Showing posts with label 2740. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2740. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 March 2023

Trip to Leigh / Manchester 18-03-2023



























































BusFromToServiceOperator



39242Leigh BSSalford, Broad St/Pendleton Church (Stop U)V1First Manchester
40838Salford Shopping Centre (Stop D)Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens36Rotala Diamond NW
2740Manchester, Piccadilly GardensHulme, Hulme Park263Arriva NW&W
11262Hulme, Hulme ParkOld Trafford, White City256Stagecoach Manchester
4020Ordsall, Clipper QuaysSalford Shopping Centre53Go North West
39244Broad St/Pendleton Church (Stop Q)Astley Street, Guided Busway StopV2First Manchester
39237Astley Street, Guided Busway StopLeigh BSV1First Manchester


Today we decided to re-visit Leigh. We gave Matthew a choice of locations around the North West and he chose Leigh. We wanted somewhere where we knew where to park and where to eat as mum was finishing work in the morning and we just needed to go. We did no research for this trip other than to check the weather. It forecast grey weather with showers and occasional sunny intervals, with hindsight checking the Google Maps App would have saved us an hour of time. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Mum got home later on and we set off just before 12:00. We set off and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500.Running up the A500 we saw Plants P19 NTM, Redline BJ17 RED / SN69 RED, The Traveller Choice reg like 382 NBF, Stanton's of Stoke WSV 530, grey coach ???? GJD and Flixbus BV67 JZJ. We joined the Northbound M6 and as we joined the motorway we saw Lauderdale Coaches CU68 VKE in front of us.


Lauderdale Coaches CU68 VKE on the M6
We continued up the M6 and we saw an unidentified TJ Travel coach, Selwyns (NX) 235(#121), 2 Stagecoach E200MMC's SN65 ???, white minibus SH56 ODT and taxi minibus ML15 TVA. We came off the M6 at junction 22 and we headed Eastwards alonng the A579. A mile or so up the road we hit a queue of traffic. If I had the sat Nav up and running I would have seen the reason why. There were roadworks on the A572 and as such on;y a few cars at a time could get through off the A572. We queued up for nearly an hour before eventually turning right onto the A579. We got through the roadworks and we crossed over the A580. We continued for the last few miles into Leigh and we turned right onto Spinning Jenny Way. We turned left onto Queen Street and left onto Brown Street South. We turned right onto Gas Street and we turned left into the car park. We parked up and we walked through the Spinning Gate Shopping centre and we came out by the bus station. We saw First Manchester 39260 on a V1 to the Manchester Royal Infirmary.


First Manchester 39260 in Leigh bus station
Seen arriving on a V1 service was First Manchester 36279.


First Manchester 36279 in Leigh bus station
Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we met up mum at the food truck. Matthew had a sausage barm washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we had a walk around the bus station. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 10446 on a #8 to Wigan. We decided to head towards Manchester via Salford. We saw there was a V1 on stand. As we got closer we saw it was First Manchester 39242 on a V1 service to the Manchester Royal Infirmary.


First Manchester 39242 in Leigh bus station
We got on the bus and we booked System One Bus Only Day tickets at £5.80 each. We went upstairs and we sat down near to the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Spinning Jenny way. We ran forwards onto Princess Street and onto the guided busway. We ran along the busway for approximately 4 miles and we joined the Southbound B5232 in Ellenbrook. We ran South for around 1/4 mile and we turned left onto the A580. We ran fast along the A580 and we crossed under the A580 and the Wardley park and ride car park. We continued Eastwards and the A580 merged with the A6. We continued on to Pendleton and near the the police station we cam off the main A6 and onto a parallel slow lane where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 39242 as it continued towards Manchester.


First Manchester 39242 in Salford
We had a look around to see what bus we might catch towards Manchester. We quickly worked out the Diamond NW & Stagecoach Manchester buses towards Manchester departed from stand D. A short time later we saw Stagecoach Manchester 12186 on a #38 to Manchester.


Stagecoach Manchester 12186 in Salford
Matthew decided not to do this bus as he wanted to go to the toilet. We walked into the shopping centre on the Eastern side and we followed the signs towards the toilet. We cam out on the Northern side and there was a small toilet block behind where we have caught buses towards Bolton on stand G. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we cut through onto the North side of the shopping centre. We saw Go North West 4017 on layover in between runs on the #53 to Cheetham Hill.


Go North West 4017 in Salford
We walked around to the East side to stand D and we waited for a bus towards Manchester. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2948 on a #10 to Manchester.


Arriva NW&W 2948 in Salford
A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 40838 on a #36 to Piccadilly Gardens. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along Hankinson Way and we turned left Rossal Way. We joined the roundabout and we turned right onto the Eastboundd A6. We passed the point where somebody has tagged themselves as being a business on the road which is 'Temporarily closed'. We headed past Salford Crescent to the edge of the city Centre. We ran forwards onto Chapel Street and we turned right onto the A34 past Salford Central station which is temporarily closed for refurbishment. We turned left onto Cross Street and right onto King Street. We turned left onto Spring Garden and we followed the road around onto York Street. We turned left onto Mosley Street and we turned right into Piccadilly Gardens. We pulled up on stand and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Rotala Diamond 40838 before it returned to Bolton.


Rotala Diamond 40838 in Manchester
We had a bit of a walk around to see what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19406 on a #42 to Stockport.


Stagecoach Manchester 19406 in Manchester
Whilst having a look around we saw Little Gem 1968 on a #44 to Altrincham. A short time later we saw an Arriva bus enter the bus station. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2740 on a #263 to Altrincham.


Arriva NW&W 2740 in Manchester
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the terminal and we turned right onto Portland Street where we saw Stotts (NX) BV67 JXM(#173) and Ausden Clark BIG 9828. We turned left onto Princess Street and right onto Whitworth Street. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Booth Street West. We passed the College of Music and we turned right onto Boundry lane. We decided to get of somewhere we could get on a #53 service so that we could get back to Salford. We turned left onto the A5067 and we ran for about 1/3 of mile and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look at the timetable. We had just missed a Salford bound #53 so we had alomost 30 minutes to wait. We whilst we waited Matthew had a flapjack. We decided to could catch another bus towards trafford and walk over the ship canal to get a #53 forwards. A short time later we saw a bus that we could catch. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 11262 on a #256 to Flixton.


Stagecoach Manchester 11262 in Hulme
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the A5067 and we ran for about 1/4 of a mile before we turned right following the A5067. We turned left onto Royce Road and we headed Westwards. We ran forwards onto City Road an we turned left onto the Chester Road. We followed Chester Road to the right and we turned left onto the A56. As we approched the White City Retail Park we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took amother picture of Stagecoach Manchester 11262 as it continued towards Flixton.


Stagecoach Manchester 11262 in Old Trafford
We crossed over the A56 and we saw Angela GX21 ECF heading Westwards. We walked forwards onto Trafford Road and we crossed over the Bridgewater and Manchester ship canals. We walked past Clipper Quay and we stopped at the bus stop. We sat down at the stop and we checked the timetable. The bus was due in 5 minutes. A short time later we saw the bus approaching on the other side of the bridge over the ship canal. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 4020 on a #53 to Salford.


Go North West 4020 in Ordsall
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards passing Britannia DU61 LLC & The Travellers Choice PO18 EES pasrked in a side street. We turned left into The Quays and we followed the road through the Salford Quays area. We crossed the Marinas Canal and we passed petween the North Bay and Huron Basin. We ran past Media City and we ran forwards onto Broadway. We turned left onto Trafford Road and we crossed over the A57. We turned left onto Liverpool Street and right onto Cross Drive where we saw Alfa 107 parked up. We turned left onto Churchill Way and we turned right onto Hankinson Way and we pulled up outside of the shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once of the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4020 before it returned to Cheetham Hill on a #53 service.


Go North West 4020 in Salford
We walked around the cober onto Rossall Way and we saw Go North West 6163 on a #95 to Bury.


Go North West 6163 in Salford
We walked around the corner and down the alleyway to the toilet block. The toilets had clsoed by the time we had got there. We decided to do across the car park to Tesco Extra. We went into the shop and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went into the shop and we had a look around. There were very few drinks left with the meal deal section of the shop and there was nothing that Matthew would drink. There wan't much chocolate either and Matthew ended up getting a Kinder Egg. We went to the self service tills and we paid for the egg before meeting up with uncle Dave and walking across the car park. We were now heading back towards Leigh. We walked along Pendleton Way. We walked through the passageway onto the sliproad for the A6 and we waited at the bus stop for a bus towards Leigh. There were 2 buses coming at once. A V2 to Atherton and a V1 to Leigh. The V2 came first and the V1 was right behind it displaying Bus Full. We decided to do the V2 and get off at the junction. As it got closer we saw it was First Manchester 39244 on a V2 to Atherton.


First Manchester 39244 in Salford
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We decided to go to the Astley Street guided bus way stop and get off to catch the following V1 service. We ran fast along the A580 and we we passed Stagecoach Manchester 10443 on a Leigh bound #34 service. We also passe a silver Mercedes mini coach parked outside a pub on the Southside of the A580. We went under the M60 and we ran up to Worsley where we turned right onto Newearth Road. We went North for a short while and we joined the guided bus way. After running West along the bus way we came to the Astley Street stop so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 39244 before it carried on towards Atherton.


First Manchester 39244 in Astley Street
We waited for the next bus to Leigh. A minute or so later the bus that had been full came into the stop. It had now emptied out so we could get on it. As it got closer we saw it was First Manchester 39237 on a V1 to Leigh.


First Manchester 39237 in Astley Street
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set of along the guided bus way and we ran fast to edge of Leigh and we left the guided bus way and we joined Spinning Jenny Way. We past Tesco and the shopping centre and we turned right into Leigh bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 39237 before it returned to the depot.


First Manchester 39237 in Leigh bus station
Matthew decided that he needed the toilet so we headed to the George and Dragon which was next to the bus station. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. We watched a bit of the Manchester City vs Burnley match and we drank our drinks. When we had finished we headed outside to the bus station and we met up with uncle Dave again. On the way to the road we saw Rotala Diamond 30971 on a #584 to Crankwood.


Rotala Diamond 30971 in Leigh bus station
We walked onto Spinning Jenny Way and we walked around the shopping centre to the car park and we met up with mum. We got in the car and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru before we set off onto Gas Street. We turned left onto Brown Street South and right onto Queen Street. We turned right onto Spinning Jenny Way and we turned left onto the A572. We crossed the A579 and in Lowton we turned right onto Sandy Lane. We followed the road around onto Byrom Lane and we turned left onto Slag Lane. We stopped at Victoria's Plaice and I went to the chip shop whilst Matthew went to the shop next door with mum. He brought a bottle of dandelion & burdock and a bar of chocolate for later on. Matthew had sausage chips and gracy and once I had finished eating we set off onto Slag Lane and we turned left onto Church Lane. We crossed over the A580 and we turned right onto the A572. At the light we turned left onto the A579. The traffic had allo gone and we got to the motorway in a few minutes. We joined the M6 and we headed Southwards. Travelling back along the M6 we saw an unidentified Bibby's of Ingleton coach. At junction 16 we went South down the A500 through Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 and we diverted onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. He also had some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru. We updated uncle daves calendar to show recent activity. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Saturday, 30 April 2022

Trip to Stockport / Manchester 30-04-2022









BusFromToServiceOperator



11523Stockport, Stop AAManchester, Stop Q192Stagecoach Manchester
2740Manchester, Piccadilly GardensStretford, Arndale263Arriva NW&W
2741Stretford, Davyhulme RoadHulme, Hulme Park263Arriva NW&W
4004Hulme, Hulme ParkLongsight,(Stop D)53Go North West
11515Longsight, (Stop A)Manchester, (Stop SB)197Stagecoach Manchester
6219Manchester, (Stop CK)Manchester, (Stop R)41Go North West
11553Manchester,(Stop EP)Stockport,(Stop CC)192Stagecoach Manchester


Today we decided to re-visit Stockport. No research for the trip was done other than to check the weather, which was for mainly dry with a chance of some rain later on. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast for breakfast. We got ready to go out and we set off around 11:45. We set off thr Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive and we saw white minibus BJ63 UEH parked up. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we turned right into Sutherland Street to turn around! We ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and came off the A50 at Normacot. We turned left onto Uttoxeter Road and right onto Meir Hay Road. We turned left onto Sutherland Road and we followed the road around to the right onto Weston Coyney Road. We ran to the top and we turned left onto the A520. We ran through Cellarhead, and the original plan was to stop at Truckers Tucker food van in the layby in Cheddleton. As we approached we saw that the van wasn't there today. We continued North through Cheddleton and Leek Brook and into the cente of Leek. We Turned right outta Compton onto the A53 and we turned tight onto Leonard Street parked up in the car park. before we went to the cafe we decided to walk into the bus station to see what was about. We saw D&G Bus 21 on layover before working an E1 employee service to Alton Towers.


D&G 21 in Newcastle bus station
Also seen was D&G Bus 45 on a #108 to Ashbourne.


D&G 45 in Newcastle bus station
We walked back down Leonard Street and onto the A53. We crossed the road to cafe delight and it was that busy we had to wait for a table. Matthew used the toilet and by the time we came back out we had been seated. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Aimee's KO66 JUJ, YJ55 YHR(#165), Leek Link THZ 5348, Former coach (now a stock car transporter) WHO 947V, Sleek Cars LM66 CPX & First Potteries 65027(#18). Once we had finished we returned to the car park and got back in the car. We set off onto the Southbound A53 and we turned right into St Edwards Street. We turned left onto the A523 and we past the site of the new Tim Hortons. We continued Northwards through Rushton Spencer and we passed Aimee's PO56 ROU on a #109 to Leek. We passed through Macclesfield and a few miles North we turned left onto the B5358. We travelled Westwards for about 3 mile before going North on the A5102 through Bramhall. We continued North through Davenport and we turned left onto Cale Green. We continued Northwards onto King Street West and we went behind the back of the railway station before turning right onto the Gret Egerton Street. We turned right and entered the Red Rock NCP car park and we parked up. We went down to the ground floor and we said goodbye to mum. We walked along Port Street and we turned right into Mersey Square. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 47472 which was on a #328 Cheadle circular service. It was at this point we noticed the old interchange was closed for refurbishment! Buses where being stopped at other stops nearby as well as a temporary bus station on Heaton Lane. We walked up to stop G and we saw Stagecoach Manchester 19266 on a #358 to Hayfield.


Stagecoach Manchester 19266 in Stockport
We decided to have a go on the famous #192 to Manchester. On the way to the stop we saw High Peak 804 on a #199 to Buxton.


High Peak 804 in Stockport
We crossed over the A6 and we headed to the Northbound bus stops. Below us we could see the new temporary bus station which is in use until the old interchange has been refurbished. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 11523 on a #192 to Manchester Piccadilly.


Stagecoach Manchester 11523 in Stockport
We got on the bus and we booked System One Bus Only Day tickets at £6.40 each before going upstairs and sitting down. The bus set off Northwards up the A6 and we headed into Heaton Chapel. We continued Northwards through Levenshulme and we passed Belle Vue A8 VUE coming the other way. We crossed under the railway and we ran into Longsight. It was unbelievably busy, and just a frenzy of activity. We crossed the route of the #53 and we continued Northwards up the A6. We continued into Ardwick and we saw an unidentified tri-axle Pheonix coach. We crossed under the A57(M) and into the centre of Manchester. We passed manchester PIccadilly railway station and we turned left onto Whitworth Street. We turned right onto Aytoun Street and right onto Portland Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 11523 before it returned to Stockport on a #192.


Stagecoach Manchester 11523 in Manchester
We set off Westwards along Portland Street and we went to the Piccadilly Gardens bus terminal. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19458 on a #256 to Flixton.


Stagecoach Manchester 19458 in Manchester
Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19454 on a #250 to the Traffod Centre.


Stagecoach Manchester 19454 in Manchester
we walked through the terminal to see if what we could catch. We spotted a tardis style toilet and Matthew used the facilities. Once out of the toilet we saw Arriva NW&W 2740 on a #263 to Altrincham.


Arriva NW&W 2740 in Manchester
We waited for a few minutes for the drivcer to return, and we got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the terminal and we turned right onto Portland Street. We turned left onto Princess Street and right onto Whitworth Street. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Booth Street West. We passed the College of Music and we turned right onto Boundry lane. We turned left onto the A5067 and we headed Westwards. We passed Hulme Park and we ran to the end of the road and we joined Chester Road. We joined the A56 and we ran past White City Retail Park. We passed Old Trafford and we continued along the A56 until Streford where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2740 as it continued towards Altrincham.


Arriva NW&W 2740 in Stretford
Matthew decided he wanted the toilet so we walked Eastwards along the A56. As we walked we saw Selwyns 141 heading Westwards.


Selwyns 141 in Stretford
We continued along the road and we spotted a garage. It was unusual as it was the first time I have seen an all-electric charging station garage. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a can of Coke and a Galaxy Caramel bar. We crossed over the A56 and we waited for an Eastbound bus. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2741 on a #263 to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens.


Arriva NW&W 2741 in Stretford
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Eastwards along the A56 and we passed Old Trafford again. We passed White City and we turned right onto Chester Road. We ran forwards onto the A5067 and we went for about 2/3 of a mile before we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew had a can of Coke whilst we waited for the next #53 Orbits service. Whilst we waited we saw 2748 on a #263 to Altrincham and Stagecoach Manchester 10611 on a #250 to the Trafford Centre. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Go North West 4004 on a #53 to Cheetham Hill.


Go North West 4004 in Hulme
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Eastwards along the A5067 and we turned right onto Boundary Lane. We turned left onto Booth Street West and right onto Oxford Road. We ran past the Manchester Museuem and we continued Southwards into Rusholme and through The Curry Mile. We turned left onto the A6010 and we travelled eastwards over the A34. We carried on for another 1/2 mile or so into Longsight where we got up and got off the bus. We walked around the corner onto the A6 ans we waited for a bus towards Manchester. A few minutes later we saw 2 buses approaching. We turned down Stagecoach Manchester 11529 on a #192. We decided to catch Stagecoach Manchester 11515 on a #197 to Manchester.


Stagecoach Manchester 11515 in Longsight
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Northwards up the A6 and we turned left onto Plymouth Grove. We turned left onto Grafton Street and we crossed over the A34. We turned right onto Oxford Road and we headed Northwards into Manchester. We crossed under the railway and we ran forwards onto Oxford Street. We ran forwards onto Peter Street and we turned right onto Deansgate. We turned right onto John Dalton Street. We ran past Albert Square and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus, Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 11515 before it returned on a #197 to Stockport.


Stagecoach Manchester 11515 in Manchester
Once off the bus we went to find somewhere Matthew could go to the toilet. We crossed the tramlines at St Peters Square and we walked alongside the tram stop. We turned left onto Dickinson Street and we walked along this quiet back street onto Portland Street. We spotted a subway, and Matthew went in and used the toilet. Afterwards we brought a small bottle of Coke and a bottle of Tango. When we had finished we walked along Portland Street as we headed towards Piccadilly to catch a #192 back to Stockport. It occured to us that maybe we could catch a bus to get us a little closer to Piccadilly. We stopped at Stop CK and we waited for a bus. Whilst we waited we saw Clarkes BV22 VTZ on a #540 to London.


Clarkes BV22 VTZ in Manchester
Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19514 on a #15 to Piccadilly.


Stagecoach Manchester 19514 in Manchester
That bus was set down only at that stop, so we waited for the next bus that was picking up. A few minutes later we saw Go North West 6219 on a #41 to Middleton.


Go North West 6219 in Manchester
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Portland Street and we veered left onto Piccadilly where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Go North West 6219 before in continued Northwards towards Middleton.


Go North West 6219 in Manchester
Once off the bus we headed Southwards along Piccadilly to the approriate stop. We could see a bus at the stop and we could also see nuses on layover around the corner on Newton Street. We just missed getting on the bus at the stop but we had seen one on layover around the corner awaiting time. A few munutes later the bus came around the corner and it was required Stagecoach Manchester 11553 on a #192 to Stockport.


Stagecoach Manchester 11553 in Manchester
We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off down Piccadilly and we saw Mario's Coaches M15 RYO parked up outside of Manchester Piccadilly railway station. We headed Southwards under the railway line and under the A57(M). We ran into Ardwick and we followed the A6 to the righ and Southwards into Longsight. We crossed under the railway line and into Levenshulme and we continued through Heaton Chapel. We crossed over the M60 and into the centre of Stockport where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to have a look at the temporary bus station. We walked onto Heaton Lane and to the other end of the bus station passing Magic Bus liveried Stagecoach Manchester 19268 on a #42 to Piccadilly Gardens. At the other end of the bus station we saw Stagecoach Manchester 36077 on #328 Cheadle circular service.


Stagecoach Manchester 36077 in Stockport bus station
Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19335 on a #11 to Altrincham.


Stagecoach Manchester 19335 in Stockport bus station
We left the bus station and we crossed over the A6 and we saw Bullocks YR58 RTV returning from a trip to Llandudno.


Bullocks YR58 RTV in Stockport
We walked onto Mersey Square and around the corner onto Port Street. We returned to the car and I went to pay for the parking ticket. Matthew sat in the car and had a bottle of Coke. When we were ready we departed the car park and we ran onto Great Egerton Street. We turned left onto Lancashire Hill and we crossed over the M60. We ran up the hill and at the roundabout we veered slight right onto Sandy Lane. We stopped at a chip shop and Matthew had sausage and chips. When we had finished we ran back down Sansy Lane and we veered slight left onto Tiviot Way. We crossed over the river Tame and we joined the Westbound M60. We ran through Stockport and we came off the M60 onto the M56. We ran past the airport and we came off the M56 and joined the Westbound A556. We joined the Southbound M6 and we ran down to junction 16. On the M6 we saw an unidentified Ridley's coach, and unidentified Roy McCarthy coach, an unidentified The Traveller's Choice coach and Rothwells 163 NHO. We joined the A500 and we ran Southwards through Longport and Stoke. As it was late we decided to drop uncle Dave off home first. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we ran up Whieldon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfiels Drive and we got back to Blurton around 20:45. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Saturday, 20 August 2011

Trip to Oswestry 20-08-2011

























































Bus From To Service Operator

R794 WOY Blurton Oswestry Charter Lightning Travel
510 Oswestry BS Llynclys 445 Tanat Valley
509 Llynclys Oswestry BS 445 Tanat Valley
2737 Oswestry BS Chirk 2A Arriva Midlands
2740 Chirk Oswestry BS 2 Arriva Midlands
R794 WOY Oswestry Blurton Charter Lightning Travel




Today we decided not to follow he crowds to Chester for the official farewell of 30069/30077 as we have already been on these and there was also a busy race meeting in town to contend with. So we gave Matthew a few choices of places he could go today and he chose Oswestry. Reseach consisted of printing an Arriva Oswestry route map out, and also the Tanat Valley timetables for D71 445 and 449. We set off on R794 WOY at around 12:00 picking some sausage rolls up from Hanford Wrights Pies on the way. The route was via the A53, A51 and then A525 and A495. In Ellesmere we passed a Challinor coach and also Tanat Valley 258 on the #449 service. We stopped for dinner on the way this time in a pub called 'Ye olde boote' in Whittington. We had baguettes and chips which from £5 to £6 depending on the filling. we all ate for just over £22 pound. The food was nice and plentiful, but it wasn't the type of food we would normally order when out with Matthew and we had to change things around to find a meal he would eat. After the meal we continues on to Oswestry and we parked up around 14:30. We saw Tanat Valley 214 depart on the d71 service, and we also saw Arriva Midlands 2295 on a #402 town circular service.


2295 on a #402 Oswestry town circular (Matt)

Remembering how thing work I realised that we only had a few minutes before the #445 service was due to depart. We saw the required double decker 510 about to go onto stand so we raced up to the stop. I don't think Matthew was quite on plan, but he eventually got on the bus and we sat upstairs. Last time we did this service it was a lynx! Matthew got a picture of the inside the top deck of the bus as we rode out to Llynclys


Inside Tanat Valley 510, top deck (Matt)

Last time we had done this and the D71 buses, both left Oswestry packed. Today the #445 was lightly loaded with a double decker.


Tanat Valley 510 in Llynclys (Matt)

We alighted outside the white Lyon and then crossed the road. It took a couple of minutes to get across because of traffic. as we had made good time we had around 5 minutes to wait for the return to Oswestry. It was a great surprise to see another double decker, 509 on the inbound service.


Tanat Valley 509 on a Oswestry bound #445 service (Matt)

The return was also lightly loaded but this comes as no surprise on a service which is basically a shoppers bus heading towards the shops in the late afternoon. before we got off matthew of course photographed the inside of this bus too...


Inside 509 (Matt)

When we got back after such a fast-paced move I hoped to have a few minutes to re-group and work out what we were going to catch. Matthew spotted 258 now parked up between duties.


Tanat Valley 258 between duties (Matt)

Matthew made a quick decision that he wanted to do the bus that was in the bus station. It was Arriva Midlands 2737 which was on a #2A to Wrexham. I decided that with an approx 30 minute frequency on the 2/2A to Wrexham, we could do this to Chirk and could get back easily. I think Matthew want to go to Wrexham in the future, but today that wasn't going to be able to do that. we got on the bus and it was quite well filled by the time it left town. and when we got off the bus was still quite full.


Arriva Midlands 2737 in Chirk (Matt)

In Chirk we the Spar shop. Matthew helped me take some money out of the cash machine and the we got lottery tickets and he chose some Coke from the shop fridge. we crossed the road and then had an approx 10 minute wait for a return bus, this time a #2. The bus appeared and it was 2740.


Arriva Midlands 2740 on a Oswestry bound #2 service (Matt)

We did this bus back into time and like the other inbound service it was nearly empty. The return service was via Gobowen and a hospital. I did briefly consider getting off at Gobowen for a #53 bus. At Oswestry, Matthew photographed the empty inside of the bus.


Inside 2740 (Matt)

We then got off and he got another picture of the outside for good measure...


2740 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

Matthew wanted to go to Morrison's to do some shopping with mum and he brought a sizable amount of pop! We walked back via the bus station and we saw Shrewsbury's 2347 on a service 576.


2347 on a service #576 to Shrewsbury (Matt)

We then returned to the car to eat sausages rolls before driving back around 16:30. as we got in the car a #576 appeared so we could have gotten off at Gobowen and we wouldn't have had to wait too long. The return journey on R794 WOY was quite uneventful, and we got back home around 17:50...Mark