Trip to Leicester / Oadby 09-11-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2538	Leicester Haymarket BS	Thurmaston, Asda	6	Arriva Midlands
2525	Thurmaston, Asda	Leicester Haymarket BS	6	Arriva Midlands
27685	Leicester Haymarket BS	Oadby, Opp Waitrose	X7	Stagecoach Midlands
4518	Oadby, Opp Asda	Leicester Haymarket BS	X3	Arriva Midlands
63352	Leicester Haymarket BS	Beaumont Centre, (Stand G)	26	First Leicester
32645	Beaumont Centre, (Stand G)	Leicester Haymarket BS	26	First Leicester

Today we had planned on going to Sheffield. Due to the recent bad weather and flooding in the Sheffield area, we decided to go to Leicester instead. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden up to Longton. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we ran through Meir. As we ran the 40 or so miles to the M1 we saw silver minibus PIB 272, grey minibus DA68 ZXX, blue minibus FN55 KTD / FX57 OCW, welfare bus BD11 WSY, 3 unidentified Solus Coaches, an unidentified Drews coach, Birmingham International BJ15 TWD, Stanton's of Stoke 3093 RU and Magnum PF64 RJJ. We ran to the end and we joined the Southbound M1. As we travelled Southwards we saw an unidentified white minibus, Skills YN18 AUP & Parks of Hamilton (NX) LSK 832 (#540). We came off the M1 at junction and we ran the final 8 miles or so into Leicester. On the edge of town we turned left onto Blackbird Road and right onto Ravensbridge Drive. We joined St Margaret's Way and we turned left onto Burleys Way. As we passed the bus station we saw Chalfont BV19 XPR. We turned right onto Abbey Street and left into Gardens Street. We went into the Abbey Street car park and we found a space and parked up. Once we had parked we went down to the ground floor and onto Abbey Street. We turned right onto Belgrave Gate and we crossed over the road. We walked into the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Midlands 26203 on a #48 to Coventry.

Stagecoach Midlands 26203 in Leicester bus station

Once in the bus station we headed to the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. Mum queued up at the food counter by Holland Park Amusements and Matthew took a few bus pictures. We saw First Leicester 69440 on a #18 to Bruanstone.

First Leicester 69440 in Leicester bus station

Also seen was Roberts BU16 UWM on a #303 Birstall Park & Ride service.

Roberts BU16 UWM in Leicester bus station

Once the food was ready we took it in to the bus station and sat down to eat it. Matthew had a bacon and sausage bap washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we looked for a bus to catch. We saw Arriva Midlands 2538 on a #6 to Thurmaston.

Arriva Midlands 2538 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we brought Flexi multi-operator tickets at £5.20 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and we went under the flyover onto the A607. We ran Northwards along the golden mile which still had most of the lights still in place from Diwali. We ran Northwards for a couple of miles and we turned right onto Humberstone Lane. We turned left onto Silverdale Drive and we followed the road to the right. We turned right onto Church Hill Road and left onto Beacon Avenue. We turned left onto Sandiacre Drive and we followed the road around. We turned right onto Charnwood Avenue and left onto Highway Road. We turned left onto Barkby Thorpe Lane and we got up and got off the bus outside the Thurmaston shopping centre. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2538 before it returned on a #6 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 2538 in Thurmaston

Once off the bus Matthew expressed a wish to visit a toilet. There was a nearby Marks & Spencers foodhall so we visited there. After Matthew had been the toilet we brought some caterpillar sweets which had been reduced as they were for Halloween and a bottle of Coke. After we had paid for the good we returned to the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. The bus does a u-turn at the roundabout and afterwards stops on the opposite side of the road from where we got off. Whilst we waited for the next bus Matthew ate a few of the caterpillars. We saw a bus approaching and we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2525. The bus did a u-turn at the roundabout and Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 2525 on a #6 to Leicester Haymarket.

Arriva Midlands 2525 in Thurmaston

We got on the bus and we placed the flexi tickets under the scanner. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2525 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2525

We set off along Barkby Thorpe Lane and we turned right onto Highway Road. We turned right onto Charnwood Avenue and we followed it around to the end. We turned left onto Sandiacre Drive and we headed Southwards. At the end of Sandiacre Drive we turned right onto Beacon Avenue. We turned right onto Church Hill Road and left onto Silverdale Drive. We followed the road Southwards and we turned right onto Humberstone Lane. We turned left onto the A607 and we headed Southwards through the Golden Mile. We passed the big whell and we ran into the centre of Leicester. We crossed over the roundabout under the flyover and we ran down Belgrave Gate and into the bus station. Once we got off the bus we had a walk around and we looked to see what else we might catch. We saw First Leicester 63106, a recent arrival from Manchester on a #38A to Thurnby Lodge.

First Leicester 63106 in Leicester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 27685 on a X7 to Market Harborough.

Stagecoach Midlands 27685 in Leicester bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on the bus and we placed the Flexi 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 turned sharp right onto Charles Street and we headed South Eastwards. We joined the Southbound A594 and we went past the railway station on the the A6. AS we travelled down the A6 out of town for a further 2 1/2 miles and the bus stopped on the A6 opposite to Waitrose. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Midlands 27685 before it continued South on the towards Milton Keynes.

Stagecoach Midlands 27685 in Oadby

We crossed over the road and we noticed a sign to say that Waitrose had closed permanently on November 3rd. We looked at the bus stop and the next X3 wasn't due for another 25 minutes. We decided to walk into Oadby to see if we could possibly catch another bus. As we walked away from the stop we saw Centrebus 315 on a #40 circular service. We walked down the B582 and we turned right onto The Parade. Due to an event for the switching on of the towns lights. The Parade was closed to all traffic the buses divert down Wigston Road and Brabazon Road. We continued along The Parade through the festivities and we stopped at the Post Office. Matthew had a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. When we had paid foe everything we continued along the Parade until we reached the A6. Ww decided to wait for the X3 which was now due in a few minutes time we looked on the bustime.org live bus map and we could see a bus approaching. The bus appeared a few minutes and as expected it was Arriva Midlands 4518 on a X3 to Leicester St Margarets.

Arriva Midlands 4518 in Oadby

We got on the bus and we placed Flexi multi-operator tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs. we set off Northwards up the A6. We ran through the leafy suburbs of Leicester and we ran past the railway station. We ran forwards onto Charles street. We stopped in the street outside the Haymarket Bus Station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked into the bus station and we met up with mum. We told her we were doing one more quick round trip. We spotted required First Leicester 63352 on a #26 to the Beaumont centre.

First Leicester 63352 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the flexi tickets under the scanner. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Leicester 63352 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Leicester 63352

We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and we went under the flyover onto the A607. We turned left onto Abbey Park Road we saw Sihota Coaches FJ06 ZKV parked at the side of the road. We ran forwards on to Blackbird we turned right onto Parker Drive. We turned left onto Somerset Drive and we headed Westwards. We turned left onto Cheltenham Road and left onto Heacham Drive. After a long run through the estate we ran forwards onto Strasbourg Drive. We crossed the A563 and we ran forwards onto Orwell Drive. At the roundabout we turned right onto Rutherford Rood an we stopped at the Beaumont Centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Leicester 63352 before it returned to Leicester on the #26.

First Leicester 63352 in Beaumont Centre

Once off the bus we walked to the local pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave. Matthew expressed a wish to catch a #25 back to Leicester. Whilst we waited we saw First Leicester 66962 on a #74 to Leicester.

First Leicester 66962 in Beaumont Centre

As we waited we spotted First Leicester double decker 32645 on a #26 to Leicester.

First Leicester 32645 in Beaumont Centre

We decided to do the double decker so we legged it over to the other stop. We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day tickets to the driver for the final time today before going upstairs. The bus set off along Rutherford Road and we turned left onto Beaumont Way. At the roundabout we turned right onto Benion Road. We turned left onto Astill Lodge Road and we ran through the Beaumont estate. We re-joined Benion Road and we turned right onto Knights Road. We turned left onto Madeline Road and we ran past the back of the Walkers Crisps factory. We turned right onto Beaumont Leys Road and we ran Southwards. We turned left onto Belmont Boulevards and left onto Holderness Road. We ran forwards onto Border Drive and we turned left onto Red Hill Way. At the roundabout we turned right onto Halifax Road and we turned left onto Thurcaston Road. We crossed over the A6 and we continued along Thurcaston Road. We ran into Belgrave and we stopped at the lights. The bus in front of us was now empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Leicester 32645.

Inside First Leicester 32645

We turned right onto Loughborough Road and we headed Southward towards the Golden Mile. We turned right onto the A607 and we headed into the city centre. At the roundabout we went under the flyover and forwards onto Belgrave Gate. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we took few more pictures before we returned to the car. We saw First Leicester 35184 on a #54 to the Beaumont Centre.

First Leicester 35184 in Leicester bus station

We walked through the bus station towards Belgrave Gate. At the North end we saw Arriva Midlands 3765 on a #14 to New Parks.

Arriva Midlands 3765 in Leicester

We crossed over Belgrave Gate and we crossed over Abbey Street. We went into the entrance of the car park and we paid for the parking. We got the lift up to the appropriate floor and we got in the car. Mum had brought sausage rolls and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the bus station onto Garden Street and we turned right onto Abbey Street. We turned left onto Burley Way and we turned right onto St Margaret's Way. We turned left onto Ravensbridge Drive and we turned left onto Blackbird Road. We turned right onto the A50 and we ran out of the city. We crossed the A46 and we continued Northwards towards the motorway. We joined the Northbound M1 at junction 22 and we travelled up to junction 23A. We came off onto the Westbound A50 and we travelled back through the darkness. As we headed West we saw an Afford rent-a-car YO19 AZC, 3 unidentified Solus Coaches, 2 unidentified Silverdale coaches, blue minibus FL04 WXJ. As we came through Meir we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 797 at the depot. We came off the A50 and Longton and we went to the Z Carz depot. We passed the Lucky Seven depot and we saw Lucky Seven SJ16 EOV. We turned left onto Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus LJ07 PXW.

Z Carz LJ07 PXW in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:06. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. We chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 01:00... Mark.

Trip to Widnes / Runcorn 20-08-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2526	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
2525	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea, Hospital stop A	3C	Arriva NW&W
2533	Halton Lea, Hospital stop B	Runcorn BS	79	Arriva NW&W
2519	Runcorn BS	Murdishaw Central	79C	Arriva NW&W
5006	Murdishaw Central	Halton Lea North	2	Arriva NW&W
2523	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
2540	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea, Hospital stop A	79C	Arriva NW&W
2543	Halton Lea, Hospital stop B	Widnes, Green Oaks	79C	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We had checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with some rain, better in the North West. Matthew had been in respite for most of the week. We gave Matthew a short list of destination in the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose Widnes. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and ornge juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we ran through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and left again onto Blurton Road. At Heron Cross we joined the Eastbound A50 to try and avoid the matchday traffic, and we ran up the A50 Link Road onto City Road. We ran down City Road under the railway line and onto the A52. In Stoke we saw McDowell, minibus J111 TMT and Paul's of Stoke coach M221 AGL. We joined the Northbound A500 and going up we saw Global Travel T5 XLA, Barrett's T9 BCL, Bakers BX64 AEN / NUI 7726 / FJ04 ETD, Selwyns SEL 702 and ABC Coaches PO16 HSA. We joined the Northbound M6 and we saw Park's of Hamilton (National Express) LSK 808, Stagecoach trainer X822 ???, Eavesway grey minibus / YJ14 BYG and Grey minibus YJ64 BVA.

YJ64 BVA on the M6

Further up the M6 we passed an unidentified Tyrers coach and an unidentified Charlton mini Coaches minibus. We went west on the M62 a couple of junction and then we went South on the A557 into Widnes. We turned off into town and on the edge of town we saw Cable Cars minibus MX57 SFJ. We parked up in the car park next to the Green Oaks retail park and on the way to the market we saw Halton Transport 88 on a #14C to Hough Green.

Halton Transport 88 in Widnes

We went to the outdoor market and brought some cake whilst mum used the facilities. We went to the market Cafe in the far corner of the market hall and Matthew used the toilet. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked back out of the market to the bus stops. As we got there we saw required Arriva NW&W 2526 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2526 in Widnes

We also saw Halton Transport 90 on a #14 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 90 in Widnes

We decided to do 2526 on the #110 so we walked over to the bus and we got on. We booked Arriva NW&W Daysaver tickets at £.530 and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Green Oaks Way and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. As the bus in front was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2526.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2526

We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Hutchinson Road and we joined the the A533. We crossed over the Jubilee Bridge into Runcorn and we wheeled around onto Station Road and into the old town. We crossed over the canal and past 'The Archers' pub and onto the High Street. We turned into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2526 before it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2526 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to catch the next Arriva bus towards the hospital. Whilst we waited we saw Halton Transport 15 on a #61A to Huyton.

Halton Transport 15 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2525 on a #3C to Halton Lea hospital.

Arriva NW&W 2525 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to do required Arriva NW&W 2525 on the #3C service to Halton Hospital. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right and up the hill. We crossed the canal and we went under the A533. We turned left into Boston Avenue and we ran Eastwards. We turned left into Halton Brook Avenue and then we turned right into Halton Brook Avenue. We went forwards off Halton Brook Avenue on to Brackendale and after crossing over the B5155 onto Halton Lodge Avenue we turned left onto the busway. With Runcorn being radically different, there are three types of Roads. We ran under the A533 central expressway and into the Halton Lea shopping centre. The Eastbound busway calls at the library on an elevated road. After a brief stop we continued to the hospital where the bus terminated. We got off the bus and crossed over the road to stop B. We crossed the road and we saw Arriva NW&W 2533 on a #79 to Hough Green.

Arriva NW&W 2533 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along the busway Westwards. We stopped on the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre. We carried on West onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we crossed over to the other side to catch something back West. Across the other side was Arriva NW&W 2537 on a #82A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2537 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw Ashcroft's Travel Solo YK04 KWJ arrive on the #52 Beechwood Circular service.

Ashcroft's Travel YK04 KWJ in Runcorn bus station

The Solo went on layover for a short while. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2545 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Runcorn bus station

Matthew didn't want to do this bus. On the opposite saide of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2536 on the #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2536 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2519 on a #79 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2519 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to do this bus rather than pay to go on a Solo! We got on Arriva NW&W 2519 and flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver. We set off out of town as we had done on the #3C earlier and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We decided to go a bit further East to Murdishaw. We ran past the hospital and we traveled East for about a mile and the busway opened out at a turning circle and we guessed we had reached the end of the run. we got up and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2519.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2519

We got off the bus and then Matthew then took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2519.

Arriva NW&W 2519 in Murdishaw

After taking a few bus pictures off the footbridge we went into the Co-operative food store. Mathew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru. He also had some Milky Way and some Curly Wurlies. Once we had done our shopping we went to the till and Matthew said hello to the girl behind the counter. Whilst we waited to catch an Arriva bus we saw Halton Transport 36 which went on layover.

Halton Transport 36 in Murdishaw

A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 5006 #2 Halton Lea circular.

Arriva NW&W 5006 in Murdishaw

We decided to do this bus, so we got on and we flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. As this was a service we hadn't done before we immediately covered new ground. The #1 and #2 Halton Lea circulars run completely on Busways, The #1 being the clockwise service and the #2 being the anti-clockwise. We set off North out of Murdishaw central along the busway and we past near to Runcorn East railway station. We ran around the Windmill Hill area of town and then we went into a more familiar section than we had cover on a Runcorn bound #110 service. We travelled through Castlefield and past the McColls store and then we ran into Halton Lea. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of Arriva NW&W 5006.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5006

We decided to get off at the Halton Lea North terminal as we had never been there before. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 5006 as it carried on back towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5006 in Halton Lea

We went down an flight of stairs and underneath the busway and we entered the shopping centre. We guessed where the toilet where from our previous visit, but we approached then from the opposite direction. In the center of the mall was a 'Halton's got talent' competition going on. Matthew visited the toilet and from the 5 minutes we were near to the competition we can safely say the Halton didn't have talent... We walked through the rest of the bus station and we followed the smell of the Subway shop which is situated near to the South bus terminal. We went up an escalator and into the bus station an we saw Arriva NW&W 2552 on a #21 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2552 in Halton Lea

A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2523 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2523 in Halton Lea

Matthew decided that we were doing this bus. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We traveled back through Castlefields via the busway. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty seat behind us on Arriva NW&W 2523.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2523

We headed back into Runcorn via the busway through Astmoor. When we got back into Runcorn Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2523 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2523 in Runcorn bus station

We decide to go East one last time before we returned to Widnes, so we crossed over the bus station to wait for the next Eastbound Arriva bus. Whilst there we saw Halton Transport 87 on a #14A to Murdishaw.

Halton Transport 87 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was required Arriva NW&W 2540 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2540 in Runcorn bus station

We got on Arriva NW&W 2519 and flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver. We set off out of town as we had done on the #3C earlier and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. The bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2540.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2540

We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We continued East and when we got to the hospital we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2540 as it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2540 in Halton Lea

We crossed over to Sop B and we waited for the next bus back. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2543 on a #79C to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2543 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final fine today. The bus set off along the busway Westwards and we stopped on the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre. We carried on West onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station. After a brief stop we set off up the High Street and we passed close to the Waterloo pub as was and we joined the A533. We crossed over the Mersey and we ran into the old town of Widnes up Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran through a bus lane into the Asda car park. We joined onto Gerrard Street past Marks & Spencers and we turned left onto Green Oaks Way. We we got to the bus stops by Green Oaks we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture Arriva NW&W 2543 before it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2543 in Widnes

We walked over to mum and we got in the car. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off onto Green Oaks Way and we went North to the roundabout and did a u-turn. We went South to Tesco where we filled up with diesel at the petrol station. We got back onto Lugsdale Road and we joined the Northbound A557. We ran the 3 or so miles up to the M62 and we joined the Eastbound road. Traveling back along the M62 we saw Vision travel double decker N590 BRH. We then joined the Southbound M6. Going down the M6 we saw an unidentified Bell Vue coach and unidentified red white Routemaster. As we travelled South we caught up with a short wheelbase coach. As we got closer we saw that it was Finesse Travel BIG 7662.

Finesse Travel BIG 7662 on the M6

We joined the Southbound A500 and we saw Bagnalls minicoach BAG 563S & Bakers coach BN63 NYC. At Sideway we joined the Eastbound A50 which we did up to Longton. We ran up to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. In the front row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz silver Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

On the front of the row was Z Carz white LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz white Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We turned the corner into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Closest to the gate was Z Carz white Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

We re-joined the A50 and we ran West up to Heron Cross and we came off onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road and then right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just before 18:30. For a late tea we had banger and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 01:00... Mark