* An early start as I make my way to Birmingham on a combination of local trains via Smethwick. I alight at Snow Hill to a shout of "Oi!" as Mr Wood is immediately in attendance. A quick browse around Birmingham includes Colmore Row bus photos and a chance to top up the all-important beer money.
* The 8:52 Chiltern departure to Marylebone is our steed for a jaunt down to Leamington Spa as we wonder what incidents might befall us today. Its generally a quiet journey through Solihull and Warwick, remembering expensive rounds at the Forest Hotel in Dorridge (a future call for Andy perhaps?). Alight at Leamington for our CrossCountry Oxford connection which is slightly delayed - we break out the emergency timetables as crowds of Leeds Rhinos fans gather en route to the Challenge Cup final.
* The Oxford train is about 15 minutes late and surprisingly has a fair bit of room on board - I didn't even have to boot anyone out of our seats, saving my evil act for another journey then. We cruise through Banbury and then into Oxford itself, arriving just before half past ten.
* For me, Oxford Station was a bit of a disappointment - I guess I was expecting something more historic considering the elegant architecture awaiting elsewhere in the city. Instead the station seemed relatively modern and bland, its frontage almost hidden behind a screen of shrubs and a bus interchange. Saying that, the interchange was a nice bonus for starter photos of Stagecoach Oxfordshire and the Oxford Bus Company.
* A walk into the city centre spotting the Royal Oxford Hotel and the Oxford Retreat. We quickly find Gloucester Green Bus Station, seemingly dominated by National Express services such as the Oxford Tube and the X5 to Cambridge. The 66 to Swindon stops in there somewhere too - we still have a bit of time before catching it so we stroll up to Magdalen Street where some of the local buses set down, including the 25 Bicester service operated by Heyfordian.
-D9 Driving in Oxford -
* So then, getting our kicks on route 66 so to speak, although I for once am spared the worst clutch excesses as Mr Wood demonstrates how his old D9 would have navigated its way out of Oxford. This was a most enjoyable ride on a sparkling clean vehicle (well done Stagecoach!) that introduced us to the delights of Kingston Bagpuss - sorry, Bagpuize - and Faringdon as I eyed up pubs like the Hinds Head and the Old Crown Hotel. We safely negotiate the Defence Academy at Watchfield followed by Shrivenham High Street, which just leaves us with the daunting prospect of the 'Magic Roundabout' sequence of mini-islands as we close in on Swindon.
* Yes, Swindon. Admittedly, first impressions aren't good, largely because the bus station looks like some 1960s/1970s throwback stuck on the end of a multistorey car park. The stands look depressing with metal grilles creating a cage effect that limits the photo potential, so I have to make do with shots of a Thamesdown double decker in the layover bays.
* Lunch beckons, once we can find the Wetherspoon's that is! Our detour takes us along Fleming Way where there are more bus stops and better photo opportunites. Thamesdown seem to be the main local operator and have a travel shop hut here where I would later collect some handy timetable guides and Wiltshire bus booklets.
* Gradually getting our bearings, we find Fleet Street for the Groves Company Inn. The usual chicken tikka/gourmet burger double act is ordered as we peruse the Wetherspoon's guide to see which establishments we'd visited - the list is evergrowing. Beer wise, Mark is on the John Smith's whilst I try Box Steam's Tunnel Vision (a local brew) followed by Coach House's Innkeeper's from Warrington. Our food arrived promptly, although the kitchen door kept making sounds akin to a harpooned moose that made me question just what exactly was in my burger...
* The Wetherspoon's guide had revealed there are 4 JD's in Swindon alone, including another on Fleet Street itself. This we had to investigate, hence a quick call at the Sir Daniel Arms where I sample another rail-related ale, GWR Whistle Blower, as we enjoy the sunshine sitting at the tables outside.
* I needed that drink to prepare me for the horrors of Swindon railway station. If Oxford's had been disappointing earlier, Swindon's was a whole new league of misery that seems at odds with the town's proud railway heritage. Approaching from Station Square, I am greeted by a monstrous 1970's office block frontage towering up several storeys with a silvery metallic entrance pod at ground level. With this to confront me I had little intention of heading inside, and instead consoled myself with shots of the Queen's Tap pub and GWR Hotel located opposite.
* I hotfoot it back to the bus station just in time to join Mr Wood on the return 66. Mark ably demonstrates his D9 reversing prowess as we leave the bus station, although he does conveniently avoid attempting the Magic Roundabout - Dave might have got some stick for leading him through there otherwise! Without Mr Lunn to lead us astray, the ride proved an exercise in perfect bladder control, strange that...
* Back in Oxford we alight at the Royal Oxford Hotel and Woody does battle with the U1 Brookes University Bus. We then make a beeline for the Duke's Cut, sampling a pint of Brakspear Oxford Gold each perched outside on the decking above the canal. This was a fine spot to enjoy the sunshine and a waterside setting, buoyed further when news reaches me of Wolves taking the lead 1-0 over Newcastle at the Molineux. Classic moments from a pub that became an instant favourite.
* With hunger calling once more, we head up past Oxford Castle and find the Swan & Castle for another Wetherspoon's experience. My ale selection this time is the summery Olde English Rose from the Cotswold Spring brewery, a decent drink to mope into when Newcastle equalise. We work off our tea with a final walk around Oxford and another mooch around at Magdalen Street by the Randolph Hotel.
* Back to the train station for our 17:36 train home, reflecting on another highly successful, excellent adventure. Plenty of photos were taken, making the most of some fine weather and sampling a range of good brews - all in all, a great introduction to another fascinating corner of England.
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