Trip to Bath / Melksham 16-11-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY15 FPO	Fenton, Travers Court	Bath Coach Park	Charter	Stanton's of Stoke
66725	Bath BS	Trowbridge, Town Hall	D1	First WOE
69511	Trowbridge, Fore Street	Bath BS	D1	First WOE
69503	Bath BS	Melksham, Market Place	D3	First WOE
69506	Melksham, Market Place	Bath BS	D3	First WOE
37763	Bath BS	Keynsham, Ellsbridge House	X39	First WOE
37764	Keynsham, Ellsbridge House	Bath BS	X39	First WOE
DY15 FPO	Bath Coach Park	Fenton, Travers Court	Charter	Stanton's of Stoke

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew was going out on the bus. Potteries Omnibus Presentation Society had a farewell to the former First Potteries Depot in Newcastle under Lyme. Matthew got up around 07:00 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 First Potteries 67664 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67664 in Fenton

Also seen was First Potteries 67151 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was D&G Bus 40 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G 40 in Fenton

We went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. As expected it was Stanton's of Stoke DY15 FPO on the feeder service for the trip. We got on the coach and we set off along City Road we saw First Potteries 67665 on a #11 to Hanley. We ran down the hill under the railway line and then we got onto the southbound A500. We did the A500 to the end and joined the M6. We ran Southbound M6 we ran through Staffordshire into the West Midlands and at junction 8 we joined the Southbound M5. We ran a few junctions Southwards and we stopped at Frankley Services. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards we returned to the coach. We rejoined the M5 ran Southwards for around 85 miles and we joined the Eastbound M4. We travelled a few miles to junction 18 and we joined the Southbound A46. We turned right onto London Road West and we ran the last few miles into town. We ran into the town centre and we parked up near to the river. Once off the coach we wanted to get a few pictures of coaches before we left. We decided to eat at the cafe by the coach park. We ordered breakfasts and after a while Matthew had a full English breakfast with toast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we used the toilets and we walked along the river towards the bus station. Once in the bus station we looked what buses we could catch. We saw First West of England 37758 on a X39 to Bristol. A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. It was First West of England 66725 on a D1 service to Salisbury. We got on the bus and we brought Bath Zone Day tickets before sittind down towards the back of the bus. As the bus was awaiting departure we saw dud First West of England 67634 on a X31 to Chippenham. We set off out of the bus station and we saw First West of England 37405 on a X39 to Bristol. we turned right onto the A3039. We followed the road to the left onto Manvers Street. We continued past the guildhall and we turned right and crossed over the river. We continued Eastwards along Argyle Street. We continued forwards onto the A36 and we headed North Eastwards. The road to the South and we joined the B3108. We turned right onto Limpley Stoke Road and we ran through Winsley. We continued Eastwards and we rejoined the B3108. We followed the road forwards onto the B3109 and we ran South Eastwards for the last couple of miles into Trowbridge. We ran near to the railway station and we turned right onto Bythesea Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went to the toilet. Afterwards we crossed over to wait for a bus back towards Bath. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First West of England 69511 on a D1 service to Bath. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bath Zone day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards back of the bus. We set off Northwards up Bythesea Road and we turned left onto the A363. We turned right onto Bradford Road and we ran North Westwards into Bradford Upon Avon. We ran onto the B3109 and we turned left onto the B3108. We headed Westwards and we turned left onto Winsley Road. We ran throu Winsley and we rejoined the B3108 and continued Westwards. We rejoined the Northbound A36 and we ran through Bathampton into the City. We turned left onto Great Pulteney Street and we crossed over the river. We headed Southwards down the A3039 and we followed the road around past the railway station and bus station. We entered the bus station from the Western end and we saw First West of England 36074 on layover. We got up and got off the bus. We looked for something else to catch and we saw First West of England 69503 on a D3 to Devizes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bath Zone day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the A3039. We followed the road to the left and we headed Northwards out of town. WE joined the A4 and at the roundabout we went forwards onto London Road West. We ran through Batheaston and we re-joined the Eastbound A4. At Box we turned right onto the A365. We continued through Atworth and we turned left onto Purlpit. We ran through Whitley and forwards onto Top Lane. We turned right onto the B3553 and we headed Southwards. We ran into the centre of Melksham and we got up and got of the bus. Once off the bus we we walked Eastwards through town to the McColls shop. We returned to the High Street and we waited for a bus back towards Bath. A short time later we saw First West of England 69506 on a D3 service to Bath. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bath Zone day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the High Street and we turned left onto Bank Street we joined the Westbound A3102 and we turned right onto the A350. We turned left onto Bath Road and we ran North Westwards up the A365. We ran up to Shaw and we turned right onto the B3553. We ran up to Whiley and we turned left onto Top Lane. We ran Westwards and we re-joined the A365. We ran through Atworth and up to Box. We turned left on to the Westbound A4 and we ran around Ashley. We turned right onto London Road East and we ran through Batheaston. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto the Southbound A4. At the edge of the City we turned right onto the A3039. We ran Southwards towards the railway station and we turned right onto the A3039 and past the bus station. We entered the bus station from the West end and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we looked for another bus to catch. A short time later we saw First West of England 37763 on a X39 to Bristol. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bath Zone day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we set off onto Dorchester Street. We went Westwards onto the A367 and we turned right onto Corn Street. We turned left onto St James Parade and right onto Westgate Buildings. We ran forwards onto Monmouth street and forwards onto the A4. We ran through Lower Weston and we joined the Westbound A36. We turned right onto the A4 we headed through Saltford. We continued Northwards into Keynsham. As we approached the by-pass, we got up and got off the bus. Once of the bus we walked towards the town centre and we found a cake shop. Matthew had a slice of cheesecake washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we walked back down to the start of the by-pass. We crossed the road and we waited for a bus back towards Bath. A shirt time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First West of England 37764 on a X39 to Bath. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bath Zone day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Eastwards along the A4. We ran down to the roundabout and we joined the Eastbound A36. We turned left onto the A4 and we ran through Lower Weston we ran into the West end of bath and we turned right onto Stanhope Place. We turned left onto James Street West and we ran forwards onto St James Parade. We ran onto the A367 and we entered the bus station from the West end. We got up and got off the bus. Once of the bus we walked along the A367 towards the coach park. We visited the toilets and we found the coach. We got on the coach and we waited for it to fill before setting off. We crossed over the river and we headed North up the A36. We veered left onto Bathwick Street and we headed North Eastwards up London Road towards the A46. We joined the Northbound A46 and we ran up to the M4. We ran Westwards for a few miles and we joined the Northbound M5. We travelled Northwards into the Midlands and through Worcestershire. We ran to the end of the M5 and we headed Northwards up the M6. We travelled through the West Midlands into Staffordshire and we came off the M6 at Junction 15. Northbound A500. We continued North to Stoke and we came off the A500 onto City Road. We ran up under the railway line and up the hill. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. Once back at the residential unit, Mathew went upstairs to use his computer and chill out. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. 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 / 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.