Trip to Blackpool 30-10-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
Y13 POS	Fegg Hayes	Blackpool	Charter	Paul's of Stoke
Y13 POS	Blackpool	Fegg Hayes	Charter	Paul's of Stoke

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going on a day trip to Blackpool. Matthew got up around 06:55 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. As the coach was leaving from Fegg Hayes. We went downstairs and we saw it was an Autocabs taxi. We got in the taxi and we set off along Temple Street. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill and we joined the A52. We went under the railway line and we turned right onto the Northbound A527. We ran through Etruria and Longport and we came off the A500 onto the Eastbound A527. We ran up the hill and across the top on Tunstall. We crossed over the A50 and we continued through Chell and over the roundabout. We went down the hill a few hundred yards before turning right onto Fegg Hayes Road. We stopped outsite the Chatterley Valley Community Centre and we got out of the taxi. Matthew went to the toilet and waited for the coach to arrive. A short time later the coach appeared. It was required Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS.

Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS in Fegg Hayes

We got on the coach and we sat down in our allocated seats. We set off along Fegg Hayes Road and we turned left onto Oxford Road. We turned left onto the A527 and we ran through Chell and over the A50. We ran down the hill and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran Northwards up the M6. We ran through Cheshire and into Lancashire and to the East of Preston. We joined the Westbound M55 and we ran to the end. We ran forwards onto Yeadon Way and we ran up to the coach park near to Bloomfield Road where we got up and got off the coach. Once we had parked up we headed along Seasiders Way and we walked into the centre of Blackpool. First stop off the day was at Blackpool Tower. When we arrived Matthew went to the toilet. We visited the dungeons and Matthew enjoyed being locked in a cage and having his picture taken! Afterwards we went up to the top of the tower. Matthew took picture of the views from the tower, including the new building next door which is currently just a steel frame. When we had finished in the tower we went for dinner. We walked along Bank Hey Street onto New Bonny Street an we visited Coral Island for dinner. Matthew had sausage chips and beans washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we headed along New Bonny Street onto the promenade. We saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15467 on a #68 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15467 in Blackpool

We continued walking down to Central Pier and we walked along the pier. We visited the facilities and Matthew took a picture of the South Pier from near to the end. When we had finished on the pier we headed Northwards up the promenade. We saw Catch22Bus KP04 GZM on a #21 to St Annes.

Catch22Bus KP04 GZM in Blackpool

A few minutes later we saw Blackpool Transport 454 on a #11 to Lytham.

Blackpool Transport 454 in Blackpool

We headed into the Sealife Centre and Matthew had a look around at all the fish and other seabourne wildlife they have in there. These included crabs, starfish, eels and rays. When we came out of the Sealife Centre we went Southwards down the promenade. We stopped at a food stand and Matthew had a doughnut. We carried on a little further and we stopped for a drink and some cake. Matthew had a vanilla slice and a glass of Coke. by the time we had finished here it had gone dark outside. We walked Northwards up the promenade and we saw the illuminated 'train' tram doing tours of the illuminations. When it was time to go home we walked up Bonny Street and we headed to the coach park. We walked along Seasiders Way and we stopped at the coach park. We saw Edwards OY64 KKE on layover.

Edwards OY64 KKE in Blackpool

As expected, transport for the journey home was Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS.

Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS in Blackpool

We got on the coach and we sat down in our allocated seats. The coach set off along Seasiders Way and we ran forwards onto Yeadon Way. We joined the Eastbound M55 and we ran the 20 miles or so back to the motorway. We joined the Southbound M6 and Matthew ate a ham sandwich as we barrelled Southwards through Lancashire. We continued into Cheshire and we left the M6 at junction 16. We joined the Southbound A500 and we ran down to the A527. We ran up the Chatterley Valley and to the North of Tunstall. We continued to Chell and we ran down the hill towards Biddulph before turned right onto Fegg Hayes Road. We pulled up at the club and we got off the coach. Once of the coach we returned to Fenton in an Autocabs taxi. We got in the taxi and we set off up Fegg Hayes Road. We joined the A527 and we ran through Chell and past the North end of Tunstall before running down into the Chatterley Valley and joining the Southbound A500. We ran through Longport and Etruria and into Stoke and we came off the A500. We turned left onto City Road and we ran under the railway line. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right into Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew returned to his room to chill out. He watched television and used his computer. 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 Derby / Smalley Cross 21-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
257	Derby BS	Oakwood, Adj Smalley Drive	11	Notts & Derby
454	Oakwood, Opp Smalley Drive	Derby BS	11	Notts & Derby
767	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	D1	Notts & Derby
792	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	D1	Notts & Derby
264	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	D1	Notts & Derby
264	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	D1	Notts & Derby
600	Derby BS	Smalley Cross, Rose & Crown	59	Notts & Derby
766	Smalley Cross, Rose & Crown	Derby BS	59	Notts & Derby

Today we decided to re-visit Derby. We had received a tip-off from one of our Flickr/Facebook friends telling us that this Saturday was going to be an unofficial running day for the last remaining Optare Excels in the Notts & Derby. Our previous visit to Derby was for the Notts & Derby Olympians running day which had been well publicised. We couldn't find anything on the web regarding this running day, so we decided to take a chance that it was true and visit Derby regardless. The night before I had received a message stating that required Notts & Derby 257 was going to be on the #11 service to Ilkeston, dud Notts & Derby 258 was going to be on the #73 to Weston-on-Trent and required Notts & Derby 264 was going to be on the D1 Meteor Retail Park service. Research for the trip consisted of downloading and e-mailing myself the relevant 3 timetables. I for to check the weather, which turned out to be overcast and bitterly cold! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast an orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We drove through Dresden up to Longton and we took the Westbound A50 to the next roundabout and we turned right into Baths Road. We filled up with petrol at Tesco and then we went Eastwards along the A50. As we travelled up towards Meir tunnel we passed D&G 139 on 'The Orange ONE' service to Newcastle. We passed the Copeland's Tours depot and we saw orange coach MIB 118 parked up there. We continued East and we saw Copeland's Tours coach MIB 246 parked up in a lay-by with a L plate on the back. Travelling East along the A50 we saw Linburg IIG 7743, a Blue coach (possibly Jones) reg like ?14 JPC & Midlands Classic 21(#401). We came off the A50 at the A511 and we travelled down to Hatton. We stopped at the Salt Box Cafe where Matthew used the toilet. After using the facilities Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we were there we saw Trent Barton 659 (V1), Midlands Classic 76 (#401) and a green and cream Derby Corporation half cab double decker 27. When we had finished eating we got back into the car and we ran up to Derby along the A516 and onto the A38. We ran into town along Ashbourne Road and we went around the inner ring road, turning right onto The Cock Pitt. We entered the Riverside car park and we parked up. We crossed over Morledge inside the car park and then we went down the lift down to level 2. WE said goodbye to mum and we went down the steps onto the street below. We walked under the car park bridge and we saw Arriva Midlands 2517 on a #7 from Sinfin.

Arriva Midlands 2517 in Derby bus station

We hadn't seen any of the 3 Notts & Derby buses yet, but there was plenty of interesting buses around. Derby County where playing at home and there were buses of supporters past every few minutes... Most of the buses were older high floor vehicles. We saw Hawkes Coaches Volvo single decker R978 XVM heading South towards Pride Park. We crossed over Morledge and we stood on the corner by the bus station whilst we waited for one of the buses appear. Whilst we waited we saw Trent Barton coach 88 on the Red Arrow express service to Nottingham.

Trent Barton 88 in Derby bus station

A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton 87 on another Red Arrow express service to Nottingham.

Trent Barton 87 in Derby bus station

Outside of the bus station we saw Notts+Derby double decker 34 on a shuttle service to Pride Park.

Notts+Derby 34 in Derby bus station

Traffic in and around the bus station was running slow due to it being a matchday. A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton 687, branded for the Sixes services towards Belper.

Trent Barton 687 in Derby bus station

This was followed by Arriva Midlands 4400 which had just arrived on a #38 service from Sinfin.

Arriva Midlands 4400 in Derby bus station

This was followed by Arriva Midlands double decker 4217 on a #1 from Alvaston.

Arriva Midlands 4217 in Derby bus station

A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton 257 arrive into the bus station. It didn't some straight on stand it went on layover. We went and stood at the correct stand for the #11 service and a minute or so later a Solo arrived with #11. It emptied out and then disappeared again. Whilst we stood waiting for a bus to appear we saw dud Trent Barton 258 come in on the #73 service. A few minutes later to our relief we saw Trent Barton 257 come onto the stand.

Notts+Derby 257 in Derby bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased Notts & Derby Enthusiasts Day tickets for £6 each. We were first on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 257 before we sat down.

Inside Notts+Derby 257

We set off out of the bus station, passing Hawkes Coaches R557 LGH on a football service. We continued onto the anti-clockwise ring road where we were passed by Harpurs Coaches P403 MDT. We then came off and under the ring road onto Eastgate. At the roundabout we came off onto Nottingham Road and we ran Eastwards out of town traffic was slow due to it being a match day and we crawled out of town until we got to Chaddeston Lane where we turned left. As we travelled North we passed Harpurs double decker X423 PFE on a #23 Football service. We turned left onto Morley Road and we ran North for around 1 1/2 miles. The #11 service is a 1 hour 45 minute round trip, and an hourly service. If we wanted to get in more than 4 or 5 buses, we had to get off somewhere and catch the other bus on the route or be out of town for a further hour. We had planned to go to Stanley, but the late running due to football traffic meant we had to get off earlier than we planned. As we went up Morley road we spotted two bus tops opposite to each other in Oakwood, so we decided to get up and get off the bus. The bus continued North up to Derby Road and neither of us managed to get a decent picture! We crossed the road and we stood at the stop on a narrow pavement next to a fast road. We didn't have to wait to long before we saw a bus approaching... Disappointingly at was Notts & Derby Solo 454 on the #11 to Derby.

Notts+Derby 454 in Oakwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver. Matthew tried to beep the horn and we had to wrestle him away from the cab before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We travelled South for around a mile and a half and we continued onto Chaddesden Lane. At the end we turned right onto Nottingham Road and we ran into town. We crossed the Pentagon roundabout and we went under the ring road onto Exeter Street and we saw required Notts and derby 264 on the D1 service go past on Derwent Street. The bus emptied out in front of us and we encourage Matthew to take a picture inside Notts & Derby 454 at this point.

Inside Notts+Derby 454

We turned left into Corporation Street and forwards onto Morledge before we turned left into the bus station. We tried to get Matthew off the bus without him honking the horn, but despite two of us wrestling with he managed to do it :( Adjacent to the Solo that we had just got off was national Express liveried Edwards Coaches BX16 CHY on a #321 to Bradford.

Edwards BX16 CHY in Derby bus station

We decided to take a few pictures before visiting the toilet and then walking over to Derwent Street to get in the last required Optare Excel on the D1 service. We had a clear view of the Hawkes coaches double decker R557 LGH which was on layover, so we went up the side of the bus station to get a picture. As we got there Hawkes Coaches single decker R978 XVM pulled up in front of it.

Hawkes Coaches R978 XVM in Derby bus station

We walked back into the bus station and we saw Chalfonts BK14 LEF on a #230 to Gatwick Airport

Chalfonts BK14 LEF in Derby bus station

We went inside the bus station and Matthew used the toilet before we left the bus station out of the East exit and we walked along the River Derwent to Derwent Street. When we energed onto the street we crossed the road and we saw Trent Barton 163 on layover in between services on the Nines.

Trent Barton 163 in Derby

We waited at the stop outside the registry office for the next D1 service. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was required Notts & Derby 767 on the D1 to the Meteor Retail Park.

Notts+Derby 767 in Derby

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Derwent Street and we turned left onto Stuart Street. We went under the ring road and then we joined Mansfield Road going Northwards. Where Mansfield Road became Alfreton Road we turned right and we crossed over the railway line. Just to the South we could see the Linburg bus and coach garage where we could see a line of double decker buses. We joined the Northbound A608 and we went past the Rollerworld roller rink before we turned left into the Meteor Retail Park, passing Notts & Derby 792 which was on the other D1 turn. It appeared that Notts & Derby 264 had been taken off the D1's :( At the first roundabout we did a u-turn so that the bus was facing the right way to return into town. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 767.

Inside Notts+Derby 767

Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Notts & Derby 767 before it returned into town.

Notts+Derby 767 in Meteor Retail Park

We let the bus go as they were every 10 minutes and we required Notts & Derby 792 anyway. Whilst we waited for the bus to appear Matthew shared a somewhat battered double Milky may with me and uncle Dave. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and as expected it was Notts & Derby 792.

Notts+Derby 792 in Meteor Retail Park

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver. This bus was out of a different batch off Plaxton Centro's acquired form elsewhere, as such it was very different inside compared to our last bus. Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 792.

Inside Notts+Derby 792

We set off out of the retail park and onto the Southbound A608. We joined Mansfield Road and we crossed the railway line before we followed the road to the left and into the town under the ring road on Pheonix Street. We turned right onto Derwent Street and as we crossed over the river we spotted required Notts & Derby 264 about to work the next D1 service. The bus must have gone with the driver back to the depot for a meal break and had promptly returned for the second part of the shift :) The bus stop at a set down only stop opposite to the Optare Excel so we quickly crossed over the road and Matthew got a picture of Notts & Derby 264 before we jumped on it.

Notts+Derby 264 in Derby

We flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus that we had just got off was now displaying X17 and it went around the corner towards the bus station. We set off as we had done before up Derwent Street and left into Stuart Street. We continued as we had done on the previous run on Pheonix Street, Mansfield Road the A608 and into the retail park before we did a u-turn at the first roundabout ready to return back to Derby. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 264.

Inside Notts+Derby 264

We got off the bus and we made a decision to do the bus straight back to Derby, as we had been on the other bus on the route and the withdrawal of this bus from service was imminent. We took another picture of Notts & Derby 264 whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service of the return trip.

Notts+Derby 264 in Meteor Retail Park

We got back on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. A couple of minutes later we returned back to town via the A608, Mansfield Road, Pheonix Street and onto Derwent Street. This time the bus did a u-turn outside the Derby Assembly Rooms and onto the Derwent Street C7 stop. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Notts & Derby 264 before we headed back to the bus station.

Notts+Derby 264 in Derby

We crossed over Derwent street and we walked back to the bus station alongside the river. Once in the bus station we decided that we would have time for one quick out and back before the parking ticket ran out. We knew that we didn't have time to do dud Notts & Derby 258 on the #73 as we would only get one bus in and it would not be a required one and we would be late! We looked at the display and we saw that there were two Notts & Derby service at 16:30. One was a X17 Borrowash express service and the other was a #59 to Ilkeston via Breadsall & Brackley Gate. Both buses were on adjacent stands 2 & 3. We had around 15 minutes to wait for these buses,so we went outside of the bus station to the corner of Morledge to take a few pictures whilst we waited. It was starting to go dark and it was very cold, so we didn't stay here too long. We did see Arriva Midlands white single decker YJ58 FFD on a #7 to Sinfin.

Arriva Midlands YJ58 FFD in Derby bus station

We had seen required Notts & Derby 600 on layover and it was displaying 59 so we assumed that this was going to one of the two buses. We went into the bus station and we dcided there was just time for Matthew to visit the toilet before the buses were due on stand. There was only just time, as we had to wait for the toilet to become vacant! We walked back to the stands and we saw required Notts & Derby 765 on the X17. We then saw Notts & Derby 600 pull up on stand as we expected.

Notts+Derby 600 in Derby bus station

We decided to do Notts & Derby 600... I think Matthew based the decision on the fact that it looked similar internaly to the First Potteries Wright Solar Eclipse buses 65727-65733! We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Morledge and we went North up to Derwent street where we turned right. The route was the same as the D1 as far as the retail park. We turned left onto Stuart Street and we crossed under the ring road on Pheonix Street and onto Mansfield Road. We crossed the railway line and we ran north up the A608 and past the retail park. It was now proper dark and we quickly went out of the city in open countryside. I had already seen that this service was hourly and had a 1hr 50 round trip time, so we had to get off somewhere and come back on the other bus on the service. The problem was that we didn't know the area and we were trying to time get on a bus coming the other way or get well and truly bowled out! I resorted to find where I wanted to get off on google maps and using this to plot our position against the time. We followed Arriva Midlands #38 branded double decker bus 4404 up Mansfield Road which was on a #24 Chaddesden circular service. We travelled about 1 1/2 miles and then we turned sharp left onto Brookside Road. We ran into Breadsall and we turned right onto Church lane and then Moor Road. We then we stormed North through the night for around 2 miles where the road turned sharp left. We continued straight onto Cloves Hill and we ran for a further 1/3 of a mile before we turned right onto Woodside to head into Smalley Cross. The bus had emptied out so I encourage Matthew to take a picture inside Notts & Derby 600.

Inside Notts+Derby 600

I could see we were getting close to the point where I wanted to get off, and when I could see streetlight I assumed correctly that we were coming to the crossroad where I wanted to get off. We stood up to get off the bus and the bus stopped at the lights on the crossroads. I asked the driver where the returns stop was and he pointed to a stop just across the road barely visible in the dark. He told us there was a bus due to pass us soon to which I replied "I know, that's why we're getting of here to go straight back!". We went forwards onto the A609 and we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Notts & Derby 600 as it disappeared into the night...

Notts+Derby 600 in Smalley Cross

We waited for a gap in the traffic and we crossed over the road. We looked up and we saw the bus approaching a few hundred yards up the road! We made it with around a minute to spare! As it got closer we saw that it was required Notts & Derby 766.

Notts+Derby 766 in Smalley Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards along the A609 and we crossed over the crossroads onto Woodside. It was properly dark as we travelled back via Brackley gate, Breadsall and down the A608. As we passed the Meteor Retail park we saw Notts & Derby 264 waiting to work the D1 back into town. It was probably going to be the last time we saw a Notts & Derby Optare Excel working a bus service. We continued back into twon along Mansfield Road, Pheonix Street and Derwent Street and we turned right into Morledge. We entered the bus station and as the bus was now going onto the #73 we went right the way down to the bottom end of the bus station onto the outdoor coach stands! The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 766 before we got off it.

Inside Notts+Derby 766

We met up with mum and we went into the shop in the bus station. This has to be probably one of the biggest bus station shops in the country where you could probably buy everything to make a 3 course dinner,albeit at a premium price before you caught your bus home! Matthew brought a couple of cans of Coke and some chocolate bars before returned onto Morledge towards the car park. on the way was saw required Trent Barton 911 on a Skylink service.

Trent Barton 911 in Derby bus station

We got in the lift up to floor 2 and we validate the parking ticket before we got back into the lift to go up the level 4. We went out of the car park and Matthew very helpfully put the ticket in the machine so that we could leave the car park. We came out of the car park and i turned in the wrong direction onto ring road. We then ended up going East along the A52 towards Nottingham. We spotted a sign for the A6 so we took that down to the A50. We then travelled 35 odd mile West along the A500, passing close to Uttoxeter and Blythe Bridge. We came off the A50 a Longton so that we could check out what was on Z Carz this evening. In the first row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Next to the Vauxhall was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Closest vehicle in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV. We turned left into willow Row to see what was parked in the compound. In the yard we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We also saw Z Carz new Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY. We turned around and we got back onto the Westbound A50 which we did as far as Heron Cross. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just after 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Middleton / Oldham 05-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22183	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, before Moston Lane/Leighton Street	112	Stagecoach Manchester
512	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)	118	JPT
454	Higher Crumpsall, Crumpsall Way/NMG Hospital (Stop C)‎	Middleton BS	156	JPT
22181	Middleton BS‎‎	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	112	Stagecoach Manchester
62214	Moston, opp Moston Lane/Blue Bell	Failsworth, opp Lord Lane/Wyndale Drive	52	First Manchester
10044	Failsworth, opp Lord Lane/Wyndale Drive	Oldham BS	76	Stagecoach Manchester
40416	Oldham BS	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop D)‎	415	First Manchester
17038	Middleton Junction, Greengate/Middleton Junction (Stop C)‎‎	Middleton BS	112	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to go to Middleton. No research was done for this trip, other than to check the weather and make sure that we had all the relevant maps in the bag. The weather was predicted for dry, unseasonably warm with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30. We headed onto the A5035 and onto Stanley Matthews Way. We then went onto the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton to get LPG. Whilst we filled up we saw First Potteries 65705 on a #34 service. We got onto the Westbound A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. Traffic on the M6 was better tan it had been in recent weeks and we made quite good time. Coaches that passed us were New adventure Travel YN13 GDE and Reptons REP 916. We then went Eastbound on the M62, and then Clockwise on the M60 until we reached the A576. We then did the last couple of miles into town up the A576 and parked up near MacDonalds. We walked through town and we spotted an inflatable slide in the distance we took a picture of. We ate at our usual spot in Middleton, The pavement cafe near the shopping centre. what we hadn't anticipated was Oktoberfest, which was in full swing by the time we arrived, between the cafe and the bus station! From the Middleton Town Centre Management site...

'We are planning an Oktoberfest themed event on 5th October 2013. This is the events first year and we hope you can come down to Middleton Town Centre and make this an event to remember...'

As we ate at our usual spot we had quite loud 70's music! Matthew had a sausage bap with some fries washed down with a can of coke. Whilst we ate we saw required stagecoach 17038 on the #112 as well as First Manchester Solo 40314 on the #415 service. When we had finished around 13:30 we walked to the bus station via the event portaloo toilets, which Matthew wanted to use. The band just started as we were leaving play a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze. We had a quick look around the bus station to see if there was anything interesting about. We didn't see anything spectacular about so we decided to have a ride on required Stagecoach Manchester 22183, which was on the #112 service.

Stagecoach Manchester 12183 in Middleton bus station

We got on the bus and booked our System One tickets and the bus was empty at the rear so Matthew took a picture of the inside too.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 12183

We decided to do this down to Moston, so we could see what w buses were out and about. we left town and went out to Middleton junction along Grimshaw Lane. We turned right onto Greengate where we saw JPT 151 & Stagecoach Manchester 17068 on Northbound #112's. When we got to Moston Lane we got off the bus to see if there was anything else interesting. We did have to wait long before we saw a JPT double decker coming towards us. As it got closer we saw it was required JPT 512 on a #118 to the North Manchester General Hospital.

JPT 512 in Moston

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off and we entered new territory for us when we turned left onto Charlestown Road. The bus passed an area called Boggart Hole Clough which looked an interesting place. The #118 seemed a frequent service as we passed JPT 154 & 511 coming the other way. As we traveled through the streets the bus emptied out so Matthew got a picture inside JPT 512.

Inside JPT 512

Eventually we reached the hospital and it seemed a reasonably quit place that was 'bus busy'. When we arrived we had pulled in behind First Manchester 59012 which was on a #154 service to Bury.

First Manchester 59012 outside the NMGH

We also got another picture of JPT 512 now it was parked up.

JPT 512 outside the NMGH

We decided to have a walk onto the main road and see what buses ran from those stops. On stop only had 2 buses that called there Monday to Friday only! The other stop didn't have a bus for a while and we had seen 3 JPT buses go into the hospital so we walked back to where we got off. At the hospital main stop we saw JPT 182 which was out of service.

JPT 182 outside the NMGH

Behind this was JPT Optare Excel 177, which was on the next #118 back out through Moston.

JPT 177 outside the NMGH

Behind this was JPT 454 on the #156 to Middleton.

JPT 454 outside the NMGH

Matthew decided to do JPT 454, so we got on and sat near the back. I looked up this bus and it turned out to be one of the 4 JPT buses we had been on prior to today! We had been on this bus only 28 days ago on the same service! The bus set off and we wound our way through the streets of Higher Blackley and onto Victoria Avenue. We passed the stop which we got on JPT 454 four weeks ago and then we carried on into Middleton. When we got there we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture inside JPT 454.

Inside JPT 454

When we got back to the bus station in Middleton there was another lull in the activity. Matthew went to the disabled toilet in the bus station and I attempted to use the gents (the gate had my 20p but wouldn't let me in!). I then had to use the Oktoberfest event toilets... We got back to the bus station and Matthew had a Crunchie and a bottle of Irn Bru. We the saw Stagecoach 22181 on the #112 and as it was required we decided to do that. We crossed over the crossing and got a picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 12181 in Middleton bus station

The bus was quit full and didn't empty much so he wasn't able to get a picture inside the bus. We went down to Moston again, as we crossed the roundabout by the Gardeners Arms, we saw Magicbus 16799 heading South East. We got off at Moston and crossed over the road. We saw Stagecoach 27598 approaching which we knew was dud so we turned it down. Behind it was a First Manchester bus, 62214 which we knew was definitely required so we decided to get on it. The bus was on a #52 to Failsworth which we had never been to before. We looked up where the service went on the map and we saw Failsworth was around 3 miles due South of Oldham. The bus went through Newton Heath, where we saw Magicbus 16799 parked up again. the bus then headed towards Failsworth we didn't know what the place was like and how busy it would be. When we turned onto a street with a few different services on the bus stop flags we decided to get off. As we went to get off we saw that the us had emptied and Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 62214

As the bus went off into the distance he got a picture of the outside of 62214 too.

First Manchester 62214 in Failsworth

As we guessed there were a coupe of service to Oldham from here from the same stop. We only had to wait foe 2-3 minutes when we saw a stagecoach double decker approaching. It turned out to be required Stagecoach Manchester 10044. We got on and went upstairs. The bus was nearly empty upstairs and after a few stops the other passenger left the bus and Matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 10044

We got off the bus and we waited for the bus to go onto its departure stand before we got a picture on the outside of the bus too.

Stagecoach Manchester 10044 in Oldham bus station

We went to the toilets and then we went see f there was anything interesting working. At stand B there were two darts on the #415. First Manchester 40406 was standing empty at the end and then First Manchester 40364 and went straight onto stand to pick up passengers.

First Manchester 40364 in Oldham bus station

Matthew turn down required 40364 as I think he fancied doing a double decker. First Manchester 40406 then went off empty. We saw First Manchester 40329 on a #406 to Chadderton, and we also saw First Manchester 40316 on a #402 Royton circular. We needed to head off back to Middleton soon and it was around 16:20. There was a #59 at 16:31 and a #415 at 16:39. we visited the shop in the bus station where Matthew brought a can of Coke and some chocolate. We sat down and Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru. The #415 came in and it was required First Manchester Wright bodied Dart 40416.

First Manchester 40416 in Oldham bus station

Matthew was still adamant we did a double decker. When the #59 arrived, it was an uninspiring Volvo so he changed his mind and decided to do 40416 instead! We got on the bus and it was quite full. We sat down near the back and the bus pulled off. As the bus headed South to Middleton Junction, the bus emptied out quite quickly and so he was able to get a picture of the inside of First Manchester 40416 just before we got off.

Inside First Manchester 40416

The just before the bus went under the the railway bridge we hit a bump in the road the rear suspension bottomed out with a very loud 'crack'. These well traveled and well loved Darts surely can't carry on for much longer in service... Rather than bounce our way through Alkrington Gardens over the speed bumps, We decided to get off at Middleton Junction and get a #112 into town. We got off and immediately behind us on a Southbound #112 was required 17068.

Stagecoach Manchester 17068 at Middleton Junction

Had we not been short of tie we may have done this. As it was we crossed over the road to wait for a Middleton bound #112. We had just seen JPT Optare Excel 174 going into Middleton. A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching, and finally we had caught up with required Stagecoach Manchester 17011.

Stagecoach Manchester 17038 at Middleton Junction

We got on and the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture downstairs.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17038

We went upstairs and it was empty too, so he got another picture of the upper saloon.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 17038

The bus set off and turned onto Grimshaw Lane. A short while up the road we saw a bus at a stop with a van parked in front of it. It was the JPT service support vehicle attending the broken down JPT 182. We carried on into Middleton and we got off Stagecoach Manchester 17038. We had a quick walk around the bus station taking pictures. On layover was JPT Pointer Dart 151.

JPT 151 in Middleton bus station

We then walked back to the car via MacDonalds where Matthew used the toilet. back at the car Matthew had a sausage roll and a fudge cake which mum had brought whilst in town. He also had a MacDonalds chicken nugget meal. We set off out of Middleton and down the A576. We carried on a round the M60 clockwise and the onto the Westbound M56. We headed onto the M6 via the A556. On the M6 we saw a few coaches. We passed two coaches as we headed home, and decided to slow down and let the coaches pass us so Matthew could take pictures. The coaches were Bennetts S574 KJF.

Bennetts S574 KJF on the M6

This was followed closely behind by FR Willetts S33 PRW.

FR Willetts S33 PRW on the M6

When we reached the A500 the Bennett's coach came off the M6 with us and FR Willetts S33 PRW carried on South down the M6. We did the A500 down to the A50 and then into Longton so we could go passed the Z Carz garage. There were four vehicle there tonight. First there was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

At the rear of the land was ALZ 8539 which doesn't seem to have moved for around a week.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

Then there was Z Carz newest recruit T2 DLT. It has no decals yet and a magnetic legal address so this may be a loan vehicle.

Z Carz T2 DLT in Longton

We carried on home down Longton Hall Road were we saw First Potteries 40018 heading into Longton on the #22. We also saw First Potteries 53209 on a #23A. We got home around 18:40 and as we parked up we saw JayJays Travel RX57 POV in the distance. We decided to walk up to and take a picture before we went into the house.

jayJays Travel RX57 POV in Blurton

We had bangers and mash with some slightly burnt carrot for a late tea, followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until he went to bed around 01:00...Mark