2023 - September - Bus Driver of the Year 2023

Had a great weekend away as hubby was second in the local heats at the depot where he works and he earned a place in the final over the weekend in Blackpool.

This was hubby's first time in the the competition, so everything was new to us...

We arrived a day early rather than drive up on the day as check-in was 2.00pm on the saturday at the Imperial Hotel, followed by a briefing for the competition about 4pm, then in the evening was a gala dinner, a three course meal, a lovely evening which ended about 10.45pm so not much chance to do anything else as he was signing on for the competition/paperwork etc  the next morning at 7.30am so called it a night and went to bed, both really tired as the night before the room next to us, very noisy guests came in about 2am and had one of those extractor fans going all night, tv blaring, loud conversation etc, you get the idea, so when you don't get much sleep, it does tend to put you in a bad mood! 

Anyway next morning, over 101 drivers took part. Hubby's start time was around 8.20am and I'm not a morning person but did make the effort and got up to watch from a distance. Once the driving was finished, just time to have a quick breakfast and pack before the theory test at 10.30am, then check out for 11.00am and then time to have Sunday dinner and later get changed for the Awards ceremony at 4pm, hubby didn't win any awards this year but it has been a nice experience, it was lovely weather all weekend for the competition and we have both really enjoyed going.

(thanks to Richard & Kev for the competition photo's)

then back to the hotel for a something to eat then a evening walk on the promenade to catch the sunset...

we could see this from the other hotel, I'd like to think that those no longer with us were there in spirit....it's time like this, you just want to phone up and share the moment with them but you realise that is no longer possible anymore...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You can find more info here on the Bus Driver of the year website - 

https://www.bdoy.co.uk/   

https://www.route-one.net/news/bus-driver-of-the-year-2023-winners-crowned-in-blackpool/   

there are some links to YouTube to some video's 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_86c8oX9WrU&pp=ygUbYnVzIGRyaXZlciBvZiB0aGUgeWVhciAyMDIz 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjrFFrreoMA 

**this blog is mainly for me to post about Solstice Days stuff with the occasional personal post included, I try to not mention or post stuff about other people on here as it is a public blog, where on facebook, you can share personal stuff then just family and friends can see private stuff, so I hope that answers that question**