Trip to Bury / Cheetham Hill 13-05-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37405	Bury TI	Heywood, Market St (Stop C)	163	First Manchester
37416	Heywood, Hill St (Stop A)	Bury TI	163	First Manchester
37281	Bury TI	Cheetham Hill, Shopping Ctr (Stop L)	135	First Manchester
33690	Cheetham Hill, Bury Old Rd/Shopping Centre (Stop J)	Middleton BS	59	First Manchester
37546	Middleton BS	Cheetham Hill, Bury Old Road/Seymour Road (Stop H)	59	First Manchester
37289	Cheetham Hill, Seymour Rd (Stop G)	Bury TI	135	First Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Bury. We had checked the weather for today and it was forecast for a mainly dry and mild day with some sunshine all over the Midlands and North West. We gave Matthew a list of destinations to chose from and from the list he chose Bury. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we drove through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and we continued onto Blurton Road. There had been a fire on Blurton Road so we had to divert around it. We turned left onto Brookside drive. We turned right onto Meaford Drive and right again onto Hollybush Road before re-joining Blurton Road. We travelled up Heron Cross and we turned left into Grove Road. We ran down into Stoke and forwards onto the A500. We ran North to Shelton New Road and we came off to go to the gas garage. Once we had filled up with LPG we joined the Westbound A53 and we ran back onto the A500. On the A500 we saw an unidetified dark green mini coach with a silver winged crest on the side. We ran North up to the M6 and then we got on the Northbound M6. As we travelled North up to the M62 we saw S&S Travel TSV 719, Stagecoach Merseyside 34807/34806, Jackie's Coaches WA04 MHV and an unidentified Thandi Coaches tri-axle double decker coach. At junction 21A we got onto the Eastbound M62 were we saw M&D Travel K50 MND. A few junction along we got onto the clockwise 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 saw National Holidays NH63 GYH parked up near to the market. 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. Before we crossed Haymarket Street we saw First Manchester 69204 on a #468 to Tottington.

First Manchester 69204 in Bury interchange

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 First Manchester 69146 on a #472 Ramsbottom circular service.

First Manchester 69146 in Bury interchange

We walked into the interchange and we considered what bus to do first. One of the first bus that we saw and considered doing was Rossendale 171 on a #467 to Rochdale.

Rossendale 171 in Bury interchange

We were about to get on the bus and I realised that I hadn't got any money! I spotted a cash machine just outside the bus station but the queue was ridiculous! Uncle Dave offered to borrow some money to me until such time I could get to a cash machine. By the time we had sorted this out the Dart had left the bus station. Further back in the interchange we saw required First Manchester on a #163 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37405 in Bury interchange

We waited for the bus to be readied for service and we got on a purchased System one bus only tickets for £5.20 each. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37405 before we went upstairs.

Inside First Manchester 37405

The top deck was also empty so Matthew took another picture inside First Manchester 37405.

Inside First Manchester 37405

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw required First Manchester 33710 on a #471 to Bolton.

First Manchester 33710 in Bury interchange

We set off out of the bus station and straight onto the Eastbound A58. As we entered the road we saw aun unidentified Dunwood coach as well as row of coaches parked in the distance on Market Street. We continued East to the M66 and we went under and into Heap Bridge. We turned right onto Heap Brow and left onto Bury old Road. Around a 1/4 of a mile down the road we turned right onto Sutherland Road and left onto Argyle Street. We ran through a housing estate the entire length of Argyle Street and past some shops and then we turned left onto Pilsworth Road. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A58 again and we ran into the west end of Heywood. There was a short one way system around town and after passing the Wetherspoons pub we came to the Eastbound bus stop where we got up and got off the bus. Once of the bus Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 37405 as it carried on towards Manchester.

First Manchester 37405 in Heywood

From memory of our last visit to Heywood. We went across the road to the Westbound one-way street where we spotted the stop. On the was we saw a cash machine so I was able to get some money to pay uncle Dave back! We just missed First Manchester 66 on a #471 to Bolton, and this was followed straight afterwards by required First Manchester 37416 on a #163 to Bury.

First Manchester 37416 in Heywood

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off along the A58 and we turned left onto Pilsworth Road. We turned right onto Argyle Street and we run to the other end of the estate and we stopped at the triangle at the end of the road where the Westbound bus stop is situated. We continued down to the A58 along Sutherland Road, Bury Old Road and down Heap Brow. After going under the M66 we climbed the hill up into Bury and around the town centre and market before we turned right into Haymarket Street. We then turned right into the bus station and went onto stand. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37416.

Inside First Manchester 37416

When we got off the bus we saw Rossendale double decker 122 about to work a #467 to Rochdale.

Rossendale 122 in Bury interchange

We crossed over to the other side of the interchange and Matthew used the toilet. When we came out we spotted required First Manchester 37281 about to work a #135 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37281 in Bury interchange

We decided to do this bus down as far as Cheetham Hill, so we got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. As the rear of the top deck was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37281.

Inside First Manchester 37281

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Haymarket Street. We crossed over the A58 onto Knowsley Street before joining Manchester Road and running Southwards past Gigg Lane. I though we had previously done a #135 to Cheetham Hill. but we had only ever previously been as far as Heaton Park. We crossed the river Roch and we climbed the hill up towards Whitefield. At Besses O' The barn we deviated left onto Bury Old Road and we went under the tramway and over the M60 at the same point. We continued south along bury Old Road and we skirted the Western side of Heaton Park. West past the previous Southerly point that we had travelled from Bury and continued along the A665 for a further mile or so and onto The North end of Cheetham Hill. We travelled one stop further South than we had ever been before and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw First Manchester 66857 on a #42 to Manchester.

First Manchester 66857 in Cheetham Hill

Cheetham Hill is a very Culturally diverse area, and we learned from our last trip that we need to pick the right shop to take Matthew into if we wanted to buy him the usual thing that he recognises. We spotted a Premier convenience store so we crossed the road and went in. matthew brough a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. When we came out of the shop we saw Shiel Buses minibus SN17 BKU heading North.

Shiel Buses SN17 BKU in Cheetham Hill

As we approached the bus stop we saw First Manchester 33690 on a #59 to Rushcroft.

First Manchester 33690 in Cheetham Hill

We decided to do this bus as far as Middleton so we got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 33690.

Inside First Manchester 33690

The bus set off up Bury Old Road and we turned right the A576 where we stopped for a short while. We continued North Eastwards past Bowker Vale tram stop and to the East of Heaton Park. We crossed the M60 and we ran the couple of miles into town. We entered the bus station. Once in Middleton bus station we got up and got off the bus. In the bus station Matthew used the toilet. After using the toilet we went for a walk around to take a few bus pictures. On layover we saw Stagecoach Manchester 10844 which was about to work a #112 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10844 in Middleton bus station

We also saw required First Manchester 37303 which was about to work a #17 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37303 in Middleton bus station

There wasn't much in the bus station at that time so we walked around the bus station where we decided to go back South towards Cheetham Hill. A few minutes later we saw a #59 come into the bus station and it was required First Manchester 37546.

First Manchester 37546 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off out of the bus station and we turned onto the A576. We ran the couple of miles down to the M60 and we crossed over and into Blackley we past the East side of Heaton Park. We carried on for another couple of miles and we turned left onto Bury Old Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road to wait for something back to Bury. Whilst we waited we saw First Manchester 66876 on a #52 to the Trafford Centre.

First Manchester 66876 in Cheetham Hill

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was dud First Manchester 37289 on a #135 to Bury.

First Manchester 37289 in Cheetham Hill

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs. We set off up the A665 and we ran West of Heaton Park. We crossed over the M60 and we joined onto the A56. We ran North through Whitefield and at the edge of Bury we veered right onto Knowsley Street. We crossed over the A58 and we ran into Haymarket Street. We turned right into the bus station and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37289.

Inside First Manchester 37289

Once off the bus we decided to take a few pictures before we returned to the car. We saw Rossendale 244 on the #469 to Tottington.

Rossendale 244 in Bury Interchange

We also saw Rossendale Dart 169 on a #478 to Ramsbottom.

Rossendale 169 in Bury Interchange

We walked back to the car and mum was waiting with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We drove along Haymarket Street and we followed the one way system onto Moss Street. We turned left onto Manchester Road and we ran down to the A58. We ran Eastwards around the town centre and down the hill to the M66 where we went Southwards. We travelled the few miles down to the ring road and we joined the anti-clockwise M60. Travelling back along the M60 we saw taxi minibus PO17 ZZR. We joined the M62 and we ran Westwards to the M6. We then travelled South down the M6 were we saw an unidentified Rigby's Bova, an unidentified white (Vision?) coach on a low load going North & taxi minibus ML64 LHH. At junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500 where we saw white minibus BF52 JFG. At Sideway we went East along the A50 and we saw Marshall's of Sutton-on-Trent minicoach YN05 UGO. As we came off the A50 we saw John Musso YD60 CXA. We stopped at Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. In the first row we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Also in the front row we saw Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

Next to the LDV minibus was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMO.

Z Carz DG10 VMO in Longton

We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We thought we saw another minibus so we turned the car around further down the road. As we got closer we saw that it was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we saw white minibus GIG 8676 & ABC Supreme DU60 XTB. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. The fire engine and police cordon had gone by the time we came back past it. We turned right onto Church Road and we turned right onto beaconsfield Drive. We got back home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to Rochdale 28-12-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60254	Rochdale Interchange	Shore, o/s King William Inn Shore Road/Cote Lane	454	First Manchester
60276	Shore, o/s King William Inn Shore Road/Cote Lane	Rochdale Interchange	454	First Manchester
37389	Rochdale Interchange	Castleton, o/s Shops Manchester Road/Church Inn	17	First Manchester
37289	Castleton, opp Church Manchester Road/Church Inn	Rochdale Interchange	17	First Manchester
145	Rochdale Interchange	Fairfield General Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital (SE-bound)‎	469	Rossendale Easyride
231	Jericho, o/s House 545 Rochdale Old Road/New Hall Road	Rochdale Interchange	469	Rossendale Easyride

Today we decided to re-visit Rochdale. It was the first time we had been since the new Interchange opened in November. Matthew had shown an interest in doing the #589/590 beyond the edge of Manchester, so research was done to see if there were any tickets valid across the border into West Yorkshire. The only ticket I could find was a Wayfarer, but at £11 doing that ticket would have to wait until the Summer where we could make better use of the ticket. We also researched the weather which was predicted for cold and sunny weather with occasional rain showers. Matthew got up just before 10:00 today and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 going onto the A5035 and onto Stanley Matthew Way. We diverted into Fenton via Heron Cross to pick up uncle Dave before we carried on down onto the A500. At Shelton New Road we came off the A500 to go and pick up some LPG. After filling up we went West on the A53 and back onto the A500. We headed North on the A500 up to the M6. We had considered eating at the burger van on the last lay-by on the A500, but the van wasn't there due to it being Christmas week. Northbound on the M6 was heavy, but at least it was moving unlike on the Southbound side. We headed East on the M62 and then onto the clockwise M60. we carried on East on the M62 and then onto the M627. As we hadn't eaten earlier we diverted to the only cafe we knew and we could park near, the Mighty Bite in Castleton. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can in Coke. After we had finished we jumped back in the car and drove into Rochdale. We got a little lost trying to find the car park in which we wanted to park, but eventually we parked up outside the town hall. We then walked around the corner to the new bus station. We had a quick look around the bus station which is similar in design to Middleton's bus station only a little bit bigger. We then took a few pictures whilst we decided which bus to catch. The thing we photographed was Rossendale Easyride Solo 58 which was parked up between duties.

Rossendale Easyride 58 in Rochdale Interchange

After using the disabled toilet we spotted a Citaro on stand B. It was First Manchester 60254 on a #454 to Stansfield and Shore. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the bus and he said yes. So we walked further up the bus station and he took a picture of First Manchester 60254 through the glass.

First Manchester 60254 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on and we booked our £5 System One bus only tickets and then we sat down near the back. The bus pulled out of the bus station and then went along Smith Street and then onto Entwistle Road. The bus carried on along this road and then we turned tight onto the A58. We headed East towards Littleborough and we turned into Station Street and we called at the railway station. I knew the #454 took a different route into Stansfield that the #457 did but I didn't know exactly where we were heading... We headed back onto the A58 and then up Hare Hill Road. Hare Hill Road became Shore Road and we carried on climbing up the hill we could see a distant hill to the left of us and we thought we were in the same valley as the A6033, but we were actually heading in a different direction. The bus was nearly empty now so Matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside First Manchester 60254

The bus came into a turning circle and we decided to get off. A quick glance at the timetable saw there 4 buses an hour from this stop. Matthew got another picture of 60254 as went back towards Rochdale.

First Manchester 60254 in Shore

A closer inspect of the timetable reveal that the bus came 3 minute and then 27 minutes apart! It was 14:39 and then next bus was due until 15:06! I was hoping that we were on the 14:36 and the we were running a few minutes late. Luckily almost as soon as the bus was out of ear shot, we heard the roar of another bus coming up the hill. It was First Manchester 60276.

First Manchester 60276 in Shore

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We headed back down the hill and across the A58 to Littleborough station. we then went back on the A58 and headed West towards Rochdale. We stopped at almost every stop and the bus filled up as we headed into town. We were then overtaken by First West Yorkshire 60815 on a #590 from Halifax. We carried on into Rochdale along the A58 and we passed First Manchester 40364 on a #452 Littleborough service and First Manchester 69186 on a local service. We carried on until we reached Entwistle Road and we turned left. As we crossed into Smith Street we saw 60815 again coming down John Street. When we reached the interchange Matthew let the bus empty before getting a picture inside the empty First Manchester 60276.

Inside First Manchester 60276

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do First West Yorkshire 60815 and he said no, so we had a short spell in the bus station taking picture whilst we thought about what to do next. We visited the McCoy shop in the bus station and Matthew had a can of Coke and some chocolate. We sat down on a seat and we shared most of a large bar of galaxy Caramel and Matthew had a small bottle of Vimto from out of the trip bag. had he had finished eating we walked up to the top of the of the bus station where we saw required 'Rosso' 110 on a #464 to Accrington.

Rosso 110 in Rochdale Interchange

We were considering doing 110, but the driver wasn't on the bus yet. Behind 110 on layover was First Manchester 37389.

First Manchester 37389 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked around the other side of the bus station and we saw newly repainted First Manchester 60234 on the #6 kirkholt circular service.

First Manchester 60234 in Rochdale Interchange

We then saw required First West Yorkshire arrived on the #589 from Burnley.

First West Yorkshire 66713 in Rochdale Interchange

We briefly considered doing on the newer Enviro 400's on the #409 to Ashton, but then Matthew changed his mind and decided to do First Manchester 37389 on the #17 Manchester service. We decided to do this down to Castleton to catch another #17 back again. We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. There were people front and back on this bus so Matthew didn't take a picture inside. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the Westbound A640. The bus the went onto the Westbound A58. We then headed into Castle and onto Manchester Road towards Castleton. Just after we passed the cafe at which we had eaten earlier, we got off the bus. We didn't get a very good picture of First Manchester 37389 at this point, so we crossed over the road to wait for the #17 back down to Rochdale. Matthew ate the rest of the Galaxy caramel we had started earlier and a couple of minutes later we saw a bus approaching. We could see that it was the Manchester City Transport liveried First Manchester 37289.

First Manchester 37289 in Castleton

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus returned back up the Manchester Road and onto the eastbound A58. We then headed into town and into Rochdale Interchange. When the bus emptied out Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37289.

Inside First Manchester 37289

We now had time to do another couple of buses before we went home. Matthew visited the toilet and we had a quick look around the bus station to see what we could catch. We photographed First Manchester 60244 which was on a #6 Kirkholt circular service.

First Manchester 60244 in Rochdale Interchange

We then photographed First Manchester 33694 which was on the #182 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33694 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus and we were about to go upstairs when Matthew changed his mind again and we got off. We then considered doing a West Yorkshire Volvo B7RLE on the #590. Then we saw Rossendale Easyride Dart 145 on a #469 to Jericho.

Rossendale Easyride 145 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on this bus and it was nearly empty. Matthew stood beyond the last person on the bus and took a picture of the empty rear of Rossendale Easyride 145.

Inside Rossendale Easyride 145

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. We had never done a #469 so we had to rely on using the map to work out where to get off. The bus set off in a North West direction out of town up College Road. The bus then headed West along Bury Road. We saw the Rossendale bus depot in the valley to the left of us as we left town. It was now starting to go dark. We headed West to war Office Road and then we headed North up to a turning circle. The bus then went South and back onto to Bury Road. When we turn left into Fairfield General Hospital, we thought we had reached the end of the run. we asked the driver and he said he was now going forward to Bury! He told us that there were more return buses operated by First on the main road. We got off and Matthew took another picture of Rossendale Easyride 145.

Rossendale Easyride 145 in Jericho

We walked up to the main road and waited at the stop. A quick glance at the timetable revealed that there were buses every 10 minutes. Just under ten minutes later we saw a Citaro approaching from out of the darkness. It was First Manchester 60254 which we had done earlier in the day. We flagged the bus bus down and we got on. He asked us where we were going and we answered 'Rochdale' and he told us that he was only going to Jericho. We got off and the bus disappeared into the darkness. We looked at the timetable and we saw that only every third bus went to Rochdale and the other two terminated in Jericho. I thought that we were in Jericho! The next bus was another one that terminated and the bus to Rochdale wasn't until 16:58. It was cold and dark so we decided that we would catch the other bus to Jericho and the 16:58 forward so we could get out of the cold for a while. Going the other way we saw a Rossendale Solo on a #475 service which turned into the hospital and we also saw a Scania on another #469 to Bury turn in the hospital too. First Manchester 60282 came up the hill and went straight past us. The driver seemed to try and indicate he was only going a few stops up the road. Just before the bus was due we saw a #469 to Rochdale Rosssendale bus turn into the hospital. I thought the timetable may be wrong and the bus didn't call at the stop we were at. So I suggested to Matthew and uncle Dave that we ran to the next stop along the road. We were approaching the stop and and we could see the bus about to turn out of the hospital. I ran ahead to flag the bus down and Matthew and uncle Dave followed on behind me. It was required 'Rosso' 231. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus headed back along Bury Road before going up to the turning circle on War Office Road. It occurred to me that this must have been where the First buses turned before retuning to Tottington! Looking at the timetable when we returned home it could be seen if we had waited where we were a few minutes that eventually there would have been a First bus to Rochdale. The bus went back South to Bury Road and back into Rochdale along College Road passed Asda and the college. When we got back into Rochdale we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside 'Rosso' 231.

Inside 'Rosso' 231

As we didn't get a picture as we ran down the road to catch the bus, we got a picture of 231 in the Interchange.

'Rosso' 231 in Rochdale Interchange

We had a quick look around the Interchange and Matthew visited the toilet again. We walked down to the bottom of the bus station just as First West Yorkshire 66776 arrived on the #590 from Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 66776 in Rochdale Interchange

We then walked back through the town to the car. At the car mum was waiting with sausage rolls. We set off back out of town and onto the A58. We then turned onto the M627 before heading homeward along the Westbound M62. At the M60 we went anti-clockwise to the M62 and the onto the Southbound M6. We did the M6 down to the A500. As we traveled South on the A500 we passed Z Car D104 XAN going North. We carried down to the A50. At Sideway we saw there had been an accident where a car had been crushed by a lorry. The car now looked like a convertable. We headed East on the A50 to Longton where we diverted to see the Z Carz depot. There was only one vehicle at the front of the depot, but it was a new one to Z Carz. It was a silver Van Hool bodied scania CNZ 3828, which was formerly with Ausden Clark.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

At the back of the spare land was Z Carz minibus S952 VMY. In the willow row compound was a taxi fleet minibus YJ61 GYZ and SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We then headed come along Blurton Road and onto the A5035. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had mini bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30..Mark