Trip to St Helens / Huyton 22-11-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
64	Earlestown BS	St Helens Junction, Stop A	39	HTL
720	St Helens Junction, Stop A	St Helens temporary BS	35	Arriva NW&W
4577	St Helens temporary BS	Prescot, Kelly Street	10A	Arriva NW&W
4611	Prescot, stop B	Huyton Interchnage	89	Arriva NW&W
3042	Huyton Interchnage	Prescot, Wycherley Street	61	Arriva NW&W
4589	Prescot, Wycherley Street	St Helens, Church Street	10A	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We asked Matthew on the Friday where he wanted to go and he chose St Helens. We did no reserach for this trip other than to check the weather which gone to be dry and reletively mild by the time we got to Merseyside. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off around 11:30. We got in the car and we ran through Blurton along 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 continued Northwards up the A500 through Etruria and Longport and we passed black minibus YJ14 CMV, Stanton's of Stoke WSV 530, red minibus RX71 CHF, white minibus BX58 NUV, blue minibus OU73 BLK, Skills of Nottingham BV72 YAD and Northwich Travel BN17 JUK. We joined the Northbound M6 and we headed through Cheshire. As we travelled Northward we saw silver minibus FA19 HNT, Ridleys Coaches YN75 VLY, Berrys ND20 VBO, yellow minibus LG06 DVF, Selwyn's (NX) BV19 XSB(#121) / BV74 LMO(#540), McGills 7 UUC and Milligans MIL 2978. We came of the M6 at junction 21A and we headed Eastwards along the M62. We came off at the next juncriona dnwe turned right onto the Northbound A49. We stopped at Newton-le-Willows railway station and I bought a Saveaway All Areas Day ticket at £6.50. I returned to the car and we continued up the A49. We turned left onto the A572 and we headed Westwards. We turned sharp left onto Market Street and we ran into Earlestown. We turned right at the roundabout onto Tamworth Street and right onto Lord Street. We parked up in the shoppers car park and we walked past the bus station to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we joined mum and uncle Dave at the table. Mum ordered the food and Matthew had a brunch washed down with a glass of Coke. We also help uncle Dave finished off his chips! When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we set off on foot to the bus station. As we arrived we saw Arriva NW&W 3132 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 3132 in Earlestown bus station

We waited for a bus towards St Helens. A few minutes later we saw a bus we could catch. It was HTL 64 on a #39 to St Helens.

HTL 64 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway All Areas Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station. We turned right onto Wellington Street and we turned right onto Earle Street. We ran Westwards out of town and we continued onto Wharf Road. We turned left onto the A572 and we turned left onto the Southbound B5204. We ran through Collins Green And we continued Southwards we ran into Burtonwood. We ran along Chappel Lane and forwards onto Clay Lane. We Turned right onto Gorsey Lane and right onto Neills Lane. We turned left onto the B5204 and we turned right onto The Pastures. We rejoined the Westbound B5204 and we turned right onto Helena Road. We ran under the railay line and we turned left into St Helens Junction railwy station. We spotted another bus so we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus, Matthew took another picture of HTL 64 before it continued towards St Helens.

HTL 64 in St Helens Junction

As we approached the other bus we saw it was Arriva NW&W 720 on a #35 to Gillars Green.

Arriva NW&W 720 in St Helens Junction

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway All Areas Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the railway station car park and we headed on Station Road. We continued onto Robins Lane and we headed Northwards. We turned right onto Marshall Cross Road past St Helens Hospital. We ran forwards onto Peasley Cross Lane and we ran past the Brewdog Stadium. We crossed the A58 and we ran forwards onto Parr Street. We crossed over the railway line and we turned right onto Chalon Way. Everyone was get up off the bus and we saw there were multiple bus stops. I turned to ask somebody had they cosed the bus station and to my surprise they said yes, it has been closed for redevelopment! We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around. We saw Arriva NW&W 716 on a #32A to Clock Face.

Arriva NW&W 716 in St Helens bus station

At this point Matthew wanted to go for a wander. We saw a sign for a cafe on The Range so we went into the shop. WE walked all the way in the the back corner only to find out the cafe had closed. We came back out of The Range and we headed over Chalon Way and we went to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we found a table. Matthew sat down and I went to the bar to order. Matthew had a chocolate fudge cake and ice cream washed down with a glass of Coke. When we finished eating we set off out of the pub onto Chalon Way and we had a look fir a bus to catch. We saw Arriva NW&W 3133 on a #352 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 3133 in St Helens bus station

We decided to Head West towards Liverpool. A short time later we saw a bu approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4577 on a #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4577 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway All Areas Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the temporary bus station and we ran forwards onto the A58 and we ran Westwards before we turned off the main road to head towards Thatto Heath down Lugsmore Lane where we continued South through Nutgrove and over the railway line at Rainhill. We rejoined the A57 for the run towards Prescot. After passing Whiston Hospital as we got closer to Preacot town centre we decided to get up and get off the bus and visit a shop. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 4577 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4577 in Prescot

Once the bus hd gone we crossed over the road and we headed to the shop. We bought a couple of chocolate bars and a bottle of pop. We crossed back over the road and we waited for a bus towards Huyton. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4611 on a #89 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4611 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway All Areas Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the A57 and we turned left into the bus station. We continued South through the town centre and past Tesco. We crossed over the M57 and we went South Westwards along Huyton Lane. After about a mile we turned left into lathom Road and we ran between a shopping centre and a large supermarket. At the end of the road was the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4611 before it continued towards Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4611 in Huyton Interchnage

Once off the bus Matthew indicated that he wanted to have a bit of an explore. We cut through into the pedestrian area and we looked for a suitable place to take Matthew. We stopped at a coffee shop and Matthew went to the toilet and oredered him some food. Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a Millionaire's Shortbread. Once we had bought the goods we headed back through the precinct back to the bus station. Whilst we waited for the next bus we could do, Matthew ate the Millionaire's shortbread and chatted with a lady about his day. We decided to do the next bus, which was #61 to Palace Fields. We bcould do this part way before transfering onto another bus and heading back to St Helens. As few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3042 on a #61 to Palace Fields.

Arriva NW&W 3042 in Huyton Interchnage

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway All Areas Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Huyton Hey Road and we turned right onto St John's Roads. We turned left onto Meadow farm Road and then right onto meadow Drive. At the end of Meadow Drive we went East onto Tarbock Road and at the big roundabout we crossed the M57 and we turned left onto Windy Arbor road. We turned right onto Dragon Lane and we went past Whiston railway station. We turned left onto Cross Lane and we ran up to Manchester Road. We crossed over the roundabout by Tesco Extra and we ran up Sewell Street and into the bus station. We turned right onto Church Street and we turned right onto the A57. We crossed the ring road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3042 as it continued towards Palace Fields.

Arriva NW&W 3042 in Prescot

We crossed over the road and we headed into a pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we headed to the bar. We had glasses of Coke and we sat in a little room at the back where the dart board was. When we came to leave it suddenly got busier. As we left the pub we saw a coach parked outside. It was Aintree Coachline UK23 ACL presumably just arriving back from Anfield as Liverpool had been playing at home.

Aintree Coachline UK23 ACL in Prescot

We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus back to St Helens. A short time later we saw a bus approaching through the fog. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4589 on a #10A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4589 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway All Areas Day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off up the High Street and we went straight onto the A57. We ran South Eastwards out of town past Whiston Hospital and down towards Rainhill railway station. we turned left onto Rainhill Road and we went North towards Thatto heath. We crossed the railway and we went North to the A58. At the junction we turned right and we ran into the Western end of St Helens and we turned left onto Water Street. We turned right onto Westfield Street and we turned right onto Ormskirk Street. We turned right onto Bridge Street and we got up and got off the bus as it was the last stop. It seemed most buses terminate across from the temporary bus station as there is no space to have buses laying over in there. We saw Arriva NW&W 4605 which had arrived on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4605 in St Helens

We walked down Bridge Street and we crossed over Chalon Street West. Mum was waiting in the car park of The Range for us. We got in the car and Matthew had a can of Orange Fanta. We set off out of the car park and after an initial wrong turning we headed Southwards down James Roby Way. We headed down Scorecross and we turned right onto Marshalls Cross Road by Lea Green ststaion we turned right onto the B5204. We joined the Southbound A570 and we ran for a mile and a 1/2 to the M62. We jioned the Eastbound M62 and as we travelled we saw Woodstones YN22 YRA and Skills of Nottingham BV72 YAD. We joined the Southbound M6 and we headed through Cheshire. We saw Ausden Clark IRZ 881 and Turners Coachways YG22 LVA. At junction 16 we got onto the A500, We saw Regional Transort Y473 coming the ther way. At Sideway we headed Eastwards up the A50. We came off at Hern Cross and we turned right onto Blurton Road. When we got to the chip shop, Matthew indicated he needed the toilet so we headed across the road to the BP service ststion. Mun drove over to pick us up and we returmed to the chip shop. After picking up some food we headed back home. We turmed right onto Blurton Road and right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 19:30. We went into the house and Matthew ate his sausages chips and gravy. We did some Blog and sorted out an e-mail. Matthew had his medication and afterwards I took uncle Dave home. We continued with the Blog and Matthew had a cup of Cherry Coke. Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Wigan / Westhoughton 23-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22243	Wigan BS	Hindley, nr Manchester Road/Gregory Street	540	Stagecoach Manchester
YJ11 ELX	Hindley, (Stop B)	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop D)	559	Cumfybus
30534	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop E)	Wigan BS	715	Rotala Diamond NW
4577	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	375	Arriva NW&W
2975	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	352	Arriva NW&W
4183	Wigan BS	Cooper Turning, nr Dicconson Lane/Chorley Road‎	715	Arriva NW&W
4181	Cooper Turning, nr Chorley Road/Four Gates‎	Wigan BS	715	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. We had checked the weather for the day and it was for warm weather with sunny intervals all over the North West and Midlands. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and from the list he chose Wigan. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00. we set off onto the A5035 and we turned right into Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Eastbound A50 and then we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We were followed up the A500 by Intercity minibus KX09 DGY. Traffic was heavy and it continued to be heavy onto the M6 and we saw ABC Supreme VK06 LTV going North on an airport run. As we got further North towards junction 19 the traffic seemed to improved a little, but the matrix signs were saying there were problems between junction 22 and junction 27. We decided to push on as there was conflicting information on the Internet say there was little delay. The Internet seemed to be correct as we didn't meet traffic until we got to junction 25 where we were turning anyway. We did the link road up to the A49 and then continued North into town. Traffic was better than our last visit and we got into town relatively quickly. We parked up on Crawford Street and we walked up to the chip shop cafe on Hallgate called Mr Chips. Matthew went to the toilet and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a small bottle of Coke. He said hello to the waitress about 10 times! When it was time to go we said 'Goodbye to Mr Chips' and we walked down to the bus station. Whilst we decided what to do matthew took a few bus pictures. On a #600 to Leigh via Golbourne was required ALX300 bodied MAN Stagecoach Manchester 22244.

Stagecoach Manchester 22244 in Wigan bus station

Parked up between services was required Arriva NW&W 2973.

Arrva NW&W 2973 in Wigan bus station

We walked down to the bottom end of the bus station and we saw dud Wigan Buses W669 TNV on the #630 to Platt Bridge.

Wigan Buses W669 TNV in Wigan bus station

We had this bus on this service on a previous visit to Wigan back in January 2015. We saw another required ALX300 / MAN on the #598 to Leigh, Stagecoach Manchester 22243.

Stagecoach Manchester 22243 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus. We got on an we purchased System One bus only tickets at $5.20 each. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 22243 with it grey chevron moquette seats.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22243

We sat down at the back of the bus and when it was time to depart we left the bus station at the bottom end and onto New Market Street. We turned right onto Mesnes Street / Crompton Street, picking up a few more passenger before heading out of town. We crossed the A49 going onto the A573 before turning left onto A577 and into Ince. On the other side of Ince we turned left into the housing estat before re-joining the A577 further along on Makerfield Way. We the ran the last 1/2 mile or so into Hindley before getting up and getting off the bus. Matthew took another photograph of Stagecoach Manchester 22243 as it continued on it's way to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 22243 in Hindley

We crossed the road to the stop opposite, with the intention of catching something back to Wigan. Next bus due was the #540 to Wigan... This was followed shortly by the #559 to Bolton via Westhoughton. We had never been on this service. We had seen it a few times previously, being worked by one of TfGM's hybrids Solo SR's, which are loaned to bus companies which win tenders on some of the supported non commercial services. The #540 time came and went and we saw the Hybrid Solo approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Cumfybus YJ11 ELX.

Cumfybus YJ11 ELX in Hindley

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver. As it was a Solo Matthew attempted to honk the horn. The driver assisted by honking the horn for him! The bus was empty as it was the start of the journey. Matthew took a picture inside this tidy modern bus...

Inside Cumfybus YJ11 ELX

The bus set off and turned right onto Cross Street before joining the A58. This is the most direct bus to Westhoughton we have been on. It went straight up the A58 to the edge of town before it turned onto Market Street in town. We went to get up and get off and Matthew tried to stop us. We did get off but we were a stop away from the Co-operative food store which Matthew probably knew! Matthew took another picture of Cumfybus YJ11 ELX as it carried on towards Bolton.

Cumfybus YJ11 ELX in Westhoughton

We went to the Co-operative food and we stocked up on Irn Bru and Milky Ways. We headed back down the street to the toilet. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 4175 on a Bolton #715 service.

Arriva NW&W 4175 in Westhoughton

Matthew went to the toilet and then we sat at the stop opposite from where we got off the bus. There was a #540 and a #715 both due at 15:05. Matthew had a Milky Way whilst we waited. On the opposite side of the we saw Rotala South Lancs Travel 20827 on the #521 to Little Lever.

Rotala South Lancs 20827 in Westhoughton

We also notice a few taxi's coming and going from behind the pub opposite to us. There was a minibus there too. It was Star 401 Mercedes minibus Y591 ANV.

Star 401 Y591 ANV in Westhoughton

The #540 turned up first, and it was required Stagecoach Manchester 27817.

Stagecoach Manchester 27817 in Westhoughton

The #715 turned up and it was surprisingly Rotala South Lancs Travel 30534.

Rotala South Lancs 30534 in Westhoughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This was the first time we had managed to catch the the #715 service. The bus set off Northwards onto Church Street past Westhoughton railway station. When we got to the A6 we turned left to head towards Chorley. In the distance we could see the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers. About half a mile along the A6 we turned left onto the B5239 and through the village of Aspull. We continued along the B5239 towards Hiagh before turned South towards Wigan down St David's Crescent. We joined the B5238 and we went through Whelley and we entered Wigan through Scholes and Warrington Road. We went 'straight inta Compton' Street ans onto New Market Street before entering the bus station from the North. When we got into the bus station we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Rotala South Lancs 30534.

Inside Rotala South Lancs 30534

Also in the old South Lancs Travel livery was 30539 was on the #635 to Appley Bridge.

Rotala South Lancs 30539 in Wigan bus station

We walked to the bottom of the bus station to take a few pictures whilst we decided what to do next. We saw required Arriva NW&W Enviro 400 double decker 4577 on the #375 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4577 in Wigan bus station

As it was a required bus we decided to do this service up to Pemberton. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. There were people front and back on the bus so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4577

The bus set off out of the South end of the bus station and onto Dorning Street before turning left onto King Street West. We turned right past Wigan Wallgate railway station and we stopped a few yards down the road opposite to Wigan North Western railway station. We joined the A49 and we ran down past Wigan Pier before hitting the big roundabout just outside town we carried on down the A49 a short while until the road split and we joined the A577 to head towards Orrell. Further up the road the carriageway split to go around the halfway house and then we carried onto up the road for a further 1/4 of a mile before we got up and got off the bus at the Eastern edge of Pemberton. The bus topped at the lights where we were about to cross the road so Matthew got another better picture of Arriva NW&W 4577.

Arriva NW&W 4577 in Pemberton

As we were crossing the road we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 36788 on the #628 to Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36788 in Pemberton

We knew we would make it to the stop, but its a bit new anyway so we will probably have plenty of time to pick this bus up in the future... We walked to the stop and there was a bus due in less than 5 minutes, a #352 bus from St Helens via Orrell. The bus turned a few minutes later and it was required Arriva NW&W 2975.

Arriva NW&W 2975 in Pemberton

We headed back down the hill and past the halfway house before joining the Northbound A49 and going around the big roundabout. We past Wigan Pier and we headed passed the railway station before turning left onto King street West. We climbed the short hill of Dorning Street before entering the bus station from the South. When we got into the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2975.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2975

We decided that we would try and go after one of Arriva's Plaxton president double deckers that we have seen on the #715's. In the mean time we went around the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. we saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 22361 on the #621 Kit Green circular service.

Stagecoach Manchester 22361 in Wigan bus station

We had been on Stagecoach Manchester 22361 previously from Hindley Green to Wigan back in March 2013 on a #598 service. We also saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 19521 on a #32 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 19521 in Wigan bus station

We had done Stagecoach Manchester 19521 back in April 2013 from Wigan to Hindley Green on a #32 on the day Matthew could have had a marriage proposal! We saw required Arriva NW&W 4183 come in on a #715 to Bolton. There was a #575 on stand and so the bus couldn't go where it need to go for departure, so it did a lap of the bus station and stopped at a lower stand whilst it waited for the #575 to depart.

Arriva NW&W 4183 in Wigan bus station

As we had 10 minutes before the bus was due to go, we decided to have a walk around whilst we took some more pictures. We saw required Arriva NW&W 2697 on a #352 to St Helens via Orrell.

Arriva NW&W 2697 in Wigan bus station

We also saw another one of the increasingly rare Rotala buses that still carry the South Lancs Travel colours of yellow and blue. It was required Rotala South Lancs Solo 20719 on the #638 to Standish.

Rotala South Lancs 20719 in Wigan bus station

Just before time we decided to walk up to stand F to wait for the bus. Matthew decided to run and say hello to someone near the bottom end of the bus station. Thankfully he didn't scare them despite running at them at full speed. We walked back up to stand F and we waited for the driver to ready the bus for service before we got on it. We flashed the System One ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4183.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4183

The bus set off put of the bus station onto New Market street before heading on the A573 via Mesnes Street and Crompton Street. we turned left onto the B5238 running through Scoles, Whelley and into Aspull via St David's Crescent. We had worked out that we need to get off the bus somewhere between Aspull and Westhoughton if we didn't want to miss the last #715 back to Wigan. We went a few stops East of Aspull and we got pushed the bell to stop the bus. The bus didn't stop so we got up and started to walk down the bus and passed a further stop. We got downstairs and eventually we got the driver to stop the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva North West 4183 as it carried on towards Bolton.

Arriva North West 4183 in Cooper Turning

We crossed the road to the stop opposite and we saw that the flag on the stop had been turned and there weren't any service numbers on the stop. It looked like this stop was no longer in use... We decided to go around the corner following the bus. We could see a stop a few hundred yards up the road. As we started to walk towards it we saw the bus coming! I ran after the bus with my arm out and Matthew followed. It looked like we were going to miss the bus so Matthew stopped to take a picture of it. It was required Arriva North West 4181.

Arriva North West 4181 in Cooper Turning

The bus did stop thankfully and we were able to get on it, thanks to the driver. That was twice I had to run today, and it turned out quite warm. We flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver for the final time today and we went upstairs before sitting down somewhere in the middle. The bus returned around the corner on the B5239 and into Aspull. We had a short wait in the village before we set off onto the B5238 via St David's Crescent. We had another pause in Whelley as the bus was nearly empty we had to stop at the timing points to make sure it didn't run early. We entered town and we went onto New Market Street before entering the bus station from the North. We stopped at the bottom stop stop and a few people got off. Before we could get down the stairs the bus set off and uncle Dave got off at the top stop. The bus circle around and was bout to lave the bus station. Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4181.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4181

We got off the bus at the bottom of the bus station... I wonder if there is driver visibility issues with the top deck on these Plaxton President buses? We met up with mum and Matthew took a few more picture before we went back to the car. On one of the middle stands was required Stagecoach Manchester 19103.

Stagecoach Manchester 19103 in Wigan bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and we carried on through the bus station. On stand D was a former Preston Bus vehicle. It was required Rotala South Lancs 30917.

Rotala South Lancs 30917 in Wigan bus station

We walked to the bottom of the bus station to see what was parked up on layover. One of the bus we saw was required Stagecoach Manchester 22302.

Stagecoach Manchester 22302 in Wigan bus station

Mum met us in the car on Hallgate and we circle around the one way system and we out onto Frog Lane. We headed onto Wallgate via Prescott Street, Miry lane and Wilcock Street. We headed North so we could go around the Pier before going South down the A49. We stopped at the Southern end of the A49 to take on some diesel before we got on the link road and we joined the Southbound M6 at junction 25. As we passed junction 21A we saw Leons Coaches 211 join the M6 ahead of us. We caught the coach up by the time we passed the M56 junction and we let the coach pass us and Matthew got a picture of Leons Coaches Neoplan 211.

Leons 211 on the M6

At junction 18 we left the motorway briefly to check the car as a vehicle had flashed us. I could find nothing wrong so we rejoined the M6 for the last two junction util we got to the A500. Going South down the A500 near to the A53 we passed Stanton's of Stoke W227 SNR going the other way. We turned of the A500 at Sideway and we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton so that we could go and check out Z Carz. There were 3 minibuses on the spare ground tonight. First in the row was Volkswagen minibus Z Carz OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen minibus was Ford Z Carz GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Last in the row was Iveco minibus Z Carz GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up. In the compound were with Z Carz PY08 KDX and S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We headed back out onto the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton and we got home just before 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark details to follow...