Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust Running Day

The 3rd annual running day, staged by the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust took place in Morecambe yesterday, with static displays and also the opportunity to ride on a varied selection of preserved buses from Heysham Village to Carnforth, among other places. Oldest vehicle present was this superbly restored 1931 Leyland Lion.

Stagecoach service 3A meets up in Heysham Village with preserved Leyland National 2, which dates from 1980.

The running day timetable on a stop at Heysham Village.

Morecambe and Heysham Corporation, Leyland Titan TD5, new to Ribble in 1939.

The same vehicle with the Winter Gardens building in the background.

A queue outside the Winter Gardens waiting to join former Barrow Corporation, Leyland Atlantean with Northern Counties bodywork, for its run to Heysham Village.

Leyland Olympian, with ECW bodywork, dating from 1981, awaits departure at Carnforth Haws Hill.

Whilst having a short break at Carnforth, I couldn't resist taking another view of the iconic clock on the station which features in the 1945 film - 'A Brief Encounter' - starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.

A Leyland Tiger, with Duple Dominant bodywork, waits to set off from Carnforth Haws Hill to return to Morecambe.

This one won't be 'running' very far!

Another view of the Morecambe and Heysham Corporation  vehicle, on the Bare circular service. 

Final view of the 1939 Leyland Titan which gave Ribble many fine years of service.

Stagecoach Morecambe Open Day

Stagecoach held an Open Day at their White Lund garage and yard yesterday. This featured not only their own vehicles, but a variety of preserved buses as well. As can be seen from this first image, we train them young in Morecambe to enjoy bus travel. Have a look at the youngster climbing aboard!

Just a small section of the stalls in the garage workshops selling all manner of bus (and railway) memorabilia, photographs, books etc. They were doing a roaring trade at the event which was very well attended.

A preserved Standerwick double deck coach. A Bristol VRLH, with ECW bodywork, new in 1971.

A Leyland Tiger Cub, with Willowbrook bodywork, which was new to the North Western Road Car Company in 1960.

On the left is a Leyland Leopard with Marshall bodywork, which dates from 1966, being delivered new to Ribble Motor Services. On the right is another Rubble vehicle, again a Marshall bodied Leyland Leopard, new in 1965. 

This Leyland Titan PD2/40 with bodywork by Park Royal, was new to Barrow Corporation in 1956. 

Inside the Stagecoach workshops.

This Leyland Olympian was still in service with Stagecoach at its Kendal depot as recently as September of last year. Painted in Cumberland Motor Services livery, it was sold to the Carlisle Bus Group for preservation. 

The highlight of the day for me was a ride on this 1939 (even older than me!), Leyland Titan TD5 with Burlingham-Alexander bodywork. It was a pure delight to take a trip on this  74-year-old bus to Lancaster. 

Another Cumberland Motor Services vehicle was this Bristol MW6G, with ECW bodywork. Delivered new in November 1963 to Cumberland's Whitehaven garage. 

My final bus ride of the day was on this mere youngster. A Leyland Leopard, which was delivered new to Burnley and Pendle Transport in 1979. It is pictured at Morecambe Bus Station. 

Lake Windermere

Leaving Hawkshead last Thursday, we made our way back to Bowness via the Windermere Car Ferry (as foot passengers), which is pictured loading vehicles. 

One of the smaller cruise ships heading toward the south end of Lake Windermere.

Threatening clouds over the mountains. A fresh fall of snow on the tops. (Pic - Lynda Braithwaite).

One of the many smaller passenger boats which link various piers on the lake. This one is pictured, empty, having just set off from Bowness. (Pic - Lynda Braithwaite). 

The cruise ship 'Swan' with a real swan in the water at its stern at Bowness Pier. 

Hawkshead

Hawkshead last Thursday. We even had a hailstorm whilst there which we had to take shelter from. In May?  One man and his dog outside Hawkshead Post Office. 

Brightly painted door.

Assorted garden ornaments.

Kings Arms Hotel. Spot the bride in the doorway. Has she changed her mind? Making an escape to retain her freedom? 

Expensive coffee. 

Tasty and tempting. 

A quiet lane in Hawkshead. (Pic - Lynda Braithwaite).

Rydal To Ambleside Walk: Part 3 of 3

A view form the gate with the river seen below.

It was so quiet!

The stone gate posts survive, but not the gate. 

Convenient bench for me to sit and eat my lunch. 

A local sauntered by, looking a little startled!!

The views were endless. 

A bridge I had to cross.  

I took the left hand fork to Ambleside.

Rushing, gurgling water. 

Sadly, the end of the walk. Ambleside,

After hardly seeing anyone, or cars, on the walk, back to reality in Ambleside.