Into the unknown...the adventure begins

In the days after our Christmas meal in Peachykeens, there was a sense of excitement building between the four of us - much like children with a new toy (I'm sure the lads will really thank me for saying that!). Paul had been in touch with Mike Nash and arrangements were in place to pay 2599 a visit on Saturday 28 December 2013. As day broke, we set off for the long drive to Dorking (Surrey), with a couple of pit stops en-route, and after a pursuit in the car through Dorking Town Centre that would have done The Sweeney proud to photograph an ex-Crosville Leyland Olympian on Rail Replacement duties, we arrived at the farm just after lunch.

I can still remember the cheshire cat grin on my face as we drove into the farm to see 2599 sat there, waiting for us. I think to this day that Calum, Paul and Peter all had similar expressions. After the formalities were out of the way, we set out to have a look around. Mike told us a bit about how he came to be involved with the bus himself, through friends on the Irish preservation scene, and that it had been in his custody for around seven years, in which time it had seen limited use. From initial inspection, it was clear to see that beyond the weather-beaten exterior here was a vehicle that had been well looked after through its life in preservation. After an inspection of the vehicle, we regrouped to discuss the formalities, and a plan was formed. Our pre-Christmas drunken ramblings were actually turning into a reality - it was actually happening. 2599 was ready to go, and ours for the taking. And so the deal was done. Paul purchased 2599, with myself (Dan), Calum and Peter acting as shareholders and paying into the cause, and once the relevant paperwork was done, walk-round checks completed and trade plates affixed, our minds turned back to the long journey home to Nottingham - with an extra vehicle and financially lighter!

Standing at the end of the road to the farm, camera in hand, I recall Mike Nash turning to me and his parting words were "He'll love that". And Mike, if you read this, you weren't wrong! He does - we all do! And many thanks for everything you did for us. Several photos and videos were taken as we left the farm, and once we said our goodbyes, our minds became focussed on the journey home. Calum had the honour of driving the RE, with Peter riding shotgun on the bus in a support role should any disaster unfold, while I joined Paul in 'Starship Focus' following behind, and we hit the road.

Not far outside Dorking, at the approach to a busy roundabout, our fears that something could go wrong were seemingly realised, when 2599 stalled in the middle of the approach. After a couple of attempts, and some choice expletives in the direction of an abusive car driver, she fired up again and all seemed fine once again. We pressed on, with the stall issue embedded in our minds. Was this going to be a problem? Could it lead to worse?

We pulled in at Clacket Lane Services on the M25 and brimmed the tank with fuel. At this point, Peter joined Paul in the car, while I took up my position with Calum on 2599, and we hit the road once again. Darkness began to fall, and a new problem befell us - before departing Dorking Mike had suggested that it be best to use the lights sparingly as we were not sure how this would affect the electrical systems. With Paul and Pete in front and 2599 on sidelights, we took the plunge to use the bus' headlights as total darkness descended. Our fears were unfounded - she carried on with no problems.

After another break at Peterborough Services, we continued our journey, our fuel starvation glitch and potential electrical issues pushed to the back of our minds. And then, total disaster. As we made our way into rural Leicestershire, a phone call by Paul revealed that the storage site where 2599 was to be kept was unable to receive the bus that evening. We were in a major dilemma. It was getting on for 2030 in the middle of nowhere, pitch black, amd we had a bus but no storage! Crisis point! Calum and Paul made some frantic phone calls and after around half an hour we got the break we were looking for. Tiger European of Colwick agreed to store the bus on a temporary basis until her new home at Langar was ready to take delivery. Panic over, the loud pedal was applied once again and we made our way ever closer to home.

Around 2100, nearly six hours after leaving Surrey, we finally made it to Tiger European's yard at Colwick, with a quick visit to Silverdale of Nottingham for Paul to show 2599 off to some of his colleagues. We'd done it. She was home. Not completely without incident, but she was in Nottingham in one piece - a great weight off our minds. The next job was to have her mechanically checked over, but that's another story. We had ventured into the unknown...the adventure begins.