Trip to Stafford / Penkridge 26-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2293	Chell Street, Stafford	Doxey, Opp Fern Drive	6	Arriva Midlands
2293	Doxey, Opp Fern Drive	Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 1)	6	Arriva Midlands
2294	Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 2)	Wildwood, Adj Somerfield Store	8	Arriva Midlands
3701	Wildwood, opp School Lane	Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 1)	74	Arriva Midlands
2291	Chell Street, Stafford	Moss Pit, opp School Lane	8	Arriva Midlands
2733	Moss Pit, adj School Lane	Penkridge, Adj Crown Bridge	76	Arriva Midlands
2746	Penkridge, Opp Crown Bridge	Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 1)	75	Arriva Midlands
2296	Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 1)	Moss Pit, opp School Lane	8	Arriva Midlands
3701	Moss Pit, Opp Barnhurst Farm	Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 1)	75	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to go on a Runcorn. Matthew had been to Stafford last week an he had photographed quite a few Darts, so we decided to re-visit Stafford. We had checked the weather and for the weekend it it was for fine sunny weather. We had also made a list of all the current Arriva Midlands Stafford Allocated buses and marked off the one we had already been on. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we visited the garage to drop something off. We turned onto Ripon Road and we turned right onto the A5035. We headed into Trentham and at the A34 we turned left to go South. For dinner today we stopped at the lay-by opposite to the Monkey Forest and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Irn Bru. After we had finished eating we continued South through the roadworks and past Stone. As we passed to the West of Stone near to The George & Dragon we saw D&G 31 on a Northbound X14 service. South of the A51 we had a good fast run down to Beaconside and we ran the last couple of miles into Stafford town centre. At the big roundabout we went right onto Chell Road and we went passed Sainsbury's. We turned left by the College and we parked at the car park next to Wilkinson's. Matthew visited the toilet and then we said goodbye to mum before we walked onto Chell Road. The first bus that we saw was required Arriva Midlands 2293.

Arriva Midlands 2293 in Stafford

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus which was on a #6 to Doxey and he said yes. We had already decided that we were getting the Midland day Saver today as the area covered by the Stafford Day Saver ticket isn't very big... We got on the bus and we booked the Midland day saver at £6.20 and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off up to the windmill and then turned right onto Doxey Road. We crossed over the railway line we headed the mile or so to the Doxey Area. Having asked the driver the frequency of the service (every 30 minutes) we had decided that we would come straight back! We turned right into Greensome Lane and when the bus emptied out I went to show the driver the tickets for the return journey and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2293

We retuned back into town via Conway Road, Greensome Lane and Doxey Road and when we got to the roundabout we went straight onto Broad Street and right into Earl Street. When we got to the bus stops outside the Guildhall Shopping Centre we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2293 before it carried on towards Rickerscote.

Arriva Midlands 2293 in Stafford

Also at the stop briefly was Arriva Midlands 2746.

Arriva Midlands 2746 in Stafford

We crossed back over the road and the two buses departed. There was a #3 to Wilwood due so we thought we would check it out before we walked onto Chell Road. The bus turned the corner out of Broad Street and we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2294.

Arriva Midlands 2294 in Stafford

We decided to do this bus, so we got on and we flashed the Midland Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off through Stafford via Earl Street, Mills Street and Bridge Street and we went over the big roundabout at the Southern end of town and joined the Southbound A34. We crossed the railway line and we went past the Queensville Retail Park before going over the river Penk and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal. At the top of Radford bank we turned right onto the A34 and we entered the Wildwood estate. We did almost a complete circuit of the estate and we spotted a large Co-operative food store so we decided to get up and get off the bus. The bus was now empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2294 before we stepped off the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2294

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2294.

Arriva Midlands 2294 in Wildwood

We walked across a big car park and into the Co-op store and we brought some pop and chocolate to stock up the trip bag. We decided to walk up to the main road to see if there was a #74 bus due. Just as we got to the stop the hourly service turned up! Talk about a stroke of luck... As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3701.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Wildwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver to the driver before sitting down. The bus set off up the A34 and we headed down Radford bank and up into Stafford town centre. The bus in front of us was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3701.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3701

At the big roundabout we got onto the A518 before turning into Station Road. We turned right into Victoria Road and left into Tenterbanks. We circumnavigate Stafford College and we got up and got off the bus buy the Guildhall Shopping centre. We walked over to the toilets on Broad Street and after Matthew had used them we walked over onto Chell Road. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3759 on a #9B to Highfields.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Stafford

Right behind the Pulsar was required Arriva Midlands Dennis Dart 2291 on the #8 to Moss Pit.

Arriva Midlands 2291 in Stafford

As this bus was on the list that we had compiled, we decided to do this bus. We got on and we flashed the Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off towards the Windmill and we turned into Broad Street before stopping outside The Guildhall Shopping Centre. We headed through town and at the big roundabout we took the Southbound A449. just after the sharp bend in the road we turned right into the estate. As we travelled around the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture of the empty bus in front of us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2291

We turned left onto the A449 and we got up and got off the bus. The bus had a short layover here and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2291

Arriva Midlands 2291 in Moss Pit

We checked the timetable and then next #8 was in 15 minutes. Whilst we thought about what to do next Matthew ate a Milky way and drank some Irn Bru. Heading towards Stafford was Leons Coaches minibus 204.

Leons 204 in Moss Pit

We decided to cross over the road to see if there was another bus towards Penkridge before the next #8 was due. It just so happened that there was... There was a #76 due around the same time. We saw the bus at the bottom of the hill approaching. Behind us required Dart Arriva Midlands 2296 turned up on the #8 to Stafford. As the #76 got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2733.

Arriva Midlands 2733 in Moss Pit

We got on the bus we flashed the Day Saver ticket to the driver before sitting down in the middle of the bus. The bus carried on Southwards on the A449 and we crossed over the railway line and then under the M6. We then ran the 3 miles or so down towards Penkridge. The bus wasn't particularly fast along this stretch and we were overtaken by cars as we travelled down. The bus emptied out a little at the North end of town and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2733.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2733

When we got to the centre of town we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2733 before it carried on towards Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 2733 in Penkridge

When we got off the bus we checked the timetable at the stop. There was a #54 to Wolverhampton due in around 10 minutes. We decided to cross over the road to see when the bus back to Stafford was due. The Arriva bus was due in around 20 minutes, but before that there was an #54 to Stafford due around 45 minutes past the hour. There was a small park with benches near to the bus stop, so we sat in there and Matthew ate some Milky Stars and drank a can of Barr Limeade. Just as we finished we saw National Express West Midlands 853 on the #54 to Stafford.

NX West Midlands 853 in Penkridge

A few minutes later as expected, we also saw National Express West Midlands 854 on the #54 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 854 in Penkridge

We had spotted a toilet across the road in the square. We were just about go to visit when we saw the Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva Midlands 2746 on the #75 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 2746 in Penkridge

We got on the bus we flashed the Day Saver ticket to the driver before sitting down in the middle of the bus. The bus set off North and we went under the M6 and over the railway line. We ran into Stafford and we joined the A518 before going past the railway station. We went around the college and into Earl Street were we got up to get off the bus. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2746.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2746

Right behind us was First Potteries 65041 on a #10 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65041 in Stafford

We were considering catching the #9 to Stafford which was required Arriva Midlands 2375 but we weren't quick enough!

Arriva Midlands 2375 in Stafford

There was another #8 due and if we were lucky perhaps it would be required Arriva Midlands 2296 that we had seen earlier in Moss Pit. As if by magic required Arriva Midlands 2296 did make an appearance!

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Stafford

We got on and we flashed the Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We headed through town and at the big roundabout we took the Southbound A449. just after the sharp bend in the road we turned right into the estate. As we travelled around the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture of the empty bus in front of us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2296

We turned left onto the A449 and we got up and got off the bus. There was a change in the timetable at this time of the evening so if we turned the bus down we would have to wait for around 25 minutes. We decided to let the bus go and walk down towards Acton Gate for a few hundred yard extra on the #75. We set off down the A449 and part way down we heard a bus approaching from behind... It was required Arriva Midlands 2988 on a #75 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2988 in Moss Pit

Further down the road we saw a National Express West Midlands bus approaching. AS it got closer we saw that it was National Express West Midlands 851 on a #54 to Stafford.

NX West Midlands 851 in Moss Pit

We crossed over the railway line and we walk down to the next stop. As the time neared to get on the bus I decided to check the bus pass and ticket to get them ready. I could not find them. After a quick rummage in the bag both the pass and ticket were found in the wrong part of the bag... just as the bus came into sight! As the bus got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva Midlands 3701 on a #75 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Moss Pit

We got on and we flashed the Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus returned up the A449 and around Stafford and into Earl Street. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3701.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Stafford

We headed to the car park on Broad Street and we used the toilet before we returned to the car. Mum had put the radio on and wound down a window, and the radio being on for 30 minutes had flattened the car battery! Luckily we always carry jump leads and we were able get a jump start from a kind lady who let us get a boost off here car. Once the car was up and running we thanked the lady and we set off onto Chell Road passing D&G 30 on a X14. We headed North up the A34 and we stopped to get some chips from Stafford Chippy. We also saw the last required Arriva Midlands Stafford MPD Dart 2290 on a #8 service. The car was run for a short while whilst the chips were being purchased and when we come to leave the small car park the car started first time! We carried on up the A34 and West of Stone. We travelled North Through the roadworks and at Trentham we went towards Longton on the A5035. At Longton we stopped at Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. At the near end of the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

Further along the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Closest on the second row was Z Carz silver LDV CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. Parked up there was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We joined the Westbound A50 and we passed First Potteries 65564 which was running empty Eastwards towards Adderley Green. At heron Cross we went South through Blurton along Blurton Road forwards onto Church Road. As we were about to turn into Beaconsfield Drive we passed First Potteries 'Cherry Route' Volvo 66841 on a #22 to Longton and 53119 on a #23 to Hanley. We got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Bolton / Horwich 15-06-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15563	Bolton BS	Horwich, Church Street/Brown Cow (W-bound)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15583	Horwich, Church Street/Brown Cow (E-bound)‎	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15567	Bolton BS	Wallsuches, Chorley Old Road/Mill View Lane (W-bound)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15575	Wallsuches, Chorley Old Road/Mill View Lane (E-bound)‎	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
22403	Bolton BS	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop E)	559	Stagecoach Manchester
21242	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop D)	Bolton BS	540	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we went to Bolton we had also planned to go on the to Bolton - Preston 125 service. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine and showers. The night before we were due to go we decided it might be a better idea to go on a slightly shorter trip, so he could ride on more buses. We agreed to go to Bolton another time in the near future and we decided to visit. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice. We set off around 11:30 passed the He Heath pub and down Stanley Matthews Way. We headed North to Etruria to get LPG. We then headed long the A53 towards Newcastle and then cut over to the A34. We stopped at grandma's for a very brief visit and then we carried on North up to the A500. We joined the Northbound M6 and went up to Bolton via the M62, M60, M61 and then the A666. We headed into town and parked near the railway station. We had already decided that we would eat at a cafe called Trinities on Newport Street. We walked over the railway bridge and we in the cafe. It was a perfectly positioned lace for watching buses at the interchange opposite. Matthew used the toilet and then sat down to have a small breakfast followed by a chocolate cake. After we saw First Manchester 61141 on a eating Matthew decided he wanted to catch buses fro the main bus station so we set off through town. On the way we saw Stagecoach Manchester 19638 on a #22 service to Stockport.

Stagecoach Manchester 19638 in Bolton

We walked in to the bus station and we saw First Manchester 60115 on a #8 service to Manchester and 60067 on a Withins service.. In the bus station Arriva NW&W 2464 was on layover. We didn't have to wait long before we saw our first #125 service. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15563.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15563 in Bolton bus station

We got on the buses and booked system one tickets which we could use to do the bus as far as Horwich. We went upstairs and sat down after Matthew had taken a picture of the back of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15563

We set off around town and then along Chorley Old Road. This route was familiar to us from time we did Darts and an Arrow on the #519 back in June 2012. We went beyond Montserrat and into new territory. We decided to get off the bus on the edge of Horwich and we got up and got off the bus outside a pub called The Brown Cow. We crossed the road and realised that the service had a 10 minute frequency and that we wouldn't have to wit for long for the next bus back to Bolton. A few minutes later required Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 made an appearance.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Horwich

It had now started to rain so the catching of the bus was well timed. On the journey back we passed First Manchester Enviro 400 33734 on a #519. The others that we had seen so far had all been Volvo B7RLE single deckers. We got back to Bolton and Matthew waited for the top deck to empty before getting a picture of the inside of 15583 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15583

We decided to go and visit the toilet before catching the next bus so we walked to the tardis style toilet in the bus station which was out of use, and then we walked to the market. After we eventually found and used the toilet we walked back to the bus station. Whilst we were walking back to the #125. We spotted First Manchester 60214 on a #572 service.

First Manchester 60214 in Bolton bus station

We walked over to the stop and we saw there was already a #125 service on stand. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15567.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15567 in Bolton bus station

We got on and sat upstairs. The bus was quite well filled so he didn't get a picture this time. We decided not to go quite as far so we could try and get an extra bus or two in before we left. This didn't quite work out. We passed a bus just before we got of and then crossed the road. We checked the stop and the service had now began to get more sparse so we had to wait around 12 minutes for the next bus back to Bolton. The bus appeared down the road and it was required stagecoach Lancashire 15575.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15575 in Wallsuches

We got on and sat down upstairs. We headed down through Montserrat we saw passing 33734 again on a #519. We arrived in Bolton and Matthew photographed the inside of 15575 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15575

We then decided to have a walk around the bus station. We saw another Scania in the form of First Manchester 60172 on the #562 withins circular. On layover were Arriva NW&W 2464, 2454 and also Marshall Dart 7617.

Arriva NW&W 7617 in Bolton bus station

We also saw stagecoach Manchester 22403 parked up with #559 on the front. when we came back around it had gone so we checked put stand L were the #559 departs from. We decided to do this bus to Westhougton, A place that we had been before back in January 2013 from Wigan. We jumped on and we didn't have time to take a picture as we got on the bus. It was quite well filled so Matthew only got a picture of the rear seat.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22403

The route of this service on or parallel to the A579 and then on the A6 into Westhoughton. he us was a little slow leaving town tough traffic but when the service got into the back streets and back onto the A579 it soon quickened up. We got to the stop opposite the market in Westhoughton and then got off and took a picture of this bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 22403 in Westhoughton

We crossed the road and Matthew used the disabled toilet here. We then walked up to the co-operative food store here where Matthew had a Milky way, a can of Coke and a chocolate gateau. We saw Arriva NW&W 2733 on a returning #714 to Bolton. We didn't have to wait long before we saw the next #540 to Bolton which was required Stagecoach Manchester 21242.

Stagecoach Manchester 21242 in Westhoughton

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. It seemed odd getting on Stagecoach bus that had first bus seating inside. The route of the #540 was more direct route along the A58 and then the A676. We also passed an old Olympian which is now a burger van! We got into the bus station and Matthew photographed the inside of Stagecoach Manchester 21242.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 21242

Arriva 2733 was on the stand in front of us. I thought had seen one of these #714's in front of the interchange earlier so asked the driver if he was heading in that direction and he said no. We set of to walk back to where the car was parked and we stopped to take a few bus pictures on the way. one of those buses was First Manchester 60183, a bus that we had back in May 2009 when it was an Adderley Green allocated bus. we also saw First Manchester 33711 on a #8 service.

First Manchester 33711 in Bolton

We saw mum on the opposite side of the road. She had drive up to meet us and had parked at the side of the job centre. We got in the car and headed out of town towards Bury. We then turned onto the A666 which we did South to the M61. We did the M61 onto the anti-clockwise M60. We did this to the M62 and then onto the M6. As we headed South over Thellwall viaduct, we saw an unusual lookiing Mercedes minibus. We passed the mini coach which was SK06 BTF. A few miles down the road we let it go passed us and Matthew got a picture of it.

Majestic SK06 BTF on the M6

We carried on South and onto the A500. We did this to the A50 and to Longton. There were 5 buses parked up this evening The first was Scania coach d104 XAN and next to that was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

Next to that was green Iveco minibus HX51 HRU.

Z Carz HX51 HRU in Longton

Next to that was the DAF mini coach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

Finally was airport transfer minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We carried on down Longton Hall Road and we decided to stop at the St Marys chip shop in Blurton. Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy and a couple of bottle of pop. We went hoe and got back just before 20:00. After eating his chips Matthew had some of the Chocolate Gateau he brought in Westhoughton earlier. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark.