Trip to Bolton / Darwen 14-03-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15244	Bolton Interchange	Horwich, The Crown (Stop B)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
2998	Horwich, The Crown (Stop D)	Bolton Interchange	575	Arriva NW&W
511	Bolton Interchange	Darwen, Circus	1	Transdev Blackburn
510	Darwen, Town Centre(stand 1)	Bolton Interchange	1	Transdev Blackburn
33033	Bolton Interchange	Farnworth BS	501	Rotala Diamond
69148	Farnworth BS	Bolton Interchange	501	Rotala Diamond

Today we decided to re-visit Bolton. Originally Matthew had requested going to Gainsborough, but we felt that both of these destination were to far away for this time of the year. We ask Matthew to pick somewhere a little closer and he chose Bolton. research consisted of looking at Parkopedia to see where we could park and looking to see where we could eat i loved it. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:0 and we stop onto Beaconsfield Drive to pick up mum's friend. We continued along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blurton Road and we went through the roadworks and past the BP garage which has been knocked down and is being re-built. We ran up the hill to Heron Cross and we turned left on to the Westbound A50. We turned left onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Hanford to Hanchurch where we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 15. As we ran Northwards we saw an unidentified Anthony's Travel coach, an unidentified Megabus coach (Cardiff), white minibus NJ65 ABU / M28 JAF. As we passed past Keele services we were overtaken by M N E Transport coach BU16 GZD.

MNE Transport BU16 GZD on the M6

We continued Northwards and we saw Parks of Hamilton BV67 JYY (#570) / LSK 807(#540), 3 unidentified white coaches, City Cabs ND58 EDJ, an unidentified grey VIP coach, an unidentified Sky Coaches coach, blue minibus YY69 CVR, an unidentified Andrew's Plaxton Cheetah and Go NW 39210(#100) passing over the top. We continued up to junction 21A and we joined the Eastbound M62. Seen on the M62 were an unidentified white Mercedes minibus, an unidentified Megabus (Liverpool) and former PSV Dart burger van Y671 NLO. We continued onto the Eastbound M60 and a couple of junctions on we joined the Northbound M61. We continued onto the A666 and we ran towards Bolton. We came off at the A579 and we headed Westwards around the bottom end of Bolton. We turned right onto Black Horse Street and right onto Great Moor Street. We were trying to get to Back Cheapside but we couldn't go straight on at the next junction. We turned right onto Newport Street and we went around the block again. This time we decided to park at Morrisons instead. We turned right onto the A579 and we turned right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Morrisons and we parked up. We went into the supermarket and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went into the cafe and we had dinner. Matthew had a sausage bap with extra sausage washed down with a cup of Coke. For afters Matthew had a slice of lemon meringue pie. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and her friend and we cut through onto Newport Street. On the way to the interchange we saw Rotala Diamond 69169 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 69169 in Bolton

We went into the interchange and Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we had a walk around the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 on a #125 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 in Bolton Interchange

We got on the bus and we brought System One Bus Only Day tickets from the driver at £6 each before going upstairs and sitting 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 headed up through Brownlow Fold and up over Montserrat Brow. As we travelled up we saw Vision SL15 ZGP on a #502 to Bolton. We headed down the hill into Horwich and through to the top end of town by the Crown pub where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 as it continued Northwards towards Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 in Horwich

Once off the bus we set off around the corner and into the pub. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and met up with uncle Dave. We walked down Chorley New Road to the bus stop and we waited for the next bus towards Bolton. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2998 on a #575 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2998 in Horwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Chorley New Road and we ran through the centre of Horwich and we headed South. We ran for about 5 miles along the A673 to the edge of Bolton. We crossed the ring road onto the B6205 and we turned right onto the B6204. We followed the road around onto the A676 and we turned right onto Black Horse Street past the old bus station. We followed the road to the left onto Great Moor Street and we turned right into Newport Street where we entered the bus station. We got up and as the bus was now empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2998 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2998

Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards, we had a look around to see what we could catch next. we spotted Transdev Blackburn 511 on a #1 to Blackburn.

Transdev Blackburn 511 in Bolton Interchange

We got on the bus and We purchased a Lancashire Duo ticket for £8. to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the interchange onto Great Moor Street past and we ran North up the A575 and we turned left into Deansgate. We turned right into Bridge Street and we ran out of town over the ring road. We continued North onto Blackburn Road and we went up to Astley Bridge. We ran Northwards up the A666 through Egerton. We ran Northwards into the More and we continued up towards Darwen. In the centre of town we ran forwards onto Market Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Transdev Blackburn 511 before it continued onto Blackburn.

Transdev Blackburn 511 in Darwen

Once of the bus Matthew spotted a cafe and that there was a toilet in the back. We went into the cafe and we disappeared through the back and along a long corridor to a toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walked back along the corridor and we nearly made a wrong turn and ended up in a butchers shop next door, We returned to the cafe and Matthew had a a piece of millionaires shortbread washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we went outside and we saw Transdev Blackburn 502 on a #1 to Blackburn.

Transdev Blackburn 502 in Darwen

We went in the shop next door and we brought a couple of cans and some chocolate bars. We paid for the goods and we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave. We set off along Market Street and we turned left onto Croft Street. We turned right into Parliament street and we waited at the bus stop for a bus back to Bolton. Whilst we waited Matthew had a can of Fanta and a small Curly Wurly. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was Transdev Blackburn 510 on a #1 to Bolton.

Transdev Blackburn 510 in Darwen

We got on the bus and we flashed the Lancashire Duo ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Parliament Street and we turned right onto Church Street and we turned left onto the Southbound A666. We ran Southwards out of town and we headed through the moors to the edge of Great Manchester. We continued into Egerton and we continued Southwards through Astley Bridge. We continued down Blackburn Road and we travelled the mile or so into the town centre. We ran down Bridge Street and we turned right into St George's Road. We turned left into Knowsely Street and we passed the Market Place Shopping Centre before going into the bus station via Deansgate and Moor Lane. Once back at the Interchange Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went outside to take a few bus pictures. We saw Rotala Diamond 33752 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 33752 in Bolton Interchange

We headed back into the bus station and we decided to wait for the next #501 to Farnworth. A short time later we saw required Rotala Diamond 33033 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 33033 in Bolton Interchange

We got onto the bus and we flashed the System One tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Newport Street. We crossed over the A579 and we continued Southwards along Thynne Street. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street and we continued onto Crescent Road. We turned right onto Green Lane and we turned right onto Bishops Road. We turned left onto Bradford Road and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Minerva Road and we ran forwards onto Redgate Way. We turned right onto Plodder Lane and we turned sharp left onto Highfield Road. We continued onto Harrowby Street and we turned left onto the Northbound A575. We turned right onto onto the Southbound AS6053 and we ran into the centre of Farnworth. We turned right into King Street and we stopped at the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 33033 as it headed back towards Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 33033 in Farnworth bus station

Once off the bus we had a quick walk around town. Matthew indicated he required the toilet so we turned right onto the A6053 and he spotted a bookies. After using the toilet we headed back towards the bus station, passing the former RBS branch on the corner. We walked to the bus station and we saw Tyrer's SJ54 GDE on a #513 to Bury.

Tyrer's SJ54 GDE in Farnworth bus station

We waited at the relevant bus stop in the bus station for the next bus back towards Bolton. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 69148 on a #501 to Johnson Fold.

Rotala Diamond 69148 in Farnworth bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the system One bus ticket to the driver for the final time today. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 69148 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Rotala Diamond 69148

The bus set off along King Street and we turned right onto Albert Road. We turned left onto Harrowby Street and we headed Westwards. At the roundabout we continued Eastwards onto Highfield Road. We continued Westards for around 10 stops before turned right onto Plodder lane. We headed Eastwards before turning left onto Redgate Way. We ran Northwards and we followed the road Eastwards and we ran forwards onto Minerva Road. We turned left onto Bradford Road and we headed Northwards. We turned right onto Green lane and we headed Eastwards. We turned left onto Crescent Road and we headed towards Bolton. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street. We continued Morthwards onto Thynne Street and we turnd left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street before entering the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a final walk around the bus station to take bus pictures. We saw Park's of Hamilton BF68 LBO on a #540 to Colne.

Park's of Hamilton BF68 LBO in Bolton Interchange

Once we had finished taking pictures we walked onto Newport Street and mum was waiting for us in the car near to the old entrance to the railway station. Mum was waiting with a sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off along Newport Street and we turned left onto the A579. We headed Eastwards out of town an we joined the Southbound A666. As we travelled Southwards we saw Tyrer's VDL coach and an unidentified Arriva NW&W Pulsar II running out of service. We merged onto the M61 and we joined the anti-clockwise M60. After a couple of junctions we joined the Westbound M62. Seen on the M62 were an unidentified grey Llew Jones coach, Selwyn's 299(#060), an unidentified Stanley Coaches coach and an unidentified silver minibus. We joined the M6 and we headed Southwards towards junction 15. Seen on the M6 was an unidentified Furlongs minibus. We joined the Southbound A519 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. We turned right onto the A34 and at the big roundabout in Trentham we turned left onto the A5035. We continued through Blurton and Dresden and we ran into Longton. We went to see what was at Z carz this evening. In the compound was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus LJ07 PXW parked up.

Z Carz LJ07 PXW in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Stanley Matthews Way and we turned left onto the A5035. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea we had bangers and mash and carrots followed by a cream filled sponge cake. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. Later on we went to take uncle Dave home and Matthew came with me. We set off onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran to the end. We turned right onto the Eastbound and we ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left into Grove Road and we dropped uncle Dave off at home. Having adjusted uncle Dave's calendar we set off back home. We ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto the Westbound A50. We came off at the next junction and we joined Stanley Matthews Way. We ran to the other end and we turned left onto the A5035. We got home around 22:45. We chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 01:00... Mark

Trip to Middleton / Oldham 05-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22183	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, before Moston Lane/Leighton Street	112	Stagecoach Manchester
512	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	118	JPT
454	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)‎	Middleton BS	156	JPT
22181	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	112	Stagecoach Manchester
62214	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Failsworth, opp Lord Lane/Wyndale Drive	52	First Manchester
10044	Failsworth, opp Lord Lane/Wyndale Drive	Oldham BS	76	Stagecoach Manchester
40416	Oldham BS	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop D)‎	415	First Manchester
17038	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)‎‎	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to go to Middleton. No research was done for this trip, other than to check the weather and make sure that we had all the relevant maps in the bag. The weather was predicted for dry, unseasonably warm with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30. We headed onto the A5035 and onto Stanley Matthews Way. We then went onto the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton to get LPG. Whilst we filled up we saw First Potteries 65705 on a #34 service. We got onto the Westbound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. Traffic on the M6 was better tan it had been in recent weeks and we made quite good time. Coaches that passed us were New adventure Travel YN13 GDE and Reptons REP 916. We then went Eastbound on the M62, and then Clockwise on the M60 until we reached the A576. We then did the last couple of miles into town up the A576 and parked up near MacDonalds. We walked through town and we spotted an inflatable slide in the distance we took a picture of. We ate at our usual spot in Middleton, The pavement cafe near the shopping centre. what we hadn't anticipated was Oktoberfest, which was in full swing by the time we arrived, between the cafe and the bus station! From the Middleton Town Centre Management site...

'We are planning an Oktoberfest themed event on 5th October 2013. This is the events first year and we hope you can come down to Middleton Town Centre and make this an event to remember...'

As we ate at our usual spot we had quite loud 70's music! Matthew had a sausage bap with some fries washed down with a can of coke. Whilst we ate we saw required stagecoach 17038 on the #112 as well as First Manchester Solo 40314 on the #415 service. When we had finished around 13:30 we walked to the bus station via the event portaloo toilets, which Matthew wanted to use. The band just started as we were leaving play a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze. We had a quick look around the bus station to see if there was anything interesting about. We didn't see anything spectacular about so we decided to have a ride on required Stagecoach Manchester 22183, which was on the #112 service.

Stagecoach Manchester 12183 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and booked our System One tickets and the bus was empty at the rear so Matthew took a picture of the inside too.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 12183

We decided to do this down to Moston, so we could see what w buses were out and about. we left town and went out to Middleton junction along Grimshaw Lane. We turned right onto Greengate where we saw JPT 151 & Stagecoach Manchester 17068 on Northbound #112's. When we got to Moston Lane we got off the bus to see if there was anything else interesting. We did have to wait long before we saw a JPT double decker coming towards us. As it got closer we saw it was required JPT 512 on a #118 to the North Manchester General Hospital.

JPT 512 in Moston

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off and we entered new territory for us when we turned left onto Charlestown Road. The bus passed an area called Boggart Hole Clough which looked an interesting place. The #118 seemed a frequent service as we passed JPT 154 & 511 coming the other way. As we traveled through the streets the bus emptied out so Matthew got a picture inside JPT 512.

Inside JPT 512

Eventually we reached the hospital and it seemed a reasonably quit place that was 'bus busy'. When we arrived we had pulled in behind First Manchester 59012 which was on a #154 service to Bury.

First Manchester 59012 outside the NMGH

We also got another picture of JPT 512 now it was parked up.

JPT 512 outside the NMGH

We decided to have a walk onto the main road and see what buses ran from those stops. On stop only had 2 buses that called there Monday to Friday only! The other stop didn't have a bus for a while and we had seen 3 JPT buses go into the hospital so we walked back to where we got off. At the hospital main stop we saw JPT 182 which was out of service.

JPT 182 outside the NMGH

Behind this was JPT Optare Excel 177, which was on the next #118 back out through Moston.

JPT 177 outside the NMGH

Behind this was JPT 454 on the #156 to Middleton.

JPT 454 outside the NMGH

Matthew decided to do JPT 454, so we got on and sat near the back. I looked up this bus and it turned out to be one of the 4 JPT buses we had been on prior to today! We had been on this bus only 28 days ago on the same service! The bus set off and we wound our way through the streets of Higher Blackley and onto Victoria Avenue. We passed the stop which we got on JPT 454 four weeks ago and then we carried on into Middleton. When we got there we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside JPT 454.

Inside JPT 454

When we got back to the bus station in Middleton there was another lull in the activity. Matthew went to the disabled toilet in the bus station and I attempted to use the gents (the gate had my 20p but wouldn't let me in!). I then had to use the Oktoberfest event toilets... We got back to the bus station and Matthew had a Crunchie and a bottle of Irn Bru. We the saw Stagecoach 22181 on the #112 and as it was required we decided to do that. We crossed over the crossing and got a picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 12181 in Middleton bus station

The bus was quit full and didn't empty much so he wasn't able to get a picture inside the bus. We went down to Moston again, as we crossed the roundabout by the Gardeners Arms, we saw Magicbus 16799 heading South East. We got off at Moston and crossed over the road. We saw Stagecoach 27598 approaching which we knew was dud so we turned it down. Behind it was a First Manchester bus, 62214 which we knew was definitely required so we decided to get on it. The bus was on a #52 to Failsworth which we had never been to before. We looked up where the service went on the map and we saw Failsworth was around 3 miles due South of Oldham. The bus went through Newton Heath, where we saw Magicbus 16799 parked up again. the bus then headed towards Failsworth we didn't know what the place was like and how busy it would be. When we turned onto a street with a few different services on the bus stop flags we decided to get off. As we went to get off we saw that the us had emptied and Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 62214

As the bus went off into the distance he got a picture of the outside of 62214 too.

First Manchester 62214 in Failsworth

As we guessed there were a coupe of service to Oldham from here from the same stop. We only had to wait foe 2-3 minutes when we saw a stagecoach double decker approaching. It turned out to be required Stagecoach Manchester 10044. We got on and went upstairs. The bus was nearly empty upstairs and after a few stops the other passenger left the bus and Matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 10044

We got off the bus and we waited for the bus to go onto its departure stand before we got a picture on the outside of the bus too.

Stagecoach Manchester 10044 in Oldham bus station

We went to the toilets and then we went see f there was anything interesting working. At stand B there were two darts on the #415. First Manchester 40406 was standing empty at the end and then First Manchester 40364 and went straight onto stand to pick up passengers.

First Manchester 40364 in Oldham bus station

Matthew turn down required 40364 as I think he fancied doing a double decker. First Manchester 40406 then went off empty. We saw First Manchester 40329 on a #406 to Chadderton, and we also saw First Manchester 40316 on a #402 Royton circular. We needed to head off back to Middleton soon and it was around 16:20. There was a #59 at 16:31 and a #415 at 16:39. we visited the shop in the bus station where Matthew brought a can of Coke and some chocolate. We sat down and Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru. The #415 came in and it was required First Manchester Wright bodied Dart 40416.

First Manchester 40416 in Oldham bus station

Matthew was still adamant we did a double decker. When the #59 arrived, it was an uninspiring Volvo so he changed his mind and decided to do 40416 instead! We got on the bus and it was quite full. We sat down near the back and the bus pulled off. As the bus headed South to Middleton Junction, the bus emptied out quite quickly and so he was able to get a picture of the inside of First Manchester 40416 just before we got off.

Inside First Manchester 40416

The just before the bus went under the the railway bridge we hit a bump in the road the rear suspension bottomed out with a very loud 'crack'. These well traveled and well loved Darts surely can't carry on for much longer in service... Rather than bounce our way through Alkrington Gardens over the speed bumps, We decided to get off at Middleton Junction and get a #112 into town. We got off and immediately behind us on a Southbound #112 was required 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 at Middleton Junction

Had we not been short of tie we may have done this. As it was we crossed over the road to wait for a Middleton bound #112. We had just seen JPT Optare Excel 174 going into Middleton. A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching, and finally we had caught up with required Stagecoach Manchester 17011.

Stagecoach Manchester 17038 at Middleton Junction

We got on and the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture downstairs.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17038

We went upstairs and it was empty too, so he got another picture of the upper saloon.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17038

The bus set off and turned onto Grimshaw Lane. A short while up the road we saw a bus at a stop with a van parked in front of it. It was the JPT service support vehicle attending the broken down JPT 182. We carried on into Middleton and we got off Stagecoach Manchester 17038. We had a quick walk around the bus station taking pictures. On layover was JPT Pointer Dart 151.

JPT 151 in Middleton bus station

We then walked back to the car via MacDonalds where Matthew used the toilet. back at the car Matthew had a sausage roll and a fudge cake which mum had brought whilst in town. He also had a MacDonalds chicken nugget meal. We set off out of Middleton and down the A576. We carried on a round the M60 clockwise and the onto the Westbound M56. We headed onto the M6 via the A556. On the M6 we saw a few coaches. We passed two coaches as we headed home, and decided to slow down and let the coaches pass us so Matthew could take pictures. The coaches were Bennetts S574 KJF.

Bennetts S574 KJF on the M6

This was followed closely behind by FR Willetts S33 PRW.

FR Willetts S33 PRW on the M6

When we reached the A500 the Bennett's coach came off the M6 with us and FR Willetts S33 PRW carried on South down the M6. We did the A500 down to the A50 and then into Longton so we could go passed the Z Carz garage. There were four vehicle there tonight. First there was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

At the rear of the land was ALZ 8539 which doesn't seem to have moved for around a week.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Then there was Z Carz newest recruit T2 DLT. It has no decals yet and a magnetic legal address so this may be a loan vehicle.

Z Carz T2 DLT in Longton

We carried on home down Longton Hall Road were we saw First Potteries 40018 heading into Longton on the #22. We also saw First Potteries 53209 on a #23A. We got home around 18:40 and as we parked up we saw JayJays Travel RX57 POV in the distance. We decided to walk up to and take a picture before we went into the house.

jayJays Travel RX57 POV in Blurton

We had bangers and mash with some slightly burnt carrot for a late tea, followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until he went to bed around 01:00...Mark

Trip to Rochdale 31-03-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40677	Rochdale BS	Littleborough, o/s 191 Todmorden Road/Ferrand Lodge	589	First West Yorkshire
40675	Littleborough, o/s 191 Todmorden Road/Ferrand Lodge	Rochdale BS	589	First West Yorkshire
40407	Rochdale BS	Kirkholt, nr Open Land Baldestone Road/Hill Top Drive	6	First Manchester
34295	Kirkholt, nr Open Land Baldestone Road/Hill Top Drive	Rochdale BS	6	First Manchester
511	Rochdale BS	Castleton, o/s Shops Manchester Road/Church Inn	17	JPT
37287	Castleton, opp Church Manchester Road/Church Inn	Rochdale, Drake Street/Fleece Street (NW-bound)	17	First Manchester

Today Matthew wanted to go to Rochdale. He chose this destination after last weeks trip to Bolton, pointing at the LED display of a bus that he had photographed last week. As usual a period of research was taken including asking a question on the Dennis Dart forum with regards to buses in Rochdale. With information gathered I also visited the Transport for Greater Manchester site to download timetables and maps to my phone. Also researched before we left was a place to eat. Mm found a cafe about a mile off route in Castleton called Mighty Bite. The weather was cool and cloudy, having just come out of a week of warm unseasonable weather. Today we set off around 12:20. We picked up mum's friend in Blurton and then we headed onto the A50. We headed north along the A500 and then North onto the M6. We took the motorway route via M62, M60, back onto the M62 after the ring road and then the A627(M). At the end of the road we turned left and headed into Castleton.The cafe wasn't hard to spot and after we had seen it we turned around and parked up. We ordered 2 breakfasts, a pastie and a drink and it came to £7.60. The breakfast was really nice and it set us up nicely for the day ahead. Before we left Matthew spotted a sink behind the counter, and so he insisted on photographing it! You can take the boy out of Stoke but you can't take Stoke out of the boy...We set off to Rochdale, and we parked in the town centre not far from the bus station around 14:30. We walked around the corner to the bus station and we walked up the outside taking pictures of the vehicles parked on these stands. You can get some nice pictures of buses from around these stands, but it became apparent that a lot of the interesting stuff goes from inside under the canopy. We carried on walking around the bus station and we noticed all the double deckers parked along the other side. As we walked around, 30806 arrived to join the other vehicles.

First Manchester 30806 arrives in Rochdale

We carried on walking around and the other interesting bus in this row we could photograph was 30803.

First Manchester 30803 in Rochdale

Whilst we were wondering what bus we could catch when an ALX200 Dart came into the bus station on a #589 which was 40677.

First West Yorshire 40677 arrives...

I had been told that these services were sometimes Darts and so I thought that this would be a good start to the afternoon. As it was a Halifax based bus and we had never been on any First West Yorkshire buses both the out and the back were certain to be required. Matthew was keen to do this move too and so we looked up and then waited at the relevant stand. Sure enough, just before 14:55 the bus came onto the stand. we brought our System One bus tickets which did prove a little tricky for a Halifax driver until he worked out how to do it. The journey Eastward out of town was swift. The bus emptied quickly and by the time we reached Littleborough most of the passengers from Rochdale had disembarked. We passed 66790 on the #590 service, and we had worked out that if we went just the other side of Littleborough that we would have an approx 15 minute wait. As we got off in the Gale area of town, Matthew got a better picture of this fine beast.

40677 in the Gale area of Rochdale...

With a bit of time to wait and with another bus towards Rochdale we decided to cross the road and sit on the grass until closer to the due time. The sun had now come out and it was nearly warm. We had seen that the other service the #457 was being worked by Mercs so we would be OK chilling on the grass and maybe we could even get a picture. The Merc sailed past which was if I recall correctly 60245. As we got closer to the time we crossed back over the road to wait for the #589. We could see in the distance that it was another ALX bus, and as it came closer we could see it was required 40675.

Return Power...First West Yorkshire 40675

We boarded the bus and sat near the back. It was another swift journey and bizarrely the bus also empty out as it headed into town. When we got back into the bus station Matthew took a picture of the empty ALX200 bus.

Inside 40675

As we were getting off I was sure I saw a NC double decker in the gloom of the middle stands. Matthew however spotted a Wright bodied Dart, and as it was on a #6 and I planned on covering this service I thought it was an excellent idea. No photographs of this from the bus station as we just leapt straight onto it. we set off and as we left Rochdale we passed another vehicle from this batch in the shape of 40411. The sun had gone in again and it was now quite grey overhead. As we went around the bus emptied out as you would expect. The bus didn't completely empty, but as this was a circular and there were few passengers on the bus I suggested that he took a picture of the inside of the bus at that point.

Inside First Manchester Dart 40407

We carried on a little further, and I saw a point on the route that was a nice open space so we decided to get off there. As we got off Matthew was able to get a good picture of the bus.

40407 on Balderstone Road Kirkholt

With a 10 minute frequency we knew there would be a bus quite soon, the 10 minutes passed quickly and we were both surprised and pleased to see a NC double decker coming towards us down the bank. As we had only ever been on Bury based examples of these it was bound to be required and we weren't disappointed. 34295 rolled down the back towards before coming to a stop where Matthew got his picture.

Nice surprise! First Manchester 34295

Apart from a couple of people at the front of the bus, the top deck was empty and so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the top deck.

Inside 34295

The journey back was quite bouncy as we returned through an estate with plenty of potholes and speed humps. We passed 40426 on another #6 circular as we headed back into town. When we got back we wondered if we could get one of the 2 NC double decker we had seen on the #17 operated by JPT and First Manchester. The First buses were low floor with some of the buses been hybrid's too. Whilst we waited for a JPT bus. Matthew got a bit hyper running up and down from stand to stand in the middle section of the bus station. We had to sit him down for a bit and we had a quick drink whilst he calmed a little. Then a JPT NC double decker bus appeared and it was JPT 511. We had to wait a few minutes before it cam on stand as it appeared to have been blocked out by on of the competing First Manchester buses. After a lap of the bus station and a bit of horn honking 511 eventually pulled up on stand C. We got on and went upstairs where Matthew got a shot of the then empty top deck.

Inside JPT 511

We did the bus to castle as we had seen them here earlier in the day and we knew the route and layout of this area of town. Just after the Co-op store we got off and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

JPT 511 in Castleton

It had now gone 17:00 and we knew that the next bus would be the last ride of the day. We had passed a JPT single decker before we got to Castle ton and so we knew the next bus was most likely to be First Manchester example. With both hybids and buses in the new First livery seen working this service, we saw that our bus was in standard livery. Having only been on Bury examples of these we knew it would also be required. It came closer and matthew got a picture of required 37287.

First Manchester 37287 in Castleton

As the route of the bus was going slightly closer to the car than the bus station was to the car, we decided to get off at the bottom of the hill as we got to the centre of the town. As we walked back to the car an interesting coach came to a stop across the road and Matthew got a picture of this coach.

Interesting sighting...Healings G25 WNF in Rochdale

We had a quick toilet stop before we set off home around 17:40. The sun had forced it's way out again and we had a very pleasant journey home. We saw the Almin Travel garage through the trees as we passed the Heywood area on the M62 and then we returned back via the same route as we had come. On the A500 we stopped for LPG in Longport an surprisingly the forecourt was empty. The panic buying of fuel must have slowed for the time being. Having dropped off mum's friend again, we got home a little after 19:00...Mark.