Trip to Northampton / Kettering 16-04-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
28632	Northampton, Marriot Street	Northampton BS	X7	Stagecoach Midlands
15935	Northampton BS	Wellingborough Interchange	X46	Stagecoach Midlands
34425	Wellingborough Interchange	Wellingborough, Longfellow Road	W1	Stagecoach Midlands
35180	Wellingborough, Longfellow Road	Wellingborough Interchange	W1	Stagecoach Midlands
11131	Wellingborough Interchange	Kettering Interchange	X4	Stagecoach Midlands
36843	Kettering Interchange	Corby, (Stop A)	19	Stagecoach Midlands
11128	Corby, (Stop A)	Kettering Interchange	X4	Stagecoach Midlands
15608	Kettering Interchange	Boothville, Lumbertubs PH	X10	Stagecoach Midlands
18151	Boothville, Lumbertubs PH	Northampton BS	2	Stagecoach Midlands

Today was the second day of our short break in Northampton. We woke up around 07:30 and we got dressed and ready to go down for breakfast. We had some toast and orange juice, followed by a full Emglish breakfast. After breakfast we returned to the hotel room to finish packing and we took our belonging down to the car. We said goodbye to mum and we walked onto Barrack Road and to the bus stop. As we approached the bus stop we saw the former Shearing Coaches BN17 JTZ heading towards the town centre.

Former Searing BN17 JTZ in Northampton

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Midlands 28632 on a X7 to Northampton.

Stagecoach Midlands 28632 in Northampton

We got on the bus and we booked Midlands Gold Dayrider tickets at £9.60 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Barrack Road and we rode the 1/2 mile or so to the edge of town. We ran forwards onto Broad Street and we turned right onto Lady's Lane. We turned sharp right onto Greyfriars and we entered the bus station from the North end where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around to see what we might catch... As we had a around 7 hours today, we were going to try and go a little further than a normal Saturday afternoon jaunt. We walked out onto Bradshaw Street and we saw Stagecoach Midlands 18128 on a #16 to Ecton Brook.

Stagecoach Midlands 18128 in Northampton bus station

At the exit of the bus station we saw Stagecoach Midlands 15446 on a #8 to Kings Heath

Stagecoach Midlands 15446 in Northampton bus station

Also seen was Uno 527 on a #19A to Boughton Green Halls.

Uno 527 in Northampton bus station

We headed back inside the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Midlands 15835 on a X46 to Raunds.

Stagecoach Midlands 15935 in Northampton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Midlands 15935.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 15935

We set off out of the bus station onto Bradshaw Street and we turned left onto Sheep Street. We turned right onto Lady's lane and right onto Lower Mounts. We veered left onto the A4500 and we headed Eastwards out of town. We veered right to follow the A4500 and we ran past Abingdon Park. We turned left onto Booth Lane South and we headed Northwards. We turned right onto St Gregory's Road and right onto the Southbound A43. We came off the A43 near to Weston Pavell shopping centre and we turned right onto Billing Brook Lane. We had a brief stop outside the back of the shopping center before continuing Southwards. We re-joined the Eastbound A4500 and we continued out of town and through Ecton. We turned right onto Northampton Road and left onto West Street. We stopped briefly in the cemtre of Earls Barton before continuing Eastwards. We headed through The Square and onto Broad Street. We continued out of town and we joined the A45 and headed North Eastwards. At the edge of Wellingborough we turned lefy at the roundabout onto Wilby Way. We turned right onto the A5128 and we went past Sainsbury's and into Wellingborough. We turned left onto the one-way system and we turned right into Church Street to the interchnage where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we got a picture of Stagecoach Midlands 15935 before it continued towards Raunds.

Stagecoach Midlands 15935 in Wellingborough Interchange

Once off the bus we decided to have a quick drink and toilet stop. We also saw Stagecoach Midlands 11131 on a X4 to Northampton.

Stagecoach Midlands 11131 in Wellingborough Interchange

We headed around the corner onto High Street and we stopped at The Red Well. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke each. We sat and drank the coke for a few minutes before heading back out to meet up with uncle Dave. We walked back around the corner onto Church Street and we saw Stagecoach Midlands 34425 on a W1 Wellingborogh town circular service.

Stagecoach Midlands 34425 in Wellingborough Interchange

We don't seen may Darts these days, so we decided to do this bus. We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver before. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Midlands 34425 before sitting down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 34425

We set off out of the interchange and around the one way system. We turned right onto Alma Street and right onto Cannon Street. Following the one-way system around we turned right onto Cambridge Street and left onto Market Street. We turned left onto Midland Road and right onto Castle Way. We Crossed over Swanspool Brook and we turned right onto London Road. We ran forwards onto Sheep Street and we turned left onto the A5128. We ran out of town for about 1/2 mile and we turned right onto Queensway by the Swedish Kitchen. We turned left onto Shelley Road and we headed Northwards. We ran past the park and we turned right onto Sywell Road. We turned left onto Queensway and we headed back Southwards. We turned right onto Burns Road and we turned right onto Goldsmith Road. We turned left onto Longfellow Road and we ran towards the Western end, where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Midlands 34425 as it returned back to Wellingborough on the W1 service.

Stagecoach Midlands 34425 in Wellingborough

Once the bus had gone we walked around the corner onto Shelley Road and we waited for the next service. We had about 15 minutes to wait for the bus. Matthew chilled out sitting on the grass and had a can of Orange fanta and a Crunchie. A short time later we saw the bus approaching and we saw it was Stagecoach Midlands 35180 on a W1 to Wellingborough.

Stagecoach Midlands 35180 in Wellingborough

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Shelley Road and we headed Northwards. We ran past the park and we turned right onto Sywell Road. We turned left onto Queensway and we headed back Southwards. We turned right onto Burns Road and we turned right onto Goldsmith Road. We turned left onto Longfellow Road and we ran towards the Western end and we turned left onto Shelley Road. We turned right onto Queensway and we ran to the end before turning left onto the A5128. We ran the 1/2 mile or so into town and we turned left on to turned left onto High Street and right onto Church Street and into the Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and Matthew took a picture of Stagecoach Midlands 35180 before it worked the W2 Wellingborough circular service.

Stagecoach Midlands 35180 in Wellingborough Interchange

We crossed back over the road and we decided to carry on Northwards. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching it was Stagecoach Midlands 11131 on a X4 to Corby. We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Park Road. We turned left onto Gold Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A5193. We ran Northwards out of town and we joined the A509. We ran through Great Howden and Isham and we saw the Weetabix factory on the other side of the valley near to the Midland main line. We crossed over the A14 and the Midlands main line and we headed into town. We ran ther last mile or so up London Road and we entered Ketting Inyterchange which was in Horsemarket, a square in the centre of town. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Midlands 11131 before it continued Northwards to Corby.

Stagecoach Midlands 11131 in Kettering Interchange

The original plan was to find a chipshop and eat chips in the square watching the buses, but Matthew decided he needed the toilet. Just off the square was Frydays which was a chips shop and cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered the food. He had chips and sausage with a couple of rounds of bread and butter, washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we headed back onto the square to see what we could catch. We saw Stagecoach Midlands 36843 on a #19 to Corby.

Stagecoach Midlands 36843 in Kettering Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards from the interchange and we ran forwards onto Silver Street. We turned left onto the A4300 and we headed Weatwards out of town. We joined the Westbound A14 and we ran from junction 7 to junction 4 before turning Northwards into Rothwell. We ran through the town and continued Northwards up to Desborough. We turned right onto High Street and left onto Dunkirk Avenue. We passed Stagecoach 36844 on a #19 to Kettering. We turned right onto Ise Vale Avenue and left onto Broadlands. At the end of the road we turned right onto Rushton Road and we headed towards Rushton. We ran forwards onto Desborough Road and close to the railway before making a sharp right turn. We turned left onto Station Road and as we headed though the village and we turned left onto Oakley Road. We continued North Eastwards past the landfill site and we crossed the A6003. We continued along Oakley Road and we turned right onto Lyveden Way. We turned left onto Butland Road and left onto Oldland Road. We rejoined Oakley Road and we continued North Eastwards. We ran forwards onto Elizabeth Street and we turned left onto Alexander Road. We turned left onto George Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Stagecoach Midlands 19083 on a #2 to Kettering.

Stagecoach Midlands 19083 in Corby

Also seen was Stagecoach Midlands 35176 on a #1 to Poets.

Stagecoach Midlands 35176 in Corby

We decided to go for a bit of a walk through the centre of town. We headed down corporation Street and we turned left onto a pedestrrian walkway by Betfred. We turned right and walked to the end and we stopped at the Corby Candle pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke each. Once we had finished we headed back up the pedestrain walkway to Lloyds bank and we used the cash machine. We walked up Corporation Street to George Street and we had a look at the bus that were about. We saw Stagecoach Midlands 34835 on a #1 to Poets.

Stagecoach Midlands 34835 in Corby

We decided to wait for a bus to get us back to Kettering so we could start to head back towards Northampton. We waited at the end stop for an X4 service. Whilst we waited we saw Centrebus 397 ona RF1 service to Oakham. A short time later the bus appeared. It was Stagecoach Midlands 11128 on a X4 to Northampton.

Stagecoach Midlands 11128 in Corby

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along George Street and we crossed over the roundabout onto Jubilee Avenue. We turned right onto Gainsborough Road and we headed out of town. We turned left onto Danesholme Road and right onto Oakley Road. We turned left onto the Southbound A6003 and we had a fast run towards Kettering. We joined the Southbound A43 and on the edge of town we ran forwards onto Rockingham Road. We turned left onto Eskdaill Street and we stopped brief at a small bus terminal. We rejoined Eskdaill Street and we ran forwards onto Victoria Street. We continued onto Queen Street and we entered Horsemarket from the Eastside and ran around the square to the stop on the South Western corner where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had already worked out that there was an X10 to Northmpton due off in a few minutes. Whilst we waited for this to be readied for service we saw Stagecoach Midlands 22834 on a #50 to Bedford.

Stagecoach Midlands 22834 in Kettering Interchange

In the opposite corner of the bus station was the bus we wanted. It was Stagecoach Midlands 15608 on a X10 to Northampton.

Stagecoach Midlands 15608 in Kettering Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Midlands 15608 before we went upstairs.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 15608

When we got upstairs the top deck of the bus was empty too, so Matthew took another picture inside Stagecoach Midlands 15608 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Midlands 15608

When it was time to depart we set off Northwards out of Horse Market. We turned left onto the A4300 and we ran Westwards out of town. We continued to the North West corner of town and we turned left onto Gypsy Lane. We headed Southwards and we turned right onto the A6013. We ran down to the main road and we went straight over the roundabout onto the A43. We ran South Westwards for just over a mile and we turned left onto Kettering Road to run through Little Cransley. We rejoined the Southbound A43 and we had another fast run Southwards. At the very edge of Northampton we turned right onto Park View. We veered right onto Overstone Road and we ran into Moulton. We ran forwards onto Northampton Lane North and we ran forwards onto Northampton Lane South. We turned left onto Manning Road and we followed the road to the left. We turned left onto Moulton Way and we ran into Boothville. We crossed over the roundabout and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Midlands 15608 as it continued towards Northampton.

Stagecoach Midlands 15608 in Boothville

Once off the bus we walked over to the Lumbertubs PH to use the toilet and have a drink. We used the facilities and afterwards we had a glass of Coke each. When we were finished we went outside to wait for another bus towards Northampton. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Midlands 18151 come around the corner from Lumbertubs lane on a #2 to Northampton.

Stagecoach Midlands 18151 in Boothville

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Gold Dayrider ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off down Kettering Road and we travelled down Spinney Hill and into the edge of Northampton. We joined the A4500 on the edge of the centre of town and we turned right onto Lower Mounts. We turned left onto Wellington Street and we ran forwards onto Greyfriars. We turned left and we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around to take a few more pictures before we left town. We saw Stagecoach Midlands 18198 on a #1 to Rectory Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 18198 in Northampton bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Midlands 11138 on a X4 to Corby.

Stagecoach Midlands 11138 in Northampton bus station

Mum had moved the car to a car park on the South Western corner of town an few hundred yards from the bus station. We set off along Horsemarket, and we went down the road we saw Stagecoach Midlands 18403 on a #9 Duston circular service.

Stagecoach Midlands 18403 in Northampton

We walked down to the Commercial Street car park and mum was waiting for us. Before we set off we ate the sandwiches that we had bought the night before. Matthew had a chicken and bacon sandwich washed down with a bottle of Irn Bru. When we had finished eating we set off onto Commercial Street and onto the A5123. We went around a one-way system and we headed back Northwards along the A5123. We joined the A4500 and we ran past the railway station. We continued along the A4500 for around 5 miles until we reached the motorway. We joined the Northbound M1 and we ran up to the start of the M6. Travelling back up the M1 we saw an unidentified Grey, an unidentified TNS, Clarkes BV69 KRO(#590) and an unidentified blue and white minibus. We joined the Northbound M6 and we ran through the West Midlands. On the M6 we saw an unidentified Belle Coaches coach, blue minibus BD70 AXY, an unidentified KB Coaches coach. As we were getting close to junction 10A Matthew decided he needed the toilet, and I need a short break too. We stopped at Hilton Park services and as we arrived we spotted a coach parked up. We saw Globus BU18 YRJ.

Globus BU18 YRJ in Moto Hilton Park

We went to the toilet, and when we came back out another cpoach had arrived. It was Leons Coaches 236.

Leons 236 in Moto Hilton Park

We got back into the car and we continued North tio junction 15 where we came of the motorway and onto the A500. Continuing up the M6 we saw an unidentified Johnson coach, an unidentified Birmingham International coach, an unidentified Beeline Mercedes minibus, white midi coach YD19 ???, an unidentified Expressway coach, an unidentified Berry's coach, Deeper Life Bible Church GR57 XEV, at least 4 unidentified Sanders of North Norfolk coaches, an unidentified Keepings Coaches coach, an unidentified Laugharne Travel coach, 2 unidentified Adventure Travel coaches, an unintended Horseman coach and and an unidentified Edwards double decker coach with a sloping front.We ran up to Sideway and we turned right onto the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Meir and we turned left onto Weston Road. Mum needed to pick something up. We turned left into Denehurst Close so we could turned around, and we saw Travel Express ML08 ODU parked up on the corner of The Grange.

Travel Express ML08 ODU in Meir

We stopped to pick something up, and once we had finished we headed back down Weston Road to the centre of Meir. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. As it was late we decided to drop uncle Dave off home first. We turned left onto Grove Road and we ran into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfiels Drive and we got back to Blurton around 19:50. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. a bit later on mum's new minibus was dropped off and we decided to go up to Grandma's and show her, and to also get some fuel. We set off onto the A5035 and we headed Towards Trentham. We turned right onto the A34 and we headed through Hanford and under the A500. We continued into Trent Vale and Newcastle. We turned right onto The Avenue ans left onto Parkstone Avenue. We stopped outside of Grandma's house and we talked to her for a few minutes. Afterwards we headed down Victoria Street and we saw white minibus YX02 FTD. We turned left onto the A34 and we headed into Trent Vale. We stopped at the Tesco Petrol station before filling up and re-joining the Southbound A34. We went into hanford and under the A500 and continued into Trentham. We turned left onto the A5035 and we headed into Blurton and back home. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark