Our steed for the day was New Enterprise DAF/Plaxton R904 BKO, seen here during an extended pick-up stop in Bracknell Bus Station.

First port of call, Swindon; here is new Thamesdown Wright-bodied Scania 509 (WX06 JYA).

By contrast, several of their Fleetline vehicles were out providing shuttles to and from Fairford Air Tattoo; here is 273 (MFX 173W).

Another Scania/Wright vehicle here is 508 (WX06 JYB).

In the bus station area, vehicles waiting to operate to Fairford were parked up. Nearest to the camera is Stagecoach in Gloucester Trident 18439 (VU06 JCV).

Dennis Dominators were also out and about; here is 75 (F603 RPG), heading for Fairford.

Stagecoach 34883 (VU06 JBV), one of three brand new Darts in the area, is seen here leaving the Bus Station.

Fleetline 275 (MFX 175W), emerges from behind a tree to enter the Bus Station from the one-way system.

Stagecoach 18501 (VU06 KFP), complete with "Children on board" sign, prepares to enter the Bus Station.

Stagecoach 20681 in a line of traffic approaching the entry to the Bus Station.

This is Thamesdown's garage; or rather, where it used to be!

Another Fleetline - 269 (MFX 169W), passes along the dual carriageway behind the town centre.

Dart 120 (XMW 120), a far cry from the original carrier of this registration; the destination display proclaims "Old Town, Okus" - which Paul Astell, a local resident, has told me are areas of Swindon - thanks Paul.

Ebley's of Nailsworth - reached by negotiating cows on Minchinhampton Common, and a series of hairpin bends. Here is their Mercedes/Hispano R267 SDT, in their new livery.

Probably not as bad as it looks - at least I hope not! Mercedes Vario/Plaxton R630 YOM, minus its front bumper (which I found inside the shed!) It has since been sold on for spares only.

A recent acquisition. D615 ASG, a Leyland Tiger/Alexander (despite the Volvo badge - thanks to David Love for the correction), which began its life with Fife Scottish, in an "as-acquired" livery; it came from Somerbus, Paulton, where it had been 704 BYL.

Ex-Warrington Dart/Carlyle 3525 (H889 LOX) - obviously a "VOR"! This has since made a "one-way trip to Barnsley" (thanks, Tom).

Alongside 3525 was Bristol VRT KTL 25V and sister Dart Carlyle 3524 (H886 LOX).
3525 has now been scrapped, KTL has now been sold, and 3524 is now preserved.
(Thanks, Tom!)

Dart/Plaxton 3510 (H104CHG), an ex-Rossendale vehicle, alongside yet another Dart/Carlyle 3513 (H887 LOX).
Both have since gone for scrap, 3510 to Erith Commercials, 3513 to Barnsley.

One of Ebley's coaches is a DAF/Van Hool - A6 ECS, parked in the road outside the depot.

On to Applegates depot in Newport. Here is the first MAN/Plaxton in the country in use - YN06 FXB.

Used as school buses, here are two ex-Nottingham Volvo Citybuses - C314 and 312 NRC.

A bit of a contrast - up-market Neoplan H3 EFA, next to Leyland National YPL 420T.

An Irisbus Agoraline chassis; the company operates one; the person I spoke to claimed it was "Buy one, get one free"! (BOGOF)

Another shot of the MAN/Plaxton, YN06 FXB.

So to Westward Travel depot, a lover of Tigers, but this is a LAG - F617 VNH.

One of several Tiger/Paramounts in the yard was this well-kept A930 JOD.

Interesting to us from Kent was FKK 840Y, on hire from Mike's Travel of Thornbury, who had just acquired it from Vista Travel (Jones, Yatton).

There are a number of VRT's on site too, including here XAN 431T, new to AERE.

Tucked behind a collection of spare parts is former MOD Tiger C828 EHU.

Another VRT is URB 161S.

Inside the shed was this former Tyne & Wear PTE/Busways Atlantean EJR 118W.

South Gloucestershire, Patchway - a large fleet, but much of it was boxed in or inside. Outside was Titan OHV 766Y.

This Olympian/Alexander came from Western Greyhound, Newquay (hence the N600 WGL registration), but was new in the London Airbus fleet as N124 YRW.

South Gloucestershire like Lynxes (at the moment!); here is an ex-Yorkshire specimen, H356 WWX.

Not the clearest of pictures, but HNB 45N was of interest to us, having operated for East Kent for a while; it now proclaims itself to be "Monks Park School Communication Bus".

Another former Airbus is N114 UHP, in an overall livery for UWE (University of West England), Bristol.

The Titan on the left (A887 SYE) is not in use, but ex-Rhymney Olympian C29 EUH is, as is ex-West Midlands Lynx G104 EOG.

This Mercedes 611D, P437 NKU, is well turned-out, having been acquired from Amber Valley.

Bristol Bus and Coach yard (Munden's); here is a line up of B...UAS Olympians in two different liveries.

Hidden round the back is withdrawn ex-Cardiff Olympian RBO 506Y.

There is a large number of ex-MOD vehicles on the premises, all left-hand drive, none easily identifiable, except to the expert (I'm not an expert!). I wonder which School this bus served? In the background, you can just see "Holby Line" on the side of A957 THW that had been turned over for the purposes of filming for "Casualty", screened on 23.9.06.

Staf Cars Wadham Stringer Dodge, one of several in this livery.

This looked like a prison van, with grills over the side windows; I understand Q736 VAF originated in France.

Former First Bristol B76 PJA; the livery still looks smart. It had been in use on UWE services until its withdrawal.

A line up of three ex-MOD Wadham Stringer vehicles in two different liveries.

New to Greater Manchester North as 1413, M413 RND is in an overall white livery, and appears to have been freshly painted. I understand it is now in use by Munden's in Bath on RUH Park & Ride services.

Yet another left-hand drive Wadham Stringer vehicle, allegedly "Sold", but to whom, and for what, and what will its registration finally turn out to be?

A left-hand drive ECW-bodied Bristol VRT - whatever next? I think this was a cancelled order, but don't have the details of the vehicle to hand.

What is the significance of the number "1000" on this Stagecoach-liveried door, I wonder?

Still in full FirstBus livery, here is F384 FYS.

This Mercedes is looking "tyred"; former FirstBus 50259 (M262 VWU) is unlikely to see further use.

Yet another ex-East Kent vehicle; G901 PKK spent some time with Jenson Travel (Jenkins, Abersychan) as RAZ 8627.

"Bath Bus Company" Metrobus used on City Sightseeing work in Bristol, B285 WUL, does not depict its passengers, I hope.

A line-up of various withdrawn vehicles, including another ex-Busways 'decker AVK 142V.

In old Stagecoach Corporate colours, here is one of the ex-Stagecoach Devon Ivecos, 310 (L939 CTT).

In Abus yard, not far away, here is RML 2631, allegedly exported to the States, but still in Bristol (so far!).

Two of Abus Solos, AP03 BUS, and AP03 BUZ, parked up in the yard.

Another ex-Military Javelin/UVG vehicle, still carrying its MOD registration, is in their "depot".