Trip to Leicester / Oadby 29-09-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4546	Leicester Haymarket BS	Oadby, Alexandra Court	31	Arriva Midlands
4535	Oadby, Chapel Street	Leicester Haymarket BS	31	Arriva Midlands
35189	Leicester Haymarket BS	Glenfield Hospital (Main Entrance)	14A	First Leicester
35152	Glenfield Hospital (Main Entrance)	Beaumont Centre (Stand A)	14A	First Leicester
63349	Beaumont Centre (Stand E)	Anstey, Indian Restaurant	74	First Leicester
66967	Anstey, Latimer Street	Beaumont Centre (Stand C)	74	First Leicester
66975	Beaumont Centre (Stand B)	Leicester Haymarket BS	25	First Leicester

Today we decided to re-visit Leicester. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cool sunny weather. We gave Matthew a list of destination from the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Leicester. Research for the trip consisted of looking at the Blog from our last visit to see what the name of the Leicester area multi-operator ticket is. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden to the edge of Longton. We turned left onto the high level A50 and we ran up to the next roundabout and we turned right onto baths Road. We ran to the roundabout and we turned right into Tesco and we stopped at the petrol station. Once we had filled up we left the petrol station onto baths Road and we turned left onto the high level A50. At the next roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50 and we ran through Meir and under the tunnel. We ran past the Copeland's Tours depot and we saw the new Plaxton Cheetah mini coach MIB 905. We continued as far as the Blythe bridge roundabout an as the A50 was shut up to Uttoxeter for bridge demolition we ran forwards onto the A522. As we joined the A522 we saw Bowens BU18 YSB approaching the roundabout. We continued throught Tean and as we travelled Eastwards we passed Miles ? white minibus DX05 ???. We stopped for dinner at The Dog and Partridge. Matthew went to the toilet and had a glass of Coke. For dinner he had a burger and fries. As we ate dinner we saw blue minibus W31 PPS, Masthouse EK15 KVA, silver minibus BG04 HKC & Alba Travel YT16 JKZ. Once we had finished eating we continued Eastwards onto along the A522. We passed through Fole and past the JCB factory and we went over the he new road bridge. As we headed towards Uttoxeter alongside the A50 we saw the old bridge being demolished. We ran the last 1/2 mile to Uttoxeter and at the Three Tuns pub we turned left onto the B5030. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A50 and we continued Eastwards. As we travelled towards the M1 we saw JJRC MX05 NFA and unidentified white coach. We got onto the Southbound M1 on a brand new slip road down the M1 since my last run Eastwards. We ran down to Junction 22 and we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran into town along the A50 for around 7 miles passing Roberts X211 HBT and Silverdale FJ61 EWR. We turned left onto Blackbird Way. We followed the road around onto St Margarets Way passing Catteralls of Southam BX15 MOA and we turned left onto Burleys Way. We turned right onto Abbey Street and left onto Belgrave Gate. We did a u-turn and we ran up towards the bus station and into the car park. We parked up and we walked through the shopping centre to the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and then we said goodbye to mum. We walked though the bus station and out the other end. We decided to take a few pictures before we caught the first bus. We saw required Stagecoach Midlands 26223 on a #48 to Coventry.

Stagecoach Midlands 26223 in Leicester bus station

Also seen was required First Leicester 66315 on a #38A to Thurnby Lodge.

First Leicester 66315 in Leicester bus station

Another bus seen was required First Leicester 66805 on a #12 to Park Rise.

First Leicester 66805 in Leicester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva Midlands 5004 on a U3 service to the Halls of Residence.

Arriva Midlands 5004 in Leicester bus station

Another bus seen was required First Leicester 32644 on a #14 to Ryder Road.

First Leicester 32644 in Leicester bus station

We walked into the bus station to see what we could catch. We decided to do required Arriva Midlands 4546 on a #31 to Oadby.

Arriva Midlands 4546 in Leicester bus station

Whilst we waited to get on the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 4423 on a #48 to South Wigston.

Arriva Midlands 4423 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Flexi Day Tickets at £5.20 each before going upstairs and sitting down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned sharp right onto Charles Street and we headed South Eastwards. We joined the Southbound A594 and we went past the railway station on the the A6. We travelled out of town for a further 2 1/2 miles. We turned right onto The Parade and into Oadby town centre. We continued through the town along the B582 and forwards onto London Road. We we reached the A6 we turned sharp left and went back Northwards. We turned right onto Uplands Road and left into Launde Road. We turned right onto Copse Close and forwards onto Severn Road. We ran forwards onto Ullswater Drive and left onto Hunters Way. We turned left onto Beaufort Way and right onto Florence Wragg Way. We turned right onto the A6 and we ran North for around 1/3 mile. We veered left onto London Road passing Arriva Midlands 4535 on the following #31 service. We continued along London Road we headed back into Oadby town centre. As we approached the town centre we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4546 as it headed back towards Leicester Haymarket bus station.

Arriva Midlands 4546 in Oadby

As we had come into town from the South Matthew had spotted a convenience store. We set off Southwards down the B582 and we continued along London Road. The convenience store was just a few yards from the previous bus stop. We picked up a can of Coke and a few chocolate bars and we paid for them before continuing to the bus stop. Whilst we waited for the next bus Matthew had the bounty which we had just purchased. He gave uncle Dave half of one of the bars and and he gave me the tiniest shaving of chocolate off the end of the bar. Whilst we waited we saw a unidentified Centrebus Solo SR turn in the distance on a #40 service. A Southbound #31 passed us just moments before we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 4535 on a a #31 to Leicester Haymarket bus station as expected.

Arriva Midlands 4535 in Oadby

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4535 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4535

The bus set off up London Road and forwards onto the the B582. We ran into Oadby town centre and we paused for a short while before continuing North to the A6. We ran through the leafy suburbs of Leicester and we ran past the railway station. We ran forwards onto Charles street and into Haymarket Bus Station. Once off the bus we had a wander don to the Northern corner of the bus station. Matthew saw Stagecoach Midlands 28621 on a X7 service to Milton Keynes which he rather fancied doing.

Stagecoach Midlands 28621 in Leicester bus station

We didn't know where the bus stopped, and as it was an X service we thought that it was perhaps not a good idea to do. We walked back up to the other end of the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. After Matthew had finished we need to catch another bus quickly, as the jaunt to Oadby and back had taken over an hour and a half. We saw dud First Leicester 66851 on a #74 to Anstey which we let go.

First Leicester 66851 in Leicester bus station

We walked further down the bus station and we saw required First Leicester 35189 on a 14A to the Beaumont Centre.

First Leicester 35189 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and onto Abbey Street. We turned left onto the A594 and we went past the St Margarets bus station. We turned right onto the A50 and we passed First Leicester 32646 coming the other way. We crossed over the Grand Union Canal and the river Soar. Near to Aldi we turned right onto Fosse Road North and forwards onto Henley Road. We turned right onto Petworth Drive and forwards onto Aikman Avenue. After a mile run through a housing estate we turned right onto the A563 outer ring road. After we crossed the A50 we entered Glenfield Hospital where we decided to get up and get off the bus. The plan was to perhaps go back to Leicester as quick as possible to catch something else in a different direction, but the next bus due was in 10 minutes towards The Beaumont Centre. Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited. The bus turned up and it was dud First Leicester 35152 on a #14A to the Beaumont Centre.

First Leicester 35152 in Glenfield Hospital

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before going upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Leicester 35152 before we sat down.

Inside First Leicester 35152

We set off out of the hospital before continuing North up the A563. We turned left onto Anstey lane and right onto Binnion Road. We ran past the Beaumont Centre before doing a u-turn at the next roundabout and pulling up outside the main pedestrian entrance on the shopping centre and bus stops. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Leicester 35152 before it returned to Leicester on the the #14A to the Haymarket bus station.

First Leicester 35152 in Beaumont Centre

On the adjacent road we saw required First Leicester 66349 on a #74 to Anstey.

First Leicester 66349 in Beaumont Centre

Matthew decided he wanted to do this bus so we got on and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We ran Northwards up Rutherford Road and we turn left onto the roundabout. We ran back South past The Beaumont Centre and at the roundabout we turned right onto Anstey Lane. We crossed over the A46 and up the hill into Anstey. We turned right in the centre of Anstey and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Leicester 63349 as it continued to the end of the run.

First Leicester 66349 in Anstey

Once off the bus we followed a sign and walked up an alley into a car park where there was a toilet block. The toilets were closed. We continued back down to the roundabout and we walked towards the Leicester bound bus stop. Matthew decided we were going to stop at the pub on the corner. He used the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. Once we had finished we rejoined uncle Dave outside and continued to the bus stop. Whilst we waited for the next bus towards Leicester we saw minibus KX08 OKV pass by.

KX08 OKV in Anstey

A few more minutes past by and we saw a bus come around the corner. As it got closer we saw that it was requited First Leicester 66967 on a #74 to Leicester Haymarket bus station.

First Leicester 66967 in Anstey

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down Leicester Road and we ran over the A46. We continued onto Anstey Lane and at the roundabout we turned left onto Bennion Road. We passed the Beaumont Centre and at the next roundabout we did a u-turn and headed back to the bus stops outside the Beaumont Centre. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Leicester 66967 before it continued back towards Leicester.

First Leicester 66967 in Beaumont Centre

We decided to do one more journey back to the town centre. We had a look to see when the next bus was due. As we were checking the bus stops we saw a single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Leicester 66975.

First Leicester 66975 in Beaumont Centre

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day Tickets to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down Bennion Road and we veered left onto Orwell Drive. We crossed over the ring road onto Straabourg Drive and we continued forwards onto Heacham Drive. We travelled for around 1/2 mile before turning right onto Burnham Drive. We turned left onto Somerset Avenue and we ran straight onto Parker Drive. We ran forwards onto Blackbird Road and we crossed over the A6. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A607 and we ran under Burleys Flyerover. We continued onto Belgrave Gate and we veered left onto Charles Street. We ran past the bus station and we joined the bus station from the Southern end. We got up and got off the bus and we walked around the bus station and took a few pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 3315 on a X55 to Hinckley.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Leicester bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Midlands 26214 on a #48 to Coventry.

Stagecoach Midlands 26214 in Leicester bus station

Around the other side of the bus station we saw First Leicester 35192 on a #54 to The Beaumont Centre.

First Leicester 35192 in Leicester bus station

Also seen was Arriva Midlands 4753 on a #47 to South Wigston.

Arriva Midlands 4753 in Leicester bus station

We met up with mum and Matthew used the toilet before we returned through the shopping centre back to the car. At the car mum had brought a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. Once back at the car we set off out off the car park. We turned left onto Abbey Street past the end of the other bus station. We turned left onto Burleys Way and right onto the A50. We ran through Frog Island and we took a wrong turning onto Fosse Lane North. We ran forwards onto Henley Lane and we turned right onto the A47. We ran Westwards to the ring road and we went onto the Northbound A563. We ran Northwards up the A50 and we turned left onto the North-West bound carriageway. We ran for around 5 miles up to the Motorway and we joined the Northbound M1. We came off the motorway at junction 23A and we joined the Westbound A50 again. As we travelled Westwards we passed 50 were grey minibus YY08 FJC, Midland Classic 52, an unidentified Terry Bushel Travel coach. We came off the A50 ant Uttoxeter and we turned right B5030 and left onto Ashbourne Road. We joined the Westbound A522 and we travelled through Tean and Draycott passing Ausden Clark BIG 3359. We rejoined the A50 and we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 293 / MIB 520 / MIB 978. We ran through Meir and Normacot and we came off the A50 at Longton. We ran up to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground so we turned left onto Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. We saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Also seen outside the depot was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMO.

Z Carz DG10 VMO in Longton

We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.