Trip to Bury / Heywood 25-05-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3274	Bury Interchange	Heywood, (Stop C)	163	Go North West
3282	Heywood, (Stop A)	Bury Interchange	163	Go North West
20601	Bury Interchange	Radcliffe BS	513	Rotala Diamond
4125	Radcliffe BS	Bury Interchange	524	Go North West
15399	Bury Interchange	Prestwich, (Stop C)	135	Stagecoach Manchester
11835	Prestwich, Orange Hill Road	Bury Interchange	135	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Bury. No research was done for the trip, other than to look where we ate last time we visited and to look at the weather. The weather was forecast for dry weatherwith some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up at 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just after 12:00 we got n the car and we set off to pick ip uncle Dave. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. We turned left onto Hollybush Road and we stopped to try and find some tissue in the car as mum had a nosebleed. We continued along Holybush Road and we turned right onto Central Drive. We turned right onto Highfield Drive and we turned left to rejoin Blurton Road. We continued through 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 ran down to the A500. We turned left onto Church Street and we followed the one-way system. We turned left onto London Road and we stopped at Sainsburys to fill up with petrol. Once we had filled up we turned right onto London Road and ran forwards onto Campbell Place. We turned left onto Church Street and we turned right onto Stoke Road. We joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw Belle Vue Coaches YD24 EPX, City Centre Central WJ17 VGG, YT65 ACV, Hammonds YN65 XCU and silver minibus MC15 BUS. We got onto the Northbound M6 at junction 16. Traveling up the M6 we saw black minibus FG23 YXS, grey minibus YM22 DKD and an unidentified Megabus coach. As we wree runing late we decided to stop at Knutsford service for dinner. We pulled into the service and parked up. In the car parked we saw grey minibus BG21 NHU.

BG21 NHU in Knutsford services

We headed into the building and Matthew used the toilet. We initially went to have burger KIng, but the prices were ridiculous, so we went onto the bridge and had KFC instead whilst we waited for the food Selwyns BV23 ZXF(#550) & 333(#550) went past underneath the bridge When the food arrived Matthew had a chicken fillet, chicken popcorn, fries, beans and gravy washed down with a cup of Coke. When we had finished we went downstairs and we got back into the car. We set off out of the service station and we saw blue minibus DA64 WJO. We conrinued onto the M6 and we saw Stanton's of Stoke VT18 ??? and Lochs & Glens SJ73 HWA. We joined the Eastbound M62 and we ran to the clockwise ring road M60. We came off at Junction 17 onto the Northbound A56 as there were reports of problems on the M66. We headed Northwards through Besses o' th' Barn and Whitefield and we ran Northwards towards Bury. We turned right onto Parkhills Road and left onto Market Street. We decided to get out were so we could look at the parked up coaches. We saw Globe Holidays YN07 OPG.

Globe Holidays YN07 OPG in Bury

Also seen was Stanley Coaches P2 STX.

Stanley Coaches P2 STX in Bury

As we walked towards the interchange we saw Stagecoach Manchester 27955 on a #95 to Salford.

Stagecoach Manchester 27955 in Bury

We headed towards the ring road and as we were about to cross we saw Transdev Rosso 1761 on a #483 to Burnley.

Transdev Rosso 1761 in Bury

We entered the Interchange and we saw First Manchester 44579 on a #468 to Rochdale. We went around to the toilets but the toilet we closed due to vandalism. We decided to catch something out quickly and go to a pub. Around the other side of the Interchange we saw Stagecoach Manchester 49104 on layover.

Stagecoach Manchester 49104 in Bury Interchange

As we headed back into the main Interchange we saw Rotala Diamond 20618 on a #512 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 20618 in Bury Interchange

We went into the Interchange and we saw a double decker getting ready for service. As we got closer we saw it was Go North West 3274 on a #163 to Piccadilly Gardens.

Go North West 3274 in Bury Interchange

We got on the bus and we booked Bee Network bus only ticket at £5 each before we went upstairs. As the rear of the top deck was empty Matthew took a picture inside Go North West 3274.

Inside Go North West 3274

We set off out of the bus station and straight onto the Eastbound A58. As we entered the road we passed the row of coaches parked in the distance on Market Street. We continued East to the M66 and we went under and into Heap Bridge. We turned right onto Heap Brow and left onto Bury old Road. Around a 1/4 of a mile down the road we turned right onto Sutherland Road and left onto Argyle Street. We ran through a housing estate the entire length of Argyle Street and past some shops and then we turned left onto Pilsworth Road. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A58 again and we ran into the west end of Heywood. There was a short one way system around town and after passing the Wetherspoons pub we came to the Eastbound bus stop where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed ove the road and we went around to the front of wetherspoons. We went in the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew sat with uncle Dave and I got drinks from the bar. Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we came out of the pub and we turned right to walk to the bus stop. We waited for something back towards Bury. A short time later we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 3282 on a #163 to Bury.

Go North West 3282 in Heywood

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network bus only day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off along the A58 and we turned left onto Pilsworth Road. We turned right onto Argyle Street and we run to the other end of the estate and we stopped at the triangle at the end of the road where the Westbound bus stop is situated. We continued down to the A58 along Sutherland Road, Bury Old Road and down Heap Brow. After going under the M66 we climbed the hill up into Bury and around the town centre and market before we turned right into Haymarket Street. We then turned right into the bus station and went onto stand. Once off bus we saw Stagecoach Manchester 49101 on a #475 to Heywood.

Stagecoach Manchester 48101 in Bury Interchange

We had a look around to see what we might catch. We saw First Manchester 69630 on a #467 to Rochdale. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 20601 on a #513 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 20601 in Bury Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network any bus tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Haymarket Street. We crossed the A58 onto Knowsley Street and we turned left onto the A56. We headed Southwards for a short while before turning right onto Radcliffe Road. We crossed over the River Irwell and we ran forwards onto Bury Road. We turned left onto Spring Lane and right onto Rectory Lane. We continued onto Church Street West and we went under the Metrolink tram line. We ran along Deansgate and we ran forwards onto Dale Street before entereing the new bus station. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and Matthew got another picture of Rotala Diamond 20601 before it continued towards Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 20601 in Radcliffe bus station

We headed back through the bus station and we we went into Lidl. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went shopping. We bought a chocolate cheescake brownie, a pack of single twirls and a bottle of lemon and lime water. We paid for the items and we headed back towards the bus station. On the way we saw Stagecoach Manchester 15395 on a #98 to Bury.

Stagecoach Manchester 15395 in Radcliffe bus station

We sat in the bus station and Matthew ate his cheesecake brownie and a Twirl. As we were eating we saw a bus come into the bus station. As it approached we saw it was Go North West 4125 on a #524 to Bury.

Go North West 4125 in Radcliffe bus station

We got on the bus and placed the Bee Network bus only day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Deansgate. We contined onto Church Street West and we ran forwards onto the A6053 and we headed Eastwards for about a mile. We crossed the river Irwell and we joined the Northbound A56. We ran for about a mile before we veered right on to Knowsley Street. We crossed over the A58 and we ran forwards onto Haymarket Street before turning right into the Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we considered what we might catch next. Matthew was considering doing Rotala Diamond 30683 which was on a #511 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 30683 in Bury interchange

Across the way we spotted an interesting looking double decker. As we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 15399 on a #135 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 15399 in Bury Interchange

We decided to do the Stagecoach double decker as it was 15 years old and wouldn't be in the fleet for too much longer. We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Haymarket Street. We crossed the A58 and we ran forwards onto Knowsley Street. At the end of the street we veered left to join the Southbound A56. We headed Southwards through Whitefield and Besses o' th' Barn and we turned left onto the A665. We crossed under the Metrolink and over the M60 and we continued Southwards into East Side of Prestwich. We got up and got off the bus near to the Heaton Park Metrolink station and Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 15399 as it continued towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 15399 in Prestwich

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we headed to the nearest pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke each and sat down. It was just after the final whistle in the FA Cup final, and Manchester Utd had beaten Manchester City by 2 - 1. We finished out drinks and we went outside to meet uncle Dave. We walked Northwards up the road to the nearest stop. As we walked to the stop we saw Stagecoach Manchester 19482 going North. As ther had been a gap in the service, we assued that we would not have to wait too long for the next bus. About 5 minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 11835 on a #135 to Bury.

Stagecoach Manchester 11835 in Prestwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the rear section on the bus. The bus set off Northward up the A665 and we crossed the M60 and went past Besses O'th Barn tram stop and onto the A56. We ran past the A6053 and past the site of a former Esso petrol station which is being converted into a EV charging hub. We ran for about a mile before we veered right on to Knowsley Street. We crossed over the A58 and we ran forwards onto Haymarket Street before turning right into the Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we took a few pictures and we saw First Manchester 69635 on a #467 to Rochdale. We set off through the bus station and headed towards the A58. We walked behind the market and we went under the subway onto the car park back to the car. We got in the car and matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Spring Street and we turned left onto the A58. We turned left onto Market Street and we crossed over the East Lancs Railway line to Heywood. We turned right onto Wellington Road and left onto the Southbound A56. We ran down the hill and over the River Roch before stopping at the chips shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. When I had finished eating we set off onto the Southbound A56. We ran down towards Prestwich and we joined the anti-clockwise M60. We joined the Westbound M62 and we headed into Chesire. We joined the Southbound M6 at Lymm interchange and we continued through Cheshire. As we travelled down the M6 we saw Z Carz HK57 LGW. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we ran though Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 and we diverted onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now an Indian Restaurant. 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 we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:45. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. 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