Trip to Crewe / Winsford 05-07-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
576	Crewe BS	Winsford, Guildhall	31	D&G Bus
58	Winsford, Library	Leighton Hospital	37	D&G Bus
5001	Leighton Hospital	Crewe BS	42	D&G Bus
4	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84X	D&G Bus
123	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84X	D&G Bus

Today we decided to revisit Crewe. We asked Matthew on the Firday where he would like to go and he chose Crewe. Research consisted of just checking the weather which was for mainly cloudy with some sunshine. We also found out the was a festival being held in Crewe. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we set off around 12:00. We got in the car and we ran through Blurton 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. As we approached stoke we saw an unidentified Travel Express minibus behind the wall. We continued Northwards up the A500 through Etruria and Longport and we passed an unidentified Hartley's Travel coach. We went under the M6 and we continued along the A500. We crosed over the West coact main line before we turned right onto the B5071. We stopped at the YMCA asnd went into the cafe. Matthew had a full English Breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Afterwards Matthew went to the toilet. We got in the car and we continuyed up the B5071. We turne left onto the A534 and we turned right onto the A5078. We turned left onto Wistaston Road and right onto Flag Lane. We continued onto Hightown and we turned right onto West Street. We parked up by the shops and we said goodbye to mum. We cut through Victoria Square and we we turned right onto Victoria Street. WE got to the bus station and we had a look around. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 26051 on a #84 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 26051 in Crewe bus station

Also seen was First Potteries 63174 on a #103 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Crewe bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to head towards Winsford. We had around 20 minutes before anything in that direction. We turned down D&G Bus 57 on a #37 to Northwich. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 576 on a #31 to Northwich.

D&G Bus 576 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we booked D&G Network Duo Day tickets at £12.00 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station. We turned left onto Victoria Street. We turned right onto Hightown and we ran forwards onto Broad Street. We crossed the railway line and we turned left onto the B5076. We followed the road right at the roundabout and we turned left onto a new road that goes into Leighton Hospital. At the hospital there was a small bus station. We left the bus station area and we crossed turned right onto A530. We turned left onto Eardswick Lane and we turned left onto Cross Lane. We turned right and we headed Northwards up the B5074. We continbued to Glebe Green and we turned left onto Swanlow Drive. We turned right onto Darnhall School Lane and left onto Glebe Green Drive. We ran forwards onto Durham Drive and we turned left onto Dover Drive. We continued onto Mount Pleasnt Drive and we turned right onto Denbigh Drive. We turned left onto Beeston Drive and we re-joined the B5074. We turned right onto the A54 and when we got to the centre of Winsford we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 576 as it continued towards Northwich.

D&G Bus 576 in Winsford

Once off the bus we went under the A54 and we headed to Costa Coffee. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we got some food. Matthew had a Biscoff cheesecake and a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we went outside to uncle Dave. We waited for the next bus back in the direction of Crewe. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 57 on a #37 to Northwich which we had turned down earlier. A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As we got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 58 on a #31 to Crewe.

D&G Bus 58 in Winsford

We got on the bus and we placed the Network duo day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the A54 and we turnbed left onto the B5074. We turned right onto Beeston Drive and right onto Denbigh Drive. We turned left onto Mount Pleasant Drive and we ran forwards onto Dovey Drive. We turned right onto Durham Drive and we ran forwards onto Glebe Green Drive. We turned right onto Darnhall School Lane and we turned left onto Swanlow DRive. We turned right out of Glebe Green onto the Southbound B5074. We ran into Church Minshull and we turned left onto Cross Lane. We went over the Shropshire Union Canal and we turned right onto Eardswick Lane. We crossed over the A530 and we ran forwards onto the B5076. We turned right onto Bobby Brown Way and we turnmed right into the hospital where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew shared a small packet of Shortbread and he had a can of Orange Fanta. We waited for bus bus towards Crewe. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 48 on a #12 to Shavington.

D&G Bus 48 in Leighton

A short time later we saw the bus we wantd to catch. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 5001 on a #42 to Crewe.

D&G Bus 5001 in Leighton

We got on the bus and we placed the Network duo day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the hospital and we turned left onto Bobby Brown Way past the site of a new school. We turned right onto the B5076 and we headed Southwards down Minshull New Road. We turmed left into Rolls Avenue and we crossed over Chassagne Square. We turned right onto Frank Webb Avenue and we turned left onto the A532. We ran forwards onto the A5078 and we ram past the old railway works which is now run by Alstom. We ran alongside the Chester line and we turned left onto Harrison Drive. We ran forwards onto Delamere Street and we entered the bus station from the South end where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we decided to head towards Nantwich. The bus was already on stand and we saw it was D&G BUs 4 on a #84X to Nantwich.

D&G Bus 4 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Network duo day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went along Delamere Street and around the corner onto Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edleston Road and we turned right onto the A534 and we crossed over A51 at the Peacock Roundabout. Just before town we turned right onto Millstone Lane. By the tractor shop, we turned left onto Beam Street. We passed Marks & Spencer's and the library and we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 4 befoer it returned on a #84X to Crewe.

D&G Bus 4 in Nantwich bus station

We walked down Beam Street and we stopped at a pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar and ordered drinks. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat down near the window. Whilst we had our drinks we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15583 on a #84 to Crewe and Stagecoach Merseyside 15567 on a #84 to Chester. When we hhad finished our drinks we walked back along Beam Street to the bus station. We saw D&G Bus 34 on a #53 to Audlem.

D&G Bus 34 in Nantwich bus station

A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 123 on a #84X to Crewe.

D&G Bus 123 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Network duo day ticket under the scanner. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 123 before we sat down.

Inside D&G Bus 123

After waiting for time, we set of out of the bus station and we turned right onto Beam Street. We passed the tractor shop and we turned right onto the B5074. We turned left onto Crewe Road and we headed out of Nantwich. We crossed the A51 and we ran forwards onto the A534. We ran through Willaston and Wells Green and we ran into Crewe. We turned left onto Edleston Road and we ran forwards onto Market Street. We turned left onto Market Square and forwards onto Delamere Street. We turned right into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once of the bus we walked to the end. We saw D&G Bus 46 on a #12 to Leighton Hospital.

D&G Bus 46 in Crewe bus station

Also seen was D&G Bus 577 on a #31 to Northwich.

D&G Bus 577 in Crewe bus station

We called mum and we arranged to meet her in Asda car park. She was still in another shops at this point, so we walked over to asda and we went inside to get some cold drinks. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we picked up drinks for everyone. Matthew also picked up a Twirl. We paid for the the goods and we went outside to meet uncle Dave. A few minutes later mum appeared and we got in the car. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We decide to go back home as we were close to home and get chips on the way. We set off onto Victoria Street and we ran forwards onto Flag Lane. We turned left onto Wistatston Road and we ran forwards onto the A5078 past a new building on the left. We turned right onto the A5019 and left onto the A534 past the railway station. AS we turned right on the roundabout we saw St Michaels Dance Troupe double decker J28 KHT. We headed Southwards down the A532 and we turned right onto David Whitby Way. At the end we joined the Southbound A500. We ran towards Barthomley and under the M6 and we continued along the A500. As we travelled Southwards we passed 3 Caledonia Travel coaches coming the other way. We travelled through Etruria and Stoke and as we got to Sideway we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 and Heron Cross and we turned right onto Blurton Road. WE stopped at the chip shop and Matthew had 2 small sausages chips and gravy and a can of Dandelion & Burdock. We drover along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back around 19:00. We went into the house and Matthew ate his sausages chips and gravy. We did some Blog and sorted out an e-mail. Matthew had his medication and afterwards I took uncle Dave home. We continued with the Blog and Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke. As it was warm Matthew had a Flake ice cream. Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Chorley / Leyland 07-02-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15583	Chorley TI	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop A)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15571	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop B)	Chorley TI	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
47326	Chorley TI	Towngate, Tesco (Stand F)	109	Stagecoach Lancashire
47333	Towngate (Leyland), Tesco (Stop B)	Chorley TI	109	Stagecoach Lancashire
15570	Chorley TI	Adlington, o/s Library	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15573	Adlington, By Church Street	Chorley TI	125	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to re-visit Chorley. The weather was forecast for cold and cloudy in all directions, so we could choose to go wherever we wanted to within reason. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and he chose Chorley. research consisted of looking at Google Maps to look at directions and a quick check of past Blog posts to see what ticket we need to buy. we set off just before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we passed D&G Solo 134 on the Blurton Plumline. We carried on down until we reached the A50 and we went West to the A500. Once we got to the A500 we went North. On the way North we passed coach WNF 26 going the other way. We got on the Northbound M6 and we saw Clayton Cunningham Travel minibus V938 ECU. We carried on North and we came off the M6 at Junction 27. In standish the Road to the North was Blocked so we travelled East to the A6. We came into town along the A6. On the edge of town we turned into Fleet Street car park so that we could go eat in Big Lamp chippy. Matthew had sausage egg and chips and a can of Coke. After we had finisged eat we drove into town and attempted to park in the square car park adjacent to the bus station. It was full, so we decided to leave mum with the car whilst she went shopping elsewhere. We said goodbye and we set off on foot to the bus station. On the way we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 34745 on the #109 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34745 in Chorley interchange

As we got into the bus station Transdev Lancashire Untied 567 arrived on the #24 from Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 567 in Chorley Interchange

There was Nothing else in the bus station so we decided to have a walk around the bus station and have a look at the coaches on rail replacement. We also saw Stagecoach Lancashire Dart 34743 which was on layover.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34743 in Chorley interchange

Across the road on rail replacement work was Brethertons BC05 JVU.

Brethertons BC05 JVU in Chorley

The bus station had now filled up a little. On a #125 to Bolton was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15579.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15579 in Chorley interchange

On a #362 to Wigan was required Arriva NW&W 2687.

Arriva NW&W 2687 in Chorley interchange

On a #1 service to Coppull was dud Stagecoach Lancashire Solo 47331.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47331 in Chorley interchange

We headed back to the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 47327 on a #7 to Croston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47327 in Chorley interchange

Back in the bus station we were considering doing the #109 to Leyland, but when it came in it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 34620.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34620 in Chorley interchange

We then saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 on a #125 to Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Chorley interchange

We decided to do Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 as we had only been to Horwich once before from this direction. This is a bus that we first had back in June 2013 from the other end of Horwich to Bolton. We got on the bus and we booked Chorley Dayrider Plus tickets at £4.50. We went upstairs and as the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15583

The bus set off out of the bus station and we headed South on the A6. A few miles South of town the bus usually takes the A673 Bolton Road, but the road is currently closed. We continued South along the A6 adjacent to the canal and we came into Adlington, where there is also roadworks. We turned left onto Railway Road and then we turned right onto the A673 in Anderton. We continued South on the A673 and we crossed under the M61. We passed the bottom end of Rivington Reservoir and then we headed into Horwich. The ticket is only valid to the pub at the north end of town so as we approached the roundabout we got up and then got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 before it carried on South to Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Horwich

We crossed the road to wait for the next bus. According to the timetable there are 5 #125 an hour to Chorley and a single #517. There was a #517 due first before the next #125 at 14:46. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw a few First and Arriva buses on the roundabout including First Manchester Volvo B10 66194 on the #575 which was in the new 'Olympia' livery. We then saw South Lancs Travel Dart 7 on the #517 to Blackrod. A few minutes later a bus arrived and it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15571. We got on the bus and flashed the Dayrider tickets before going upstairs. Two dud buses out of two so far... This was a bus that we first had from Walton-le-Dale to Preston back in October 2013. which is a little unlucky. We realised that if we got back to Chorley for 15:10 we would make the next #109 service. The bus set off across the roundabout and up the A673. We passed the reservoir and under the M61 and we came into Anderton. We turned left and went towards Adlington before turning right onto the A6. We climbed the hill and went past Frederick ice cream parlour an made the final run into town. We got into the bus station around 15:05 and we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 on the #109.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 in Chorley interchange

We also had the choice of doing required Stagecoach Lancashire 15584 which was on a #125, but we fancied going to Leyland for ice cream. So we turned it down and got on dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47326. We flashed the tickets and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the Northbound A6. We turned into left into Union Street. The bus started to load so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite him in case he didn't get another opportunity.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47326

Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 is a bus we first had from Leyland to Chorley back in February 2014. The bus carried on West along the A581 and we passed Tesco and saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47329 on a #2 to Coppull. We crossed he railway line and we turned North onto the A49. In Euxton we turned East on Euxton Lane and we headed out towards Buckshaw village. Going North though the village we turned West to head into Leyland. We crossed the M6 and the railway and we headed into town along St Andrew's Way where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 as it carried towards Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 in Leyland

We walked around the back of Tesco's and we saw coule of buses on Towngate. We spotted Fishwicks 28 on a #111 to Preston

Fishwick's 28 in Leyland

This was followed by required Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 on a #109 to Chorley.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 in Leyland

We went to Ice Dreams and Coffee Beans for our usual ice cream. Matthew visited the toilet before having a vanilla cornet (£1.60). Once we had finished we headed out onto Towngate to wait for the bus back to Chorley. We headed ack onto Towngate to wait for the next Chorley bus. Stagecoach Lancashire 34620 turned up and we got on it, not realising it was on a #113 to Wigan! We got back off to wait for the #109 and when it turned up it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47333.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47333 in Leyland

We got on the bus and we flashed our Dayrider Tickets and we sat down near to the back of the bus. Stagecoach Lancashire 47333 was a bus that we last had in August 2014 from Chorley to Leyland. The bus set off towards and through Buckshaw Village before heading through Euxton. We turned onto the A581 and we headed into town. When we got into the bus station we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47333.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47333

We needed to catch something quickly if we were going to get another couple of buses in before we went home. Matthew went to the toilet and when he came out we saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1302 on the #24 to Blackburn. Matthew wanted to do this but we didn't have the right bus tickets. On local service #2 to Coppull was Stagecoach Lancashire 47332.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47332 in Chorley Interchange

We considered what to catch next... Two bus came in that were both Bolton bound. Required Stagecoach Lancashire 15580 came in first followed by dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15570.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Chorley interchange

Stagecoach Lancashire 15580 must have been late because it dropped off passengers only and went straight out. We were left with Stagecoach Lancashire 15570. We decided to do this dud bus as we were running out of time. We got on the bus and we flashed the tickets before going upstairs. there were people front and back on this bus so he didn't take a picture inside. As we waited to go required Stagecoach Lancashire 34783 pulled in alongside us on the #109 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34783 in Chorley interchange

We set off and we went South on the A6. We ha decided that we were going to go to Adlington and get a bus back. We passed the closed A673 and we followed the canal before coming into Adlington. We were stopped at the lights in the roadworks and a bus went past going the other way. We turned the corner and crossed the railway and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 as it climbed the hill towards Anderton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Adlington

We decided to walk back into toan and visit the Co-op there. We crossed over the road and we saw a coach at the traffic lights. We decided to walk up to and get a picture of Redline Coaches Volvo coach 17 RED

Redling 17 RED in Adlington

We went to the Co-operative food store and we brought a can of Coke, a double Milky Way and a Kinder Egg. We walked up to the stop on Westhoughton Road opposite a church converted into an Indian Restaurant. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a bus approaching. It got closer and we saw it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15573.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 in Adlington

We got on the bus and we flashed the tickets for the last time. We actually managed to do it. We had six buses and non of them were required... And that with a 130 mile round trip to get to the buses in the first place. I think that is the first time that has happened when we have been on short local trips. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15573

This was a bus that we had been on before from Horwich to Bolton back in August 2013. In fact we did Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 for Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 on that day too. It's the third bus that we have previously done from that date today! The bus set off North up the A6 along side the canal. We past the closed junction with the A673 and we headed up the hill into town. When we got there we got up and got off the bus. We set off on foot to the car and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 34602 on the #115 to Preston. Back at the car mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls.We set off South down the A6 and we turned at Wigan Road. We briefly stop at the end of the road to get some pop out of the boot before continuing to Standish. We too a different route back to the M6 along the A5209 before getting on the motorway at junction 27. We headed South and it was now completely dark. The motorway was clear and we had a good fast run down to junction 16 with the exception of the roadworks near to Sandbach. We got onto the Southbound A500 and we came off at the A50. We did the A50 to Longton and we came off to see what was at Z Carz tonight. by the A5035 we saw First Potteries 60193 on the #22 from Dresden to Newcastle. There was one minibus on the spare ground near to the depot. This was Z carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and there was omly on bus in the compound. We headed back onto the A5 and we came off at Heron Cross. In Blurton we passed First Potteries 60073 on the #22 to Dresden before we turned into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by coconut cake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 03:00... Mark

Trip to Bolton / Horwich 17-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1873	Bolton BS	Egerton, Blackburn Road/Egerton Post Office (NW-bound)	1	Transdev Lancashire United
1874	Egerton, Blackburn Road/The Globe (SE-bound)‎	Bolton BS	1	Transdev Lancashire United
15570	Bolton BS	Horwich, Church Street/Bridge Inn (W-bound)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15573	Horwich, Church Street/Leisure Centre (E-bound)‎‎	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15583	Bolton BS	Montserrat, o/s Hse 1126 Chorley Old Road/Montserrat Road‎	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15575	Montserrat, Chorley Old Rd/Montserrat Rd (SE-bound)‎‎	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to revisit Bolton. I wasn't sure why he wanted to go to Bolton this week, but given a list of places Matthew chose Bolton. I checked the football fixtures and they weren't playing at home today, they were away at Nottingham Forest. Other research for today consisted of studying the Bolton bus map and checking the weather which was for heavy rain! Matthew got up around 10:00 today. He had a slice of toast and some orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 today, going via Heron Cross and Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. we saw First Potteries 42726 on the #23A service. We got onto the A500 and we passed Ambassador Coach Travel FN52 HRG going the other way. We got onto the M6 and headed North. There was quite a bit of traffic on the road but it was moving well. We went east on the M62 and then onto the clockwise M60. We did this the short distance to the M61 and then onto the A666. At the edge of town we turned left and headed around to find a car parking space. We parked in a small car park off Deansgate within sight of the bus station. Right by the car park was one of the new buses for First Manchester 67406. It was being used for publicity on Black Horse Street, to demonstrate the quality new buses at First's Bolton depot. Matthew went on board to investigate and he was given a balloon and some stickers. I explained that we weren't local and Matthew like buses. I asked him if we were doing First or Arriva buses today and he said Arriva. That didn't go down too well! In the end as it will be seen he chose neither. I went to take the balloon back to the car and while I was unlocking the car the balloon escaped! Matthew just watched in amusement and said 'bye bye'...Matthew took an arty picture of First Manchester 67406.

First Manchester 67406 in Bolton

We saw 67403 work past on a #501 service and then we headed towards the market to get something to eat. Matthew used the temporary toilets by the market and then we went to eat at the place called the cosy cafe on the outside of the market. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. it was at this point that I realised that I did not have my phone! i had left it on charge at home. This meant no accurate time (I don't wear a watch), no electronic memo to record bus sightings and haulage on, no communication to tell mum when we were done and no checking on which buses we had been on. Mum purchased a notebook and we had a pen and a watch off her. We agreed to meet in the bus station by the news stand at 17:00 unless I called her from a phonebox. We said goodbye and we set off through the bus station. The first ting we saw was Arriva NW&W 4058 was parked up in the bus station. As Matthew had recently done a Transdev bus or two in Blackburn I thought he may want to do one today. So I had looked up how far the bs could be done on a System One ticket, which was Egerton. We saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1873 on a #1 service and I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. He got a picture of it before we got on.

Transdev Lancashire United 1873 in Bolton

As I got on I thought that they might not sell System One tickets with them only visiting Greater Manchester on this service. Luckily they did, so we booked our tickets and sat down near the back. It was a very well used service with most seats being filled on the start of this journey. We set off up the very busy corridor towards Astley Bridge. Most of the other service are operated by Arriva NW&W in this direction. We saw JH Coaches minibus V949 HKW as we climbed the big hill out of Bolton. I looked at the map so we could see how we were progressing along. When we got into town as such we got off and then crossed the road. At the stop we saw there was another hourly service, which turns out is operated by First, but we had just missed that one. The next one back was due at 14:36 and was another #1 service. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching from down the hill. It got closer and we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1874.

Transdev Lancashire United 1874 in Egerton

We got on and sat down near the back. The inbound service was almost empty, a big contrast to the one we caught up to Egerton. We soon got back into town and when we got back the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1874

When we got back we had a bit of a wander around taking bus pictures. We walked over to the Arriva side of the bus station and we took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4058.

Arriva NW&W 4058 in Bolton bus station

We then walked back into one of the middle stands. Arriva NW&W hybrid 4496 was out on the #534 service. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said no. We took pictures of this bus anyway.

Arriva NW&W 4496 in Bolton bus station

Behind 4496 arrived Stagecoach Lancashire 15570. At this point with no phone we didn't know if it was required. It turned out that it was required. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. He got a picture of the bus and we walked over to it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Bolton bus station

We booked to Horwich and went upstairs. The rear of the top deck as empty and Matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15570

The bus set off through town and it started to rain. As we left the bus station we passed First Manchester 33701 on a #501 service. We also passed First Manchester 12001 on a #471 service. We headed up through Brownlow Fold and up over Montserrat Brow. We passed an unusual bus on the #125 which was Stagecoach Lancashire 15839. We then headed down the hill into Horwich. We got off one stop later than we had done on our previous bus because I though that we would have a choice of service. As we got off Matthew took another picture of 15570.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Horwich

We walked back towards the crossing and the stop back to Bolton. We had got ff too soon again as the only extra service from this stop was the #517 to Leigh. As we were about to cross we spotted and photographed Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 on the Bolton bound service.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 in Horwich

We casually walked over the road and the bus was still waiting at the stop. We got on the bus and went upstairs. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took his picture here.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15573

We sat down and the bus set off back towards Bolton. when we got down to Brownlow Fold we passed 33729 on the #519. we passed the Market Hall and Matthew was looking over at it. A bit further along we saw a distant Arriva DLA which was probably 4058, as it had gone by the time we got back to the bus station. When we got off the bus Matthew decided to walk back to the market hall through very heavy rain! We went up the escalators and down in the lift, and then back up the escalators when we realised where the toilets were! After using the toilet Matthew went into a few shops to say hello to people. He also took a picture of Moss. A new suit is required perhaps...?

Moss inside the Market Hall Bolton

We came out of the Market Hall and headed back towards the bus station. At this point we saw required Arriva NW&W 2565 go by towards Bolton. Matthew decided to say hello to someone and had me running about 200 yards after him as went to catch them up. We stopped at the car briefly on the way back to get a bottle of Irn Bru and to update mum on the current bus situation. By the time we reached the bus station we were all soaked through. Arriva NW&W 4057 arrived in the layover area, parking up where 4058 had been earlier. Required Arriva NW&W MPD 894 had also parked up. Arriva 4496 had returned again and I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and again he said no. I asked if he wanted to do the stagecoach bus behind and he said yes. It was Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 which I thought might be dud and it turned out to be true.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Bolton bus station

We got on and sat down upstairs. We had been on this bus before back in June.The bus was quite well filled and as such he didn't get a picture inside. It was now 16:30ish and we knew we couldn't do it very far. as we left the bus station we saw another bendy bus on the #471 service, first Manchester 12010. We decided to do it up to Montserrat so we had a choice of buses to go back to Bolton on. We passed First Manchester 33729 on the #519 so we knew we wouldn't get that bus today. We got off and crossed the road. The next bus back was in around 5 minutes. Both the #125 and the #519 we due at the same time. Stagecoach Lancashire 15575 came first and we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15575 on Montserrat Brow

This bus turned out to be dud too. We had been on 15575 on the same day in June that we had been on 15583. The bus was empty Matthew got his picture straight away.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15575

We headed back into Bolton in an almost empty bus. We got back in no time and we decided to take a few pictures and dodge in and out of the stands to try and avoid getting wet again. One of the picture we got was of First Manchester Bury's 69137 on the #524 service.

First Manchester 69137 in Bolton bus station

We also spotted South Lancs Travel 57 on a #574 service.

South Lancs Travel 57 in Bolton bus station

On the opposite side of the bus station stand was Stagecoach Manchester 36075. We walked back to the car which was now parked by the Job Centre as mum had moved it closer. The newsagents by stand A in the bus station was closed so we had to find somewhere to get lottery tickets. There was a newsagent around the corner so we drove back around the block and parked as close as we legal could It was still raining heavily. I went to get the tickets thinking Matthew wouldn't want to go out again in the heavy rain. I was followed shortly by mum and Matthew and we left uncle Dave in the car. As well as the lottery tickets we bought 2 cans of Coke, and a Galaxy Caramel. Back in the car we headed out of town and onto the A666. visibility was awful, but people were still driving like it was a dry clear day. we got onto the anticlockwise M60 and the matrix sign was flashing to say that the M6 had long delays from junction 21A to junction 19. Having seen this sign I decided to carry on around the M60 down to the M56. We crossed over Manchester ship canal and then passed through Northenden passed the Britannia Hotel, where we had stood waiting for Stagecoach Manchester 19405 to Altrincham back February 2012. We got onto the westbound M56 and then onto the A556 so we could join on the M6 at junction 19. The problem had caused the Northbound A556 to back up too. We sailed down the A556 and onto the M6. We carried on down to the A500 and then onto the A50. At Z carz today there were only 3 buses. First we saw new coach ALZ 8539.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Behind that was airport transfer minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Parked behind DL03 HHU was OV05 WSW. There was nothing in the Willow Row side of the depot and we headed back down Longton Hall Road. We followed First Potteries 40010 on a #22 to Newcastle down through Blurton and we passed First Potteries 53830 on a #23. we got home a little before 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a choc ice. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark