Trip to Bury / Bolton 22-05-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
69178	Bury TI	Bolton Interchange	511	Rotala Diamond
69156	Bolton Interchange	Farnworth, Church Road	22	Rotala Diamond
40758	Farnworth, Church Road	Walkden, Manchester Road	37	Rotala Diamond
40744	Walkden, Manchester Road	Bolton Interchange	36	Rotala Diamond
2680	Bolton Interchange	Wigan BS	575	Arriva NW&W
2680	Wigan BS	Standish, Police Station	362	Arriva NW&W
2688	Standish, Preston Road	Wigan, Standishgate	362	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to we decided to re-visit Bury and Bolton. We checked the weather and it was forecast for sunny weather. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time to go to Bury. we saw blue minibus G186 LUG going towards Longton.

G186 LUG in Fenton

Whilst in his room we saw white minibus PF08 ONB going towards Stoke.

PF08 ONB in Fenton

Later on we went to Bury in the car. We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left at the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we ran up the hill towards Hanley. We ran anti-clockwise around the ring road and we went Northwards out of town along Town Road. We joined the Northbound A5272 and we ran through Sneyd Green and Smallthorne. We crossed over the roundabout and we continued up to Chell. We turned right onto the A527 and we ran north through Brindley Ford and Brown Lees up towards Biddulph. We went West of Biddulph on the by-pass and we continued North towards Congleton and through the town onto the Northbound A536. We ran Northwards up to Macclesfield and we went through the town onto the A523. We continued Northwards to Hazel Grove and we joined the Northbound A6. We continued Northwards into Stockport and under the M60 and we ran around a few junctions to the M66 where we went North. Just to the East of Bury we got onto the A58 and we ran Westwards into and around town. We turned right into Haymarket Street and we parked up in a side street near to Bolton Street. The had planned in eating at the Two Tons, We walked across the sqaure to the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Mum look at the menu which was limited and expensive. We walked around in a circle along The Rock and right into Crompton Street former RBS bank which has now closed down. we went through the Mill Gate shopping centre and we came out on Haymarket Street. We decided to eat at a place called Your Burger. Matthew had a beefburger with fries washed down with a bottle of Coke. Once we had finished eating we went onto Haymarket Street and we said goodbye to mum. On the way to the bus station we saw Rotala Diamond 40729 on a #471 to Rochdale. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 69178 on a #511 to Bolton. We got on the day and we booked System One bus only tickets at £6.00 each to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the interchange and we turned right into Haymarket Street where we saw Rotala Diamond 30851 on a #472 Ramsbottom circular service. At going along Moss Street and Silver Street we turned left onto Bolton Street. We forwards onto the A58. We turned right onto the B6213. We crossed over into Elton and we turned left into Walshaw Road. We ran up the hill and into Woodhill. We ran forwards onto Walshaw. We turned left onto High Street and we continued up Lowercroft Road. We ran through Starling and we crossed over turned right onto the BB6196. We continued to Ainsworth and we ran forwards onto the Bury Old Road and we went under the Red Lane into Breightmet. We turned right onto Deepdale Road and left onto Kentmere Road. We turned left onto Newby Road and at the the roundabout we turned right onto Red Lane. We turned left onto Rochester Ave and left into Winchester Way. We turned right onto Withins Lane. We ran through Roscow Fold. We ran Westwards along Stephens Street and forwards onto the Empire Road. We continued through Breightmet over the A58 and turned right into Somerton Road. We came off the Brodick Drive and forwards onto Blenheim Road at Leverhulme Park and we turned right onto the Long Lane. We ran through Darcy Lever. We continued up Raikes Road. We turned right onto Snow Hill Road and left onto Radcliffe Road. We turned left onto Wheatfield Street and right onto Bromwich Street. We ran up to Haulgh. We turned left onto the A579. We continued southwards into Bolton. We turned right onto the A575. We turned left into Great Moor Street and left into Newport Street before entering the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We saw Arriva NW&W 2680 on a #575 to Wigan. We went into the interchange and Matthew visited the toilet. One of the first bus that we saw Transdev Rosso 616 on a #480 to Bury. We went back inside and we walked down the stands. We saw required Rotala Diamond 69156 on a #22 to Trafford Centre. 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. Whilst we waited for departure time we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15246 on a #125 to Preston. 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 through Willows. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street and we continued up to Rose Hill and we continued onto Crescent Road and we went up to Great Lever. We headed up through Harper Green and we turned left onto Lavender Road and we continued onto Campbell Street. We ran forwards onto Lorne Street and we turned left onto the A575 and we turned right onto A6053. We ran through Farnworth and we got up and got off the bus. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Rotala Diamond 40758 on a #37 to Manchester. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off along the A6053. We turned right onto Long Causeway. At the top of the hill we turned left onto the A575 under the M61 and into Walkden North. We followed the road to the right up Slaughter hill and we continued straight up into Hill Top. We ran in Walkden. We turned left onto the A6 where we got up and got off the bus. We walked onto A6 and right onto Memorial Road past the old RBS Bank which is going to be re-used soon. Once we had finished we walked along Memorial Road. We turned right onto the A6. We walked across a big car park and into the Spar shop and we brought can of Coke and a bottle of Fanta, and Matthew also brought a few chocolate bars. We decided to walk up to the main road to see if there was a #36 bus due. After a short while we saw the bus come around the corner and it was Rotala Diamond 40744 on a #36 to Bolton. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off along the A6. We continued Westwards out of Wakden along the A6 and we turned left into Hilton Lane. We turned right onto Hulton Avenue and we continued forwards onto Madams Wood Road. We crossed the A5082 and we ran forwards onto Kenyon Way. We ran through the estate and we reappeared on the A6. We headed Eastwards for a short distance and we turned left onto the A5082. We crossed over the M61 and we turned left onto Tennyson Road. We ran forwards onto George Street across Highfield Road and forwards onto Laburnam Road. We crossed the B6199 and we ran North up Harper Green Road. We turned left onto Lavender Road and right onto Bradford Road. We crossed Green Lane and we continued north towards Bolton. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street and forwards onto Thynne Street. We turned left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street and right into Newport Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed through the bus station towards the toilets. We walked down the bottom end of the bus station to wait for the next #575 to Wigan. We saw Rotala Preston Bus 69157 on a #561 to Withins. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching the stand. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2680 on a #575 to Wigan. We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. we set off of the interchange and onto the A575. We turned left onto Deansgate and right onto Bridge Street. We turned left onto the B6205 and we crossed the ring road onto the B6226. We veered left onto the A673 and we ran Westwards out of town. AS we travelled Northwards. We ran through Heaton and Lostock and into Horwich. As we travelled through town. We turned left onto the B5238. We went under the M61 and past Blackrod railway station. At the end of the Road we turned right onto the A6 and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto the B5408 and Southwards through Blackrod. At the Southern end of Blackrod we turned Scot Lane and we ran into Aspull. We went around the triangle in the centre and we stopped briefly at the bus stop. We headed North up the B5239 and we turned left onto Saint David's Crescent. We turned right onto Holly Road and right onto the B5238. We ran Southwards through New Springs and Whelley and we turned right onto the A573. We crossed the A49 onto Crompton Street and we ran forwards onto Mesnes Street. We turned left onto the B5375 ans we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off the bus we saw Stagecoach Manchester 27233 on a #7 to Leigh. It was time to get to Standish so we decided to go straight back on Arriva NW&W 2680. Once the bus was ready for service 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 bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Market Street and we ran forwards onto the B5375. We turned right onto Mesnes Street and we ran forwards onto Crompton Street. We turned left onto the A49. We ran down through Swinley and into Marylebone. We continued down through to Lower Standish. We ran through Standish and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the A49. Matthew went to Betfred to use the toilet. We walked back onto A49. We crossed the road and we waited for the bus back to Wigan at the stop outside Lidl. Matthew ate a Milky way and drank a can of orange Fanta. The time past quickly and before we knew it required Arriva NW&W 2688 on the #362 to Wigan. We got on the bus and we flashed the the System One ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back down the A49 we ran through Lower Standish and down the hill towards Marylebone. We ran up the hill into Swinley and we continued up to Wigan. We turned right into Crompton Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked along Crompton Street and we turned left onto Standishgate and we went forwards onto Market Place. We turned right onto Market Street and back to the bus station. Once out of the bus station we walked down to the layover area. We continued through the layover area and we cam out onto Frog Lane and we walked over to the car. Mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We got into the car and we set off towards home. We set off onto Frog Lane and we turned left onto Prescot Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right into Herbert Street. We joined the Northbound A49 by Wigan Pier and we followed the one way system onto the Southbound A49. We ran around the other side of the Pier and we ran Southwards out of town through Marus Bridge and onto the M6. As we ran Southwards through Cheshire we saw Prestige Private Hire T1 PPH & Exeter Chiefs C11 EFS. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we ran Southwards down the A500. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned left onto City Road. We ran under the railway bridge and up the bridge into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his roon to watch TV and chill out. Matthew went up to his room to use his computer and watch buses. For tea Matthew had a chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke followed by a jam filled sponge. Matthew had a haircut. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Wigan / Bolton 02-03-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
36796	Wigan BS	Beech Hill, Baytree Rd	6	Stagecoach Manchester
36801	Beech Hill, Beech Hill Ave	Wigan BS	5	Stagecoach Manchester
2677	Wigan BS	Bolton BS	575	Arriva NW&W
69147	Bolton BS	Radcliffe BS	524	First Manchester
69201	Radcliffe BS	Bolton BS	524	First Manchester
YJ62 FSE	Bolton BS	Greater Lever, Nugent Rd	572	Vision Travel
YJ62 FSE	Greater Lever, Nugent Rd	Bolton BS	572	Vision Travel
2680	Bolton BS	Wigan BS	575	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. Two weeks ago we went to Leigh and we passed through Wigan on the way back to Leigh. Matthew wasn't in the best of moods today so we didn't want to go anywhere too adventurous. Whilst in Leigh we had seen a sign for free weekend car parking on council car parks so we did some research to see if that was the case in Wigan too and It was. We gave Matthew a list of place from the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Wigan. Other that the car parking research we checked the weather for today and it was for grey weather with rain moving in later on. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 onto the A5035 and we turned right on to the Stanley Matthew Way. Stoke were playing at home against Nottingham Forrest and some vehicles had already arrived. We joined the Westbound A50 and at Sideway we joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw an unidentified Linburg coach, Paul's of Stoke Y15 POS / Y13 POS, Orion Coaches OR10 NTC and Biz Bus B12 XXL. We ran up to the M6 and we got onto the Northbound M6 at junction 16. As we travelled through Cheshire up the M6 we saw grey minibus KV16 OAX, an unidentified white Mercedes minibus, sliver minibus EO68 BWW, beige minibus BG10 WDD, Prospect Coaches PR15 JAK, Bennett's VX63 YHB, York Pullman YN65 BND, Party Time Bus L971 MSC and Lucky Seven SJ16 EOV. We travelled up to junction 25 and and we diverted onto the Northbound A49. We travelled through Marus Bridge and over the large roundabout near to the DW stadium and into Wigan town centre. We passed Wigan Pier and we went under the railway line along Wallgate. We turned left onto King Street West and left onto Dorning Street. We went past uncle Joe Mintballs and we turned right onto Richmond Street we entered the council car park and as we arrived in the car park we saw a car leave so we managed to get a space. Once we had parked up we walked onto Hallgate and we headed towards the bus station. On layover on Hallgate Street was Stagecoach Manchester 27236.

Stagecoach Manchester 27236 in Wigan

At the top of Hallgate Street we saw Arriva NW&W 4603 eneter the bus station on a #352 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4603 in Wigan bus station

Also seen entering the bus station was Rotala Diamond 20160 on a #132 to the Intu Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 20160 in Wigan bus station

We walked along the Southern side of the bus station and we went to The Courtyard Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we chose dinner. On this visit it wasn't the best experience we had here. There's a sign outside declaring they do breakfasts until 14:00 but apparently that changed a while ago and they forgot to change the sign. Matthew had already decided he was stopping so he had to have a burger and chips. Only the handmade burger contain onions and so Matthew wouldn't eat it. He ended up having a chip bap washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked into the bus station. Matthew was still in a funny mood and he wandered up and down the bus station looking for a bus to catch. He settled on doing required Stagecoach Manchester 36796 which was on a #6 Beech Hill circular.

Stagecoach Manchester 36796 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased System One bus only day tickets at £5.80 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Northern end of the bus station and we turned right onto New Market Street and we turned left onto the B5376. We travelled Northwards for a while and turned left onto Walkden Avenue. We crossed over the railway line and we went forwards onto Buckley Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto Gidlow Lane and we ran Northwards and crossed over Beech Hill Avenue. We turned left onto Ross Avenue and right onto Acacia Crescent. We ran forwards onto Shaftsbury Street and we turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue. We saw a few shops so we decided to get off. We turned right onto Springfield Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 36796 as it headed back towards Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36796 in Beech Hill

Once we had let the bus go we walked back up Springfield Road and we crossed over Beech Hill Avenue to visit the shop. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke and a small bottle of dandelion & burdock, as well as a couple of chocolate bars. When we had finished purchasing the items in the shop we walked around the corner into shaftsbury Street to wait for a bus back to Wigan. I looked at the bus times on my phone and it said there had been on due about a minute ago. We hadn't heard one whilst in the shop so we hoped that it was just a tad late. A few seconds later the bus rounded the corner and it was dud Stagecoach Manchester 36801 on a #5 to Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36801 in Beech Hill

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 along Shaftsbury Street and forwards onto Acacia Crescent. At the end of the road we turned left onto Ross Avenue. We turned right onto Gillow Lane and we saw an unidentified Garnett's coach got past on Beech Hill Avenue. We crossed over Beech Hill Avenue and we continued Southwards into town. We turned left onto Buckley Street and we crossed under the railway line and onto Walkden Avenue. At the end we turned right onto the B5376. We ran Southwards for 1/2 mile to the edge of town and we turned right onto New Market Street. We turned left and entered the bus station from the Northern end and got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a quick look around at what we might catch next. Matthew used the toilet and then we walked down the stands looking for what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19359 on a #10 to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 19359 in Wigan bus station

We walked back into the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 2677 on a #575 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2677 in Wigan bus station

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 bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Market Street We ran around the town clockwise and we went via Greenhough Street onto Scholes. As we ran out of town Scholes became Whelley. They don't have have some strange street names in these here parts... We continued North Eastwards through New Springs and we went forwards onto Wigan Road. On the Eastern Edge of Aspull we turned left onto Holly Road and left again onto St David's Crescent. At the end we turned right onto the B5239 and we ran ran Southwards into the centre of Aspull. We turned left onto Scot lane and we ran Eastwards out of town. We came to a T-junction and we turned left onto the B5408. We ran through Blackrod, and then when we got to the other side of the village we went South down the A6. At the next big crossroads we turned left onto Station Road and we passed Blackrod railway station and then went under the M61. We climbed the hill into Horwich and when the bus turned right into Chorley New Road. 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 got off the bus and Matthew used the toilet. We had a look around to see what we could catch next. We stood at the end for a while and took a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 2995 on a #534 Oldhams estate circular.

Arriva NW&W 2995 in Bolton bus station

We went back inside and we walked down the stands. We saw required First Manchester 69147 on a #524 to Bury.

First Manchester 69147 in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. we set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Great Moor Street. We turned right onto Manchester Road and we headed Southwards. We ran through Burnden past the site of the old Bolton Wanders football ground. Just over 1/2 mile South of the town we joined the Southbound A666 and came off at the next junction. We went under the A666 and we turned left onto the A6053. We ran past Moses Gate Country Park and we entered Little Lever from the West end. In town we turned right and followed the A6053 Southwards. We ran for around a mile to the West end of Radcliffe and we joined the Eastbound A665. The road turned South and we turned left onto Blackburn Street. We turned right onto Dale Street and we entered Radcliffe bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 69147 before it continued towards Bury.

First Manchester 69147 in Radcliffe bus station

Once we had let the bus go we walked over to Radcliffe Market and Matthew used the toilet. Staff in the market appeared to be setting up for a concert or play in the market hall. Once Matthew had finished in the market we walked back over to the bus station. We saw First Manchester 69327 on a #98 to Manchester. A short time later we saw required First Manchester 69201 on a #524 to Bolton.

First Manchester 69201 in Radcliffe bus station

We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Dale Street. We turned right onto the A665 and we headed Northwards. We followed the road out of town and the road turned Westwards. At the edge of town we joined the Westbound A6053. We ran into Little Lever and followed the road to the left. We ran out of town and past the Moses Gate Country Park before turning right onto the A666. We came off the A666 at the next junction and onto Manchester Road. We ran Northwards through Burnden and into the centre of Bolton. We turned left into Great Moor Street and left into Newport Street before entering the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We considered what to do next. We spotted required Vision Travel YJ62 FSE on a #572 Great Lever circular.

Vision Travel YJ62 FSE in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and left onto Newport Street. We crossed over the A579 onto Thynne Street and we turned right onto Bridgeman Street. We ran for around 1/4 mile and we turned left Fletcher Street. We turned right onto Lever Street and we saw Bestway PO55 URE. We ran forwards onto High Street and we turned left onto Bridgeman Street. We turned left onto Higher Swan Lane and we ran down to Lever Edge Lane. We turned left onto Lever Edge Lane and at the roundabout we turned left onto Rishton Lane. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto Grecian Crescent and at the end we ran forwards onto Fletcher Street. We turned right onto Bridgeman Street and left onto Thynne Street. We turned left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street and right onto Newport Street and we entered the bus station. We got up to get off the bus. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Vision Travel YJ62 FSE.

Inside Vision Travel YJ62 FSE

We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. Whilst in the toilet we missed stagecoach Manchester 27819 on a #7 to Wigan. We walked down the bottom end of the bus station to wait for the next #575 to Wigan. We saw First Manchester 69159 on a #524 to Bury.

First Manchester 69159 in Bolton bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching the stand. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2680 on a #575 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2680 in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver for the final time today. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2680 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2680

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw National Express liveried coach Park's of Hamilton BF68 LBO on the #540 to Colne. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the A575. We turned left onto Deansgate and right onto Bridge Street. We turned left onto the B6205 and we crossed the ring road onto the B6226. We veered left onto the A673 and we ran Westwards out of town. AS we travelled Northwards we saw Orbit taxi minibus LR58 WBZ & Hasan WN62 CTY. We ran through Heaton and Lostock and into Horwich. As we travelled through town we saw Tyrers TYR 21R join the road. We turned left onto the B5238. We went under the M61 and past Blackrod railway station. At the end of the Road we turned right onto the A6 and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto the B5408 and Southwards through Blackrod. At the Southern end of Blackrod we turned Scot Lane and we ran into Aspull. We went around the triangle in the centre and we stopped briefly at the bus stop. We headed North up the B5239 and we turned left onto Saint David's Crescent. We turned right onto Holly Road and right onto the B5238. We ran Southwards through New Springs and Whelley and we turned right onto the A573. We crossed the A49 onto Crompton Street and we ran forwards onto Mesnes Street. We turned left onto the B5375 ans we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2680 before it returned to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2680 in Wigan bus station

Once out of the bus station we walked down to the layover area. We saw Rotala Diamond 20843 parked up there.

Rotala Diamond 20843 in Wigan bus station

We continued through the layover area and we cam out onto Frog Lane and we walked over to the car. Mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We got into the car and we set off towards home. We set off onto Frog Lane and we turned left onto Prescot Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right into Herbert Street. We joined the Northbound A49 by Wigan Pier and we followed the one way system onto the Southbound A49. We ran around the other side of the Pier and we ran Southwards out of town through Marus Bridge and onto the M6. As we ran Southwards through Cheshire we saw Prestige Private Hire T1 PPH & Exeter Chiefs C11 EFS. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we ran Southwards down the A500. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned left onto City Road. We ran under the railway bridge and up the bridge into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. We stopped at the residential unit and Matthew went in to see one of his friends. Matthew returned to the car and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Station Bridge Road. We ran forwards onto Heron Street and forwards onto Blurton Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A50 and we ran up to Longton to check out what was parked at Z Carz this evening. The spare ground was empty as expected and we turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Renault minibus YE52 UZX parked up.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just after 19:00. For a late tea bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

Trip to Chorley / Leyland 16-08-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15574	Chorley TI	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop A)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15581	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop B)	Chorley TI	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
47333	Chorley TI	Towngate, Tesco (Stand F)	109	Stagecoach Lancashire
34620	Towngate (Leyland), Tesco (Stop B)	Chorley TI	109	Stagecoach Lancashire
15578	Chorley TI	Clayton Green, opp Pines Hotel	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15574	Clayton Green, opp Sheep Hill Lane	Chorley TI	125	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to re-visit Chorley. Once again we left it until Saturday morning to decided where we were going to make sure we had the weather. We gave him a list of Northern destination to choose from and Matthew chose Chorley. Research consisted of downloading tametables and maps from the stagecoach website as well as creating an excel spreadsheet with the current allocation of buses based at the Chorley depot. Matthew got up at 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little before 12:00 and we headed out onto the A5035. we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and passed the Britannia Stadium where Stoke City were getting ready for their first game of the season. We turned west onto the A50 and then North onto the A500. From Stoke we followed Z Carz S952 VMY up the A500 and Matthew took a picture of it somewhere near Talke. We turned onto the Northbound M6 and it was quite busy. Traffic was stop start for quite a way up. Whilst in the traffic we saw Neoplan demonstrator coach OU14 SWN.

Neoplan demonstrator coach OU14 SWN on the M6

We carried on North and just South of Knutsford we passed an accident on the Southbound carriageway. All that delay for rubbernecks! From junction onwards we made good time. We came off the M6 at junction 27. We stayed West of the M6 briefly until we crossed under the M6 on Pepper Lane. We joined onto the A49 North of Standish and we turned onto the B5251 to head into town. On the edge of town we turned into Fleet Street car park so that we could go eat in Big Lamp chippy. By the time we had got there they had closed the cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and we had the food to take away. Matthew had chips sausage and gravy on a tray washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we drove the car up to the A6 and into the car park by the main shopping centre. The car park was busy as they had closed off about 1/4 of the space for resurfacing. We said goodbye to mum and we walked over to the interchange. When we got there there were 2 required double deckers on the #125 service. Stagecoach Lancashire 15577 was on the #125 to Preston and 15574 was on the #125 to Bolton. We decided to do the later so that we could got to visit Horwich for the first time from the North.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15574 in Chorley interchange

We got on the bus and we booked Chorley Dayrider Plus tickets at £4.50 each. We then went upstairs and sat down. Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15574

The bus set off out of town and Southwards along the A6. On the edge of town we passed required Stagecoach Lancashire 47332 on a #1B service. Further South towards Adlington we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15567 on a #125 to Preston. We passed through Adlington and passed required Stagecoach Lancashire 15840 going North. As we started to climb towards Horwich spotted the Crown pub which was the Southern edge of the Chorley Dayrider Plus ticket, so we got up and got off the bus. Before it carried on Southwards to Bolton Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15574 in Horwich

We crossed the road and walked over to the Northbound stop. This was not our first visit to Horwich. We had visited the other end of town from Bolton back in August 2013. If we were to make a map of where we had been on buses, we were 3 bus stops short of a continuous run from Leyland to Prestwich! A run which is at least 25 miles and takes nearly 3 hours! On the roundabout we saw First Manchester buses on the #575 service from Bolton. Two of these were First Manchester Volvo's 69145 & 69150. Going South on a #125 we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15839.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15839 in Horwich

A few minutes later a bus appeared from around the corner and it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15581.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15581 in Horwich

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and the bus set off North. We passed through Adlington and we passed Stagecoach Lancashire 15569 going the other way. We got into town and we saw Avalon coach RUI 6737 on rail replacement work. When we got to the interchange we got up and got off. We decided to go for a walk around the bus station to take a few pictures. As we left the interchange we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47329 arriving on a #3 service from lower Adlington.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47329 in Chorley

We had been on Stagecoach Lancashire 47329 on our first ever visit to Chorley back in June 2013. We watched Transdev Lancashire United 566 depart on a #24 to Blackburn. We also saw Fishwicks 40 on a #119 to Preston. when we got to the corner of the bus station and the A6 we saw BV Coach Hire FN52 GUG head North on rail replacement work.

BV Coach Hire FN52 GUG in Chorley

We carried on walking around the outside of the bus station. The hedges around the outside of the bus station appeared to have been trimmed down from our previous visits so it was much easier to take pictures. Whilst there we took another picture of the bus we had just ridden on, Stagecoach Lancashire 15581.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15581 in Chorley interchange

Parked next to this was dud Arriva NW&W 2680, which has been refurbished and given the Sapphire treatment.

Arriva NW&W 2680 in Chorley interchange

This is basically an upgrade to the seats and Wifi installed and plugs to charge up phones and laptops! The bus looked very different to when we had it back in June 2012. By the time we had walked around the bus station and Matthew had been to the toilet it was around 15:10. A quick check on the departure board revealed that there was a #109 to Preston via Leyland, so we decided to hang around and see what was going to work this bus. The bus eventually cam on stand at around 15:25 and it was a little disappointingly required Stagecoach Lancashire Solo 47333. We decided to do this bus despite it being a Solo as we could go and get an ice cream in Leyland. We got on the bus and as it was nearly empty at this point Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47333

Just before we set off Stagecoach Lancashire 47330 arrived on a #109 from Preston. The bus had filled up and was nearly full. The bus set off out of town and we headed towards Euxton Balshaw Lane railway station and then onto the Northbound A49. We carried on Northward for a while before turning East on Euxton Lane. We turned left to run past Buckshaw Village and then left again for the run in along the B5248. By this point the bus had almost completely emptied out. When we got to Tesco in Leyland we got up and got off the bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47333 in Leyland

We got off the bus and set off around the back of the Tesco extra store and onto Church Road. We were heading for the ice cream shop which we first encountered in February this year. The shop Ice Dreams and Coffee Beans is located in a small arcade of shops just off Church Road. When we got there Matthew used there toilet and he had a small cone of vanilla ice cream. We went outside to site at the aluminium chairs and tables on the pavement. Matthew often photographs foods he likes...

Ice cream... Yum!

Whilst me and Matthew had been in the shop uncle Dave had spied a #109 to Chorley. as the buses run 20 minutes and 40 minutes apart and we hadn't passed a #109 as we traveled up. We thought there might be another one due. We had never causght the bus from outside Tesco, but we new it came past from our previous trips. We visted the chip shop next door to the ice cream parlour and brought a can of Coke and two small bottles of pop. We walked over to the first stop and this was for the #110 and #11 services. At the next stop we saw that there was #109's as well as other services such as the #113 from Preston to Wigan. A look at the stop revealed that the bus was due in 3 minutes! The time past very quickly and we spied a Dart approaching. We assumed it would be required as we have never had any of the ADL / Plaxton bodied Darts from Chorley. As it turned the corner we saw it was required Stagecoach Lancashire 34620.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34620 in Leyland

We got on this nearly empty bus and we sat down near to the back. The bus set off back towards Buckshaw Village. We passed the wicker man and I tried and failed to get a picture though the bus window. The bus carried on South the Euxton and we ran into Chorley and into the interchange. When we got to the interchange Matthew waited for the bud to empty before taking a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 34620.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 34620

We got off the bus and we saw required Stagecoach Lancashire 47327 which was departing on a #109 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47327 in Chorley interchange

We waited for the next pair of buses on the #125's. Whilst we waited Matthew drank one of the bottle of pop that we had brought in Leyland earlier. Stagecoach Lancashire 15581 was on the next Bolton bound #125 but we had been on this bus earlier. Required Stagecoach Lancashire 15578 was on the next Preston bound #125 so we decided to do this bus. We flashed our tickets and went upstairs. Matthew photographed the inside of the top deck as it was empty from behind the staircase.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15578

We decided to go a bit further North than we had done previously. The bus set off out of town and we joined onto the A6 opposite Asda. The ticket was valid up to the M6. We passed our prevois Northern limit which was Moss Lane in Whittle-le-Woods. We carried on North along the A6 for a good couple of miles and we decided to get off before we got to the motorway. We got up and got off and Matthew took another picture Stagecoach Lancashire 15578 before it carried on North towards Bamber Bridge and Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15578 in Clayton Green

We crossed the road on what was a busy fast moving section of the A6. When we got to the stop we saw we had a 10 minute wait. The time passed quickly as we waited for the bus and we saw another double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15574.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15574 in Clayton Green

We flashed our tickets to the driver and reconised us from earlier when he sold us the tickets on our first run on Stagecoach Lancashire 15574! The bus carried on South down the A6 and I called mum to tell her we were on the last bus of the day. Mum was already at the bus station as she needed to use the toilet there! I checked the result of the Stoke vs Aston Villa game and disappointingly Stoke had lost one nil... The bus got back into the interchange and we got off Matthew went to the toilet and then we visited to shop where Matthew had some pop and chocolate an a large cola bottle chew. We set off back to the car taking pictures on the way. In the interchange we photographed Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 on a #2 to Coppull

Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 in Chorley interchange

Outside the interchange on the end stand we saw Tyrers SJ54 GDA which was on a #14 to Buckshaw village.

Tyrers SJ54 GDA in Chorley interchange

Seen earlier in the day but not photographed, we saw Transdev Lancashire United 270 on the #24 to Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 270 in Chorley

Another bus and service which we ha seen earlier in the day but not photographed was Stagecoach Lancashire 25228 0n the #115 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 25228 in Chorley

We then stood at the exit of the bus station to take a few pictures. We took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 as it left on the #2 service to Coppull.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 in Chorley

We walked back to the car and waiting for us were some Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew had a 500ml bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of town down the A6. As we climbed out of town towards Horwich we passed Grayway SF06 WMB on rail replacement works followed by Tyrers R469 RRA on a #13 service. We carried on until we reached Frederick's ice creams and we turned right onto the A5106. We did this road until we reached the South End of Standish and then we turned right to head into town. In the centre of Standish we turned left to head onto the M6. On the M6 just North of juntion 21A we caught up with Mikro Coaches TAZ 9612 which was heading back to its home base in Crewe. We joined the A500 at junction 16 we went South through Stoke-on-Trent and onto the Eastbound A50. We passed an unidentified Bakers coach before coming off the a50 at Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz. Nearest to the A50 was Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next to this was former Alton Towers Transport coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

There was an unidentified whit minibus behind the coach and next to the coach was red LDV minibus DS51 ZJU.

Z Carz DS51 ZJU in Longton

Next in the line up was Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Finally we had Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned right into Willow Row and in the compound were YE52 UZX and long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. After a quick stop on Blurton Road we headed through Blurton and we caught up with First Potteries 43876 which was waiting time on Beaconsfield Drive. We got home at just after 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a flapjack. He then chilled out on his computer and also watch yesterdays 'On the Yorkshire Buses' before going to be at around 01:00... Mark