Trip to Southport 29-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2141	Esplanade Park & Ride	Southport, adj Duke Street	PR1	Arriva NW&W
3084	Southport, opp Duke Street	Crossens, on Rufford Road	49	Arriva NW&W
7648	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	44	Arriva NW&W
4103	Southport, Monument (Stop CA)	Crossens, on Rufford Road	49	Arriva NW&W
7651	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	44	Arriva NW&W
2725	Southport, opp The Wellington	Crossens, on Preston New Road	44	Arriva NW&W
3084	Crossens, on Rufford Road	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
7654	Highpark, adj Roe Lane	Southport, London Street (Stop Hb)	43	Arriva NW&W
2143	Southport, Monument	Esplanade Park & Ride	PR1	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Southport. No research was done for this trip, other than to check the weather. When we checked on Friday it was down for sunshine, but by Saturday morning it was forecast rain. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. As it was a longer trip we set off around 11:15. We headed toward Heron Cross, passing Lightning Travel NX03 JYJ parked up in Heron Cross. We also saw First Marshall Dart 40173 on a Hanley bound #23 service. At the A50 we headed West to the A500. We did this North to Etruria where we came off on shelton New Road to get LPG. After filling up we got back on the A53 which we did West to the A500. We then got on the Northbound M6. It was quite busy and wet, and we averaged around 50mph as we headed North. Traffic improved a little as we headed North and we eventually got onto the M58. At the A570 we headed North and the road to Ormskirk was quiet. At Ormskirk we pulled into Morrisons to have dinner. Matthew had a small breakfast and his favourite lemon meringue pie for afters. After we had eaten we go back into the car and carried on along the A570. We headed into Southport passing a Volvo B7TL on the inbound #385 service. As the Kew park and ride site was shut for the Winter, we had to head into town and throughtto the Esplanade park and ride site. As we approached we saw an Arriva liveried Enviro 200 so we knew it was going to be a required one if we parked up quickly enough. We parked up and went straight for the bus, forgoing a toilet stop. Matthew got a quick picture of required Arriva NW&W 2141 before we boarded the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2141 at the Esplanade P&R site

We did the PR1 to the last stop on Lord street. We saw Arriva NW&W 7654, seen on a #43 service. Matthew got a better picture as we got off the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2141 in Lord Street

We crossed the road to see what was working. At the stop was Tyrers Optare Solo SJ54 GDA on a #347 service. This is the first time we have seen this operator in Southport.

Tyrers SJ54 GDA in Lord Street

There was a long time to wait for the next #375/385 service. so we decided to do a #49 up to Crossens so we could see what was out. The net #49 to turn up was dud Arriva NW&W 3084, but we decided to do it anyway. As we got on we passed Volvo B7TL 4103 heading South on a #49. We also saw required Marshall Dart 7648 on a Northbound #42. We thought that if the #49 was quick enough. We might catch up with 7648 at Crossens. The bus was fairly quiet today and we made good time as we headed North. When we got to the end Matthew got a picture of the empty interior of 3084.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3084

He got off and then took a picture of the outside of the bus too.

Arriva NW&W 3084 at Crossens

We walked down to the stop on the Preston New Road to see when the #44 was due and it wasn't fo another few minutes. Then we saw 7648 approach from the South. Matthew wen to the toilet as he is such a cool character and I waited for him to come out. He then got a picture of 7648 before getting on it.

Arriva NW&W 7648 at Crossens

As it was empty he also got his empty bus picture too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7648

We sat down and wait a minute or so for the bus to depart. as we came into town we also saw two other required buses. Marshall's 7643 and 7646 were out on the #43/46's. I thought it might be a good idea to do a #49 South to Carr Lane. to see if we could get one or the other of these buses. We waited for 5 minutes for the next #49 to appear and it was dud Arriva NW&W 3085. Matthew decided he didn't want to do this bus and was a little unsettled for a short while. We then spied B7TL 4103 approaching from the South so we decided to do this instead. It took ages to get across the road but it took the bus even longer to move up Lord street! We got on and went upstairs. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go to High Park to meet the #43 or go all the way and he chose to go all the way. the top deck was nearly empty but it didn't empty out complete until the end of the run. matthew then got his empty bus picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4103

We got off and got a picture of the outside of the bus too.

Arriva NW&W 4103 at Crossens

We checked the time and we saw that there was a #44 due. It was already at the stop and it was dud Arriva NW&W 7651. It's always nice to do one of these Marshall although they are starting to show their age a little.

Arriva NW&W 7651 at Crossens

This bus was empty too and so he got his picture here.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7651

We headed South into town. past the 2 co-op food shops on the #44 route. When we got to the edge of town we saw Arriva NW&W 2727 on a #300 service. We did this to the stop on Eastbank Street again and as got off. We saw One of the required Marshall pull off the stop in front on a Souhbound #43. We saw required Volvo B10BLE on a Nortbound service #44. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. He took a picture across the street before we coolly crossed the road to get on the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2725 on Eastbank Street

He must have know there was a drive change taking place because we had to wait a short while to get on. We then formulated a plan which might help us get one of the required Marshalls. It was starting to go dark and we knew it would be out last trip out before returning home. We thought we could go to Crossens on this #44, do a #49 to High Park and then get off for a #43 into town, hopefully doing one of the required Marshalls. The journey up was nice on this fine beast. and when we got to the other end he got his empty bus picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2725

We got off and crossed the new Preston Road and walked up to the #49 stop. The bus was already on the stop and it was dud for the day Arriva NW&W 3084.

Arriva NW&W 3084 at Crossens

We waited for the bus to be readied for the return journey and then we got on. Matthew then took another empty bus picture. We sat down and I downloaded the #43 service timetable to check on times and frequency. The next bus was due of High Park at 16:59 so we had 10 minutes to get there. It was every 30 minutes so we didn't want to miss it. We set off on 3084 and I think we only picked up 1 other passenger as we traveled in. We got to High park with about a minute to spare and we leapt off 3084 before jogging around the corner to a waiting Marshall. Unfortunately it wasn't one of the required ones it was dud 7654. Matthew got a picture before we boarded.

Arriva NW&W 7654 at High Park

He got on and got his inside picture too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7654

We called mum to ask her to meet us at the stop at the end of Hoghton Street. when we got there we got off and e got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 7654 on Hoghton Street

We crossed the street and we saw Arriva NW&W 4101 on a North #43 too.

Arriva NW&W 4101 on Hoghton Street

We met up with mum and then visited a papershop for a chocolate bar and a can of Coke before walking to the monument to catch the returning PR1 service. We arrived at an empty bus stop and the bus turned up almost immediately. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2143. We got on the bus and almost immediately a dzen peopl turned up to get on the bus. We did this back to the Esplanade P&R site before a quick visit to the toilet. We then went around the end of the building to get a picture of the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2143 at the Esplanade P&R site (Mark)

We will have to return to ride on the Marshall Darts 7639,7643 and 7646 on another day. The journey back was quite quick. We set off around 17:30 and we headed through town and onto the A570. we went around Ormskirk town and on the A570 down to the M58. We did this back to the M6. We headed south to the A500. It was quite busy as there was and accident between junctions 16 & 15. We were able to keep moving and then we got on the Southbound A500 down to the A50. We then went past the Britannia stadium, scene of the earlier 3-3 draw with Southampton. we then went along Stanley Matthew Way and past the Hen Heath pub before getting home around 19:00. As it was a longer trip we ordered some food in and matthew chiled out on his computer before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Wigan 03-11-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
34292	Wigan BS	Norley Hall, Norley Hall Avenue/Ambleside (N-bound)	621	First Manchester
31903	Norley Hall, Norley Hall Avenue/Ambleside (N-bound)	Wigan, Wallgate/North Western Stn (Stop B)	621	First Manchester
34296	Wigan, Wallgate/North Western Stn (Stop D)	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	628	First Manchester
4105	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	375	Arriva NW&W
30586	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	628	First Manchester
30586	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester

Following the announcement of the sale of the First Manchester depot, today we decided to visit Wigan. With a lot of the fleet clearly past there best, we thought it unlike many of the vehicles based at Wigan would be repainted or even last very long once the take over takes place. We checked the weather and the overall forecast for today was for rain. However between 14:00 and 17:00 it was down for cloudy so hopefully we wouldn't get wet. Matthew got up around 10:30. He didn't go to sleep until 04:00, probably due to the fact he was really looking forward to a return trip to Wigan. After toast and orange juice for breakfast we set off around 11:45. We set off to Heron Cross where we joined the Westbound A50. We then went North along the A500 to Shelton, where we diverted to Etruria to get LPG. There was a bit of wait to fill up and we set off from Etruria around 12:30. Onto the westbound A53 until we rejoined the A500. We then went North along the M6 and it was quiet for the first week for a while. We made good time on the motorway and we came off at the A49 junction to drive into Wigan. We decided to stop for petrol at Sainsbury's as we were virtually empty! After a quick stop we carried on into town. As we went into town we spotted 3 step entranced double deckers. 31903 was seem coming off Ormskirk Road on what we assumed was either a #621 or a #628 service. 34028 emerged from near the pier on a #632 service. We then saw 34292 emerge from under the Bridge by the railway station on a #621 service. Parking in the usual spot was busy so we parked near the Uncle Joe's mintball factory. We walked up Dorning Street and onto Hallgate where we went into the cafe where we usually eat. Matthew visited the toilet and then had a breakfast. The hash browns were an unusual shape, not dissimilar to a large fish finger! After dinner we walked up to the bus station and took a few pictures whilst we waited for mum to pay the bill and catch up. Matthew saw and photographed required Arriva NW&W 4106 on a #375 service.

Arriva NW&W 4106 in Wigan bus station

We then used the toilets in the bus station As we came out we spotted a NC bodied First double decker over by the #621 stop ans it was 34296. So that was at least 4 step entranced buses out today when we only usually see 1 or 2. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do required First Manchester 34292 and he said yes. We went over and booked our system one bus only tickets which have now gone up price to £5. We went upstairs and Matthew got his picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside First Manchester 34292

We sat on the bus and we saw 34296 arrive on a #628 service. As we set off we passed another double decker. It was dud First Manchester 31923. We now knew of 5 double deckers out, and there were 2 on which we had never been on before. beside 34292, 31903 and 34292 were required. we picked up 31923 in September this year and 34028 was a regular in Bury and we had been on it on 3 separate occasions between 2010 and 2012. We headed off towards Pemberton and as we were about to round the corner into Norley Hall Avenue we saw another double decker. It was required First Manchester 30586. We decided to get of by the shops in Norley Hall so that we could make an assessment of what order the buses were running in. We got off adjacent to Ambleside and got a picture of this fine beast.

First Manchester 34292 in Norley Hall

We decided to cross the road and wait by the Co-op to see what turned up on the next #628. It was required First Manchester 60159 but we decided to turn it down on this occasion. We then saw required 34296 on the other side of the road on a #621 service. We were now starting to build up a picture of which buses were running and in what order. Having at least 12 minutes to wait for another bus in any direction we visited to Co-op. Matthew chose a can and bottle of Coke and a chocolate cake. There was a small queue so it took a few minutes to get served and Matthew said hello to the lady on the adjacent till before we left. Having seen 30586 on a #628, we decided to cross back over to the Ambleside stop to wait for the next #621 which we though might be 30586. First Manchester 31923 appeared on the other side of the road on a #628 service. After a few minutes we saw a bus appear on the horizon whhich we though might be 30586 but as it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 31903. Matthew got a picture of the bus as it approached.

First Manchester 31903 in Norley Hall

It was 2 down 2 to go at this point. We knew 30586 was behind us and we knew for definate that 34296 was 1 bus in front of us in the circuit. As we carried on a round we noted the buses as we passed them. somewhere near Wigan Pier we passed 34292 which we had been on earlier so knew 34296 should be on the next #628 service. To be sure of getting 34296 we decided to get off near Wigan North Western railway station. As we got off Matthew got another picture of 31903.

First Manchester 31903 outside Wigan NW station

We got off 31903 and crossed the road. We saw First Manchester 40386 on a #628 and we also saw Derek Ball Neoplan coach W889 MOT outside North Western station. After only a couple of minutes 34296 appeared from around the corner as expected.

First Manchester 34296 outside Wigan NW station

As we set of anticlockwise around the circuit, we passed Arriva NW&W 4103. Matthe got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 34296

We had booked to Ormskirk Road so we sat back and enjoyed the journey. Making further observations as we went around, we worked of that the last required double decker bus on the circuit was 2 buses behind us, 1 behind 31903. this equated to doing the full circuit and waiting 24 minutes for the bus to appear. We thought we could get off on the Ormskirk Road and catching something different in so we didn't have to wait as long in Wigan bus station. We rounded the corner from Norley Hall Avenue and then got off on Ormskirk Road. We didn't have to wait long for a bus to appear. It was an Arriva double decker with a 2 in 6 chance of being required. with 4103 and 4106 being out of the way, we had slightly reduced odd of it being required. As it approached we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4105.

Arriva NW&W 4105 in Pemberton

So that was 4 buses and 4 scores! We sat down for the journey in and we passed the dud and noisy Arriva NW&W 4104 which we had back in August. Mum called as I was about to text her and we arranged to meet up at the bus station. When we reached the bus station, Matthew got a good picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4105

Back in Wigan we had 20 or so minutes to wait for 30586. We met up with mum as we had arranged and we had a quick toilet stop, followed by a drink of Barr Cherryade and a Greggs sausage roll. As 34028 was parked up in front of us on the #632 he managed to get a good picture of this.

First Manchester 34028 in Wigan bus station

We had 10 minutes or so to take pictures. Another required step entranced double decker appeared. 34296 whizzed up through the bus station and we didn't see what it was on. We decided to concentrate on 30586 anyway so we carried on taking pictures as we waited. 31903 was on stand for the #628 and we saw saw 30586 arrive. As is often the case when a bus cant get on its stand it does a lap or so of the bus stations and parks up somewhere until it can. Whilst e waited Matthew got a picture of Arriva NW&W 2676 on a #362 service.

Arriva NW&W 2676 in Wigan bus station

31903 set of around 16:18ish and immediately 30586 did another lap of the bus station to get onto stand P. As it came past the bottom of the bus station Matthew got a picture of this Palatine II Dennis Arrow.

First Manchester 30586 in Wigan bus station

It was 16:23 and we had to wait until 16:30 for departure. Before we left matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 30586

When it moved we had manage to get a ride on as far as I know both of Wigans serviceable Dennis Arrows with Palatine II bodies. We decided the best thing to do was to just do a complete lap of the circuit. The bus was due back in Wigan at 17:08 so there didn't seem any point in getting off to wait somewhere for 12 minutes when the complete journey time was 38. As we went around darkness fell over Wigan. We got back on time and it was pretty much dark, especially in the floodlit bus station. As we always do we decided to do a quick sweep of the bus station and surrounding areas as we walked back to the car so we could take pictures. First Manchester 40395 was stabled awaiting time on a #658 service to Leigh.

First Manchester 40395 in Wigan bus station

We walked down Hallgate and got a couple more pictures of 60142 and 60390. There was nothing parked on Dorning Street which was a tad disappointing, and so we went to the car and Matthew ate another sausage roll washed down with a bottle of Fanta. We set off down Frog lane before turning left and heading back towards Wigan Pier past the Wigan Coachways depot. We got back onto the A49 and then went around wigan Pier so that were heading South. We then headed down to the M6 at junction 25. We then headed South straight down to the A500 at junction 16. It was then southbound on the A500 until we reached the A50. We then drove along Stanley Matthew Way and past the Hem Heath pub to Blurton. We parked up and got into the house around 18:30. We had sausage carrots and potatoes for tea and then we took Uncle Dave home around 21:00. We then settled down before bedtime...Mark.

Trip to Wigan 19-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
31941	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	628	First Manchester
2715	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Council Offices (Stop D)	395	Arriva NW&W
3083	Orrell Post, Orrell Road/Orrell Post (Stop C)	Pemberton, Ellesmere Road/Halfway House (E-bound)	385	Arriva NW&W
60146	Pemberton, Ellesmere Road/Halfway House (E-bound)	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester
2562	Wigan BS	Abram, Warrington Road/School Street (S-bound)	360	Arriva NW&W
2997	Abram, Warrington Road/School Street (N-bound)	Wigan BS	360	Arriva NW&W
4103	Wigan BS	Pemberton, Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street (W-bound)	375	Arriva NW&W
60149	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	First Manchester

Today we finally got to go to Wigan. We had planned on going on the 5th of May, but a late running Aiming High trip that morning (due to an accident on the A500) had forced us to temporarily postpone this trip and go to Nantwich intead. The 12th was the Wardle running day and so we rescheduled for today. Research had been to get the 2 TfGM maps for Wigan, as well as to get hold of a few choice timetables. Matthew got up around 11:00 today. We set off a little after 12:00. It was an overcast afternoon, and it was even trying to rain as we left. We filled up with LPG at Longport before continuing north along the A500. the roads were fairly quite and we did the M6 and then the A49 into Wigan. We parked on a street near the bus station arriving around 13:30. First thing as always is to find a cafe to eat. We found a place called Mr Chippy, a small cafe just around the corner form the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast, as well as helping his mum eat hers! We finished eating around 14:15 then walked to the bus station. The first thing we saw of interest in the bus station was required First Manchester 31941. It was just going off service and Matthew got a picture.

First Manchester 31941 lays over Between 621's and 628's

We deiced to wait around for a short while to see if it was going to work again. It was displaying 628 Kitt Green on the display so we looked up the stop for this service and waited there. There was already a Excel on stop P which left promptly. The next one was due off 12 minutes later at 14:42. Just before 14:42 did indeed move onto stop P and then we boarded the bus. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the upper saloon.

Inside First Manchester 31941

Off we went, heading South West out of Wigan along Wallgate. Just after the big roundabout we turned to the right onto Ormskirk Road passing Arriva NW&W 4101 on an inbound service from Southport. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus later and he said yes. I looked at the Wigan South map and worked out if we got off as the bus was returning back along Ormskirk Road and then crossed over, we could catch 4101 as it went out of town. We did 31941 around the estates and it was a pleasant journey, much better than when we did 31930 out of Bury. We got off as planned as the bus rounded the corner onto the A577. Matthew got another picture of this fine beast.

31941 in Pemberton

We crossed the road to wait for the 385. We consulted the bus stop timetable and we saw we had about 15 minutes to wait for the 385, so as another Arriva bus approached, I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We flagged it down and Matthew got a picture of Arriva 2715.

Arriva NW&W 2715 in Pemberton

We got on the bus and looked at the fleet number as we sat down. It was required Arriva NW&W 2715! We decided to do this to Orrell, and if we got a bus quickly enough then maybe we could still get back for Arriva NW&W 4101. the bus journey to Orrell was swift. We got off and Matthew got another picture.

2715 in Orrell

We crossed the road and waited at the stop. Almost immediately a bus turned up and it was required Arriva NW&W 3083 from Southport depot. Matthew got a picture as it approached.

Arriva NW&W 3083 in Orrell

We got on the bus and set off towards Wigan. just as we were about to get up we passed 4101. we decided to get off anyway, as we could do a 628 back into Wigan which would almost certainly be required, rather than travel any further on this rather new bus. we got off and Matthew got another picture.

3083 by the Halfway House

So we waited for the #628, which we knew would almost certainly be an Excel and therefore a required bus. a few minutes later we saw an excel approaching in the distance. as it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 60146.

First Manchester 60146 by the Halfway House

We got on and headed for the back. The Excels have mainly orange and red checked seats, which are very bright. The back seat is warm from the engine and they smell like a proper bus. we did this short journey back to Wigan bus station and Matthew took a picture of the inside of this interesting bus.

Inside 60146

We now had a few minutes to regroup and think about our next move. I decided to take Matthew to the toilet whilst we had the chance. Whilst he was in there, I saw a strange looking bus at the other end of the bus station. I thought hat it might be an Ikarus bodied DAF on the 360 to Warrington, so when Matthew came out I asked if he wanted to do that bus and he said yes. As we got closer it was confirmed as required Arriva NW&W 2562. We got on this bus and booked to Platt Bridge. It was quite full and we had to sit near the back as these were the only available seats. We set off around the bus station and as we were heading back up the bus cut out! it was soon restarted and of we went. As we traveled down we passed Arriva NW&W 2556. The bus did empty out a little as we went towards Platt Bridge, but it was still quite full as we got off. Matthew wasn't able to get a good picture of the front of 2562, but he took one of the rear as it went.

Arriva NW&W 2562 disappearing towards Warrington

We crossed the road and looked at the timetable. There was a bus due almost immediately, and it turned up and was required Arriva NW&W 2997, just transferred from Manchester. we got on to a completely empty bus. On the journey up one person did get on and then got off again before we reached Wigan. When we got into the bus station Matthew took a picture of the inside of the empty bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2997

At this point we knew we would only have time for one more quick out and back run before the 17:00 rush. Within a few minutes required 4103 came into the bus station and we knew Matthew would want to do it.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Wigan bus station

It wasn't due out for around 15 minutes, and so we decided to stand and take picture for 10 minutes. One such picture was First Manchester 40391 on a service to Leigh.

First Manchester 40391 in Wigan bus station

We also saw First Manchester 40064 at this point too. We saw First Manchester 40390 here too. After a few minutes we saw 4103 move of from its stabling point to go onto stand U so we headed off to the stop. We boarded the bus and Matthew go a picture of the empty upper saloon on this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4103

And so off we went. The plan was to do this to Pemberton, and catch one of 352/375/385/395 or 628 back. s we left town we passed the car and mum was reading awaiting our return. We got talking to another passenger about Matthew travels and when we got to the edge of Pemberton we got off 4103 and Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 4103 in Pemberton

Behind us was a Dennis coach. It was Hartley's P509 NBP. We crossed the road to wait for a return bus. It wasn't long before we saw an Arrive bus approaching. It was something new looking so we let it go and decided to wait for another Excel on a #628. After a few minutes we saw an Excel turn the corner. It was required 60149.

First Manchester 60149 in Pemberton

Same as before we sat at the back. The bus was warm and had the same real bus smell as the other Excel. When we got back Matthew photographed the inside of this bus too.

Inside 60149

when we got off Matthew had a quick wander round and said hello to a few people. As we walked back to the car past the stabled buses, we noticed there were further stabled buses on the street below. so e walked back to the car the long way, taking picture of Excels and other buses as we went. one bus we saw was Arriva NW&W 2800.

Arriva NW&W 2800 in Wigan

We then walked back to the car and met mum who was waiting with sausage rolls. As we left Wigan I got a little lost. As I could see the DW stadium to my left I worked out I was heading North West. i turned left at the next big junction and then when I saw the DW stadium close up I knew we were heading towards the big roundabout near Wallgate. We got back onto the A49 and headed south until we reached the M6. As we approached the M56 I got talking to mum and forgot to move over to car on South on the M56. And so we were on the M56 heading toward Chester. I was going to come off at the next junction, but as we traveled west we spotted a Bristol RE in the distance. We overtook it just as we got to the next junction and Matthew got a picture out of the rear opening window.

Crosville YFM 280L on the M56

It was just too late to turn off at the A49, and so we went to the next junction for the A56. We rounded the roundabout and then headed back to the M6. We headed south until we reached junction 16 and then got onto the A500. Matthew wanted to go South as far as the A34 in Hanford, and so we turned and turned again up Church Lane. We then went along New Inn Lane, and then called in at McColls on The Lea. We then headed home, getting back around 18:40...Mark.