Our Holiday - the full blog post
Aug. 15th, 2009 08:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
suzyscottdotcomWe both got back last night from a wonderful five days/four night visit to Ayrshire, on a coach holiday organised by Wootten’s. As per my post last the weekend, we prepared for an early morning start.
Mon 10th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day One
We started out around 0330, leaving the house around 0440 to walk up to Tesco, for Scania/Caetano SC22 on National Express 787 from Royston 0524 to Hemel Hempstead Bus Station 0650, then got on our holiday coach at 0720. After picking up at various points in Buckinghamshire (the pick-up route was just over an hour, so enjoyable bonus bash around Bucks!) via various stops that included Chesham, Amersham, Chalfont & Latimer Station, High Wycombe town then onto High Wycombe, Cressex Park & Ride, to meet the feeder coach from Aylesbury etc. before picking up the last passenger at Marlow. At that point, our driver Brian introduced himself, and openly offered to do what he could to make it seem not like work (for him!) and an enjoyable time for us all. We then went via the M40, stopping at Cherwell Valley northbound services - Brian said he preferred this one over the previous, as the coach park is too far away from the entrance at the other!
So, as you may have expected, the first pictures of the coach – W46 (W100 TEN), a Volvo B12 12.8m/Plaxton…
We used the stop to pick up a few things, including two new furry friends – Thumper (pictured) and another doggie, that we’ve dubbed Rover.
We then went back onto the M40, and swapped the front seats for some near the back of the coach for more room (there was enough space to do this). So, here’s Caroline on board the coach…
… and me!...
… then via the M42, M6(T), stopping at Norton Cannes Services before rejoining the M6(T) northbound, M6, Preston bus station for a late lunch stop, M6, A74(M), A71 to the 4* Menzies Irvine Hotel. We then were welcomed, assisted with baggage, before getting ready for dinner, and then bed soon after.
See all the Monday pictures here. (I thought that the pictures had been coming out blotchy as a result of the modem that I used to upload the first three days worth, but they appear fine now. Not sure why, but saved re-uploading them all once more!)
Tue 11th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Two
After breakfast, we had a later start before preparing for a trip to Ayr, with some free time in the morning, before afternoon visits, which I shall come to in a moment. We had the holiday coach into Ayr, where we had a quick browse before having a run on the open top tour of Ayr – a run through Alloway (which we were coming to later), plus onto Craig Tara (Haven holiday park) that was originally Butlin’s Ayr (then Wonderwest World), where I stayed several times in years gone by!
Anyway, first pic of the coach – Driver Brian is seen here near the door, having dropped us at Ayr, Wellington Square…
… the Stagecoach X77 branded Neoplans have received names of characters from the burns poem Tam O’ Shanter, more of which later. Here’s 50127, or Highland Mary, at Sandgate…
… the allover white Ferrymill hires occasionally are loaned to cover accident damage or mechanical problems, and here, FM31 (SF 08 OFY) is seen leaving Ayr for New Cumnock…
… we walked up to the bridge, here’s one that warranted a snap…
… and this one!
… here’s our next intended bus at the bus station, open top Olympian 16863…
… here is the back end at Butl… sorry, Craig Tara…
… we sat down on the way back, as it was starting to rain! We browsed several shops, before ending up in Wetherspoon’s, The West Kirk. When we left here, the rain had got worse – as Caroline demonstrated…
… in fact, later, the open top bus was replaced by an MAN/East Lancs – see the 99 on the rear…
… so anyway, next, onto Allloway, for the Burns National Heritage Park. We passed by here on the 99, and Caroline spotted the Brig o’ Doon from the other bridge. The coach was parked at the Tam O’ Shanter Experience before allowing us time to continue around the visitor centre, then onto the Brig O’ Doon (C spotted this earlier in the day) and Memorial Gardens, Auld Kirk, etc. Here’s the Auld Kirk (Old Church)…
… Brig O’ Doon Hotel (this was a separate facility not operated by the NTS)
… and here’s some of the brig (bridge)…
… view from the bridge…
… looking down at the hotel/tearoom grounds..
… the other bridge across the River – see the van? That’s the bridge that the open top bus took earlier in the day. By this point, the weather was improving.
… we then walked back to the coach, through the Burns Memorial Gardens.
Another new friend, purchased at the tea room/hotel when we stopped for drinks!
We then went back to the hotel for dinner. The room was rather large, and here’s a look… taken from one of the twin double beds!
See all the Tuesday pictures here.
Wed 12th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Three
Today's trip from Irvine was via coach to Ardrossan Ferry Terminal, before Ardrossan and the MV Caledonian Isles Caledonian Macbrayne ferry to Brodick, on the Isle of Arran.
MV Caledonian Isles…
… on Arran, here’s the coach leaving the ferry, onto the Island…
… Brian was driving around the Isle in an anti-clockwise direction, and took suggestions for stops. We stopped first at the Home Farm visitor centre, home to Arran Cheese and Arran Aromatics, amongst others.
After stocking up, back onto the coach, and we stopped briefly at the Isle of Arran Distillery. Also on the Island was a coach from Ambassador Travel, who were doing a similar circuit of the Isle – although their driver was hoping to be in the South Coast of England that week! Here’s their Plaxton coach, taken at the Distillery…
… and W46 again, with the hills in the backdrop.
… Me, at the ‘Water of Life’ display…
… before we stopped for a few moments beside Lochranza Castle…
… we then drove onto Pirnmill, Blackwaterfoot, Whiting Bay, before stopping at Lamlash… chanced upon a Stagecoach Volvo/PS on the South Island route 323…
… before back to Brodick, where we had a little bit of time before the ferry departed. Got the Arran based Optare Solo leaving the bus station (and a wave from the driver afterwards!)
… then, back to Ardrossan, where I was wind-blown to grab a snap of W46 returning to the mainland!
See all the Wednesday pictures here.
Thu 13th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Four
Today’s trip from Irvine was to Glasgow, first stopping at Glasgow Cathedral…
… before continuing to the Transport Museum. This was my first visit to this location since refurbishment, and was a rather unexpected surprise! We knew we were doing one stop in the east, two in the west, that was all – but our guide, Donald McDonald, also says that some people could spend all day here. Yes!
The first obvious attraction was the brand new Class 380 train, which will enter service with ScotRail in September 2010, on the Clyde Coast line group.
… away in a corner was the bus from McCredie Transport – not a known operator, but in fact, one from the BBC TV series Balamory.
We then drove onto Glasgow University, a tourist attraction in it’s own right.
The Museum shop had a promotion on “The Scream” merchandise. (I didn’t purchase any!)
…uni buildings…
… on the way out, spotted this McKindless Dart amongst this picture, but it’s been flipped the wrong way round. Text is the right way round though!...
… and a Glasgow Subway train in this one…
… the street location is also good for snapping the new Enviro500 triaxle double deckers from First, on the 44/44A group.
We then returned to central Glasgow, where we met up with Bobby B once more, and went for lunch at The Counting House. After catching up, we had some free time in the afternoon, before returning to the hotel via Irvine, including the Central Ayrshire Hospital – where C was born 50 years ago this month!
See all the Thursday pictures here.
Fri 14th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Five
Today’s return from Irvine to England was done via stops at Gretna Green. Brian asked if I wanted his better side!
We had a quick browse at the shops, very busy! – but to be honest, I had more fun in the coach park! Still, one off the list of things to do one day!
Our next stop was a lunch and shopping stop at Manchester Trafford Centre – a surprise bonus, as I’d not been here in ages. A quick look at one of the water features!
We then continued basically the reverse of the outward route, with a stop for fuel at Norton Cannes, before returning everyone to Buckinghamshire, and then dropping us at St Albans for a return cab journey home. See all the Friday pictures here.
That's the lot! Our driver (Brian) was exceptionally friendly and welcoming, (save for the cramped bit at the front) the coach was otherwise comfortable, and professionally handled. The price was exceptionally good, in the region of £299 each person – we overheard an incoming call as we arrived which quoted £70 per night, so if you imagine that as a base, plus all the travel and admissions (where apt) taken care of, there were certainly no issues on that score. Caroline wants to go back to Ayrshire, and maybe Arran once more, and also wants another coaching holiday, but not today or tomorrow! We both had a wonderful time, and were made to feel welcomed, as was everyone else in our party. If a similar trip is offered, and to your liking, it would come highly recommended.
Mon 10th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day One
We started out around 0330, leaving the house around 0440 to walk up to Tesco, for Scania/Caetano SC22 on National Express 787 from Royston 0524 to Hemel Hempstead Bus Station 0650, then got on our holiday coach at 0720. After picking up at various points in Buckinghamshire (the pick-up route was just over an hour, so enjoyable bonus bash around Bucks!) via various stops that included Chesham, Amersham, Chalfont & Latimer Station, High Wycombe town then onto High Wycombe, Cressex Park & Ride, to meet the feeder coach from Aylesbury etc. before picking up the last passenger at Marlow. At that point, our driver Brian introduced himself, and openly offered to do what he could to make it seem not like work (for him!) and an enjoyable time for us all. We then went via the M40, stopping at Cherwell Valley northbound services - Brian said he preferred this one over the previous, as the coach park is too far away from the entrance at the other!
So, as you may have expected, the first pictures of the coach – W46 (W100 TEN), a Volvo B12 12.8m/Plaxton…
We used the stop to pick up a few things, including two new furry friends – Thumper (pictured) and another doggie, that we’ve dubbed Rover.
We then went back onto the M40, and swapped the front seats for some near the back of the coach for more room (there was enough space to do this). So, here’s Caroline on board the coach…
… and me!...
… then via the M42, M6(T), stopping at Norton Cannes Services before rejoining the M6(T) northbound, M6, Preston bus station for a late lunch stop, M6, A74(M), A71 to the 4* Menzies Irvine Hotel. We then were welcomed, assisted with baggage, before getting ready for dinner, and then bed soon after.
See all the Monday pictures here. (I thought that the pictures had been coming out blotchy as a result of the modem that I used to upload the first three days worth, but they appear fine now. Not sure why, but saved re-uploading them all once more!)
Tue 11th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Two
After breakfast, we had a later start before preparing for a trip to Ayr, with some free time in the morning, before afternoon visits, which I shall come to in a moment. We had the holiday coach into Ayr, where we had a quick browse before having a run on the open top tour of Ayr – a run through Alloway (which we were coming to later), plus onto Craig Tara (Haven holiday park) that was originally Butlin’s Ayr (then Wonderwest World), where I stayed several times in years gone by!
Anyway, first pic of the coach – Driver Brian is seen here near the door, having dropped us at Ayr, Wellington Square…
… the Stagecoach X77 branded Neoplans have received names of characters from the burns poem Tam O’ Shanter, more of which later. Here’s 50127, or Highland Mary, at Sandgate…
… the allover white Ferrymill hires occasionally are loaned to cover accident damage or mechanical problems, and here, FM31 (SF 08 OFY) is seen leaving Ayr for New Cumnock…
… we walked up to the bridge, here’s one that warranted a snap…
… and this one!
… here’s our next intended bus at the bus station, open top Olympian 16863…
… here is the back end at Butl… sorry, Craig Tara…
… we sat down on the way back, as it was starting to rain! We browsed several shops, before ending up in Wetherspoon’s, The West Kirk. When we left here, the rain had got worse – as Caroline demonstrated…
… in fact, later, the open top bus was replaced by an MAN/East Lancs – see the 99 on the rear…
… so anyway, next, onto Allloway, for the Burns National Heritage Park. We passed by here on the 99, and Caroline spotted the Brig o’ Doon from the other bridge. The coach was parked at the Tam O’ Shanter Experience before allowing us time to continue around the visitor centre, then onto the Brig O’ Doon (C spotted this earlier in the day) and Memorial Gardens, Auld Kirk, etc. Here’s the Auld Kirk (Old Church)…
… Brig O’ Doon Hotel (this was a separate facility not operated by the NTS)
… and here’s some of the brig (bridge)…
… view from the bridge…
… looking down at the hotel/tearoom grounds..
… the other bridge across the River – see the van? That’s the bridge that the open top bus took earlier in the day. By this point, the weather was improving.
… we then walked back to the coach, through the Burns Memorial Gardens.
Another new friend, purchased at the tea room/hotel when we stopped for drinks!
We then went back to the hotel for dinner. The room was rather large, and here’s a look… taken from one of the twin double beds!
See all the Tuesday pictures here.
Wed 12th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Three
Today's trip from Irvine was via coach to Ardrossan Ferry Terminal, before Ardrossan and the MV Caledonian Isles Caledonian Macbrayne ferry to Brodick, on the Isle of Arran.
MV Caledonian Isles…
… on Arran, here’s the coach leaving the ferry, onto the Island…
… Brian was driving around the Isle in an anti-clockwise direction, and took suggestions for stops. We stopped first at the Home Farm visitor centre, home to Arran Cheese and Arran Aromatics, amongst others.
After stocking up, back onto the coach, and we stopped briefly at the Isle of Arran Distillery. Also on the Island was a coach from Ambassador Travel, who were doing a similar circuit of the Isle – although their driver was hoping to be in the South Coast of England that week! Here’s their Plaxton coach, taken at the Distillery…
… and W46 again, with the hills in the backdrop.
… Me, at the ‘Water of Life’ display…
… before we stopped for a few moments beside Lochranza Castle…
… we then drove onto Pirnmill, Blackwaterfoot, Whiting Bay, before stopping at Lamlash… chanced upon a Stagecoach Volvo/PS on the South Island route 323…
… before back to Brodick, where we had a little bit of time before the ferry departed. Got the Arran based Optare Solo leaving the bus station (and a wave from the driver afterwards!)
… then, back to Ardrossan, where I was wind-blown to grab a snap of W46 returning to the mainland!
See all the Wednesday pictures here.
Thu 13th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Four
Today’s trip from Irvine was to Glasgow, first stopping at Glasgow Cathedral…
… before continuing to the Transport Museum. This was my first visit to this location since refurbishment, and was a rather unexpected surprise! We knew we were doing one stop in the east, two in the west, that was all – but our guide, Donald McDonald, also says that some people could spend all day here. Yes!
The first obvious attraction was the brand new Class 380 train, which will enter service with ScotRail in September 2010, on the Clyde Coast line group.
… away in a corner was the bus from McCredie Transport – not a known operator, but in fact, one from the BBC TV series Balamory.
We then drove onto Glasgow University, a tourist attraction in it’s own right.
The Museum shop had a promotion on “The Scream” merchandise. (I didn’t purchase any!)
…uni buildings…
… on the way out, spotted this McKindless Dart amongst this picture, but it’s been flipped the wrong way round. Text is the right way round though!...
… and a Glasgow Subway train in this one…
… the street location is also good for snapping the new Enviro500 triaxle double deckers from First, on the 44/44A group.
We then returned to central Glasgow, where we met up with Bobby B once more, and went for lunch at The Counting House. After catching up, we had some free time in the afternoon, before returning to the hotel via Irvine, including the Central Ayrshire Hospital – where C was born 50 years ago this month!
See all the Thursday pictures here.
Fri 14th Aug 09 2009 August Holiday, Day Five
Today’s return from Irvine to England was done via stops at Gretna Green. Brian asked if I wanted his better side!
We had a quick browse at the shops, very busy! – but to be honest, I had more fun in the coach park! Still, one off the list of things to do one day!
Our next stop was a lunch and shopping stop at Manchester Trafford Centre – a surprise bonus, as I’d not been here in ages. A quick look at one of the water features!
We then continued basically the reverse of the outward route, with a stop for fuel at Norton Cannes, before returning everyone to Buckinghamshire, and then dropping us at St Albans for a return cab journey home. See all the Friday pictures here.
That's the lot! Our driver (Brian) was exceptionally friendly and welcoming, (save for the cramped bit at the front) the coach was otherwise comfortable, and professionally handled. The price was exceptionally good, in the region of £299 each person – we overheard an incoming call as we arrived which quoted £70 per night, so if you imagine that as a base, plus all the travel and admissions (where apt) taken care of, there were certainly no issues on that score. Caroline wants to go back to Ayrshire, and maybe Arran once more, and also wants another coaching holiday, but not today or tomorrow! We both had a wonderful time, and were made to feel welcomed, as was everyone else in our party. If a similar trip is offered, and to your liking, it would come highly recommended.
