Trip to Bradford / Low Moor 16-09-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
69577	Bierley, Sheldon Ridge	Bradford Interchange	620	First West Yorkshire
1540	Bradford Interchange	Low Moor, Furnce Road	268	Arriva Yorkshire
37079	Odsal Top	Bradford (stop M2)	645	First West Yorkshire
69316	Bradford Interchange	Bierley,	621	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to re-visit Bradford, he was also going to Blurton later in the weekend. First we were going to visit Grandma. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice. Matthew chilled out in his room until 11:00 when we cam eto pick him up. He went downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill and forwards onto the A52 and under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 and we ran around the one-way system and onto Hartshill Road. We turned left onto The Avenue and right onto Parkstone Avenue. We turned left onto Occupation Street and we stopped at Grandma's house. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and I went out to fetch oatcakes for dinner. Matthew had a double bacon and cheese oatcake and used grandma's computer. Around 13:00 we set off to pick up uncle Dave on the way to Bradford. We got in the car and we set off onto Occupation Street. We turned right onto Parkstone Avenue and left onto The Avenue. We turned right onto the A52 and we stopped to put some petrol in the car at the Tesco Express filling station. We continued down into Stoke and around the one-way system. We crossed over the A500 and we turned right onto Whieldon Road. We stopped to pick up uncle Dave and we set off back onto Wheildon Road and onto the Northbound A500. We headed up to the M6. As we travelled Northwards we saw ERS Medical FJ22 FYZ and silver minibus BK09 ENO. As we went around the roundabout to join the M6 we saw Gerrard's L33 GPH going towards Radway Green. We joined the Northbound M6 and progress was slow due to an earlier incident and Friday afternoon traffic. On the M6 we saw an unidentified Eavesway coach, The Gym Doctor AF68 OTE and 2 unidentified Lochs & Glens coach. We ran up to junction 21A and we joined the Eastbound M62. We joined the clockwise M60 and we saw taxi minibus YS65 DTF. We ran forwards onto the Eastbound M62 and we saw 2 unidentified Atlantic Travel coaches, an unidentified Lee's coach. Further up the motorway we spotted a bus being towed along the road. As we got closer we saw it was Preston Bus 69158 being towed (for scrap?). We over took the vehicles and when we were going up the steep hill we let tow truck overtack us and Matthew got a picture of Preston Bus 69158.

Preston Bus 69158 on the M62

We continued along the M62 and we saw white midi coach ???? pnx. At junction 26 we joined the M606. We travelled into Bradford joined Rooley Lane so that we could visit Asda and get some food for later on. We turned left into the supermarket and we parked up. Matthew went to the toilet and then we brought some stuff to make sandwiches, as well as a few snacks. We paid for the shopping and we got back into the car. We crossed over the A6177 and we headed down Burnham Avenue. We turned right onto Heath Hall Avenue. We turned right onto Hambledon Avenue and we turned right onto Bierley House Avenue. We turned left onto Bierley Lane and we headed down the hill and we saw First West Yorkshire 35223 on a #620 to Heaton. We turned right onto Rockhill Lane and left onto Wharfdale Road. We turned right onto Merrydale Road and left onto Roydsdale Way and we parked up at the hotel. We checked into the hotel and we headed up to our rooms. We set up the computer and put battreies on charge, and we had a snack and a drink. Matthew had a pack of Frazzles and a cup of Cherry Coke. Just after 17:00 we said goodbye to mum and we headed onto Roydsdale Way. We turned right onto Merrydale Road and we saw TLC 2482 on a #606 to Bradford stopped. We crossed over the road but we didn't get to the bus quick enough before it pulled off. We walked forwards onto NCN route 66 and we came out onto Rockhill Lane. We turned left onto Bierley Lane and we stopped at the stop by the turning circle. We had quite a wait and 2 buses turned up at once. The lead bus was new Streetlite First West Yorkshire 63425 followed by First West Yorkshire 69577.

First West Yorkshire 69577 in Bierley

We got on the bus and we brought WY Daysaver tickets at £4.50 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Brierley lane and we turned right into Shetcliffe Lane and we turned left onto Ferrand Avenue. We turned left onto Burnham Avenue and we ran up to the A6177. We headed North Eastwards and at the roundabout we joined the Northbound A650. We turned left onto Croft Street and we turned back on ourselves and under Croft Street into Bradford Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. We had a look around to see what we might catch. We went to the West end of the Interchange to see what was around. We saw TLC 91038 on a #643 service.

TLC 91038 in Bradford Interchange

We also saw First West Yorkshire 35637 which was on layover.

First West Yorkshire 35637 in Bradford Interchange

We went inside the Interchange and we saw Arriva Yorkshire 1540 on a #268 to Heckmondwike.

Arriva Yorkshire 1540 in Bradford Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the WY Daysaver ticket on the scanner before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off out of the interchange and onto Croft Street. We Crossed over the A641 on Senior Way and we turned left onto Little Horton Lane. We ran past the Hospital and we turned left onto Thornton Lane and we ran down to the A6177. We headed Eastwards before turning right onto the Southbound A641. We ran down to Odsal and we came up off the main carriageway and over the roundabout and we headed Southwards down Cleckheaton Road. We ran the mile or so down the hill past Low Moor reailway station and we spotted a couple of pubs, so we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Yorkshire 1540 as it carried on towards Heckmondwike.

Arriva Yorkshire 1540 in Low Moor

Once off the bus we walked back up Cleckheaton Road over the railway line and we headed into the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a 1/2 of Coke each. When we had drank our drinks we went back outside to uncle Dave. We walked to the stop on the Northbound side of the road and we realised that there was a gap in the service and there wasn't another bus for nearly an hour! We decided to walk up the road to the roundabout where we knew there we pther services that come along the road. We set off up Cleckheaton Road past the petrol station and the sports centre. When we got to the roundabout we went under the subway and we came up on the slip road down to the A641 where there is a bus stop. We waited at the stop for a couple of minutes and a bus appeared. It was First West Yorkshire 37079 on a #645 to Buttershaw. We got on the bus and we presented the WY Daysaver tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Northwards up the A642 and we ran onto the guided busway. We crossed over the ring road and we continued into town along the guided busway. We ran the 2 or so miles into Bradford and we reached the edge of town. We veered right onto Hall Ings and we stopped at the small bus terminus. A short time later we set off along Hall Ings and we turned left onto Bridge Street. We turned right onto Market Street and when the bus stopped we realised that the bus does not call at the Interchange on Northbound journeys so we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and Matthew took a picture of First West Yorkshire 37079 before it continued towards Buttershaw.

First West Yorkshire 37079 in Bradford

Once off the bus we headed through town past the Metro Bank onto Broadway. We turned left onto Bridge Street and we crossed over the road and headed into the Interchange. We saw that they were carrying out some work building some kind of shop. We had a look around the interchange and we saw that there was a #621 to Bierley due in a few minutes. We waited towards the West end of the bus station and a short time later the bus appeared. It was First West Yorkshire 69316 on a #621 to Bierley.

First West Yorkshire 69316 in Bradford Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the WY Daysaver ticket on the scanner for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. I called mum to say that we were on the way and we arranged to meet at the chip shop. We set off out of the interchange and we turned right onto Bridge Street. We turnd left onto Croft Street and we turned right onto the Southbound A650. We travelled for around a mile or so before turning right onto New Hey Road. We turned right onto Brassey Road and left onto Paley Road. We turned left onto Bowling Hall Road and we ran up the hill. We turned left onto the A6177 and we wen to the roundabout before turning 180' and heading West. At the roundabout we turned left onto Bierley Lane and we got up and got off the bus just up from the chips shop. We headed to the chip shop and Matthew jumped into the car and we ordered food. We set off down Bierley Lane and we turned right onto Rockhill Lane. We turned left onto Wharfdale Road. We turned right onto Merrydale Road and left onto Roydsdale Way and we parked up at the hotel. We went upstairs and we had ham and cheese sandwiches with chips and a sausage, washed down with a cup of Cherry Coke. We wrote e-mails and did some of the Blog. We chilled out in the room watching televisions before going to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Burnley / Todmorden 12-11-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
66748	Burnley BS	Todmorden BS	589	First West Yorkshire
37053	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
66711	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
30856	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
37052	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	592	First West Yorkshire
66748	Todmorden BS	Burnley BS	589	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to re-visit Burnley. A check of the weather revealed that after a wet start the weather should dry up be quite warm for the time of year. We give Matthew a list of place from the North West and Midlands, and from the list he chose Burnley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set of around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We turned right into Stanley Matthew Way and by the Holiday Inn Express we saw Roxby Coaches YD66 AXV. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we turned right onto the Northbound A500. As I had gassed up earlier in the week, we went straight up the A500 to the M6. On the M6 traffic was moving well and passed a procession of buses coming the other way as we ran North up to the M65. We saw an unidentified Vision Travel coach, an unidentified Alba Travel coach, an unidentified Ashcroft's coach, an unidentified Hollinshead coach, Hollinshead DH13 HOL, an unidentified Grayway coach, an unidentified Carvers coach, Playbus K888 BWU, an unidentified Doig's of Glasgow coach and an unidentified King's Ferry coach. When we got to Junction 29 we came off the M6 and joined the Eastbound M65. Going Eastwards we saw B & N Coaches A12 BXN, an unidentified Red & Cream coach, an unidentified Cream coach with a red and black stripe and Robin Hood YJ13 HTZ. We came off the M65 a junction early accidentally onto the A679, and we ran into town along Accrington Road past Rose Grove railway station. We joined the A671 and we followed the road to the right onto Trafalgar Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Manchester Road and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We parted on the car park by Red Lion Street and we walk across the road. Mum went to the toilet in the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. Whilst we waited we saw dud Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2751 in Burnley on a X43 to Manchester.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2751 in Burnley bus station

When mum and finished we walked over to the cafe. Since our last visit the cafe has been refurbished and the layout has also changed. The cafe also changed it's name to Zara Cafe. We went to go the toilet but the toilet up the stairs is currently out of order. I took Matthew to the toilet in the bus station and mum ordered the food. When we got back Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we walked over to the bus station and walked around the outside. In the layover stands we saw Cranberry Coaches coach PJZ 2182.

Cranberry Coaches PJZ 2182 in Burnley bus station

In the adjacent layover stand we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle single decker 1067.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1067 in Burnley bus station

There weren't many buses in the bus station so we walked up Red Lion Street to enter the bus station on the other side. Before we entered the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle single decker 1860 on a M1 service Barnoldswick.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1860 in Burnley bus station

We then saw a First West Yorkshire single decker on Croft Street. We got closer and we saw it was First West Yorkshire 66748 on a #589 to Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 66748 in Burnley bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do First buses today and he said yes. We went inside the bus station and we sat down for a short while whilst we waited for the bus to come into the bus station. A few minutes later the bus came into the bus station and started loading up. Matthew decided to go for a quick walkabout and we went to the top end of the bus station and took another bus picture. We then got in the queue before getting on the bus. We asked for 2 day tickets, but the bus driver asked if we were sticking together. We were able to get a First West Yorkshire group ticket for £5 between us.... bargain! We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. We ran over the roundabout onto Yorkshire Street and we ran up the hill past Turf Moor. I didn't notice if the large picture of Martin Patterson was still on the side of the stand. We ran out of town through Mereclough & Cliviger where we joined the A646. After crossing over the railway line we ran East through Portsmouth, Cornholme & Lydgate before we entered Todmorden from the West end. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First West Yorkshire 66748.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66748

We crossed under the railway line before we entered the bus station from the South end. As we entered the bus station we saw required First West Yorkshire 37053 about to work a #592 to Halifax. We got up and got off the the bus and took a picture of First West Yorkshire 37053 before we got on it.

First West Yorkshire 37053 in Todmorden bus station

We flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Stansfield Road before joining the Southbound A646. We followed the road to the left and as we left town we saw TJ Walsh FJ58 FRL outside the Todmorden Social Club. We then passed Pioneer minibus P100 NER. A few hundred yards up the road we passed the Todmorden bus depot where we saw First West Yorkshire Solo 50407, single decker 66790 and school buses 68643 & 68663. The road up to Hebden Bridge is a meandering tight valley. Sometimes there is barley enough room for the road, the River Calder and the Rochdale Canal, other times there is a wider area with houses and even a cricket ground. The railway line run above them all on a viaduct the length of the valley. We ran through the little vilages of Eastwood, Charlestown and Mytholm before entering Hebden Bridge from the West. We got to the main street and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed the busy road at the Zebra Crossing and we went into the Co-op store opposite. In the shop Matthew picked a can of coke and a couple of chocolate bars. When we cam out of the Co-op we saw TLC Solo 2261 on a #598 Eaves circular service.

TLC 2261 in Hebden Bridge

We got to the bus stop and we about to have a bus stop picnic when we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First West Yorkshire 66711 on a #590 to Rochdale.

First West Yorkshire 66711 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards along the A646 up Mytholm and we saw that the seats opposite to us, so Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 66711.

Inside First West Yorkshire 66711

We continued West through Charlestown and Eastwood and we ran the last couple of miles into Todmorden. We past the bus depot and the social club and we turned right, following the A646 before we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 66711.

First West Yorkshire 66711 in Todmorden Bus staton

We decided to go for a comfort break and we set off along the path opposite to the bus station towards the market. On the way down we stopped to get a picture of First West Yorkshire 69581 on a #592 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 69581 in Todmorden Bus staton

We went through the market and across the car park to the toilet block where Matthew used the toilet. We walked back past the front side of the market and as we turned the corner we saw a double decker in the bus station. As we got closer we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 30856!

First West Yorkshire 30856 in Todmorden Bus staton

We walked around to the front of the bus. We spotted on the bus departure display that there was a bus to Burnley in around 50 minutes. We should have plenty of time to go up to Hebden Bridge and back so we got on and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 30856 before we sat down.

Inside First West Yorkshire 30856

The bus set off out of the bus station onto Stansfield Street and we turned left onto the A646. We followed the road around to the left at the roundabout and we ran out of town past the bus depot. As we travelled east we noticed the 'Kindness' in big letters on the side of a wall as can be seen in google maps here. We continued East through Eastwood, Charlestown & Mytholm and we entered Hebden Bridge from the West. On the end of Market Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 30856 as it continued towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 30856 in Hebden Bridge

We crossed over the road at the Zebra crossing and we sat down at the stop. This time Matthew had time to share a bounty with me and uncle Dave as well as drink a can of Vimto. the bus was due at 17:10 and a few minutes later as expected we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saws that it was required First West Yorkshire 37052 on a #592 to Todmorden.

First West Yorkshire 37052 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and we flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. It was now starting to go dark, made more evident by the lights inside the bus. We travelled back West through Mytholm, Charlestown and Eastwood and my attempt at getting a picture of the word kindness on the wall as mentioned above failed miserably! We travelled back past the depot and into town and at the roundabout we turned right following the A646 North. We turned into the bus station where the bus terminated. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First West Yorkshire 37052 before we got off it.

Inside First West Yorkshire 37052

We had around 15 minutes to wait for the Burnley bus. Outside the bus station on the stop on the A646 we saw TLC SoloSR 90819 on a T1 Cross Lee service.

TLC 90819 in Todmorden bus station

A few minuted later and the following bus from Halifax arrived. It was required First West Yorkshire 30561.

First West Yorkshire 30561 in Todmorden bus station

A few minutes later and the #589 Rochdale to Burnley made and appearance. It was First West Yorkshire 66748 that we had down to Todmorden earlier in the day!

First West Yorkshire 66748 in Todmorden bus station

We legged it across the exit to the bus station and we got on First West Yorkshire 66748. We flashed the First West Yorkshire Group ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Stansfield Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A646. It was now quite dark and we couldn't really see where we were going. We ran out of town via Lydgate, Cornholme and Portsmouth. We ran over the summit and we crossed the railway line and we continued West to Cliviger where we turned right onto Red Lees Road. We passed through Mereclough and we ran the last few miles into town down the hill and past Turf Moor. We went under the Rochdale Canal and we at the roundabout we went straight across continuing along Yorkshire Street. We turned left onto Croft Street and we ran to the end where buses sometimes stop to let out passenger if buses are going onto layover. We got up and got off the bus and then we went inside the bus station. We visited the shop first, in case it was about to close, and Matthew brought a can of Coke and a chocolate bar. Afterwards we went to the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. On the way out of the bus station we saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle 267 on a #1 Stoops Estate service.

Transdev Burnley & Pendle 267 in Burnley bus station

We walked across Red Lion Street to the car park where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage Rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off put of the car park onto Red Lion Street and we turned left onto Parker Lane. At the end we turned right onto Finsley Gate and then left onto Manchester Road. At the roundabout we went right onto the A671 and we ran out of town up to the M65. We ran West for a couple of junctions and then we went south down the A56. It was properly dark and we ran up to the summit and down the other side towards Haslingden, passing an unidentified white Bova. We continued onto the M66 and we ran down the the M60. As we joined the M60 we saw Parry's NU03 BUZ and an unidentified white double decker with black roof and window surrounds. We left the ring road to go West along the M62 and then we joined the Southbound M6. Traffic was going well until we got to a mile North junction 18 where we came to a stop. A fire engine and police cars went racing by and we eventually started to move. Two lanes were closed as there had been an accident involving a car and a lorry. We also saw Scraggs VT 9389. We let the M6 at junction 16 and we went South down the A500 passing Carvers coach FN52 HRW. At Sideway went east up the A50 and we came off at Longton. The fuel warning light was on so we stopped at Tesco petrol station to fill up with petrol. Once we had filled up we ran around to Z Carz to see what was parked up at their depot this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus OV05 WSW

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Also in the first row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Closest to the road on the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see if there was anything visible in the compound. Parked up in the compound we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran west to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton up to church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield drive and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Burnley / Todmorden 28-06-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41283	Burnley BS	Mytholmroyd, at Burnley Road Midgley Rd	517	First West Yorkshire
66746	Mytholmroyd, opp The Dusty Miller PH	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69586	Todmorden BS	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB15)	592	First West Yorkshire
32525	Hebden Bridge, Market Street (Stop HB14)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
32696	Todmorden BS	Eastwood, opp Halifax Rd Shaw Wood Road	592	First West Yorkshire
69585	Eastwood, Halifax Rd Shaw Wood Road (SW-bound)	Todmorden BS	590	First West Yorkshire
69583	Todmorden BS	Burnley BS	592	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to go to Burnley. We checked the weather and it appeared to be better to the north today. So we gave matthew a choice of a few Northern towns and he chose Burnley. Research consisted of looking at the price of and validity of First tickets on the off chance we got to Burnley in time to the #517 to Halifax and it was something worth catching. It turned out the First West Yorkshire tickets was only £4.60 and Transdev Silver ticket is £6. We also checked the times of the #517 service as this changed in April. Matthew got up at 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off just after 11:30. We headed onto the A5035 and then we turned into Stanley Matthew Way. We had a short trip along the A50 and we joined the Northbound A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so we could fill up with LPG. After we had finished filling up we took the A53 West following First Potteries 66307 on a #34A to Talke. We got back on the Northbound A500 and we headed up to the M6. We then went North and we saw ABC Supreme YN55 KXO going North too. We turned East at the M62 and we continued East on the M60. When we got to the M66 we went North past Bury and Ramsbottom. We overtook Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 on a X43 to Burnley and we then carried on up the A56 until we reached the M65. We went a couple of junctions further East before we came off the motorway for the last couple of miles into town. We parked near the bus station and we walked across the the Atlantis Cafe. Mathew went upstairs to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Apparently the owner of the cafe is from Stoke! Matthew had a breakfast and a large cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the end of the bus station to get a few pictures. Required First West Yorkshire 41283 was on the #517 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41283 in Burnley bus station

If we walked quickly around the bus station, hopefully we would be able to catch this bus. Also in the bus station was Mainline liveried Transdev Burnley & Pendle 1857 on a #23 to Accrington.

'Mainline' 1857 in Burnley bus station

We the saw Tyrer Bus YJ05 WCE departing the bus station on a #65 service.

Tyrer Bus YJ05 WCE in Burnley bus station

We also saw Transdev Burnley & Pendle Dart 715 on a local service.

'Starship' 715 in Burnley bus station

The bus we had passed on the M66 was now in the bus station. 'Witch Way' branded Transdev Burnley & Pendle 2780 was about to work a X43 to Manchester.

'Witch Way' 2780 in Burnley bus station

Last in the row was another starship liveried bus. It was Transdev Burnley & Pendle Optare Versa 260 on a #5 service.

'Starship' 260 in Burnley bus station

We quickly walked around the into the bus station and we got on First West Yorkshire 41283. We decided to get the cheaper First West Yorkshire Day ticket and venture East. We sat down at the back of the bus which was quite full. The bus left town along Harry Potts Way past Turf Moor and the gigantic picture of Tunstall born Martin Paterson. We went beyond Brunshaw, the furthest point which we had travelled on the #517 when we did First West Yorkshire 41316 back in January. Further along the road the houses gave way to open Moorland. We caught up with a tractor puling a trailer full of Hay and we followed it for a short while. We turned left onto The Long Causeway following the tractor! The tractor pulled over a little further up the road and we went past it and off into the wide open moors. We climbed higher and the views were spectacular... I recommend doing this Saturdays Only bus as a scenic tour if you ever find yourself in Burnley at a loose end. We carried on going up and passed a large bank of wind turbines before starting the decent back into civilization. We passed the village of Blackshaw Head. We saw TLC bus 90819 on a #596 to Blackshaw Head. We carried on down into the Calder Valley and through a village called Heptonstall. As we we approaching Hebden Bridge I asked the lady in front of us if there was a bus station. She mentioned a turning circle and stops on the High Street. She also asked me if we were coming next weekend for the cycle race. The bus emptied a little and Matthew took a picture of the seat opposite us.

Inside First West Yorkshire 41283

The bus joined onto the A646 from a steep road at a sharp angle. We carried on to the next stop which also had a turning circle so the bus could turn around to head into town. For a small town Hebden Bridge has an incredibly busy high street. It is full of independent (expensive) shops. Mum wouldn't like it... We decided to go past Hebden Bridge to Mytholmroyd, a town that we have visited before from the Halifax end back in September 2013. When we got to the centre of town we decided to get off. Matthew got another picture of this interesting old Dart before it continued up the A646 towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 41283 in Mytholmroyd

We had a look a round to see what was there. There was a bus stop opposite with a toilet block behind it. There was also a paper shop. We decided to walk up to the crossing so we could visit the paper shop. As we walked up to the crossing we saw TLC 3097 on a Westbound local service.

TLC 3097 in Mytholmroyd

We crossed the road and we found that the paper shop was shut! We walked into town a little but we could not find a shop. As we got back to the bus stop we saw that their was a Sainsbury's local store almost exactly where we had got off the bus! At the same time we saw First West Yorkshire 69578 on a #590 to Todmorden.

First West Yorkshire 69578 in Mytholmroyd

We crossed back over to Sainsbury's and Matthew picked up a can of Coke and a twin pack of Milky Way. We crossed back over to the stop and we saw there was a bus to Todmorden every 10 minutes on service #590 from Halifax. At ten past the hour there was a through #590 service to Rochdale. There was also an hourly #592 through to Burnley at 20 to the hour. Matthew visited the toilet and when he came out we had a little picnic at the bus stop. We broke a can of Irn Bru out of rations, which he drank just before the bus turned up. The bus was required First West Yorkshire 66746.

First West Yorkshire 66746 in Mytholmroyd

We flashed our First Bus tickets and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back through Hebden Bridge and this time we were able to appreciate it more. All the shops were decorated with cycling related displays for the race next weekend. I could not believe it when I found out that the race is going to be part of the Tour de France! The bus carried on through the Calder Valley for a further 5 miles into Todmorden where we planned to get off. On the way we passed Leyland tiger CBM 13X parked up in a layby. The bus followed the A646 through town, turning right towards Burnley and into the bus station which is situated under the 7th arch of the railway viaduct which runs through the town overhead. We got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the bus station. We considered our next move... There was a second #517 from Burnley to Halifax at 17:05. The Burnley bound bus from Hebden Bridge would probably depart from around 16:00. Also the #592 to Burnley was due at 15:50 through Hebden Bridge too. If we could get back quick enough we should make one or the other of these buses. There was a #592 to Halifax in the bus station, required First West Yorkshire 69586.

First West Yorkshire 69586 in Todmorden bus station

We decided to do this bus to see what was happening back at Hebden Bridge. We got on and flashed our tickets to the driver. As the bus was empty at the back Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69586.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69586

We sat down and the bus waited for it due time at 15:40. The bus set off back onto the A646 and traveled back down the Calder Valley to Hebden Bridge past the parked up Leyland Tiger and into the Western edge of town. We got off and we saw the First West Yorkshire 69582 on the #592 going the other way... The next opportunity to get back towards Burnley was the #517. We looked at the board on the stop and the bus was due at 16:07 in around 15 minutes. There was a Co-op on the opposite corner so we decided to go for a quick shopping trip. Matthew picked up another can of Coke and I got him a drink he would actually drink whilst we were out,a bottle of Irn Bru. He picked up some more chocolate and we headed for the till. It was a sizable Co-op store, and as such was quite busy. The guy on the till was having trouble with a cooked chicken, and the manager gave him a jar of coffee to scan to put something of the same value through the till. By the time we got out we only had a couple of minutes to wait for the #517. 16:07 came and went but the bus hadn't turned up. We looked up at the electronic display and it said the bus was due, but not before the #590 to Todmorden. This must the the first time we have seen and noticed real-time bus information displayed at a stop. The #590 did turn first and it was a double decker. We decided we were going to do this instead. As it got closer we saw it was required First West Yorkshire 32525.

First West Yorkshire 32525 in Hebden Bridge

We got on the bus and flashed our First Bus tickets. We went upstairs and Matthew said hello to the girl sitting at the front of the bus. The bus was empty behind us so Matthew took a picture of the bus there and then.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32525

We sat down as the bus set off back up the Calder valley and past the Leyland Tiger again. As we left town, I realised that we had been to the town that had given rise to Bogshed... Quite possibly the best band of the 1980's. We hadn't noticed a single piece of artwork, statue or even on the of those blue plaques to denote the houses of the band members! The journey to Todmorden was swift taking a little over 10 minutes to get to there and to turn into the bus station. We got off the bus and there was another TLC bus present so Matthew got a picture of it. It was TLC 90815 on a T1 Cross Lee service.

TLC 90815 in Todmorden bus station

We walked around the bus station and Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 32525 before it headed off back to Halifax on the next #590 service.

First West Yorkshire 32525 in Todmorden bus station

We decided to go for a quick walk into town at this point. We thought we could still head off the #517 at Burnley if we caught 16:40 to #589 Burnley. Or we could go towards Hebden Bridge to intercept the 17:10 #592 from Todmorden. We walked through the market and across a square to the public toilets. After Matthew had used the toilet we walked around the market and back into the bus station. We though that double decker at the bus station looked different to the one we just had. It was a different bus... It was required First West Yorkshire 32696 on the #592 from Burnley to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32696 in Todmorden bus station

We walked around the bus station and we decided to catch the double decker instead of doing First West Yorkshire 69584 which was on the #589 to Burnley. We could then head of the next #592 just West of Hebden Bridge and catch that back to Burnley. We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the of the top deck of First West Yorkshire 32696 which was empty.

Inside First West Yorkshire 32696

The bus set off out of town and we went for around 5 minutes before we got up and got of the bus. We were in Eastwood (apparently)... Matthew got another picture of First West Yorkshire 32696 as it headed of East towards Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 32696 in Eastwood

We crossed the road to wait for the #592 back to Burnley. We gave Matthew the bottle of Irn Bru and we looked at the timetable at the stop. As Matthew started to drink we realised we should have passed a #590 and that we hadn't. We looked up the road to see a bus approaching. It was required First West Yorkshire 69585.

First West Yorkshire 69585 in Eastwood

We flashed the tickets and got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. This would get an extra bus in and help to break up the journey back to Burnley. The bus charged up the A646 and we got into Todmorden bus station in no time. Before we got off Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69585.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69585

We walked around the bus station for one last time whilst we waited for the #592 to Burnley. On a #589 to Rochdale was required First West Yorkshire 69580.

First West Yorkshire 69580 in Todmorden bus station

First West Yorkshire 66746 reappeared after doing a round trip to Rochdale and back from when we caught the bus earlier.

First West Yorkshire 66746 in Todmorden bus station

The #592 to Burnley eventually turned up and it was required First West Yorkshire 69583.

First West Yorkshire 69583 in Todmorden bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets for a final time today. We sat down near the back and we had to wait a few minutes before it was time to depart. The bus went onto the A646, this time towards Burnley. As the road left town we were in a very steep sided valley. The houses had virtually no gardens behind them and the gardens there were there were on steep hills, or cut into the valley. We traveled through Cornholme and Portsmouth and then we crossed over the railway line as we got towards to top of the valley. The road opened out more here and we had a long run along the A646 before we turned off the road to serve the Walk Mill area. We climbed up Mill Lnae and joined Red Leese Road for the run into Burnley. We past the Long Causeway were the #517 turns, and we carried on as the road became Brunshaw Road. As we were going to back past Turf Moor I decided to try and get a picture of the picture of Martin Paterson outside Turf Moor. I did managed to take one, albeit a little blurry. The bus dropped down into town and turned into the bus station. We waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside First West Yorkshire 69583.

Inside First West Yorkshire 69583

We visited the shop and after a few more purchases we went out of the bus station and we saw Moving People Optare Solo YJ04 CCW.

Moving People YJ04 CCW in Burnley

As we were walking back around to the toilet in the bus station, Matthew spotted someone he wanted to say hello to and ran at them. Matthew used the toilet and we walked to the car. We walked past the girl he had run at previously, this time he was well behaved. In the car Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a large an of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and onto the A671. We did this up to the M65 and then went West. We traveled the short distance to the A56 and we went South. Here we climbed up an out of the valley before running down and around Haslingden and onto the M66. We had a short run down onto the M60 anti-clockwise where we spied Merseyside based minibus Hartley Travel J12 HTL. We turned onto the M62 and we got into a position where Matthew could take a picture of this minibus.

Hartley Travel J12 HTL on the M62

We carried on West towards the M6 and then Southwards into Cheshire. we overtook Maynes of Buckie KM14 YNE as we headed towards junction 16. We came off and down the A500 until we reached the A50 and then we went into Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz today. There were 4 minibuses on the spare ground this evening. Firstly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to this was Ford FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

This was followed by marooned coloured VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Finally we saw the airport transfers minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned into Willow row to see what was in the compound. Today there was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX and MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We went through heron Cross where we saw Lightning Travel minibus T2 DLT. We got back home around 19:30 this evening. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by chocolate fudge cake. Mathew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark