IT was a trip down memory lane for one senior citizen on Sunday as she was reunited with the vintage coach which played a big part in her life and her wedding 50 years ago.
Half a century after Way and Son of Crediton bought the 'Albion Victor', John Way's widow Mary and ten family members set out on a journey of nostalgia from Okehampton.
The coach, which is now owned by Carmel Coaches of Northlew, still turns heads every Sunday in the summer as part of the Dartmoor Rover service. But Mary Way was unaware the coach was still in operation until she read a recent newspaper article.
'I thought it would be wonderful to take a trip on the coach after all these years and give the grandchildren an idea of what their grandfather did,' she said. 'It keeps the family in touch with their history.
'Had my husband lived, this year would have been our 50th wedding anniversary. The coach brought the guests to our wedding at Heavitree in Exeter.'
Sunday was also Mrs Way's 73rd birthday so a particularly apt occasion to take a tour around the sights of Dartmoor. She said it had been a very enjoyable day and Tony Hazell of Carmel Coaches had done a wonderful job in restoring the old bus and getting it roadworthy again.
Mr Hazell, who bought the vehicle from Way and Son in 1971, said the vehicle now travelled in the region of 3,000 miles a year and was used for the occasional wedding. It has even been featured on TV's 'Top Gear' programme.
'The coach has only ever had two owners so it was interesting to carry the original owner and her family — it was also a sentimental journey for her,' he said.
'The Albion Victor was one of the first coaches I ever owned so it is quite special to me. It was originally a hobby but a few years later I started up Carmel Coaches and now I have 17 vehicles.'
The owner said despite having no radio or television, the coach which had a sun roof and wind down windows, was very popular and many passengers felt the seats were more comfortable than the modern versions.
'Common Market legislation is likely to be the only thing that takes the Albion Victor off the road — it cannot be converted and by 2016 every coach will have to be capable of carrying wheelchairs,' added Mr Hazell.
'Everyone who has been a passenger on the coach has enjoyed it and it certainly makes heads turn when I drive it through Okehampton.'