The Home Counties Explorer

Our final tour of 2007 took us to the leafy lanes of Metroland in the Home Counties. Our coach provided a bit of interest of its own, being a late Leyland Tiger, only acquired in the past few days by Autocar and still in the full livery of its previous owner, Bromyard Bus Company!

Our driver Richard Cutler served us well, as we drove round the M25 and up the M40 to our first stop at High Wycombe , where we eventually found both depots of Carousel Buses. They have a varied fleet of buses from various sources, all turned out well.

	Tour coach Autocar H18 BUS at Carousel's main High Wycombe depot (photo - David Burrin)
	Carousel have a number of ex-London buses in their fleet, including M737 (KYV 737X) and RM2198 (CUV 198C) seen in their High Wycombe yard (photo - David Burrin)

Next stop was the new out-of-town depot of Arriva, where we were made extremely welcome by the helpful staff there, and allowed full access to the safe areas of the workshop, which is built to the highest of standards. We then returned to the town centre to watch the various local operators in action.

	Another shot of our tour coach. H18 BUS had only recently been acquired by Autocar when used for our trip and still carried fleetnames from its previous owner. Seen in the almost deserted Arriva the Shires High Wycombe depot (photo - David Burrin)

	Waiting to enter the bus station in High Wycombe is Arriva the Shires 3205 (R205 RBM) which carries the Arriva Interurban livery (photo - David Burrin)

Moving on to Aylesbury, we visited the well-presented operating centre of Mott’s, which produced some vehicles of Kentish interest. From there we moved across to the new Arriva depot in Luton , relatively close to the town centre, but much larger than the previous sites. Again we were given the best of hospitality. We then travelled south to St. Alban’s, parking up at the railway station interchange, with some of the party making it to the crowded city centre

	Of special interest to members at Motts depot was former East Kent Metrobus F763 EKM (photo - David Burrin)

Our fourth and final depot visit of the day was at Mullany’s on the outskirts of Watford; again another well-presented operating centre with a variety of interesting vehicles, including three 3-axle double-deckers from Hong Kong, and also a hyperactive collie dog!

	Two of Mullany's Coaches fleet of double deck school buses, Leyland Olympian B734 GCN with one of the ex-Hong Kong Dennis Condors G303 FWC alongside (photo - David Burrin)

As by then it was raining quite steadily, it was decided to omit the Watford town centre stop after dropping off two members in the Town and to proceed to our comfort stop at South Mimms service station without using the motorway system, and there the more intrepid braved the rain to explore the various operating centres adjacent to the site. We then returned home to Kent , arriving in Chatham ten minutes early.

Thanks to David Cobb for his organisation, and to our driver Richard for his tremendous co-operation and own enthusiasm. Well, you have to be enthusiastic to put up with us for ten hours!