Trip to Northwich / Nantwich 31-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2612	Northwich Interchange	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W
2617	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL15	Nantwich BS	Bishop Wood	51	GHA
SL15	Bishop Wood	Nantwich BS	51	GHA
SL07	Nantwich BS‎	Crewe BS	K39	GHA

Today we decided to go on a shorter trip as mum had a night out planned. I gave Matthew the choice of going to Leek to cover the Clowes Coaches #108 and #234, or to go Northwich to try and get some of the more recent ALX400 DAF arrivals at Arriva. Matthew chose Northwich. We didn't do any research for this trip other than to check the weather which was for sunny intervals. In hindsight we should have done some as will be revealed Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 today, heading onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. We headed onto the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. There was a short delay on the A500 due to a crash near Talke which must have only just happened. At the end of the A500 just before we got onto the Northbound M6 we saw Z Carz BV51 BNO going South. We got onto the M6 and went one junction up to the A534. I decided to drive through Sandbach up to Middlewich to try and see some of the the #37 turns as we traveled North. In Sandbach itself we saw Arriva NW&W 2616 going towards Crewe. On the edge of town we passed Arriva NW&W Cadet 2497 going the other way. We carried on North up the A533 into Middlewich, where we stopped at the country Kitchen for dinner. Matthew had a bacon and egg bap washed down with a bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw required Arriva NW&W 2618 heading North. We then carried on into Northwich parking up around 13:20. We walked down to the interchange and there were 3 buses on stand. Dud Arriva NW&W 2516 was on the #1 service, required Arriva NW&W 2502 was on the #29A circular and dud 2612 was on the #37 to Crewe. Matthew went to use the toilet and then we made a decision. As we hadn't seen any double deckers on the 5 #37 turns we had seen so far, that there probably weren't any out on the #37 so we would head to Crewe to see if there were any double deckers on the #84's. Matthew got a picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 and then we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Northwich Interchange

We sat down somewhere in the middle on the drivers side. The bus was about 1/3 full. As we left Northwich we saw Arriva Dart 866 and 867 on the #2 and #4 service. This was our second run on Arriva NW&W Centro. The first run had been back in June on the short run into Northwich from the iron bridge. We headed South through Davenham and Moulton and through Wharton. At Wharton we saw Arriva NW&W 2497 on the #37 having crew change. We carried on South to Middlewich and then towards Sandbach. We passed Arriva NW&W 2503 on the A533 between Middlewich and Elworth. As we headed towards Sandbach the bus had emptied and we were the only ones on the bus. We arrived in Sandbach around 14:35 and the bus took on a few more passengers. We left towards Wheelock passing the remaining #37 turn which was dud Arriva NW&W 2610. We went through Haslington passing Arriva NW&W 4490 on the #38 to Macclesfield. We passed the railway station. and headed towards town passing required Arriva NW&W 4143 on the #84 to Chester. When we got into Crewe Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

There was a few inutes befre the next #84 turn, which appeared to be dud Arriva NW&W 2617. Also parked up in the bus station was dud Arriva NW&W 4156 on layover.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Crewe bus station

A few minutes later Arriva NW&W pulled onto stand and Matthew got a picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 2617 in Crewe bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. The last time we got on this bus was back in December 2012 on a #29A circular. The bus headed out of town and onto Nantwich Road. It was a while before we passed the first Northbound #84 and it was required Arriva NW&W 4017. Very close behind was dud Arriva NW&W 4096. Just before we reached Nantwich we passed another DAF, required Arriva NW&W 4078. when we got to Nantwich we waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2617

When we got to nantwich we decided to visit the toilet and the market. As we approached the toilet we noticed this Routemaster being used as a mobile shop. After using the toilet we got a picture of this bus.

RM1590 in Nantwich Market

We had a few Mint Toffees from a market stall and then walked back to the bus station. We were waiting to see the next Chester and Crewe buses on the #84, and whist we waited we took a few pictures. GHA Solo SL07 was parked up n the bus station in between turns.

GHA SL07 in Nantwich bus station

Dud GHA SL17 was parked up with Explorica Tours on its display. GHA SL15 was working the Nantwich town circular services.

GHA SL15 in Nantwich bus station

When the next Chester service came in and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4156 Matthew decided he wanted to do something different. GHA SL15 arrived off one of the town circulars and we got on it leaving uncle Dave behind. We sat down and off we went. The buses crossed the railway a couple of times and went around the housing estates to the South of the railway line. A short time later we headed back into the town centre. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 4042 on a Crewe service. When we got back to the bus station matthew photographed the inside of the now empty GHA SL15.

Inside GHA SL15

When we got off SL15 he ran straight onto SL07. We caught up with him after we got on and got a picture inside the empty SL07.

Inside GHA SL07

Uncle Dave joined us and we saw it was on the K39 service to Crewe so we decided to do this. We sat down and the bus set off. We called mum to ask her to meet us at Crewe. The bus headed out of town on the A51 and then we went around a big housing estate off Peter Destapleigh Way. We got back on the A51 and then we headed through Walgherton & Wybunbury. We then went through Hough and Shavington and then crossed the A500. We wound our way from Rope Lane to Gresty Road through the houses and then we crossed straight over Nantwich road going into town via Tesco. When we arrived into Crewe bus station Matthew got a picture of GHA SL07 on stand.

GHA SL07 in Crewe bus station

We decided to spend 5 minutes taking pictures in and around the bus station before we returned to the car. First thing photographed was dud Arriva NW&W 876.

Arriva NW&W 876 in Crewe bus station

Then we got a picture of dud Arriva NW&W 4489 which had just arrived into the bus station on a #84 from Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4489 in Crewe bus station

The next #84 short to Nantwich was required Arriva 4078 which we could have done up if we had waited for it.

Arriva NW&W 4078 in Crewe bus station

We walked out of the bus station towards the car on the Delamere Street car park. As we crossed the road we saw D&G 5 was about to leave on a #8A service so Matthew got a picture.

D&G 5 in Crewe bus station

We turned to see D&G 3 on a #1 service too.

D&G 3 near Crewe bus station

We got in the car and Matthew had his Greggs sausage roll. He also had a burger which supposed to be mums tea and a few f her fries. This was washed down with the Coke from the MacDonalds meal. We set off ut of town and onto the Nantwich Road. We went passed the railway station and onto the A5020 passed Crewe Hall and onto the Southbound A500. We did this past the M6 and down to the A50 which we did to Longton. At Z Carz today were the following. The Mercedes minibus which we had seen earlier BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Newest coach ALZ 8539 was also there.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

We also saw Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next we saw decal-less DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

Lastly n the spare ground was W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

In the Willow Row compound parked at the back was LDV minibus T408 JUX. We carried on hoe heading down Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries Dart 40144 n the #22 to Longton. We got home just after 18:00. Mum went out and we had a late tea of bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Trent Vale 30-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40011	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to catch a bus up to the pub to meet mum. Earlier in the day First Potteries 34286 had worked the 08:20 from Newcastle to Longton which I saw on the way to work. Matthew got up around 09:00. I got home from work and and we chilled out at home for a while. He had a late breakfast of toast and some orange juice. I viewed the remaining #22 turns. I was hoping that First Potteries 34286 was going to work the 1318 from Newcastle to Longton. The bus was dud First Potteries 40020. The other 3 turns were dud First Potteries 40180 and required First Potteries 40011 & 40017. We decided to have dinners first. Matthew had some sandwiches and a banana, but he only ate the banana. In order to get First Potteries 40011 in, we set off to the bus stop just before 16:00. We arranged to meet mum at the pub round 16:20. Whilst we waited for our bus, we saw dud first Potteries 40180 going towards Longton.

First Potteries 40180 in Blurton

A few minutes later required First Potteries 40011 rounded the corner and he got a picture of it as it approached.

First Potteries 40011 in Blurton

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus was not empty, but people were spaced out all around the bus. Matthew took a picture of the handle on the back of one of the seats on this Solo out of first Potteries' oldest batch of these buses.

Inside First Potteries 40011

The bus set off and turned onto the A5035. We headed into Trentham and then turned right into New Inn Lane. By the man in Space we passed First Potteries 60072 on a #21 service. We carried on into Hanford and then onto the A34. We passed First Potteries Dart 40373 on a Trentham bound #21A service. The bus crossed under the A500 and passed The Black Lion. The bus turned Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus.

First Potteries 40011 in Trent Vale

We set off walking towards the black lion. We got on the A34 and then we saw required First Potteries on the other #22 turn.

First Potteries 40017 in Trent Vale

We could have actually caught this bus if only for one stop! We got to the pub before um due to heavy traffic on the A34. A couple of minutes later mum made an appearance and we all went into the pub. Matthew had his sausage egg chips and beans with bacon and bread and butter. For afters he had toffee sponge pudding and ice cream. Whilst we ate we saw Arriva Midlands 3417 heading North. Not sure where that was going to... After we had finished eating we went to pick up uncle Dave. We went via the A34, A500, A50 and Heron Cross. After we had picked up we returned home via Heron Cross and Blurton seeing Z Carz SL52 BTY. We got home and then chilled out. Matthew watched bus DVD's from 1980, and used his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Hanley / Biddulph 28-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2302	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Hanley BS	46	Wardle Transprt
30031	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34A	First Potteries
34285	Newcastle BS	Pennine way, Biddulph	99	First Potteries
34285	Pennine way, Biddulph	Biddulph BS	99	First Potteries
267	Biddulph BS	Northwood, adj Providence Square	9	Bakerbus

Today we decided to go out and catch a few buses locally to see if there was anything interesting about. I had ben t work and seen a few of the local turns. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had some toast an orange juice. I came home from work just before 13:00 and I had viewed what was going to be working the 1315 to Hanley #46 and the 13;17 to Newcastle #22. I quickly got ready and we set off just after 13:00. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do Wardle Transport 2302 to Hanley on the #46 or First Potteries 40145 on the #22 to Newcastle. Matthew chose to do Wardle Transport 2302. We waited a few minutes and then the bus turned up.

Wardle Transport 2302 in Blurton

It turned out we needed Wardle Transport 2302! We got on and it was empty so Matthew got a picture inside of the bus too.

Inside Wardle Transport 2302

We sat own near the back and the bus set off. This was our first time we had done the new #46 service. We passed First Potteries solo 53155 in Blurton and then turned up Longton Hall Road. The bus went into Longton interchange and whilst we were there we saw Wardle Transport 2038 on a #46 going towards Blurton and wardle Transport 4802 on a X50 to Derby. We did the diversion around King Street railway bridge, passed the Crown Hotel and joined back onto King street near the Foley Arms pub. We carried on down City Road and then along Leek Road to the railway station. We then went up College Road and into Hanley. At the bus station we decided t visit the toilet and then to go get something to eat. As we were leaving the the bus station we saw First Potteries 34286 arrive into the bus station. We decided to go and wait for it to come out and get a picture before we carried on to get something to eat. As we went up towards the entrance of the bus station we saw required First Potteries Dart 40173, now the last Dart of this batch in service with First Potteries.

First Potteries 40173 near Hanley bus station

Right behind this was one of Bakerbus' new deckers 267.

Bakerbus 267 near Hanley bus station

We stood on the corner for a couple of minutes to wait for 34286 to depart from the bus station. Eventually it appeared and it was working a #20A to Talke Pits.

First Potteries 34286 in Hanley bus station

We walked past The Victoria theater and the town hall and went to The Seafarer chip shop. We had a portion of chips between us and 2 cans of pop. Today we decided to take the food back to John Street car park rather than eat at a bench and then go to the car park. We ate our chips and Matthew drank his can of dandelion and burdock. We saw Bakerbus loan vehicle AE09 DJK and Wardle Transport 4891 which was on a #19 service.

Wardle Transport 4891 in Hanley bus station

We put our rubbish in our trip bag and continued taking a few pictures. Then required First Potteries 30031 made an appearance!

First Potteries 30031 entering Hanley bus station

We decided to run to the bus station to see if we could make it the 400 yards or so into the terminal before the bus left. It took us a couple f minutes to get there and negotiate the crowds in and around the bus station. When we got there the bus was loading and was on a #34A to Talke Pits. We booked to Talke Pits and we went upstairs. There were people on the bus so he didn't get a picture inside. As we traveled down towards Festival Park it did occur it me that we would probably pass First Potteries 34286 coming the other way at so point so there might be a move on. We looped around Festival Park and onto the A53 towards Newcastle. After traveling up and over the hill in Basford we headed down into Newcastle town and bus station. As we entered the bus statin we saw dud First Potteries 30033 on layover which was probably working the X39, We also saw another step entranced double decker. As we got closer we saw it was required 34285! We didn't know what it was working as we couldn't read the dot matrix display from an angle. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and try and catch the bus and he said yes. We negotiated the crowds in the bus station and we saw the bus was having a driver change. We also noted that it was on the #99 to Biddulph. We both got a picture of this bus as we waited for the driver to ready the bus for service.

First Potteries 34285 in Newcastle bus station

When the bus was ready we got on and sat upstairs. The bus set off just after 15:00 and we headed out of Newcastle towards Wolstanton. At the top of Porthill we turned right down the hill towards Longport. We headed into Tunstall, and after we passed through Tunstall we went down Queens Avenue and into the Mill Hill estate. We turned left onto High Lane and then at the roundabout we turned right towards Fegg Hayes were we saw Bakers coaches 4 & 7 (3601 RU and 1513 RU). We then made the climb towards Biddulph. We went through Brindley Ford and straight up to to the crossroads an Knypersley, where we turned right. We went around the estate and then into town. I was expecting the bus to go into the bus station such as it is, but after the bus left the High Street we passed nearby the bus station and into a housing estate North East of the town. We went along Pennine way which must the terminus of the service and then headed back into town. In this direction the bus serves the bus station so we got up and rang the bell. As we got up Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside First Potteries 34285

We got off the bus. Bakerbus 180 was at the bus station working a #99 service. We then we went to the toilet. We sat down and had a drink of Coke and waited for a bus. There were 2 buses back towards Hanley due just after 16:00. There was 7A First Potteries at 16:13 and then a Bakerbus #9 at 16:20. The #9 arrived first and it was required Bakerbus 267. Right behind this was required Bakerbus 250 on a #99 service to Macclesfield.

Bakerbus 250 in Biddulph bus station

Matthew had a quick look at the bus and then he went to the driver to ask him if we could go on the bus and have a look inside. The driver let us on and we had a look inside this fine Dart. Matthew got a picture and we got off again.

Inside Bakerbus 250

We said thank you to the driver and then we went to wait for the bus and sat at the stop. We had seen dud First Potteries 61239 on the #7A, we had also seen Bakerbus 186 on a #94A to Newcastle. Just before 16:20 Bakerbus 267 pulled up towards the bus stop and Matthew got a picture.

Bakerbus 267 in Biddulph bus station

As we got on the bus we went upstairs It was empty so at the back so Matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside Bakerbus 267

The bus set off back around the main estate and towards Brown Lees. I called mum to arrange to meet on the edge of Hanley. We joined back onto the A527 near to the Bakerbus depot and then headed down through Brindley Ford. We then headed down to Fegg Hayes. We turned right and went through Chell Heath. At Bradley we passed step entranced Volvo B6 227 and then we traveled through Smallthorne and onto High Lane. We headed towards Hanley and we got up when we reached the triangular Providence Square. We got off and Matthew got a picture off 267 as it headed off into Hanley passing Bakerbus 268 on the Northbound #9.

Bakerbus 267 near Hanley

Mum was waiting on Merrick Street and we walked over to her. We headed hoe via Northwood, Limekiln Bank, Leek Road and then passed the Co-op we went straight at joiners square and went straight onto City Road. We turned right under the railway bridge and then passing Wardle Transport 2217 on a #41 service. We joined the Southbound A500 and then did the A50 up to Stanley Matthew Way. At the end of Stanley Matthews way we stopped at the chip shop to pick up tea. We got home around 17:40 and Matthew ate his sausage, chips and gravy. Matthew chilled out n his computer and I set off to the football around 18:50. around 20:30 mum and Matthew went to take uncle Dave home. They stayed at uncle Daves and I walked down to meet them after the match, getting pictures of Wardle Transport 3615,4802,4891 & 4895 on support shuttle buses. Just after 22:00 we all went home via Heron cross and Blurton. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Preston / Longridge 24-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
18364	Preston BS	Longridge, opp Post Office	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
18154	Longridge, opp Post Office	Preston BS	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
18359	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
15908	Lea, opp Police Station	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire
21107	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
18360	Lea, opp Police Station	Preston BS	68	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to got to Preston. We had considered going to Bamber Bridge this week, but we thought that there wouldn't be enough buses to keep our interest. Research consisted of studying a local map of services and checking out the weather. The weather was for cloudy skies and mild temperatures. Unrelated, we fund out that First South Yorkshire ALX400 deckers 30872 & 30877 had moved from Rotherham to Bolton. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice. We set off around 12:00 and got onto the A5035. We traveled down Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. On the Northbound A500 we passed a Holmeswood coaches tri-axle double decker and we also saw Z Carz minibus DL03 HHU. The M6 was quite busy and it took quite a while to get up to the M56. beyond here the M6 was much clearer and we carried on up the M6 until we reached the A59. We did the last couple of miles into Preston along the A59 and then we parked up in the car park over the bus station. We came down into the bus station in the lift and then Matthew visited the toilet. We at at the bus station cafe where Matthew had a breakfast. After we had finished eating we went out to see what we could catch. We picked up a leaflet with tickets information and a few stagecoach timetable and then we went out to see what we could catch. Almost immediately we saw an ALX400 which we fancied doing, it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 18364.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18364 in Preston bus station

We got on and booked our Preston day ticket and went upstairs. the bus was quite well filled, and we noticed by the buses we passed that the bus ran at a 10 minute frequency too. The bus set off out of town and North West along Ribbleton Lane. The bus carried on through Ribbleton and Grange and then onto Longridge Road. We crossed over the M6 and then traveled into Grimsragh. We then headed into Longridge to the Berry lane terminus of the service. The bus emptied out and Matthew waited to get a picture of the empty Stagecoach Lancashire 18364.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18364

We decided to cross over the road and get another picture of this fine bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18364 in Longridge

As we had 10 minutes we decided to visit the toilets in town where they had a Trent bathrooms sink, before returning back to the stop. By the time we got back to the stop the next bus had arrived. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 18154.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18154 in Longridge

The fact that it was required was a surprise. I thought it was one of the buses that we had in Blackpool back in October 2012. This turned out not to be the case. We got on, and as it was empty Matthew got a picture inside the bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18154

We sat at the front of the bus and I took a picture of the local co-op out of the front window of the bus as we waited to depart The bus set off around Longridge and then back down Longeridge Road & Ribbleton Lane into Preston. As we cam back into town we noticed a Dart coming into town too n the #109 service. When we gt off the bus we visited to newsagent and picked up a Milky Way and Galaxy Caramel. We also picked up a can of coke and lottery tickets. We then saw required stagecoach 18359 on a 68 to Blackpool so we decided to do this bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 in Preston bus station

We got on and went upstairs. The top deck was nearly empty when we boarded the bus so Matthew decided to take his picture there and then.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18359

We did not have a timetable for this service s we had to try and guess where we should get off. We set off and went passed the outdoor market. We passed dud stagecoach Lancashire 15573 on a #125 service. When we stopped on Lancaster Road we saw someone take a picture of this bus. We headed out of town along the A583 and under a narrow arched bridge. Somewhere near the Blackpool line we headed up to the A5085 where we turned left towards Blackpool. We had a guess as to how far we could travel and got off at a crossroads. Matthew got another picture of the bus as we got off.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 in Lea

it turned out we had gt ff at Lea on the edge of the Citi zone. We crossed the road to wait for the next bus back. we were pleased to see both the #61 and #68 served this stop. The next bus due was a #68 at 16:15 followed by a #61 at 16:23. The #68 was a little late. We let Preston Bus 20767 on #31A service go, as well as an unidentified Cumfybus on the #75. Next new Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 made an appearance on the #61 so we decided to get on this.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 in Lea

We got on and went upstairs. The bus was quite well filled as we sat down. The bus took a slightly different route to the #68 back into town. We headed further along the A5085 and then down Tulketh Brow running alongside the Blackpool line. We joined back into the A583 and ran back into town down a familiar route. When we got back into the bus station we the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach 15908.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15908

We decided to have a bit for a walk about at this point whilst we decided which bus to catch next. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went out of the bus station to take a few pictures. One of the buses he got a picture of was Stagecoach Megabus 20547 on an Aberdeen service.

Stagecoach Megabus 50247 in Preston bus station

We went back into the bus station and we thought about doing Transdev Lancashire united 1101 on the #152 to Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 1101 in Preston bus station

As we didn't have a ticket for this we didn't do it. We then saw Stagecoach Lancashire 19034 on a #2 to Southport which we didn't fancy doing today. Near to this was Stagecoach Lancashire 21107 on a #68. It wasn't ready at first so we sat down and Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a Milky Way. Mum walked passed as she had heard Matthew nearby. When 21107 was ready we got on the bus and sat down near the back. We decided to do the bus to Lea as we know knew where this place was. The bus was quite full and there wasn't an opportunity to take a picture of the bus empty. Just before we got off Matthew took a picture of the bus when it was a little less crowded.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107

We got off by the police station in Lea again and Matthew took a picture of this fine Volvo.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21107 in Lea

We crossed the road to wait for the next bus. This time it was the #68 that turned up first and it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 18360. We got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus set off back and seemed to take a different route than last time. Then we remembered we were on a #68 and not a #61! We gt back to the bus station and we waited for the bus to empty before taking picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18360

We got off and took a picture of the outside of the bus too.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18360 in Preston bus station

We met up with mum and headed back to the car. At the car we had sausage rolls and Matthew washed this down with an Irn Bru. We got back onto the A59 an headed back to the M6. The motorway was now clear and we got down to Junction 16 in no time. As we traveled down we saw this Starline Travel Van Hool coach YXI 5860 traveling South.

Starline Travel YXI 5860 near Sandbach

We joined the A500 and we passed the same Holmeswood PN07 EHF as we had done on the A500 earlier in the day. We got onto the A50 and then we left the A50 at Longton to have a look at the Z Carz depot. First on the row was Scania coach D104 XAN

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next was there newest coach ALZ 8539.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Also present was DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

Behind this was recent arrival, VW minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned left to have a look to see if there was anything in the Willow Row compound and we saw LDV minibuses T408 JUX & DS51 ZJU. We went to Longton Hall Road and returned to Blurton around 19:15. As we were running late we had sausage chips and gravy for tea from the chip shop. Just before 22:00 I took uncle Dave home and we saw Wardle Transport 2540 on Stanley Matthews Way working the #500 service. On the way back I traveld via Heron Cross and blurton and we saw 40029 working on the evening #23 service. Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark