thursday, I mentioned about the building work at the side of Ninewells Hospital. Despite this, the "bottom" bit of the new bus link road through the Medipark has been suitable for use for a few weeks. Strathtay's 76 (most journeys) have been registered to run via Medipark once the road was usable, so Dundee City Council and Strathtay settled on the date of today - 14th August. The main thing for me is that the bus no longer has to cross the dual carriageway as often as it did before - as it had to come out of Perth Road onto Riverside Avenue (dual-carrigeway) , into Apollo Way, turn, back to Riverside Avenue, then turn into Invergowrie Main Street, and reverse in return. See how long before a bus gets stuck on the bollard...
Saturday at work
Work today... there is a friend of mine who is currently stirring up trouble, claiming that I'd not believed him etc. on a number of (in the greater sphere of life) minor issues. I've tried to explain some recent things many times over, but to no avail. Never mind, onto work and back home again... interestingly, I was off the previous two Saturdays, and I will be off again next weekend for the Lathalmond weekend!
Another trip
... and including quite a wide area too! From Dundee to Perth on Stagecoach Perth 20173 on the 16, then Stagecoach Fife MAN 22350 on the 56 from Perth to Kelty, changing onto Volvo 20325 on the 55 to Dunfermline.
To kill some time before the next leg, I stayed on the 55 through to Ferrytoll Park & Ride, and saw some tourist signage round the back that I'd never seen before! I then took Solo 47368 on the 84 from Ferrytoll to Dunfermline, then 52285 on the X24 from Dunfermline to Cumbernauld.
In one of the shops in the centre, I came across a kids "toy" bus for £3 that was in the same blue/yellow livery as the First A10 buses from Heathrow to Uxbridge - called A23 - and titled "London Buslines" - ironic as it was Buslines that won the contract back in the day, but by that time, they'd been taken over by Centrewest, and with Uxbridge depot at one end of the route, chose to run it from there instead of Southall. Close enough to do for me!
Then, 52367 on the X24 from Cumbernauld to Guardbridge, and MAN 22403 on the 96 to Dundee (I missed the 99A by a few moments). See all the pictures here.
Thursday at the Doctors...
... it's another "all day every day" week - and it's going to be like that for a while yet!
My doctor's surgery has recently merged with it's other half (it used to be three thirds) - into one, Westgate Medical Practice. On the first occasion I called about getting an appointment, I was told that all the systems were down, and that they didn't have anything until next week anyway. I then tried another time, returning their call (as I was asked to on my voicemail), and was told "oh, whoever was trying to tet you will call you back" - despite it being a few days later! Then, I got the usual circular letter (turns out they had sent out 200+) and got offered one in a month. I asked for a more general appointment, and got one this morning. Remember back to July, when John at Sandyford was writing to my GP re the prescription of the anti-androgens (and of course being me, I couldn't recall what they were called). Well, after discussion, finally got the script, along with a few other things I needed. Cyproterone Acetate (50mg) it's called, and comes with a list of side-effects only one-third the length of the Premarin (estrogen).
When up at Ninewells, got a picture of the work going on to create/extend the "neuclear bunker" at the side of Ninewells Hospital. This is the work that is preventing bus services 13/14 from passing this location, as well as preventing access to the Accident & Emergency department from Charleston Drive. I now understand (as it has just started) that this work will carry on for up to this time next year...
Then, into Perth Road (chemist) then to work, then home. Tommorrow will be a bit more fun.
Wednesday Out & About
No shops this morning, just a scoot around Angus before the service changes on the 14th. From Dundee, I took Strathtay 21047 (or old 607) on the 39 from Dundee to Arbroath. Arbroath Bus Station had their "The Round O" promotional screen out... now, since I mentioned "The Round O", a lot of you have been asking - mostly non-locals - about where the name came from. Well, it referrs to the location of one of the most prominent occasions in Scottish history, where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320, when Scotland swore independence from England - Arbroath Abbey. According to the Wiki, "The distinctive round window high in the south transept was originally lit up at night as a beacon for mariners. It is known locally as the 'Round O', and from this tradition inhabitants of Arbroath are colloquially known as 'Reid Lichties' (Scots reid = red)." This latter knickname is/was also used for Arbroath FC at one point. So, now you know.
I then took 21048 on the 27 to Forfar, 21127 (old 610) on the 20B back to Dundee, old 610 on the 76 to work, then former 302 on the last 76 back to Dundee City Centre.
Tuesday at hospital, and beyond
This afternoon, I had an appointment at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee (i.e. less than four miles from home, in comparison to some!) - at the "Clinical Health Phsych...." oh **** it I can't spell it, but you get the idea. This had been requested way back in March 2005 by Professor Mizra from Carswell House (east side of Glasgow), and is a kind of pschometric testing. It also involved me explaining how I felt on a number of things, including my own feelings, work, love, job, the lot. It all went well, and nothing particularly alarming was seen.
Getting to Ninewells, I had Strathtay 47260 on the 72. After that, had the rest of the afternoon.evening, so took 16926 on the 75A to the Perth Road, 33266 on the 16 to Perth city centre, then a look around Perth, Stagecoach Perth Solo 47226 the long way round on the 10 to St Cathrine's Retail Park, had a look around the shops, walked back to York Place, then went home the "long way" i.e. via Blairgowrie. The 1905 departure from Perth changes buses at Blairgowrie, so the driver going off takes the double decker - in this case, Volvo Olympian 16816 (or old 962) - back to the depot. The driver running on takes a minibus - Optare Solo 47253 (or old 253) onto Dundee. You can see all the bus pictures here.
Thoughts of the day - the appointment went well, and the rest of the afternoon (despite being very wet!) was a nice way to finish the day.
Back to work...
... today. Not a lot else to say... not much to look forward to now :-(
Day 10 - St Andrews and back via Glenrothes
For the last day of my holiday, I had a slightly different trip to St Andrews. It's the first day of the Lammas Fair, it's the weekend of a battle re-enactment at St Andrews Castle, and it is also a chance to see some of the St Andrews Stagecoach fleet parked up at Petheram Bridge. Because of the reconstruction work at the Bus Station, some buses stay overnight at the car park, and on Sundays when less buses are needed, they can park there all day.Started off with MAN 22400 on the 99A from Dundee to the back of St Andrews bus station - to the temporary stance for "town services" i.e. 91 Scooniehill Circular, 92 to David Russell Hall, as well as 99/99A around Bogward & David Russell Hall, and 99B to John Knox Road. I had a look around the town. It was the first time I'd been into St Andrews Castle, and there was quite a lot to see, especially looking out onto the shore and beyond! Said society had a personalised trailer, and had chosen to act out a different scneario every hour from 1200 to 1500. The latter was titled "Capture The Bishop" with the description "Angered by Lamberton's support for the Bruce, Edward orders that he be captured and brought before him in chains. Expecting this, the scots have a small force ready to protect the bishop. Let battle comence!" These pictures probably would have been better if I had a working zoom on the camera - there are more on the Fotopic if you want them. Before taking the "long way" home, I had a look at Petherham Bridge, to have a look at some Stagecoach buses parked up there when spare. As I said above, on Sundays, they are not needed, so can be snapped up in daylight. Pictures start here. I then took Volvo coach 52476 on the X24, then similar 52481 on the X54 from Glenrothes back to Dundee.When I got home, I started clicking on links, and I found Waiting For Lunchtime - The Tube Quiz. It's a quiz that you can fill in, if you think you can remember every London Underground station, on the right lines, in the correct order. I was able to do the Piccadilly Line quite well, some other outer and central bits, but a few that I got wrong were plain "silly". I will remember them now, of course! Thanks to Iain for supplying that one.Now, back to work tommorrow!
Day 9 – Lunan Bay, Montrose, Dundee, Glenrothes, Glasgow, Dunfermline
This day goes without illustrations. Part one saw me left the camera at home – so a plan to carry on up the coast was turned back on. Part two saw me with camera, but no memory card – not that there was a lot of difference to previous trips. I’d bought another £30 Stagecoach weekly Super MegaRider, on the basis of a day off today, visits over the next few days, and work. At less than a fiver a day, it works out cheap for regular users. But, at the price, it’s still a snip for infrequent users. Why? Let me explain. I count up the number of trips etc. that I would need to make. A Single Dundee – Glasgow (via Fife) is £7.00, or £9.00 for a Return. The one day Super DayRider is priced at £10.00. Allowing £10.00 for each trip out of Dundee, or £5.80 for those days I only have to use Strathtay buses, even 3 trips can work out at a saving, once you add trips to the day job, doctors and medical appointments, shop trips (even just flagging down the 72 to take you from Riverside to the bus station is around 60p single). It’s now £1.15 single to/from work. I’ll let you work it out, but suffice to say, even working for 34 hours a week, this ticket still makes me a saving. Plus if there is any week where I’m not going out of town too often, may be cheaper with a Tay MegaRider (£6.90 for the rest of this month, £9.90 thereafter), and then pay single trips/day tickets as required.
Anyway, I digress. Today, I started very early with Volvo Olympian 952 of Strathtay, on Service 20A to Kirriemuir, but I got off at Forfar. I then took Service 116 from Forfar to Montrose via Froickheim, Inverkeilor and Lunan Bay, and into Montrose, and as ever, Optare MetroRider 47939 (ex 218) was used. The same bus then continues to do Service 52, so I took one round trip to Charleton Place/Forties Road, and then back to Montrose High Street. After breakfast at Roadrunners, took 21047 (was 607) on the 39 from Montrose to Dundee. As you can see, I am trying to use new Strathtay numbers where possible – but as most of the Dundee fleet still has to be done, I may frequently fail.
I then got back into Dundee, headed home briefly, and back out again. Took Volvo PS type 20335 on the X54 Saturday extras (driver never seen a Strathtay issued Super MegaRider before!) from Dundee to Glenrothes, then Volvo interurban coach 52365 on X24 from Glenrothes to Glasgow, had a quick look around and food, before heading back on 52458 on the X26 from Glasgow to Dunfermline, then 52479 on the X54 from Dunfermline to Dundee.
Day 8 – Dundee City Centre
A quiet day around town, although I went into the city centre & Bus Station for a bit, mid-late afternoon. You can see the bus pics here!
Day 7 - Brechin, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, Inverurie, Ellon, Fraserburgh & Perterhead, then back via Montrose
There were two possible names for this trip, both based on the locality – Doric The Explorer, or Another Buchan Wet Day. In the end, it dried up a bit (against yesterday), so I decided to go for the former!
Started a litte later than I wanted to, but was still able to get to Brechin in time for 0930! Left Dundee at 0800 using Olympian 953 on the 20A to Forfar, then Olympian 902 on the 21A to Brechin. This bus seems to have past its best a little, but it still managed to get us to Brechin a few minutes early, despite being a few minutes down in leaving!
The Super Day/MegaRider covers me as far as the Angus/Aberdeenshire boundary, but the way I’d got this trip worked, all four times I was crossing the boundary, it would be on a Stagecoach Bluebird bus, with their Explorer ticket at £12.00 being heavily bashed through the day!
The “Explorer” part of the trip started at Brechin, using 20704 on the 24 to Stonehaven, Service 24 needs no more than a minibus, except for school runs, but Bluebird seem to use the big bus throughout. The Summer 2006 Aberdeen digital blind set misses out the N In LaureNcekirk on the "via" point of Serrvice 24. MAN 22360 took me on the 117 (via Altens variation) to Aberdeen. A few sights and snaps around town, before getting coach 52235 on the 737 to Inverurie via Aberdeen Airport. My first trip to Inverurie itself – think I passed through it once – and a variety of sights to see, including Bain’s unusual BMC Turkish built single deck buses SV06ESG (on the 240, but with 777 branding), and similar SV06ESN (I forget what this was on, as the blinds had blanked), before I took Dart 34738 on the 493 from Inverurie to Ellon Park & Ride. This location is just outside of Ellon itself, and is served quite frequently by buses to/from Aberdeen, Aberdeen Airport, and beyond.
I had a while to wait for the bus to Fraserburgh (believe it or not, going via Peterhead would have taken even longer, i.e. going the opposite of the way I am currently). I got Volvo 53216 on the 267 from Ellon to Fraserburgh. After some time around the town, proceeded on Service 269, using Volvo Olympian 16248 from Fraserburgh to Peterhead. A few moments here, before Volvo coach 53202 took me back to Aberdeen on the 263 via Cruden Bay (260 runs via Ellon).
I then had time for tea in Aberdeen - albeit only just. I was crossing Aberdeen Union Street just in time to see a MAN single decker, with Coastliner branding, stopping in my stop. I jumped on it... when we got to Portlethen, I realised it was a slightly late running X7 instead... bus 22361 took me to Stonehaven. No harm done, as i got to Stonehaven in pletny of time (even more so) for the Montrose conneciton. You see, this is when route branding can be bad for you!
This then connected with Solo 47215 on Service 117 to Montrose. The minibus runs on the 108 Stonehaven Town Service until early evening, and then does some 117 runs. Because of the new (slightly time wasting IMHO) route out of Stonehaven, each evening rounder to Montrose has to be ran by a different bus... so the Solo does the 1925 then the 2225 as far down as it goes - Johnshaven Mon-Thursday, or Montrose Friday, then light back to Stonehaven. The town loop does not really need to be done by two buses in convoy, and if it wasn't, you'd have easier connections to/from Arbroath/Dundee, and you could use just the one minibus south of Stonehaven most of the night - save the MAN's from being wasted! (all assumptions based on current timetables!)
As I hinted at above, the journeys no longer connect easily with the Dundee buses. So, what else to do? Well, 20704 was sitting at the side of Montrose Station, ready to do the 2020 9 to Laurencekirk, and back as an 8. I had of course, been on this bus earlier in the day on the 24. After the bus is finished the 24 at Lauencekirk at 1845, it seems to then run dead to Montrose, do the rounder on the 8/9 (well, more like the 9/8), and then do a 107/117 back to Stonehaven up the coast. On Mondays to Thursdays, this is the last bus of the night to the points in Aberdeenshire i.e. Marykirk and Laurencekirk, but there are later buses on the 47 which extend to Craigo Village. As you can see on the picture, the new blind set also misses out the N In LaureNcekirk too - as well as showing both an 8 and a 9, i.e. "8/9". For those not sure why there are numbers in each direction... when Nicoll's started the 8/9 in 2000, their transport manager was the now-deceased Harry Thompson, who used to be traffic manager at Tayside Buses, and an inspector with Tayside Regional Council. In the older days, Dundee bus numbers depended on where the bus was going i.e. 26 to Douglas, 28/29 to Charleston, and 30 if the bus ended in town(or in even more years gone by, the 31-40 Fintry group). It was hinted at the time that this was the reason, although no official confirmation was given. So, now you know.
We left with half a dozen passengers or so, half getting off within Angus (the service is financially supported by Aberdeenshire Council). Daytime buses running north only double-run into Craigo Village by request (and we had three getting off there), but this was tendered to go in both ways. Probably just as well rather than try to explain to the "EU National pf Polish origin" who was driving, who's English appeared to be a little broken. He did get all the fares right, though - but as there are only seven fare stages on the Bluebird journeys (Laurencekirk, First Mile Stone, Dykelands, Marykirk, Craigo, Hillside, Montrose) then it's easier. He was ok about me heading back into Montrose on the same bus, but I did try explaining it a few times - then he got it! We left Laurencekirk, and as usual, allowed all the traffic to pass before you make your way form the central reservation, then you go carefully over all thre lanes and on the road to Mayrkirk. Except, not this time. We waited until just before the truck was due to meet us, and we swerved in front of it across all three lanes of traffic at speed! (I mentioned it because I did seventeen journeys in one day, and it was the only bit of bad driving!)
We picked up a passenger at Marykirk I think, before we headed for Craigo, and onto Montrose. We almost turned into Ben More Avenue (Borrowfield) before I pointed out that Newhame Road is actually next right... I bet someone told him "second on the right" and in fact, there is a farm dirt track to contend with as well. But, no harm done, and we didn't enter Ben More Avenue (probably just as well as it will soon be one of the few streets in Borrowfield without a bus - don't want to give anyone any ideas!) We made it in a moment or two late, and I had another 59 minutes or so before the next Dundee bus. I therefore had a go on Strathtay MetroRider 148 - now at Montrose - from Montrose High Street to Ferryden, then Sunnyside Hospital, then back to Montrose High Street. I then got the 2210 40A back to Dundee, with Strathtay Olympian 919.
That was a very long, but very enjoyable, day out!
Day 6 - Levenmouth, Fife Coast, Central Fife, and back via Stirling & Crieff
This was a very wet and dull day throughout, so not a lot of pictures! On the way to the Bus Station, I saw two monkeys hanging off the back of the bin truck! Started the day with the same driver as yesterday this time with 22401 on the same 99 journey. No questions this time, which was good! After I got into St Andrews, got the first of the new timetables, before continuing on 52459 on the X60 to Leven Bus Station, then new 47301 on the 13 to Aberhill Depot (where I managed to get some new 747 timetables – Inverkething to Edinburgh Airport!), then 16084 on the 50 back to Leven, 18099 on the 7 to Lower Methil where I almost get lost, but get the next 7 with 18095 all the way through Kirkcaldy to Burntisland. I then get 18090 on the 7 to Kirkcaldy, this one I’d actually snapped up at Leven on it’s way west!
Volvo Olympian 16161 on the 34, took me from Kirkcaldy bus station to Lochgelly Station, then 22252 on the 19 to Lochgelly town, then 22278 on the 19 to Dunfermline bus station (19 drivers seem to have something about this ticket, but Cowdenbeath drivers do work the 56 to Perth, so the sight of Strathtay tickets could be more common!), then I go back to Dunfermline bus station for some of the rest of the new stuff (they’d just been delivered when I stopped yesterday!), 34730 on the 78 to Stirling Bus Station, then Volvo 20861 on the 47 to Crieff, then 20111 on the 15 to Perth (I was on that on Sunday too!), and then Strathtay 259 on the 16 back to Dundee.
Day 5 – St Andrews, Cupar, Dunfermline, Crombie, Abbeyview, Edinburgh
Do you remember when 1st of August was the day when all the new vehicles went on the road? For now, it’s March & September each year, but most recently it was August. In any case, two new Darts, and at least one Solo were spotted today!
Started at the bus station, and ticket was shown to the driver of 22407 on the 99. Drivers refused to believe it were valid, despite the fact that their own ticket of the same name, same price etc. has been on sale since 2002! So, he went off to check with the Strathtay stance inspector, who advised that yes, this was legit enough. Into St Andrews, and back out on Mercedes 40642 on the 64B to Letham, and I was going as far as Cupar.
Whilst waiting in Cupar for the X24, SP 06 FND, a new slim Optare Solo for the 68, was spotted first day out. Interestingly, discussion on DABF showed that the fleetnumber, 47368, has been applied incorrectly. Volvo 52354 on the X24 took me from Cupar to Dunfermline, where I found new Dart 36101 (SP 06 FMY) was on the 78’s, as was 36102, which I did not picture. One of the DAF/Optare Delta training buses was spotted in Dunfermline bus station.
I then took Volvo Olympian 16163 on the (late-running) 76 to Crombie. New driver had to ask for help with the ticket to his colleague, who did quite well to explain that it was ok, and we carried on. We got into Crombie a little late, and I wanted to get the 82, so I got off at the top of Ordnance Road, and waited for the 82 coming out. I needn’t have worried, as it was running sharp too! – 34726 which was D5/D6 branded, but on the 82. 16163 came back out, allowing a picture, before the 82 followed it soon after. The driver, amongst others, had a Subway promotional ticket roll in his machine, but the paper was much thicker than usual, meaning most tickets got jammed in the guillotine.
When I got back to Dunfermline bus station, I progressed to James Street, and then took 33415 on the D7 to Abbeyview, before taking Solo 47230 on the D6 (driver wasn’t sure of the ticket either!) back to St Leonards Street, still with part of the 78 branding on the windows! I then got Volvo 20336 on the 55 into Edinburgh.
As we progressed towards Edinburgh, there was news of an accident on the Forth Road Bridge, and there was a lot of slow moving traffic around – which proves the value of having all-day bus lanes around Ferrytoll! What confused me even more was the sight of a Volvo Olympian 16157 on the X59/X60, going UP Inverkething Hill Street as we were coming down… there is a low bridge, but it did make me wonder where he was going! As I found out later (thanks to the driver also being a DABF member!) that the bus was going the route to avoid the low bridge, and the “delay” was actually just slow moving traffic, it seemed to be cleared! Got a pic of it in Princes Street, just to show that it did happen (again)!
From Edinburgh City Centre, I then took Lothian 119(G) on Service 22 to Gyle - G stands for guidewheels for the Fastlink Guided Busway - then I had a bite to eat, before S104WHK (I can’t remember the number of this!) on the X40 (running through to Dunfermline, despite the blind), then Volvo 522366 on the X24 to Guardbridge, and MAN 22405 on the 99A to Dundee.
