Saturday, 27 May 2023

Trip to Wigan / Ormskirk 27-05-2023









BusFromToServiceOperator



4579Wigan BSOrmskirk BS385Arriva NW&W
4566Ormskirk BSSkelmersdale Concourse375Arriva NW&W
4578Skelmersdale ConcourseOrmskirk BS385Arriva NW&W
4583Ormskirk BSOld Skelmersdale, War memorial385Arriva NW&W
3200Old Skelmersdale, War memorialSkelmersdale Concourse310Arriva NW&W
3035Skelmersdale ConcourseWigan BS395Arriva NW&W


Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. Up to an hour before we set off we thought we might have to do a local trip because we thought mum was going to be stuck at work. When we found out that mum was coming home I gave Matthew a choice of where to go. He initially picked Warrington, but we ruled this out because there was a music festival there and would would be very busy and make it difficult to get fed and get the bus rides in. Eventually Matthew chose Wigan. We did no research other than to check the weather which was for warm sunny weather in the 20's. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready to out and after mum came home we set off just before 12:00. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. There was some traffic on the A500 but this did not delay us too much. We ran up to Barthomley and we joined the Northboud M6. As we came onto the M6 we saw Angel Tours MX59 KTL. A few miles up the road and the coach caught up with us and Matthew got a picture of Angel Tours MX59 KTL as it came past us.


Angel Tours MX59 KTL on the M6
We continued up the M6 asnd we saw Parks of Hamilton LSK 813 / KSK 983, Sewyn's (NX) BM68 AHO(#540) / BX16 CKD(171), 2 unidentified Alba Travel coaches, Ellisons WSM 3 coach in Man City colours and Alpine AP13 ALP. We came off the the M^ at junction 25 and we joined the Northbound A49. Just South of the town we jan forwards onto the B5386 which used to be the A49 before it was diverted around the town centre. We ran under the railway line to Kirkby and at the big roundabout we joined the A577. We crossed over the Leeds and Liverpoo, canal and we turned left onto Wilcock Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Prescott Street. We turned right onto Frog Lane and we went under the West Coast main line we turned right into Dorning Street and we parked up in the Mona Street car park. We walked up to the POst Office sorting office and we turned right onto Hallgate. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 36799 parked up on layover.


Stagecoach Manchester 36799 in Wigan
We walked along the path along the South end of the bus station and we went into the bus station and through onto Market Street. We went to The New Chippery and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew sat down with us and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we headed back past the shopping centre which is having construction work done on it. We went into the bus station and almost Immediately we saw an Arriva double decker on stand. I asked Mtthew if he wanted to do this and he said yes. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 4579 on a #385 to Southport.


Arriva NW&W 4579 in Wigan bus station
We got on the bus and we brought an Arriva Day saver Duo ticket at £11.50 before we went upstairs and sat down. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 36796 on layover. We set off out of the bus station onto Hallgate and we continued onto Dorning Street. We turned left out of King Street West and we turned right onto Wallgate. We passed the 2 railway stations and we ran under the railway line and onto the A577. We ran to the Wigan Pier and at the big rounsabout we continued onto the A577 through Newton and into Pemberton. We continued Westwards over the M6 and into Orrell. We passed the point to which we had previously travelled and we continued along the A577. Near to the Wide Cross serv ice station we turned left to follow the A577 into Upholland. We turned right onto Newgate Road and left onto Windmill Road. We ran forwards onto the B5312 and we turned left onto Tanhouse Road. We ran forwards onto Digmoor Road and we ran around the loop before running forwards onto Gillibrands Road. At Thorn Island we turned right onto Whiteledge Road. We ran around Bone Islands and forwards onto Southway. We ran anti-clockwise around the Concourse Shping centre onto Northway and we went up the ramp to the small bus station located over part of the shopping centre. After a brief stop we set off out of the bus station onto Yeadon and onto Southway. We headed back Southwards onto Southway and we went around Bone Island onto the Westbound B5312. As we headed Weswards we saw a yard full of buses that contained buses and coaches. We turned right onto Westgate and right onto High Street. We turned left onto Church Road and left onto Kiln Lane. We ran to the end and we turned left onto School Lane. We turned left onto Neverstitch Road and left onto Ormskirk Road. We turned right onto Sandy Lane and we stopped outside the war memorial. We turned right onto Witham Road and we ran forwards onto the A577. We ran through Blaguegate and Lathom and we ran into Westhead. We ran the last 1 1/2 miles into Ormskirk and we turned right into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4579 as it continued towards Southport.


Arriva NW&W 4579 in Ormskirk bus station
We headed across the railway line along Moor Street and we went into the pub. We went into the Golden Lion and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we headed to the bar and we bought a couple of glasses of Coke and we sat down. It was a very friendly pub and a couplke of the locals were chatting to Matthew. When we had finished we headed back out onto Moor Street and we crossed over the railway line and back to the bus station. We waited for something we could catch... anything Arriva in any direction. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15747 on a #2A service to Preston.


Stagecoach Lancashire 15747 in Ormskirk bus station
Also seen was Arriva NW&W 2937 on a #310 to Liverpool.


Arriva NW&W 2937 in Ormskirk bus station
After a while we saw Charlton Minicoaches XFC 482 on a #6 service to the Scott estate.


Charlton Minicoaches XFC 482 in Ormskirk bus station
A short time later we saw a bus headinh towards Skelmersdale. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4566 on a #375 to Wigan.


Arriva NW&W 4566 in Ormskirk bus station
We got on the bus and we placed the Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Moor Street. We ran forwards onto the A577 and we headed Eastwards out of town we ran through Westhead and we continued Eastwards into Lathom. We continured through Blaguegate and we ran forwards onto Sandy Lane and we stopped outside the war memorial. We turned right onto Neverstitch Road we turned right onto School Lane. We turned right onto Flag Lane and right onto Church Road. We turned right onto High Street and we turned left onto Westgate. We turned left onto the B5312 and we headed Eastwards. At Thorn Island we turned right onto Whiteledge Road. We ran around Bone Islands and forwards onto Southway. We ran anti-clockwise around the Concourse Shping centre onto Northway and we went up the ramp to the small bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4566 before it continued towards Wigan.


Arriva NW&W 4566 in Skelmersdale
We headed into the Concourse Shopping Centre and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterward we came out into the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 3195 on layover.


Arriva NW&W 3195 in Skelmersdale
About 10 minutes later the driver came out, got into the bus and then drove off out of service. Whilst we waited for another bus we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27261 on a #319 to Kirkby.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27261 in Skelmersdale
A short time later another we saw Arriva NW&W 2670 on a #310. This also went off out of service. After another few minutes we saw Arriva NW&W 4578 on a #385 to Southport.


Arriva NW&W 4578 in Skelmersdale
We got on the bus and we placed the Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station onto Yeadon and onto Southway. We headed back Southwards onto Southway and we went around Bone Island onto the Westbound B5312. As we headed Weswards we saw a yard full of buses that contained buses and coaches. We turned right onto Westgate and right onto High Street. We turned left onto Church Road and left onto Kiln Lane. We ran to the end and we turned left onto School Lane. We turned left onto Neverstitch Road and left onto Ormskirk Road. We turned right onto Sandy Lane and we stopped outside the war memorial. We turned right onto Witham Road and we ran forwards onto the A577. We ran through Blaguegate and Lathom and we ran into Westhead. We ran the last 1 1/2 miles into Ormskirk and we turned right into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a short break and Matthew had a Caramel Freddo. Whilst sitting there we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 11102 on a EL1 Edgelink service to the local Edge Hill University campus.


Stagecoach Lancashire 11102 in Ormskirk bus station
We decided that we needed to start heading back towards Wigan. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 4583 on a #385 to Wigan.


Arriva NW&W 4583 in Skelmersdale
We got on the bus and we placed the Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Moor Street. We ran forwards onto the A577 and we headed Eastwards out of town we ran through Westhead and we continued Eastwards into Lathom. We continured through Blaguegate and we ran forwards onto Sandy Lane and we stopped outside the war memorial where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4583 as it carried on towards Wigan.


Arriva NW&W 4583 in Old Skelmersdale
Once off the bus we headed into the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar. Matthew had glass of Coke and we stayed in the bar for a few minutes. After drinking his drink we headed outside to the bus stop and almost immediately we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3200 on a #310 to Skelmersdale.


Arriva NW&W 3200 in Old Skelmersdale
We got on the bus and we placed the Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3200 before we sat down.


Inside Arriva NW&W 3200
We set off from outside of the war memorial and we turned right onto Neverstitch Road. We turned right onto School Lane. We turned right onto Flag Lane and right onto Church Road. We turned right onto High Street and we turned left onto Westgate. We turned left onto the B5312 and we headed Eastwards. At Thorn Island we turned right onto Whiteledge Road. We ran around Bone Islands and forwards onto Southway. We ran anti-clockwise around the Concourse Shping centre onto Northway and we went up the ramp to the small bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew we saw another bus we could catch on an adjacent stand. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 3035 on a #395 to Wigan.


Arriva NW&W 3035 in Skelmersdale
We got on the bus and we placed the Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner for the final time today. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3035 before we sat down.


Inside Arriva NW&W 3035
We set off out of the bus station onto Yeadon and onto Southway. We headed back Southwards onto Southway and we went around Bone Island and forwards onto Whitelodge Road. At Thorn Island we turned left onto Gillibrands Road. We ran forwards onto Digmoor Road and we ran around the loop before turning right onto Clay Brow Road. We continued onto Ormskirk Road and we turned right onto Tanhouse Road. We ran up to the roundabout and headed back Southwards before joining the Eastbound B5312. We ran forwards onto Windmill Road before turning right onto the A577. We turned left to follow the A577 and we ran through Upholland. We paused briefly by the Co-op and we followed the road around to the North before turning sharp right to continue Following the A577. We ran through Orrell and we crossed over the M6 and into Pemberton. We ran the last 2 miles or so to the edge of town and we went over the big roundabout and over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. We ran past Wigan Pier and we ran forwards onto Wallgate and under the West Coast Main Line. We past the 2 railway stations and we turned left onto King Street West. We turned right onto Dorning Street and we crossed Hallgate and into the bus station. We had messaged mum to let her know when we would be in the bus station. Matthew used the toilet before we walked towards Hallgate to wait for mum. She ssaid she had been delayed so we took a few bus pictures. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19326 running out of service.


Stagecoach Manchester 19326 in Wigan bus station
Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19522 on a #8 to Leigh.


Stagecoach Manchester 19522 in Wigan bus station
Another vehocle seen was Stagecoach Manchester 36787 running out of service.


Stagecoach Manchester 36787 in Wigan bus station
Afterwards we saw Arriva NW&W 2995 on a #575 to Bolton.


Arriva NW&W 2995 in Wigan bus station
Mum called to say she was parked on Hallgate so we headed out of the bus station onto Hallgate and we got in the car. Matthew had a cup of Cherry Coke with ice. We drove up Hallgate and we turned right onto Dorning Street. We continued past the former Uncle Joes Mintball factory and we ran forwards onto Dearney Court. We turned left onto Frog Lane and left onto Prescott Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Herbert Street. We turned left onto the A577 and we ran around the one-way system and around Wigan Pier. We crossed under the Liverpool line and we past the big roundabout. We continued Southwards to the A49 and we stopped at a chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. After we had eaten our food we set off along the A49 and we ran the last few miles down to the motorway. Travelling back along the M6 we saw an unidentified Lloyds Coaches coach. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Talke and we saw Global Travel RU 5621 parked up in a layby with the engine cover open. We continued through Longport, Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew ate a Cadburys Snack and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

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