Trip to Macclesfield / Congleton 12-02-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3161	Macclesfield BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
2933	Congleton BS	Macclesfield BS	38	Arriva NW&W
709	Macclesfield BS	Bollington, High Street	10	Arriva NW&W
707	Bollington, High Street	Macclesfield BS	10	Arriva NW&W
3160	Macclesfield BS	Haslington Oakland Avenue	38	Arriva NW&W
3161	Haslington Oakland Avenue	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Macclesfield. We decided to re-visit Widnes. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to Widnes he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was D&G Bus 115 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G 115 in Fenton

Matthew got his face mask and bag and got ready to go. We came around 11:30 and we saw white minibus MT08 LVX.

MT08 LVX in Fenton

Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had no batteries so we returned to the residential unit to pick them up. We set off onto Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir. We came off the A50 and we turned left at roundabout onto the Northbound A520. We ran through Weston Coyney and we continued up to Cellarhead. We crossed over the A52 and we continued North through Wetley Rocks. We stopped at Truckers Tucker for dinner. Matthew had a breakfast box with toast and oatcakes washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we continued Northwards up the A520 through Cheddleton and Leekbrook and under the railway line up to Ipstones. We ran up the hill and towards Leek town centre. We travelled 'straight outta Compton' and across the traffic lights into St Edwards Street and we turned left onto the A523. We ran down the hill past Sainsburys and then up the hill towards Rudyard lake and through Rushton Spencer. We continued through Bosley over the A54 and into Macclesfield. We passed the Moss Rose football stadium and we ran into town. We joined the A536 and we made a wrong turning into Park Lane. We did a u-turn and we ran down to Sutherland Street. We ran past the railway station and then we turned right under the railway. We turned left onto the A523 and we turned left onto the A536 at the next junction. We turned left onto Jordangate. We ran down towards the town hall where we parked up. We said goodbye to mum and we set off towards the town hall. We walked down Church Street and then back up the hill along Queen Victoria Street. When we got to the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 4708 on a #3 to Weston. A few minutes later the bus to Congleton arrive. It was Arriva NW&W 3161. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran through town onto the A536. We ran out of town through Warren in Rode Heath. We ran to the edge of town and we turned left onto the A54. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked down onto Market Street and we turned right onto Bridge Street past of the old RBS bank a new use. We continued along Bridge Street and we visited WH Smith. We brought a couple of bottle of soft drinks and 3 chocolate bars. We walked onto Walked Street and Matthew visited the toilet at the top end of the bus station. We returned to the bus stop and Matthew ate a Bounty. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As expected it was Arriva NW&W 2933 on a #38 to Crewe. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we sat down. the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned right onto the A34. We ran North through Lower Heath. We turned right onto the A538. We ran Northwards up to Eaton. We ran north through Rodeheath and Highlane up towards Gawsworth past the A 2 B Taxis. We continued along A536 and we ran into Sutherland Street. We turned left into Waters Green where we saw Andrews PJ03 TFF. We into Queen Victoria Street. When we got to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards, we had a look around to see what we could catch next. we spotted Arriva NW&W 709 on a #10 to Bollington. We got on the bus and we booked the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and across Mill Street onto Roe Street. We turned right onto Chuchill Way and we turned right onto the A537. We turned left onto the A538 and we ran north through Tytherington. We turned right onto Brocklehurst Way and we turned left onto Tytherington Drive. We turned left onto Marlborough Drive and we turned right onto the A538. We turned right onto Tytherington Lane and we continued onto Bollington Road and we ran forwards onto Henshall Road. We went over Wellington Road and we ran into Bollington along Palmerston Street we got up and we got off. Once off the bus we walked up to Palmerston Street onto Wellington Road and we went to The Little Dessert Shop. For afters Matthew had a red velvet cheesecake with custard. when we had finished we walked along Wellington Road onto Palmerston Street. We waited at the bus stop for a bus to Macclesfield. A short time later we saw a bus turned the corner. When it got closer we saw it was Go-Goodwin 1949 on a #392 to Macclesfield. Right behind this was the #10 service. It was dud Arriva NW&W 707. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Palmerston Street and we continued onto Wellington Road. We continued onto Henshall Road and we ran forwards onto Bollington Road and we continued onto Tytherington Lane. We carried on up A538 and we ran north through Tytherington. We turned left onto Marlborough Drive and we turned right onto Tytherington Drive. We turned right onto Brocklehurst Way and we turned left onto the A538. We turned right onto the A537 and we turned left onto Churchill Way. We turned left onto the A536 and we ran into Sunderland Street where we saw MP Travel ME10 BUS. We turned left onto Queen Victoria and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we waited at the north end of the bus station watching buses come into the bus station whilst we decided what to catch next. We saw required High Peak Solo 281 on a #60 to Hayfield. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 3160 on a #38 to Crewe. We got on the bus and we booked the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran through town onto the A536. We ran out of town through Warren in Rode Heath. We ran to the edge of town and we turned left onto the A54 and we entered the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned left onto Mill Street and we climbed the hill, turning right onto West Street. At the roundabout we went straight onto the A34 and at the following junction we went straight ahead onto the A534. We went out of town through West Heath and then out into open countryside. We crossed the A50 at the Arclid crossroads and we passed a large lake. It was now bright sunshine as we crossed the M6, where we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach going North. On the west side of the m6 we left the A534 and turned right onto Congleton Road and we ran into Sandbach Common. After a brief stop we continued on our journey. After a brief stop we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and waited at the bus stop for the next bus back to Congleton. A few minutes later it appeared and it was Arriva NW&W 3161 on a #38 to Congleton. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Crewe Road and Winterley and further North through Wheelock Heath. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock. We ran over the canal and into Sandbach town center past Sandbach School. When we got to the Common onto Congleton Road. We joined the A534 and past the site of the new development by the M6. We continued along the A534 and we crossed over the M6 and into open countryside. We carried on through open countryside and we crossed over the Arclid crossroads. On the edge of Congleton we joined the A34 and we ran East along the road for a short while before going onto West Street. We entered town along Antrobus Street, Mill Street and Mountbatten Way. We turned right into Market Street, past the Bear Grills cafe and into the bus station. We got off. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2933 as expected. We went into Morrisons where Matthew used the toilet. Once we came out we spotted mum in the car park and we headed over to her. At the car Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park onto Market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned right onto the A34. We stopped at the chip shop and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. We sat in the car and ate the food before re-joining the A34 and through Talke down to the A500. At Talke we got onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Longtport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road. We dropped uncle Dave off and we continued up Whieldon Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went to his room to chill out and use his computer. later on he had a slice of Millionaire's Shortbread. Matthew looked at buses on the Internet and watched the television. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Accrington 21-09-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
707	Accrington BS	Accrington, opp Victoria Hospital	231	Transdev Lancashire United
X374 NNO	Accrington, opp Victoria Hospital	Great Harwood, by Towngate	20A	Pilkington Bus
G306 UYK	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	Accrington BS	21	Pilkington Bus
N652 VSS	Accrington, Bridge Street	Accrington, opp Victoria Hospital	9	M&M Coaches
N230 TPK	Accrington, o/s Victoria Hospital	Accrington BS	20	Pilkington Bus
L339 FWO	Accington BS	Forts Arms, adj Sparth Road	1	M&M Coaches
L339 FWO	Forts Arms, adj Sparth Road	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
G306 UYK	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Town Hall‎	21	Pilkington Bus
VU52 UEJ	Oswaldtwistle, opp Rhyddings Street‎	Accrington BS	20A	Pilkington Bus

Today we decided to re-visit Accrington. No research was done, we didn't even check the weather! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Today we set off around 11:20 as wanted to get home a little earlier. We went ont the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews Way. We went onto the westbound A50 and onto the Northbound A500. We came off at Shelton to get LPG and we saw 65730 on a #34 service. We got onto the Westbound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. On the M6 we saw a couple of coaches. First we were passed by National Express 138 (NFZ 9138) on a #921 to Belfast, and then we were passed by Motts MT11 MTT on the Oxford City team coach on it's way to Vauxhall on the Wirral. We carried onto the the M62 and then onto the clockwise M60. Around the A56 junction we passed First West Yorkshire 66762 running out of service. We then headed North on the M66 and onto the A56. We drove the last few miles into town along the A680 and then we parked up just off the Blackburn Road just after 13:15. We set off walking to the bus stop cafe on Peel Street. On the way we saw Pilkington Bus R846 VEC on the #20 Hyndburn circular service.

Pilkington Bus R846 VEC in Accrington

We carried on to the cafe, On Peel Street we saw M&M Coaches N652 VSS on a local service.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Accrington bus station

We stopped at the toilet on the way to the cafe. Whilst we were on the wrong side of the road we saw M&M Coaches L339 FWO on the #1 to Clayton-le-Moors.

M&M Coaches L339 FWO in Accrington bus station

We crossed back over to get something to eat. In the cafe Matthew had a small breakfast followed by a slice of jam roll in custard. When we had finished eating we came out of the cafe to see required Pilkington Bus G306 UYK going towards Oswaldtwistle. It must have been running a little late because it carried straight on at the end of Peel Street instead of waiting. We decided to have a walk up to Bridge Street to see what other M&M coaches buses were out. On Bridge Street we saw 2 buses. Dud N202 LPN was on the #46 to Blackburn.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Peel Street Accrington

Required M&M Coaches N652 VSS was just departing on the #9 Laneside circular.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Peel Street Accrington

We decided to go back towards the stop by the toilet to see if we could catch up with M&M coaches L339 FWO. At the stop was required Transdev Lancashire United 707 on the #231 to Clitheroe.

Transdev Lancashire United 707 in Accrington bus station

We crossed over and Matthew decided he wanted to catch this bus. We got on and sat down. After making inquires with the driver we realised we could do this out to the Victoria Hospital and still be able to cover the Hyndburn circulars and get back for the required M&M Coaches buses. As we waited to depart we saw dud X374 NNO on the following Hyndburn circular. We sat down with Matthew and the bus set off. The bus didn't take long to get to the hospital. We got off and Matthew got a picture of this fine example of a MPD Dart.

Transdev Lancashire United 707 in Whalley Road Accrington

We waited at the stop for the next Hyndburn circular. Going the other way we saw Pilkington Bus N230 TPK. We Also saw Required M&M Coaches N652 VSS returning from the #9 Laneside circular. The plan was to do X374 NNO to Great Harwood and hopefully get G306 UYK back. There were a few people around. We guessed that Accrington Stanley were at home and we must be fairly near to the ground. What we didn't realised until now is that it was a local derby against Rochdale! Just after 14:07 we saw the bus coming up Whalley Road and as expected it was dud Pilkington Bus N374 NNO.

Pilkington Bus X374 NNO in Whalley Road Accrington

We booked a Pilkington Bus day ticket and went upstairs. We carried on towards Clayton-le-Moors and we passed Accrington Stanley where crowds were starting to amass. We also passed required R846 VEC which Matthew had photographed earlier. We didn't have the timetable n us today so we were winging it as such. We got to Great Harwood and thankfully we hadn't passed anything. We got off and we both took pictures of Pilkington Bus X374 NNO.

Pilkington Bus X374 NNO in Great Harwood

We looked to the timetable on the stop to see when the bus was due. It should have been there 2 or 3 minutes ago! We didn't have to wait long before G306 UYK made an appearance. It came around the square and Matthew got a picture of this required Olympian.

Pilkington Bus G306 UYK in Great Harwood

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The top deck was empty and so he got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus G306 UYK

The bus returned back through Clayton-le-Moors, the roads were full of parked car of people attending the match. We passed the Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ which was on the Hyndburn circulars and we also saw the final turn which was required R845 VEC. We got back to Accrington around 14:45. We decided to get off and get a pictuure of g306 UYK from the opposite side of the road.

Pilkington Bus G306 UYK in Accrington bus station

We then decided to see if there was a bus abut to depart from bridge Street. Required N652 was at the stop and it was abut to do the #9 Laneside circular which was perfect timing! We got a picture and we crossed over to get on the bus.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Peel Street Accrington

We got on and booked to the Victoria hospital. As the rear of the bus was empty Matthew got a picture inside M&M Coaches N652 VSS.

Inside M&M Coaches N652 VSS

We sat down and the bus set off. The bus went through town and we climbed up the hill towards the Victoria Hospital. That was one required M&M Coaches out of the way, one left to go. We got off at the hospital and Matthew got another picture of the fine Mercedes beast.

M&M Coaches N652 VSS in Whalley Road Accrington

We crossed the road to wait for inbound service. We had about 10 minutes to wait. We guessed that the bus would be dud Pilkington Bus Dart N230 TPK. A few minutes late the bus turned up and it was as expected dud Pilkington Bus N230 TPK.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Whalley Road Accrington

We got on and sat down near the back. I was only a short journey and we were back in town in no time. The bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus N230 TPK

We also got another picture of the outside of this bus too.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Accrington bus station

We had just over 15 minutes to wait before required L339 FWO returned on the #1 to Clayton-le-Moors. Matthew went to the toilet an whilst he was in there the bus turned up. We had a few minutes and so we crossed over the road to get a picture of L339 FWO.

M&M Coaches L339 FWO in Accrington bus station

We got on and sat down. The driver informed us that this was probably going to be the last few days of service for L339 FWO and that it was due to go some time next week. When it was time the bus set off out of town and up to Whalley Road. The bus travelled int clayton-le-Moors and then turned left into Pickup Street. After going through the terrace street the bus returned onto the main road off Sparth Road. The bus then headed back into Accrington. When we got into town the bus emptied out and matthew got a picture inside the empty L339 FWO.

Inside M&M Coaches L339 FWO

He also got another picture of the outside of L339 FWO too.

M&M Coaches L339 FWO in Accrington bus station

We decided to have one more short out and back on Pilkington Bus before we went home. We had around 20 minutes before there were any buses due we decided to visit the newsagents. Matthew had a can of Coke and an orange carton, as well as a Milky Way and a slice of cake. Matthew ate the cake and drank the orange carton, putting the Coke and Milky Way away for later. It was at this point Matthew noticed his camera battery door was open slightly. I returned to the newsagent to see if they had any sellotape for sale but they didn't have any. After we had left the newsagent guy came out to ask how much we needed and he very kindly gave us a piece to hold his camera shut until we got back home. The next Oswaldtwistle bound #21 was G306 UYK so we decided to have another run on this bus. We got on and we down upstairs. Just after 16:00 the bus set off towards Oswalldtwistle. on the Blackburn Road we finally passed the 4th M&M Coaches turn and it was dud N213 UHH on the 2nd #46. At Church we turned int Oswaldtwistle and we got off by the town hall. We crossed over the road and we checked the stop. The bus wasn't due for nearly 20 minutes. We could see another stop nearby so we decided to walk to it. When we gt to that stop we saw the war memorial so we decided to sit there for a while and Matthew had his milky Way and a bottle of Irn Bru. Whilst there we saw and photographed Transdev Lancashire United 1824 on a #6A service.

Transdev Lancashire United 1824 in Oswaldtwistle

A few minutes before the bus back to Accrington was due we crossed over the road to the stop. We also saw Transdev Lancashire United 272 on a #7A to Blackburn. The bus turned up and predicted it was required Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ. We got on the bus and sat down. The bus returned down onto the Blackburn Road and then back into Accrington. When we got into town Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside this bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ

He also got a got a good picture of the outside of VU52 UEJ too.

Pilkington Bus VU52 UEJ in Accrington bus station

On the way back to the car we then saw Rossendale Easyride 105 in the new 'Rosso' livery on the #464 service and we got a picture.

'Rosso' 105 in Accrington bus station

We carried on past the market and onto the Blackburn Road where we met up with mum. We walked back to the car where there were sausage rolls waiting. Matthew washed this down with a drink of Irn Bru. he also had a cake which he decided to save for later. We set off through town following the directions for the M66. This took us a different way out of town along the A679 towards the A56. Until we got to the A56 we had considered turning back! Once on the A56 we headed South and continued onto the M66. We went past bury and then We did the M60 anti-clockwise and then onto the Westbound M62. We then turned onto the Southbound M6. When we reached junction 16 we turned onto the Southbound A500 where we passed a silver Arrowebrook minibus. We carried on south to the A50 and then into Longton to view the Z Carz Depot. First in the row was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Behind this was coach Scania D104 XAN with ALZ 8539 n the background.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next in the row was another Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

The we saw Volkswagon minibus OV05 WSW..

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Last in the row was newcomer S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row where the only bus was T408 JUX hiding behind some taxis. We returned home down Longton Hall Road and onto Blurton Road where we passed First Potteries 42726 on the #23. On Beaconsfield Drive we also passed First Potteries 53155. We got back home for 18:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots, for afters he had the cake he had earlier. He then chilled out on his computer until around 01:00 in the morning...Mark