Trip to Bolton / Darwen 14-03-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15244	Bolton Interchange	Horwich, The Crown (Stop B)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
2998	Horwich, The Crown (Stop D)	Bolton Interchange	575	Arriva NW&W
511	Bolton Interchange	Darwen, Circus	1	Transdev Blackburn
510	Darwen, Town Centre(stand 1)	Bolton Interchange	1	Transdev Blackburn
33033	Bolton Interchange	Farnworth BS	501	Rotala Diamond
69148	Farnworth BS	Bolton Interchange	501	Rotala Diamond

Today we decided to re-visit Bolton. Originally Matthew had requested going to Gainsborough, but we felt that both of these destination were to far away for this time of the year. We ask Matthew to pick somewhere a little closer and he chose Bolton. research consisted of looking at Parkopedia to see where we could park and looking to see where we could eat i loved it. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:0 and we stop onto Beaconsfield Drive to pick up mum's friend. We continued along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blurton Road and we went through the roadworks and past the BP garage which has been knocked down and is being re-built. We ran up the hill to Heron Cross and we turned left on to the Westbound A50. We turned left onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Hanford to Hanchurch where we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 15. As we ran Northwards we saw an unidentified Anthony's Travel coach, an unidentified Megabus coach (Cardiff), white minibus NJ65 ABU / M28 JAF. As we passed past Keele services we were overtaken by M N E Transport coach BU16 GZD.

MNE Transport BU16 GZD on the M6

We continued Northwards and we saw Parks of Hamilton BV67 JYY (#570) / LSK 807(#540), 3 unidentified white coaches, City Cabs ND58 EDJ, an unidentified grey VIP coach, an unidentified Sky Coaches coach, blue minibus YY69 CVR, an unidentified Andrew's Plaxton Cheetah and Go NW 39210(#100) passing over the top. We continued up to junction 21A and we joined the Eastbound M62. Seen on the M62 were an unidentified white Mercedes minibus, an unidentified Megabus (Liverpool) and former PSV Dart burger van Y671 NLO. We continued onto the Eastbound M60 and a couple of junctions on we joined the Northbound M61. We continued onto the A666 and we ran towards Bolton. We came off at the A579 and we headed Westwards around the bottom end of Bolton. We turned right onto Black Horse Street and right onto Great Moor Street. We were trying to get to Back Cheapside but we couldn't go straight on at the next junction. We turned right onto Newport Street and we went around the block again. This time we decided to park at Morrisons instead. We turned right onto the A579 and we turned right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Morrisons and we parked up. We went into the supermarket and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went into the cafe and we had dinner. Matthew had a sausage bap with extra sausage washed down with a cup of Coke. For afters Matthew had a slice of lemon meringue pie. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and her friend and we cut through onto Newport Street. On the way to the interchange we saw Rotala Diamond 69169 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 69169 in Bolton

We went into the interchange and Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we had a walk around the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 on a #125 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 in Bolton Interchange

We got on the bus and we brought System One Bus Only Day tickets from the driver at £6 each before going upstairs and sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A575. We turned left onto Deansgate and right onto Bridge Street. We headed up through Brownlow Fold and up over Montserrat Brow. As we travelled up we saw Vision SL15 ZGP on a #502 to Bolton. We headed down the hill into Horwich and through to the top end of town by the Crown pub where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 as it continued Northwards towards Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15244 in Horwich

Once off the bus we set off around the corner and into the pub. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and met up with uncle Dave. We walked down Chorley New Road to the bus stop and we waited for the next bus towards Bolton. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2998 on a #575 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2998 in Horwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Chorley New Road and we ran through the centre of Horwich and we headed South. We ran for about 5 miles along the A673 to the edge of Bolton. We crossed the ring road onto the B6205 and we turned right onto the B6204. We followed the road around onto the A676 and we turned right onto Black Horse Street past the old bus station. We followed the road to the left onto Great Moor Street and we turned right into Newport Street where we entered the bus station. We got up and as the bus was now empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2998 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2998

Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards, we had a look around to see what we could catch next. we spotted Transdev Blackburn 511 on a #1 to Blackburn.

Transdev Blackburn 511 in Bolton Interchange

We got on the bus and We purchased a Lancashire Duo ticket for £8. to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the interchange onto Great Moor Street past and we ran North up the A575 and we turned left into Deansgate. We turned right into Bridge Street and we ran out of town over the ring road. We continued North onto Blackburn Road and we went up to Astley Bridge. We ran Northwards up the A666 through Egerton. We ran Northwards into the More and we continued up towards Darwen. In the centre of town we ran forwards onto Market Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Transdev Blackburn 511 before it continued onto Blackburn.

Transdev Blackburn 511 in Darwen

Once of the bus Matthew spotted a cafe and that there was a toilet in the back. We went into the cafe and we disappeared through the back and along a long corridor to a toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walked back along the corridor and we nearly made a wrong turn and ended up in a butchers shop next door, We returned to the cafe and Matthew had a a piece of millionaires shortbread washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we went outside and we saw Transdev Blackburn 502 on a #1 to Blackburn.

Transdev Blackburn 502 in Darwen

We went in the shop next door and we brought a couple of cans and some chocolate bars. We paid for the goods and we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave. We set off along Market Street and we turned left onto Croft Street. We turned right into Parliament street and we waited at the bus stop for a bus back to Bolton. Whilst we waited Matthew had a can of Fanta and a small Curly Wurly. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was Transdev Blackburn 510 on a #1 to Bolton.

Transdev Blackburn 510 in Darwen

We got on the bus and we flashed the Lancashire Duo ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Parliament Street and we turned right onto Church Street and we turned left onto the Southbound A666. We ran Southwards out of town and we headed through the moors to the edge of Great Manchester. We continued into Egerton and we continued Southwards through Astley Bridge. We continued down Blackburn Road and we travelled the mile or so into the town centre. We ran down Bridge Street and we turned right into St George's Road. We turned left into Knowsely Street and we passed the Market Place Shopping Centre before going into the bus station via Deansgate and Moor Lane. Once back at the Interchange Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went outside to take a few bus pictures. We saw Rotala Diamond 33752 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 33752 in Bolton Interchange

We headed back into the bus station and we decided to wait for the next #501 to Farnworth. A short time later we saw required Rotala Diamond 33033 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Rotala Diamond 33033 in Bolton Interchange

We got onto the bus and we flashed the System One tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Newport Street. We crossed over the A579 and we continued Southwards along Thynne Street. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street and we continued onto Crescent Road. We turned right onto Green Lane and we turned right onto Bishops Road. We turned left onto Bradford Road and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Minerva Road and we ran forwards onto Redgate Way. We turned right onto Plodder Lane and we turned sharp left onto Highfield Road. We continued onto Harrowby Street and we turned left onto the Northbound A575. We turned right onto onto the Southbound AS6053 and we ran into the centre of Farnworth. We turned right into King Street and we stopped at the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 33033 as it headed back towards Bolton.

Rotala Diamond 33033 in Farnworth bus station

Once off the bus we had a quick walk around town. Matthew indicated he required the toilet so we turned right onto the A6053 and he spotted a bookies. After using the toilet we headed back towards the bus station, passing the former RBS branch on the corner. We walked to the bus station and we saw Tyrer's SJ54 GDE on a #513 to Bury.

Tyrer's SJ54 GDE in Farnworth bus station

We waited at the relevant bus stop in the bus station for the next bus back towards Bolton. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 69148 on a #501 to Johnson Fold.

Rotala Diamond 69148 in Farnworth bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the system One bus ticket to the driver for the final time today. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 69148 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Rotala Diamond 69148

The bus set off along King Street and we turned right onto Albert Road. We turned left onto Harrowby Street and we headed Westwards. At the roundabout we continued Eastwards onto Highfield Road. We continued Westards for around 10 stops before turned right onto Plodder lane. We headed Eastwards before turning left onto Redgate Way. We ran Northwards and we followed the road Eastwards and we ran forwards onto Minerva Road. We turned left onto Bradford Road and we headed Northwards. We turned right onto Green lane and we headed Eastwards. We turned left onto Crescent Road and we headed towards Bolton. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street. We continued Morthwards onto Thynne Street and we turnd left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street before entering the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a final walk around the bus station to take bus pictures. We saw Park's of Hamilton BF68 LBO on a #540 to Colne.

Park's of Hamilton BF68 LBO in Bolton Interchange

Once we had finished taking pictures we walked onto Newport Street and mum was waiting for us in the car near to the old entrance to the railway station. Mum was waiting with a sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off along Newport Street and we turned left onto the A579. We headed Eastwards out of town an we joined the Southbound A666. As we travelled Southwards we saw Tyrer's VDL coach and an unidentified Arriva NW&W Pulsar II running out of service. We merged onto the M61 and we joined the anti-clockwise M60. After a couple of junctions we joined the Westbound M62. Seen on the M62 were an unidentified grey Llew Jones coach, Selwyn's 299(#060), an unidentified Stanley Coaches coach and an unidentified silver minibus. We joined the M6 and we headed Southwards towards junction 15. Seen on the M6 was an unidentified Furlongs minibus. We joined the Southbound A519 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. We turned right onto the A34 and at the big roundabout in Trentham we turned left onto the A5035. We continued through Blurton and Dresden and we ran into Longton. We went to see what was at Z carz this evening. In the compound was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus LJ07 PXW parked up.

Z Carz LJ07 PXW in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Stanley Matthews Way and we turned left onto the A5035. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea we had bangers and mash and carrots followed by a cream filled sponge cake. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. Later on we went to take uncle Dave home and Matthew came with me. We set off onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran to the end. We turned right onto the Eastbound and we ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left into Grove Road and we dropped uncle Dave off at home. Having adjusted uncle Dave's calendar we set off back home. We ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto the Westbound A50. We came off at the next junction and we joined Stanley Matthews Way. We ran to the other end and we turned left onto the A5035. We got home around 22:45. We chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 01:00... Mark