Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 01-11-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41500	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
40375	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21B	First Potteries
113	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	The Orange One	D&G
32057	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
37158	Hanley BS	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop A	3	First Potteries
40030	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Longport, adj Trubshaw Cross	9A	First Potteries
2244	Longport, adj Trubshaw Cross	Newcastle BS	91	Wardle Transport
60012	Newcastle BS	Ford Green (Stoke-on-Trent), adj Ford Green Hall	8A	First Potteries
41070	Smallthorne, adj Hadfield Green	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	9	First Potteries
40383	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	9	First Potteries

Today we decided to go on a local trip. Mum wasn't very well so we decided to go to Stoke and Tunstall for dinner and dessert respectively. We did no research for the trip other than to check the weather which was for dry and sunny intervals. It was unseasonably warm for the beginning of November. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 12:00 we set off on foot to walk all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road. I didn't get out of the house early enough to check what the 12:07 should be, I did see that it was going to be a full length Caetano Dart. We got to the stop and we didn't have to wait long before the buses rounded he corner from Finstock Avenue. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Potteries 41500.

First Potteries 41500 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. The seats behind us were empty so Matthew took a picture of the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 41500

We carried on into Trentham and we had a short wait at the temporary lights on the corner of Barlaston Old Road. We went trough the light and before we turned we spotted a classic Plaxton Dart on the #21b that we were going to catch to Stoke. We turned into New Inn Lane and we got up and got off outside the Man in Space.

First Potteries 41500 in Trentham

A minute or so after we got off the #22, we saw the #21B approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Potteries 40375.

First Potteries 40375 in Trentham

We got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day ticket before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This is a bus that we had been on a few times before, but its day are numbered as it doesn't have a wheelchair ramp. One of the previous runs on this bus was from Blurton to Hanley in the snow back in January 2013. As the seats behind us were empty Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us.

Inside First Potteries 40375

We carried on through Trentham into Hanford. We joined the A34 and we crossed under the A500. We then turned into London Road for the final mile and a half into Stoke town centre. Opposite Sainsbury's we saw City Buses & Coaches NU52 KHP at their new depot by the car wash. As we approached Campbell Place we got up and then got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 40375 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 40375 in Stoke

We walked through town on to church Street to our favourite cafe, Stoke cafe. Ideal positioned to watch the buses go passed on Church Street. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a breakfast washed down with a can of orange Fanta. After we had finished we walked down Church Street toward the Newcastle stop. There was already a bus there, and it was D&G 113 on the new service 'The Orange One'. We walked casually towards it as was a required bus but we could have waited for something different if we had wanted to. We took a picture of this well turned out bus and we got on it.

D&G 113 in Stoke

We didn't have to show the tickets on this service as it was a free ride! It was the final day of the promotion allowing free travel on this service. We sat down near to the back of this bus which was nearly full as you would expect on a service running for free. The bus set off out of Stoke and up Hartshill Bank. It carried on towards George Street and down into Newcastle town centre. We turned onto Barracks Road and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and then Matthew took a picture inside D&G 113.

Inside D&G 113

When then decided to take a few picture before we caught the next bus. On Stubbs Street we saw required Wardle Transport Volvo B6 2630 on the #92 service.

Wardle Transport 2630 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the top end of the bus station and we saw required Wardle Transport 2218 parked up between services.

Wardle Transport 2218 in Newcastle bus station

There was then a procession of vehicle leaving the bus station. Required Wardle Transport 2166 was on the #41 service to Birches Head.

Wardle Transport 2166 in Newcastle bus station

Also seen was required Wardle Transport 2164 on the 'Hospital Hopper' service.

Wardle Transport 2164 in Newcastle bus station

We then saw dud First Potteries 41501 on the #72 to Park Site.

First Potteries 41501 in Newcastle bus station

Dud First Potteries 65038 was on the #101 to stafford.

First Potteries 65038 in Newcastle bus station

We then saw First Potteries 40030 on the #8 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 40030 in Newcastle bus station

This a bus that we haven't ridden on for a very long time... We then saw dud First Potteries 66838 on the #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 66838 in Newcastle bus station

Arriving on a #94 from Biddulph was required Bakerbus hybrid double decker 246.

Bakerbus 246 in Newcastle bus station

This was immediately followed by required First Potteries 32057 on the #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 32057 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus. We walked down to the stand and we waited for the passenger to get off the bus. We then got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day ticket and then went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture as we got on the bus.

Inside First Potteries 32057

The bus set off out of town and up the A53. We crossed over the A500 and we turned into Festival Park. We traveled around the industrial part of the estate before crossing back under the A53 and onto Eruria Road. We carried on onto Trinity Street before turning right into Stafford Street. We stopped opposite Wilkinsons for a short while before carrying on into the bus station along Bagnall Street. When we got to the bus station we got off the bus and Matthew went to use the facilities. WE walked to the John Street car park so that we could take a few bus pictures. First thing we saw was Wardle Transport 2259 on a #16 to Leek.

Wardle Transport 2259 in Hanley bus station

Parked up in the small layover area in the bus station was required First Potteries 60012.

First Potteries 60012 in Hanley bus station

We then saw dud First Potteries 41499 on a #23A to Newstead.

First Potteries 41499 in Hanley bus station

This was immediately followed by First Pottries 40019 on the #8B to Brown Edge.

First Potteries 40019 in Hanley bus station

We then saw required First Potteries 66303 on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 66303 in Hanley bus station

First Potteries 65027 was on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65027 in Hanley bus station

We saw dud First Potteries 40027 was on a #17 to Birches Head.

First Potteries 40027 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by dud First Potteries 65002 in the new interurban livery on the #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 65002 in Hanley bus station

We then saw dud First Potteries 40175 running past out of service.

First Potteries 40175 in Hanley bus station

We then saw First Potteries 65733 on a #3 to Leighton Hospital.

First Potteries 65733 in Hanley bus station

Finally we saw Scraggs Blue Buses Plaxton Primo 37 on a #5 to Abbey Hulton.

Scraggs Blue Buses 37 in Hanley bus station

We set off the the bus station to see what we could catch to get us closer to Tunstall. As we walked across to the bus station we saw dud First Potteries 37158 on a #3 to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 37158 in Hanley bus station

We walked into the bus station and we saw required First Potteries 60012 on a #9 to Newcastle and there was 37158 which would get us directly to Tunstall. As we were about to board 37158, we saw required First Potteries 32056 on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 32056 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day ticket. We went upstairs and sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Bethesda Street and onto the ring road. Bethesda Street in front of the museum is now closed off for re-paving. On the ring road we saw City Buses & coaches FY02 RTV, presumably taking fans to the Stoke City game. We turned up Broad Street and onto Marsh Street. We the when up trinity Street onto Stafford Street before leaving town towards Cobridge. We headed through Burslem and up into Tunstall via Scotia Road, Williamson Street and then onto the High Street. The bus behind us emptied and Matthew took a picture.

Inside First Potteries 37158

At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. We then took another picture of First Potteries 37158.

First Potteries 37158 in Tunstall

We went to the Tunstall Cafe where Matthew used the toilet. The waitress remembered our order from last time.. Matthew had toffee cheesecake and a glass of Coke. After we had finished we said goodbye and we crossed over the road to see what we could catch towards Tunstall or Newcastle. We had been passing required First Potteries all day on the #9. we were hoping it was going to be working the next service towards Newcastle. The next bus was a #9A to Hanley via Trubshaw Cross and Burslem. It turn the corner and it was dud First Potteries 40030.

First Potteries 40030 in Tunstall

We decided to do this has we hadn't been on it for such a long time. We got on and flashed our Smart Day ticket before sitting down near to the back. We decided to do this to Trubshaw Cross and then catch something forward to Newcastle, After all, there were required buses out on both the #9 and the #91. WE headed down the High Street and onto Newcastle Street. The bus emptied out as we went along and at the bottom of Brownhills Road we got up to get off the bus. Before we got off Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 40030.

Inside First Potteries 40030

We walked down to the next stop so that we had more choice of service towards Newcastle. By the time we had crossed the road there was a Wardle Transport bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Wardle Transport 2244.

Wardle Transport 2244 in Longport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket. Wardle Transport 2244 was a bus that we first rode on back in May 2013. The bus carried on down through Longport and over the A500. We climbed up Porthill bank and we turned left to go through Wolstanton. It didn't take long to travel along the A527 into Newcastle, and then we carried on into barrack road and into the bus station. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Wardle Transport 2244.

Inside Wardle Transport 2244

As we came into the bus station we saw required D&G 114 on the 'The Orange One. By the time we walked up to the top of the bus station it had left. Around the same time we saw dud First Potteries 32053 on a #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station

Adjacent to where Wardle Transport 3605 had been, we saw required First Potteries 60012 on the #8 to Ball Green. We decided to do this bus and Matthew got a picture of it.

First Potteries 60012 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the smart Day ticket again. we sat down near to the back of this bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the A527. We traveled through Wolstanton and then turned right down Porthill Bank. We crossed the A500 and headed up through Longport to Trubshaw Cross. At the roundaobut we turned right up Newcastle Street and into Burslem town centre. We caught up with and passed Wardle Transport 3605 and we carried on up the hill to Smallthorne along Moorland Road. The plan at this point was to do 60012. We crossed over Smallthorne roundabouts and we descended Ford Green Road. At the bottom of the road by Ford Green Hall we decided to get off the bus. As we got up Matthew got a picture inside the now empty First Potteries 60012.

Inside First Potteries 60012

As the bus carried onto Ball Green Matthew got another picture of first Potteries 60012.

First Potteries 60012 in Ford Green

We crossed the road to see when the next bus was due. We checked the First Bus app to see when the bus was due and there wasn't a to the bottom of Smallthorne and then to catch Wardle Transport 3605 to Tunstall on a #90 service for quite a while... There must have been a gap in the service at this point. We decided to walk back to Chell Heath Road to wait for the next bus towards Tunstall. We didn't have to wait long before dud First potteries 41070 appeared on a #9 service.

First Potteries 41070 in Smallthorne

We got on the bus and flashed the ticket once more, before sitting down towards the rear of the bus. We had been on the bus in February 2014 when we traveled down to stoke station to do the UK Bus Tours trip to Stanways and Coepland's Tours garages. Previous to that we hadn't been on this bus since April 2008... The bus climbed the hill to Chell Heath and we passed Matthews old school which has now closed. We carried on to Fegg Hayes and up onto High Lane via Fegg Hayes Road. We drooped down into the Mill Hill estate before climbing the hill into Tunstall. When we turned into the High Street we got up and got off the bus. We walked down the High Street and we visited the toilets on Butterfilds Place. We walked a little further down the High Street to the High Street Chippy where we went to get some chips. The nice gentleman serving us chatted to us about football and buses and how Matthews day was going. After had purchased the chips we walked up to the boulevard and we sat with uncle Dave and shared the chips. When we had finished it was starting to go dark so we decided to do one more bus to Newcastle to meet up with mum. We were hoping to get 40173 on the #9. Going the other way to Hanley on the #9 was required First Potteries 42727. A few minutes later the #9 to Newcastle rounded the corner and it was dud first Potteries 40383.

First Potteries 40383 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and flashed the ticket for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus.The bus set off down the high Street and forward onto brownhills Road. we carried on through Trubshaw Cross and Longtport and across the A500. We climbed the Porthill Bank once more and turned left to head through Wolstanton. We carried on along the a527 and into Newcastle. We turned into Barracks road and into the bus station for the final time. The bus emptied out in Stubbs Street and Matthew waited patiently so he could get a picture of the empty First Potteries 40383.

Inside First Potteries 40383

Mum had been caught up in traffic so we had to wait a short while before she arrived. Matthew went to the toilet and then we took a few bus pictures. On a #72 service was required First Potteries 40015.

First Potteries 40015 in Newcastle bus station

Seen on a #4 to Audley was required First Potteries 66307.

First Potteries 66307 in Newcastle bus station

On a #34 to Chesterton was required Wardle Transport 2258.

Wardle Transport 2258 in Newcastle bus station

W got a text say that mum had arrived and parked nearby... We walked onto Barracks Road and mum was waiting for us with some Wright Sausage Rolls. We headed off towards Z carz via the A53 and A500. On the A500 we passed a few vehicle coming away from he Britannia Stadium. We saw Dawson coach T368 AJF and also First Potteries 31518. We turned onto the A50 and we Headed east to Longton. Once again everything was in the yard in Willow Row. The yard was dark and the only vehicle that was easily identifiable was Z carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We headed onto the A5035 and we got back home around 17:40. 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 00:30... Mark

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