Trip to Preston / Tanterton 31-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42556	Preston BS	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	8	Rotala Preston Bus
42556	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	Preston BS	8	Rotala Preston Bus
40619	Preston BS	Tanterton, by Threefields	35	Rotala Preston Bus
42562	Tanterton, by Threefields	Preston BS	35	Rotala Preston Bus
42552	Preston BS	Ribbleton, by Cromwell Road	8	Rotala Preston Bus
42552	Ribbleton, opp Cromwell Road	Preston BS	8	Rotala Preston Bus
40607	Preston BS	Fulwood, by Booths	23	Rotala Preston Bus
42551	Fulwood, opp Booths	Preston BS	23	Rotala Preston Bus

Today we decided to visit Preston for the Preston Bus Olympian running day. We found out about the event just over a week ago on Facebook so we planned to travel to Preston today. Research consisted of downloading the running boards as provided by Preston Bus on their Facebook page and checking the weather, which was for an unseasonably warm and cloudy day. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we ran down onto the A5035. We turned right into Stanley Matthews Way and we passed D&G Bus 32 on the #14 to Stafford. We ran down to the A50 and we went west towards Sideway. At the roundabout we turned we turned right and we got onto the Northbound A500. We ran up to Shelton and we came off the onto Shelton New Road. We ran to through Etruria past the old Twyfords factory and we went to the gas garage where we filled up with LPG. Once we had done we set onto the A53 and we rejoined the Northbound A500. As we didn't have much Petrol and the LPG had switched in we decided to stop for petrol too, so at the A34 roundabout we came off the A500 we stopped at the Texaco garage. AFter a quick stop we joined the A500 and we ran up to M6. We got on the motorway and we made good progress. Going North we saw taxi minibus DU14 EAA, Eavesway Travel YJ15 EVC / YJ15 EVB, Albatross taxis SH12 XZV & AC Travel X22 ACT. We came off the M6 at Junction 31 and we travelled West along the A59. We hit traffic and it took around 20 minutes to get into town just a couple of miles. Once we got into town we joined the A6 and we turned left onto Percy Street and we entered the bus station car park. After parking up we walked down to the bus station as the lift was out of order. The funny thing is it took us a while to figure it out as we ready the message one character at a time in a single character LED display! Once in the bus station we used the alternative toilets as the usual one were being upgraded. We came back to the cafe and we had dinner. The cafe was the busiest that we had ever seen it as we were in a bit of a hurry... For dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum raced off to the bottom of the bus station to try and catch the 14:10 to Tanterton, but we missed it seconds! It was Rotala Preston Bus 42556... Never mind we would hopefully catch up with it later. Missing the bus gave us a chance to have a walk around the bus station and take a few pictures. On the way out we saw Megabus 50291 on a M11 service to London.

Megabus 50291 in Preston bus station

There was one of the Olympian parked up on layover so we left the bus station to go and have a look at it. On closer inspection we saw it was Rotala Preston Bus 42552.

Rotala Preston Bus 42552 in Preston bus station

We carried on around the outside of the bus station up Tithebarn Street an we a took a few more bus pictures. We found the was another entrance at the North end so we didn't have to walk back the way we came. We returned to the bus station and waited for the next Olympian service which was due to be the 14:30 #8 to Moor Nook. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw Rotala Preston Bus 33007 on a #280 to Skipton.

Rotala Preston Bus 33007 in Preston bus station

The bus we were waiting for was a bit late, It was making it unlikely we could do the #8 and still get back for the 15:10 Tanterton service. Whilst we were waiting we saw the 4th Olypmian, which was required Rotala Preston Bus 42551. A minute or so later the pulled came into the bus station and it was required Rotala Preston Bus 42556.

Rotala Preston Bus 42556 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Easiday family Day ticket at £5.50... bargain! The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556

We went upstairs and the top deck was empty too so Matthew took another picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556 before we sat down.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42556

We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and forwards onto Church Row. We turned left onto Church Street. We crossed the A59 and we ran onto Ribbleton Lane. We ran North-Eastwards out of town through Ribbleton and across the A5085. We carried on for a further 1/2 mile and we turned right into Ribbleton Hall Drive. We turned right into Pope Drive and we ran anti-clockwise around the estate Grizedale Crescent. After doing the 1/2 circle we re-joined Pope Lane and we turned right onto Ribbleton Hall Drive. We returned back into town along Ribbleton Avenue and forwards onto Ribbleton Lane. We turned right onto the A59 and left onto Percy Street. We ran into the bus station and we entered the bus station from the Stagecoach side. We passed Megabus 50292 which was on layover from the M11 and we ran around to the other side and onto stand. We got up and got off the bus and then we saw Rotala Preston Bus 32303 which was on a #280 to Skipton.

Rotala Preston Bus 32303 in Preston bus station

We decided that we would have comfort break, but before we went to the toilet we saw Parks of Hamilton national Express liveried coach LSK 845 on a #570 to London.

Parks of Hamilton LSK 845 in Preston bus station

We went to the toilet and then we visited the newsagent shop around the corner. Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of bars of chocolate. As we had missed the 15:10 we decided to ride up to Tanterton on an #35 before we catch Rotala Preston Bus 42556. There were a couple of #35's on stand... We saw Rotala Preston Bus 40606 & Rotala Preston Bus 40619.

Rotala Preston Bus 40619 in Preston bus station

neither bus seemed ready to depart so we had a look around the bus station. On an adjacent stand we saw required Rotala Preston Bus 40586 on a #8 to Moor Nook.

Rotala Preston Bus 40586 in Preston bus station

We also saw Rotala Preston Bus 40584 on a #16 to Farringdon Park.

Rotala Preston Bus 40584 in Preston bus station

A drover appeared for one of the #35 and it was for Rotala Preston Bus 40619. When the bus was ready for service we got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday family ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619

We went upstairs and we saw that the top deck was empty too, so Matthew took another picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 40619

We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and we turned right into Lord Street. We turned right into Lancaster Street and we ran up to the A59. We headed past the UCLAN and the 'Ships and Giggles' pub and onto the A583. We ran under the West Coast Main Line and we continued straight onto the B6241, parallel to the Blackpool line. We turned right onto Tulketh Brow and we crossed the A5085. We continued onto Woodplumpton Road and we passed the Cosgrove's Tours where we saw coaches CC51 OCT & CC55 OCT as well as a third unidentified coach. We continued up the road into Ingol and then we turned right into Tanterton Hall Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then another picture of Rotala Preston Bus 40619 as it returned back to Preston.

Rotala Preston Bus 40619 in Tanterton

We now had a 20 minute wait before Rotala Preston Bus 42562 due, so we had to let one of the bus go before the one we want was due to turn up. We went for a short walk and we saw Rotala Preston Bus 40606 appear on the following #35 which we had seen at the bus station. We came back to the bus station and Matthew had a Galaxy Caramel whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was as expected Rotala Preston Bus 42562.

Rotala Preston Bus 42562 in Tanterton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42562.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42562

We set off along Tanterton Hall Road to the end and at the roundabout we turned left into Tag Lane. We returned back into through Ingol and in town past the Cosgrove's tours depot. We joined the A583 and we ran into ran back into town along Friargate. We turned left onto the A59 and we turned right into Tithebarn Street and into the bus station. As we entered the bus station we noticed that the spare Olympian had moved from where it was parked earlier. The plan had been to get off the bus and wait for the 17:00 #23 service. We got off the bus a we noticed that Rotala Preston Bus 42552 was now on the #8 to Moor Nook. We took a quick picture before we jumped on it.

Rotala Preston Bus 42552 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. With this unexpected bonus bus we now had to change our plans. It was 16:30 and we needed to get back to the bus station for 17:00 to the remaining Olympian in before service stopped around 18:00. We set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and forwards onto Church Row. We turned left onto Church Street. We crossed the A59 and we ran onto Ribbleton Lane. We ran North-Eastwards out of town through Ribbleton and across the A5085. We had just passed a #8 so we though if we got off now and catch the next bus back that maybe we could get back before 17:00. We got off the bus an we crossed the road and looked for the inbound stop. The bus pulled up at the stop and we had a little run but we weren't able to catch it. Whilst we were at the stop we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15580 & 18366 on #1 services, 47923 on a #1A service and Rotala Preston Bus 32302 on a #8 to Moor Nook. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was Rotala Preston Bus 42552 again.

Rotala Preston Bus 42552 in Ribbleton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We had just missed the bus before by second and we know weren't due to get into Preston bus station until just after 17:00. As it was likely that we would make it for the 17:00 we would have to catch the following #23 service and get off on route to intercept the last required Olympian. We returned back into town along Ribbleton Avenue and forwards onto Ribbleton Lane. We turned right onto the A59 and left onto Percy Street. We ran into the bus station and we entered the bus station from the Stagecoach side. We ran around to the other side and onto stand. We got up and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42552 before we got off the bus.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42552

Once of the bus we spotted Parks of Hamilton National Expressed liveried coach HSK 653 on a #328 to Blackpool.

Parks of Hamilton HSK 653 in Preston bus station

We visited the toilet and then we returned to the stop to catch the next #23, which was going to be Rotala Preston Bus 40607.

Rotala Preston Bus 40607 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Tithebarn Street and we turned right into Lord Street. We turned right into Lancaster Street and we ran up to the A59. We headed past the UCLAN along Adelphi Street. We passed along a narrow terraced street which was mainly fast food shops as this is was clearly a student populated part of town. We continued onto Plungington Street and we got to a roundabout Where the road opened right out. We continued forwards onto Black Bull Lane. The bus emptied out a little so Matthew took a picture behind him in Rotala Preston Bus 40607.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 40607

We crossed over the A6 and when we passed the hospital we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Preston Bus 40607 as it carried on towards Asda.

Rotala Preston Bus 40607 in Fulwood

We crossed the road and we only had to wait a short while before required Rotala Preston Bus 42551 appeared as expected.

Rotala Preston Bus 42551 in Fulwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the Easiday Family ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs. The bus set off along Sharoe Green Lane and we crossed the A6 onto Black Bull Lane. We crossed the roundabout onto Plungington Road and we went do the straight narrow street past the UCLan and into the town centre down Friargate. We turned left onto the A59 and we turned right into Tithebarn Street. We arrived in the bus station on what was alomost certain to be our journey on a Leyland Olympian on a public bus service. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Preston Bus 42551.

Inside Rotala Preston Bus 42551

We got off the bus and there was we saw Rotala Preston Bus 20792 which was about to work a #31 to Savick.

Rotala Preston Bus 20792 in Preston bus station

We walked up the stairs and we met up with mum who was waiting with sausage rolls and Irn Bru. we set off of the bus station car park onto Percy Street. We headed back to the A50 via church Row and church Street and we ran out of town down to the M6. We travelled South in almost complete darkness and we saw very little. The road was very quiet as it was New Years Eve. We got onto the Southbound A500 and we came off at Sideway onto the Eastbound A50. We came of the A50 at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. On the spare ground we saw Z Carz minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz airport transport minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Next to that was one of the new arrivals, Z Carz minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

The nearest vehicle in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. To our surprise was a new arrival, Z Carz minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

In Willow Row itself we spotted another new arrival, Z Carz minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

As it was getting late we decided to get a take away instead of our usual tea. We turned left onto Edensor Road and then Left again onto Spring Garden Road. We though we might struggle to get a takeaway but we were surprised just how difficult it was! We drove up to Lightwood along Lightwood Road to see that the Pisces Fish bar was closed. We drove back to Dresden along Belgrave Road and we turned left onto Carlisle Street where we saw Elim Church Longton minibus VX08 KOA. We also saw that Dresden Fisheries was also shut. We turned right into Queens Park Avenue and we crossed over the A5035 onto Drubbery Lane. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we ran down the hill to see the St Mary's Fish bar was also closed. We decided to go back home and order food online. We ran back up Blurton Road and we ran forwards onto Church Road. At the end we turned right onto the A5035 and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had food delivered and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime in early 2017... Mark