Trip to Accrington 14-12-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
L310 YDU	Accrington BS	Barnfield, by Clarendon Street	19	M&M Coaches
L310 YDU	Barnfield, by Clarendon Street	Accrington BS	19	M&M Coaches
N617 VSS	Accrington BS	West End, opp Percy Street	46	M&M Coaches
P350 NKH	West End, by Percy Street	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
401	Accrington BS	West End, by Percy Street	X41	Transdev Lancashire United
405	West End, opp Percy Street	Accrington BS	X41	Transdev Lancashire United
1831	Accrington BS	Knuzden Brook, opp Old Mother Redcap	6	Transdev Lancashire United
1828	Knuzden Brook, by Old Mother Redcap	Accrington BS	7	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to re-visit Accrington. We didn't decided to go to Accrington until the night before so we didn't do any research for this trip except to check the weather. The weather was forecast for mild temperatures (9'), and heavy rain! Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and blackcurrant juice for breakfast. We set off at 11:30 as we had to pick uncle Dave up on the way. We turned onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. We then headed East into Heron Cross and then into Fenton. We picked uncle Dave up and then headed onto the A500. We did the A500 up to Shelton new road where we came off to get LPG. At the LPG place was a Roseville taxi. Matthew used to have Roseville as his school transport some time around 2002. We then headed West on the A53 and back onto the Northbound A500. We headed onto the Northbound M6 which was busy but moving quite well. There was a little congestion on the Eastbound M62 up to junction 11 as there were some roadworks. After this it was plain sailing. We headed onto the clockwise M60 and then North on the M66. North of Ramsbottom the M66 becomes the A56 and we did this up to the A680. We did the A680 for the last few miles into Accrington and then we found a parking space after a bit of driving around town. The town was busier than we have seen before but not too busy. We started to walk to the bus stop cafe on Peel Street. When we got to the corner of Peel Street we saw Transdev Lancashire United 202, which used to be a Norwich park & ride bus many years ago.

Transdev Lancashire United 202 in Accrington

We walked down the street and we spotted required M&M Coaches N617 VSS on the #46 to Blackburn. After visiting the toilet on Peel Street we went to the cafe where Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum before heading up onto Bridge Street to see what other M&M Coaches buses were about. Unusually there were 3 Pilkington Bus buses on Bridge Street. R846 VEC, P729 RYL and Boomerang liveried S451 WAT were all doing local services.

Boomerang S451 WAT in Bridge Street Accrington

With there being no M&M Coaches bus in Bridge Street we started to walk back onto Peel Street when we saw our first Transdev Optare Solo. Starship 1256 was on the #9 to Burnley.

Starship 1256 in Infant Street Accrington

We saw the next #46, which was dud M&M Coaches P350 NKH and then we saw required M&M Coaches L310 YDU heading towards Bridge Street. We followed the bus up there and Matthew got a picture of this fine Mercedes minibus.

M&M Coaches L310 YDU in Bridge Street Accrington

We checked the time and then checked the timetable to see that L310 YDU was about to work a #19 Barnfield circular. The bus was loading up and we got on the bus and booked up to Barnfields. We sat down and waited for the bus to go. The bus set off through town and into an estate of terraced housing. The bus went up a hill for about half a mile before heading across the street and then back down into town. When the bus got back into Peel Street we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside L310 YDU which appears to have been re-upholstered with a more modern Stagecoach moquette that would have been originally on this bus before it was sold on for further use with M&M Coaches.

M&M Coaches L310 YDU

We walked up to the next stop originally with the intention of getting another picture of L310 YDU. As we were about to take the picture, required M&M Coaches re-appeared from its trip up to Blackburn.

M&M Coaches N617 VSS in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and Matthew was able to get a picture of N617 VSS empty before we sat down.

Inside M&M Coaches N617 VSS

We booked a return to the West End and sat down near the back. Whilst we waited for the bus to depart we saw the 4th M&M Coaches turn which was dud N125 YHH on the #1. When it was the time the bus left town under the railway and headed along Blackburn Road. We joined the A679 and we headed up the hill towards the M65. We got off at the top off the hill by the West end business park. We crossed the road and looked a cross and we noticed a white coach in the business park that was just too far away to see what it was. It was starting to look like st was going to rain now as we waited for the return #46. A few minutes later as expect we saw dud M&M Coaches P350 NKH approaching from up the road.

M&M Coaches P350 NKH on Blackburn Road

We got on and we sat down near the back of the bus. We chilled out as we ran back along the A679 and then along Blackburn Road and under the railway into Accrington town centre. When the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture inside P350 NKH.

Inside M&M Coaches P350 NKH

Now we had covered all of the M&M Coaches turns, I asked Matthew if he wanted to get a Pilkington Bus ticket or a Transdev Ticket. Matthew chose Transdev, although this was probably because required Transdev Lancashire United 401 was sitting on the stand in front of us on a X41 to Blackburn. We got on and booked local day tickets before going upstairs. The bus had people on it front and back upstairs so Matthew took a picture of a few empty seats that were opposite us.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 401

The bus took the same route as the #46, out under the railway line and onto Blackburn Road passing required Transdev Lancashire United 573 on a #7A. We then joined the A679 about a mile out of town. We decided to get off a few stops earlier that we did on the #46 so we could try and get the X41 going back the other way. When we got off Matthew took a picture of Transdev Lancashire United 401 as it went off into the distance on it's journey to Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 401 in West End

We crossed the road and we spotted the X41 coming down the hill so we trotted down to the stop whilst flagging the bus down. It turned out to be required Transdev Lancashire United 405. We got on the bus and flashed our day tickets before going upstairs. The bus was empty behind us so Matthew got a picture inside empty Transdev Lancashire United 405.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 405

The bus went down the A679 and the into town along Blackburn Road and under the railway bridge. We passed the end of Peel Street and then went around town so the the bus could face the other way and get onto (Stand O). When the bus stopped we got off and Matthew got a picture of Transdev Lancashire United 405.

Transdev Lancashire United 405 in Accrington bus station

We decided to have a quick break before doing the last couple of buses. We headed to the newsagents on Peel Street to get some food. On the way we saw required Transdev Lancashire United 402 heading North on the X41.

Transdev Lancashire United 402 in Accrington bus station

We went to the papershop where Matthew purchased a can of Coke and Irn Bru, as well as a few chocolate bars. He also spotted an iced cake which we brought too. Matthew ate the cake and drank the Irn Bru. Whilst he ate we saw Required Pilkington Bus double decker X591 USC on a #20 service, another bus we can perhaps do on a future trip. After eating we headed up to the toilets. We saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1088 on a #7 Blackburn circular.

Transdev Lancashire United 1088 in Accrington bus station

Matthew wen to the toilet and by the time he had finished the bus had gone. We went to the other end of Peel Street as we could see a #6 Blackburn circular. It was required Transdev Lancashire United 1831.

Transdev Lancashire United 1831 in Accrington bus station

We decided to do this bus. Matthew wanted to do it to Blackburn, but it was getting dark and it was raining so We got on the bus and we booked to Knuzden before sitting down near the back. The bus was quite full as it was getting to the busy time of the evening. The bus set off up the Blackburn Road, but unlike the #46 of X41 the bus goes through Oswaldtwistle. The bus went through Oswaldtwistle we seem to take twicw as long as when the bus goes straight up the A679. We eventually joined the A679 in the West End and then bus headed under the M65. The bus had emptied a little and Matthew took a picture of the view forwards Transdev Lancashire United 1831.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1831

We saw there were shelters on both sides of the road on the other side of the M65, so we decided to get off there. We got of the bus and watched 1831 disappear into the distance. We crossed the road to wait for the next bus back. According to the Firstbus App (which is useful anywhere with all bus companies) there was a #7 around 15:57 and a X41 at 16:05. We saw a bus approaching in the distance and it turned. This must have been a #7A service. Around 15:57 the bus came up the hill and we saw that it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1828. We got and sat down near the back. This bus was even fuller than the last one as it was coming out of the busier town of Blackburn. We headed along the A679 before turning right and running through Oswaldtwistle. We joined back on the A679 further up and then we went onto to Blackburn Road. Th e bus emptied a little as we approached Accrington but it did not empty completely as it is a circular service. Matthew got a picture of a few seats in the bus just before we got off.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1828

We got in Peel Street and Matthew got a picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1828.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Accrington bus station

We saw an unidentified Rossendale bus on the #464 to Rochdale as we walked back towards the car. Matthew decided to visit The Commercial Hotel pub to go to the toilet and say hello to a few people. We walked back to the car which mum had moved across the road where we had sausage rolls waiting for us. We drove out of town along the A679 Burnley Road. We stopped briefly to get some Irn Bru out of the boot for Matthew before carrying on up to the A56. The rain was now lashing down and it was quite windy too. We them headed South towards the M66. We accidentally turn onto the A680 towards Haslingden and we turned around and got back onto the A56. We headed South onto the M66 and then onto the anti-clockwise M60. Stoke were playing in the late kickoff of the day and we were able to listen to the first half of the commentary as we headed home. We Headed West on the M62 and then onto the Southbound M6. We headed South passing the A556 and then down onto the A500. The rain had eased a little as we headed South and the weather much better in Staffordshire. We headed down the the A50 which we did to Longton. At Z Carz tonight there were only 3 buses parked up and they were all poorly positioned for getting photographs. At the very back of the land were Mercedes minibus S952 VMY and LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz S952 VMY & M420 UEH in Longton

At the front was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN parked behind 2 cars! We turned into Willow Row and LDV minibus T408 JUX was still parked at the back of the yard SORN. We headed back onto the A50 to Heron Cross and back through Blurton. We went onto the A5035 where we passed First Potteries 40028 on a #23A to Newstead. We arrived home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a toffee cheesecake. Matthew Chilled out on his computer before going to bed around 00:45...Mark

Trip to Blackburn / Accrington 10-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N663 VSS	Blackburn TI	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
N202 LPN	Accrington BS	Peel Bank, by Buckingham Grove	2	M&M Coaches
N202 LPN	Peel Bank, by Buckingham Grove	Accrington BS	2	M&M Coaches
M458 JPA	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Oswaldtwistle Mills	1	M&M Coaches
1820	Oswaldtwistle, by Town Hall	Blackburn TI‎	6	Transdev Lancashire United
566	Blackburn TI	West End, opp Percy Street‎	41	Transdev Lancashire United
407	West End, by Spread Eagle Street	Blackburn TI‎	X41	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we planned a trip to Blackburn. We had planned to go the week before but decided to push Blackburn back a week and to visit Halifax instead. We didn't do any bus research for today other than to check the weather as we have been to the area twice before. The weather was forecast for dry weather with sunny spells and still reasonably warm. We did look into car parking and we decided to park and eat at Morissons. Matthew got up around 10:30 today. Mum wasn't very well and it had a slight impact on departure time. After eating his toast and drinking his orange juice we were ready to do just before 12:00. we set off onto the A5035 viewing Wardle Transport 2963 on the Plumline and First Potteries 40017 on #22 to Newcastle. We turn onto Stanley Matthews Way and then onto the Westbound A50. We got onto the Northbound A500 passing an unidentified former Travel WM single decker. We did the A500 up to the M6. When we reached the m6 the Northbound side was standing. Traffic was very heavy up to junction 19 and there was an 'incident' by Knutsford services. North of the A556 we made better progress and once we went passed the M62 we went fine. We joined the M65 and we came off at junction 4 where we joined the A666 for the run into Blackburn. We were aware that Blackburn were playing at home and we saw the crowd around the ground as we passed Ewood Park. We carried on into town and after a few wrong turning we turned into Morrisons and parked up around 14:00. We went to the toilet and then we went to the cafe where Matthew had a breakfast followed by his favourite lemon meringue pie. We got talking to an Accrington man who didn't think we weren't local! We must be spending too much time in the North West... After we had finished we walked over to the bus station to take a few pictures. One of the first buses we saw was required M&M coaches N663 VSS. We got a picture of it as it turned in the interchange area.

M&M Coaches N663 VSS in Blackburn TI

We walked down to the stop at which we caught the the #46 last time and waited for the bus to come back down the boulevard. We stuck our hand out and the bus went past and the driver gestured he was stopping down the road. The bus stopped at stop A which was a little further down. He explained that drivers had been in trouble for not stopping at the correct stop which is fair enough. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside this tidy minibus.

Inside M&M Coaches N663 VSS

We sat down to enjoy the journey into Accrington. As we left blackburn we saw Pilkington bus S291 RAG on Ainsworth Stret and further out of town we passed Pilkington bus Dart Cadet R845 VEC. The journey on the #46 is one of the quickest as it goes directly along the A679. About half way along we passed dud M&M Coaches P350 NKH on the other #46 turn. We got there quite quickly and as we turned into Peel Street and saw another M&M Coaches bus on stand N202 LPN.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington bus station

I thought the bus was a required one, so we jumped on it and asked for a return back to Accrington. It turns out it was the first M&M Coaches bus we did back in July. I thought we had been on N201 UHH and it turns out it was the other way round! As the bus was empty Matthew got a picture inside M&M Coaches N202 LPN.

Inside M&M Coaches M202 LPN

We set off along Peel Street and up to the current turning point on Whinney Hill Road. There were roadworks that prevented the bus taking it usual route. As we returned back into town we passed former PSV Renault Dodge 'Save the Bees' E103 JNH. We carried on past KFC and back into town. We got off in Bridge Street and took another picture of this fine beast.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Bridge Street

I thought we could have short break from the buses as we stopped for a drink. Matthew had a can of Coke from the bag. Whilst there we saw Rossendale Easyride 229.

Rossendale 229 in Accrington bus station

We decided to look for a cash machine, but we didn't go very far to look. We saw required Pilkington Bus S451 WAT on a #21 service.

Pilkington Bus S451 WAT in Accrington bus station

We also saw dud Pilkington Bus G301 UYK on a #21A if it had been required G306 UYK we would have been over like a shot! Behind the #21 required M&M Coaches M458 JPA and we crossed over the road to catch this.

M&M Coaches M458 JPA in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus an there were a few peoplle already on it so matthew got a picture of the back seat, with required Pilkington Bus P729 RYL in the background on a local service.

Inside M&M Coaches M458 JPA

We sat down and off the bus went. The journey up to Oswaldtwistle was swift and we got off near the school.

M&M Coaches M458 JPA in Oswaldtwistle

We decided to cross over the road and visit the shop. We used the cash machine We then went into the shop and brought lottery tickets and a can of Coke, a Milky Way and a large Galaxy caramel bar. We sat outside the shop and Matthew ate the Milky way and put the can and the Galaxy caramel in the bag for another time. Whilst we were there we saw S451 WAT going towards Blackburn on the #21 and Pilkington Bus R845 VEC on the Accrington bound bus. We crossed over the road thinking we would have a 20 minute wait for the next Blackburn service. The plan was to get a Pilkington Bus day ticket and pick up 2 or 3 of the required buses that were out on the circulars today. When we got to stop we saw the next Pilkington Bus was 17:01 and it was the last one of the day. So we had to resort to Plan B. Do a Transdev Lancashire United bus into Blackburn on a day ticket and do a couple more. There was a bus due in couple of minutes and when it appeared it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1820.

Transdev Lancashire United 1820 in Oswaldtwistle

We got on the bus and booked a local day ticket at the cost of £4.20. This is 70p more than the equivalent ticket from Pilkington Bus, but at least the buses run beyond 17:30. We sat down near the back. The bus set off and it takes a longer route into town than most of its competitors. The bus goes through Shadsworth and then into the hospital. As we came out of the hospital we passed Lancashire United 16 an Olympian that had 5A outer circle on the front. The bus dropped into town from the south Side and then we joined onto the A666 near B&Q before going into town. when the bus got into the Transport Interchange it emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1820

We got off and we took a picture of Rossendale 139 which we had passed on the way into town by the Hospital.

Rossendale 139 in Blackburn TI

Matthew indicated the he wanted to catch a double decker. We just missed on going out on a #41 to Accrington, so we decided to do the next #41/X41 to pick the next X41 back into town which we thought would almost certainly be one. We walked to stand A where the #41 goes from, and on the way we saw new stagecoach Lancashire 15913 on a #59 to Preston.

Stagecoach 15913 in Blackburn TI

It was 17:00 now, and the next #41 was due at 17:10. We saw the bus go up and it was required Transdev Lancashire United 566. The bus came back down and Matthew got a picture of it.

Transdev Lancashire United 566 in Blackburn TI

When we got on we picked up a #41/X41 timetable. As we got on Matthew photographed the empty back of the bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 566

We sat down near the back on the group seats. We worked out we could do 566 to just the other side of the M65 and catch the X41 back. When we passed under the motorway we traveled down the hill until we saw a few houses and then we got off the bus. We crossed the road and as the road was clear we decided to walk towards Accrington one stop. We didn't have to wait long and we saw a double decker approaching. It was required Transdev Lancashire United 407.

Transdev Lancashire United 407 in Oswaldtwistle

We set off towards Blackburn and we passed a pair of Lime green Olympians coming from the Shadworth direction. We acrried on into town and when we reached the Boulevard the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Transdev Lancashire United 407.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 407

We got off at the interchange and we decided to take a few pictures of buses as we walked back to Morrisons. The bus bus we saw was Transdev Lancashire United MPD Dart 703.

Transdev Lancashire United 703 in Blackburn TI

We took a few more picture as we walked along, the last of which was Transdev Lancashire United 1829.

Transdev Lancashire United 1829 in Blackburn TI

After meeting up with mum and using the toilet in Morrisons we headed back to the car. At the car Matthew had some of sausage roll (it wasn't Greggs and he didn't like it much) and some of a doughnut (the doughnuts were labeled ring when the were just like jam doughnuts, but with no jam in them!). We set off back down the A666 towards to motorway. We passed Ewood Park and saw Ashcroft Travel HIG 5675 outside the ground. We realised that we hadn't got a drink so we stopped just before the motorway to get a bottle of Irn Bru out of the emergency supplies in the boot. We got on the M65 motorway and headed west. We then got onto the M6 and head South. The road was now clear and we reached the A500 by 19:00. We headed South on the A500 and came off onto the A50 and headed into Longton. There were 4 buses parked up at Z carz tonight. D104 XAN was at the front of the row.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

behind this was blue LDV YN03 HJC.

Z Carz YN03 HJC in Longton

parked behind YN03 HJC was DS51 ZJU and on it own on the end of the row was relatively new addition OV05 WSW which had very recently received the new style purple decals.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We checked out the Willow Row compound which was empty ad then we headed home down Longton Hall Road into Blurton. As we headed home we passed First Potteries 53405 with it's broken display. We got home around 19:30. whilst he waited Matthew had a toffee flavoured yoghurt. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:45...Mark

Trip to Accrington / Blackburn 13-07-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
P350 NKH	Accrington BS	Church, o/s Market Street	1	M&M Coaches
M356 JBO	Church, opp Bridge Street	Blackburn TI‎	46	M&M Coaches
N213 UHH	Blackburn TI	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
N723 RDD	Accrington BS	Peel Bank, by Buckingham Grove	2	M&M Coaches
N723 RDD	Peel Bank, by Buckingham Grove	Accrington BS	2	M&M Coaches
101	Accrington BS	Haslingden, opp Vale Street	464	Rossendale Easyride
224	Haslingden, by Vale Street‎	Accrington BS	464	Rossendale Easyride

Today we decided to returning to Accrington again. We were returning to ride on a few more of the M&M coaches minibuses that we saw last weekend. research was done with the help of a fellow Flickr contact and we also checked the weather which was for fine and sunny weather and very hot again! Due to a problem with my lads cable box he was awake at 06:00 and he got up around 08:00 which is almost unheard of Matthew on a Saturday! He had toast and juice for breakfast and had to have another slice of toast before we set off. We left around 11:45 and we went onto the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews Way. The roads were quite busy due to a serious accident on the Southbound M6. We went along the A50 and then onto the Northbound A500 where we saw City Buses & Coaches LV02 ODL. As we headed North up the M6 the taffic eased up and we started to make good time. We went onto the Eastbound M62, the M60 and then the M66 where we passed First Manchester 12003 running empty towards Manchester. We carried on North onto the M56 and then onto the A680 where we saw a Shell garage being refurbished. We carried on into town and then we parked on the Blackburn Road shoppers car park. Today we chose to have dinner at the the Bus Stop Cafe in Peel Street. As we walked up to the cafe we saw Transdev's Starship branded Versa 258 broken down on one of the stands.

Broken Starship! Transdev 258 in Accrington

We also saw M&M Coaches P350 NKH on the #1 and N213 UHH on a #46. We went in the cafe and Matthew needed the toilet. They didn't have one in the cafe so we went to the public toilet across the road and used that. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with Cherry Coke. He also had a chocolate caramel bar that went into his bag for later. After we had eaten we said goodbye to mum and Matthew dragged us up to Bridge Street. Matthew must have know that this is where some of the M&M Coaches buses lay over and there were 2 of them there. M&M Coaches M356 JBO was between workings on the #46.

M&M Coaches M356 JBO in Bridge Street

M&M Coaches N723 RDD was also there about to work a #9 Laneside circular.

M&M Coaches N723 RDD in Bridge Street

We got on and asked the driver for a day ticket. He couldn't find one on his machine. When we explained that we just wanted to ride on the bus he suggested we did one of the other buses first and then came back later. we asked him when his last tun was and he told us it was the #1650 #9 departure. So we got off and walked around to Peel Street. We immediately saw required M&M Coaches P350 NKH on a #1 service.

M&M Coaches P350 NKH in Accrington bus station

The driver had seen Matthew taking his picture and he said that they were getting ride of the old buses at a rate of around 1 a month. They send them down to Stoke (Stafford Bus Centre). We told him we had come up from Stoke to ride on tese buses! We asked about a day ticket but the driver said they didn't do one. We asked where we could do this bus to and then catch a #46 to blackburn. We booked to market Street and then we sat down. There was a daft dog on the bus that was lying on the floor and kept sitting by us. It was one of those dogs that looked menacing but as as soft as a brush. As the bus was fairly well matthew was only able to take a picture of the back seat of the bus.

Inside M&M Coaches P350 NKH

As we went to get up the owner called his dog and it moved out of our way! We got off and went to cross the road. Whist there we saw David Urquart Travel ABZ 857 come past. We crossed market Street and waited at he stop on Blackburn Road. We only had to wait a couple of minutes which was very lucky considering it was a 30 frequency on this service. The bus soon turned up and it was as predicted required M&M Coaches M356 JBO.

M&M Coaches M356 JBO on Blackburn Road

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus was quite well filled and we picked up a few more passenger as we went along the road. Most people got off at Ainsworth Street and Matthew wanted to get off too. I told him we would stay on until we got to the interchange as there were more buses there. I didn't realise that it was the next stop and it was only a few hundred yards up the road! When we got to the Interchange Matthew photographed the inside of M356 JBO too.

Inside M&M Coaches M356 JBO

We walked towards the railway station and we saw Stagecoach 33029 on a Preston service.

Stagecoach 33029 in Blackburn interchange

We walked into the railway station and Matthew used the disabled toilet on the platform. When we came out of the station we visited the shop by the entrance. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a toffee flavoured flapjack. We sat on a wall near the entrance of the interchange and Matthew ate his Flapjack and we shared a can of orange Tango. Whist we were there we also saw Transdev Lancashire United 569.

Transdev Lancashire United 569 in Blackburn interchange

We also saw Darwen Coach Service PLZ 5592 on a D10 service.

Darwen Coach Services PLZ 5592 in Blackburn interchange

When we had finished eating we decided to walk around the interchange. The sun wasn't in a very good position for pictures, plus I wanted to take a picture of the bronze statue of the boy dropping his teddy bear I heard about. We walked around the bus station and we took picture of the buses that were on layover. One of the buses was Transdev Lancashire United 440.

Transdev Lancashire United 440 in Blackburn interchange

Also on layover was Transdev Lancashire United 207.

Transdev Lancashire United 207 in Blackburn interchange

Matthew and uncle Dave sat down on a bench near the statue of Queen Victoria and I went to find the bronze. Just as I spotted the bronze I saw required M&M Coaches N213 UHH coming into the interchange. I considered going for the bus for a second and then I went to the statue and got a quick picture! We went int the interchange to go to see which stand it went onto and then it went straight out and stopped on a stand on Railway Road. We quickly got a picture of the bus and then went to get on it.

M&M Coaches N213 UHH in Blackburn interchange

As the bus was empty as we got on Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus too.

Inside M&M Coaches N213 UHH

We booked back to Accrington and then sat down. The bus was quite well filled again and as we went out of town the bus emptied a little. We got back onto Blackburn Road and most people got off. When we got back to the bus station we saw required N723 RDD on the #2 behind us. We got off the bus and walked towards the bus. The driver recognised us from earlier and indicated to us to ask if we were getting on. Matthew took pictures and then we got on.

M&M Coaches N723 RDD in Accrington bus station

We sorted out tickets with the driver and then sat down. The bus set off in the general direction of Clayton-le-Moors which explains why we saw 4 busees last weekend but didn't know which services they were all on. As we went through the Dill Hill area we went passed an Alexnader bodied Renault Dodge in the estate. It was E103 JNH which had been hand painted in various colours with 'save the bees' sign written on the front. We then headed back into and the bus terminated in bridge Street. As we got off Matthew took a picture of the inside of N723 RDD.

Inside M&M Coaches N723 RDD

We also took a picture of the outside of the bus here too as it was in a good position.

M&M Coaches N723 RDD in Bridge Street

The driver asked if Matthew wanted is picture taken on the bus and so I did that and then we said thanks before we left. We met up with mum as we were going to have a drink before we did another bus, but Matthew had other ideas. When Rossendale Easyride 101 made an appearance for the second week running Matthew decided he wanted to do this.

Rossendale Easyride 101 in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and brought a Tango ticket and then went upstairs. He took a picture of the empty top deck at this point.

Inside Rossendale Easyride 101

We sat down at the front of the bus. It was another 'no opening window at the front' bus and it was a very warm journey. Matthew had his chocolate bar he brought from the cafe earlier as we traveled down through Baxenden. We crossed over the A56 and we headed into Haslingden. When we got to the edge of town where we saw bus stops opposite we decided to get off. Matthew got another picture of this fine bus as we got off.

Rossendale Easyride 101 in Haslingden

We crossed the road and looked at the stop. We had just missed a #464 so we had a look at the timetable. The #464 runs every 15 minutes at this point and the #484 is every 30 minutes. There was a #484 due immediately and a #464 in 10 minutes. We decided that if the #484 was a newish bus we would wait until the next one in case we got something more interesting. We let Volvo 215 go and waited for the next one. when it turned up it was required Scania Rossendale Easyride 224.

Rossendale Easyride 224 in Haslingden

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty and it made good time heading north. We stopped in Baxenden for a minute or 2 to wait for for time. We carried on and when we got back to Accrington Matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Rossendale Easyride 224

Across the road we saw Boomerang S451 WAT on a #11 service.

Boomerang S451 WAT in Accrington bus station

As we walked back towards the car we also saw Pilkington Bus Optare Solo T311 UOX on a local service.

Pilkington Bus T311 UOX in Accrington bus station

We went into the market and Matthew used the disabled toilet. Matthew photographed the Leico sink in there. He also had an ice cream from one of the stalls. We walked back to the car where there were sausage rolls and a can of Cherry Coke waiting for him. We set off a little before 17:00 and we headed down the A680 down to the A56. here did the road down onto the m66 and then it was M60 anti-clockwise M62 West and then M6 South. The accident had been cleared and the road was now quiet. We followed a coach down which was FN02 VBV. We didn't realise at the time but the coach belongs to local operator Global Travel. We followed the coach onto the A500 and we saw it leave the a500 at the Northern A34 junction. We then headed onto the A50 and off at longton to go past the Z Carz depot. there was only one bus there today. From the taxi fleet was Renault minibus X848 JFR.

Z Carz X848 JFR in Longton

There was nothing in the Willow Row Compound so we headed home down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We got back at around 18:30. Matthew had a toffee yoghurt and then later he had bangers and mash for tea followed by cheesecake. he then chilled out on his computer. He didn't got to bed as usual. At first he stopped downstairs and curled up asleep on the sofa because of his faulty cable box. When I realised around 01:30 I came down and fetched him and he went to bed. Today was a great day on the buses and the only downside to today was the lack of a day ticket from M&M coaches which made it a little bit more expensive...Mark