Trip to Bradford / Halifax 20-11-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37710	Shipley, Market Square	Bradford Interchange	626	First West Yorkshire
32694	Bradford Interchange	Halifax BS	579	First West Yorkshire
37047	Halifax BS	Shelf, Village Hall	508	First West Yorkshire
33880	Shelf, Village Hall	Halifax BS	508	First West Yorkshire
66778	Halifax Crown Street	Todmorden BS	592	First West Yorkshire
69582	Todmorden BS	Halifax Crown Street	592	First West Yorkshire

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Bradford. We checked the weather and it was for dry sunny weather. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to Bradford he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the dentist and we saw red minibus BJ12 OAN.

BJ12 OAN in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time we saw a red minibus ??16 BEJ.

??16 BEJ in Fenton

Around 11:30 we came to pick Matthew up. After getting ready we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we ran down the hill and picked up uncle Dave. under the railway line towards Stoke and we joined the A500. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw blue minibus MX07 NDU and West Midlands Ambulance Service YJ19 HFL. The A500 was quite bus as far as Longport and afterwards it eased off a little. We ran into Cheshire and we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 16. As we went up the M6 we saw red minibus RX70 AVP, . Matthew also lost his hat out of the window as we travelled up through Cheshire. At junction 20 we went Westbound along the M62. As we travelled East around the North ot Manchester we saw Epsom Coaches (National Express) BX65 WCY & Coachmasters P691 XVL. On the M60 we passed 3 x Gordon's coaches, 2 York Pullman coaches, A Tetley's coach, a T&J Coaches coach and East Yorkshire Coaches 71. We came of the M62 at Junction 24 and we went North on the M606 and we turned right into the A6177. We turned right onto the A6037 and followed the road around to the right and into Shipley town centre. At the roundabout we turned left onto Salts Mill Road and we parke up at the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we sat down at the table with mum and uncle Dave. Matthew had a large breakfast washed down with a glass of orange juice. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked towards the exit near to the bus station. We set off onto Salts Mill Road past the site of the new wharf retail park. We returned along Salts Mill Road and we continued forwards onto Victoria Street. We turned left onto Wharf Street and we turned right onto the A657. We turned right onto Bank Street and we turned left onto onto Market Square and we saw Transdev Keighley 2757 on a #60 to Leeds. After we walked to the bus stop. We waited for a bus to Bradford. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First West Yorkshire 37710 on a #626 to Bradford. We got on the bus and we purchased WY Metro Weekender tickets at £8.50 each before we went upstairs and sat down. A couple of minutes later the bus set off out of the square and forwards onto Market Street. We turned right onto the A6038 and left onto the A650. We ran down into the past Frizinghall and up the hill and under Bradford. We ran through Manor Row and Cheapside. We continued forwards onto Market Street. We turned left onto Bank Street and right onto Broadway. We turned left onto Bridge Street and we turned into the interchange. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went downstairs and Matthew used the toilet. We went back upstairs and we decided to go in a different direction. When we arrived we saw First West Yorkshire 32694 on a #576 to Halifax. We got on the bus and we placed the WY Metro tickets under the scanner we went upstairs and sat down. A couple of minutes later the bus set off out of the interchnage and we turned onto Croft Street. We turned right onto the Northbound A641 and we joined the clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Little Horton Lane and we ran past the ice rink. We turned right right onto Chester Street. We ran forwards onto Great Horton Road and we heade out of town. We ran through Shearbridge and forwards onto the A6177. We continued onto the A647 and into Great Horton. We continued through Horton Bank Top and Old Dolphin. The bus paused in Queensbury opposite the opposite the war memorial and we ran through Amblet Thorn. As we ran down down the hill towards Halifax we had stunninf views over the Valley to the North West. We continued Southwards descending through Boothtown and we reached the edge of Halifax. We crossed the North Bridge and we continued onto Northgate before turning left into the bus station. The bus station is currently being re-built. Once off the bus we had a look around. We decided to catch the next #508 bus towards Shelf. Whilst we waited we saw First West Yorkshire 32080 on layover. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It was required First West Yorkshire 37047 on a #508 to Leeds. We got on the bus and we placed the WY Metro Weekender tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station. We set off out of the bus station onto Northgate and we crossed over the North Bridge. We ran forwards onto the A58. We ran through Godley Gardens and into Stump Cross. We headed Eastwards A6036 and we went through Northowram and Stone Chair and further North through Shelf. We got up and got off the bus by the Village Hall. We crossed over the A6036 and we decided to visit the Lidl Store. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we brough a couple of small bottles of Coke and a pack of Crunchies. We decided to catch a #508 back towards Halifax. As it got closer we saw that it was First West Yorkshire 33880 on a #508 to Halifax. We got on the bus and we placed the WY Metro Weekender tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A6036 and we travelled Westwards through Stone Chair and we ran through Northowram. We turned onto right the A58 and the road veered ran through Stump Cross and into Godley Gardens and we reached the edge of Halifax. We crossed the North Bridge and we continued onto Northgate before turning left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked out of the bus station onto Northgate and we ranup to the Broad Street Plaza business centre and parked in the car park. We walked through the business centre and we went to the Wetherspoon's pub The Percy Shaw and Matthew used the toilet. We then went to the bar and Matthew had a small Coke. Once we had finished we went outside to meet back up with uncle Dave. We walked back up to the bus station and we waited for the next bus towards Todmorden. Whilst we waited we saw First West Yorkshire 66713 on a #571 to Bradford. We set off out of the bus station onto Northgate and we turned right onto Crossley Street. We turned left onto Waterhouse Street and we turned right onto Crown Street and we walked to the bus stop. As it got closer we saw it was First West Yorkshire 66778 on the #592 to Burnley. We got on the bus and we placed the WY Metro Weekender tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down Crown Street onto George Street. At the other end of town we joined the A629 and King Cross Street. We went east along the A58 to King Cross. We turned right onto Kings Cross Road and we turned right onto the A646 through the short curved tunnel before runnin down the hill into Willowfield and coming of the road into Friendly. We ran through Luddenden Foot and Mytholmroyd. We continued into Hebden Bridge into Charlestown and Eastwood and we ran the last couple of miles into Todmorden. We past the bus depot and the social club and we turned right, following the A646 before we entered the bus station. We got up and got off. We decided to go for a comfort break and we set off along the path opposite to the bus station towards the market. We went through the market and across the car park to the toilet block where Matthew used the toilet. We walked back past the front side of the market and as we turned the corner we saw a double decker in the bus station. As we got closer we saw required Transdev Rosso 2706 on a #7 to Rawtenstall. A few minutes later saw required First West Yorkshire 69582 on a #592 to Halifax. We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro weekender tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Stansfield Road before joining the Southbound A646. We followed the road to the left and as we left town past the Todmorden Social Club. A few hundred yards up the road we passed the Todmorden bus depot. The road up to Hebden Bridge is a meandering tight valley. Sometimes there is barley enough room for the road, the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, other times there is a wider area with houses and even a cricket ground. The railway line run above them all on a viaduct the length of the valley. We ran through the little vilages of Eastwood, Charlestown and Mytholm before entering Hebden Bridge past the old Lloyds Bank which is going to be new restaurant. We ran onto Mytholmroyd and we ran down through Luddenden Foot and into Friendly and King Cross. We turned left onto King Cross Road and we turned left onto the A58. We reached the edge of Halifax. We turned left onto King Cross Street and onto Bull Green. We turned left onto the A629 before turning right into Crown Street and we in the town cente where we got up and got off the bus. We walked along Crown Street and right onto Commercial Street. We ran up the A629 and we ran down the hill to MacDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had beefburger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we got in the car and mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls. We set off out of the Southbound A629. We ran down into the valley past Ellend and up the hill and under the M62. As we were about to join the M62 we saw J&B Travel double decker J600 JBT. We got onto the West M62 and we travelled forwrds onto the M60, through the roadworks and back onto the M62 again. We passed loads of coaches going the other way. we were overtakn by Tyrers coach TYR 14R on the M62. Going the other way we also saw 4 x Gordons coaches, 2 x Tetley Coaches, 6 x Acklams coaches, 2 x Kettlewell Coaches, 1 T&J Coaches, 1 x Tyrers coach. We left the M62 to go onto the Southbound M6. On the M6 we were passed by M&J Travel YG71 MBU. At junction 16 we left the M6 and went South down the A500 and we turned right onto Wheildon Road. We went under the railway line and we stopped at uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. We set off onto Whieldon Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew also drank a bottle of Buddies Cherryade. Matthew chilled out in his room watching television and using his computer. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. 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 Burnley / Todmorden 12-11-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
66748	Burnley BS	Todmorden BS	589	First West Yorkshire
37053	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
66711	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
30856	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
37052	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	592	First West Yorkshire
66748	Todmorden BS	Burnley BS	589	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to re-visit Burnley. A check of the weather revealed that after a wet start the weather should dry up be quite warm for the time of year. We give Matthew a list of place from the North West and Midlands, and from the list he chose Burnley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set of around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We turned right into Stanley Matthew Way and by the Holiday Inn Express we saw Roxby Coaches YD66 AXV. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we turned right onto the Northbound A500. As I had gassed up earlier in the week, we went straight up the A500 to the M6. On the M6 traffic was moving well and passed a procession of buses coming the other way as we ran North up to the M65. We saw an unidentified Vision Travel coach, an unidentified Alba Travel coach, an unidentified Ashcroft's coach, an unidentified Hollinshead coach, Hollinshead DH13 HOL, an unidentified Grayway coach, an unidentified Carvers coach, Playbus K888 BWU, an unidentified Doig's of Glasgow coach and an unidentified King's Ferry coach. When we got to Junction 29 we came off the M6 and joined the Eastbound M65. Going Eastwards we saw B & N Coaches A12 BXN, an unidentified Red & Cream coach, an unidentified Cream coach with a red and black stripe and Robin Hood YJ13 HTZ. We came off the M65 a junction early accidentally onto the A679, and we ran into town along Accrington Road past Rose Grove railway station. We joined the A671 and we followed the road to the right onto Trafalgar Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Manchester Road and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We parted on the car park by Red Lion Street and we walk across the road. Mum went to the toilet in the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. Whilst we waited we saw dud Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2751 in Burnley on a X43 to Manchester.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2751 in Burnley bus station

When mum and finished we walked over to the cafe. Since our last visit the cafe has been refurbished and the layout has also changed. The cafe also changed it's name to Zara Cafe. We went to go the toilet but the toilet up the stairs is currently out of order. I took Matthew to the toilet in the bus station and mum ordered the food. When we got back Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we walked over to the bus station and walked around the outside. In the layover stands we saw Cranberry Coaches coach PJZ 2182.

Cranberry Coaches PJZ 2182 in Burnley bus station

In the adjacent layover stand we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle single decker 1067.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1067 in Burnley bus station

There weren't many buses in the bus station so we walked up Red Lion Street to enter the bus station on the other side. Before we entered the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle single decker 1860 on a M1 service Barnoldswick.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1860 in Burnley bus station

We then saw a First West Yorkshire single decker on Croft Street. We got closer and we saw it was First West Yorkshire 66748 on a #589 to Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 66748 in Burnley bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do First buses today and he said yes. We went inside the bus station and we sat down for a short while whilst we waited for the bus to come into the bus station. A few minutes later the bus came into the bus station and started loading up. Matthew decided to go for a quick walkabout and we went to the top end of the bus station and took another bus picture. We then got in the queue before getting on the bus. We asked for 2 day tickets, but the bus driver asked if we were sticking together. We were able to get a First West Yorkshire group ticket for £5 between us.... bargain! We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. We ran over the roundabout onto Yorkshire Street and we ran up the hill past Turf Moor. I didn't notice if the large picture of Martin Patterson was still on the side of the stand. We ran out of town through Mereclough & Cliviger where we joined the A646. After crossing over the railway line we ran East through Portsmouth, Cornholme & Lydgate before we entered Todmorden from the West end. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First West Yorkshire 66748.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66748

We crossed under the railway line before we entered the bus station from the South end. As we entered the bus station we saw required First West Yorkshire 37053 about to work a #592 to Halifax. We got up and got off the the bus and took a picture of First West Yorkshire 37053 before we got on it.

First West Yorkshire 37053 in Todmorden bus station

We flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Stansfield Road before joining the Southbound A646. We followed the road to the left and as we left town we saw TJ Walsh FJ58 FRL outside the Todmorden Social Club. We then passed Pioneer minibus P100 NER. A few hundred yards up the road we passed the Todmorden bus depot where we saw First West Yorkshire Solo 50407, single decker 66790 and school buses 68643 & 68663. The road up to Hebden Bridge is a meandering tight valley. Sometimes there is barley enough room for the road, the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, other times there is a wider area with houses and even a cricket ground. The railway line run above them all on a viaduct the length of the valley. We ran through the little vilages of Eastwood, Charlestown and Mytholm before entering Hebden Bridge from the West. We got to the main street and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed the busy road at the Zebra Crossing and we went into the Co-op store opposite. In the shop Matthew picked a can of coke and a couple of chocolate bars. When we cam out of the Co-op we saw TLC Solo 2261 on a #598 Eaves circular service.

TLC 2261 in Hebden Bridge

We got to the bus stop and we about to have a bus stop picnic when we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First West Yorkshire 66711 on a #590 to Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 66711 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards along the A646 up Mytholm and we saw that the seats opposite to us, so Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 66711.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66711

We continued West through Charlestown and Eastwood and we ran the last couple of miles into Todmorden. We past the bus depot and the social club and we turned right, following the A646 before we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 66711.

First West Yorkshire 66711 in Todmorden Bus staton

We decided to go for a comfort break and we set off along the path opposite to the bus station towards the market. On the way down we stopped to get a picture of First West Yorkshire 69581 on a #592 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 69581 in Todmorden Bus staton

We went through the market and across the car park to the toilet block where Matthew used the toilet. We walked back past the front side of the market and as we turned the corner we saw a double decker in the bus station. As we got closer we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 30856!

First West Yorkshire 30856 in Todmorden Bus staton

We walked around to the front of the bus. We spotted on the bus departure display that there was a bus to Burnley in around 50 minutes. We should have plenty of time to go up to Hebden Bridge and back so we got on and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 30856 before we sat down.

Inside First West Yorkshire 30856

The bus set off out of the bus station onto Stansfield Street and we turned left onto the A646. We followed the road around to the left at the roundabout and we ran out of town past the bus depot. As we travelled east we noticed the 'Kindness' in big letters on the side of a wall as can be seen in google maps here. We continued East through Eastwood, Charlestown & Mytholm and we entered Hebden Bridge from the West. On the end of Market Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 30856 as it continued towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 30856 in Hebden Bridge

We crossed over the road at the Zebra crossing and we sat down at the stop. This time Matthew had time to share a bounty with me and uncle Dave as well as drink a can of Vimto. the bus was due at 17:10 and a few minutes later as expected we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saws that it was required First West Yorkshire 37052 on a #592 to Todmorden.

First West Yorkshire 37052 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. It was now starting to go dark, made more evident by the lights inside the bus. We travelled back West through Mytholm, Charlestown and Eastwood and my attempt at getting a picture of the word kindness on the wall as mentioned above failed miserably! We travelled back past the depot and into town and at the roundabout we turned right following the A646 North. We turned into the bus station where the bus terminated. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 37052 before we got off it.

Inside First West Yorkshire 37052

We had around 15 minutes to wait for the Burnley bus. Outside the bus station on the stop on the A646 we saw TLC SoloSR 90819 on a T1 Cross Lee service.

TLC 90819 in Todmorden bus station

A few minuted later and the following bus from Halifax arrived. It was required First West Yorkshire 30561.

First West Yorkshire 30561 in Todmorden bus station

A few minutes later and the #589 Rochdale to Burnley made and appearance. It was First West Yorkshire 66748 that we had down to Todmorden earlier in the day!

First West Yorkshire 66748 in Todmorden bus station

We legged it across the exit to the bus station and we got on First West Yorkshire 66748. We flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Stansfield Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A646. It was now quite dark and we couldn't really see where we were going. We ran out of town via Lydgate, Cornholme and Portsmouth. We ran over the summit and we crossed the railway line and we continued West to Cliviger where we turned right onto Red Lees Road. We passed through Mereclough and we ran the last few miles into town down the hill and past Turf Moor. We went under the Rochdale Canal and we at the roundabout we went straight across continuing along Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto Croft Street and we ran to the end where buses sometimes stop to let out passenger if buses are going onto layover. We got up and got off the bus and then we went inside the bus station. We visited the shop first, in case it was about to close, and Matthew brought a can of Coke and a chocolate bar. Afterwards we went to the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. On the way out of the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 267 on a #1 Stoops Estate service.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 267 in Burnley bus station

We walked across Red Lion Street to the car park where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage Rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off put of the car park onto Red Lion Street and we turned left onto Parker Lane. At the end we turned right onto Finsley Gate and then left onto Manchester Road. At the roundabout we went right onto the A671 and we ran out of town up to the M65. We ran West for a couple of junctions and then we went south down the A56. It was properly dark and we ran up to the summit and down the other side towards Haslingden, passing an unidentified white Bova. We continued onto the M66 and we ran down the the M60. As we joined the M60 we saw Parry's NU03 BUZ and an unidentified white double decker with black roof and window surrounds. We left the ring road to go West along the M62 and then we joined the Southbound M6. Traffic was going well until we got to a mile North junction 18 where we came to a stop. A fire engine and police cars went racing by and we eventually started to move. Two lanes were closed as there had been an accident involving a car and a lorry. We also saw Scraggs VT 9389. We let the M6 at junction 16 and we went South down the A500 passing Carvers coach FN52 HRW. At Sideway went east up the A50 and we came off at Longton. The fuel warning light was on so we stopped at Tesco petrol station to fill up with petrol. Once we had filled up we ran around to Z Carz to see what was parked up at their depot this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus OV05 WSW

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Also in the first row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Closest to the road on the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see if there was anything visible in the compound. Parked up in the compound we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran west to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton up to church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield drive and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Burnley / Todmorden 11-10-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
69584	Burnley BS	Todmorden BS	589	First West Yorkshire
32527	Todmorden BS	Lydgate (Todmorden), adj The Railway PH	592	First West Yorkshire
69582	Lydgate (Todmorden), opp The Railway PH	Todmorden BS	592	First West Yorkshire
69582	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
32539	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69584	Todmorden BS	Pike Hill, by Cheviot Avenue	589	First West Yorkshire
69584	Pike Hill, opp Cheviot Avenue	Cliviger, opp Hillcrest Avenue	589	First West Yorkshire
69587	Cliviger, adj Hill Crest Avenue	Burnley BS	592	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to re-visit Burnley. We had checked the weather for today on Friday and it predicted a mainly dry day with showers. With this forecast we gave Matthew a list of destinations from the North West and he picked Burnley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. Around 12:00 we jumped into the car to set off. We were delayed around 15 because we had a flat battery! We set off onto the A5035 and then we turned North up Stanley Matthews Way. Part way along we passed D&G 173 on the Trentham Plumline. We went West on the A50 and then Northwards up the A500. We joined the Northbound M6 and traffic was flowing well, probably due to the international football break. Just as we got to the M56 we caught up with Chiltern Travel YJ08 NTC also heading Northwards.

Chiltern Travel YJ08 NTC on the M6

We carried on up the M6 until we reached the M62 and then we went Eastwards.We followed the Road Eastwards as the M60 clockwise and then we went North when we reached the M66. There was a line of traffic trying to come off the M66 at the A58 for Bury and we continued Northwards until the M66 became the A56. When we got to the M65 we went East for a couple of junction before heading into Burnley town centre via Westway and Trafalgar Street. We parked up near to the bus station and we set off on foot to the Atlantis Cafe. On the way to the cafe as we walked past the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 708 on a #8 service into the bus station.

'Starship' 708 in Burnley

We got to the cafe and Matthew headed up the stairs to the toilet. For dinner Matthew had a breakfast with toast was down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and set off an our walk around the outside of the bus station taking pictures. The flat battery meant that we had missed doing the #517 service towards Hebden Bridge, so we would probably be on Transdev Buses. The bus station contained usual mix of Transdev buses plus a Rosso bus, A First West Yorkshire bus and a couple of Holmeswood Solos. As we were taking picture of buses in the bus station we saw Union Coaches P612 UGE going past on the A682.

Union Coaches P612 UGE in Burnley

We walked back around the bus station and in through the side entrance. Required Transdev Lancashire United 1876 was an unusual site on the #152 to Preston, and required First West Yorkshire 69584 was on a #589 to Rochdale. I asked Matthew if he wanted to any of the buses in the bus station, or wait for something up towards Nelson. Just as it looked like Matthew want to stay put and wait for something better, he decided he would like to do First West Yorkshire 69584 up towards Todmorden.

First West Yorkshire 69584 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus and booked a First West Yorkshire day ticket. The driver very nicely recommended that brought the FirstDay Family & Friends ticket at £8 which would cover all three of us. We sat down near to the back of the bus and after a few minutes we set off out of the bus station. We went under the railway and past turf Moor and we climbed up the hill towards Brunshaw. we carried on through Cliviger and Mereclough and we joined onto the A646 to travel south Eastwards into Yorkshire. As we traveled along we passed First West Yorkshire 69582 on a Burnley bound #592 service. We traveled down the narrow valley through Cornholme and Lydgate and we entered the town of Todmorden from the North Western corner. We pulled into the bus station and we got off First Potteries West Yorkshire 69584. Also in the bus station was West Yorkshire 66780 on a #590 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 66780 in Todmorden bus station

On the road side of the bus station as TLC Solo SR 90814 on a T1 service to Cross Lee.

TLC 90814 in Todmorden bus station

As we contemplated our next move, required West Yorkshire 32527 came into the bus station on a #592 to Burnley.

First West Yorkshire 32527 in Todmorden bus station

As it was required we decided to do this bus. It was heading towards Burnley, so we decided to do this bus only part way. if we didn't go too far we should meet required First West Yorkshire 69582 coming the other way. We got on the bus and flashed our ticket before going upstairs. The bus was quite busy upstairs, and Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite us.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32527

The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the A646. We decided to travel no more than 10 minutes up the valley as there was around 10 minutes waiting in the bus station at Todmorden for all arrivals from Burnley. We saw a place with two bus stops opposite and we decided to get off the bus. As the bus carried on towards Burnley Matthew got another picture of First West Yorkshire 32527. We crossed the road to wait for the bus back. It was due in a couple of minutes at 15:18. As we waited for the bus we noticed there appeared to be a school bus depot behind the back of the adjacent mill. A minutes or two later we saw the Volvo come around the corner and it was as expected First West Yorkshire required 69582.

First West Yorkshire 69582 in Lydgate

We got on the bus and flashed the ticket. The bus was quite busy and Matthew sat down on a single seat with uncle Dave standing next to him. I sat a little further back in the bus. A few stops down the road somebody got off the bus and we were able to sit down together. The bus pulled into Todmorden bus station and we considered stopping on the bus to Hebden Bridge. Matthew decided he wanted to get off here. We got off and we walked into town around the market building. Here Matthew used the toilet before we returned back to the bus station. It was 15:35 and First West Yorkshire 69582 was still in the bus station and not due to depart towards Hebden Bridge until 15:40. Matthew shared his two pack of Milky Way with me and uncle Dave (one for him, half each for me and uncle Dave) and then washed this down with a can of Barr limeade. We decided to get back onto First West Yorkshire 69582 so we could try and catch the #517 service back towards Burnley. At 15:40 the bus set off out of the bus station and we saw First West Yorkshire 53301 running empty towards Hebden Bridge. We turned onto the eastbound A646 for a fast 12 minute or so run into Hebden Bridge. When we got to the Western edge of town we decided to get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 69582 as carried on towards Halifax on the #592 service.

First West Yorkshire 69582 in Hebden Bridge

We had around 15 minutes in town so we decided to visit the Co-operative food store opposite. Mathew had a 5 pack of Milky Ways, a can of coke for later and small bottle of Irn Bru. Once we had finished shopping we headed for the till and paid for the stuff. We got to the bus stop with around 2 minutes to spare. We waited a while and the #517 had turned up. We saw a doubled decker so we decided to catch that instead. As it got closer we saw it was First West Yorkshire 32539.

First West Yorkshire 32539 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and flashed the ticket. We went upstairs and sat down. A quick check of the page 'Buses I have travelled on' revealed that the double decker was dud! We had been on this double decker from Halifax to Elland back in August 2013. We had another fast run along the A646 into Todmorden and we pulled into the bus station. The service was a short #592 and was terminating here, so we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 32539.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32539

We got off the bus and we decided to hatch a plan to try and get the #517 in again! If we caught the 16:40 departure to Burnley we could head off the return service to Halifax on the outskirts of Burnley. A quick run on the #517 until it turned onto the Long Causeway and then we could walk back onto the main and the following service into Burnley... We had a few minutes to wait. We had spotted a chip shop near to the bus station so we went to check that out... It was only open until 14:00 on Saturdays. As we were heading back we spotted a bus garage. with two Mercedes in. First we took a picture of Central Garage M40 DPG.

Central Garage M40 DPG in Todmorden

The we got a picture of the other Mercedes minibus parked up there, Central Garage M871 ATC.

Central Garage M871 ATC in Todmorden

We started to head back to the bus station to wait for the #589 towards Burnley. We didn't have to wait long for it to appear. It was dud First West Yorkshire 69584 which had scored earlier in the day!

First West Yorkshire 69584 in Todmorden Bus staton

A little bit unfortunate to get the same bus twice in a day. We flashed the ticket and sat down. The bus had it's customary 10 minute wait here, but we didn't mind waiting on the bus has it had now started to rain! Just before 16:40 the driver let the last few people onto the bus and the bus left the bus station and turned right onto the A646. We checked the #589 timetable and the timetable details of the #517. We wouldn't make the bus on the inbound trip, but we should pass the Halifax bound #517 on the edge of town and we just had to get off at the right place. AS he bus went towards Burnley I kept a close eye on the time and the timetable to check our progress. We were due to pass Mereclough at 17:03 and the #517 was due off the bus station at 17:05 so we should be able to travel down a little bit closer to town. We came to a long straight section of road so we decided to get off. Matthew had wanted to go forward, but I explained we were getting off to catch the #517. We got up and got off the bus, and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 69584 as it carried on towards Burnley.

First West Yorkshire 69584 in Pike Hill

We crossed the road and stood at the bus stop opposite. It was 17:09 and the bus was due at 17:09... We looked down the road expecting to see something appear any minute now. We looked the other way to see a First West Yorkshire Solo approaching. The inbound #517 must have been late so we quickly crossed over the road and tried to flag it down. As it got closer we saw that it was running out of service and it was required First West Yorkshire 53301.

First West Yorkshire 53301 in Pike Hill

Damn! Still if we were luck we would be able to catch it still. In he mean time we crossed over to wait for the next bus. We then saw taxi minibus Millennium PO55 CXP go past.

Millennium PO55 CXP in Pike Hill

The #589 was due at 17:28. Hopefully the #517 would be in front of this service and we could do it a few stops up the road and then do the next #592 back into town to finish. At around 17:29 we saw the #589 approaching... we decided to give up on the #517 for today. We got back on dud First West Yorkshire 69584 for the third time today much to the amusement of the driver! We sat down and the bus set off along Red Lees Road. WE saw that the housing was coming to an end and there were opposite bus stops so we decided to get off. As First West Yorkshire 69584carried on toward Yorkshire, Matthew got another picture of it.

First West Yorkshire 69584 in Cliviger

We crossed the road and we didn't have to wait for long before we saw the #592 approaching. As the bus got closer we saw required First West Yorkshire 53301 on the #517 whizz past going the other way... Our bus got closer and we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 69587.

First West Yorkshire 69587 in Cliviger

We flashed the ticket for the final time today, and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus took very little time to go back down Red Lees Road and past Turf Moor and back into town. On this occasion we went into the bus station before the bus emptied out. We waited behind and Matthew got a picture inside the now empty First West Yorkshire 69587.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69587

When Matthew got off the bus, we said hello to someone, we visited the shop for some more sweets and a can of Vimto, and he used the disabled toilet. We set offback to the car, taking a few bus pictures on the way. On the end stand of the bus station was Transdev Burnley & Pendle 254 on a #4 service.

'Starship' 254 in Burnley bus station

We got in the car and it started first time luckily... We then drove across to the Tesco petrol station across the road to get some diesel. We headed back onto the M65 via Trafalgar Street and Westway. By now it was starting to go dark. The sun was very low and red as we climbed up the A56 towards the M66. We joined the anti-clockwise M60 and then forwards onto the Westbound M62. By the time we were on the M6 it was properly dark and we came off the M6 at the A500 junction. We went South to the A50 and then East to Longton were we came off the A50 to check out what was parked up at Z Carz. It was the first time we had visited Z carz in darkness this Autumn. First in the row was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

That was the first time we have seen the Iveco bus outside the compound. Finally was Z carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to view what was in the compound. The was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX and silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA. We headed back onto the A50 and we came off the road at Heron Cross. We passed Lightning Travel T2 DLT at the Lightning House and we carried on through Blurton, getting home around 19:40. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark