T. Well what can I say, as I was a milkman in a previous life this should have been a piece of cake....ummmm no. I can honestly say I did not like this at all. The seating arrangement all up the back over the battery pod I assume felt weird and I likened it to being in a modern artic very high up. I know in cities and larger urban areas this will be the ultimate zero future but needs work and I can't see one of these liking the Beccles Southwold road much. Anyway it was an experience with hopefully no repeat soon......"sorry love did you want a yoghurt today,,,,,?"
Seems like neither of us could bring ourselves to take a full pic of the BYD so here is Tim's best effort!
2 pints or 3/ pic TM |
T. I can't say this is a first well not for about 50 years maybe. Last time I was here was indeed around 1967/68 but it all seemed so different and smaller ,and now it's a big open place that looks modern and functional with of course the addition of various eating places affording us as Steve said the time to people watch which is a great pastime! I am still amazed at the amount of people travelling as if you read the papers(I don't) and listen to the news(sometimes) the Railway is terrible and not to be trusted but I see it as still the best form of mass transportation there is and we invented it !
victoria Western concourse with 'Spoons top left pic TM |
The view from said 'Spoons pic TM |
T. Having seen films of coach travel from the very early days and listened to lots of stories. this was the first time I had seen it up close. Felt a bit disappointed as you can't really see much like it used to be and if you like Levante's fine but it still is a busy place with the amount of in and out there is. I can't see how or where they could ever relocate it. But saying that I probably would do a trip into there just to say I had and the chance to get on the decker Levante if I could as yes it did look good!
National Express Levante decker pic TM |
pic TM |
T. So a second Boris but not quite as quiet as the first. Ok the ride was as smooth but there were a few rattles a la Gemini ("ducks") plus having seen some sights I was able to get a look at a few others even with the diversions. One day I want to see the Eye but only to do the Dr Who bit lol. And the great thing about being upstairs on a bus is that you can see loads.
One of the iconic views from a bus! pic TM |
A colourful Boorismaster at Aldwych pic SW |
T. Walking up Tower Hill did bring back a memory of a school trip a long time ago and friends not seen for a very long time. The blue Boris was cool too.
I am grateful to Steve for agreeing to do this as I reckon I would not have seen and experienced as much. Looking at the list it seems a lot but you don't notice the amount whilst you are taking in everything else. The list of firsts was great, the sights were great and yes I have planned another sort of, all written out until someone said..." did you know......" So I started again. If I had to pick a down point it would only be the blanket fog from Ipswich to casa del Steve (actually bloody scary - SW) after the obligatory kebab of course, but that really didn't phase us...much ("where's the white lines....oh we're in the country now")
So when the warmer weather resumes....Blog on Tour it is!
So to conclude this epic trilogy here is a list of each individual journey. When you look at this, £12.30 doesn't seem bad. in fact outstanding value, but if you're not an insane transport enthusiast I still think it very pricey. Remember we stopped for at least an hour at 4 locations too!
East Suffolk - Upminster Car
Upminster - Bow Rd District Line
Bow Rd - Canary Wharf DLR
Canary Wharf - Lewisham DLR
Lewisham - Charing Cross Southeastern Class 465
Charing Cross - Hammersmith Borismaster
Hammersmith - Hatton Cross Piccadilly Line
Hatton Cross - Feltham B9H
Feltham - Clapham Jct SWR Class 458
Clapham Jct - Wimbledon SWR Class 455
Wimbledon - East Croydon Tram
East Croydon - Croydon High St Tram
Croydon High St - East Croydon Tram
East Croydon - Three Bridges Thameslink Class 700
Three Bridges - Blackfriars Thameslink Class 700
Blackfriars - St Pancras Int Thameslink Class 700
St Pancras Int - Kentish Town Thameslink Class 700
Kentish Town - Waterloo Northern Line
Waterloo - Victoria BYD electric bus
Victoria Coach Stn - Aldwych Borismaster
Aldwych - Tower Hill Borismaster
Tower Hill - Poplar DLR
Poplar - Bow Church DLR
Bow Rd - Upminster District Line
Upminster - East Suffolk Car