Demonstrator In Ipswich

Thanks to Trevor Arbon for alerting me that an ADL E400MMC is currently on loan to Ipswich Buses for Evaluation. YN66 BBV has gained the usual fleet number 500 and is being used on the rather short X5 between Tower Ramparts (OK Sailmakers if you insist) and Ipswich Hospital via Foxhall Rd. I was in Ipswich yesterday and waited an hour for it to grab a ride there and back. However the bus never showed up, it started hammering down so I gave up Then magically when I was driving past the hospital myself it emerged from the ether. A quick U turn and park up and I managed to snap it as it came out of the hospital. I don't know how long IB have it so if anyone knows I'll be grateful.

I don't know if it's significant that IB are trialing a decker, but it would seem the crazy idea to make the fleet all single decker promoted by the last MD has been consigned to the bin where it belongs!

E400MMC demonstrator at a very wet Ipswich Hospital.     pic (c) Steve W

The rear view                                            pic (c) Steve W

Also in Ipswich yesterday was a real sight for sore eyes. Ex Dublin Bus Volvo Olympian S678 PAG was parked up outside Crown House. Now with JR Travel of Copdock the bus was formerly with Proctors of Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire. More than that I can't trace so assume it must have been re-registered. Good to see one of these brilliant Ollies still working, even if us mere mortals can't get on it for a ride!

JR Travel's Volvo Olympian S678 PAG        pic (c) Steve W

Finally, and this is a bit late, First's Eastern Counties liveried VA479 has returned from its loan spell at Norwich. Here she is back on home territory last Wednesday.

VA479 at Old Cattle Market last week back on the 66;s.      pic (c) Steve W

HAPPIER TIMES

This has been a long time coming, i didn't think i was ever going to do another blog full stop, after the last 2 weeks, this is a sort of a tribute to my father, who tolerated my love of Buses and actually encouraged me to keep on with it, this blog is a reflection of where my memory drifts back to with determination and hope for the future, some things won't be the same again, i won't have time to dedicate my passion of Buses like i have done, my dream was always to find a job within the Bus or Travel industry, sadly this hasn't happened, so if there is anyone out there willing to give me a chance! The picture above is a fond memory of the one place i go to that is Felixstowe, where we had a beach hut, as a 7 year old i was fascinated by the strange bus that travelled up and down Golf Road that being Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka OT 2 VDV 753, i just missed out on going on the Lodekkas as they were on their way out, although there are vague memories of them on Felixstowe Road on Fireworks night in 1979. I can also remember one of the first Leyland Nationals in Felixstowe heading towards Western Avenue that year. For now this is goodbye, i will return at some point, RIP Dad.