I cast around for an Eastbourne bus to ride on. RF429 obviously did not fit the description, although Lion No12 did. But it looked crowded already. I let it go.
According to my timetable Titan 72 was due out soon on route 6, and I have not been on that, but when I enquired it was not going anywhere. Southdown open-top Queen Mary 410 was heading up Beachy Head, and I hadn't been on that. But it was the wrong colour (for now), and I had just been up Beachy Head twice!
Another bus was needed to run to the Miniature Railway (the main car park). The booked bus, RF354, was hors de combat due to being rear-ended by a car. What could fill in? GS62 was sitting there, but where was Alan Charman? He was located, and went off to fetch the bus. It wouldn't start - a starter motor problem. But a quick shove from half a dozen crew bump-started it in about a metre. It roared up to the stop, and departed packed and standing.
Now 69 was ready for a trip along the front. I climbed aboard and settled behind the massive bonnet. The downstairs seats have just been re-upholstered in blue leather. It smelled wonderful.
The big engine rumbled into action, and we swung out into the town, and through to the pier. Heading east we passed the Lion, out on yet another foray, and then RM1397, heading for Beachy Head.
The Regent V paused before turning at the Sovereign Centre roundabout, which gave me a chance to really appreciate its handsome bodywork. It was in my mind the best looking bus of the day.
We rumbled back through the town. The Corporation's prohibition on its vehicles climbing the hill certainly made the wear on their vehicles much less! We stopped at various points to let people on or off, but presently bore right to go round the turning triangle to the bus stop at the Foot of Beachy Head.
Open-top Scania S13 growled up the hill past us, on its way to Beachy Head. City Sightseeing appeared to have been having a good too, with the glorious weather.
I rejoined 69 for the roll back into Eastbourne, to catch a train home.
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
Buses:
Eastbourne: Lion12, RegentIII 42, Regent V 69, Titan 72
Southdown: Guy Arab 547, Queen Marys 277, 410, 424
Maidstone & District: VR WKO138S
London Transport: RF354, RF429, GS62, RM1397
Ian's Bus-stop
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4