Trip to Blackpool / Lytham 14-09-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
526	Blackpool, Chapel Street	Lytham, Square	17	Blackpool Transport
446	Lytham, Square	St Annes, Square	11	Blackpool Transport
432	St Annes, Square	Blackpool, Market Street	11	Blackpool Transport
553	Blackpool, Market Street	Marton Fold, Squires Gate Lane	5	Blackpool Transport
455	Marton Fold, Squires Gate Lane	Blackpool, Chapel Street	17	Blackpool Transport

Today we decided to re-vist Blackpool. Matthew had spotted on our work calender that we had arranged a night in Blackpool. So a while back we decided to book a weekend in Blackpool with Matthew. Research consisted of going on the Blackpool Transport website and checking the price and validity of the day tickets and downloading a network map. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little before 12:00 and we ran onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We joined the Westbound A50 and we ran down to the roundabout at Sideway. We joined the Northbound A500 and we stopped at Asda to fill up with diesel. We continued up the A500 and we saw Ashcroft Travel K15 PSV, Orion F15 ??? and Edwards (NX) BU18 OTM(#528). We joined the Northbound M6 and we ran Northwards. Seen on the M6 was ABC Supreme KX13 DZL. We got caught in some traffic and we travelled slowly between junctions 18 & 18. In front of us was Woods YS14 LHW which may have been going to the Manchester United vs Leicester City game.

Woods YS14 LHW on the M6

We continued Northward up the M6 and we saw YN64 LXY, blue minibus SF15 FUB, an unidentified Paul of Stoke coach (newer livery),Sharpes of Nottingham TX13 ASH, an unidentified silver Stanton's of Stoke coach, an unidentified Clynnog And Trefor coach, an unidentified Little's coach, C&S Executive Coaches ML19 EZP, Selwyn's BV19 XSU(#060) / unidentified minicoach, and an unidentified Carvers coach. We came off the M6 at junction 27 and we headed to Appley Bridge for dinner. We turned left onto Back Lane. we ran down to the bottom pf the hill and we turned left onto the B5375. We stopped at the cafe and Matthew went to the toilet. We sat at a table outside and we ate dinner. For dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. Seen in Appley Bridge were Rotala Diamond 69250/30918 (#635) and an unidentified C&K's of Wigan minibus. When we had finished eating we set off onto the B5375 and we turned right onto Back Lane. We re-joined the Northbound M6 and we ran up to junction 32. We joined the Westbound M55 and we ran to the edge of Blackpool. We ran forwards onto Yeadon Way and we turned right onto Parkinson Way. We turned right onto Waterloo Road and left onto the A5099. We ran up Ashton Road and we turned left onto Park Road. We turned left onto Palatine Road and we stopped near to the hotel. We checked into the hotel and after a few minutes we said goodbye to mum and we headed down Palatine Road onto Central Drive. We waited for a Southbound bus and we saw required Blackpool Transport 526 on a #17 to Saltercotes.

Blackpool Transport 526 in Blackpool

We got on the bus and we booked Blackpool Transport day tickets at £6 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Wew set off along Central Drive and at the roundabout we veered left onto the B5261. We continued Southwards through Hawes Side and Common Edge and we ran to the East of the airport. We turned right onto Kilnhouse Land and right onto Derwent Road. We ran through the housing estate to the North of Lytham St Annes. We turned left onto Hoyle Avenue and left onto Bowness Avenue. We turned right onto Blackpool Road North and at the end we turned left onto Leach Lane. At the roundabouts onto Headroomgate Road and right onto Heeley Road. We turned left onto St David Road North. We ran Southwards for around 1/2 mile and we turned right onto the B5233. We went past the railway station and into the centre of St Annes. After a brief stop continued along the B5233 we turned left onto A584. After a long run Southwards we turned left onto Ansdell Road South. We ran forwards onto Cambridge Road and at the end we re-joined the B5261. We veered left onto Church Road and we ran the last 1/3 mile into the centre of Lytham where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 526 before if continued towards Saltercotes.

Blackpool Transport 526 in Lytham

Once off the bus we had a bit of a walk around. we set off Northwards up park Street and we saw preserved Stagecoach Ribble double decker 2234 go past. We turned left onto Westby Street and we saw the railway station in the distance. We turned left onto Hastings Place. We crossed over Church Road and we turned left onto Beach Street. We crossed over the A584 and we headed towards the sea. We spotted a mobile coffee trailer and they also did soft drinks. Matthew had a can of Coke and we sat by the shelter near to the green. Whilst we sat and had out drink I looked up the next departure towards Blackpool from Market Place. In about 6 minutes there was a #11 to Blackpool. We disposed of our empty cans in the bin and we crossed over the green and the A584. We walked up Queen Street and we turned right onto Church Road. As we approached Market Square we saw the bus at the bus stop. As we got closer we saw it was required Blackpool Transport 446.

Blackpool Transport 446 in Lytham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 446.

Inside Blackpool Transport 446

The bus set off along Church Road and we past the Lytham Sports Club where Saunders of Preston SF04 ZXG was parked outside. We continued Westwards and we ran forwards onto the B5261. We We turned left onto Albany Road and ran through Ansdell and forwards onto Church Road. We ran into the centre of Lytham St Annes and we turned left onto the B5233. We travelled Southwards for around 1/2 mile and we went past St Annes railway station before coming into the centre of town where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed to a pub so Matthew could go to the toilet and have a drink. Near to the bus stop was a sports bar called Fifteen's. Matthew headed to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and we met up with uncle Dave. Whilst we waited for a bus towards Blackpool we saw G-line Holidays coach YJ65 GME running towards the A584.

G-line YJ65 GME in St Annes

A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Blackpool Transport 432 on a #11 to Blackpool.

Blackpool Transport 432 in St Annes

We got on the bus and we flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sitting down. We set off down the B5233 and at the junction we turned right onto the A584. We ran for a few miles along the main road and at Starr Gate we turned right onto Squires Gate Lane. We turned left onto the B5262 and we ran Northwards up to Manchester Square. We rejoined the A584 and we ran Northwards past Central Pier and Blackpool Tower. We ran up to North Pier and we turned right onto Talbot Road. We turned right onto Market Street and the bus terminated by the Blackpool Transport office. We got off the bus and we looked for another bus to catch. In an adjacent stand was required Blackpool Transport 553 on a #5 to Halfway.

Blackpool Transport 553 in Blackpool

We decided to do this bus, so we got on and flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Market Street and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned left onto the Promenade and we turned right onto Adelaide Street West. We turned right onto Bank Hey Street and we ran forwards onto Central Drive. At the roundabout we veered right to continue along Central Drive. We crossed Waterloo Road and we continued onto St Anne's Road. We continued to the end of the road and we paused near to the Halfway pub. We turned left onto Squires Gate Lane and we turned left onto the B5261 where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 553 as it returned back towards Victoria Hospital.

Blackpool Transport 553 in Marton Fold

We decided to do the next #17 back towards the hotel. We had looked at the interactive bus map and we saw that the next #17 would be required Blackpool Transport 455. We waited for around 10 minutes and as expected we saw Blackpool Transport 455 on a #17 to Blackpool.

Blackpool Transport 455 in Marton Fold

We got on the bus and we flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the B5261 and we travelled Northwards for around a mile and we crossed over the Waterloo Road. We continued along the B5261 and we joined onto Central Drive. A few hundred yards up the road we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 455 as it continued into Blackpool.

Blackpool Transport 455 in Blackpool

Once off the bus we walked up Palatine Road and back to the hotel. We went to the room and we chilled out for an hour or so. Later on we went out to get some food. We set off onto Palatine Road and we turned left onto Central Drive. We continued along central Drive and at the end we spotted a place we could get some chips. We missed the turning so we turned right onto Squires Gate Lane. We turned right onto Sandgate and right onto Waltham Avenue. We turned into the parking adjacent to the A5099 and we parked up. Mum went to the chipshop and me and Matthew went into Costcutter. We brought a bottle of Pepsi and a few chocolate bars. We went back to the car and we waited for mum. We waited for some time as it was a very busy chip shop! Mum came back to the car and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Pepsi. After we had finished eating we set off onto the Northbound A5099. We crossed over Waterloo Road and we continued along Central Drive. We turned right into Palatine Road and we parked up in the street near to the hotel. We went up to the room and we chilled out. We wrote a few e-mails and we did some of the Blog. We watched some television and Matthew used his tablet computer. Matthew went to sleep around 01:30... Mark.