Trip to Stockport / Manchester 30-04-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
11523	Stockport, Stop AA	Manchester, Stop Q	192	Stagecoach Manchester
2740	Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens	Stretford, Arndale	263	Arriva NW&W
2741	Stretford, Davyhulme Road	Hulme, Hulme Park	263	Arriva NW&W
4004	Hulme, Hulme Park	Longsight,(Stop D)	53	Go North West
11515	Longsight, (Stop A)	Manchester, (Stop SB)	197	Stagecoach Manchester
6219	Manchester, (Stop CK)	Manchester, (Stop R)	41	Go North West
11553	Manchester,(Stop EP)	Stockport,(Stop CC)	192	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Stockport. No research for the trip was done other than to check the weather, which was for mainly dry with a chance of some rain later on. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast for breakfast. We got ready to go out and we set off around 11:45. We set off thr Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive and we saw white minibus BJ63 UEH parked up. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we turned right into Sutherland Street to turn around! We ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and came off the A50 at Normacot. We turned left onto Uttoxeter Road and right onto Meir Hay Road. We turned left onto Sutherland Road and we followed the road around to the right onto Weston Coyney Road. We ran to the top and we turned left onto the A520. We ran through Cellarhead, and the original plan was to stop at Truckers Tucker food van in the layby in Cheddleton. As we approached we saw that the van wasn't there today. We continued North through Cheddleton and Leek Brook and into the cente of Leek. We Turned right outta Compton onto the A53 and we turned tight onto Leonard Street parked up in the car park. before we went to the cafe we decided to walk into the bus station to see what was about. We saw D&G Bus 21 on layover before working an E1 employee service to Alton Towers.

D&G 21 in Newcastle bus station

Also seen was D&G Bus 45 on a #108 to Ashbourne.

D&G 45 in Newcastle bus station

We walked back down Leonard Street and onto the A53. We crossed the road to cafe delight and it was that busy we had to wait for a table. Matthew used the toilet and by the time we came back out we had been seated. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Aimee's KO66 JUJ, YJ55 YHR(#165), Leek Link THZ 5348, Former coach (now a stock car transporter) WHO 947V, Sleek Cars LM66 CPX & First Potteries 65027(#18). Once we had finished we returned to the car park and got back in the car. We set off onto the Southbound A53 and we turned right into St Edwards Street. We turned left onto the A523 and we past the site of the new Tim Hortons. We continued Northwards through Rushton Spencer and we passed Aimee's PO56 ROU on a #109 to Leek. We passed through Macclesfield and a few miles North we turned left onto the B5358. We travelled Westwards for about 3 mile before going North on the A5102 through Bramhall. We continued North through Davenport and we turned left onto Cale Green. We continued Northwards onto King Street West and we went behind the back of the railway station before turning right onto the Gret Egerton Street. We turned right and entered the Red Rock NCP car park and we parked up. We went down to the ground floor and we said goodbye to mum. We walked along Port Street and we turned right into Mersey Square. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 47472 which was on a #328 Cheadle circular service. It was at this point we noticed the old interchange was closed for refurbishment! Buses where being stopped at other stops nearby as well as a temporary bus station on Heaton Lane. We walked up to stop G and we saw Stagecoach Manchester 19266 on a #358 to Hayfield.

Stagecoach Manchester 19266 in Stockport

We decided to have a go on the famous #192 to Manchester. On the way to the stop we saw High Peak 804 on a #199 to Buxton.

High Peak 804 in Stockport

We crossed over the A6 and we headed to the Northbound bus stops. Below us we could see the new temporary bus station which is in use until the old interchange has been refurbished. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 11523 on a #192 to Manchester Piccadilly.

Stagecoach Manchester 11523 in Stockport

We got on the bus and we booked System One Bus Only Day tickets at £6.40 each before going upstairs and sitting down. The bus set off Northwards up the A6 and we headed into Heaton Chapel. We continued Northwards through Levenshulme and we passed Belle Vue A8 VUE coming the other way. We crossed under the railway and we ran into Longsight. It was unbelievably busy, and just a frenzy of activity. We crossed the route of the #53 and we continued Northwards up the A6. We continued into Ardwick and we saw an unidentified tri-axle Pheonix coach. We crossed under the A57(M) and into the centre of Manchester. We passed manchester PIccadilly railway station and we turned left onto Whitworth Street. We turned right onto Aytoun Street and right onto Portland Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 11523 before it returned to Stockport on a #192.

Stagecoach Manchester 11523 in Manchester

We set off Westwards along Portland Street and we went to the Piccadilly Gardens bus terminal. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19458 on a #256 to Flixton.

Stagecoach Manchester 19458 in Manchester

Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19454 on a #250 to the Traffod Centre.

Stagecoach Manchester 19454 in Manchester

we walked through the terminal to see if what we could catch. We spotted a tardis style toilet and Matthew used the facilities. Once out of the toilet we saw Arriva NW&W 2740 on a #263 to Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 2740 in Manchester

We waited for a few minutes for the drivcer to return, and we got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the terminal and we turned right onto Portland Street. We turned left onto Princess Street and right onto Whitworth Street. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Booth Street West. We passed the College of Music and we turned right onto Boundry lane. We turned left onto the A5067 and we headed Westwards. We passed Hulme Park and we ran to the end of the road and we joined Chester Road. We joined the A56 and we ran past White City Retail Park. We passed Old Trafford and we continued along the A56 until Streford where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2740 as it continued towards Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 2740 in Stretford

Matthew decided he wanted the toilet so we walked Eastwards along the A56. As we walked we saw Selwyns 141 heading Westwards.

Selwyns 141 in Stretford

We continued along the road and we spotted a garage. It was unusual as it was the first time I have seen an all-electric charging station garage. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a can of Coke and a Galaxy Caramel bar. We crossed over the A56 and we waited for an Eastbound bus. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2741 on a #263 to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens.

Arriva NW&W 2741 in Stretford

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Eastwards along the A56 and we passed Old Trafford again. We passed White City and we turned right onto Chester Road. We ran forwards onto the A5067 and we went for about 2/3 of a mile before we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew had a can of Coke whilst we waited for the next #53 Orbits service. Whilst we waited we saw 2748 on a #263 to Altrincham and Stagecoach Manchester 10611 on a #250 to the Trafford Centre. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Go North West 4004 on a #53 to Cheetham Hill.

Go North West 4004 in Hulme

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Eastwards along the A5067 and we turned right onto Boundary Lane. We turned left onto Booth Street West and right onto Oxford Road. We ran past the Manchester Museuem and we continued Southwards into Rusholme and through The Curry Mile. We turned left onto the A6010 and we travelled eastwards over the A34. We carried on for another 1/2 mile or so into Longsight where we got up and got off the bus. We walked around the corner onto the A6 ans we waited for a bus towards Manchester. A few minutes later we saw 2 buses approaching. We turned down Stagecoach Manchester 11529 on a #192. We decided to catch Stagecoach Manchester 11515 on a #197 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 11515 in Longsight

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Northwards up the A6 and we turned left onto Plymouth Grove. We turned left onto Grafton Street and we crossed over the A34. We turned right onto Oxford Road and we headed Northwards into Manchester. We crossed under the railway and we ran forwards onto Oxford Street. We ran forwards onto Peter Street and we turned right onto Deansgate. We turned right onto John Dalton Street. We ran past Albert Square and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus, Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 11515 before it returned on a #197 to Stockport.

Stagecoach Manchester 11515 in Manchester

Once off the bus we went to find somewhere Matthew could go to the toilet. We crossed the tramlines at St Peters Square and we walked alongside the tram stop. We turned left onto Dickinson Street and we walked along this quiet back street onto Portland Street. We spotted a subway, and Matthew went in and used the toilet. Afterwards we brought a small bottle of Coke and a bottle of Tango. When we had finished we walked along Portland Street as we headed towards Piccadilly to catch a #192 back to Stockport. It occured to us that maybe we could catch a bus to get us a little closer to Piccadilly. We stopped at Stop CK and we waited for a bus. Whilst we waited we saw Clarkes BV22 VTZ on a #540 to London.

Clarkes BV22 VTZ in Manchester

Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19514 on a #15 to Piccadilly.

Stagecoach Manchester 19514 in Manchester

That bus was set down only at that stop, so we waited for the next bus that was picking up. A few minutes later we saw Go North West 6219 on a #41 to Middleton.

Go North West 6219 in Manchester

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Portland Street and we veered left onto Piccadilly where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Go North West 6219 before in continued Northwards towards Middleton.

Go North West 6219 in Manchester

Once off the bus we headed Southwards along Piccadilly to the approriate stop. We could see a bus at the stop and we could also see nuses on layover around the corner on Newton Street. We just missed getting on the bus at the stop but we had seen one on layover around the corner awaiting time. A few munutes later the bus came around the corner and it was required Stagecoach Manchester 11553 on a #192 to Stockport.

Stagecoach Manchester 11553 in Manchester

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only Day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off down Piccadilly and we saw Mario's Coaches M15 RYO parked up outside of Manchester Piccadilly railway station. We headed Southwards under the railway line and under the A57(M). We ran into Ardwick and we followed the A6 to the righ and Southwards into Longsight. We crossed under the railway line and into Levenshulme and we continued through Heaton Chapel. We crossed over the M60 and into the centre of Stockport where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to have a look at the temporary bus station. We walked onto Heaton Lane and to the other end of the bus station passing Magic Bus liveried Stagecoach Manchester 19268 on a #42 to Piccadilly Gardens. At the other end of the bus station we saw Stagecoach Manchester 36077 on #328 Cheadle circular service.

Stagecoach Manchester 36077 in Stockport bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 19335 on a #11 to Altrincham.

Stagecoach Manchester 19335 in Stockport bus station

We left the bus station and we crossed over the A6 and we saw Bullocks YR58 RTV returning from a trip to Llandudno.

Bullocks YR58 RTV in Stockport

We walked onto Mersey Square and around the corner onto Port Street. We returned to the car and I went to pay for the parking ticket. Matthew sat in the car and had a bottle of Coke. When we were ready we departed the car park and we ran onto Great Egerton Street. We turned left onto Lancashire Hill and we crossed over the M60. We ran up the hill and at the roundabout we veered slight right onto Sandy Lane. We stopped at a chip shop and Matthew had sausage and chips. When we had finished we ran back down Sansy Lane and we veered slight left onto Tiviot Way. We crossed over the river Tame and we joined the Westbound M60. We ran through Stockport and we came off the M60 onto the M56. We ran past the airport and we came off the M56 and joined the Westbound A556. We joined the Southbound M6 and we ran down to junction 16. On the M6 we saw an unidentified Ridley's coach, and unidentified Roy McCarthy coach, an unidentified The Traveller's Choice coach and Rothwells 163 NHO. We joined the A500 and we ran Southwards through Longport and Stoke. As it was late we decided to drop uncle Dave off home first. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we ran up Whieldon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfiels Drive and we got back to Blurton around 20:45. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark