It was followed by Blue Triangle's open-topper, RT3435, which came under the station bridge as we went the other way. We stopped at the traffic lights, and RTW29 pulled round the corner, heading for the static display.
The block turned out to be a surprisingly big one, roughly a half-mile sided square. We turned left again to pass Potters Bar Garage, with its stock of Presidents and Darts. TP429 was identified on the forecourt, blinded for the W8.
We continued on, turning left into leafy Church Road, then round into Darkes Lane. We pulled up at the stop (or as close as parked cars would allow) and filled up.
We pulled away just as RF406 was coming the other way for the 242, and followed RT624 under the bridge and up to the traffic lights. Both buses turned right this time, onto the St.Albans Road. The RT was on a 629 to South Mimms, and gradually pulled away from us as we left the Potters Bar.
We followed the RT over the A1(M) to South Mimms. The RT vanished towards Clare Hall, but the Regal pulled at the stop for photos.
We reboarded, and continued north-westwards, drpooing down beside the M25 then passing under it. We kept the motorway company towards London Colney. Then crossed over it and turned into the village. We trundled through the pleasant village, and booked a stop on the way back. The big roundabout at the north end took us across the busy A414, and we followed the old road into St.Albans. Uno's Dart 152 passed us on a 602 for London Colney, a vision in pink and lilac.
We snarled in the inevitable traffic queue for the lights in St.Albans, then turned right along St.Peter's Street. We turned at the roundabout (yes, the T went round!) and pulled up near the Arena. I set off for the public toilets. On the way back I passed several more folk bent on the same errand.
The blinds were reset for the return journey, we climbed back aboard, and set off back to Potters Bar. Again we went through London Colney, and after crossing he bridge stopped at the bus stop for photos.
Pressing on, we crossed, accompanied and passed back under the M25 to reach South Mimms, where we didn't stop this time. We passed RT624 buzzing north on the 29 again as we approached Potters Bar, then RT190 on the 84 after turning towards the station. RT3496 was on the next northbound 313 as we passed the station and pulled in to unload.
Now it was time to go to see what had arrived since I went out..
Part Four: Potters Bar and Hatfield
Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.
Back to Ian's Bus-stop
Part One
Part Two
Part Four: Potters Bar and Hatfield