On the Buses!

Today, being the May Bank  Holiday, two traditions were observed in Winchester: firstly, it rained, and secondly, the Friends of  King Alfred Buses (FOKAB) held their annual running day. We made sure we participated  in both!
My blip shows three of the many interesting, vintage,  buses in the  city today. The one in the foreground, in the  beautiful dark green livery of King Alfred Buses , (being one of the FOKAB fleet) is a 1935 Albion Victor. Today it was giving short, 15 minute, rides to members  of the public. 
The middle vehicle is a 1950 Bedford OB Duple Vista C23F which was visiting from Stalbridge, and only  on display today.
The vehicle at the  back is a 1944 Bedford  OWB, from Portsmouth,which we saw set off for Stockbridge. It would have been a bumpy 10 mile journey as the  seats were just hard wooden benches. (wartime austerity?)
Meanwhile, we travelled to Alresford, and back, on a Dennis Loline double decker which was a mere sixty years old, and which had  comfortable,  luxuriously upholstered, seats. However it can't be easy driving this vehicle; no power steering and difficult gear changes.      

In all, about ninety odd departures from  Winchester Broadway to surrounding suburbs and towns were on offer today, free, and on a first come, first served, arrangement. 
(There was an invaluable,  comprehensive,  programme and timetable for sale.)    
We got extremely wet in a heavy  downpour as we alighted  back in Winchester after our ride, but everyone was accepting it as just  part of the British Bank Holiday fully immersive experience.