Farewell Gavin Robinson (going oop north)

I was one of many who went to the Rodboro Buildings Wetherspoons pub in Guildford on the 23rd June to say goodbye to a South West Trains driver and Leyland Naional owner.

For some strange reason he asked me blog the event. Job done Gavin.

Above is a picture of his National: Provvy No 76 WFX257S on home ground at Gosport bus station on 7th August 2011.

One particular story concerning Gavin happened a few months ago. I was on the 0730 train from Aldershot to Feltham via Ascot. Just after leaving Ash Vale the train ground to a halt. To cut a long story short, the train had problems and eventually returned to Aldershot where we were told a train was waiting to take us to Ascot. Upon arrival at Aldershot, Gavin was delighted to tell me that he would be coming to my rescue to drive my train to Ascot. my heart sunk initially but about 0930 we left Aldershot once more. I was just glad to be able to continue my journey to work.

I believe Gavin wants to sell WFX so that it can stay down south where it belongs (his words, not mine).

Good luck Gavin and Alysia in Manchester or wherever you settle. Watch out Trans Pennine Express passengers as Gavin will be driving trains for them in his new career.

See you on the 15th July at the Alton Bus Rally if not before.

And finally, a picture of the man himself.

Weymouth Bus Rally - Sunday 17th June 2012

Another day on Leyland National GNU568N. This time to Weymouth. Held in the Lodmoor Country Park car park once again. We had good weather unlike last year when it rained all day.

251 at a very wet and windy Portland Bill last year

GMU did 2 services, the first one a bit of a mystery tour due to an unplanned road closure and hastily written route instructions.We still made our destination of Portland - Victoria Square though.

Paul adds fuel on the way there

At Portland - Victoria Square

We then did a town service

Later on we took a bus to Portland to see where we went wrong earlier.

Other buses there:

Note the reg

And then home.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Thursday 7th June 2012

A long day out today started with the 0812 train from Leeds to Malton. Then a bus from Malton to Pickering. At Pickering we got the 1100 NYMR train to Grosmont.

And below are some photos at Grosmont waiting for the next train to Whitby.

Station Tavern

At the Station Tavern I had a pint of Black Sheep Bitter

Train to Whitby next where we just had to have a fish and chip lunch which was excellent. We had 2.5 hours there before the train back so I visited the 3 GBG pubs in town. The Endeavour for a half of Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, then the Black Horse for a half of each of Black Dog Whitby Abbey and Rhatas, and finally the Station Inn for a half od Brains British Summer.

In the Fish & Chip shop

Whitby harbour

Train arrives at Whitby

Then the train took us back to Pickering.

At Grosmomt

Pickering

Pickering

At the Sun I had a quck half of Leeds Best before carrying on to the bus stop

Bus that took us from Pickering to Malton

Bus to Malton for a quick pint of Rudgate Loki's Mischief

Train to York and to the Wetherspoons pub Becketts Bank for Curry Night evening meal washed down with a pint of each of Bridgehouse tyke and Kelham Island Pale rider.

Mark displays the poster he accidentally pulled off the window

Saltaire. A World Heritage Site

Sunday 10th June 2012

Spent an hour and a half here in Saltaire having a wander around.

Saltaire Village is near Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is named after Sir Titus Salt who built a textile mill and this village on the River Aire.In December 2001, Saltaire was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. (from the excellent www.saltairevillage.info website which inspired my visit)

A wonderful place and hope these photos inspire you to visit someday.

The Old Tramshed pub and restaurant

 

Then it was pub time. There are no pubs in Salt's village itself by the way. At Fanny's Ale & Cider House I had a half of each of Salamander - Powder Monkey and Rat - Rat Hole.

Fanny's Ale and Cider House

I also visited the Victoria for a pint of Copper Dragon - Best but I forgot to take photos. A 10 minute walk down the main road took me to Shipley. At the Shipley pride I had a half of each of Salamander - Mind Meld Mild and Goose Eye - Chinook.

The Shipley Pride

I had time for a quick half of Saltaire - Elderflower Blonde at the Sir Norman Rae (a Wetherspoons pub) and then back to Leeds.
A half of Saltaire - Dark Matter  at the station Wetherspoons and on to the Adelphi for a half of Mauldons - Silver Adder

Adelphi

It was the home of Tetleys. Now brewed in Wolverhampton!

Adelphi

Nice river view

Next stop was the Duck & Drake for a half of each of Pennine - Midnight Rose and Ossett - Field of Dreams.

Then the Palace for a half of St Austell - Nicholsons Pale Ale

Palace

The Victoria Hotel for a half of Thornbridge - Frank As Apollo

Victoria Hotel

The Veritas for a half of each of Thornbridge - Pivni and Black Sheep - All Creatures

Veritas

Leeds Town Hall. Very grand.

Then my 3rd and final visit to Mr Foley's for a half of Wharfebank - Arctic Fox

Mr Foleys

Down the stairs to the toilets and pump clips adorn the walls

And the final stop of my holiday was for a pint of Roosters - YPA at the Fox & Newt.