North East thread 6: Everyone's welcome!

[Someaddedsugar]

Just starting a new thread for anyone who wants to join!

Oh don't say that Gateshead Central are not reliable, my dc get the former scarlet band to school because the arriva has been so bad.

It was on the bus wanker forum I'm on with Ds1, @AlviarinAesSedai . I wasn't too surprised. They relinquished the 58 about 3 years ago because they no longer had the resources for it and that was before COVID. Even the big companies have vehicles off the road, long term, as they can't get parts and bus drivers are increasingly fed up with their lot with strikes and threatened strikes all over the country.

Thank you PickAChew. I knew some of their drivers were older. I’m not being rude he was telling someone on park and ride bus that he was well over retirement age!
The park and ride buses are old, I’m sure they should have been due for re-tender.
I would hate to have to rely on 🚌. Go north east have stopped putting cancellations on Facebook and now put on twitter!

Forgot to say I hope the bus day ticket etc can be used on the new buses! We really need an Oyster card type system. I know they have something in Tyne and Wear but needs rest of north east!
Changing bus companies and cost is ridiculous! And go north east have just raised their prices! I won’t be buying on bus unless desperate.

The park and ride buses are leased and still have a few years in them.

The joy of the gne ticket prices is that they are delayed a week due to a problem with their ticket machine portal, last weekend! Planned cancellations are on the gne website/app but they rarely bother to mention the 21.

The 21 is a nightmare! Should be every 10 minutes 😆 .
You have to be clever to workout from Durham start if your bus from Chester is cancelled!
They also don’t include all the cancellations. They have also stopped people being able to comment on Facebook. It’s limited comments.
I try and use App to track the bus then just get on any to Newcastle.

So they have sold on the lease? Or did Durham council own the lease?
On a happier note my DD said the new Aldi was heaving and car park full. But she doesn’t do crowds.

Well the first day of the kids getting the bus now that it is under gateshead central and it didn't show up. Luckily for them I was at home so I chucked ds2 in the car and took them most of the way to school, chocked them out to walk the rest of the way then took ds2 to school. Which meant I wasn't there when my skip was delivered. Oops.

SB's leased Solos (buses have model names, just like cars!) have gone back to their provider. GCT have leased some shiny new E200MMCs for the P&R. I think the long term plan is for it to go electric.

After running it for years, GNE have let go the 59 that ran on a Sunday from wheatley Hill to Arnison. Arriva took over the contract, as the 58, just to Durham City centre, which they advertised as connecting with the 64 to Arnison. Youngest wanted to see it on his regulation Sunday walk so DH took him in to town in time to see the first of the day arrive and loads of passengers get off and miss the 64 by 30 seconds. It was 10am, so nothing open, and I should imagine a few people ended up late for work.

The buses are a shambles! My DD said there were new P&R buses.
Must be really interesting learning about buses etc. Bet you are an expert by osmosis. You sound very knowledgeable.
I just like the really old buses at Beamish.😆.
Arriva sounds even worse than GoNortheast.
I’m hoping for the Santa 21 again.

I’ve been to the arnison centre twice this week and didn’t even see Aldi!? Am I being dim?? 😂

We like the really old buses, too. There is a vintage rally at howlands every fathers' day that you would enjoy.

Howlands, Park and ride? I might visit on my own. My DH prefers tractors!!!
The new Aldi is behind Bells Fish and Chips shop/Pullmans. I use Arnison as short hand, sorry.@Jalepenojello

The Coffee Bank shop now has a gorgeous poppy, Remembrance window mural. Post box outside Costa has poppies. Florist opposite also has window mural.
The wear at Durham has been cleared of the trees and branches. Looks lots better.
Need to go to John Lewis to get my quantity street refilled.

Date for new Iceland is 15 November.
Anyone else disappointed with the YouTube

Fenwicks window reveal?
15 minutes of my life I won’t get back! Then they didn’t even show every window!
Hopefully will be better in the flesh.

@AlviarinAesSedai do they have the fill your own tins at the Newcastle JL?

I didn't see the window reveal but will be going through to see it in real life on Saturday. I did hear a few people in the office saying the FB event was really disappointing last night which is a shame. I do find the window choices hit and miss for me personally when it comes to Fenwick's. I loved the Wind in the Willows one, and the Snowman, but wasn't really a fan of Shaun the Sheep.

Yes @Someaddedsugar you can fill your own tub, not sure if it has to be a personalised one. We have a personalised one. Choose your own chocolates.
We will be doing ours and my DP’s as bought them as tub as a Christmas present. So now get it refilled every year.
The personalised tub is lovely, we were boring and just had our surname.
It’s such a cheap but lovely present, especially for my DP’s who don’t want anything!

Quite liked Fenwicks window. Not many people queuing.
Gosh the weather is very windy!

What are these chocolates you speak of?

Sorry Quality Street. Buy or take own tin and fill with favourites. John Lewis do personalised tins. @QuestionableMouse .

Very cool! Heading that way on Thur so will check it out 😁

Brilliant for my DM as she only likes about 4

quality sweets! Is £10 I think to fill own tin.

Fenwick's window is lovely. We're going to go back once the lights are on to go and see it again.

I completely forgot to look in John Lewis and I'm gutted as apparently they do cracker options too which would have been perfect to go with a secret Santa gift. I've written myself a daily reminder on my work outlook calendar in the hope I'll remember next time 😂

The river at Durham nearly burst its banks. Definitely dropped by lunchtime.
The new Tortilla place opened today. Free lunch but queue was almost to St Nicks church!
Flooded at Chester on way into park.
Can’t believe how much rain came down.

C4 news is in Darlington tonight! Just watching on 4+1.

Lots of fields flooded opposite the fire station.

Oooh where's the new tortilla place @AlviarinAesSedai?