Tigerific! 1321's road test 20/12/14

Just a couple of weeks before 1321 had sailed through its MOT, and on its 24th birthday as well! It was now MOT'd, insured, and once it had been taxed was now ready for the road. We already had an idea of what we were working with after the drive back from 'Nash HQ' near Dorking, and she was meeting and exceeding all of our expectations as we went on.

So with the dreaded Ch******s festivities looming ever closer, we felt it fitting that we not only celebrate this but also celebrate 1321's pass by having a little road run and mini 'beer-ex', stopping off for a meal and calling off at a few public houses and getting into the festive spirit among friends. Invites were sent out to local friends of the group (although I was since told that some failed to reach people, for which I apologise - seems your blogmaster suffers from 'fat finger syndrome' when trying to send a blanket text to multiple persons!) Sadly fate intervened, with many people being stuck at work, away on holiday, or engaged in other commitments such as the dreaded Ch******s shopping, however we went ahead and decided to give 1321 the run-out she deserves, and Saturday 20 December dawned cold, damp and miserable.


With myself and Gary prising our arses out of our respective beds at some ridiculous hour of day, we ventured to the farm to check 1321 was fit for such a road test, and once Gary had showed me a few things with the bus, he vacated the premises to undertake another driving job, leaving me to perform a walk-round check and wait for the arrival of Paul. Sadly, Calum had had to drop out very last minute from the festivities, but had kindly given us his blessing to take the bus out for a run. Somewhat later than expected, Paul arrived and once we'd topped up the water we left in the direction of Derby, with 1321 giving effortless run up Middlebrook Hill into Selston, along the twisting challenging roads of Jubilee and Pye Bridge to Alfreton, where we decided to bewilder my former work colleagues in the off-licence I previously worked in, before offering a spirited performance along the A38 towards Derby.

  We picked up our two invited guests and friends of the group, Chris Gaskin and Geoffery Girling, and set off back along the old road through Little Eaton, stopping to top up the water, in the direction of the Brewers Fayre restaurant in Ripley, where we all enjoyed a meal and a few laughs. From here, we pressed on to the outskirts of the town, where Geoff was invited to take the wheel for a while, from here pressing on along the country lanes of Heage and Openwoodgate back to Kilburn Toll Bar, stopping off on our way back to Derby for photographs in picturesque Coxbench and a festive drink at the Queens Head in Little Eaton, an excellent Derby Tap pub that comes highly recommended.  

Calling in at Derby Bus Station to set down, it was here we bumped into fellow preservationist and friend of the group Michael Rogan, who had just finished throwing Sixes Scanias around the Belper region for a day. He didn't need asking twice when offered to take the hot seat, piloting 1321 from the Bus Station back to his home depot, Trentbarton's Meadow Road facility.

Saying our goodbyes to Michael, Chris & Geoff here we headed home, stopping off briefly in South Normanton for a special little guest to have a look at 1321. While our leader was busy emptying his bladder, your blogmaster was busy giving his 2yr old Godson George (whom I am slowly corrupting into transport, much to the amusement of his parents whom I have been close friends with for many years) a grand tour of the bus. With time not in our favour, we said our farewells and ventured off in the direction of the farm, before bidding farewell to one another and heading off in the direction of our respective homes.

And the verdict on this adventure? Wow! 1321 is effortless to drive, and gives a spirited performance, only let down on this road test by a water buzzer constantly chiming in the cab, and an issue which will be looked into and rectified as early in the new year as possible.