It’s 10.10 on Tuesday morning on 12th July at Bowber Head and AEC Regent UTC 672 sets off on the 569 service to Hawes. Some passengers have already joined us on the journey, having parked their cars at the 'bus depot', ensuring they travel the whole of the route which initially heads west to Ravenstonedale village via the Fat Lamb pub where here, we pull into the car park for a moment or so before trundling down the lane leading to the village. The main pick up point is outside Ravenstonedale school but the driver, who today is Anthony, is always aware that passengers can be picked up anywhere en route.

After leaving the village we join the main A685 which links Kirkby Stephen with Tebay and climb Ash Fell which is very much a second gear climb for the AEC. Next stop is Kirkby Stephen station where, at 10.35 the 'Northern' operated train heading for Carlisle has just pulled in and we pick up more passengers before heading down Midland Hill to Kirkby Stephen town centre.

This is the point at which both driver and conductor look anxiously at the number of intending passengers waiting at the market square, but today a double deck vehicle is being used and the crowd of intending passengers is quite within the capabilities of Peter the bus as it is affectionately known. It is not unknown for passenger numbers to exceed the capacity of the bus but this can be soon dealt with by sending another bus from Bowber Head – passengers are never left behind by this company!

We set off at 10.50 doing a loop around the outskirts of the town to turn the bus around and head out on the B6259 road through the picturesque Mallerstang Valley initially following the River Eden. The surrounding hills, including the rather sinister looking Wild Boar Fell, tower over the bus as it threads its way along the normally quiet road, although the occasional herd of sheep or tractor can be encountered at any time!

The road weaves through the Mallerstang Valley with the River Eden coming into view during the first part of the journey

We reach the Moorcock Inn at 11.25, a few minutes late where we join the A684 and continue south towards our destination. During the journey, Charlie our conductor has collected fares and given out vouchers that can be used to obtain discounts from a range of shops and attractions in Hawes.

The bus continues the journey, crossing the River Ure at Apperset and on to the busy little town of Hawes where the main street is lined with market stalls and is thronged with people.

Arrival of the bus in Hawes always creates interest and cameras usually appear to capture the scene

As some of the passengers alight at this point, cameras are brought into action by passers by, who can’t believe that such an old bus, complete with uniformed conductor, is being used in service.

We then travel the short distance to the Rope Works and old station which is now a visitor’s centre, dropping off more passengers at 11.50, before travelling through the town again (more pictures!) and up to Hawes Creamery, home of Wensleydale Cheese where the final passengers (and crew) visit the cheese shop and restaurant. Here, visitors can taste the whole range of different flavours of cheese before making the difficult decision on which ones to buy, using their vouchers. It is said that a certain regular passenger lingers at this point and regards the tasting opportunity as a substitute for lunch, but I’m sure that can’t be true!

From July to the end of October the bus does a trip from Hawes to Ribblehead at 12.40 so the crew don’t have such a leisurely time as us passengers, who have over three hours to explore the town before departing again at 15.10. On this particular visit to Hawes the local church was open in the afternoon offering tea and cakes and in spite of a rather large helping of fish and chips being consumed an hour or so previously, we decided to support the church funds by indulging in what was on offer!

Peter the bus pulls away from Hawes town centre with a full load of passengers for Ribblehead

The return journey commences at 15.10 and gets us back to Bowber Head bus depot at 16.45 having dropped our passengers along the way, some of them heavily laden with shopping. During the trip Charlie the conductor always does his salesman bit and sells various Cumbria Classic fridge magnets, key rings etc. which passengers like to take away as a reminder of their trip.

Classic buses look completely at home when threading their way through the narrow streets of Hawes and here we see the view from the AEC as Anthony carefully picks his way between the tightly positioned buildings

Well, that was our Tuesday trip which is usually followed by a Wednesday journey to the market at Barnard Castle, outbound via the scenic road to Middleton in Teesdale and return via the A66.