OUR TRIP TO BLACKPOOL - COURTESY OF THE SENIOR'S BUS PASSES

Well....we did it....Our Blackpool trip was a success and went according to plan.  Even the weather was on our side, bright and sunny all the way.

We left home in time to catch the earliest departure bus, allowing us to use our travel passes which was 9.40am from Shudehill  Bus Station.  Later buses depart 10.50 and every hour after. The bus departs from stand F which is at the lower end of the station. The bus number is X61 and we found it to be prompt.  Our bus was a single decker but most of the time it is a double decker bus, this I presume depends on the expected volume of traffic.

A word of advice......should you require to use the toilet facilities, please have a 20p handy as this is the cost of the toilets ( Can't believe 4/-shillings in old money to go to the loo)  UNLESS you are prepared to duck under the barrier !!!!!!!!!!!!

On with our journey.. We made a stop at Victoria Station and picked up some travellers there and a stop near Salford University and on the East Lancs  (you can make enquires as to the times etc by phoning the coach station.

The first major stop was at Horwich, then on to Chorley and then to Preston. At Preston we had a changeover of drivers and a 10 mins stop.   Mention to the driver if you want to hop off for a toilet stop...Ladies are immediately facing the stop and Gents a few yards away.  THESE FACILITIES ARE FREE....   Back on the bus ...don't forget to tell the driver....and our next stop was at Blackpool.  Total travel time was 2hrs 10mins.  I guess the time could alter if the traffic was particularly bad.

We had a good look round ...plenty of shopping... well what would you expect !! and bought the compulsory rock.

Our return journey was equally pleasant. Catching the bus at stand 2 in Talbot Road Bus Station...toilets there also 20p ...check the doors first before inserting your money...you never know your luck.  There is pleasant staff for information at the kiosk so just ask there for leaflets to other places ..they will help as best they can.

We departed at 4.10pm and arrived back in Manchester at 6.30pm.  The last bus leaves at 6.05pm (so be prompt for that one) After returning to Shudehill, we jumped on the tram which stops just across the road from the bus station and alighted in Piccadilly, and made our way to the bus stop near by and made our way home.

In all, we can recommend this trip and also advise you that by alighting at Preston you can travel on to Liverpool...Southport ..and Morecambe.  Please pick up leaflets and confirm all the times etc.

The times of travel during the week is 9.40am onwards (leaving every hour) but on Sundays you can travel earlier at 9.05am.

We propose to try the trips to Liverpool, Southport & Morecambe soon and will report on those at a later time.

Don't be scared at travel into the unknown !!!!!   Be adventurous after all IT IS FREE....AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU WENT ON.

Feel free to make contact with me and I will answer all questions to the best of my knowledge.

Sincerely,

JOYCE & BERYL