Trip to Burnley / Todmorden 28-06-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41283	Burnley BS	Mytholmroyd, at Burnley Road Midgley Rd	517	First West Yorkshire
66746	Mytholmroyd, opp The Dusty Miller PH	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69586	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
32525	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
32696	Todmorden BS	Eastwood, opp Halifax Rd Shaw Wood Road	592	First West Yorkshire
69585	Eastwood, Halifax Rd Shaw Wood Road (SW-bound)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69583	Todmorden BS	Burnley BS	592	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Burnley. We checked the weather and it appeared to be better to the north today. So we gave matthew a choice of a few Northern towns and he chose Burnley. Research consisted of looking at the price of and validity of First tickets on the off chance we got to Burnley in time to the #517 to Halifax and it was something worth catching. It turned out the First West Yorkshire tickets was only £4.60 and Transdev Silver ticket is £6. We also checked the times of the #517 service as this changed in April. Matthew got up at 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off just after 11:30. We headed onto the A5035 and then we turned into Stanley Matthew Way. We had a short trip along the A50 and we joined the Northbound A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so we could fill up with LPG. After we had finished filling up we took the A53 West following First Potteries 66307 on a #34A to Talke. We got back on the Northbound A500 and we headed up to the M6. We then went North and we saw ABC Supreme YN55 KXO going North too. We turned East at the M62 and we continued East on the M60. When we got to the M66 we went North past Bury and Ramsbottom. We overtook Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 on a X43 to Burnley and we then carried on up the A56 until we reached the M65. We went a couple of junctions further East before we came off the motorway for the last couple of miles into town. We parked near the bus station and we walked across the the Atlantis Cafe. Mathew went upstairs to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Apparently the owner of the cafe is from Stoke! Matthew had a breakfast and a large cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the end of the bus station to get a few pictures. Required First West Yorkshire 41283 was on the #517 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41283 in Burnley bus station

If we walked quickly around the bus station, hopefully we would be able to catch this bus. Also in the bus station was Mainline liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1857 on a #23 to Accrington.

'Mainline' 1857 in Burnley bus station

We the saw Tyrer Bus YJ05 WCE departing the bus station on a #65 service.

Tyrer Bus YJ05 WCE in Burnley bus station

We also saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle Dart 715 on a local service.

'Starship' 715 in Burnley bus station

The bus we had passed on the M66 was now in the bus station. 'Witch Way' branded Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 was about to work a X43 to Manchester.

'Witch Way' 2780 in Burnley bus station

Last in the row was another starship liveried bus. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle Optare Versa 260 on a #5 service.

'Starship' 260 in Burnley bus station

We quickly walked around the into the bus station and we got on First West Yorkshire 41283. We decided to get the cheaper First West Yorkshire Day ticket and venture East. We sat down at the back of the bus which was quite full. The bus left town along Harry Potts Way past Turf Moor and the gigantic picture of Tunstall born Martin Paterson. We went beyond Brunshaw, the furthest point which we had travelled on the #517 when we did First West Yorkshire 41316 back in January. Further along the road the houses gave way to open Moorland. We caught up with a tractor puling a trailer full of Hay and we followed it for a short while. We turned left onto The Long Causeway following the tractor! The tractor pulled over a little further up the road and we went past it and off into the wide open moors. We climbed higher and the views were spectacular... I recommend doing this Saturdays Only bus as a scenic tour if you ever find yourself in Burnley at a loose end. We carried on going up and passed a large bank of wind turbines before starting the decent back into civilization. We passed the village of Blackshaw Head. We saw TLC bus 90819 on a #596 to Blackshaw Head. We carried on down into the Calder Valley and through a village called Heptonstall. As we we approaching Hebden Bridge I asked the lady in front of us if there was a bus station. She mentioned a turning circle and stops on the High Street. She also asked me if we were coming next weekend for the cycle race. The bus emptied a little and Matthew took a picture of the seat opposite us.

Inside First West Yorkshire 41283

The bus joined onto the A646 from a steep road at a sharp angle. We carried on to the next stop which also had a turning circle so the bus could turn around to head into town. For a small town Hebden Bridge has an incredibly busy high street. It is full of independent (expensive) shops. Mum wouldn't like it... We decided to go past Hebden Bridge to Mytholmroyd, a town that we have visited before from the Halifax end back in September 2013. When we got to the centre of town we decided to get off. Matthew got another picture of this interesting old Dart before it continued up the A646 towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41283 in Mytholmroyd

We had a look a round to see what was there. There was a bus stop opposite with a toilet block behind it. There was also a paper shop. We decided to walk up to the crossing so we could visit the paper shop. As we walked up to the crossing we saw TLC 3097 on a Westbound local service.

TLC 3097 in Mytholmroyd

We crossed the road and we found that the paper shop was shut! We walked into town a little but we could not find a shop. As we got back to the bus stop we saw that their was a Sainsbury's local store almost exactly where we had got off the bus! At the same time we saw First West Yorkshire 69578 on a #590 to Todmorden.

First West Yorkshire 69578 in Mytholmroyd

We crossed back over to Sainsbury's and Matthew picked up a can of Coke and a twin pack of Milky Way. We crossed back over to the stop and we saw there was a bus to Todmorden every 10 minutes on service #590 from Halifax. At ten past the hour there was a through #590 service to Rochdale. There was also an hourly #592 through to Burnley at 20 to the hour. Matthew visited the toilet and when he came out we had a little picnic at the bus stop. We broke a can of Irn Bru out of rations, which he drank just before the bus turned up. The bus was required First West Yorkshire 66746.

First West Yorkshire 66746 in Mytholmroyd

We flashed our First Bus tickets and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back through Hebden Bridge and this time we were able to appreciate it more. All the shops were decorated with cycling related displays for the race next weekend. I could not believe it when I found out that the race is going to be part of the Tour de France! The bus carried on through the Calder Valley for a further 5 miles into Todmorden where we planned to get off. On the way we passed Leyland tiger CBM 13X parked up in a layby. The bus followed the A646 through town, turning right towards Burnley and into the bus station which is situated under the 7th arch of the railway viaduct which runs through the town overhead. We got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the bus station. We considered our next move... There was a second #517 from Burnley to Halifax at 17:05. The Burnley bound bus from Hebden Bridge would probably depart from around 16:00. Also the #592 to Burnley was due at 15:50 through Hebden Bridge too. If we could get back quick enough we should make one or the other of these buses. There was a #592 to Halifax in the bus station, required First West Yorkshire 69586.

First West Yorkshire 69586 in Todmorden bus station

We decided to do this bus to see what was happening back at Hebden Bridge. We got on and flashed our tickets to the driver. As the bus was empty at the back Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69586.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69586

We sat down and the bus waited for it due time at 15:40. The bus set off back onto the A646 and traveled back down the Calder Valley to Hebden Bridge past the parked up Leyland Tiger and into the Western edge of town. We got off and we saw the First West Yorkshire 69582 on the #592 going the other way... The next opportunity to get back towards Burnley was the #517. We looked at the board on the stop and the bus was due at 16:07 in around 15 minutes. There was a Co-op on the opposite corner so we decided to go for a quick shopping trip. Matthew picked up another can of Coke and I got him a drink he would actually drink whilst we were out,a bottle of Irn Bru. He picked up some more chocolate and we headed for the till. It was a sizable Co-op store, and as such was quite busy. The guy on the till was having trouble with a cooked chicken, and the manager gave him a jar of coffee to scan to put something of the same value through the till. By the time we got out we only had a couple of minutes to wait for the #517. 16:07 came and went but the bus hadn't turned up. We looked up at the electronic display and it said the bus was due, but not before the #590 to Todmorden. This must the the first time we have seen and noticed real-time bus information displayed at a stop. The #590 did turn first and it was a double decker. We decided we were going to do this instead. As it got closer we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 32525.

First West Yorkshire 32525 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and flashed our First Bus tickets. We went upstairs and Matthew said hello to the girl sitting at the front of the bus. The bus was empty behind us so Matthew took a picture of the bus there and then.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32525

We sat down as the bus set off back up the Calder valley and past the Leyland Tiger again. As we left town, I realised that we had been to the town that had given rise to Bogshed... Quite possibly the best band of the 1980's. We hadn't noticed a single piece of artwork, statue or even on the of those blue plaques to denote the houses of the band members! The journey to Todmorden was swift taking a little over 10 minutes to get to there and to turn into the bus station. We got off the bus and there was another TLC bus present so Matthew got a picture of it. It was TLC 90815 on a T1 Cross Lee service.

TLC 90815 in Todmorden bus station

We walked around the bus station and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 32525 before it headed off back to Halifax on the next #590 service.

First West Yorkshire 32525 in Todmorden bus station

We decided to go for a quick walk into town at this point. We thought we could still head off the #517 at Burnley if we caught 16:40 to #589 Burnley. Or we could go towards Hebden Bridge to intercept the 17:10 #592 from Todmorden. We walked through the market and across a square to the public toilets. After Matthew had used the toilet we walked around the market and back into the bus station. We though that double decker at the bus station looked different to the one we just had. It was a different bus... It was required First West Yorkshire 32696 on the #592 from Burnley to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32696 in Todmorden bus station

We walked around the bus station and we decided to catch the double decker instead of doing First West Yorkshire 69584 which was on the #589 to Burnley. We could then head of the next #592 just West of Hebden Bridge and catch that back to Burnley. We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the of the top deck of First West Yorkshire 32696 which was empty.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32696

The bus set off out of town and we went for around 5 minutes before we got up and got of the bus. We were in Eastwood (apparently)... Matthew got another picture of First West Yorkshire 32696 as it headed of East towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32696 in Eastwood

We crossed the road to wait for the #592 back to Burnley. We gave Matthew the bottle of Irn Bru and we looked at the timetable at the stop. As Matthew started to drink we realised we should have passed a #590 and that we hadn't. We looked up the road to see a bus approaching. It was required First West Yorkshire 69585.

First West Yorkshire 69585 in Eastwood

We flashed the tickets and got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. This would get an extra bus in and help to break up the journey back to Burnley. The bus charged up the A646 and we got into Todmorden bus station in no time. Before we got off Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69585.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69585

We walked around the bus station for one last time whilst we waited for the #592 to Burnley. On a #589 to Rochdale was required First West Yorkshire 69580.

First West Yorkshire 69580 in Todmorden bus station

First West Yorkshire 66746 reappeared after doing a round trip to Rochdale and back from when we caught the bus earlier.

First West Yorkshire 66746 in Todmorden bus station

The #592 to Burnley eventually turned up and it was required First West Yorkshire 69583.

First West Yorkshire 69583 in Todmorden bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets for a final time today. We sat down near the back and we had to wait a few minutes before it was time to depart. The bus went onto the A646, this time towards Burnley. As the road left town we were in a very steep sided valley. The houses had virtually no gardens behind them and the gardens there were there were on steep hills, or cut into the valley. We traveled through Cornholme and Portsmouth and then we crossed over the railway line as we got towards to top of the valley. The road opened out more here and we had a long run along the A646 before we turned off the road to serve the Walk Mill area. We climbed up Mill Lnae and joined Red Leese Road for the run into Burnley. We past the Long Causeway were the #517 turns, and we carried on as the road became Brunshaw Road. As we were going to back past Turf Moor I decided to try and get a picture of the picture of Martin Paterson outside Turf Moor. I did managed to take one, albeit a little blurry. The bus dropped down into town and turned into the bus station. We waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69583.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69583

We visited the shop and after a few more purchases we went out of the bus station and we saw Moving People Optare Solo YJ04 CCW.

Moving People YJ04 CCW in Burnley

As we were walking back around to the toilet in the bus station, Matthew spotted someone he wanted to say hello to and ran at them. Matthew used the toilet and we walked to the car. We walked past the girl he had run at previously, this time he was well behaved. In the car Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a large an of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and onto the A671. We did this up to the M65 and then went West. We traveled the short distance to the A56 and we went South. Here we climbed up an out of the valley before running down and around Haslingden and onto the M66. We had a short run down onto the M60 anti-clockwise where we spied Merseyside based minibus Hartley Travel J12 HTL. We turned onto the M62 and we got into a position where Matthew could take a picture of this minibus.

Hartley Travel J12 HTL on the M62

We carried on West towards the M6 and then Southwards into Cheshire. we overtook Maynes of Buckie KM14 YNE as we headed towards junction 16. We came off and down the A500 until we reached the A50 and then we went into Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz today. There were 4 minibuses on the spare ground this evening. Firstly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to this was Ford FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

This was followed by marooned coloured VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Finally we saw the airport transfers minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned into Willow row to see what was in the compound. Today there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX and MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We went through heron Cross where we saw Lightning Travel minibus T2 DLT. We got back home around 19:30 this evening. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by chocolate fudge cake. Mathew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Bilston / Wolverhampton 21-06-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
X657 WTN	Bilston interchange	Wolverhampton, Tower Street (Stop AX)	530	Banga Travel
P108 HCH	Wolverhampton, Tower Street (Stop AX)	Bilston interchange	545	Banga Travel
1672	Bilston interchange	Wolverhampton BS	25C	National Express West Midlands
J517 GCD	Wolverhampton BS	Underhill, adj Wildtree Avenue	11	Travel Express
NK51 MKE	Underhill, adj Wildtree Avenue	The Scotlands, opp Leason Lane	11	Travel Express
4001	The Scotlands, opp Leason Lane	Wolverhampton BS	11	National Express West Midlands
4021	Wolverhampton BS	Bilston interchange	25C	National Express West Midlands

Today we decided to visit Bilston. I gave Matthew a choice of Halifax or Bilston and he chose Bilston. Research consisted of checking on the Network West Midlands site for timetables and maps. We checked the weather and it was for sunny intervals. Matthew got up at around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off at around 11:45 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned onto Stanley Matthew Way and onto the A50. We went North on the A500 to Shelton New Road where we turned off to fill up with LPG. We headed back onto the A500 via the A53 and we headed South. When we got to Hanchurch we joined the Southbound M6. As we traveled towards Bilston we were passed by Trafalgar Travel T106 AUA. We carried on South through the roadworks and we came off the M6 at junction 10. We went west along the A454 and the onto the Westbound A463. We then turned onto the A41 and into town. After driving around we parked up on High Street and walked to the interchange. As we arrived we saw Banga Travel P108 HCH & Arriva Midlands 2238. We then saw National Express West Midlands 1671 parked up between duties on the #25A.

NX West Midlands 1671 in Bilston interchange

After taking a couple more picture Matthew visited the toilet and and we went into the bus station cafe. Matthew had a breakfast and a sausage sandwich washed down with a can of Coke. There were loads of buses coming and going whilst we ate. We saw Banga Travel Solo Y295 PDN working a #530 service. Just as we finished eating a Banga Travel Mercedes minibus appeared in the bus station. We said goodbye to mum and went out to see what it was. It turned out to be required Banga Travel X657 WTN.

Banga Travel X657 WTN in Bilston interchange

We got on the bus and we booked Network bus only tickets at £4.30. We sat down near to the back of the bus, and we left the bus station and we got onto the A463. We turned onto Millfield Road and we passed Banga Travel P102 HCH going the other way. We traveled through Ettingshall and then turned into a housing estate. We weaved our way through Streets until we joined Bilston Road on the outskirt of Wolverhampton. We crossed the ring road and turned into Tower Street. We waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside Banga Travel X657 WTN.

Inside Banga Travel X657 WTN

There was already another minibus at the stop. It was required Banga Travel P108 HCH on a #545 to Bilston. We crossed the road and got a picture of the bus.

Banga Travel P108 HCH in Wolverhampton

We also got another picture of Banga Travel X657 WTN.

Banga Travel X657 WTN in Wolverhampton

We crossed back over the road and we got on the #545. We showed the driver our Network bus tickets and as the bus was empty Matthew got a picture of the bus as we got on it.

Inside Banga Travel P108 HCH

We sat down and a couple of minutes later the bus set off out of town along Horseley Field and into Moseley. We passed Banga Travel W193 CDN coming the other way. We turned left into an housing estate and we joined onto Willenhall Road further East. We then headed South East along Moseley Road before turning South West for our run into Bilston. When we got into the interchange we got off and we walked around to the toilet. The toilet was occupied so we walked across to the toilets at the market. That one was occupied too, but he didn't have to wait too long before he could use it. Matthew set off the help alarm in the toilets because he couldn't find where to flush the toilet. Bizarrely I couldn't find the flush either! We walked back to the bus interchange and Matthew had a Galaxy Caramel and a can of Irn Bru. We took a few pictures whilst we worked out what we were going to do next. We saw National Express West Midlands Volvo B10 1431 on a #34 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1431 in Bilston interchange

Many of the batch of that batch of P reg Volvo B10's have been withdrawn from service. We also saw Arriva Midlands 2226 on a #334 to walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2226 in Bilston interchange

We decided to walk around to the other side of the interchange to see what was about. Rotala Diamond 30204 was parked up between duties and we saw Arriva Midlands 2161 was on a #530 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 2161 in Bilston interchange

Just then National Express West Midlands Mercedes single decker 1672 came in a #25C Wolverhampton - Bilston circular service.

NX West Midlands 1672 in Bilston interchange

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. We sat down near the back and Matthew took a picture of the bus looking forwards as it was nearly empty. The bus set off In the same direction as the #530 had done previously, along the A463 and then right towards Ettingshall. We carried on going straight towards Parkfields and then we turned left to Goldthorn Park. finally we went through Blakenhall before going North into Wolverhampton. We passed through the town centre and past the Tram Station before we entered the bus station. The bus station consists of two separate adjacent ovals. If you took the centre island out of Bury interchange and place two of then side by side, that would be how I would describe Wolverhampton bus station. The bus pulled into one of the ovals, we noticed a bright orange step entranced Dart in the adjacent stand. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew got another picture inside National Express West Midlands.

Inside NX West Midlands 1672

We got off the bus and walked straight over to the Dart. It was Travel Express J517 GCD on a #11 to Underhill. We thought it was about to pull off so we jumped on it an flashed the tickets. As we pulled out of the bus station we saw another Travel Express vehicle, SK51 AYD on a #32 Northwood Park circular.

Travel Express SK51 AYD in Wolverhampton bus station

The bus went out of town North, passing nearby to the railway station. Coming the other way was National Express West Midlands 4001 on a #11 service. We crossed under the railway line passing Arriva Midlands 3606 on the #70 and headed up Cannock Road. We crossed under the freight line and carried on North East until we turned into Chesterton Road. We went into the estate and when we got to the end of the run we got up and Matthew took a picture inside this former Stagecoach Dart.

Inside Travel Express J517 GCD

As we didn't manage to get a picture of the bus at the bus station we took a picture of the bus here in Underhill.

Travel Express J517 GCD in Underhill

After we had taken the picture we went into the local Costcutters shop and Matthew had a can of Coke and some chocolate. When we came out there were 2 buses around the corner waiting to work #11's. First in the queue was National Express West Midlands 1673.

NX West Midlands 1673 in Underhill

Right behind this was former Go North East and Big Lemon Dennis Dart, Ravel Express NK51 MKE.

Travel Express NK51 MKE in Underhill

I asked Matthew which of the buses he would like to catch and he chose to do the Travel Express Dart. We let the Mercedes single decker go and when the Travel Express bus came around the corner we got on an flashed our tickets. The bus was empty and Matthew got a picture inside NK51 MKE with its rainbow coloured seat moquette.

Inside Travel Express NK51 MKE

We sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus waited for a few minutes and as we pulled off we saw national Express West Midlands double decker 4001 pull up behind us. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off en route and catch the double decker behind us and he said yes. I thought we would get off when we got onto Cannock Road so that we had had a reasonable run on the Dart before we got off. We came off the estate and a couple of stops down Cannock Road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Dart NK51 MKE as it headed off towards Wolverhampton.

Travel Express NK51 MKE in The Scotlands

We didn't have to wait long before we saw a double decker approaching from the North. As expected it was required national Express West Midlands 4001.

NX West Midlands 4001 in The Scotlands

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. As it was empty Matthew got a picture inside of 4001 before we sat down.

Inside NX West Midlands 4001

The bus set off down Cannock Road and we crossed under both railway lines. We passed nearby to the railway line and we went onto the ring road we got onto a special bus lane that runs alongside the inside of the ring road contraflow to the traffic. We then emerged from the cutting at the entrance of the bus station. We went into the bus station and got off the bus. We decided to go and visit the toilets and when we had finished we had a walk around the bus station. Leaving the station on the ring road was National Express West Midlands 4001 on it's next #11 turn.

NX West Midlands 4001 in Wolverhampton

We walked into the centre isle of the bus station and Matthew took a picture of National Express West Midlands 638 which was on the #82 service.

NX West Midlands 638 in Wolverhampton bus station

We walked to the street side of the bus station and we saw and Matthew got a picture of National Express West Midlands 4600 on the #529 service to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4600 in Wolverhampton bus station

We thought we might be able to get a few better picture from off the road outside the bus station. parked up between duties was National Express West Midlands 4006.

NX West Midlands 4006 in Wolverhampton bus station

We waled up to the exit of the bus station just in time to see Arriva Midlands 4801 leaving to bus station on the #10A to Pattingham.

Arriva Midlands 4801 in Wolverhampton bus station

We walked a bit further towards the ring road and we saw National Express West Midlands 4606 on a #529 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4606 in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided to give Matthew a little bit of a break from the buses so we took him to the Co-op store to do some shopping. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a Kinder egg, He said hello to the lday behind the counter and then we headed back into the bus station to go and catch something towards Bilston. As as walked in we saw Arriva Midlands 2563 arriving on the #63 from Bradmore.

Arriva Midlands 2563 in Wolverhampton bus station

We walked up to the top of the bus station where National Express West Midlands 4021 was waiting to work the next 25C to Bilston. In front of this was Arriva Midlands 2563 which was now about to leave on a #64 to Wakeley Hill. There was no driver in 4021 so we decided to walk down the bus station. Matthew was able to get a reasonable picture of National Express West Midlands 4021 from behind through the glass.

NX West Midlands 4021 in Wolverhampton bus station

We saw a driver heading towards the bus so we decided to walk back up to the bus. It was the driver and everybody started to get on the bus. We flashed our tickets at driver and we got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus was empty behind us so Matthew got a picture before we sat down.

Inside NX West Midlands 4021

The bus set off and we headed North like we were on a #11 but we did not turn onto Cannock Road. We carried on North through Oxley and onto the i54 industrial estate. The bus then headed back South and crossed the Cannock Road before heading into Wednesfield. What we didn't realise when we decided to catch the bus was the journey time was going to be just over an hour! We then went into Willenhall and across the A454. We got back into Bilston just over an hour after we left Wolverhampton at around 17:45...

NX West Midlands 4021 in Bilston interchange

When we got back Matthew visited the toilet in the bus station and then we took a couple of bus pictures in the interchange. We than saw National Express West Midlands 673 on a #34 service. We also saw National Express West Midlands 586 on a #82 to Dudley.

NX West Midlands 586 in Bilston interchange

Just before left we saw Banga Travel P102 HCH quickly arrive and depart again, presumably the last working of the day. We walked over to the car which mum had brought around to us. Here Matthew had a Wrights Pie sausage roll and a large can of Irn Bru. We set off back onto the A41 and then left onto the A463. When we reached the A454 we carriedon over the flyover onto the A454. A couple of mile later we were on the Northbound M6. As we went North we saw North Birmingham Travel P210 RUM, When we got to junction 15 we passing Marcus Lewis RYL 1 headed North on the A500 and then onto the A50. We went into Longton to check out what was on Z Carz. There were 5 vehicles on the spare ground today. First there was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to that was former alton Towers Transport M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

At the back of the ground was VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

There were 2 other minibuses parked up. Mercedes BV51 BNO was parked in front of Airport Transport bus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

We turned left onto Willow Row and we saw MJ03 DPU in the compound along with long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX & T2 DLT. We headed back onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross passing Lightning Travels apparent new bus SL52 CXD and through Blurton. We got home at 18:50. For a late tea we had bangers and mash followed by a piece of Victoria Sponge. He wasn't very chilled out, but he used his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark