Trip to Shrewsbury / Bicton Heath 13-02-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3699	Harlescott, Sentinel	Shrewsbury BS	64	Arriva Midlands
2995	Shrewsbury BS	Bicton Heath, Worrow Drive Jct	11	Arriva Midlands
2980	Bicton Heath, Worrow Drive Jct	Shrewsbury BS	11	Arriva Midlands
3328	Shrewsbury BS	Telford BS	19	Arriva Midlands
2967	Telford BS	Shrewsbury, Bridge	X5	Arriva Midlands
2996	Shrewsbury, Bridge	Bayston Hill, Garden Centre	27	Arriva Midlands
2522	Bayston Hill, Garden Centre	Shrewsbury BS	27	Arriva Midlands
2976	Shrewsbury BS	Harlescott, Tesco	24	Arriva Midlands

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. We ask Matthew to pick somewhere a little closer and he chose Shrewsbury. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

Out of the other window we saw Adam Travel DT15 GVR.

Adam Travel DT15 GVR in Fenton

When it was time to go out We went downstairs and we got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed City Road onto Manor Street and we ran to the end where we turned left onto Victoria Road to Joiners Square and we turned left onto Warrington Road. We turned left onto the A52. we ran towards Stoke. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one-way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and we got onto the Southbound A500 right to the end and then we turned left onto the A519. We ran for a couple of hundred yards and then we turned right onto the A5182 by the Eddie Stobart depot. We ran Westwards along the the road until the end until we joined the Southbound A53. we ran through Whitmore and Baldwin's gate and then we joined the A51 by The swan with Two Necks. A couple of hundred yards later we turned left onto the A53 again. We ran through Loggerheads and then we went around the North side of Market Drayton. We crossed the A41 at Tern Hill. We were now out in open countryside and we ran along the fast newer sections of the road to Shawbury. Once we passed through the village we ran to the edge of Shrewsbury. We turned right onto Morrisons and we parked up. We went into the supermarket and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went into the cafe and we had dinner. Matthew had a sausage bap with extra sausage washed down with a cup of Coke. For afters Matthew had a slice of lemon meringue pie. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum friend and we cut through onto Whitchurch Road. we walked to the bus stop. We waited for a bus to Leek. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was Arriva Midlands 3699 on a #64 to Shrewsbury. we got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off out off the A5191 and we ran Southbound. We ran into Shrewsbury town centre. We went under the railway line and we turned right onto the A458. We came up alongside the river and we turned left into the bus station. Once off the bus we crossed over to the layover area. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. We then returned to the outside stops to take a few pictures. we saw Arriva Midlands 2535 on a #20 to Radbrook. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 2501 on a #8 to Sutton Farm. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 2960 on a #511 to Whitchurch. After a while we decided to return to the bus station to catch another bus. We went into the bus station and it was Arriva Midlands 2995 on a #11 to Bicton Heath. We got on the bus and and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off out off the bus station onto the A458. We went around the Welsh Bridge. We turned left onto Copthorne Road. We ran down Mytton Oak Road where we saw Tanat Valley 281 on a #558 to Shrewsbury. We turned into the hospital and as we travelled through the hospital the Hospital. We turned right onto Mytton Oak Road. We continued through Bowbrook. We turned right onto Gains Park Way. We headed down the hill into Bicton Heath. We turned right onto Gains Avenue where we got up and got off the bus. We walked down Gains Avenue. We turned right onto Gains Park Way. Once off the bus we walked along onto the A458 and we went to see the site where the new Starbucks, Subway and petrol station will be built. where we saw Celtic Travel BV18 YCC on a X75 to Rhayader. We walked back up We walked down along onto the A458. We turned right onto Gains Park Way. We turned right onto Gains Avenue. we waited for a bus towards Shrewsbury. A short time later we saw Arriva Midlands 2995 on a #11 to Shrewsbury. We got on the bus and and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off down Gains Avenue. We turned left onto Gains Park Way. We continued through Bowbrook. We turned left onto Mytton Oak Road and we turned into the hospital. We turned left onto Mytton Oak Road. We ran down Copthorne Road. We ran forwards onto the A458. We went around the Welsh Bridge. We turned left onto the A458 and we turned right into the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over to the layover area. We saw Arriva Midlands 3328 on a #19 to Telford. we got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off out off the bus station onto the A458. We joined the A528. We turned right onto the A5191. We went around the English Bridge Gyratory and we crossed over the bridge. We ran forwards onto Abbey Foregate. We turned right onto A5064. we continued onto Emstrey. We carried on up A5064 were we passed Arriva Midlands 2546 on the #19 to Shrewsbury. We continued onto Emstrey Bank and we ran past Salop Leisure Centre. We headed through Atcham. We ran forwards onto the B5061. We went into Wroxeter. We went through Lower Longwood. We ran into Overley. We continued along the B4380. We ran through Leighton. We went through Buildwas. we crossed over the A4169. We turned right onto Much Wenlock Road. We turned left into Buildwas Road and we turned onto Wharfage. We ran up the hill and into Coalbrookdale. We turned left into Dale End. We ran forwards onto Wellington Road. We ran forwards onto Jiggers Bank. we ran into Horsehay. We turned right onto the A4169. We turned right onto Lightmoor Way and we ran forwards onto Little Flint. We turned left onto Little Meadow Mews and we ran forwards onto Ellens Bank. We ran forwards onto Wellington Road. We climbed the hill into Horsehay. We ran forwards onto Bridge Road. We ran forwards onto Station Road. We turned left onto Springhill Road and We ran into Heath Hill. we ran forwards Dawley Road. We ran down into Lawley. We turned right onto Proctor Ave. We turned left onto Bryce Way before turning right onto the ring road. We ran down into Lawley Bank. We turned left onto Station Road. We ran down the hill towards Overdale. We turned right into Milners Lane. We ran up Concorde. we turned left onto Bank Road. We ran forwards onto Cemetery Road. We turned right Milners Lane. We turned right onto W Centre Way and we ran towards Telford. we turned right at the roundabout onto Malinsgate wehere we saw Arriva Midlands 3701 on the #19 to Shrewsbury. We ran onto Northfield Street. and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to catch something quite quickly. The old entrance to the shopping centre so we walked up and down to try and find a way into the shopping centre. We went out of the bus station where we saw Arriva Midlands 3734 on the #5 to Stafford. we visited Costa Coffee. Matthew had a piece of millionaire's shortbread and a cup of Coke. Once we had used the facilities we walked back into the bus station we looked for nsomething suitable to catch and we spotted Arriva Midlands 2967 on a X5 to Shrewsbury. we got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Northfield Street. We turned right onto Hall Park Way and we ran down to the motorway. We joined Westbound M54 and forwards onto the A5. We ran fast for around 20 minutes to the edge of Shrewsbury on to the Southern by-pass. We turned right onto A5064 and we headed Northwards into town. We ran past Lord Hill's Column and we saw Arriva Midlands 3695 on a #8 to Sutton Farm. We ran forwards onto Abbey Foregate and as we approached the Abbey. We went around the English Bridge Gyratory and we crossed over the bridge. We ran forwards onto Wyle Cop where we got up and got off the bus. We walked down the road to the bus stop and we waited for a bus to Bayston Hill. A few minutes alter we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva Midlands 2996 on a #27 to Bayston Hill. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off down A5191. We went around the English Bridge Gyratory and we crossed over the bridge. We turned right onto Old Potts Way. We turned left onto the A5191 and we ran into Meole Brace. We turned right onto Moneybrook Way. We turned left onto the A5112/49. we ran into Bayston Hill where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus. We crossed the road and we went to the stop opposite for the return journey, Whilst we waited Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and met up with uncle Dave. We walked down Chorley New Road to the bus stop and we waited for the next bus towards Shrewsbury. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2522 on a #27 to Shrewsbury. We got on the bus and and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off down A49. We crossed over the A5. We continued onto the A112. we ran into Meole Brace. We turned left onto Moneybrook Way. We turned left onto the A5191. We went around the English Bridge Gyratory and we crossed over the bridge. We ran forwards onto Wyle Cop and we passed Arriva Midlands 2980 on a #27 to Bayston Hill. We followed the one-way system around town and we turned right onto Barker Street. We turned right onto the A458 and we turned right into the bus station. We looked up the time of the next #24 or #25 bus up to Harlescott. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 2976 on a #24 to Harlescott. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Shrewsbury Day Saver ticket to the driver for what turned out to be the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Whilst we waited for departure time we saw Arriva Midlands 3512 on a X70 to Oswestry. We set off of the bus station onto the A458. We joined the A528 and we followed the one-way system under the railway line. We turned left onto the A5191 and we ran Northwards. We turned right onto Newpark Road. We turned left onto Sultan Road and at the end we re-joined the Northbound A5191. We ran North to the roundabout and we turned right on the B5062. We turned left onto Featherbed Lane and right onto Alberbury Drive. We follwed the road through the estate and we turned right onto Featherbed Lane. We turned right onto Arlington Way and we crossed over the A5191 and we ran forwards onto road past the bus garage and Tesco. We stopped behind Tesco and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we we walked up towards the car. Matthew wanted to go to the toilet, but the toilet block by the Park & Ride was locked up. We got in the car and we drove to Tesco. Matthew used the toilet. We got back in the car and we decided to drive up to Shawbury to get some chips. We set off out off the Park & Ride sight onto the Northbound A5112. We joined the Northbound A53 and we travelled through Upper Astley for around 5 miles and into Shawbury. We parked up and mum and Matthew went to the Co-operative food store and I went to the chip shop. Matthew brought a bottle of Coke. We met back up at the car and we continued our drive Northwards. As we ran up towards Market Drayton we passed an unidentified Alfa coach. We ran along the Market Drayton by-pass and we continued Northwards towards Loggerheads. we crossed over the A51 and up through Whitmore. We ran Northwards towards Newcastle and we turned right onto Trentham Road. We turned left onto the A519. We joined the Northbound A500 and we ran up towards Sideway. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we ran up Longton. We came off the A50 at Longton and we headed for Z Carz. We turned into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Peugeot minibus SJ61 OPK. We came off onto the high level A50 and we turned right onto Baths Road. We ran down King Street. We continued down onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple street and we we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use the computer. He also watched buses out of the window. He watched television and used his computer. For a late tea Matthew had a chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Bury / Bolton 11-07-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
32302	Bury TI	Bolton Interchange	511	Rotala Diamond
69201	Bolton Interchange	Walkden, Manchester Road	37	Rotala Diamond
69166	Walkden, Manchester Road	Bolton Interchange	37	Rotala Diamond
33016	Bolton Interchange	Daubhill, Croston Street	582	Rotala Diamond
33013	Daubhill, Croston Street	Bolton Interchange	582	Rotala Diamond

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to we decided to re-visit Bury. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Lucky Seven DS19 ACZ.

Lucky Seven DS19 ACZ in Fenton

Later on we went to Bury in the car. We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left at the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we ran up the hill towards Hanley. We ran anti-clockwise around the ring road and we went Northwards out of town along Town Road where we saw First Potteries 67661 on a #7A to Hanley. We joined the Northbound A5272 and we ran through Sneyd Green and Smallthorne. We crossed over the roundabout and we continued up to Chell. We turned right onto the A527 and we ran north through Brindley Ford and Brown Lees up towards Biddulph. We went West of Biddulph on the by-pass and we continued North towards Congleton and through the town onto the Northbound A536. We ran Northwards up to Macclesfield and we went through the town onto the A523. We continued Northwards to Hazel Grove and we joined the Northbound A6. We continued Northwards into Stockport and under the M60 and we ran around a few junctions to the M66 where we went North. Just to the East of Bury we got onto the A58 and we ran Westwards into and around town. We turned right into Haymarket Street and we parked up in a side street near to Bolton Street. The had planned in eating at the Two Tons, We walked across the sqaure to the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Mum look at the menu which was limited and expensive. We walked around in a circle along The Rock and right into Crompton Street. we went through the Mill Gate shopping centre and we came out on Haymarket Street. We decided to eat at a place called Your Burger. Matthew had a beefburger with fries washed down with a bottle of Coke. Once we had finished eating we went onto Haymarket Street and we said goodbye to mum. On the way to the bus station we saw Rotala Diamond 40706 on a #471 to Rochdale. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 32302 on a #511 to Bolton. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the interchange and we turned right into Haymarket Street where we saw Rotala Diamond 33011 on a #474 Ramsbottom circular service. At going along Moss Street and Silver Street we turned left onto Bolton Street. We forwards onto the A58. We turned right onto the B6213. We crossed over into Elton and we turned left into Walshaw Road. We ran up the hill and into Woodhill. We ran forwards onto Walshaw. We turned left onto High Street and we continued up Lowercroft Road. We ran through Starling and we crossed over turned right onto the BB6196. We continued to Ainsworth and we ran forwards onto the Bury Old Road and we went under the Red Lane into Breightmet. We turned right onto Deepdale Road and left onto Kentmere Road. We turned left onto Newby Road and at the the roundabout we turned right onto Red Lane. We turned left onto Rochester Ave and left into Winchester Way. We turned right onto Withins Lane. We ran through Roscow Fold. We ran Westwards along Stephens Street and forwards onto the Empire Road. We continued through Breightmet over the A58 and turned right into Somerton Road. We came off the Brodick Drive and forwards onto Blenheim Road at Leverhulme Park and we turned right onto the Long Lane. We ran through Darcy Lever. We continued up Raikes Road. We turned right onto Snow Hill Road and left onto Radcliffe Road. We turned left onto Wheatfield Street and right onto Bromwich Street. We ran up to Haulgh. We turned left onto the A579. We continued southwards into Bolton. We turned right onto the A575. We turned left into Great Moor Street and left into Newport Street before entering the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We saw Arriva NW&W 2995 on a #575 to Wigan. We went into the interchange and Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we had a walk around the bus station to see what we could catch. We waited for a bus towards Walkden. Whilst we waited we saw Transdev Blackburn 504 on a #1 to Blackburn. A short while later we saw First Bus 69201 on a #37 to Manchester. which must be on loan to Rotala Diamond. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. First Manchester 69201 was a bus we on our first visit to Radcliffe on a #524 to Bolton back in March 2019. Whilst we were waiting for the coach to depart we saw Rotala Diamond 69145 on a #511 to Bury. we set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Great Moor Street. We turned right onto Manchester Road past site new petrol station and McDonald's. we headed Southwards. We turned we ran up the hill through Moses Gate. We crossed over the A6053 and we ran down through Farnworth. We turned right onto Long Causeway. At the top of the hill we turned left onto the A575 under the M61 and into Walkden North. We followed the road to the right up Slaughter hill and we continued straight up into Hill Top. We ran in Walkden. We turned left onto the A6 where we got up and got off the bus. We walked onto A6 and right onto Memorial Road past the old RBS Bank which is going to be re-used soon. Once we had finished we walked along Memorial Road. We turned right onto the A6. We walked across a big car park and into the Spar shop and we brought can of Coke and a bottle of Fanta, and Matthew also brought a few chocolate bars. We decided to walk up to the main road to see if there was a #36 bus due. After a short while we saw the bus come around the corner and it was Rotala Diamond 69166 on a #36 to Bolotn. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A6. We continued Westwards out of Wakden along the A6 and we turned left into Hilton Lane. We turned right onto Hulton Avenue and we continued forwards onto Madams Wood Road. We crossed the A5082 and we ran forwards onto Kenyon Way. We ran through the estate and we reappeared on the A6. We headed Eastwards for a short distance and we turned left onto the A5082. We crossed over the M61 and we turned left onto Tennyson Road. We ran forwards onto George Street across Highfield Road and forwards onto Laburnam Road. We crossed the B6199 and we ran North up Harper Green Road. We turned left onto Lavender Road and right onto Bradford Road. We crossed Green Lane and we continued north towards Bolton. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street and forwards onto Thynne Street. We turned left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street and right into Newport Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed through the bus station towards the toilets. On the way we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15245 on a #125 to Preston. We had to tell him 'You can't go there'. We would have to come back another day and buy the right bus ticket. We had to spend some time sitting down whilst Matthew calmed himself down a little. We walked along Great Moor Street and forwards onto Black Horse Street and we decided to stop for a quick drink in the market before doing the last couple of buses. After a Coke and a flapjack. After we had finished eating a can of Coke the flapjack we walked up a back alley and we came out on Black Horse Street. We walked up to Great Moor Street and back to the bus station. We waited for a bus towards Daubhill. A short time later we saw Rotala Diamond 33016 on a #582 to Leigh. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. the bus waiting to depart, we saw required Arriva NW&W 2686 on a #575 to Wigan. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Newport Street. We crossed over the A579. We continued into Daubhill and we got up and got off the bus. We went to Hamzah Sweet & Bakers. Matthew visited the toilet before having a vanilla. Once he had finished eating his ice cream and we went back into the A579 to wait for the bus back to Bolton. A short while later we saw a bus approaching. The bus appeared and it was Rotala Diamond 33013 on a #582 to Bolton. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A579. We ran forwards onto Bolton. We turned left onto Black Horse Street and right onto and Great Moor Street and we turned right into Newport Street where we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a quick look around the bus station. We saw required Rotala Diamond 69164 on a #501 to Johnson Fold. we walked onto Newport Street and mum was waiting for us in the car near to the old entrance to the railway station. Mum was waiting with a sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off along Newport Street and we turned left onto the A579. We headed Eastwards out of town an we joined the Southbound A666. We merged onto the M61 and we joined the anti-clockwise M60 and we went along the Handforth by-pass down to Wilmslow. We past near to Alderley Edge and and over Monks Heath crossroad. We continued Southwards through capesthorne and we ran to the West of Congleton town centre and through Talke down to the A500. At Talke we got onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Longtport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 in Stoke onto City Road and we went under the railway line. We ran up City Road onto Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room. For tea Matthew had Half pounder plain burger and chips followed by a piec of cheesecake. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. He also watched buses out of the window. We saw white minibus YG08 PFO going towards Newcastle.

YG08 PFO in Fenton

When it was time to go to uncle Dave's we went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and at the end we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We went across the spare ground onto Willowdale Avenue and onto Whieldon Road and into uncle Dave's. Later on he had a few digestive biscuits and and some Irn Bru. Uncle Dave now has a biscuit tin. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. Uncle Dave also did his DJ set. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back home. We set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned onto Willowdale Avenue. We crossed the spare ground and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street past the new building under construction, which is now getting near to completion. We continued back to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Wigan 09-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJY	Packmoor	YMCA Hanley	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJY	YMCA Hanley	Packmoor	Charter	Aiming High
16959	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop B)	32	Stagecoach Manchester
22144	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop A)	Wigan BS	598	Stagecoach Manchester
2626	Wigan BS	Standish, o/s House 104 Wigan Road/Almond Crescent	362	Arriva NW&W
2995	Standish, Wigan Road/Ashfield Park Drive (SE-bound)	Wigan BS	362	Arriva NW&W
16956	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, o/s House 573 Atherton Road/Long Lane	32	Stagecoach Manchester
22361	Hindley Green, Atherton Road/Lincroft Road (W-bound)	Wigan BS	598	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we had decided to go to Wigan. Research for Wigan was not don other than to check the weather. It was going to be cold with light rain, 3'. There was also the small matter of Matthew going to do some archery first. Matthew got up around 08:30 today and had toast for breakfast. He had a shave and then we jumped into the car. We set off past the hem Heath pub and down Stanley Matthews Way. We got onto the west bound A50 and then headed north along the A500. North of Longport we got on the A527 Tunstall Bypass and we did this through to Packmoor, before turning left and driving to Middlehurst school. We said goodbye and Matthew ran off down to the computer room for a few minutes before they set off. Today they went to the YMCA in Aiming High FJ10 BJY.

Aiming High FJ10 BJY in Middlehurst

They set off to High Lane and Chell then we saw First PMT 40030 on a #8 service. they headed to Hanley and then drove around Hanley and then turned into the YMCA. They went upstairs and Matthew did some climbing and archery before returning to the bus. They then headed to the edge and drove around the ring road and onto High Lane. They then went straight up to Burslem. we saw 40140 on a #20 service. They headed up to Tunstall and then to Packmoor. When they got back we arrived a minute later to pick him up. They car was running a little hot so we decided to add a bit of water to the coolant to make sure it didn't overheat on the journey up. We then set off to Turnhurst and back down the A527 to the A500. We turned north heading through the roadworks up to the M6. The traffic was light today and we made good progress. We got to the A49 by around 13:30 and we parked up in wigan around 13:45. We walked through the bus station to The Courtyard Cafe. Matthew had a small breakfast and then fudgecake and custard for afters. We got out of the cafe around 1420 and we saw Arriva NW&W hybrid 4499 about to depart on a #715 service. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. He took a picture of the bus and it pulled off before we could get round to it!

Arrva NW&W 4499 in Wigan bus station

Behind 4499 on stand was Stagecoach Manchester 16959 about to work a #32 to Manchester. We decided to do this. Matthew got a picture and then we went to get on it.

Stagecoach Manchester 16959 in Wigan bus station

We booked our system one bus tickets and then sat upstairs. It was empty so Matthew got his empty bus picture straight away.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 16959

We didn't know the exact route so we downloaded the table from the TfGM site and looked at the route on the Wigan South map. We decded that Athehton was too far for today, but Hindley Green would give us a choice of bus back. We set off Eastward to Hindley and then through the housing estates to Hindley Green. We got off and before we could cross the road we saw 19517 heading back to Wigan on a #32. So we crossed the road to wait for a #598. We only had to wait 10 minutes and then required Stagecoach Manchester 22144 made an appearance from around the corner. We got on and sat down near the back. Th journey takes a little longer on the #598 as it heads further over toward Ince before retuning North to Wigan. When we reached the bus station he waited for the bus to empty and then got his empty bus picture.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22144

We then had a little time to take a few pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 721 on a #360 to Warrington and then 2269 arrived from golborne on a #360 short.

Arriva NW&W 2269 in Wigan bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do 2269, but surprisingly he turned it down. We then saw cadet 2626 arrive on a #362 to Chorley and he said yes to that. We got on the bus and booked to Standish. We set off and headed North out of town past the hospital and then just outside of the town we got off. Matthew then got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2626 in Standish

We then crossed the road to wait for a return service. There was a #113 due until 34 past so were waiting for the next #362. Stagecoach Manchester 47336 went North on a #113 and then a few minutes later, required Arriva NW&W Pulsar II 2995 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 2995 in Standish

The journey back was swift and I was expecting Matthew to get his empty bus picture. He spotted a young lady on the #32 stand waiting for Stagecoach Manchester 16956 to be readied for service so he went over to say hello to her. he then went to the toilet, and wen he was done 16956 still hadn't finished loading so he decided he wanted to do this. We got and after he said hello to his friend again we went upstairs. We decided to get off a couple of stops earlier than before so we might get a #32 back. Unfortunately we passed the #32 just before we got off.

Stagecoach Manchester 16956 in Hindley Green

We got off and called into a garage for soe chocolate and a can of Coke. We then crossed the road to wait for a #598. Whilst we were there we saw South Lancs Travel 3 on a #641 service. We didn't ave to wait too long before we saw a another Stagecoach Manchester ALX300 approaching. It got closer and we saw it was required 22361.

Stagecoach Manchester 22361 in Hindley Green

We got back into the bus station around 17:20 and then we walked passed the buses on Hallgate and Dorning Street. We got back to the car and had sausage rolls and pop. Back at the car we drove out of town and onto the A49 at Wigan Pier. We circled the Pier and then headed South down the A49 and onto the M6. We came off at junction 16 and down the A500 to Sideway. We then got on the A50 to Longton. At Longton we went past the Z Carz depot. Today it was all smaller vehicles. First on the row was his former college bus LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

Next was Iveco minibus HX51 HRU.

Z Carz HX51 HRU in Longton

We then saw Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX and then Renault minibus.

Z Carz CE02 LYX & YE52 UZX in Longton

Last on the row was Renault BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into willow row and were surprised to see the Ex Lightning Travel/Z Carz orange bus FD53 UNX, so we turned in the road so he could get a picture of it.

Z Carz FD53 UNX in Longton

We then headed down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We got home around 18:45. For a let tea tonight Matthew had bangers and mash and he also had a small angel cake slice too. He the chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark