Manchester: I remember when Sunday was dead!

I remember when in Britain's towns and cities Sunday used to be very quiet, but now it's no longer a day of rest. I feel sorry for the local residents who now never get any peace. This was Manchester in August, but yesterday a December Saturday one could hardly move for bodies. I went to the Christmas Cracker but almost didn't make it for as it was icey I thought I would take a bus to Stafford Station. It shouldn't have gone that early but the bus didn't turn up and I realised I now might not get my train even if I ran. And I did, a whole mile in wig and boots and just made it as the train was a couple of minutes late. It was a good thing I took some make-up with me as when I got to the museum it had all washed off as I was still perspiring heavily all the way to Stoke. A nice day though, bought a Gt Yarmouth Atlantean and the new Cumberland all-Leyland Royal Tiger coach. A real bonus though I also picked up a couple of Ian Allan ABC 'British Bus Fleets' from 1963 for a quid each, always useful for looking things up and I don't worry about a few underlinings. Indeed the dealers should charge more as we could never go back and spot them ourselves, so they did us a favour. lol

Better known as a budget long distance express service people must have forgotten why Stagecoach started 'Magic Bus'. When cut-throat competition was rife they repainted older vehicles like this Alexander Dennis W645 RND into this livery to offer cheaper fares along student corridors without tarnishing the main brand. Despite that I still think they look quite smart.