Trip to Crystal Peaks / Sheffield 18-02-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33863	Crystal Peaks BS	Sheffield Interchange	120	First South Yorkshire
63001	Sheffield Interchange	Intake, Mansfield Road	73	First South Yorkshire
12162	Intake, Newlands Drive	Broomhall, Manchester Road	120	Stagecoach Yorkshire
37529	Broomhall, Turner's Lane	Sheffield, Arundel Gate	52A	First South Yorkshire
12176	Sheffield Interchange	Manor Top, Hurlfield Road	120	Stagecoach Yorkshire
33859	Manor Top, Hurlfield Road	Crystal Peaks BS	120	First South Yorkshire

Today we decided to revisit Crystal Peaks. Matthew had originally chosent to go to Bury, but we though we were going to have to pick somebody up from South Yorkshire. By Friday we knew that we didn't need to go in theat direction, but Matthew wanted to go to Crystal Peaks anyway. Research consisted for looking for somewhere to eat and checking the weather which was for mainly dry with a chance of light rain. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Uncle Dave made his was up to the house on foot so that we didn't have to pick him up. We set off just before 12:00 and we ran through Blurton onto the A5035, We headed into Dresden and we saw grey minibus DN72 NHE. We ran to the edge of Longton and we turned right onto the Eastbound A50. As we travelled Eastwards we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 246, AJS AJ54 BUZ and Midland Classic 75. We ran the 40 or so miles to the Motorway and we joined the Northbound M1. Seen on the M1 were Johnson Bros Tours YN04 UJG, Travelstar European Ltd (NX) 1417 on a #133 to Birmingham and Acklams E14 ACK. We came off the M1 at junction 31 and we joined the Westbound A57. We turned left onto the A618 and we headed Southwards. We ran through Norwood and we turned right onto the B6058. We turned right onto the B6053 and we ran past the the Halfway bus and tram terminus. We crossed the first roundabout by the entrance to Crystal Peaks and we turned right into Sevenairs Road. We turned into the car park where they are building a new Burger King and we parked up. We went into the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. It was very busy, but we had some luck and we found a table for 4. Matthew had a burger and chicken with chips, washed down with a glass of Coke.When we had finished we went back to the car to get the bag. We said goodbye to mum and we set off on foot to Crystal Peaks bus station. We crossed over the road and we saw Stagecoach Yorkshire 36459 on a #80 to Sheffield.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 36459 in Crystal Peaks

We walked along the path to meet up with the Waterhorpe Greenway. We turned left onto Peaks Mount and we enetered the bus station. We saw TM Travel 1210 on layover.

TM Travel 1210 in Crystal Peaks bus station

There were a few buses in the bus station. I asked which on Matthew wanted to do and he chose the First double decker. We saw it was First South Yorkshire 33863 on a #120 to Fulwood.

First South Yorkshire 33863 in Crystal Peaks bus station

We got on the bus and we booked South Yorkshire Conncet tickets at £7.40 each before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Peaks Mount. We turned right onto Ochre Dyke Lane and we headed Westwards. We turned right onto Moss Way and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto Birley Spa Lane and we ran to the end before turning right onto Occupation Lane. We turned right onto the A6135 and we headed North Westwards. We ran through Fecheville and Intake and at Manor top we turned left onto Hurlfield Road and left onto Ridgeway Road before re-joining the A6135. We ran down the hill through Deep Pit shring the space with the tram lines. The tram lines veered off to the left and we continued along the A6135 before running forwards onto the B6070. We ran crossed over the railway line and as we approached the city centre we saw Grayscroft TJI 1679 going Northwards. We ran onto the Park Square roundabout and under the tram line. We turned left onto the A61 and past Sheffield Midland railway station. We turned right onto Hamrmer Lane and right onto Pond Street where we got up and got off the bus bus the interchange. Once of the bus Matthew took another picture of First South Yorkshire 33863 as it continued towards Fulwood.

First South Yorkshire 33863 in Sheffield Interchange

Before we crossed the road we saw First South Yorkshire 69522 on a #8 to Ecclesfield.

First South Yorkshire 69522 in Sheffield Interchange

We crossed the road and we headed into the interchange. Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we walked around onto Harmer Lane. We saw First South Yorkshire 37487 on a X5 to Dinnington.

First South Yorkshire 37487 in Sheffield Interchange

We walked back into the interchange and we saw a bus on stand. As we got closer we saw it was First South Yorkshire 63001 on a #73 to Rotherham.

First South Yorkshire 63001 in Sheffield Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the South Yorkshire Connect day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the interchange onto Harmer Street and we turned left onto the Southbound A61. We ran past the railway station and we veered left onto Suffolk Road. We turned left onto the A6135 and we headed Eastwards. We followed the road to the right and we ran through Deep Pit and we ran up the hill to Manor Top. We continued through Intake and veered left onto Woodhouse Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First South Yorkshire 63001 as it continued towards Rotherham.

First South Yorkshire 63001 in Intake

We walked along Woodhouse Road and we crossed over the A6135. We waited for a bus towards Broomhill. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. It was Stagecoach Yorkshire 12162 on a #120 to Ranmoor.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 12162 in Intake

WE got on the bus and we flashed the South Yorkshire Connect tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We ran out of Intake and at Manor top we turned left onto Hurlfield Road and right onto Ridgeway Road before re-joining the A6135. We ran down the hill through Deep Pit shring the space with the tram lines. The tram lines veered off to the left and we continued along the A6135 before running forwards onto the B6070. We ran crossed over the railway line and as we approached the city centre we saw Grayscroft TJI 1679 going Northwards. We ran onto the Park Square roundabout and under the tram line. We turned left onto the A61 and past Sheffield Midland railway station. We turned right onto Hamrmer Lane and right onto Pond Street where the bus stopped for a short while. We continued forwards onto Flat Street and we turned left onto High Street and we ran around Castle Square. We went forwards onto Church Street and continued onto West Street. We ran forwards onto Glossop Road and we crossed over the ring road. We continued for a further before we joined the A57. We veered left onto Fulwood Road and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Yorkshire 12162 as it continued towards Ransmoor.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 12162 in Broomhall

Once off the bus we walked along Fulwood Road and onto the A57. We walked to the corner of Glossop Road and we went into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed Eastwards along the A57. On the way to the bus stop we saw First South Yorkshire 35133 on a #51 to Lodge Moor.

First South Yorkshire 35133 in Broomhall

As we got to the corner of Crookes Road we saw a double decker waiting for the lights. We trotted alng the road and a minute or so later the bus came around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First South Yorkshire 37529 on a #52A to Woodhouse.

First South Yorkshire 37529 in Broomhall

We got on the bus and we flashed the South Yorkshire Connect tickets to the driver before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off along the A57 and we ran Eastwards towards the edge of town. We turned right onto Clarkson Street and left onto Durham Road. We ran forwards onto Glossop Road and we crossed over the A61. We turned right onto Carver Street and left onto Division Street. We turned left onto Rockingham Street and left onto Charter Row. We ran past the former Debbenhams store running forwards onto Furnival Gate. We turned left onto Arundel Gate and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First South Yorkshire 37529 as it continued towards Woodhouse.

First South Yorkshire 37529 in Sheffield

Once off the bus we set off on foot towards the interchange. We crossed over Arundel Gate and we went down Charles Steet past The Red Lion pub. We continued past The Hub which is a collection of 4 stainless steel clad buildings that look like curling stones. We turned left onto Paternoster Row and we walked forwards onto Pond Street and we arrived at the entrance of the Interchange where we saw First South Yorkshire 37430 on a #208 to Whiston.

First South Yorkshire 37430 in Sheffield Interchange

We walked into the Interchange and we looked for a bus back towards Crystal Peaks. There was a Stagecoach operated #120 to Halfway due in 5 minutes. It came on stand and it was Stagecoach Yorkshire 12162 which we had been on earlier so we turned it down. The was a First operated #120 due next, but this must have been a few minutes late. As the next bus to appear was a stagecoach bus. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Yorkshire 12176 on a #120 to Halfway.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 12176 in Sheffield Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the South Yorkshire Connect day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the interchange onto Harmer Street and we turned left onto the Southbound A61. We ran past the railway station and we veered left onto Suffolk Road. We turned left onto the A6135 and almost imediately turned left onto the B6071. We crossed over the Southern throat of Sheffield Midlands railway station and we ran up the hill. We veered right onto Talbot Road and we turned right onto City Road. We ran through Deep Pit and to the top of the hill at Manor Top. We crossed over the roundabout and we continued along the road for another 2 stops where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Yorkshire 12176 as it continued towards Halfway.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 12176 in Manor Top

We looked down the road and right behind us was the late running First service. As it got closer we saw it was First South Yorkshire 33859 on a #120 to Crystal Peaks.

First South Yorkshire 33859 in Manor Top

We got on the bus and we flashed the South Yorkshire Connect day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along the A6135 through Intake and Frechville. We turned left onto Occupation Lane and left onto Birley Spa Lane. We turned right onto Moss Way and left onto Ochre Dike Lane. We turned left Peaks Mount and we turned right into Crystal Peaks bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First South Yorkshire 33859 before it returned to Fulwood.

First South Yorkshire 33859 in Crystal Peaks bus station

We headed towards the car park. On the way we saw Stagecoach Yorkshire 12100 on layover in Crystal Peaks bus station.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 12100 in Crystal Peaks bus station

We walked through the blue car park and around to the red car park where we met up with mum. We drove around to Sainsbury's and Matthew visit the toilet. Afterwards we brought a can of Coke and returned to the car. Matthew had a acn of Irn Bru and we headed to a nearby chip shop where mum had ordered some food. We set off out of the car park and we turned Left onto Eckington Way. We ran Northwards to the A57 and we turned right. We turned left onto Bieghton Road and we ran into Woodhouse. We turned right onto the B6064 and we parked up whilst I went into the chip c=shop to get the food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. We set off along the B60664 and we ran past Woodhouse railway station. We turned right onto the B6200 and we headed Southwards to re-joined the A57. Mum was driving and we wanted to swap over for the rest of the journey. We we found a parking spot on the A57 just before the motorway and we swapped drivers. We continued Eastwards along the A57 and at the roundabout we joined the Southbound M1. Travelling back down the M1 we saw an unidentified Gee-Vee Travel coach, an unidentified Tetley's coach, Go North East 7136(#426) and an unidentified coach with an Army recruitment advert. We continued down to Junction 24A before joining the Westbound A50. On the A50 we saw blue minibus VK68 ZJE and Swans Travel YT71 GJG. We continued through Meir and Longton an we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road and left onto Grove Road. We continued onto Whieldon Road and we dropped off uncle Dave. Matthew went in as he was desperate for the toilet. He also updated uncle Dave's calendar with the details of today's trip. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Leigh 02-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
69522	Leigh BS	Hag Fold, o/s House 334 Newbrook Road/Broadway	582	First Manchester
69523	Hag Fold, opp House 286 Newbrook Road/Bolton Boundary	Leigh BS	582	First Manchester
31947	Leigh BS	Daubhill, nr House 462 St Helens Road/Blethyn Street	582	First Manchester
69531	Daubhill, nr House 443 St Helens Road/Blethyn Close	Leigh BS	582	First Manchester
2708	Leigh BS	Lane Head, Newton Road/Sandup Farm (SW-bound)	34	Arriva NW&W
7644	Lane Head, o/s House 518 Newton Road/Sandup Farm	Leigh BS	34	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Leigh. We hadn't been here for a while and certainly not since Stagecoach had taken over the First Wigan operation last December. Research for this trip consisted of a quick viewing of the Wigan South, Bolton and Salford bus maps to look at services in the area. The weather was forecast as cloudy and 8' C. Matthew got up a little after 10:00 today and had crumpets and orange juice today. We set off a little after 12:00 and we headed straight for the A500 and onto the M6. Just on the M6 we passed Copeland's tours MIB 246 heading South. We also overtook a Leyland Titan on the M6 near Thellwall. We came off the M6 one junction North of the m62 and did the A572 into Leigh town centre. As we approached the town we passed an Arriva Volvo B10BLE 2711 on a St Helens bound #34 service. We also saw South Lancs Travel R104 GNW arrive on a service #581. We parked up by the Spinning Jenny shopping centre and walked around it into the bus station. We decided to eat first, but we were distracted by the sight of First Manchester 31947 on a #582 Bolton service. Matthew got a picture before we went to the outdoor cafe.

First Manchester 31947 in Leigh bus station

We sat down and had some food and then he went the toilet. We decided to go after 31947 as we didn't even know they still had Dennis Arrows in the First Manchester fleet. We had noted it was on the #582 and so we found it went from stand A n the bus station. There was a large crowd there and we saw 2 buses arrive at once. On emptied out and then went off stand. This was followed by First Manchester 69527 which emptied out and then went on stand. Another bus arrived behind this, emptied and left the stand. The number of people on stand a for the bus was quite large and 69527 was soon full. We decided not to do this bus but to wait for the next one. After it departed we didn't have to wait very long before required First Manchester 69522 reappeared on stand. There were only a few people on this bus. We got on and booked System One tickets for our journey. Matthew took a picture of the rear of this bus before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 69522

We sat down near the rear and consulted the map. We decided to go around half way to Bolton as we did not know how long it would be before 31947 returned if indeed it did at all. We decided that we would go just passed Atherton and then get off somewhere we thought we didn't have to walk far to the stop opposite. We went past the railway station and we decided to get off a couple of stops further on. We spotted to stops close to each other on a corner and so we rung the bell and got up. When we got off Matthew got a picture of our bus up 69522.

First Manchester 69522 in Hag Fold

We crossed the road and went to the stop opposite. According to information on the stop the service was only every 20 minutes at this point. Did some #582's only run between Leigh and Atherton...? Had we missed 31947 if it had done a short and had gone back down the high street out of sight? Had it just worked back to Bolton and gone back onto the garage? We saw another bus approaching that was on the timetable and that was South Lancs Travel 58 on a #581 to Leigh. Matthew got a picture of it as it whizzed past.

South Lancs Travel 58 in Hag Fold

According to the timetable the next bus was at 14:31. A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. It was required First Manchester 69523.

First Manchester 69523 in Hag Fold

We got on and sat down near the front as the bus was quite full again. A few people got off in Atherton and so we went to the back to sit together away from those flip down seats! When we got back the bus emptied out and Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside First Manchester 69523

At this point we didn't know what we were going to do. We thought we would see what came in next. South Lancs Travel 79 arrived in on a #126 from the Trafford Centre and we thought we may do this if nothing better turns up before it is due off.

South Lancs Travel 79 in Leigh bus station

A few minutes later 31947 reappeared. It went off empty but it only went to park up for a short while.

First Manchester 31947 in Leigh bus station

I asked the driver when he was due off and he said 10 minutes. In the mean time Matthew had a Milky Way, and then we saw Arriva NW&W 2254 arrive on the #34. It parked up for a short while, and when it went on stand we went to take a picture.

Arriva NW&W 2254 in Leigh bus station

At the same time 31947 was moving onto stand and so we went up to get on it. We got on and went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside First Manchester 31947

We decided to do this bus a bit further than we had done 69522 out before. We went through Atherton and headed North towards Bolton. We crossed over the M61 and then went through Four Lanes end we decided to go a couple of stops further and then get off, and this happened to be in a place called Daubhill. We got off 31947 and crossed over the road and went into a Premier shop. We bought a can of coke and a Galaxy Caramel bar. The shop didn't sell lottery tickets though. We went to the stop outside and waited for the next bus. It just happened to be another #582 and it was required First Manchester 69531.

First Manchester 69531 in Daubhill

We got on this bus and sat near the back. One again the bus emptied a little when we went through Atheron and then we all sat together. We called mum to say we would probably do another 2 buses and to tell her we hadn't got lottery tickets. She was going to meet us at stand a so she could have the fast pay cards and then we would do another couple of buses. Just before we got back in the bus station we saw our first ever Network Warrington double decker 155 on a #19 service. When we got back into the bus station and matthew photographed the empty First Manchester 69531.

Inside First Manchester 69531

We met up with mum who said to us "you do know where the lottery place here is..?" didn't and it turned out to be right around the corner by stand a in the bus. We got lottery and a couple of Milky Ways. I said to Matthew we would check out the next Arriva bus and there was an Arriva driver by the lottery stand so we knew there was one in! He went to the toilet and then we went to se what was on the #34. It was required Volvo B10BLE 2708 so we went to to do this.

Arriva NW&W 2708 in Leigh bus station

There were few people on this bus, so Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus near the rear.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2708

We sat down near the rear to enjoy the ride on this fine bus. We decided to do it to the edge of Manchester catching another #34 back. As we headed out of town we passed 2715 We headed out through to village of Lowton, across the A580 and when we saw the M6 in the distance we stood up to get off. once off Matthew got another picture much to the amusement of the driver who gave him a wave as he took it.

Arriva NW&W 2708 in Lane Head

I could see a bus in the distance and so we crossed the road quickly. We left uncle Dave on the other side of the road. He eventually caught us up and then we saw the in the distance. it was a Marshall bodied Dart. It was Arriva 7644 and the first un-required bus of the day.

Arriva NW&W 7644 in Lane Head

done it out of Northwich on a #37. The bus was empty apart from one man. We got on and sat down near the back. A few people got on as we headed back through Lowton, but not many. Before long we were back in the bus station. When the bus emptied out he got his empty bus picture in Arriva NW&W 7644.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7644

We met up with mum and walked back to the car. Waiting for us were some Greggs sausage rolls and matthew had a large can of dandelion and burdock. We set off back down the Lowton Road and we passed 2703, another Volvo B10BLE bound for Leigh. I decided to carry on down the A572 to Newton and then drive down the A49 to Winwick. At Newton we passed Hattons W146 WGT on a #141 service. Biggest surprise was passing Arriva NW&W Solo 710 o a #360 Warrngton - Wigan service. Apparently St Helens have taken over the running of this service recently. We then carried on along the A49 onto the M6 one junction North of the M62. We carried on down the M6 and onto the A500. At Sideway we joined the A50 and we came off at Longton to view the Z Carz depot. First in the row was Z carz V690 EBC.

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

Also present were Iveco HX51 HRU, LDV minibuses M420 UEH and W591 YBN and Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX and Renault X848 JFR. We carried on down Longton Hall Road and got home around 18:10 just as it was going dark. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash and then cheesecake for afters. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime...Mark