Trip to Southport 12-04-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
7656	Kew P&R	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	PR2	Arriva NW&W
2243	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	Hillside, o/s Alma Court	43	Arriva NW&W
3090	Hillside, opp Nixons Lane	Birkdale, York Road (NW-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
19035	Birkdale, York Road (SE-bound)	Little Altcar, opp Royal Hotel	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
3045	Little Altcar, o/s Royal Hotel	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	47	Arriva NW&W
3044	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CB)	44	Arriva NW&W
2252	Southport, opp The Wellington	Highpark, adj Roe Lane	43	Arriva NW&W
3086	Highpark, High Park Place (E-bound)	Crossens, on Rufford Road	49	Arriva NW&W
15473	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	2X	Stagecoach M & SL

Today we decided to re-visit Southport. We checked the weather the night before and it seemed that the better weather would be either to the South or the West. We gave Matthew a short list of place to go and from the list he chose to go to Southport. Other than to check the weather research consisted of looking at a relatively new fleet list of Arriva NW&W buses allocated to Southport. The main changes were the reduction of Marshall Bodied Darts which had been replaced with newer Plaxton bodied Darts from elsewhere. There had also been some newer double decker delivered ex Arriva London. Matthew got up around 10:15 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we drove onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. We carried on North on the A500 and then onto the Northbound M6. We carried on North up to the M58 and then we turned West. Off the M58 we did the northbound A570 up to Ormskirk where we stopped for dinner at Morrisons. We visited the toilet and then for dinner Matthew had an English breakfast washed down with a cup of Coca Cola. After we had finished eating we headed back to the car and carried on towards Southport along the A570. Just before we hit town we turned into the Kew park and ride site and parked up to wait for the bus into town. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a Marshall Dart approaching. When it got closer we saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 7656.

Arriva NW&W 7656 at Kew park and ride

We flashed our park and ride ticket and sat down near the back. The bus set off through the back streets of Southport following required Arriva NW&W 2241 into town on a #43 service. We approached the railway station from Derby Road. We turned onto London Street and the bus set down near to Lord Street. As we got up to get off Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7656

7656 was the first ever Southport Marshall Dart Matthew rode on back in December 2010. The plan was now to go and get a Saveaway ticket and to start riding on buses. As we were going to get the ticket from the railway station Matthew mis-behaved massively and we had to wait for a short while before we continued. We got the tickets and walked around into Lord Street where we saw required Arriva NW&W 2246 on a #46 service. We carried on walking to Eastbank Street to catch a bus. There was a choice of 2 buses required Arriva NW&W 2624 on the #42 and dud 2243 on the #43 to Carr Lane. We chose to do Arriva NW&W 2243 but we did not know it was dud at the time.

Arriva NW&W 2243 in Southport

We got on and flashed our tickets and sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus pulled off and and went out of town towards Carr Lane. The #43 takes a route through the back streets via Duke Street and Guilford Road and we eventually turned right onto Carr Lane where the bus terminates. We got up to get off the bus and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2243.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2243

From where we were the were a choice of service to catch. On Carr Lane on the opposite side of the Road we could catch either the #43 or #46 into Southport. From Guilford Road we could do either #49 towards Southport or either the #49 to Woodvale or Formby. From the main road we could catch either the X2 or #47 towards Southport or the same service toward Formby. We went onto the Liverpool Avenue to see if there was a Southbound bus due. There wasn't anything for at least 15 minutes so we decided to walk back to the original stop to see if there was a Southport bound #49 service. As we got back to the stop we could see a bus approaching in the distance.As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3090.

Arriva NW&W 3090 in Carr Lane

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. A quick check of the list revealed that this bus was dud. We had previously been on this bus back in April 2012. Three buses traveled on and all of them dud so far... How unlucky was that! We decided to get off at Birkdale and catch a Southbound X2 as we hadn't passed it. We got held up at the level crossing and whilst we were waiting Matthew got a picture of the empty back seat behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3090

Eventually the train passedand we carried on North. We got off and we could see the X2 double decker in the distance so we crossed over the road and quickly made our way to the stop opposite. As it got closer we saw it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 19035.

Stagecoach Lancashire 19035 in Birkdale

At last a new bus for the day! We got on and sat down upstairs, the bus was quite well filled so there didn't seem like an opportunity to take a good picture inside this bus. The bus headed South down the A565 through Ainsdale and onto the Formby by-pass. There was a quick run along the by-pass through open countryside before we turned right to head into Formby. We headed into what looked like the edge of a small town and I was expecting there to be more to it. Rather than being built up it looked spacious with all the businesses and restaurants looking quite high end. We seemed to be heading out of town again so when I saw a large petrol station I decided to get off here so we had somewhere to visit. We got off the bus and we watched it go off into the distance. Directly behind 19035 was required Arriva NW&W 3033 on a Liverpool bound #47 service. We visited the Texaco petrol station and Matthew used the toilet before we brought some Coca Cola and chocolate. When we had done we left the petrol station and crossed the road to see when the next Northbound bus was due. The next bus was going to be a #47 and it was due in a couple of minutes. We could see it approaching and it was Arriva NW&W 3045.

Arriva NW&W 3045 in Formby

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. A quick check of list revealed it was a required bus. We decided to do this bus up to Woodvale and get off to see what was working up behind us on either a #44 or X2. In the meantime Matthew photographed the empty back seat

Inside Arriva NW&W 3045

The bus carried onto the Formby bypass and up into Woodvale where we got off the bus. We considered having a picnic at this bus stop as it had a shelter and seat, but Uncle Dave had spotted a #44 service coming out of one of the side street as we came North. Sure enough less than a minute later we saw a bus approaching. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the bus as it was a Pulsar and he said yes. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3044.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Woodvale

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. A quick check of the list revealed that this bus was dud too. Coincidentally this was the first Southport Pulsar we rode on back in December 2010. We decided to do this into Southport so that we could go and check buses out in a different direction. The bus carried on North up to Ainsdale before turning onto Station Road. The bus carried on North Eastwards across the roundabout onto Segars Lane. The bus carried on for a few mile in more or less a straight line, out of the built up areas of Southport and past Dobbies garden centre here we were overtaken by Arriva NW&W 2728 on a #300 before passing Arriva NW&W 2247 going the other way on a #300. We appeared by the hospital and then joined onto the A570 to head into town. We ran parallel to the A570 for a short while before heading back onto Eastbank Street. Matthew then took a picture of the empty back seat of the bus

Inside Arriva NW&W 3044

There was a quick river change and then the bus carried on. We turned into Lord Street then got off the bus. matthew indicated that he wanted to head back towards Eastbank Street so we set off in that direction. As we walked along Lord Street we saw required Arriva NW&W 2256 on a #49 to Woodvale. On the end of Eastbank Street was parked National Holidays coach NH09 DRH, and Matthew got a picture of it.

National Holidays NH09 DRH in Southport

We carried on down Eastbank Street and Matthew wanted to visit Poundland. We had a quick walk around Poundland where we brought some more chocolate and pop, and Matthew said hello to a member of staff. We then headed across the road to possibly catch a #43 or #46 to Carr Lane. We had just missed one bus and the seemed to be a gap in the service. On the other side of the road we saw Arriva NW&W Marshall Dart 7654 on a #42 to Crossens.

Arriva NW&W 7654 in Southport

We were considering having a picnic when we saw a Paxton Dart coming up the road. We decided to cross over and see if it was a required on. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2252 on a #43 to High Park.

Arriva NW&W 2252 in Southport

We got on the bus and as we sat down mum called to say she was going to go back to Kew and move the car into town. That helped to decided how we were going to finish off the day. The plan was now going to be do this bus up to High Park for #49 to Crossens. We would then have a quick visit to the toilet and then back down to Southport on the next interesting bus. The bus went onto Lord Street and we passed required Arriva NW&W 2248 on a #44 service. We also passed required Arriva NW&W 2722 about to set off on a #300 service to Liverpool. The bus set off out of town though the back streets and crossing over the railway at Meols Cop. we then carried onto to the end of High Park Road where the bus terminated. We got up and Matthew got a picture of the empty bus as we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2252

We also took another picture of the outside of the bus too before we crossed over roe Lane to catch the next #49 to Crossens.

Arriva NW&W 2252 in High Park

We considered another bus stop picnic bu the bus was due in 2 minutes. it wasn't long before we saw the bus approaching in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 3086.

Arriva NW&W 3086 in High Park

We got on the bus and sat down. The bus waited for short while, it must have been a little early before continuing into Churchtown. The bus turned into Botanic Road and we passed the site of an old factory and crossed over where the old Southport to Preston railway would have run. The road became Rufford Road and then bus continued on to the end where the service terminates. As we got up to get off Matthew took a picture inside the now empty Arriva NW&W 3086.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3086

We walked down to the toilet which have now become pay toilets. Matthew used the toilet whilst I checked out the bus times at the adjacent bus stop. There was a 2X due any minute now. Matthew came out of the toilet and almost immediately we saw the 2X double decker approaching. It got closer and we saw it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15473.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15473 in Crossens

We got on the bus and we sat down upstairs. We saw an unidentified Cumfybus Solo on a #40 to Southport and we also saw dud 2239 on a #44 service which was terminating. The bus carried on South down the main road into town from the North. The bus was quite well filled so Matthew took a picture of some seat just in front of him on the opposite side of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15473

We gave mum a call to tell her that we were on our way so that she could move the car to somewhere nearby to the bus stop. The bus carried on South and we arrived in Lord Street and we got of the bus near to the monument. Mum had just arrived in a nearby street and we walked over to the car to get in. Mum decided to drive home so I sat in the front passenger seat. Waiting for us were sausage rolls and Matthew had a small bottle of Irn Bru. We turned into Eastbank Street and we went out of town along the A570. We drove around Ormskirk and though onto the M58. After traveling a short distance East we joined the Southbound M6. We traveled South through the roadworks at Thelwall Viaduct it was Carvers YN06 NYT started to rain. After nearly missing the turning we passed Z carz M372 NWN. joined the Southbound A500. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we passed ABC Supreme minibus YU02 GZG going the other way. We came off the A50 at Longton where we stopped to check out what was present at Z Carz. it appeared to be a minibus day today with the following buses sighted. Towards the back of the site was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to that was airport transfer bus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

At the very back of the site was LDV minibus DS51 ZJU.

Z Carz DS51 ZJU in Longton

At the front was Volkswaggon minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Last but not least was another VW minibus, S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and the only bus there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 which we did back to Heron Cross before heading though Blurton On Beaconsfield Avenue we saw 40003 on a #23 and unusually Newcastle based double decker 37157 on the last #22 to Longton of the day. We got home at 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:15...Mark

Trip to Macclesfield 30-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2239	Macclesfield BS	Wilmslow, Styal Road (cnr)	130	Arriva NW&W
2243	Wilmslow, opp Styal Road	Macclesfield BS	130	Arriva NW&W
861	Macclesfield BS	Bollington, adj Turners Arms PH	10	Arriva NW&W
861	Bollington, adj Turners Arms PH	Macclesfield, opp Lord Street Alighting Only	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided it would be a relatively short trip again with Warrington and Chester being offered to him and Matthew chose Macclesfield. In respite from 07:00. He saw Wardle Transport 1454. Heron Cross is his favourite place in the whole world and he would prefer to live there rather than live at home good morning. I feel quite upset that he feels this way after all I have done to try and make him happy Birthday. Matthew was eating toast and drinking orange juice. He got up just after 10:00 and spent a couple of hours chilling before we set off. The weather was overcast with rain due for most of the afternoon in Macclesfield. Setting off around 12:00 we made it to the snack van at the north end of the A500 before 12:30, the time at which it usually packs up on a Saturday. We purchased 4 sausage/bacon sandwiches and 3 can for just over £10. We set off just before 13:00 and we saw the motorway was at a stand, so I diverted onto the Radway Green road. We then went to the edge of Crewe, turning towards Haslington and joining the route to Sandbach. We joined back onto the M6 at the next junction North. The motorway was slow here too and we decided to head to Macclesfield along the A54. The route was passed Jodrell Bank and then through Holmes Chappel. In Macclesfield we missed the car park we wanted to go into so we did a lap of town. In the end we parked on Park Green next to the toilets. As we arrived the heavens opened and there was a heavy shower for around 10 minutes. We visited the toilet and then got back in the car for a few minutes whilst the rain died down. We saw 2239 arrive from Manchester, and so we knew that this was going to be the 14:35 departure out. This bus was dud, being the only Manchester area Dart that we had previously done in Macclesfield. We also saw the bus go empty out of service, presumably to park up out of the bus station for a short while. When the rain slowed down and it started to brighten up we headed into the bus station. As we walked up the hill Arriva NW&W 4489 went passed on the #38 to Crewe. We got to the bus station just in time to see Clowes Coaches T459 JRH on the Leek service just before it left.

Clowes Coaches T459 JRH in Macclesfield bus station

We then had a 20 minute wait before 2239 was due to depart. We saw bakerbus 218 on a #391 service. We also saw a few of the Arriva MPD's such as 856,857,861,869 and 882. Around 14:30 we walked down to the stand after 2239 came back in to the bus station. Once again mum was going with us as I'm still not feeling 100%. We booked the arriva day savers and sat down. The original plan was to go to Monks Heath crossroads, where we know there are bus shelters (essential in this poor weather...). As we headed out past broken cross and along the A536, we passed an Arriva bus, which must have been the #130 we were going for. I checked the timetable on my phone only to find that the timings had changed since we last did this move and the buses pass much closer to Macclesfield! We had to quickly formulate a plan, because if we got off at the stop we originally intended to we would have been waiting for nearly an hour! A quick look at the timetable indicated the buses past each other North of Wilmslow and South of Handforth. So off we went into the unknown! North of Astra Zenica we hit the Edge... Alderley Edge that is. It was certainly an eye opener seeing the shops and people of this town from the bus. It was a tiny glimpse of seeing how the other half live. As we went through town we saw a Co-op next to a Waitrose by the railway station. A couple of miles North of this we were in Wilmslow, another affluent town. We decided to get off just North of town where it would be a little quieter. Two or three stops North of the town was Manchester Road. As we got off Matthew got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2239 in Wilmslow

The sun was shining for a change as we crossed the road to wait for the return service. At the stop there was no shelter but there was a bench. The bench was wet and so we wiped it off so Matthew and mum could sit down. Using the txt service 84268, we confirmed the next bus was due at 15:26. Pretty much bang on time, we saw the bus approaching in the distance. It was almost certainly going to be required, The Dennis Dart got closer and we could see it was required Arriva NW&W 2243.

Arriva NW&W 2243 in Wilmslow

On the bus we asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and cover the bus that we had missed, or to go all the way back to Macclesfield. Matthew chose to go all the way back on 2243. The journey back was fairly unremarkable other than passing 2244 going the other way. Back in the bus station Matthew got a picture of the now empty 2243.

Inside 2243

When we got back Matthew indicated that he wanted to visit the facilities so we walked back down the hill to Park Green whilst mum went to Greggs to pick up some sausage rolls for later. On the way out he spotted someone in the furniture shop which he wanted to say hello to and so he ran into the shop and left me behind. We then walked up the hill back to the bus station, with a quick stop in a newsagents for pop and lottery tickets. Back at the bus station we met up with mum again. It was decided that we only had time for a quick out and back trip on something. One possiblility which I thought we were going to do was required Arriva NW&W 856, as seen here from the side of the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 856 in Macclesfield bus station

At the last minute Matthew decided to do dud Arriva NW&W 861 on a #10 Bollington service. The round trip take just over 40 minutes so we decided to go all the way to the end and then back on this bus. On the way there we passed the other bus working #10's today. It was dud Arriva NW&W double decker 4042. At the end off the route he got up and took a picture of the bus.

Arriva NW&W 861 in Bollington

He also got a picture of the inside too.

Inside 861

We then headed back into town. A passenger got on who looked as if he'd been working in a house removing a ceiling. He had gotten so dirty that the driver only let him on the bus if he didn't sit down! Back in Macclesfield we got off a stop early so we didn't have as far to walk to the car. we got back to the car just before 17:00 and we headed out of town, going towards the A34 and then South through Congleton and Kidsgrove. In Chesterton Matthew decided he wanted to go through wolstanton. We then got onto the A500 at porthill and then headed onto the A50 at Sideway. He then requested that we went past the Z Carz depot, and so we got off at Longton so he could get a picture of the buses as we drove past. Seen at the depot were W344 WNS ,D104 XAN and W187 RRE.

A Z Carz line-up

We then headed home via Duke Street respite before getting back around teatime at 18:00 which was bangers and mash and cake for afters washed down with coke. He visited a house across the road too and went upstairs to the bedroom and then downstairs and ate cake and used their toilet before going to the table outside to drink sparkling orange crush. Today respite unit bath and toilet. He also had toast and orange juice before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Macclesfield 18-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2746	Macclesfield BS	Monks Heath, opp Alderley Park Nursery	130	Arriva NW&W
2239	Monks Heath, adj Alderley Park Nursery	Macclesfield BS	130	Arriva NW&W
4042	Macclesfield BS	Macclesfield Coare Street	10	Arriva NW&W
858	Macclesfield opp Coare Street	Macclesfield BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2747	Macclesfield BS	Monks Heath, o/s Tiger Lily	130	Arriva NW&W
2745	Monks Heath, crossroads (E-bound)	Macclesfield BS	130	Arriva NW&W

Today we had decided to go to Macclesfield. He had already chosen to go to Macclesfield before we even went to Shrewsbury last weekend, writing it down on Uncle Dave's calender for him. He had also seen a photo of a Manchester allocated dart on the internet which he fancied a ride on. Planning consisted of looking at the Manchester service timetable which down loaded from the arriva site. Somewhat disappointingly there isn't an Arriva town map for Macclesfield and there isn't a town map on Cheshire East website either! We set of around 12:00 and we chose to travel to Macclesfield via Leek. We stopped at the roadside truck on the A520 just before Cheddleton and we purchased bacon oatcakes and a sausage bap. We arrived in Macclesfield around 13:20 and we parked up near the bus station. on of the first buses we saw was an ALX400 double decker.Which Matthew got a picture of.

Arriva NW&W 4042 leaves Macclesfield on a #10

Shortly followed by a Bowers Optare Solo 333 which was on a #60 to Disley.

Bowers 333 leaves Macclesfield on a #10

We then saw a precession of Arriva NW&W short Darts such as 858 and 886. Just before 14:00 we walked around to the other side of the bus station and saw 4489 on a #38 to Crewe. Then the 130 from Manchester came in and it was a required Envir300 2746. Slightly disappointingly it was not a Dart. Whilst we waited for the bus to depart at 14:15, we saw Clowes Coaches T459 JRH on the #108 to Ashbourne. We decided to do this to the stop by Astra Zenica as it was a dead time at Alderley Edge. The journey was quite quick, especial after we had passed Broken Cross and we were heading out along the A537. After turning right at the A34 Monks Heath crossroads, we went up the road around 1/2 a mile to Astra Zenica. Matthew got a picture after we got off the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2746 outside Astra Zenica

We crossed the road to wait for the Southbound #130. It was sunny, but as it was very wind it felt really cold! We had around a 10 minute wait and then we saw a Dennis Dart appear from around the corner. As it got closer we could see it was required 2239. Matthew got a picture as it approached.

Arriva NW&W 2239 outside Astra Zenica

When we got in the bus station, Matthew got a picture of the inside of this Manchester allocated Dart.

Inside 2239

After doing 2239 on the #130, we had around an hour to kill if we didn't want to go straight out on 2239. We went to the toilet at the bottom of mall Street and we took a few more pictures when we got back to the bus station. Of note local was Arriva NW&W 7628 which was on a #14 service. we also saw Arriva 4490 on the #38. eventually ALX400 double decker 4042 reappeared on the #10 to Bollington, so we decided to do this whilst we waited for the next #130. Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck as we boarded this bus.

Inside 4042

Bizarrely, it appeared to leave early, but it must have been just clearing the stand. We went out of the bus station and did a circle of the town, passing the railway station before going back on stand. we then left at 15:35 on time and we went around the town again albeit talking a different route. At the bottom of a steep hill we turn left onto Bell Lane. I decided to along here a couple of stops and we would hopefully be able to get a bus back into town in time for the 16:15. Matthew got a picture of this fine bus as we got off.

4042 on Bell Lane

We then crossed the road to a stop and there was a gentleman waiting here. I asked him if there was a bus due and he said one was due any minute, so I had made a good guess as to where to get off. After a couple of minutes, dinky Dart 858 appeared and we did this back into Macclesfield bus station. At this point I texted Matthew's mum to tell her that we would probably be back at the car around 17:10. I immediately had a call back and she asked me if I could get back any earlier. So I arranged to meet mum at the Monk's Heath crossroads, so we could head home South along the A34 afterwards. The bus appeared and it was another enviro 300, required 2747. We had a short wait and then we set off towards Monk's heath at 16:15. We got off at the first stop after we turned right and then Matthew took a picture.

Arriva NW&W 2247 at Monk's Heath Crossroads

I called Matthew's mum to see where she was and her friend answered to tell me they had made a mistake somewhere and they were heading towards Buxton! She asked if we could get back to Macclesfield and we would meet there, and so the move to cover the fourth bus on the #130 was on. The only problem was, there was not a stop opposite and we didn't know where there was a stop close by. We crossed the road and then headed back towards Macclesfield on the A537, hoping we would find a stop before the bus passed us. Luckily, we didn't have to go far. The stop was somewhat hidden by the hedgerows, but it was only about 100 yards from the crossroads. The stop is adjacent to a chicken shed, which has the weakest sounding chicken I have ever heard! Instead of the usual cock-a-doodle-do this chicken lets out a very high pitched wheeze which sounded like heh-h-heehee-hee. If you ever find yourself at the Monk's Heath crossroad's (E-bound) stop, listen out for this chicken... After around a 10 minute wait another Enviro 300 rounded the corner. As it came close we saw it was required 2745. As it approached Matthew didn't get the shot because his batteries went in his camera. When we got back to Macc, Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus, the flash went off as it was starting to go dark, especially under the canopy of the bus station.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2245

As we left the bus station, we could see that the view over to 2745 was clear and so he was able to get a picture afterall.

2245 in Macclesfield bus station

We got back t the car around 17:15 as we were a little late. We were greeted with the usual sausage rolls which we quickly disposed of. We set off home and we passed the Moss Rose as we left. The Aldershot coach was parked up outside the ground, and they had just beaten Macclesfield Town 0-1. As we headed towards leek darkness fell, and by the time we had dropped off Matthew's mum friend, we got home around 18:15...Mark