Trip to Leicester / Loughborough 22-06-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4566	Leicester, (Stop CM)	Leicester, St Margarets BS	84	Arriva Midlands
4432	Leicester, St Margarets BS	Quorn, Quorndon Fox	127	Arriva Midlands
4554	Quorn, Quorndon Fox	Loughborough, stop FA	127	Arriva Midlands
4760	Loughborough, stop FA	Shepshed, Bullring	127	Arriva Midlands
3106	Shepshed, Bullring	Loughborough, (Stand LB)	16	Arriva Midlands
4434	Loughborough, (Stand LB)	Leicester, St Margarets BS	127	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Leicester. In the week Matthew had suggested nthat we go to Loughborough, to which I said it might be better to go to Leicester and travel up son that there would be more for mum to do whilst we were on the bus. Matthew agreed to this. Research consisted of looking at the weather which was for dry weather with some sunshine. We also looked at the Arriva tickets that we could buy. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. We got up at 10:20 and Matthew had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting dressed we set off around 11:50 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned right onto Finstock Avenue and right onto Emsworth Road. We returned to the house to check the door was locked and afterwards we ran through Blurton and onto Finstock Avenue. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and 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 back up Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir. We turned right to continued along the Blythe Bridge bypass and we were passed by SAS BT 15 NLE. We went near to uttoxeter and we continued along the A50 for a few more miles. Passing former EWS locomotive 60078 on the back of a Reids Truck parked up in a holding area. We came off the A50 and we and we headed towards Hatton on the A511. We deciedd to try something new today. We stopped at a cafe called Rascals for dinner. It was quite warm and sunny so we sat outside on a bench. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. He also used the toilet which was in a barn. When we had finished we headed back along the A511 and we re-joined the A50. We continued Eastwards for a few miles before joining the Southbound M1. Whilst travelling down the M1 we saw Skills (NX) BV73 ZTT(#450), white coach BK15 AJU, blue minibus YR60 LHM, an unidentified RML Routemaster and Travel Xpress RE22 ETT. We came off the motorway onto the A50 and we headed through Groby into Leicester the last 7 or so miles. We turned left onto Blackbird Way. We followed the road around onto St Margarets Way and we turned left onto Burleys Way. We turned we did the flyover and we ran onto St Matthews Way. We turned left onto Humberstone Road and we did a u turn just after the railway bridge. We went back along St Matthews Way and we turned left onto Gelgrave Gate. We ran forwards onto Haymarket and we we went into the car park. After we had parked up we said goodbye to mum and we went down the stairs into the shopping centre. We came out onto Charles Street and we headed into the bus station. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we ha a walk around to see what we could see. In the bus station was First Leicester 63567 on a #88 to Eyres Monsell.

First Leicester 63567 in Leicester bus station

We continued down Charles Street to see what was in the bus station. As we walked down Charles Street we saw First Leicester 36615 on a #54 to the Beaumont Leys Centre.

First Leicester 36615 in Leicester bus station

At the other end of the bus station we saw First Leicester 63550 on a #38A Nether Hall circular.

First Leicester 63550 in Leicester bus station

We planned to catch a bus from Charles Street down to the St Margarets bus station. Walking back up Charles Street we saw Centebus 775 on a #20 to Blackmore Drive.

Centebus 775 in Leicester bus station

As we walked up Charles Street we could see a #84 service at the bus stop. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4566 on a #84 to St Margaret's bus station.

Arriva Midlands 4566 in Leicester

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva East Midlands Day Saver Duo at £12.50 before we went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off along Charles Street and we ran through the bus station. We ran forwards onto Abbey Street and we entered the bus station from the South Eastern corner. We pulled onto the stand and we got up and got off the bus. We looked at the departure board and we saw there was a departure in 3 minutes from stand SC at the other end of the bus station. We had a brisk walk and we spotted the bus on stand. As we approached the stand we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4432 on a #127 to Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4432 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva East Midlands Day Saver Duo on the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Gravel Street. We turned right on Abbey Street and left onto Belgrave Gate. We crossed over the ring road and we headed North Eastwards up the A607. We started to go along the Golden Mile before we turned left onto Loughborough Road. We ran Northwards for just under a mile and we crossed over the A563 and joined the Northbound A6. We ran through Birstall where we saw West Yorkshire Travel BX14 OMP. We continued past the park and ride site and we crossed over the A46. We turned left towards a housing estate and we tured right onto Loughborough Road. We ran Northwards into Rothley and we turned left onto Helifields Lane. The road turned leftwards to head North and we ran forwards onto North Street. We continued Northwards onto Mountsorrel Lane and we continued onto Rothley Road. We turned right onto The Green and at the roundabout we turned left onto. Loughborough Road. We passed the Buttermarket we reached the Southernmost point that we reached on out trip to Loughborough back in January 2022. We continued Northwards out of Market Place and we ran Northwards through Quorn. We decided to get off and go to a pub so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4432 before it continued Northwards towards Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4432 in Quorn

Once the bus had departed we headed into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a small bottle of Coke with some ice in a glass, When we had finished our drinks we headed out to the bus stop and met up with uncle Dave. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw Arriva Midlands 4400 on a #127 to Leicester. A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4554 on a #127 to Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4554 in Quorn

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva East Midlands Day Saver Duo on the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off up the Northbound A6 and we headed into the centre of Loughborough. We ran forwards onto High Street and we turned right into Baxter Gate. After a brief stop we set off along Baxter Gate and we rejoined the Northbound A6. We ran around town to Tesco and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 4554 which sat at the bus stop for a few minutes awaiting time.

Arriva Midlands 4554 in Loughborough

We headed up the step and we spotted a cafe. Matthew had a slice of red velvet cake washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating Matthew went to the toilet. We met up with uncle Dave and we went back down the step to the bus stop. We didn't have to wait long before the bus appeared. As it approached the stop we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4760 on a #127 to Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4760 in Loughborough

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva East Midlands Day Saver Duo on the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. After a short wait for time, the bus set off along the A6 and we turned left onto The Rushes and right onto Derby Square. We ran forwads onto the A512 and we ran out of town. We turned right onto the Northbound A6004. We turned left onto Alan Moss Road and right onto Garendon Road. We turned right onto Garendon Gardens and we ran forwards onto Blackbrook Road. We turned right onto Schofield Road and left onto Old Ashby Road. We ran to the end and we joined the Westbound A512. We crossed over the M1 and we continued Westwards. We turned right onto Leicester Road and we ran into Shepshed. We went forwards onto Kirkhill and onto the roundabout in the centre of town where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4760 before it returned on a #127 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4760 in Shepshed

We set off on foot onto Queen Street and we cut through the Co-op car park onto Hall Croft. We visited the Hall Croft Tap and we had a glass of Coke. After we had finished our drinks Matthew used the toilet. We walked back along Hall Croft and we cut through the Co-op car park onto Queen Street. We sat in the space behind the bus stop and Matthew chose and ate a Milky Way. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew made friends with the resident Shepshed Bullring cat. A short time later we saw Arriva Midlands 4437 arrive on a #127 service and go out of service.

Arriva Midlands 4437 in Shepshed

We chattd to one of the locals and we realised that we could do the #16 to Loughborough and get on the following #127 service. We waited for the bus to appear. As short time later we saw the bus approaching. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 3106 on a #16 to Loughborough.

Arriva Midlands 3106 in Shepshed

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva East Midlands Day Saver Duo on the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. After a short wait for time, the bus set off onto Kirkhill, and we ran forwards onto Leicester Road. We turned left onto the A512 and we crossed over the M1. We continued along the A512. When we stopped at bus stops the engine shut down. We ran inti the West end of Loughborough and we turned left onto Greenclose Lane. We turned left onto The Rushes and we turned righ onto the A6. We ran around the East side of the town past Tesco and when we got to next stop we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Kinchbus 128 on a Skylink service to the Airport.

Kinchbus 128 in Loughborough

A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4434 on a #127 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4434 in Loughborough

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva East Midlands Day Saver Duo on the scanner for what turned out to be the fianl time today before we went upstairs and sat down. After a brief stop we continued Left onto Leicester Road. We ran Southwards out of town and we crossed over the Great Central Railway. We ran forwards onto Loughborough Road and we ran a further 1/2 mile or so into the centre of Quorn. We Continued Southwards out of the centre of Quorn and we headed down into Mountsorrel. We turne right onto The Green and we stopped behind the library before continuing onto Rothley Road. We continued onto Moutsorrel Lane and into Rothley. We followed the road to the left onto Halifields Lane and we continued onto Cossington Lane. WE joined the Southbound A46 and after crossing the A46 we ran past the park and ride site through Birstall. We tookm a diversionary route down the A6 and we passed the First Leicester depot. We turned left onto the B5327 and past Abbey Park before turning right onto the A607. We crossed the roundabout onto Belgrave Gate and we turmed right onto Abbey Street before entering the St Margaret's Bus Station from the South Eastern corner. We pulled into a stand and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around. Matthew visited the toilet and we walked around the outside of the bus station as there wasn't a bus back to Charles Street for a long time we decided to walk. We walked down to the South West corner and we saw Woods Coaches BX65 WBD on a National Express #230 sercvice to Derby.

Woods Coaches BX65 WBD in Leicester bus station

We did a lap around the bus station and as we got to the junction of Abbey Street and Gravel Street we saw Stagecoach Midlands 26204 on a #148 to Coventry.

Stagecoach Midlands 26204 in Leicester bus station

We walked along Abbey Street and we turned right onto Belgrave Gate. We continued onto Charles Street and past the Haymarket Bus Station. A the Southern end we saw First Leicester 63563 on layover in between runs on the #16 to the General Hospital.

First Leicester 63563 in Leicester bus station

We walked to the entrance of the shopping centre but the door was closed! We turned right onto Humberstone Gate and right onto Haymarket. There was an entrance by the theatre, but you needed the ticket or had to declare your ticket lost, which I did not want to do. We ended up walking up the ramp to get back into the car park. We walked to where the car was but mum had moved it to by one the pay stations. After paying for parking we set off out of the car park onto Haymarket. We ran forwards onto Belgrave Gate and we turned left onto Burleys Way. We turned right onto the A50 and we ran through Frog Island. We spotted a chip shop on the A50 so we turned left onto Dunton Street and turned around. THe chip shop was closed so we looked up directions to another one. We continued onto the A50 and we did a u turned and turned left onto Buckminster Road. We stopped at Bucks Chip shop and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Irn Bru. It created a bit of a stir in the chip shop when I paid, becasue un beknown to me I paid with a couple of the new Charles III £10 notes! We ate the chips in the car and when we were ready we set off onto Buckminster Road. We turned left onto Medina Road and we turned right to re-join the A50. We ran North through Groby and we re-joined the Northbound M1. We came off the M1 and junction and we headed Westwards along the A50. As we travelled along the A50 we saw an unidentified Ausden Clark double decker coach, blue minibus SJ59 UAN, an unidentified Diamond Bus on a #401 to Burton and silver minibus YX09 HFK. We came off the A50 and we turned right onto Blurton Road. at the traffic lights we turned left Grove Road. We ran ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we stopped at uncle Dave's. Matthew went in as he was desperate for the toilet. He also updated uncle Dave's calendar with the details of today's trip. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we set off back to Blurton. 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 the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 21:10. 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 00:30... Mark