Trip to Middleton / Oldham 10-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
36076	Middleton BS‎‎	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	116	Stagecoach Manchester
27624	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	118	Stagecoach Manchester
26131	Moston, before Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	118	Stagecoach Manchester
36107	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	Middleton BS	156	Stagecoach Manchester
37550	Middleton BS	Oldham BS	59	First Manchester
30962	Oldham BS	Oldham, before Ashton Road/Park Lane	409	First Manchester
36280	Oldham, opp Ashton Road/Park Lane	Oldham BS	409	First Manchester
42941	Oldham BS	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop D)	415	First Manchester
36100	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Middleton. We had checked the weather for today and it was for mild cloudy weather with sunny intervals. We gave Matthew a list of place we could got to, and from that list he chose Middleton. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we drove through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive, where we passed First Potteries Wright Streetlite 63099 on the #22 to Newcastle. We stopped briefly on Blurton Road to to drop something off where we saw Copeland Tours MIB 302 on the #40 service. We carried on to Heron Cross and we joined the Westbound A50. At Sideway we joined the Northbound A500 which we did up to the M6. The Northbound M6 was busy, but it was moving well. The roadworks near to junction 17 had now been completed. As we went North we saw a coach ahead of us. We eventually caught up with the coach which was Hilary's Kinglong coach BX10 DHD.

Hilary's BX10 DHD the on M6

At junction 21A we joined the Eastbound M62 and then we went forwards onto the clockwise M60. The roadworks continue at this point as they upgrade into a 'Smart' motorway. As we left the motorway at the M62 lunction to continue around the M60 we saw Skelmanthorpe Mercedes minibus NK54 LPJ going Eastwards.

Skelmanthorpe NK54 LPJ the on M60

We carried on around the M60 and we left the motorway onto the A576. We travelled the last couple of miles into Middleton and we attempted to park by MacDonalds. That car park was full so we went to the shopping centre car park instead. We parked up and we visited the toilet before we went down to the pavement cafe opposite the bus station. For dinner Matthew had sausage and egg on a barm with some fries, wash down with a can of Coke. As we ate we saw First Manchester 30955 on a #58 to Rochdale. After we finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked the short distance over to the bus station. By the time we got to the bus station the required ALX400 double decker had pulled off. We had a quick walk around the bus station to see what buses were about. In the layover bay we saw First Manchester 63117 and Stagecoach Manchester 36076.

Stagecoach Manchester 36076 in Middleton bus station

On stand N on a Manchester bound #17 service was First Manchester 37381.

First Manchester 37381 in Middleton bus station

We saw Stagecoach Manchester 36076 move off and we thought it was going to work a #112 to Manchester. It was working a #116 Middleton circular which runs via the North Manchester General Hospital. We decided to do this service so we went down to stand D and got on the bus. We booked System one bus only tickets at £5.20 each. The lady driver was nice and was talking to Matthew about his interest in buses... We thought this bus was dud, but a quick look at the buses I have travelled on page revealed that it was required. We sat down near to the back of the bus and we set off out of town Southwards down the A664. We turned right onto Victoria Avenue and we went almost to the other end before turning right into Glenbrook Road. We rejoined the Avenue only to loop off the road again to serve Munn Road. We rejoined Victoria Avenue before turning Southwards down Plant Hill Road. We travelled up to Blackley Cemetery before heading back South down to the hospital. When we got to the hospital we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 36076.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36076

Matthew said goodbye to the driver and we got off the bus and we considered our next move. Required First Manchester 63117 had followed us down from Middleton on the #42 to East Didsbury.

First Manchester 63117 outside the NMGH

Behind that was Stagecoach Manchester 27624 on a #118 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 27624 outside the NMGH

We then saw another #42 to East Didsbury pull up, this time it was being worked by First Manchester Enviro400 33838.

First Manchester 33838 outside the NMGH

We decided to do Stagecoach Manchester 27624 back down to Moston Lane on the #118 which we thought was required. We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 27624

We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the hospital onto Delaunays Road onto old Markets Street, We looped onto Rochdale Road and then left onto Charlestown Road. We passed Boggart Hole Clough. At the end of Charlestown Road we turned right onto Moston Lane. As we went South we saw Stagecoach Manchester MAN 22231 on a #112 to Middleton. Near to the Cemetery we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 27624 as it carried on towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 27624 in Moston

We crossed the road and we sat at the stop opposite. There had been a few messages on the radio coming through the cab radio of the Stagecoach bus presumably due to a problem somewhere en route. The bus lagged down a First bus coming the other way and they a quick chat from cab to cab out of the window. Some thug in a car took exception to this even though cars could still pass in between and pulled up in front of the bus and started mouthing off at the drivers. The car pulled up in Finchley Grove and the driver got out. I thought he was going to come over to us and start something as we had given him a disapproving look as he drove past. Instead he just marched up to the pub and disappeared inside... Phew! We saw a bus approaching and it looked quite modern, and it was on an unfamiliar service. So we turned down required First Manchester 66923 which was on a #52 to Failsworth.

First Manchester 66923 in Moston

A few minutes later we saw a Stagecoach bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it a Plaxton Centro, a type that I can't remember seeing before in Manchester. It was required Stagecoach Manchester 26131 on a #118 to the North Manchester Genetal Hospital.

Stagecoach Manchester 26131 in Moston

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off up Moston Lane and then we turned left onto Charlestown Road. We passed Boggart Hole Clough and we turned right onto the A664. We turned left onto Old Market Street and we followed the road around onto Delaunays Road. Once around the corner we turned into the hospital. We got up and got off the bus. We decided the next bus that we did would be back to Middleton. There was a #42 and a #156 bus both due in less than 10 minutes. Whilst we waited we saw First Manchester 69196 on a #88 to Manchester.

First Manchester 69196 outside the NMGH

This was followed by required First Manchester 33847 on a #42 to East Didsbury.

First Manchester 33847 outside the NMGH

A few minutes later we saw required First Manchester 66913 on a #53 to Cheetham Hill.

First Manchester 66913 outside the NMGH

The #156 to Middleton rolled up and it was required Stagecoach Manchester 36107.

Stagecoach Manchester 36107 outside the NMGH

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the hospital and onto Delaunays Road. We went forwards onto Old Market Street before turning left onto Chapel Lane. We turned right onto Plant Hill Road and we headed North up to Victoria Avenue. We went West towards Heaton Park before we joined the Northbound A576. We crossed the M60 and we travelled the last couple of miles up the road into Middleton. As we entered the bus station we passed Nix's Coaches Mercedes minibus FE02 BVN going the other way. We pulled into the bus station and the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 36107.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36107

Matthew went to the toilet, and whilst he was there we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 17244 on a #112 to Manchester. Matthew came out of the toilet and the bus pulled of and he took a picture of it as it disappeared out of the bus station.

Stagecoach Manchester 17244 in Middleton bus station

We also saw required First Manchester 30954 leave the bus station on a #58 to Rochdale, so we decided to off in a different direction. On stand B was required First Manchester 37550 on a #59 to Rushcroft.

First Manchester 37550 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37550.

Inside First Manchester 37550

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the Eastbound A669. At Mill Hill station we passed another ALX400 double decker First Manchester 30955 on a #58 to Middleton. We passed through Chadderton and we entered Bolton from the West end. We passed under Oldham Way and we climbed the hill up into the bus station. When we got off the bus we visited the toilet before we went for a walk around the bottom half of the bus station. Heading out of the bus station was First Manchester 33678 on a #184 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33678 in Oldham bus station

Coming up the hill into the bus station was First Manchester 67423 on a #81 to Derker.

First Manchester 67423 in Oldham bus station

The plan now was to head up back to the other half of the bus station an visit the newsagent to stock up on supplies. We turned the corner in the top half of the bus station and we saw First Manchester 33831 on a #83 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33831 in Oldham bus station

As we were about to enter the bus station to go to the newsagents we saw required First Manchester 30962 on a #409 to Ashton.

First Manchester 30962 in Oldham bus station

We decided to abandon the plan to go to the newsagent and catch the required First double decker. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the top deck was nearly empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 30962.

Inside First Manchester 30962

We set off out of the bus station and down the hill before turning left. We crossed Oldham way and we went South Down the A627, passing First Manchester 60224 on a Oldham bound #425 service. We carried on going South and we decided not to go too far as we didn't want to be too late back at Middleton. After around a mile or so we passed another First Manchester Mercedes Citaro on a #425, this time a 'barbie' liveried example 60248. We decided to get up and get off the bus as we hadn't passed a #409 coming the other way for a while. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 30962 as it carried on South towards Ashton.

First Manchester 30962 in Oldham

We could see a couple of buses coming the other way in the distance so we crossed the road and jogged down to the bus stop. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Manchester 36280.

First Manchester 36280 in Oldham

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. We sat down and the bus set off up the road towards Oldham. The bus behind us was empty so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First Manchester 36280.

Inside First Manchester 36280

The bus carried on up the A627 and over Oldham Way and into the bus station before we got up and got off the bus. We visited the newsagents and we brought some pop and chocolate as well as a couple of wriggly worms. We sat down in the bus station and Matthew ate the worms whilst we found out when the bus was due. We turned down required First Manchester 37444 which was on #59 to Manchester. There was a #415 due at 17:04 which we figured would probably be a required Dart. Whilst we waited we saw First Manchester 47471 on a #350 to Ashton. Eventually the #415 turned up and it was required First Manchester 42941.

First Manchester 42941 in Oldham bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus went Westwards out of Oldham and through the side streets of Chadderton. We headed into Butler Green and onto Thompson Lane. We crossed the A663 and we continued Westwards along Foxdenton Lane towards Middleton Junction. The emptied out but not completely, so Matthew took a picture of the seats opposite to us in First Manchester 42941.

Inside First Manchester 42941

We turned the corner into Greengate and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew than took another picture of First Manchester 42941 as it carried on towards Alkrington & Middleton.

First Manchester 42941 in Middleton Junction

We crossed the road at the island, and we nearly got run over as traffic came around the corner that we didn't see! Eventually we crossed safely and we checked the timetable. There was a #159 bus at 17:28 and a #112 at 17:35. As the #159 was approaching, we knew it would be a required bus as we have never been on a MCT bus before. We put our hand out to flag the bus down and then we spotted a Stagecoach double decker behind it in the distance, so we indicated that we no longer wanted to catch the bus to the MCT driver and the bus went sailing past. It was required MCT Travel MX62 AVV. The Stagecoach double decker turned into the Alkrington estate... Damn! it must have been on a #114 service... We now had another 7 minutes to wait. Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited. We then saw a Stagecoach Enviro200 in the distance... As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Manchester 36100.

Stagecoach Manchester 36100 in Middleton Junction

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus turned left into Grimshaw Lane. We travelled the 3/4's of a mile or so into town and when we called mum to say we were on our way into stand B. When we got back to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 36100.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36100

In front of us on stand C was First Manchester 30956 on a #58 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 30956 in Middleton bus station

We met up with mum and Matthew used the toilet in the bus station before we walked through the empty shopping centre and up to the top floor in the glass elevator. Mum paid the parking whilst we went back to the car. Matthew tucked into his Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru and we set off out of the car park. We left town along the A576 and we joined the M60, carring on clockwise around Manchester. As we travelled around the East of Manchester we caught up with a coach. It was K Matt Coaches M8 YKM.

K Matt Coaches M8 YKM on the M60

We passed Stockport and the M60 and M56 split. The coach carried on around the M60 and we joined the Westbound M56. Usually when I travel this way I do the M56 up to Lymm services and then join the M6 South as to avoid doing the A556. Today I chose to do the A556. As we got on the link road we realised that there were roadworks, which continues around onto the A556 with a speed restriction of 40mph! Just my luck... We joined onto the M6 at Junction 19 and it was now starting to go dark. the motorway was clear and we got to junction 16 quite quickly. At junction 16 we went South onto the A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50 which we did up to Longton to see what was parked at Z Carz. This was the first time for a while that we had been to Z Carz in darkness... In the middle of the first row was Z Carz maroon coloured Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

The nearest bus on the first row was Z Carz white Ford minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

We called at the Tesco petrol station to take on diesel, and then we got on the westbound A50. We travelled through Blurton and onto Church Road before turning onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Middleton / Oldham 22-08-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
36073	Middleton BS	Moston, o/s Moston Lane/Moston Cemetery	112	Stagecoach Manchester
17068	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Moston Cemetery	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	118	Stagecoach Manchester
36095	Higher Crumpsall, Delaunays Road/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	Middleton BS	156	Stagecoach Manchester
37462	Middleton BS	Oldham BS	59	First Manchester
37437	Oldham BS	Middleton BS	58	First Manchester
42944	Middleton BS	Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)	415	First Manchester
17242	Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Middleton. The weather was forecast for warm cloudy weather with the possibility of showers. The weather was predicted to be better further North or East. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and from the list Matthew picked Middleton. Matthew got up around 10:45 and had toast and orange juice. around 12:00 we set off onto the A5035. As we waited to join the road we saw City Cabs GN07 KXK heading towards Trentham. We turned on the A5035 and then right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We passed the Britannia Stadium. We joined the Westbound A50 and we went onto the Northbound A500. Going North on the M6 we saw MT Travel MK08 OUU, Anytime Airports PE11 RXA & Pats Coaches K7 WXM. At junction 21A we left the M6 an we went East on the M62. We passed a Thumbs Up truck and we continued onto the clockwise M60. We continued around to Junction 19 and we went North up the A576 into Middleton. As we went up the road we passed First Manchester 36280 on a #59 to Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester 36108 on a #156 to the North Manchester General Hospital. We parked up in the multi storey car park and we walked through the shopping centre. We stopped at the toilets and we went down to the bus station. On the way to the pavement cafe that we eat at we saw First Manchester 40319 on the #412 Middleton circular service.

First Manchester 40319 in Middleton bus station

We also saw First Manchester 39211 on a #18 service to the Central Hospital.

First Manchester 39211 in Middleton bus station

We walked around to the pavement cafe adjacent to the bus station and Matthew had a bacon and egg barm and a few fries (you have to travel further North or East before you get to have your bacon on a teacake). He washed it down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we were able to see quite a few buses. Noticeable was the absence of any Stagecoach Manchester MAN/ALX300 single deckers, replaced by Enviro 200's. Also noticeable was a lack of First Manchester Darts. Stagecoach Manchester had 36095 and 36100 on the #156 and #112 respectively. First Manchester Solo 40335 was on the #125 service and 53144 was on the 'Alkrington Rollercoaster' #415 service to Oldham. Also seen was First Manchester Wright Streetdeck 35102 on a #58 service. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed off to the bus station. As we crossed over we saw required First Manchester 37547 on a #58 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37547 in Middleton bus station

On layover on the opposite side of the bus station was required First Manchester 37437.

First Manchester 37437 in Middleton bus station

We saw required Stagecoach Manchester 36073 on a #112 to Manchester arrive on stand B. We decided to do this bus. Matthew took a picture and then we got on it.

Stagecoach Manchester 36073 in Middleton bus station

Aboard the bus we noticed that the bus was already quite well filled. We booked System One bus only tickets at £5.20 each and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. When it was time to leave the bus set off out of the bus station and through town. We passed Tesco and the Middleton Arena before turning onto Grimshaw Lane. At Middleton junction we turned right and went towards the depot. We passed our first Stagecoach Manchester MAN/ALX300 of the day, 22224 which was on a #114 to Alkrington. We stopped outside the depot for a driver change and we saw Stagecoach Magic Bus liveried double decker 17578 pull into the depot. We continued South down the B6393 Greengate and we crossed over the M60. At the large roundabout we joined Moston Lane and we followed it down through the shopping area and towards the cemetary. When we got to the cemetary we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach 36073 as it continued towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 36073 in Moston

We crossed the road and walked to the bus stop opposite. As we were checking the bus stop timetable we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching. AS it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Manchester 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 in Moston

We got on the bus and we flashed our System one tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and sat down in the middle of this fine T reg reg double decker. This was a former London bus from the same batch as the 4 double deckers that used belong to Wardle Transport. At least two of these are now with Stanton's of Stoke. the bus set off North up Moston Lane and we passed the shops. We turned left onto Charlestown Road and we passed required Stagecoach Manchester 17245 on a #118 to Manchester. We passed Boggart Hole Clough and the terminal of the #88 service where we saw First Manchester 66832 on a #88 service. We crossed Rochdale Road and we went onto Old Markets Street. We went forward onto Mill Brow and we followed the road around the left hand bend onto Delaunays Road. We paused for a while on the road before continuing to the hospital. At the terminus we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 17068 before we got off.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17068

Once at the hospital we crossed over the other side of the road to get a good picture of Stagecoach Manchester 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 outside the NMGH

We crossed back over to the stop which today was very busy. We didn't have to wait long before another bus turned up. It was required First Manchester 33843 on a #52 to East Didsbury.

First Manchester 33843 outside the NMGH

This was immediately followed by required Stagecoach Manchester 36095 on a #156 to Middleton.

Stagecoach Manchester 36095 outside the NMGH

We decided to do the Stagecoach bus as we knew we use the toilet back at Middleton bus station. We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the hospital and then turned right onto Delaunays Road and we went North onto Chapel Lane. We turned right onto Plant Hill Road and we went past the The Co-operative Academy of Manchester. At the top of Plant Hill Road we turned left onto Victoria Avenue which we did to the very end. We turned right onto the A576 and we crossed over the M60. We did the last few miles into town and we got to the shopping centre to see Rothwells Super Travel Mercedes minibus P173 NAK parked outside. We entered the bus station and we let the bus empty before Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 36095.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36095

We went to the toilet and before we went we saw required First Manchester 30960 on a #58 to Oldham. After using the toilet we saw required First Manchester 37462 on a #59 to Rushcroft via Oldham, so we decided to do this bus. Matthew took a picture through the glass before we got on this bus.

First Manchester 37462 in Middleton bus station

Aboard the bus we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus sat for a few minutes and then we set off out of the bus station. We joined the Oldham Road and we went eastwards out of town. At Mills Hill railway station we stopped in the mini bus station and required Stagecoach Manchester 17067 in Magic Bus livery pulled up in the stand behind us 'Not in Service'. We carried on East through Chadderton and past Westwood tram station. In a street to the left we saw First Manchester 30958 parked up displaying 'Private'. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37462.

Inside First Manchester 37462

We crossed under Oldham Way and we climbed the hill into the bus station. We pulled up in a stand on the Western part of the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We saw dud First Manchester 33680 on a #409 service.

First Manchester 33680 in Oldham bus station

We also got another picture of First Manchester 37462 as it carried on towards Rushcroft.

First Manchester 37462 in Oldham bus station

We decided to go down to the Southern part of the bus station to see what was there. On the way we saw First Manchester 33754 on a #409 to Ashton.

First Manchester 33754 in Oldham bus station

In the bottom section we saw required First Manchester 30962 on a #408 to Shaw.

First Manchester 30962 in Oldham bus station

We walked around the other side and we saw First Manchester 47471 on layover.

First Manchester 47471 in Oldham bus station

We also saw required First Manchester Mercedes Citaro 60277 on a #425 to the Holts Estate.

First Manchester 60277 in Oldham bus station

We walked back up to the top and we stopped to use the toilet. Afterwards we saw First Manchester 37548 on a #58 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37548 in Oldham bus station

We saw another bus arrive and we went to the end off the bus station to see what it was. It was required First Manchester 33669 on a #83 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33669 in Oldham bus station

We visited the newsagents and Matthew had some chocolate and a couple of cans to fill up the trip bag. We sat down to have a drink and a chocolate bar as it was very warm. Whilst we were there we saw our first First Manchester Dart of the day... First Manchester 42944 was on a #415 to Middleton. Before we could finish off eating it left the bus station.... Drat! After we had finished eat we considered how we could get back to Middleton. We saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 49893 on a #406 to Mills Hill.

Stagecoach Manchester 49893 in Oldham bus station

Matthew must have remembered we had been on this bus back in September 2014 from the hospital to Moston on the #118 service. WE had a walk around and we saw required First Manchester 33671 on a #184 to Huddersfield.

First Manchester 33671 in Oldham bus station

whilst our backs were turned required First Manchester 37437 snuck into the bus station on a #58 to Middleton.

First Manchester 37437 in Oldham bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only tickets to the driver before going up the stairs. The bus left the bus station and we went down the hill under Oldham Way on the A669. We passed Westwood trams station and we went through Chadderton. Originally I thought we were going to get off the bus at Mills Hill, so Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us as we approached the railway.

Inside First Manchester 37437

We decided to stay on the bus so we carried on past Mills Hill station into Middleton. As we approached town we could see a First Manchester Dart coming into town on a parallel road. It looks like we managed to catch up First Manchester 42944! We got into the bus station and we appeared to be there before the Dart. We got off the bus and as we thought First Manchester 42944 trundled into the bus station just after us. As the bus was loading we crossed over to the side by the shopping centre to get a good picture of the Dart.

First Manchester 42944 in Middleton bus station

We crossed over the back into the bus station and we boarded bus. We flashed the System One Bus Only ticket before sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus was quite full as we left the bus station. We went past Tesco and the Middleton Arena and we doubled back onto Townley Road. When we got to the corner by Grimsham Lane we went straight onto Kirkway. Now, if possible when we cover the the #415 we prefer to do it from the Oldham end. The Alkrington estate is quite possibly one of the worst places in the country for speed bumps. We bounced our way through the estate and we went the bus emptied out. No body in there right mind does this bus through to Oldham... It has nothing to do with the quality of the bus on the service, it relates to the bump roads. The long journey time and the back breaking speed bumps mean that the bus is almost always empty by the time it reaches Middleton Junction. towards the end of the estate we passed another Dart, First Manchester 42945. As predicted the bus was almost empty Greengate, so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 42944.

Inside First Manchester 42944

We turned the corner into Greengate and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 42944 as it carried towards Oldham and Lees.

First Manchester 42944 at Middleton Junction

As we waited for the bus back to Middleton over the more direct route of the #112, we saw a Manchester bound #112 being worked by required Stagecoach Manchester 22221.

Stagecoach Manchester 22221 at Middleton Junction

We weren't expecting a bus back to Middleton for a few minutes so Matthew opened a pack of Milky Stars. Just as Matthew started to eat them we turned to see a double decker approaching. Matthew rushed to eat his chocolate... A it got closer we saw that it was dud Stagecoach Manchester 17242.

Stagecoach Manchester 17242 at Middleton Junction

We got on the bus and I flashed the System One Bus Only tickets to the driver for the final time today. Stagecoach Manchester 17242 was a bus that we had been on back in September 2014 from Moston to Charlestown back when the #80 service still ran. We went upstairs and I called mum to let her know that we would be just over 10 minutes. WE turned left into Grimshaw lane and then we ran into town and into the bus station, When we got back to the bus station we let the bus empty out and Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 17242.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17242

When we got off the bus we saw First Manchester 42945 arrive in the bus station. Once again we caught up with a #415 service after doing a more direct route. Matthew decided he wanted to say hello to someone on the bus and afterwards we crossed over to the other side to get a picture of First Manchester 42945.

First Manchester 42945 in Middleton bus station

We met up with mum and on the way back into the shopping centre we saw First Manchester 37390.

First Manchester 37390 in Middleton bus station

We walked through the shopping centre and we stopped to use the toilet. Mum paid the car parking which was a very reasonable £1 for 4 hours. Back at the car Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru. We drove out of the car park and across the roundabout onto the A576. We drove the couple of miles down to the M60 and we went onto the clockwise carriageway towards Hyde and Stockport. We went around the Southern half of Greater Manchester before joining the Westbound M56. We did the motorway over to Lymm and we headed towards the A50 before doubling back and joining the Southbound M6. As we went down the M6 we passed a number of coaches coming the other way. There was a grey coach with purple and orange wavey lines, A couple of National Express's, a B&N Coaches, a white and red Toyota coach and a Pats Coaches coach within a few miles of each other. We also saw Z Carz PY08 KDX. When we got to junction 15 we left the M6 and we went down the A500. As we came into Stoke-on-Trent it started to rain heavily. Passing through Stoke and up to Sideway the rain was torrential. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we came off it again at Longton so that we could go and check out what was parked up at Z Carz. At the spare ground the buses were parked facing the A50 in two rows again. Amongst the first row was Z Carz silver LDV CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

Another bus in the first row was Z Carz Renault MV53 KKD.

Z Carz MV53 KKD in Longton

On the near end of the first row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Closest bus on the second row was Z Carz Airport Division DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what buses were parked up in the compound. In front of Mercedes minibus S952 VMY was Z Carz Ford LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we came of the road again at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton a we stopped at the shop to drop something off. We carried on through Blurton and we caught up with First Potteries 60202 on a #22 to Newcastle. We got back home at 19:00. We had a few computer problems, which turned out to be a flat battery in a wireless mouse. The problems delayed tea, and we also realised that we didn't have any sausages! So I ended up going to the chip shop. For a late tea Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy followed by a shortbread biscuit with jam in it. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until he went to bed at 01:00... Mark