Busman's holiday to Shetland - June 2010

In 2008 Will and Claire and two friends took 'Poppy' the 1936 Rover, to Shetland to take part in the bi-annual Shetland Classic Motor Show. We found the whole experience brilliant and we kept saying "Wouldn't it be good to bring a group on a bus".

We have been told that there has only ever been one or two double deck buses on Shetland so we thought it would be fun to take one.

So - we are organising a holiday again for anyone who is daft enough to want to join us sitting on a bus for many hours - but the views from the top will be magnificent. Let us know if you want to come.

This is the itinerary:

Cumbria Classic Coaches Shetland Adventure 2010

Join us on a trip of a lifetime to visit the Shetland Classic Motor Show (oh and Shetland)

When: Wednesday 2nd June to Thursday 10th June 2010

Cost: £629pp sharing, £800 single

Classic Bus: 1955 AEC Regent ‘Peter’ our superb doubledecker

Itinarary:

Wednesday 2nd June - travel from the bus depot at Ravenstonedale through lovely scenery up the A7 via Edinburgh to Perth. Stopping on the way for leg stretching and head scratching

Thursday 3rd June - Complete the journey from Perth to the ferry terminal at Aberdeen. Our ferry sails at 17.00. Dinner and breakfast onboard is included, this is an overnight sailing and cabin is included.

Friday 4th June - Arrive Lerwick at 07.30. We’ll spend the day having a little ramble around Shetland visiting Scalloway and Sunborough Head.

Our hotel is the Lerwick Hotel, a modern hotel with fantastic views over the bay. Rooms are ensuite and the hotel is only a 10 minute walk to the town centre.

Saturday 5th June - Rally day. The Shetland Show hosts a fabulous collection of vehicles including the most Sunbeam Talbots you’ll ever see in one place!

Sunday 6th June - Either stay at the rally or there is an option of a modern coach Island Tour to Yell and Unst which is the northerly most point of The British Isles. Cost £35.00

Monday 7th June - Joining in a commercial vehicle road run touring the island. 08.30 to 15.30

Tuesday 8th June - Either a tour northwards on the island or a leisurely day finally writing the postcards home then we catch the overnight ferry back at 19.00

Wednesday 9th June - Start our journey back, again stopping at Perth or Edinburgh to rest the backsides

Thursday 10th June - Back down the A7 from Perth to the bus depot. Many tears at the leavetaking.

Cost Includes: Your transport on our superb vintage bus, Bed and breakfast accommodation in Perth and Lerwick, Overnight ferry to the Shetlands, cabin, dinner and breakfast onboard.

Evening meals are not included but we are planning on visiting various establishments on the island.To Book Contact: 015396 23254 Bowber Head, Ravenstonedale CA17 4NL will@cumbriaclassiccoaches.co.uk

New Years Eve

We just received some photos back from a birthday pub crawl that Anthony drove on New Years Eve. The hire was all around the Cockermouth area including Whinlatter Pass! As you can see the roads were treacherous ice and snow but the passengers loved it and had a great day out , which I'm sure was very welcome after the awful floods there recently.

Ten Years on the 569 Route

Here's a photo of Harvey returning to Bowber Head taken on 29/07/2008 this being the tenth anniversary of Cumbria Classic Coaches service to Hawes. The bus had been decorated inside with balloons and had a special 10th Anniversary poster displayed in the upstairs back window of the bus. Carol and I always enjoy our Tuesday trips to Hawes, wandering around the market, having lunch in the Fountain pub or the Creamery (both highly recommended) and generally taking in the atmosphere of this busy little market town. David G

Memories of a great few days

Last summer we organised a short break for this group of friends from Germany. They stayed in local b & b's and hotels. We took them on our buses into the Lakes and Dales and we all had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Snow coated Indian

Thank you David for trying to warm us up with a picture taken in August. This little Indian might appreciate the memory of a warm summer!

Hawes in August

In view of the wintry weather I thought we should look back at one of last years' Wednesday Market Day trips to Hawes, a photo taken on 25th August, when the Cumbria Classic Coaches service was ready to depart for Kirkby Stephen. Will is looking suitably relaxed, leaning on the bonnet of Peter the bus. Passengers for the service to Ripon are boarding their vehicles which depart at a similar time to the Cumbria Classic Coaches services Seems an age away when looking at the weather we have at the moment! David G

Winter Scene

Thought you might like to see a photo taken at Bowber Head in the recent cold weather. What do you think one bus would be saying to the other two? David G

Snow stops route 572

Um what to say for our first post.

Well Hi

Welcome to Cumbria Classic Coaches blog.

Hopefully we'll keep this up to date with our latest news and happenings.

Today..... Snow!

Today we couldn't run route 572 because of the snow and the A66 being shut. This is the first time we have missed a service run in 11 years! The snow is really deep here (for us) and yesterday we took a bus up to the Fat Lamb as our lane is really bad, the bus slid down the slope outside. And the bus is still there! The A66 is shut with deep snowdrifts and a jacknifed lorry.

Glad we don't have any bookings this weekend. Anthony was out on one on New Years Eve and went over Whinlatter Pass, bit of a white knuckle ride, road was shut but the signs were half way up the pass not at the end so he couldn't turn round!