Salisbury - 29/30 June 2017

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1550) – Blue Boar Row, Salisbury. Wheelers of North Baddesley, Hampshire L1 OXF, an Optare Solo which was new to Reading Buses as YG02 FVV in March 2002. It was however acquired from Thames Travel and still carries an ‘OXF’ registration associated with the Go-Ahead Group buses in Oxfordshire. Behind is Go South Coast 1652 (HF66 CGK), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC wearing ‘More’ livery, the name of the network bordered by Bournemouth, Christchurch, Ringwood, Wimborne and Poole which also includes some extensions beyond like service X3 which reaches Salisbury.

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1546) – Go South Coast Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMCs seen in New Canal, Salisbury. 1652 (HF66 CGK) wears the ‘More’ livery, the name of the network bordered by Bournemouth, Christchurch, Ringwood, Wimborne and Poole which also includes some extensions beyond like service X3 which reaches Salisbury. 1635 (HF66 CFD) wears the ‘Stonehenge Tour’ livery. They were new in December and September 2016 respectively.

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1733) – A quick shot into the yard of the Go South Coast Salisbury garage as I passed by on their Alexander Dennis Enviro200 2720 (HF64 BPX). National Express liveried Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R 7051 (FJ61 EVX) flanked by Optare Solos 3755 (YJ06 FYB) and 3757 (YJ06 FYD).

Thursday 29 June 2017 (15051) – Go South Coast (Salisbury Reds) Optare Solo 3752 (VU02 TTK) seen in Bridge Street, Salisbury. It had been new to Brylaine, Boston in July 2002.

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1506) – Go South Coast (Salisbury Reds) Optare Solo 3751 (GP02 DPV) turning from High Street to Bridge Street in Salisbury. The steeple of the Cathedral stands in the background.

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1701) –Go South Coast (Salisbury Reds) 1135 (HF09 BJO), a Scania OmniCity N230UD new in March 2009, seen in Blue Blue Boar Row, Salisbury.

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1502) – Go South Coast (Salisbury Reds) 3301 (HW52 EPX) seen in Bridge Street, Salisbury. It is a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart that had been new to Southern Vectis in September 2002. Both companies are owned by the Go-Ahead Group.

Thursday 29 June 2017 (1729) – An old story to read on the inner cove panels of Go South Coast (Salisbury Reds) 2720 (HF64 BPX). Whilst the Wiltshire version relates to smugglers the term was often related to the ‘Middleton Moonrakers’ of North Manchester for some reason. It was said to be based on homeward bound drunkards trying to fish out the reflection of the moon from the local canal. A scenario played out by Charles Laughton in the 1954 film ‘Hobson’s Choice’.

Friday 30 June 2017 (0903) – Go South Coast (Salisbury Reds) bus stop on London Road, Salisbury near the Hampton Park roundabout. I don’t think ‘Red2’ passes here any longer.