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 Shelton / Leek 26-09-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67151	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Shelton, Cauldon College	23	First Potteries
118	Bucknall, Finney Gardens	Leek BS	16	D&G Bus
108	Leek BS	Macclesfield BS	109	D&G Bus
4404	Macclesfield BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4402	Congleton BS	Macclesfield BS	38	Arriva NW&W
2934	Macclesfield BS	Bollington, High Street	10	Arriva NW&W
2500	Bollington, High Street	Macclesfield BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out on the bus and The route of the new link road in Congleton. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Afford Rent-A-Car MK67 UEP.

Afford Rent-A-Car MK67 UEP in Fenton

Also seen was white minibus SE17 DTN going towards Hanley.

SE17 DTN in Fenton

For a late dinnnr we had a sausage sandwich. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we saw Afford rent-a-car KV19 NUK outside there yard.

Afford rent-a-car KV19 NUK in Fenton

We stood at the bus stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Shelton. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63097 on a #11 to Newcastle. A short time later we saw First Potteries 67151 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we flashed the First Network ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Street and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned right onto College Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we we walked down College Road and we went into Hanley Park and parked in the car park. We walked to the pavillion and we brought a chocolate tiffin and a bottle of Coke. Matthew ate his sausage bap a bottle of Coke. After we ate the food and we walked onto the canal. We ran through Bucknall. we waited for a bus towards Leek. A short time later we saw D&G 118 on a #16 to Leek. We got on the bus and we brought a day ticket before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off the A52. and up Ash Bank. We travelled through Warrington and up the Cellerhead where we turned left onto the A520. We ran through Wetley Roacks and Cheddleton and we climbed the hill into Leek town centre. We turned right outta Compton and then right again into the bus station. When we got off the Once we had finished eating we returned to the bus station where we saw D&G Bus 126. A short time later the bus appeared and it was D&G Bus 108 on the #109 to Macclesfield. We got on the bus and we brought a day ticket before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto the A523 and we continued onto the Southbound A53. We turned left into Compton. We turned right into Selborne Road we turned right into Junction Road. We turned left onto the A53 and right onto Wallbridge Drive. We turned left onto Wetenhall Drive left onto Westwood Park Drive. We turned right onto Westwood Park Avenue and we turned right onto Oakwood Road. We turned right onto Westwood Heath Road and we ran forwards onto Westwood Road. We ran forwards onto West Street and we ran forwards onto Church Street. We turned left onto the A523. We continued down the valet past Sainsbury's and we climbed out of Leek towards Poolend. We turned left onto Rudyard Road. We ran through Rudyard. We turned left onto Green Lane and we turned left onto the A523. We continued into Ruston Spencer before We crossed over the A54 at Bosley and we continued North into Macclesfield. In town we continued onto the A536 and we turned left onto Sunderland Street. We turned left onto Queen Victoria and we entered the bus station and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. In the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 703. A few minutes later the bus to Congleton arrive. It was Arriva NW&W 4404. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and 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 4402 on a #38 to Crewe. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and 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. and 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 2934 on a #10 to Bollington. We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW&W Day Savers before The bus set off out of the bus station and across Mill Street onto Roe Street. We turned right onto Chuchill Way. We turned right onto the A537. We turned left onto the A538. We ran north through Tytherington. We turned right onto Brocklehurst Way. We turned left onto Tytherington Drive. We turned left onto Marlborough Drive. We turned right onto the A538. We turned right onto Tytherington Lane. We continued onto Bollington Road and we ran forwards onto Henshall Road. we went over Wellington Road. We ran into Bollington along Palmerston Street we left the bus empty before we got up. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2934 before we got off it.

inside Arriva NW&W 2934

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 1947 on a #392 to Macclesfield. Right behind this was the #10 service. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2500. 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 Palmerston Street. We continued onto Wellington Road. We continued onto Henshall Road and we ran forwards onto Bollington Road we continued onto Tytherington Lane. We carried on up A538. We ran north through Tytherington. We turned left onto Marlborough Drive. We turned right onto Tytherington Drive. We turned right onto Brocklehurst Way. We turned left onto the A538. We turned right onto the A537. 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. In the bus station we saw High Peak 296 on a #19 to Prestbury. We walked down MIll Street and we turned left onto Park Green. Matthew wanted to go to toilet so we took him to the toilet in the block by the traffic lights. Once he had done we walked onto park Green and we saw required Arriva NW&W 4406 on a #38 to Crewe. We went back to the car and mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of town onto the A523. As we left town The Arriva bus turned right down a lane and went straight towards Bosley. We ran through Rushton Spencer and Rudyards and we came into the North West corner of Leek. We turned right into St Edwards Street. At the end of St Edwards Street. We papped and waved as we went through the light into Compton. We ran through Leekbrook and into Cheddleton. We continued through Wetley Rocks and we saw D&G Bus 118 on a #16 to Leek. We continued through Cellaread to Meir. At Meir we crossed over the roundabout onto the A520 and we turned right onto Waterhead Road. We continued onto Grosvenor Road. We ran through to Upper Belgrave Road. We down to Florence. Lightwood Road and into Longton to see what was parked at Z Carz tonight. We turned left onto Willow Row In the compound was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus LJ07 PXW parked up. We came off onto the high level A50 and we turned right onto Baths Road. We ran down King Street. We continued down onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple street and we we returned to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew returned to his room to chill out. For a late tea Matthew had chicken nuggets and chips with carrots followed by a carrots cake with custard. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on 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 Macclesfield 30-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2239	Macclesfield BS	Wilmslow, Styal Road (cnr)	130	Arriva NW&W
2243	Wilmslow, opp Styal Road	Macclesfield BS	130	Arriva NW&W
861	Macclesfield BS	Bollington, adj Turners Arms PH	10	Arriva NW&W
861	Bollington, adj Turners Arms PH	Macclesfield, opp Lord Street Alighting Only	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided it would be a relatively short trip again with Warrington and Chester being offered to him and Matthew chose Macclesfield. In respite from 07:00. He saw Wardle Transport 1454. Heron Cross is his favourite place in the whole world and he would prefer to live there rather than live at home good morning. I feel quite upset that he feels this way after all I have done to try and make him happy Birthday. Matthew was eating toast and drinking orange juice. He got up just after 10:00 and spent a couple of hours chilling before we set off. The weather was overcast with rain due for most of the afternoon in Macclesfield. Setting off around 12:00 we made it to the snack van at the north end of the A500 before 12:30, the time at which it usually packs up on a Saturday. We purchased 4 sausage/bacon sandwiches and 3 can for just over £10. We set off just before 13:00 and we saw the motorway was at a stand, so I diverted onto the Radway Green road. We then went to the edge of Crewe, turning towards Haslington and joining the route to Sandbach. We joined back onto the M6 at the next junction North. The motorway was slow here too and we decided to head to Macclesfield along the A54. The route was passed Jodrell Bank and then through Holmes Chappel. In Macclesfield we missed the car park we wanted to go into so we did a lap of town. In the end we parked on Park Green next to the toilets. As we arrived the heavens opened and there was a heavy shower for around 10 minutes. We visited the toilet and then got back in the car for a few minutes whilst the rain died down. We saw 2239 arrive from Manchester, and so we knew that this was going to be the 14:35 departure out. This bus was dud, being the only Manchester area Dart that we had previously done in Macclesfield. We also saw the bus go empty out of service, presumably to park up out of the bus station for a short while. When the rain slowed down and it started to brighten up we headed into the bus station. As we walked up the hill Arriva NW&W 4489 went passed on the #38 to Crewe. We got to the bus station just in time to see Clowes Coaches T459 JRH on the Leek service just before it left.

Clowes Coaches T459 JRH in Macclesfield bus station

We then had a 20 minute wait before 2239 was due to depart. We saw bakerbus 218 on a #391 service. We also saw a few of the Arriva MPD's such as 856,857,861,869 and 882. Around 14:30 we walked down to the stand after 2239 came back in to the bus station. Once again mum was going with us as I'm still not feeling 100%. We booked the arriva day savers and sat down. The original plan was to go to Monks Heath crossroads, where we know there are bus shelters (essential in this poor weather...). As we headed out past broken cross and along the A536, we passed an Arriva bus, which must have been the #130 we were going for. I checked the timetable on my phone only to find that the timings had changed since we last did this move and the buses pass much closer to Macclesfield! We had to quickly formulate a plan, because if we got off at the stop we originally intended to we would have been waiting for nearly an hour! A quick look at the timetable indicated the buses past each other North of Wilmslow and South of Handforth. So off we went into the unknown! North of Astra Zenica we hit the Edge... Alderley Edge that is. It was certainly an eye opener seeing the shops and people of this town from the bus. It was a tiny glimpse of seeing how the other half live. As we went through town we saw a Co-op next to a Waitrose by the railway station. A couple of miles North of this we were in Wilmslow, another affluent town. We decided to get off just North of town where it would be a little quieter. Two or three stops North of the town was Manchester Road. As we got off Matthew got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2239 in Wilmslow

The sun was shining for a change as we crossed the road to wait for the return service. At the stop there was no shelter but there was a bench. The bench was wet and so we wiped it off so Matthew and mum could sit down. Using the txt service 84268, we confirmed the next bus was due at 15:26. Pretty much bang on time, we saw the bus approaching in the distance. It was almost certainly going to be required, The Dennis Dart got closer and we could see it was required Arriva NW&W 2243.

Arriva NW&W 2243 in Wilmslow

On the bus we asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and cover the bus that we had missed, or to go all the way back to Macclesfield. Matthew chose to go all the way back on 2243. The journey back was fairly unremarkable other than passing 2244 going the other way. Back in the bus station Matthew got a picture of the now empty 2243.

Inside 2243

When we got back Matthew indicated that he wanted to visit the facilities so we walked back down the hill to Park Green whilst mum went to Greggs to pick up some sausage rolls for later. On the way out he spotted someone in the furniture shop which he wanted to say hello to and so he ran into the shop and left me behind. We then walked up the hill back to the bus station, with a quick stop in a newsagents for pop and lottery tickets. Back at the bus station we met up with mum again. It was decided that we only had time for a quick out and back trip on something. One possiblility which I thought we were going to do was required Arriva NW&W 856, as seen here from the side of the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 856 in Macclesfield bus station

At the last minute Matthew decided to do dud Arriva NW&W 861 on a #10 Bollington service. The round trip take just over 40 minutes so we decided to go all the way to the end and then back on this bus. On the way there we passed the other bus working #10's today. It was dud Arriva NW&W double decker 4042. At the end off the route he got up and took a picture of the bus.

Arriva NW&W 861 in Bollington

He also got a picture of the inside too.

Inside 861

We then headed back into town. A passenger got on who looked as if he'd been working in a house removing a ceiling. He had gotten so dirty that the driver only let him on the bus if he didn't sit down! Back in Macclesfield we got off a stop early so we didn't have as far to walk to the car. we got back to the car just before 17:00 and we headed out of town, going towards the A34 and then South through Congleton and Kidsgrove. In Chesterton Matthew decided he wanted to go through wolstanton. We then got onto the A500 at porthill and then headed onto the A50 at Sideway. He then requested that we went past the Z Carz depot, and so we got off at Longton so he could get a picture of the buses as we drove past. Seen at the depot were W344 WNS ,D104 XAN and W187 RRE.

A Z Carz line-up

We then headed home via Duke Street respite before getting back around teatime at 18:00 which was bangers and mash and cake for afters washed down with coke. He visited a house across the road too and went upstairs to the bedroom and then downstairs and ate cake and used their toilet before going to the table outside to drink sparkling orange crush. Today respite unit bath and toilet. He also had toast and orange juice before bedtime...Mark