Update from Portsmouth Hard

Portsmouth's Hard has always been one of my favourite places to photograph. Firstly, when I was younger, it was down to the fact buses stood still and were parked on bays. However, nowadays it is due to the fact that the sun is excellent throughout the day, and you had a good number of services passing through. Today's post just illustrates some of my shots from a half hour visit on Saturday morning.

First up, here is one of the former Tridents used at Chichester for route 60. Venturing across the south coast on route 700, 18310 (KX05TWG) arrives at The Hard in splendid February sunshine. It was new to Stagecoach Manchester.

You can go pretty much anywhere in the Stagecoach empire and see this combination - a Dart SLF with Pointer 2 bodywork. Here is 34411 (GX53MWA) arriving on route 20 from Havant. 34411 was new to Winchester depot.

First this time - I first captured 41636 (R636VLX) on camera at Heathrow Airport in October 2003 - a few years later it turned up at First Hants & Dorset! It is pictured heading for Hilsea on route 6A.

First Hants & Dorset is one of the few places where you can still find quite a few Mercedes-Benz Varios in service. All the Hampshire ones are allocated to Hilsea depot, and here is former Midland Red 52513 (S533RWP) arriving at The Hard on a 14.

First Hants & Dorset are one of only 3 places in the First empire to use this combination - Scania Omnicity single decks. Here is 65019 (YN54NZT) pictured on First in Portsmouth's premier route - the 17 / 18 circular.

Finally, to commemorate Charles Dickens' birthday, First have named 5 Volvo B7RLEs after his books. 69392 (HY09AOR) is Oliver Twist, and is pictured here on the Saturday only Park & Ride contract.

Thanks for viewing.