Trip to Preston / Lancaster 11-05-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
11140	Preston BS	Scotforth, Bowling Green	40	Stagecoach Lancashire
12207	Scotforth, Bowling Green	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire
47964	Lancaster BS	Marsh, Denmark Street	11	Stagecoach Lancashire
47964	Marsh, Denmark Street	Lancaster BS	11	Stagecoach Lancashire
11211	Lancaster BS	Lancaster, Summersgill Road	1A	Stagecoach Lancashire
18324	Lancaster, Summersgill Road	Morecombe, Aldi	2X	Stagecoach Lancashire
11203	Morecombe BS	Scotforth, boot & Shoe	41	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to re-visir Preston. I gave Matthew the choice of where to go on Friday night and he chose to go to Preston. Research for the trip consisted of having a look around at the various Stagecoach dayrider tickets and to check the weather. The weather forecast for the day was for a warm dry and sunny day. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and some raspberry and apple sparkling water for breakfast. We set off just before 11:30 and we went to pick up 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 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. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw Intercity BJ12 NXO, Potteries Airport Travel YM19 CFD and Yelloway YE10 WAY. We continued up to Barthomley Interchange and we joined the Northbound M6. Traveling up the M6 we saw Alfa 103, Selwyns BV19 XSD(#550) / BD65 JEO(#540), blue minibus DK19 AYN, silver minibus AK64 YFL, 2 unidentified Walton's coaches, Caledonian Travel LSK 815 and 2 unidentified Travellers Choice coaches. We came off the M6 at the M65 junction and we headed Westwards. On the M65 we saw silver minibus AK64 JZD. We joined the A6 and we ran into Preston. We turned left onto Percy Street and right onto Derby Street. We went up the ramp and into the car park above the bus station. Once we had parked up and paid for the ticket we headed down to the bus station in the lift. We headed inti the cafe and we ordered food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. He also helped mum eat her cheese on toast. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed to the toilets. Afterwards we had a walk thriugh the bus station to see what we might catch. At the far end we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 10024 on a #41 to Morecombe.

Stagecoach Lancashire 10024 in Preston bus station

Matthew wanted to catch this, but by the timne we walked around and back into the bus station it was leaving. We decided to stay and take pictures until the next Northbound Stagecoach service. We walked outside into the sunshine and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15473 on a #1 to Longridge.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15473 in Preston bus station

Also seen was Rotala Preston Bus 20878 came in not in service to work the #48 to Sharoe Green.

Rotala Preston Bus 20878 in Preston bus station

Another vehicle seen was Stagecoach Lancashire 15741 on a #59 to Accrington.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15741 in Preston bus station

We went back into the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15247 which eventually left on a #68 to Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15247 in Preston bus station

A short time later we saw the bus we were waiting for come on stand. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 11140 on a #40 to Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11140 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and we bought singles to Lancaster at £2 each before we went upstairs and sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off down bus station onto Tithebarn Street. We turned right onto Old Vicarage and right again onto Lancaster Road. We crossed the A59 and we went North up the A6. We passed the Withy Trees. We travelled through Fulwood and over Broughton. We went through Barton and at North Planks. As we travelled down to Bilsborrow. We crossed over Brock and we continued through Catterall past a building site for a retail park. We turned right onto the B6430. We ran up the hill and into Bowgreave. We ran down the hill into Bonds and to Garstang. We travelled through Cabus. We turned right and we ran down the A6. We travelled through Forton and over Bay Horse up to Hampson Green. We ran down Galgate. We turned left to run through Lancaster University. We joined the A6 and we headed down the Bailrigg. We ran into Scotforth were we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 11140 as it continued Northwards towards Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11140 in Scotforth

Once off the bus we headed across the crossroad to the opposite corner to visit the pub. Matthew went to the toilet with uncle dave whilst I ordered the drinks. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we had a short time out of the hot sun. When we had finished we went outside and we headed back across the crossroads to the same stop that we got off at. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15699 on a #40 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15699 in Scotforth

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it glot closer we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 12207 on a #1A to Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 12207 in Scotforth

We got on the bus and we bought Bay Dayrider tickets at £5.50 each before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off up the A6 and we ran up the hill into Lancaster and we turned right onto Common Garden Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus. Once in Lancaster we had a walk around the bus station to take pictures and see what we might catch out. We saw Stagecoach Lancashire 24125 on layover.

Stagecoach Lancashire 24125 in Lancaster bus station

We headed back into the bus station and surprisingly Matthew chose to do a Solo SR. We got to the stand and we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 47964 on a #11 Marsh circular.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47964 in Lancaster bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Bay Dayrider tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Chapel Street. We ran forwards onto the A6 and we turned right onto George Street. We ran forwards onto Spring Garden Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A6 on the other side of the one-way system. We turned left onto Market Street and we ran forwards onto Meeting House Lane. We crossed over the railway line near to the railway station and we ran forwards onto Westbourne Road. We turned left onto Coolidge Avenue and left onto Roosevelt Avenue. We continued onto Leighton Drive and we turned right onto Willow Lane. We ran past a section of open land and we stopped at the mid point timing location to await time. We ran to the end of Willow Lane and we turned right onto West Road. We turned right onto Station Road and we saw South Lakes Travel coach LRZ 5964 parked outside the railway station. We turned left onto Meeting House Lane and we ran into the town. We ran forwards onto Market Street and we turned left onto the one-way system. We ran around the A6 and we turned into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47964 before we got off the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47964

It was nearly 17:00 so we decide that we needed to catch out quick. Matthew needed the toilet so we visited the toilet and headed back to the stands. We decided to head towards Morecombe. We look on the stands and there was a bus to Morecombe about to start loading. We saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 11211 on a #1 to Heysham Towers.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11211 in Lancaster bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the By Dayrider tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. On an adjacent stand was the far more interesting Dennis Trident 18324, but it wasn't displaying where it was going to. We set off out of the bus station and onto Damside Street. We turned right onto China Street and we turned left onto the A6. We continued onto the A589 and we crossed over the river Lune. I looked on the bustimes.org map and thr Trident was now showing as working the following 2X service to Morecombe.A few stops down the road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 11211 as it continued towards Heysham.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11211 in Lancaster

We waited for the Trident to appear. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 11142 on a #1A to Heysham Towers.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11142 in Lancaster

A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 18324 on a #2X to Morecombe.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18324 in Lancaster

We got on the bus and we flashed the Bay Dayrider tickets to the driver before we went upstairs an sat down. The bus set off along the A589 and we ran through Scale Hall before we turned left onto the A683. We ran fast along the bypass and we ran forwards onto the A589. We turned onto Cumbermere Road and we headed through Heysham. We turned left onto Delamere Avebue and at the roundabout we went slight right onto Heathfoot Avenue. We turned right onto Smithy Lane and we turned left onto Middleton Road. We turned right into a triangle and we stopped at the Heysham Towers terminus before going around the triangle and back along Middleton Road. WE turned right onto School Road and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto Crimewell Lane and onto Main Street, the centre of Heysham village. We stopped at the turning circle and we headed back along Main Street onto Crimewell Lane. We continued onto Longlands Lane and we headed Eastwards. We turned left onto the A589 and we headed onto the seafront. We got towards the end of Tghe Prom and we spotted an ice creeam van. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 18324 as it continued towards the bus station.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18324 in Morecombe

Once off the bus we headed ovwe to the ice cream van and Matthew had a cornet and ice cream with red juice. When we had finished the ice cream we started to head towards the bus station. On the way matthew insisted on going into the pub which was the former Morecombe railway station terminal building, which is now a Greene King pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. We came out of the pub and met back up with uncle Dave. Wew walked down to the bus staion and we waited for what was going to be the last bus down towards Preston. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 12206 on a #6A to Lancaster.

Stagecoach Lancashire 12206 in Morecombe bus station

Matthew had wanted to do this bus, but the driver advised it would be a 1 hour journey to Lancaster and we were already running late. Whilst we waited for intended bus we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 22611 on a #5 to Carnforth.

Stagecoach Lancashire 22611 in Morecombe bus station

There had been a bus on layover on the opposite side of the bus station and we assumed that this would turn at the roundabout and form the next Preston service. Just before 18:15 the bus set off around the roundabout and came onto the stand. I worked out that bus would not reached Preston until 2008, so I messaged mum and asked her if she would like to wait or come and meet us somewhere. She said she like to come and meet us, so we arrnaged to meet her in Scotforth where we had been earlier. We saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 11203 on a #41 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11203 in Morecombe bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Bay Daysaver tickets to the driver for the final time today. Matthew saw that the lower saloon was empty so he took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 11203 before we went upstairs and sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 11203

The bus set off out of the bus station and we headed Eastwards along the B5321. WE followed this road through the town centre and we continued for a mile or so out of town. We ran forwards onto the A589 and we continued towards Lancaster. As we got to the edge of town we ran near to the Lune and we turned right onto Owen Road. We crossed over the Lune and we headed Southwards into the town centre along North Road we turned right into Dameside Street and we entered Lancaster bus station from the South end. We waited for a few minutes to unload and load and we set off out of the bus station onto Cable Street. We turned right onto Chapel Street and we joined the Southbound side of the A6 one-way system. We turned right onto George Street and right onto King Street. We turned right onto Common Garden Street and we ran forwards onto Brock Street. We turned right and we re-joined the Southbound A6. We continued Southwards down the A6 for about another 8 minutes and we entered Scotforth. When we spotted the pub we got up and got off the bus. Once lff the bus Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 11203 as it continued towards Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 11203 in Scotforth

We walked around the corner onto Hala Road. We got in the car and Matthew had a small sausage roll. We turned the car around and we ran Northwards up the A6 a few hundred yeards to the chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Cherry Coke, as well as helping mum with her battered burger When I had finished eating we turned the car around and we headed Southwards down the A6. We ran past the University and Galgate and we joined the Southbound M6 at Junction 33. We ran Southwards for about 27 miles and we stopped at Charnock Richard services for a toilet break. As we got out of the car we saw Gallagher EJ16 NFG parked mup near to us.

Gallagher EJ16 NFG in Charnock Richard service

After going to the toilet we got in the car continued Southwards. We had to briefly pull into Knutsford services as mum had droipped something on the floor of the car and she needed to get out to get it. We got straight back on the road and we continued down to junction 16. We got on the Southbound A500 and nwe ran through Talke and Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 onto Wheildon Road and we dropped off uncle Dave. We ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got back around 21:00. Mattew had hs medication and we chiolled out uploading pictures and updating the Blog. We wrote the e-mail and we went to bed around 00:30... Mark.