I climbed aboard the immaculate vehicle. Antimacassars! Despite basic similarities it sounds totally different from an RF. We drove out of the bus station and up to the lights, arriving behind GS15, which appeared to be heading home.
We turned right towards St.Johns, but part-way down the hill turned right into Quaker Hall Lane, to climb up over the suburban hill and dip down to reach leafy Seal Hollow Road. There we turned left, briefly, before a right turn took us into Blackhall Lane and countryside. Fields stretched away to our right, while the hedges, trees and gardens of large houses occupied the left. The lane wriggled along to Godden Green. There we passed the pub (the Bucks Head) and squeezed past the parked cars, bearing right around the lozenge-shaped hamlet. Then it was into typical Greensand woodland scenery along the ridge road to Fawke Common, passing occasional houses. The terminus there was a crossroads - presumably there because it was the end of habitation and the crossroads could be used to turn.
The bus stood in the shadow under the trees for a minute or two, then headed back the way that we had come. Coming up St.Johns Hill we were behind RF489, returning from Chipstead. The backside of the RF is certainly not as shapely as that of the Reliance coach! We turned into the bus station and alighted.
It was a quarter to five - going home time. Most buses were doing that, but two of Country Bus Rallies' RFs were staying behind for a little summer evening running. RT3148 had been intended to make a late run to Farningham and back, but circumstances prevented that. Instead it was decided to provide an extra in the shape of RF633 to Tonbridge and back via Sevenoaks Weald.
Meanwhile, RM1000 arrived to make its return run to Croydon, while RT604 was being prepared for its home run along the 403 to West Croydon. RT1206 departed, as did BN61. RP21 loaded up for the 704 back to New Cross. Alan Charman prepared RF429 for the first of the late runs to Ide Hill (Scollops Road).
Part Eight: Scollops Road and Shoreham
Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.
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Part Six
Part Eight: Scollops Road and Shoreham