60 route Chichester to Midhurst and back again - Tuesday 11 July 2023

Bus arrived promptly at 9.15...it was an older gold and yellow liveried 700 rather than the Southdowns-a-like green 60 livery. Comfy inside and I managed to bag the 'drivers' seat. that's top deck at the front for those who don;t know. Great for views of the early morning Chichester street scene.

And the wonders of the downland route through Lavant, Singleton and Cocking. It really is a beautiful route and although the bus is really rattly, it's so much better than driving a car because you can see so much more. Including over fences, hedges and houses. You get a glimpse of West Dean House and Gardens; the Weald & Downland Museum and into old allotment areas, interesting back gardens and you get to see the Centurion Way as it takes the route of a former railway, flowing under the road.

It's also interesting to hear the range of voices and diversity on the bus. Older people, young workers, students and tourist from all over the world, including some German backpackers who got on in the middle of nowhere and got off in the middle of some other nowhere to continue their walk along the South Downs Way no doubt.

Even at a quiet time of day like this - straight after rush hour, you realise that without a regular bus service, some people would be totally stranded. On this route you also get a glimpse of the suburbs of Midhurst and take a weird route through the Holmbush Industrial Estate.

Great to see the A286 (North Street) fully open, and from the top deck you can really see the devastation of the Angel Hotel fire. I remember attending a meeting in what's now a burned-out fragment of a room that now remains at eye-level with the top deck and that was once a plush wood panelled space with an antique conference table.

But it was great to see that Midhurst was a bustling place again.

The no.60 buses are regular (every 30mins) and reliable and a bargain at the current £2 a trip. However, the bus station is looking a little tired and lacks electronic information signs, although the timetables were up to date. It's a little confusing where you wait for the 60, though. But it all worked out and I was on the same bus back to Chi, with the same friendly driver. Really enjoyed the journey.