Bus Driving around Cirencester

I had another bus driving lesson today, my third so far, this time in the biggest vehicle in the fleet, a Scania N113CRB (about 38 foot long).

After arriving at Cotswold Green HQ, I set off on an observation exercise with Mike, to do a school run. After putting on my new official Cotswold Green uniform polo shirt, we went and picked up the students from the school in Stroud, and went on a route through Minchinhampton and out to Tetbury, with Mike teaching me tips about driving on a school run. As soon as the last students left the bus, we stuck the "L" plates on, and set off again with me behind the wheel.

This bus was very different to the Dennis Darts I had driven on my previous lessons, it was longer, and much more powerful. We went into Cirencester and around the very narrow and winding one way system, and as I mounted the pavement twice, we went round again - this time I corrected my errors, and Mike almost looked pleased !

When we got to Stroud, we did the traditional trip around the one way system, and I managed to get round the tight corner, for the first time without running over George Holloway's toes !

I drove for about 2 1/2 hours this time, and when we got back to the depot, Mike got me to do a reverse into a gateway, and then get the bus into the right space in the yard. It was just gone 7pm so it was time to get across to Stroud, ready for the weekly St John meeting.

Bus Driving

Today was the day ! I had been keeping on non-stop to Rob for the last few months, and after having obtained my provisional license, I was allowed out for my first bus driving lesson!

I went to Cotswold Green's depot at 12.30pm to meet Rob (who was late) and met my driving instructor, Mike. He showed me around the Bus I would be driving( N464 TPR, a Dennis Dart with East Lancs. body) and explained the location of all of the controls.

Rob arrived with the Sellotape, and we bodged some "L" plates onto the front and back of the bus (a little too much Sellotape in my opinion, but Rob seemed to be happy!)

Mike drove us out of the depot and onto the main road, then pulled into a layby, we swapped seats, and then off we went, with me driving for the first time! The first challenge was a left hand corner, which I achieved without incident, so after a few more left and right corners, Mike decided it was time to try some roundabouts!

We went from Nailsworth to Tetbury, Cirencester, Coates, Aston Down, Stroud, Cainscross, Forest Green, and then back to Nailsworth, and I was driving for about 3 hours in total.

I hit two kerbs with the back wheels, one in Cainscross, and the other in Stroud centre. Both times were due to me not looking in the mirror properly as I went round the corner, and not allowing enough room for the back to swing round. Mike made me go around and do the same two corners again, so I would learn my lesson!

I really enjoyed my first lesson, and am looking forward to the next one!