Showing posts with label Beech Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beech Hill. Show all posts

Saturday, 26 October 2024

Trip to Wigan / Standish 26-10-2024
















BusFromToServiceOperator



4107Wigan BSBeech Hill, Dawson Avenue605Go North West
4020Beech Hill, Dawson AvenueWigan BS606Go North West
4109Wigan BSStandish Police Station632Go North West
4105Standish Police StationWigan BS632Go North West
40761Wigan BSHindley Green, Lincroft Road132Rotala Diamond
40728Hindley Green, Lincroft RoadHindley, Waverley Road132Rotala Diamond
3408Hindley, Council OfficesWigan BS607Go North West


Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go on Friday night and he chose to go to Wigan. Research for the trip was looking at the weather, which was for dry weather with some sunshine and we also researched a new place to eat. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast for breakfast. Later on he had a can of Irn Bru. We got ready to go out and we went out around 11:45. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. We saw a S.A,S Travel CV68 TBX, blue minibus FG73 YBR, Z Carz YT17 GXA, taxi minibus SF67 BNV and Roseville KR16 SOA. Traffic was moving quite slowly as we headed up to the M6. As we got on the M6 we saw Excelsior 14 carrying Southampton fans to their away fixture at Man City.


Excelsior 14 on the M6
Continug up the M6 we saw an unidentified Keepings midicoach, an unidentified Chandlers coach, an unidentified Masons coach, an unidentified Whittle coach, an unidentified Just Go! coach, unidentified National Express liveried coaches on #121 and #540 and an unidentified Stagecoach Megabus on a M82 service. We came off the M6 at junction and we joined the A49. We followed the road to the edge of town and we ran forwards onto the A577. We crossed the big roundabout and we crossed ovrt the Leeds and LIverpool canal before turning left onto Wilcock Street. We stopped for dinner and we headed into a cafe. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had an English Breakfast washed down with a can of Cherry Coke. When we had finished we went to the counter and Matthew had a slice of Bakewell cake to take away. We got in the car and Matthew started to eat his cake. We set off along Wilcocks Streetand we turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Prescott Street. We turned right onto Frog Lane and we went under the railway bridge. We turned right into Deanery Court and left into Richmond Street. We turned left into the car park and we could not find a space. We came out of the car park and we turned left onto Dorning Street. We turned left onto Ricmond Street and right onto Hallgate. We parked up and we put an hour on the car. We said goodbye to mum and we saw Go North West 4030 on layover.


Go North West 4030 in Wigan
We walked into the bus station and we took a few pictures, We saw Go North West 4107 on a #605 Beech Hill circular.


Go North West 4107 in Wigan bus station
We headed into the bus station and Matthew went to the toilet. When he had finished he came out and we decided to do Go North West 4107 on the #605 Beech Hillcircular service. We got on the bus and we purchased Bee Network any bus day tickets at £5.00 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 left onto Frog Lane and we turned left onto the B5375. We travelled Northwards for a while and turned left onto Springfield Road. We turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue and we turned right onto Shaftesbury Street we ran forwards onto Acacia Crescent and we turned right onto Gidlow Lane and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed into The Shop. Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a flake. We went outside and we crossed over the road to wait for the bus. Matthew ate his flake whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Go North West 4020 on a #606 Beech Circular.


Go North West 4020 in Beech Hill
We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This was a bus that we last had on the #53 from Ordsall to Salford back in March 2023. The bus set off along Gillow Lane and we turned left onto Acacia Crescent. We ran forwards onto Shaftsbury Street and we turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue. We turned right onto Springfield Road past new school. We turned left onto Woodhouse Lane and we crossed over Frog Lane. We turned right and entered the bus station from the Northern end and got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up to the end to take a few pictures whilst we decided what to catch next. We saw Arriva NW&W 4587 on a #320 to St Helens.


Arriva NW&W 4587 in Wigan bus station
Also seen was Rotala Diamond 30673 on a #132 to The Trafford Centre


Rotala Diamond 30673 in Wigan bus station
Another vehicle seen was Go North West 4109 on a #632 to Chorley.


Go North West 4109 in Wigan bus station
We decided to do this bus so we headed ibnto the bus station. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner 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. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4109 as it continued towards Chorley.


Go North West 4109 in Standish
There were a couple of pubs near to where we got off, we decided to cross over the road and visit The Globe. We went into the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and we had a 1/2 of Coke each and Matthew made friends with the bar staff. We sat at a table and had our drinks. When we had finished we said goodbye and we headed outside to uncle Dave. The bus stpop was a short walk away so we headed to the bus stop. There were a few people waiting so we knew there was a bus due. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Go North West 4105 on a #632 to Wigan.


Go North West 4105 in Standish
We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner 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 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 headed outside again to take a few more pictures. We saw Go North West 3435 on a #610 to Leigh.


Go North West 3435 in Wigan bus station
Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4600 on a #320 to St Helens.


Arriva NW&W 4600 in Wigan bus station
We headed into the bus station whilst we decided what to catch. We saw a bus on stand on the #132. As we got closer we saw it was required Rotala Diamond 40761 on a #132 to The Trafford Centre.


Rotala Diamond 40761 in Wigan bus station
We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the bus station onto Hallgate and we continued onto Dorning Street. We turned left out of King Street. We turned left into Wallgate and then right into Library Street. We turned Left onto Millgate and we crossed over the A49 before turning left onto Warrington Lane. We passed Lidl and we turned left onto Darlington Street East. We headed through Ince and we carried on into Hindley. We paused at the main stop for a minute or so before we along Atherton Road. We headed into Hindley Green where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40761 before it continued on towards The Trafford Centre.


Rotala Diamond 40761 in Hindley Green
We crossed over the road and we got to Tesco and Matthew sat down on the wall. He wanted to go inside so we headed into the shop and Matthew bought a bottle of Dr Pepper and a twirl duo. We walked along the road to the bus stop and Matthew ate the Twirl. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Rotala Diamond 40728 on a #132 to Wigan.


Rotala Diamond 40728 in Hindley Green
We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and we sat down. This was a bus we first had on a #8 from Bolton to Salford back in september 2021. We set and the bus went West along Atherton Road and through Hindley. We decided to break the journey to get another bus in so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40728 before it continued on towards Wigan.


Rotala Diamond 40728 in Hindley
Once off the bus we walked back a stop to the centre of Hindley. We waited for a bus back to Wigan. A short time later we saw a bua approaching from around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 3408 on a #607 to Wigan.


Go North West 3408 in Hindley
We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs and we sat down. We set off along the A577 and we crossed under the railway line and past Walmesley park and we continued into Ince. We followed the road to the left and we ran the last 1/2 mile to the eastern edge of Wigan town centre. We crossed the A49 onto King street and we ran into the town centre. We crossed Wallgate onto King Street West and we ran into the bus station up Dorning Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we took a few pictures whilst we waited for mum to appear. We saw Arriva NW&W 4585 on a #320 to St Helens.


Arriva NW&W 4585 in Wigan bus station
We walked onto Hallgate and we met up with mum who had driven up to Hallgate to meet us. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off along Hallgate and we followed the one-way system onto Dorning Street. I accidentally turned left onto King Street West so I followed the one-way system onto Crawford Street and back around onto Dorning Street. We followed the road around to the right past the old Uncle Joe's Mintball factory and we ran forwards onto Deanery Street. We turned left onto Frog Lane and went under the railway bridge before turning left onto Prescott Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Herbert Street. We turned left onto the A577 and we ran around the one-way system and around Wigan Pier. We crossed under the Liverpool line and we past the big roundabout. We continued Southwards to the A49 and we stopped at a chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with can of Cherry Coke. After we had eaten our food we set off along the Southbound A49 and we ran the last few miles down to the motorway. Travelling back along the M6 we saw an unidentified Malbank minibus, an unidentified Brethertons coach and an unidentified Just Go! coach. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Talke, Longport, Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Saturday, 2 March 2019

Trip to Wigan / Bolton 02-03-2019









BusFromToServiceOperator



36796Wigan BSBeech Hill, Baytree Rd6Stagecoach Manchester
36801Beech Hill, Beech Hill AveWigan BS5Stagecoach Manchester
2677Wigan BSBolton BS575Arriva NW&W
69147Bolton BSRadcliffe BS524First Manchester
69201Radcliffe BSBolton BS524First Manchester
YJ62 FSEBolton BSGreater Lever, Nugent Rd572Vision Travel
YJ62 FSEGreater Lever, Nugent RdBolton BS572Vision Travel
2680Bolton BSWigan BS575Arriva 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.

Saturday, 29 September 2012

Trip to Wigan 29-09-2012

































































BusFromToServiceOperator



34291Wigan BSBeech Hill, nr Off License Shaftesbury Street/Beech Hill Avenue625First Manchester
34291Beech Hill, nr Off License Shaftesbury Street/Beech Hill AvenueWigan BS625First Manchester
31923Wigan BSPemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎628First Manchester
60160Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎Wigan BS628First Manchester
40394Wigan BSLockett Road, Bryn610First Manchester
40394Lockett Road, BrynRose Hill, Wigan Road/Eddleston Street (N-bound)610First Manchester
60147Rose Hill, Wigan Road/Eddleston Street (N-bound)Wigan BS610First Manchester


Today we had planned on going on a fairly local trip, but Matthew had some unexpected news and we thought we would cheer him up with a longer trip on Friday we decided to go to Leigh. We checked the weather for Saturday the night before and the weather for the North West was for cloudy and sunny intervals. Mathew got up around 10:30 and had some breakfast. As we got ready to go out we asked Matthew if he was sure he wanted to go to Leigh or did he want to go to Wigan. Mum had thought that if we went to Leigh we would probably end up in Wigan anyhow as we often do! So Matthew now chose Wigan. We made sure that we had the Wigan South map in the bag as well as all th other stuff we tend to take with us. We set off around 12:00 and we called into the LPG place in Etruria to pick up some LPG. We headed North up the A500 and then onto the Northbound M6. Traffic was quite heavy going, and we averaged around 50 mph until we reached the A556 junction and then we able to go a little faster. As we came up the A49 into town we passed 34291 on a #610 Bryn circular service. We got into Wigan around 13:30 and we parked up on street close to the bus station. We went to the cafe on Hallgate that we went into on our first visit to Wigan. Matthew had a breakfast, mum had soup and some chips to share with everybody, I had a bacon barm and Uncle Dave had a sausage barm. With 3 drinks the food came to just over £13. After diner we walked across to the bus station and Matthew used the facilities. As we came out we spotted an old double decker on stand and so we went over to investigate. It was 34291 again but it wasn't on the correct stand for Bryn. Matthew got a picture of this beast before we walked over to see where it was going.


First 34291 about to work the #625
We asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We had already looked up to see if we had been on this bus before and we had. closer inspection of the Blog revealed that we had done it to Prestwich from Bury back in March. It was doing a 625 to Beech Hill. We got on and got our system one tickets before going upstairs on this bus. The top deck was empty and so Matthew was able to get a picture of this bus straight away.


Inside the top deck of First 34291
We had never been on this service before so we looked at the timetable to see how long it took and how frequent the service was. It was a service that took only 20 minutes to do a complete circle and ran a t a 20 minute frequency. We set off in a North Westerly direction. It didn't take long to get to the Beech Hill area, nd before we knew it we were on our way back into town. I asked Matthew if the bus was doing the #610 next did he want to do it again and he said yes. When we pulled into the bus station it looked like 34291 was going to do something different from the #610. We also noticed a Dennis Arrow on the Kitts Hill stand. We got off 34291 and pretty puch walked straight onto the other double decker. It was 31923. I looked it up on his buses I have travelled on page and we saw it was required. When we got on the top deck it was empty again and Matthew got a picture of this bus.


Inside the top deck of First 31923
We settled down to enjoy the journey. It was now quite sunny and at the front of a poorly ventilated Arrow it was warm! As we have been on this service before we asked Matthew if he wanted to do it to Pemberton where we could get off and then catch one of a number of services back into Wigan. after a journey of about 25 minutes we rounded the corner onto the main road and then we got off. Matthew didn't get his camera out quickly enough to take a picture of this bus. The was a #385 due i a few minutes which is what we thought we would be on. However, the First Manchester Excel 60160was on the following #628 and when it turned up Matthew decided he would like to do this bus.


First Manchester 60160 in Pemberton
We got on the bus and looked it up. It was required! This is no big surprise as we had only been on 2 before. After around 15 minutes on the bus we arrived back in the bus station. The bus emptied, there wasn't many people on the bus anyway, and then Matthew got his empty bus picture.


Inside First Manchester 60160
At this point we didn't have a plan, and so we had a bit of a photographic break at the west end of the bus station. One such bus was Bolton allocated 2623 on a #362 to Chorley.


Arriva NW&W 2623 in Wigan bus station
This was followed by St Helen allocated 2712 on a #320 St Helens service.


Arriva NW&W 2712 in Wigan bus station
We saw a Dart arrive on a '#610 service. as we had only previously been on one of the Wigan Darts we knew there was a good chance that it would be required. It was First Manchester 40394 and it was required. We decided to do this down to the depot and then back out so that we could do a different bus back. It is quite a long journey, and we set off through the South end of Wigan heading towards Bryn. The journey was fairly uneventful, and by the time we got to the A49/M6 junction there was only ourselves and bus drivers left on the bus. In the depot we were surprised to see large number of new Enviro 400 bus waiting to start in service with First Manchester. One such bus that I can remember was 33743. There was also a few withdrawn buses to be seen such as 30586,40338,40339,34028 and 34262. We then headed off Northwards and we decided to get of just north of Bryn so that we could have a choice of buses back to Wigan. As we headed north we were the only people on the buses with the exception of a driver at the front. Matthew got a picture of the empty bus behind us as we went to get off.


Inside First Manchester 40394
We got off and it was now just after 16:10. There was a 600 due and then a #610 at 16:30. We saw required 60147 heading Southwards on a #610 so we decided to wait for this bus instead of catching the busy #600. When the #600 turned up it was 66925 so it was nothing exciting! After around another 10 minutes which were quite busy with southbound #600's and empty First and Strawberry buses, 60147 reappeared as expected.


First Manchester 60147 on Rose Hill, Bryn
We did the bus back and we had another uneventful journey. The bus was quite loud and was a little diesely, but that's what makes these Excels good buses for enthusiasts if not the travelling public. When we got Wigan, Matthew got his empty bus picture. We really like this orange and red squared Moquette!


Inside First Manchester 60147
We then headed back to the car whilst taking a few pictures. I managed to get a picture of 31923 which we had been on earlier.


First Manchester 31923 in Wigan bus station (Mark)
We then walked down the steps to Hallgate and then Richmond Street and onto Dorning street. Between duties was Arriva NW&W 2998 which was going to work a #362 Chorley service.


Arriva NW&W 2998 on Dorning Street
We carried on around the corner on Dorning Street and we saw a few more buses go past. One such bus was Wigan Buses SF55 GXL.


Wigan Buses SF55 GXL on Dorning Street
We got back into the car and then set off home. As we were about to go we saw Arriva 7621 on a #360 service. Which must be new to Bolton as we had not seen this before. We then headed out of wigan and under the railway bridge. We rejoined the Northbound A49 near Wigan Pier and then went around it to head back South. We then headed out of town and then onto the M6 South. Back in Staffordshire we headed down the A500 and onto the A50. We went passed Z Carz where we saw the usual coaches and T408 JUX which we hadn't seen for a while. It has a '408' service sticker in the front window. We decided to go past Longton bus station and we were surprised to see East Yorkshire Coaches DC54 EYC in there. We then headed home and we got home around 18:30. After having sausage potatoes and carrots for we tea we settled down for the evening before bedtime...Mark