BN61 promptly arrived at the Hertford Bus Station stop, and I found a front seat behind the nearside luggage rack. We were quickly away, and turned to go through the old town. On previous years this has been closed due to the town events, so it made a nice change. We continued along through the west end of the town to Hertford North Station, where I asked for a brief photo stop.
As we started away again we met SNB312 coming under the railway bridge with a Hertford-bound 390.
A little further up the road we met RF28 also heading south on the 390, last leg of a triangular trip via Hatfield and Stevenage.
We roared northwards. (I think "roar" is an appropriate verb for Bristol LHs!). We turned in to Watton and paused at the Bull for photos. Then we motored on northwards into Stevenage, sticking to the main road to avoid the speed bumps of the old route. We negotiated the southern roundabouts and wriggled into the bus station, pulling up behind Roger Wright's open-top RT3435, which appeared well-loaded. It promptly disappeared on a 303 service to Hitchin.
Also at Stevenage Bus Station, resting in the centre before heading south with a 384 to Hertford via Benington and Dane End, was RF633, which had earlier worked a grand circle via the 329, 329A, 383 and 807.
I just had time to take photos and we were away again. We swung round the bus station, passing behind RF633, and headed south. Drivers of local buses gave us friendly waves.
Again we stuck to the main road (the timings do not allow otherwise). Approaching the roundabout at the north end of Watton I was almost caught out when RT1206 appeared, heading for Stevenage on the 390.
South of Watton we met RF28, hammering north again on the Greenline triangular duty. We rolled on into Stapleford, and pulled up for a photo stop at the bus shelter. This wonderful survival (now owned by Country Bus Rallies), brought back many childhood memories of dirty hands and scuffed shoes.
We reboarded and continued our drive down into Hertford. Cravens RT1499 hammered westwards as we skirted round the town, but a four by four put itself inconveniently in the way as I tried to grab a picture. I do lose some! But as we twisted round the chicanery into the bus station we met glass-house RF4, employed during the day on tours. Into the bus station, with just a minute to spare before I was due out again. There was RT113, proudly sporting its rear roofbox and nicely rounded bottom. (If you don't know what I mean, compare the bottom rear corner with a post-war RT.)
I crossed the bus station and climbed aboard RF627 for the rest of the day...
Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.
Back to Ian's Bus-stop
Part Five
Part Seven: 329/A to Hitchin.