A long day out for Ray and I, covering some tube closures before heading for various bases in NW and W London. Starting from Cannon Street, 4 SVs were found around Mansion House Station, including a Volvo demountable and one of the elusive Metronet VW vans. Tower Hill also had four SVs, all Transit vans, parked on Trinity Square. A Metronet Combo was on Minories at Algate (with 3 LBSL in the bus station) but then Liverpool Street and Moorgate had nothing. Up to Wembley Park (with lots of York City fans), on passing Neasden it was noted that the station yard is once again undergoing work and the SVs have been moved to the main depot parking area. Among the usuals there was another VW (not identified) and an artic. Rather unusually there were no SVs at Olympic Way. Have LBSL moved out again? Onwards by rail replacement bus, there were no SVs visible at any of the intermediate stations, and not much evidence of work going on. The bus did skip Canons Park though. Stanmore had the unique VW Crafter in a yard at the entrance to the car park. It appears to be resident here.

Winding our way to North Wembley, there were no Metroline SVs visible at the soon-to-be-closed garage, but a Tubelines Transit was parked nearby (and also the entire minibus fleet of Brent Council). After lunch at Willesden Junction, Park Royal was looked at. The NCP/NSL cars were not in evidence, just a Combo van. Onwards to North Acton for the uniform vans, then Perivale for the CELF. Former 2502F in white/blue is parked near here. After many fruitless visits to Alperton garage, their Vivaro van finally showed itself today. At Acton, the staff car park had three rarely seen vans (being 06 reg they are probably for disposal) as well as some other cars and vans. From the train, Frank Pick House has a new silver Transit outside (672xF replacing identical 5916F) while the lorry yard had the usual suspects. However, at the south end of the yard were no fewer than 8 Tubelines Welfare Transits, plus a few Fastline ones. Due to their position, no details were obtained and we couldn't decide if they were all new or existing ones gathered for some purpose. A walk over the top of Lillie Bridge with the zoom lens was successful, a couple of the recent anonymous 'pool' vehicles (Master 6646 and Partner 6633) being identifiable. I was pleased to find minibus 5713F still there, this being the last of the batch I hadn't seen, and presumably due to follow its sisters out of the fleet very soon. Edgware Road and Griffith House were fairly quiet, of interest being the replacement Zafira at the former and a Honda CR-V at the latter. After some refreshments, our route homeward took us through Tower Hill again and, although the Transits had left, another Metronet VW was parked up. A good result to end the day. Photos to follow.