Trip to Southport / Crosby 19-09-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15304	Southport, The Monument	Thornton, adj Edgemoor Drive	X2	Stagecoach Lancashire
2916	Thornton, opp Edgemoor Drive	Thornton, Masefield Road	54	Arriva NW&W
4578	Thornton, Green Lane	Kirkdale, Briar Street	47	Arriva NW&W
3022	Kirkdale, Pansy Street	Crosby, Village stop A	53	Arriva NW&W

Today was the second day of out NW adventure. We woke up in the hotel room and we got dressed and ready to go out. We decided we would go to nearby Chorley to have breakfast before going out for the day. We set off on foot along the path amd we got in the car outside the main hotel. We set off along the drive and we turned left onto Park Hall Hall Road. We followed the road to the left onto Mill Lane and we crossed over the M6. We headed Spouthwards down Preston Road and we turned right onto Spendmore Lane. We ran through Coppull and we crossed over the West Coast main line before crossing the roundabout onto the B5251. We ran towards Chorley and the place where we hoped to have breakfast was shut. We continued into town and we missed the turning so we ended up on the Northbound A6. We turned around and headed back Southwards and we turned right onto. George Street. We turned right onto Market Street and we spotted another cafe. There were no parking spaces on market street so we turned into West Street and parked up there. We walked around the corner and we went to Crown Cafe. Matthew visited the toilet and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we had a quick walk around town whilst mum visited a nearby charity shop. We walked back up West Street and up the Steps onto West Street car park. We cut through St Mary's RC Church and down an alleyway back onto Market Street. After get some money out of the nearby cash machine we met up with mum and we returned to the car. We turned around and we ran down West Street and turned right onto Market Street. We turned right onto the B5251 and we headed out of Chorley towards Coppull. We veered right onto the B5251 ans we turned left onto Butterworth Brow. We crossed the railway line and we headed through Charnock Richard village. We turned right onto Preston Road and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto Mill Lane and we followed the road to the right onto Park Hall Road. We ran past the hotel and into Heskin. We turned left onto the Southbound B5250 and we turned right onto Town Lane. This was a very narrow road and we had to pass people very slowly a couple of times. At this point we decided to set the route to be fastest route rather than most direct!. We turned left onto Barmskin Lane and we headed Southwards. We ran forwards onto Courage Low Lane and we turned left onto Moss Lane. We joined the Eastbound A5209 and we headed towards the M6 motorway. Once on the motorway we headed Southwards and we joined the Westbound M58. We ran to the end and We joined the Southbound A5036 and we saw an unidentified Aspect coach. We turned right onto Copy Lane. We turned right onto the B5207 and we followed the road around a housing estate. We crossed the B5244 and we ran forwards onto Lydiate Lane. We turned left onto the A565 and we ran towards Crosby. We ran past Sainsbury's and we ran along Manor Road. At the end we followed the road to the left onto Hall Road East and we past the railway station. We ran onto Hall Road West and we turned the corner onto the promenade where we said goodbye to mum. The first thing we did was to head to the beach to see if we could see any interesting historic bricks on the famous beach. We managed to find a few that had not been eroded by the sea. We also went to see a coupke of the Anthony Gormley statues. The weather was statring to turn so we headed back onto Burbo Bank Road North. We turned the corner onto Bank Hall Road West and we heded up to the bus stop. A quick check of the stop revealed there was no bus service from there until Monday moring. We decided to head up to the station and catch a train into Southport. On the way we saw grey minibus RO17 ZWE waiting at the level crossing.

RO17 ZWE in Hall Road

We went onto the station and we booked 3 saveaway all areas tickets befpore crossing over the bridge and waiting for the next Northbound train. We only had to wait about 20 minutes or so and the train appeared. We got on the train and we headed North towards Southport. The journey took around 20 minutes and when we got to Southport we came out of the station onto London Street. We walked up to Lord Stree and we stop at the Southbound stops and waited for a suitable bus. As we approached the Stop we saw Arriva NW&W 4582 on a #46 to Carr Lane.

Arriva NW&W 4582 in Southport

We decided to catch a bus going Southwards back towards Crosby where mum dropped us off. A short time later we saw an X2 bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 15304 on the X2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15304 in Southport

We got on the bus and we placed the Metro cards on the scanner before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off Southwards down Lord Street and we croseed the roundabout onto Lord Street South. We turned left onto Liverpool Road and we ran past Birkdale railway station. We continued Southwards for a couple of miles and into Ainsdale. We continued onto Liverpool Avenue and we ran Southwards onto Liverpool Road. We joined the Formby bypass and we ran past the airfield before turning right onto Southport Road. We ran forwards onto Ryeground Lane and we turned left onto Church Road. We ran forwards onto Cross Green and we turned left onto Liverpool Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto the Formby Bypass and we continued Southwards. We ran forwards onto Scaffold Lane and we continued Southwards through Lady Green. We ran forwards onto Southport Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto Moss Lane. We got to a section of road where there was another bus service so we decided to get up and get off the bus. We got off the bus by Edgemoor Drive and Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15304 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15304 in Thornton

Once off the bus we decided to cross the road and wait for smoething going Northwards. We had already seen on the map the there was a bus heading Northwards on a #54 to Thornton. A few minutes later we saw the bus approching. It was Arriva NW&W 2916 on a #54 to Thornton.

Arriva NW&W 2916 in Thornton

We got on the bus and we placed the Metro cards to the driver. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2916 before we saw down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2916

After a quick check on the bustimes.org map it seemed that Thornton was only just up the road! We set of along the A565 and we turned right onto Edge Lane. The bus turned left onto Runnels Lane and terminate towards the Notrh end. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2916 as it waited to depart towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2916 in Thornton

The bus was due to sit there for a few minutes before returning South So I asked Matthew if he wanted to walk to the main road and catch a different bus to which he agreed. We walked Northwards up Runnells Lane and at the end we turned left onto Lydiate Lane. We went forwards onto Green Lane and we went past the Nags Head pub. We turned right onto the A565 and we headed to the Nearest Southbound stop. We looked at the map and we could see a bus approaching to the North. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4578 on a #47 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4578 in Thornton

We got on the bus and we we placed the Metro cards on the reader before going upstairs. We headed Southwards down the A565 and into Crosby. We turned left and followed the A565 Southwards to Seaforth. We turned left onto the A566 and we headed Eastwards to North Park. We turned right onto Stanley Road and we continued Southwards past the Bootle New Strand shopping centre. We continued Southwards to Kirkdale and we crossed the railway line. We didn't want to go too far into the unbknown so we decided to get of the bus where there were some shops, so we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4578 as it continued Southwards towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4578 in Kirkdale

Once off the bus we headed into a nearby convenience store and we brought a can of Coke and a couple of Chocolate bars. WE headed across the the vide road and we sat at the Northbound bus stop. Whilst we were ating a chocolate bar we saw Arriva NW&W 4632 on a #52 to Netherton.

Arriva NW&W 4632 in Kirkdale

We decided to catch the net bus to somwhere mum could come and pick us up. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3022 on a #53 to Crosby.

Arriva NW&W 3022 in Kirkdale

We got on the bus and we place the metro card on the scanner for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up Stanley Road and we ran past Bootle New Strand shopping center. We continued Northwards past North Park and we ran forwards on Linacre Road. We turned shap left onto Bridge Road and we crossed the roundabout continuing along Bridge Road. We crossed the railway line and we ran forwards onto Seaforth Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right onto Crescent Road. We ran forwards onto Ewart Road and we crossed over the roundabout onto Sandy Road. We followed the road around to the left onto Cambridge Road. We turned right onto the A565 and we headed Northwards over the railway line. We turned left onto South Road and right onto Mount Pleasant and we ran Northwards onto Oxford Road. We turned right onto Mersey Road and we crossed over the railway line. At the roundabout we ran forwardes onto Corobnation Road. We turned left onto Islington and we ran up to the roundabout and did a 180' turn to get to the bus terminal. When we arrived at the bus station the bus eptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3022 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3022

Also in the bus station was Stagecoach Merseyside 15564 which was on a #53 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15564 in Crosby

We walked around the corner to the Sainsbury's where mum had parked up to pick us up. We got in the car and we set off towards the Nag's Head in Thorton which we had seen earlier on on our travels. We set off out of the car park onto Richmond Road and we crossed over the roundabout onto the Eastbound A565. We ran for about a mile up the road and we turned right into Green Lane. We turned left into the pub car park and we parked up. As we got to the door we saw a sign that said 'No walk-in customers'. We returned to the car and we tried to book online but the website would not let us book. We tried to phone up but they weren't answering the phone either! We decided to try another pub in the area so we looked it up and we set off. We turned left onto Lydiate Lane and we headed Eastwards. We crossed over the B5422 and we ran forwards onto Northern Perimeter Road. We followed it to the end and we turned left onto Copy Lane. We crossed the A5036 and we continued Eastwards to Old Roan. We ran forwards onto Aintree lane and we got to the pub in about 1/2 mile. We parked up and whilst the pub was currently operating with a limited menu due to supply issues, we were able to get in angoet something to eat. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we returned to the table and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke followed chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. When we had finished we got back in the car and we headed back to the Hotel. We travelled Westwards along the Aintree Lane and we turned right onto the A59 at Old Road. We ran northwards to the giant interchange and we got onto the Eastbound M58. We ran about 10 miles or so up the the M6. We went Northwards up the M6and we came off at junction 27. We turned left onto A5209 and almost Immediatley we turned right onto the Northbound B5250. We ran Northwards through Mossy Lea and Writington and into Heskin. We turned right onto Park Hall Road and we turned left into the hotel grounds. This time we went right around the main hotel and we parked at the back, which was a little closer to the room thean the previous car parking spaces we had used. We walked back to the room and we chilled out on the laptop writing some of the Blog. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and we settled down to bed around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Southport 12-04-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
7656	Kew P&R	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	PR2	Arriva NW&W
2243	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	Hillside, o/s Alma Court	43	Arriva NW&W
3090	Hillside, opp Nixons Lane	Birkdale, York Road (NW-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
19035	Birkdale, York Road (SE-bound)	Little Altcar, opp Royal Hotel	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
3045	Little Altcar, o/s Royal Hotel	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	47	Arriva NW&W
3044	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CB)	44	Arriva NW&W
2252	Southport, opp The Wellington	Highpark, adj Roe Lane	43	Arriva NW&W
3086	Highpark, High Park Place (E-bound)	Crossens, on Rufford Road	49	Arriva NW&W
15473	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	2X	Stagecoach M & SL

Today we decided to re-visit Southport. We checked the weather the night before and it seemed that the better weather would be either to the South or the West. We gave Matthew a short list of place to go and from the list he chose to go to Southport. Other than to check the weather research consisted of looking at a relatively new fleet list of Arriva NW&W buses allocated to Southport. The main changes were the reduction of Marshall Bodied Darts which had been replaced with newer Plaxton bodied Darts from elsewhere. There had also been some newer double decker delivered ex Arriva London. Matthew got up around 10:15 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we drove onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. We carried on North on the A500 and then onto the Northbound M6. We carried on North up to the M58 and then we turned West. Off the M58 we did the northbound A570 up to Ormskirk where we stopped for dinner at Morrisons. We visited the toilet and then for dinner Matthew had an English breakfast washed down with a cup of Coca Cola. After we had finished eating we headed back to the car and carried on towards Southport along the A570. Just before we hit town we turned into the Kew park and ride site and parked up to wait for the bus into town. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a Marshall Dart approaching. When it got closer we saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 7656.

Arriva NW&W 7656 at Kew park and ride

We flashed our park and ride ticket and sat down near the back. The bus set off through the back streets of Southport following required Arriva NW&W 2241 into town on a #43 service. We approached the railway station from Derby Road. We turned onto London Street and the bus set down near to Lord Street. As we got up to get off Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7656

7656 was the first ever Southport Marshall Dart Matthew rode on back in December 2010. The plan was now to go and get a Saveaway ticket and to start riding on buses. As we were going to get the ticket from the railway station Matthew mis-behaved massively and we had to wait for a short while before we continued. We got the tickets and walked around into Lord Street where we saw required Arriva NW&W 2246 on a #46 service. We carried on walking to Eastbank Street to catch a bus. There was a choice of 2 buses required Arriva NW&W 2624 on the #42 and dud 2243 on the #43 to Carr Lane. We chose to do Arriva NW&W 2243 but we did not know it was dud at the time.

Arriva NW&W 2243 in Southport

We got on and flashed our tickets and sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus pulled off and and went out of town towards Carr Lane. The #43 takes a route through the back streets via Duke Street and Guilford Road and we eventually turned right onto Carr Lane where the bus terminates. We got up to get off the bus and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2243.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2243

From where we were the were a choice of service to catch. On Carr Lane on the opposite side of the Road we could catch either the #43 or #46 into Southport. From Guilford Road we could do either #49 towards Southport or either the #49 to Woodvale or Formby. From the main road we could catch either the X2 or #47 towards Southport or the same service toward Formby. We went onto the Liverpool Avenue to see if there was a Southbound bus due. There wasn't anything for at least 15 minutes so we decided to walk back to the original stop to see if there was a Southport bound #49 service. As we got back to the stop we could see a bus approaching in the distance.As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3090.

Arriva NW&W 3090 in Carr Lane

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. A quick check of the list revealed that this bus was dud. We had previously been on this bus back in April 2012. Three buses traveled on and all of them dud so far... How unlucky was that! We decided to get off at Birkdale and catch a Southbound X2 as we hadn't passed it. We got held up at the level crossing and whilst we were waiting Matthew got a picture of the empty back seat behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3090

Eventually the train passedand we carried on North. We got off and we could see the X2 double decker in the distance so we crossed over the road and quickly made our way to the stop opposite. As it got closer we saw it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 19035.

Stagecoach Lancashire 19035 in Birkdale

At last a new bus for the day! We got on and sat down upstairs, the bus was quite well filled so there didn't seem like an opportunity to take a good picture inside this bus. The bus headed South down the A565 through Ainsdale and onto the Formby by-pass. There was a quick run along the by-pass through open countryside before we turned right to head into Formby. We headed into what looked like the edge of a small town and I was expecting there to be more to it. Rather than being built up it looked spacious with all the businesses and restaurants looking quite high end. We seemed to be heading out of town again so when I saw a large petrol station I decided to get off here so we had somewhere to visit. We got off the bus and we watched it go off into the distance. Directly behind 19035 was required Arriva NW&W 3033 on a Liverpool bound #47 service. We visited the Texaco petrol station and Matthew used the toilet before we brought some Coca Cola and chocolate. When we had done we left the petrol station and crossed the road to see when the next Northbound bus was due. The next bus was going to be a #47 and it was due in a couple of minutes. We could see it approaching and it was Arriva NW&W 3045.

Arriva NW&W 3045 in Formby

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. A quick check of list revealed it was a required bus. We decided to do this bus up to Woodvale and get off to see what was working up behind us on either a #44 or X2. In the meantime Matthew photographed the empty back seat

Inside Arriva NW&W 3045

The bus carried onto the Formby bypass and up into Woodvale where we got off the bus. We considered having a picnic at this bus stop as it had a shelter and seat, but Uncle Dave had spotted a #44 service coming out of one of the side street as we came North. Sure enough less than a minute later we saw a bus approaching. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the bus as it was a Pulsar and he said yes. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3044.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Woodvale

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. A quick check of the list revealed that this bus was dud too. Coincidentally this was the first Southport Pulsar we rode on back in December 2010. We decided to do this into Southport so that we could go and check buses out in a different direction. The bus carried on North up to Ainsdale before turning onto Station Road. The bus carried on North Eastwards across the roundabout onto Segars Lane. The bus carried on for a few mile in more or less a straight line, out of the built up areas of Southport and past Dobbies garden centre here we were overtaken by Arriva NW&W 2728 on a #300 before passing Arriva NW&W 2247 going the other way on a #300. We appeared by the hospital and then joined onto the A570 to head into town. We ran parallel to the A570 for a short while before heading back onto Eastbank Street. Matthew then took a picture of the empty back seat of the bus

Inside Arriva NW&W 3044

There was a quick river change and then the bus carried on. We turned into Lord Street then got off the bus. matthew indicated that he wanted to head back towards Eastbank Street so we set off in that direction. As we walked along Lord Street we saw required Arriva NW&W 2256 on a #49 to Woodvale. On the end of Eastbank Street was parked National Holidays coach NH09 DRH, and Matthew got a picture of it.

National Holidays NH09 DRH in Southport

We carried on down Eastbank Street and Matthew wanted to visit Poundland. We had a quick walk around Poundland where we brought some more chocolate and pop, and Matthew said hello to a member of staff. We then headed across the road to possibly catch a #43 or #46 to Carr Lane. We had just missed one bus and the seemed to be a gap in the service. On the other side of the road we saw Arriva NW&W Marshall Dart 7654 on a #42 to Crossens.

Arriva NW&W 7654 in Southport

We were considering having a picnic when we saw a Paxton Dart coming up the road. We decided to cross over and see if it was a required on. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2252 on a #43 to High Park.

Arriva NW&W 2252 in Southport

We got on the bus and as we sat down mum called to say she was going to go back to Kew and move the car into town. That helped to decided how we were going to finish off the day. The plan was now going to be do this bus up to High Park for #49 to Crossens. We would then have a quick visit to the toilet and then back down to Southport on the next interesting bus. The bus went onto Lord Street and we passed required Arriva NW&W 2248 on a #44 service. We also passed required Arriva NW&W 2722 about to set off on a #300 service to Liverpool. The bus set off out of town though the back streets and crossing over the railway at Meols Cop. we then carried onto to the end of High Park Road where the bus terminated. We got up and Matthew got a picture of the empty bus as we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2252

We also took another picture of the outside of the bus too before we crossed over roe Lane to catch the next #49 to Crossens.

Arriva NW&W 2252 in High Park

We considered another bus stop picnic bu the bus was due in 2 minutes. it wasn't long before we saw the bus approaching in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 3086.

Arriva NW&W 3086 in High Park

We got on the bus and sat down. The bus waited for short while, it must have been a little early before continuing into Churchtown. The bus turned into Botanic Road and we passed the site of an old factory and crossed over where the old Southport to Preston railway would have run. The road became Rufford Road and then bus continued on to the end where the service terminates. As we got up to get off Matthew took a picture inside the now empty Arriva NW&W 3086.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3086

We walked down to the toilet which have now become pay toilets. Matthew used the toilet whilst I checked out the bus times at the adjacent bus stop. There was a 2X due any minute now. Matthew came out of the toilet and almost immediately we saw the 2X double decker approaching. It got closer and we saw it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15473.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15473 in Crossens

We got on the bus and we sat down upstairs. We saw an unidentified Cumfybus Solo on a #40 to Southport and we also saw dud 2239 on a #44 service which was terminating. The bus carried on South down the main road into town from the North. The bus was quite well filled so Matthew took a picture of some seat just in front of him on the opposite side of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15473

We gave mum a call to tell her that we were on our way so that she could move the car to somewhere nearby to the bus stop. The bus carried on South and we arrived in Lord Street and we got of the bus near to the monument. Mum had just arrived in a nearby street and we walked over to the car to get in. Mum decided to drive home so I sat in the front passenger seat. Waiting for us were sausage rolls and Matthew had a small bottle of Irn Bru. We turned into Eastbank Street and we went out of town along the A570. We drove around Ormskirk and though onto the M58. After traveling a short distance East we joined the Southbound M6. We traveled South through the roadworks at Thelwall Viaduct it was Carvers YN06 NYT started to rain. After nearly missing the turning we passed Z carz M372 NWN. joined the Southbound A500. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we passed ABC Supreme minibus YU02 GZG going the other way. We came off the A50 at Longton where we stopped to check out what was present at Z Carz. it appeared to be a minibus day today with the following buses sighted. Towards the back of the site was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to that was airport transfer bus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

At the very back of the site was LDV minibus DS51 ZJU.

Z Carz DS51 ZJU in Longton

At the front was Volkswaggon minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Last but not least was another VW minibus, S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and the only bus there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 which we did back to Heron Cross before heading though Blurton On Beaconsfield Avenue we saw 40003 on a #23 and unusually Newcastle based double decker 37157 on the last #22 to Longton of the day. We got home at 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:15...Mark

Trip to Soutport 06-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
7639	Kew P&R	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	PR2	Arriva NW&W
3312	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	Ainsdale, adj Vale Crescent	49	Arriva NW&W
15468	Ainsdale, opp Woodvale Road	Crossens, on Preston New Road	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
3312	Crossens, on Rufford Road	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
3088	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	Southport, Hill Street (Stop FB)	49	Arriva NW&W
3044	Southport, Bold Street (Stop FA)	Crossens, on Preston New Road	44	Arriva NW&W
15468	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Monument (Stop CF)	X2	Stagecoach M & SL
7639	Southport, Lord Street stop HC	Kew P&R Southport	PR2	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Southport. Last year we had gone to Southport on the Grand National weekend, as we had found out on the Dennis Dart Forum that some of Southport's newer buses had gone to the races to help out with racing shuttle buses. This year we found out the the buses had been sourced from other depots, but there had been some interesting working during the week so we decided to go there anyway. Other than checking the forum, we checked the weather out for today. It was forecast for sunny cool weather, 7'. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We had found out before we had even set off that Arriva NW&W Olympian 3312 was working on the #49 service and 7639 was on the PR2 service. We set off around 11:40 and drove down Stanley Matthews Way. We then joined the A50 and then went onto the Northbound A500 passing City Buses & Coaches LV02 ODL North of Etruria. On the M6 traffic was slow due to an accident. After we passed the accident north of the A54 the traffic eased up and we carried on North. We came of the M6 at the M58 and then we headed North West along the A570. We decided to stop at the Omskirk Morrisons for dinner as we have before. We went to the toilet and then Matthew had a breakfast followed by lemon meringue all washed down with a Coke. After dinner we we carried on along the A570 to the edge of Southport before we turned into the Kew Park and ride site where 7639 was waiting to work. We quickly got a ticket and then Matthew took a picture of this required Marshall Dart.

Arriva NW&W 7639 in Kew

It was empty at this point so Matthew got a picture inside of the bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7639

We set off North through the quieter streets of southhort following 7656 on a #43 service. it didn't take long to get into town. We decided to get off at the London Street stop and walked to the railway station to buy Saveaway tickets. We walked onto lord Street and looked up and down to see if we could see a double decker on the #49. At that point we couldn't so we crossed over with the intention of heading the Crossens to see if we passed 3312. As we waited we spotted it in the distance heading South, so we quickly crossed over to catch it. We got to the stop with a few seconds to spare and Matthew got a picture of this fine beast!

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Southport

When we got on it was empty upstairs so Matthew got his empty us picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3312

As it was heading South we decided to do it to Woodvale. We had never been passed the Co-op in Ainsdale before so we were going to head into uncharted territory. We crossed over the railway at Ainsdale and then headed back inland along Kenilworth Road. We crossed the Liverpool Road and headed into the estate before turning back towards Liverpool Road on Woodvale Road. We decided to get off here and take a few pictures.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Woodvale

We then crossed over Liverpool Road to wait for a bus North. After watching 3312 head north, We check the timetable and we saw that an X2 service sound have been past. As we hadn't seen one we assumed it was running a few minutes late. Sure enough, a coupe of minutes later we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching from the South. It was required Stagecoach Ribble 15468.

Stagecoach Ribble 15468 in Woodvale

We got on and sat upstairs. We decided to do this to Crossens so we could use the toilet and check out buses on the #42/44 services too. As we headed north we passed required Arriva NW&W 7643 on a #44 service. As we went through Southport the bus emptied a little and he took a picture inside 15468.

Inside Stagecoach Ribble 15468

It was now just after 16:00. On Lord Street the bus started to fill up again and by the time we had reached the top of Lord Street there were quite a few people on the top deck. We carried on North and ten got off at the roundabout in Crossens. We crossed the road and then we saw Arriva Marshall Dart 7637 about to work a #42.

Arriva NW&W 7637 in Crossens

As it wasn't required Matthew went to the toilet and let this bus go. We also saw Cumfybus MX04 VME whizz by heading South.

Cumfybus MX04 VME in Crossens

We decided to look out for the next #49 and it was 3312 again, having caught up with us. We decided to do it again as it was such a great bus and took a picture and then got on.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in Crossens

As it was the start of the service it was empty and we sat further back and he took a picture facing forward this time.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3312

We decided to do this just to High Park. We did 3312 the mile or so down to High Park and then got off and took another picture.

Arriva NW&W 3312 in High Park

We should have checked a timetable as there wasn't a bus due for another 20 minutes so we decided to go to the shop and catch required 3088 which we knew was on the following #49. In the shop Matthew brought some coke and a galaxy caramel bar. We walked back to the same stop and had a bus stop picnic. We also saw Arriva NW&W 3084 heading north on the next #49. After a few minutes required Arriva NW&W Pulsar2 3088 turned up.

Arriva NW&W 3088 in High Park

The bus was already reasonably loaded and we got off at the top of Lord Street. Matthew was feeling a little grumpy and didn't want to get straight onto a bus. First he visited and Italian restaurant to say hello to one of their customers and use their toilet, next he wanted to stop at an ice cream palour and sit outside and have a cone. When he had finished we walked 10 yards to the stop to wait for a bus. It was 17:00 and we knew we would only get one ore round trip in. First there was 3041 on a #47 which we turned down as it was quite full and wasn't required having been done last June. We decided to do the following #44 and we didn't require that one either which is quite unlucky considering how few of the Pulsar2's we have been on. We got a picture of 3044 and got on it.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Southport

We had previously been on 3044 on the Grand national weekend last year. We did the bus North which was also reasonably well filled and we got off at the end of the run in Crossens, Matthew photographed the bus empty before he got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3044

We crossed over the road and as the sun was in a good position he got a better picture of the outside of 3044.

Arriva NW&W 3044 in Crossens

We went to the toilet and when he came out we spotted a Wrigt Renown on the #49 so we went up to investigate. It was required Arriva 2723. We went to the front to get a picture and then it pulled off.

Arriva NW&W 2723 in Crossens

We did try and catch the bus after it had rounded the roundabout but the stop is no longer in use. We went back onto the main road wait for a bus back and we saw there was a X2 due. Unluckily for us it was Stagecoach Ribble 15468 again! We got back into Southport and we met up with mum again. We walked back to the London Street stop and we waited for the PR2 service which was due at 18:12. Whist we waited we saw 7654 on a Carr Lane bound #43 service which we had back in July 2011.

Arriva NW&W 7654 in Southport

We also saw 7651 on a #44 to Formby a bus which we ad also prevously been on back in February 2011.

Arriva NW&W 7651 in Southport

Around 18:12 7639 appears on the PR2 service. We get on and Matthew takes a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7639

As we leave town we pass required Arriva 2343 on a #43 High Park service. We carry on down to the park and ride and Matthew uses the toilet before we get back in the car. We set off down the A570, through Ormskirk and onto the M58, We soon reached the M6 and traffic was light at this tie of the evening. As we headed south we passed a couple of coaches. bakerbus 202 was one coach and the other was Paul Watson Travel BXZ 8360 which he managed to get a good picture of out of the car window.

Paul Watson Travel BXZ 8360 on the M6

We joined the Southbound A500 and then we did the A50 to Longton to go view the Z Carz depot. Tonight it was all minibuses such as YE52 UZX from the taxi fleet.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

Also from the taxi fleet was Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

A bus that he once had to college for a few days was there, Volkswagon minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

His main school transport for a few years was also there too, LDV minibus W591 YBN.

Z Carz W591 YBN in Longton

We then drove down Longton Hall Road and home getting back around 20:00. For a late tea Matthew had sausage and mash followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime, going to bed just after 00:00...Mark