Trip to Wigan / Standish 26-10-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4107	Wigan BS	Beech Hill, Dawson Avenue	605	Go North West
4020	Beech Hill, Dawson Avenue	Wigan BS	606	Go North West
4109	Wigan BS	Standish Police Station	632	Go North West
4105	Standish Police Station	Wigan BS	632	Go North West
40761	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, Lincroft Road	132	Rotala Diamond
40728	Hindley Green, Lincroft Road	Hindley, Waverley Road	132	Rotala Diamond
3408	Hindley, Council Offices	Wigan BS	607	Go North West

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go on Friday night and he chose to go to Wigan. Research for the trip was looking at the weather, which was for dry weather with some sunshine and we also researched a new place to eat. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast for breakfast. Later on he had a can of Irn Bru. We got ready to go out and we went out around 11:45. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto 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. We saw a S.A,S Travel CV68 TBX, blue minibus FG73 YBR, Z Carz YT17 GXA, taxi minibus SF67 BNV and Roseville KR16 SOA. Traffic was moving quite slowly as we headed up to the M6. As we got on the M6 we saw Excelsior 14 carrying Southampton fans to their away fixture at Man City.

Excelsior 14 on the M6

Continug up the M6 we saw an unidentified Keepings midicoach, an unidentified Chandlers coach, an unidentified Masons coach, an unidentified Whittle coach, an unidentified Just Go! coach, unidentified National Express liveried coaches on #121 and #540 and an unidentified Stagecoach Megabus on a M82 service. We came off the M6 at junction and we joined the A49. We followed the road to the edge of town and we ran forwards onto the A577. We crossed the big roundabout and we crossed ovrt the Leeds and LIverpool canal before turning left onto Wilcock Street. We stopped for dinner and we headed into a cafe. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had an English Breakfast washed down with a can of Cherry Coke. When we had finished we went to the counter and Matthew had a slice of Bakewell cake to take away. We got in the car and Matthew started to eat his cake. We set off along Wilcocks Streetand we turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Prescott Street. We turned right onto Frog Lane and we went under the railway bridge. We turned right into Deanery Court and left into Richmond Street. We turned left into the car park and we could not find a space. We came out of the car park and we turned left onto Dorning Street. We turned left onto Ricmond Street and right onto Hallgate. We parked up and we put an hour on the car. We said goodbye to mum and we saw Go North West 4030 on layover.

Go North West 4030 in Wigan

We walked into the bus station and we took a few pictures, We saw Go North West 4107 on a #605 Beech Hill circular.

Go North West 4107 in Wigan bus station

We headed into the bus station and Matthew went to the toilet. When he had finished he came out and we decided to do Go North West 4107 on the #605 Beech Hillcircular service. We got on the bus and we purchased Bee Network any bus day tickets at £5.00 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Northern end of the bus station and we turned left onto Frog Lane and we turned left onto the B5375. We travelled Northwards for a while and turned left onto Springfield Road. We turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue and we turned right onto Shaftesbury Street we ran forwards onto Acacia Crescent and we turned right onto Gidlow Lane and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed into The Shop. Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a flake. We went outside and we crossed over the road to wait for the bus. Matthew ate his flake whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Go North West 4020 on a #606 Beech Circular.

Go North West 4020 in Beech Hill

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This was a bus that we last had on the #53 from Ordsall to Salford back in March 2023. The bus set off along Gillow Lane and we turned left onto Acacia Crescent. We ran forwards onto Shaftsbury Street and we turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue. We turned right onto Springfield Road past new school. We turned left onto Woodhouse Lane and we crossed over Frog Lane. We turned right and entered the bus station from the Northern end and got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up to the end to take a few pictures whilst we decided what to catch next. We saw Arriva NW&W 4587 on a #320 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4587 in Wigan bus station

Also seen was Rotala Diamond 30673 on a #132 to The Trafford Centre

Rotala Diamond 30673 in Wigan bus station

Another vehicle seen was Go North West 4109 on a #632 to Chorley.

Go North West 4109 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus so we headed ibnto the bus station. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Market Street and we ran forwards onto the B5375. We turned right onto Mesnes Street and we ran forwards onto Crompton Street. We turned left onto the A49. We ran down through Swinley and into Marylebone. We continued down through to Lower Standish. We ran through Standish and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4109 as it continued towards Chorley.

Go North West 4109 in Standish

There were a couple of pubs near to where we got off, we decided to cross over the road and visit The Globe. We went into the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and we had a 1/2 of Coke each and Matthew made friends with the bar staff. We sat at a table and had our drinks. When we had finished we said goodbye and we headed outside to uncle Dave. The bus stpop was a short walk away so we headed to the bus stop. There were a few people waiting so we knew there was a bus due. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Go North West 4105 on a #632 to Wigan.

Go North West 4105 in Standish

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back down the A49 we ran through Lower Standish and down the hill towards Marylebone. We ran up the hill into Swinley and we continued up to Wigan. We turned right into Crompton Street and we ran forwards onto Mesnes Street. We turned left onto the B5375 ans we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off the bus. We headed outside again to take a few more pictures. We saw Go North West 3435 on a #610 to Leigh.

Go North West 3435 in Wigan bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4600 on a #320 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4600 in Wigan bus station

We headed into the bus station whilst we decided what to catch. We saw a bus on stand on the #132. As we got closer we saw it was required Rotala Diamond 40761 on a #132 to The Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 40761 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the bus station onto Hallgate and we continued onto Dorning Street. We turned left out of King Street. We turned left into Wallgate and then right into Library Street. We turned Left onto Millgate and we crossed over the A49 before turning left onto Warrington Lane. We passed Lidl and we turned left onto Darlington Street East. We headed through Ince and we carried on into Hindley. We paused at the main stop for a minute or so before we along Atherton Road. We headed into Hindley Green where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40761 before it continued on towards The Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 40761 in Hindley Green

We crossed over the road and we got to Tesco and Matthew sat down on the wall. He wanted to go inside so we headed into the shop and Matthew bought a bottle of Dr Pepper and a twirl duo. We walked along the road to the bus stop and Matthew ate the Twirl. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Rotala Diamond 40728 on a #132 to Wigan.

Rotala Diamond 40728 in Hindley Green

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and we sat down. This was a bus we first had on a #8 from Bolton to Salford back in september 2021. We set and the bus went West along Atherton Road and through Hindley. We decided to break the journey to get another bus in so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40728 before it continued on towards Wigan.

Rotala Diamond 40728 in Hindley

Once off the bus we walked back a stop to the centre of Hindley. We waited for a bus back to Wigan. A short time later we saw a bua approaching from around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 3408 on a #607 to Wigan.

Go North West 3408 in Hindley

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs and we sat down. We set off along the A577 and we crossed under the railway line and past Walmesley park and we continued into Ince. We followed the road to the left and we ran the last 1/2 mile to the eastern edge of Wigan town centre. We crossed the A49 onto King street and we ran into the town centre. We crossed Wallgate onto King Street West and we ran into the bus station up Dorning Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we took a few pictures whilst we waited for mum to appear. We saw Arriva NW&W 4585 on a #320 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4585 in Wigan bus station

We walked onto Hallgate and we met up with mum who had driven up to Hallgate to meet us. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off along Hallgate and we followed the one-way system onto Dorning Street. I accidentally turned left onto King Street West so I followed the one-way system onto Crawford Street and back around onto Dorning Street. We followed the road around to the right past the old Uncle Joe's Mintball factory and we ran forwards onto Deanery Street. We turned left onto Frog Lane and went under the railway bridge before turning left onto Prescott Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Herbert Street. We turned left onto the A577 and we ran around the one-way system and around Wigan Pier. We crossed under the Liverpool line and we past the big roundabout. We continued Southwards to the A49 and we stopped at a chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with can of Cherry Coke. After we had eaten our food we set off along the Southbound A49 and we ran the last few miles down to the motorway. Travelling back along the M6 we saw an unidentified Malbank minibus, an unidentified Brethertons coach and an unidentified Just Go! coach. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Talke, Longport, Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back 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 at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Leigh / Bolton 18-09-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
143	Leigh BS	Tyldesley, The Gatehouse	594	Tyrer's
1033	Tyldesley, The Gatehouse	Farnworth BS	129	Vision Travel
40801	Farnworth, (Stop F)	Bolton Interchange	37	Rotala Diamond
40728	Bolton Interchange	Salford, Rossall Way (stop F)	8	Rotala Diamond
40815	Salford, Rossall Way (stop G)	Farnworth, (Stop F)	8	Rotala Diamond
40813	Farnworth, (Stop F)	Bolton Interchange	8	Rotala Diamond
2683	Bolton Interchange	Horwich, The Crown (Stop C)	575	Arriva NW&W

Today was the first day of a 2 day break away. We were stopping in a suite at a Best Western Hotel. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice. He chilled out in his room until we came to collect him from the residential unit. Matthew got his face mask and bag and got ready to go. We came around 11:30 and Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had no batteries so we returned to the residential unit to pick them up. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road and we saw Travel Express BG61 KTK. We turned right onto Temple Street and we stopped at the residential unit. We collected his batteries and and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hiull into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the the A500 and we turned right onto Northbound A500. Travelling up the A500 we saw black coach like reg M8 doh (murgatroid?), Daish's BU18 YND, Parks of Hamilton LSK 501 and preserved Primrose Motors RCJ 211M. We ran to the North end of the A500 and we turned right onto the Northbound M6. As we travelled NOrhwards on the M6 we saw Flixbus FX28, Selwyn's (NX) 250 (#121), white minibus NJ04 LRU, white coach reg like WA53 ???, red minibus WX64 YNL, Happy Al's MA14 ALS, Hollinshead DH13 HOL, preserved Routemaster RM887 and an unidentified silver minibus. We left the M6 at junction 22 onto Winwick lane and we travelled North to Lowton. We turned right onto Newton Road and we crossed over the A580. Newton Road became St Helens Road and we continued North over the A579 and into Leigh town centre. We turned right onto Spinning Jenny Way and we ran around onto gas Street and onto the main car park. We parked up and Matthew sued the toilet in the block outside the shopping centre. We walked through the shopping centre and when we got to the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet. We walked back to the food van for dinner. Matthew had a bacon and egg with a few fries washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed to the bus station. We had a walk around to see what we might catch. We saw Network Warrington 223 on a #28 to Warrington.

Network Warrington 223 in Leigh bus station

Matthew wanted to do the Warrington bus, but it was going in the wrong direction so we decided not to do it. We walked around the bus station and a few minutes later we saw Tyrers 143 on a #594 Tyldesley circular service.

Tyrer's 143 in Leigh bus station

The bus was not ready for service so we stood at the end of the bus station for 10 minutes watching other buses coming and going. We walked back to the stand and the driver got on the bus. Once the bus was ready we got on the bus and and we purchased System One bus only tickets at £6.00 each. The lower saloon ws empty so Matthew took a picture inside Tyrer's 143.

Inside Tyrer's 143

We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of Tyrer's 143 before we sat down.

Inside Tyrer's 143

We set off out off the bus station onto the B5215 and we headed Northwards. We turned right into The Avenue and we ran East before turning right onto the B5215. We turned left onto the A572 and we ran Eastwards out of town. We traveled around 1/2 a mile to the Canal Turn pub and we followed the road around the corner to the left onto Manchester Road. Another few hundred yards at the mini roundabout we followed Manchester Road to the right. We crossed the roundabout onto the A5082 and we turned left onto Stour Road. We ran past the Co-op and we turned right onto Bodmin Road. We turned left onto Hough Lane we crossed over the guided busway and turned left onto the A577. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Tyrer's 143 before it continued on it's journey.

Tyrer's 143 in Tyldesley

We had a look on the bustimes.org map to see what services were due. We saw that there was a #129 to Farnworth due in a few minutes across the road. Whilst we waited for the bus we spotted a few intereesting bricks in the wall by the bus stop. We also looked at the map to see what bus was approaching. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As expected it was Vision Travel 1033 on the #129 to Farnworth.

Vision Travel 1033 in Tyldesley

We got on the bus and we placed the System One bus tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Eastwards along the A577 and we headed down to Mosley Common. We turned left onto Thornton Road and right onto Lindale Road. We turned right onto Kendall Road and we completed the square by turning right onto Garrett Hall Road. We re-joined the A577 and we crossed over the A580. We continued Southwards and we ran forwards onto the A577. We turned left onto Ellenbrook Road and we crossed back over the A580. We ran Northwards up the B5232 for a mile or so and into the centre of Walkden. We turned left onto the A6 and we ran North Westwards for a while. We turned right onto Eastham Way and we ran through a housing estate. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A5082. We turned right onto old Lane and right onto Newcome Drive. We turned left onto Anchor Lane and we crossed over the M61. We turned left onto Starling Drive and at the roundabout we went forwards onto Windermere Road. We turned right onto Highfield Road and left onto Wildman Lane. We turned right onto Plodder Land and we ran forwards onto Glynne Street. We turned right onto the Southbound A575 and left onto King Street. At the end of the road we turned right into the bus station. Where we got up and got off the bus. We decided to have a bit of a walk around before we caught the next bus. As we set off towards Market Street we saw Rotala Diamond 40746 on a #501 to Higher Folds.

Rotala Diamond 40746 in Farnworth

We walked past the former RBS bank which is currently to let. We walked past Home of Bargainz and to the main Northbound bus stop. A few minutes later we saw Rotala Diamond 40801 on a #37 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 40801 in Farnworth

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 40801.

Inside Rotala Diamond 40801

The bus set off Northwards up the A6053 and we went past Moses Gate railway station before running alongside the A666. We continued onto B6536 and We ran Northwards into Bolton. We ran forwards onto the A575 and we turned left onto Great Moor Street. We turned left onto Newport Street and we turned left into Bolton Interchange. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew used the facilities and then we had a walk around to see what we could catch. We saw Rotala Diamond 30857 on layover.

Rotala Diamond 30857 in Bolton Interchange

We walked up to the exit of the bus station to take a few bus pictures. We saw Rotala Diamond 30977 on the Employee Staff Bus.

Rotala Diamond 30977 in Bolton Interchange

Also seen was Rotala Diamond 40744 on a #582 to Leigh.

Rotala Diamond 40744 in Bolton Interchange

Another vehicle seen was Rotala Diamond 40728 on a #8 to Manchester.

Rotala Diamond 40728 in Bolton Interchange

We decided to catch this bus so we walked into the bus station and waited for the bus to be readied for service. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 40728.

Inside Rotala Diamond 40728

We set off out of the bus station and onto Great Moor Street and we turned right onto the A575. We headed Southwards past the railway station and we ran fowards onto the B6536. We ran through Burnden then along side the A666 before going forwards onto the A6053. We ran through Farnworth and we crossed the Kearsley Spur of the M61 and forwards onto the A666. We ran through Kearsley and Clifton and we crossed over the M60. We ran through Newton and Pendlebury and we crossed over the A6. We ran alongside the A6 for a short while before turning right onto Langworthy Road. We turned left onto the A576 and we went under the A6 and onto the roundabout at Pendleton. We turned right by the police station and we ran towards Salford Shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40728 before it continued on towards Manchester.

Rotala Diamond 40728 in Salford

Once off the bus we needed to head back Northwards to meet up with mum. We decided to do a bus back towards Bolton. Whilst we waited we took a few bus pictures. We saw Go North West 3254 on a #67 to Cadishead.

Go North West 3254 in Salford

A few minutes later we saw Go North West 6152 on a #53 to Cheetham Hill.

Go North West 6152 in Salford

A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 40815 on a #8 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 40815 in Salford

We decided to do this bus as far as Farnworth then to get off and to catch a following bus. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out off the shopping centre area and onto the Westbound high level A6. We veered left onto the A576 and we turned right onto Langworthy Road. We ran along side the A6 towards Irlam O' Th' Heights. We crossed over the A6 onto the A666 and we ran Northwards through Pendlebury and Newton. We crossed the M60 and we ran through Clifton and Kearsley. We crossed the Kearsley Spur of the M61 and we ran forwards onto the A6053. We ran into Farnworth and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 40815 before it continued on towards Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 40815 in Farnworth

Within in minute or so the following #8 appeared. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 40813 on a #8 to Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 40813 in Farnworth

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off Northwards up the A6053 and we went past Moses Gate railway station before running alongside the A666. We continued onto B6536 and We ran Northwards into Bolton. We ran forwards onto the A575 and we turned left onto Great Moor Street. We turned left onto Newport Street and we turned left into Bolton Interchange. We got up and got off the bus. We waited for a bus to Horwich. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15236 on a #125 to Preston. A short time later the bus arrived on stand. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 2683 on a #575 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2683 in Bolton Interchange

We flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A575. We turned left onto Deansgate and right onto Bridge Street. We turned left onto the B6205 and we crossed the ring road onto the B6226. We veered left onto the A673 and we ran Westwards out of town. We ran through Heaton and Lostock and we continued Northwards for the last couple of miles. When we got to the North end of town in familiar territory, we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 2683 as it continued towards Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2683 in Horwich

We crossed over the road and we visited the pub whilst we waited for mum to come and pick us up. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. We went outside and mum arrived a few minutes later. We got in the car and we headed Southwards down Chorley New Road and we turned right onto De Havilland Way. We turned right and joined the Northbound M61 and we saw York Pullman BU14 EGY. We came off the M61 at junction 8 and we joined the Westbound A674. We joined the Southbound A6 before turning right onto Euxton Lane and running past Chorley and South Ribble Hospital. We ran into Euxton and we turned left onto Wigan Road. We ran Southwards through Charnock Green and we turned right onto Mill Lane. We continued onto Park Hall Road. We turned right into the hotel grounds and we parked up near reception. Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and mum collected the key to the room. We couldn't park any closer so we dragged the suitcase through the hotel grounds to our allocated room. We settle in the room and we got the laptop out. Matthew used the computer whilst I drove down to Coppull to get chips for tea. I returned a short time later with sausage chips and gravy for Matthew. After a late tea will chilled out in the room. Matthew watched TV and we did some work on the Blog. Later Matthew had a shower and then got into his pyjamas before settling to bed around 11:30... Mark