Trip to Middleton / Cheetham Hill 05-08-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37282	Middleton BS‎‎	Harpurhey, Harpurhey Rd	18	First Manchester
63148	Harpurhey, ‎‎Pleasant St	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	53	First Manchester
36075	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	Miles Platting, Whitley Road	57	Stagecoach Manchester
66868	Miles Platting, Osborne Street	Middleton BS	17	First Manchester
30935	Middleton BS‎‎	Cheetham Hill, Bury Old Road/Seymour Road (Stop H)	59	First Manchester
37553	Cheetham Hill, Bury Old Rd/Shopping Centre (Stop J)	Middleton BS	59	First Manchester
37442	Middleton BS‎‎	Miles Platting, Osborne Street	17	First Manchester
37431	Miles Platting, Osborne Street	Middleton BS	163	First Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Middleton. I had checked the weather for today and it appeared that the weather was going to be better North of Manchester. than it would be throughout the Midlands. As such we gave Matthew a list of places from the North West and from the list Matthew chose Middleton. What we did not check was the roads... Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we ran onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we joined the Westbound A50. We turned right onto the A500 and we travelled North up to Shelton. We were on our way to Shelton new Road when the car died and cut out whilst on LPG. We got the car started again on Petrol. We decided to divert to a petrol station instead of filling up with gas so we carried on along Shelton New Road to Snow Hill. We went up Broad Street and we tuned left onto the clockwise ring road where we saw National Express liveried The Travellers Choice FN63 PXB on a #333 to Bournemouth. We stopped at Tesco and we filled up with petrol. Once we had filled up we ran down to Etruria Road and then onto the Westbound A53. In Etruria we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We travelled North to the M6 and we hit a little bit of traffic. As we got on the M6 traffic seemed to be moving well and we got to the first matrix sign that said M^ Junction 19-20 closed... Mum checked the Internet only to that there had been an accident and road closure. The first sign said junction 19 was 20 minutes away, when we got to the next one it said 200 minutes away! As we travelled North was saw an unidentified Bostocks Neoplan doubled decker coach and an unidentified Ava Coaches coach. We decided to come off at junction 18 and go cross country. The Sat Nav on mum's phone was trying to take us Westwards on the A54, but logically as we were going North East of Manchester it made sense to me to go East to the A34 and then North to the M60. We travelled Eastwards along the A54, and as we were sat in traffic we put the gas back on. We passed to the South of Holmes Chapel before going north Eastwards up the A535. We passed through Twemlow Green and then we kept seeing signs the the A535 was closed ahead due to roadworks. As we got to Jodderll bank we saw signs that the road was closed but other cars were turning left so we assumed they knew where they were going. We ran Westwards to Blackden and then we re-joined the A535 further North. At Chelford we ran Eastwards along the A537 to Monks Heath. We turned left onto Bollington lane and then we got to the A34 and we ran Northwards. Traffic was now free flowing and we got onto the Alderley Edge by-pass. We continued up the A34 bypassing Wilmslow and Handforth. There were some steep hills so we decided to switchback to petrol for the rest of the journey. We ran north to the M60 and we got onto the anti-clockwise carriageway. As we headed towards Stockport we saw Stagecoach Manchester 37146 going the other way round. We ran through Stockport and we headed North ans as we we passed near to Ashton-under-Lyme we started to turn Westwards. We ran around to junction 19 and we came of the M60 onto the Northbound A576. We ran the last couple of miles into town and we attempted to park by MacDonalds but the spaces were not only full but the were car and taxis doubled parked and trying to turn and go out onto Limetrees Road. We went on top of the shopping centre and it took a while to park there as 1/2 the car park had been shut. We eventually parked up around 14:15! We went into the shopping centre and then we headed to the toilets. After using the facilities we went down to ground level and we walked out to the bus station and the cafe on the pavement opposite to it. On the corner stand was required Stagecoach Manchester 10863 on a #112 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10863 in Middleton bus station

We stopped for dinner at the pavement cafe and the sun was quite warm. Matthew had a sausage and eggs barm with a few fries washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we left her to pay whilst we went of towards the bus station. Before we entered the bus station we saw First Manchester 37469 on a #59 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37469 in Middleton bus station

We also saw First Manchester 37442 on a #17 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37442 in Middleton bus station

We went around to the other side of the bus station and we spotted required First Manchester 37282 on a #18 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37282 in Middleton bus station

We decided to do the bus so we got on and we brought System One bus only day tickets at £5.20 each. We went upstairs and we sat down and the bus pulled out of the bus station. We joined the Eastbound A576 and then we went Southwards down the A664. We climbed up the hill out of town and then we ran down hill over the M60 and into Blackley. Further down the road we passed Blackley service station and then we saw a road that we recognised... We passed Old Market Street and the West end of Boggart Hole Clough. We continued Southwards into Harpurhey and we stopped outside the 'World famous Embassy Club' with the mosaic of Bernard Manning on he side! We decided to go another couple of stops South and then get off the bus. We got up and got off opposite to the Kebab King. Once of the bus Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 37282 before it carried on towards Manchester.

First Manchester 37282 in Harpurhey

Once off the bus we walked Southwards down the road to the traffic lights. We crossed over the road and we were going to go further South to the next stop. We saw a bus approaching so we decided to go North as the bus stop was closer. I flagged the bus down and Matthew took a picture of required First Manchester 63148 on the #53 to Cheetham Hill

First Manchester 63148 in Harpurhey

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran North through Harpurhey and into Blackley. As we veered left onto Old Market Street we wet into familiar territory. We guessed we were towards the North Manchester General Hospital. We asked Matthew if he wanted to go to the hospital or Cheetham Hill and Matthew chose the hospital. We ran forwards onto Delaunays Road and then we turned left into the hospital. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 63148 before it carried on towards Cheetham Hill.

First Manchester 63148 outside the NMGH

We crossed over the road to get get a picture of required Stagecoach Manchester 36075 which was on a #57 service to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 36075 outside the NMGH

We also saw required First Manchester 66855 on a #42 to Manchester. We also saw required Stagecoach Manchester 10858 on a #156 to Middleton.

Stagecoach Manchester 10858 outside the NMGH

We decided to do the Stagecoach Manchester 36075 so we got on it and flashed the System One ticket to the driver. Matthew took a picture inside and then we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36075

We set off onto Delaunays Road and we went eastwards towards Blackley. We turned right onto Lion Street and we went Southwards. We went forwards onto Slack Road and forwards again onto Waterloo Street. We continued onto Hazelbottom Road and at the end we turned left onto Smedley Road. We turned left onto the A6010 and we ran Eastwards for around 1/4 of a mile until we got to the A664. We turned right to go South and travelled for around another 1/2 mile. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 36075 as it carried on towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 36075 in Miles Platting

Right behind us was required Stagecoach Manchester 10853 on a #118 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10853 in Miles Platting

We crossed over the road to catch a bus Northwards back towards Middleton. A few minutes later required First Manchester 66868 on a #17 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 66868 in Miles Platting

We decided to do this bus so we flagged it down. We got on the bud and we flashed the System One ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Northwards up the A664 we we travelled through Harpurhey past the World Famous Embassy Club. We paused for a short while and then we continued North past Boggart Hole Clough and Into Blackley. We crossed over the M60 and we ran the last mile or so into Middleton. We crossed over the A669 and we entered the bus station. Once we got off the bus Matthew indicated he wanted to go to the toilet. On the way to the toilet we saw dud First Manchester 42941 on layover in between #415's to Oldham.

First Manchester 42941 in Middleton bus station

Whilst Matthew was in the toilet I saw a First Manchester ALX400 pull up on stand. Matthew finished in the toilet and we walked over to discover that the bus was required First Manchester 30935 on a #59 to Manchester.

First Manchester 30935 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 30935 before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 30935

We set off out of the bus station and we turned onto the A576. We ran the couple of miles down to the M60 and we crossed over and into Blackley we past the East side of Heaton Park. We carried on for another couple of miles and we turned left onto Bury Old Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another First Manchester 30935 before it carried on towards Manchester.

First Manchester 30935 in Cheetham Hill

Once off the road we went into Kashmir Mart world food shop. We brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars and then we went back outside. As we came back out of the shop we saw First Manchester 30945 heading Northwards on a #59 service. We crossed the road and we just missed a bus on a #163 to Bury. We decided to sit at the bus stop and wait for the next #59. Whilst we waited Matthew had a can of Vimto and a chocolate bar. Whilst we were at the bus we saw Stotts MX60 BWZ on a #151 to Hollinwood.

Stotts MX60 BWZ in Cheetham Hill

A few minutes later the bus to Middleton appeared. It was dud First Manchester 37553 on a #59 to Oldham.

First Manchester 37553 in Cheetham Hill

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37553 before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 37553

The bus set off up Bury Old Road and we turned right the A576 where we stopped for a short while. We continued North Eastwards past Bowker Vale tram stop and to the East of Heaton Park. We crossed the M60 and we ran the couple of miles into town. We entered the bus station. Once in Middleton bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over to the other side of the bus station and we saw First Manchester 37442 on a #17 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37442 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One ticket to the bus driver. We went upstairs and we sat down and the bus pulled out of the bus station. We joined the Eastbound A576 and then we went Southwards down the A664. We climbed up the hill out of town and then we ran down hill over the M60 and into Blackley. Further down the road we passed Blackley service station and then we saw a road that we recognised... We passed Old Market Street and the West end of Boggart Hole Clough. We continued Southwards into Harpurhey and we stopped outside the 'World famous Embassy Club'. We then continued Southwards down the A664 crossed over Queens Road. We got back into familiar territory so we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 37442 as it carried on towards Manchester.

First Manchester 37442 in Miles Platting

We crossed over the road and we waited at the bus stop for a bus back towards Middleton. As we waited we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 10849 on a #112 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10849 in Miles Platting

We also saw First Manchester 67419 on a #81A to Manchester.

First Manchester 67419 in Miles Platting

A few minutes later a bus appeared and it was dud First Manchester 37431 on a #163 to Bury.

First Manchester 37431 in Miles Platting

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off Northwards up the A664 we we travelled through Harpurhey past the World Famous Embassy Club. We paused for a short while and then we continued North past Boggart Hole Clough and Into Blackley. We crossed over the M60 and we ran the last mile or so into Middleton. We crossed over the A669 and we entered the bus station. Once we got off the bus we had one last walk around the bus station to see what was about before we returned to the car. We saw required First Manchester 60274 on a #58 to Oldham.

First Manchester 60274 in Middleton bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Manchester 10848 on a #112 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 10848 in Middleton bus station

We walked outside onto the main road whilst we waited for mum to arrive and we saw First Manchester 39207 on a #18 to Langley.

First Manchester 39207 in Middleton bus station

We walked across the the police station and mum pulled up outside. We got in the car and there were sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru waiting for Matthew. We set off onto the A664 and we ran up the hill and down towards Blackley. We joined the anti-clockwise M60 and as we joined up with the M62 we saw Rigby's coach RIG 1083. We continued along the M60 and then took the Westbound M62. We carried on Westwards for a few miles and then we took the Southbound M6. As we travelled Southwards we saw and unidentified AVA Coaches coach. We came off the M6 at the A500 and we ran Southwards through Stoke. At Sideway we went Eastwards along the A50 to Longton. We went to Z Carz to see what was parked up this evening. In the front row was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMO.

Z Carz DG10 VMO in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

Nearest in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked in to compound today. In the compound we saw Z Carz Renault minibus YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Last bus in the compound was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

It appears that Z Carz may have brought the field behind the shed and are extending the depot so they don't have to park the buses on the spare ground. We turned around and ran down Edensor Road. We turned left onto Spring Garden Road and we ran to the end. We went past a new building which appears to being built by the old Somerfield supermarket. We joined the A5035 towards Longton and we did a u-turn at the roundabout. We stopped at the Longton Fisheries chip shop to pick up tea. Matthew decided to visit the bookmakers next door to use the toilet. We picked up the food and we ran along the A5035 through Dresden into Blurton. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out at home and uploaded pictures and did some of the Blog. Matthew chilled out om the computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark