DIPPING SUNSHINE IN LANCASHIRE

A day around the local area with a start off up the M6 which at rush hour was amazingly clear of traffic joining north of the road works at Knutsford but the cameras are installed now ready for work to start north bound around Warrington section which should be fun, I assume this will start after the 18-19 stretch is completed. The weather in Lancashire was mild, breezy and mainly sunny although it's getting to that time of year when too much sunshine is a bit of a mixed blessing. Blackburn was that much in shadow that I retreated to M&S and had a morning coffee and slice of Bakewell tart before I attempted to get more scenes. The new bus station is not as well placed for photography as either the temporary facility which was brilliant or the old bus station by the railway which was equally good and served me well for several decades. Eventually I realised that I was struggling to get much footage and the shots were far from perfect so i moved on to see what the new bus station at Accrington could offer.

Much better placed for photography although a lot more limited than the stops by the market where you could get all manner of combinations, directions etc but it saves on the leg work as everything seems to come around to some degree and despite the ethnic security chap who was very polite staying away from the loading bay areas saved few lives as there was not one van or lorry in the hours I was there and eventually the 'spotter' ranks grew as I was joined by a young man very enthusiast about Citaros from Gdansk ( I know it well) and then two nice chaps from Newcastle upon Tyne who bewildered the young Pole with their accent. There had been another 'local' enthusiast who never came to speak. Anyway the massed ranks kept the security at bay and it was spot on bfor photography with a quality of subjects to match the ease of shots. Pilkingtons have been joined by Boomerang, a name used down in Tewkesbury some time ago. Their vehicles look as if they are on a wing and a prayer but brightly painted, remind you of anyone? Darwen coaches have got a couple of full sized buses. Transdev are now in the rent a wreck game. Plenty of ex GHA hand me downs around including their cherished numbers. I hope our Geordie friends had a good spot in 'Leeds', they'll know what I mean.

The light had really dipped at Burnley and it was probably the worst visit for film or photographs I'd made there for a while but I did it so that's up to date. I was just thinking back to Accrington, when I did a few shots at the other side, by the exit from the bus station an ethnic from the bus station staff wandered over, nice chap but do you know he had what I find to be a recurring chip on his shoulder - it's about money. Perhaps it just an Asian thing but he actually said he bet I didn't have a mortgage, could I spare him £100K to pay his off, ok he was joking but there is certainly a lack of will accept parts of British life and expect it all to come with the flower fairies. Meanwhile dear leader May blossom has been spouting off at the Con party conference, the would be reincarnation of Thatcher seems to believe the crap coming out of her mouth or she has a demented script writer. The Con party started the referendum, they opposed leaving the EU May included. Where is the legitimacy of the Cons who are artists every one. ( sorry for the play on words and UK politics for overseas readers). Photos from around Lancashire. I'm now on the 2002 Showbus films then start on trucks at Crick etc eventually reaching the Lancashire buses. We'll be at Bridgton GVVT ( Glasgow) on Saturday/Sunday. Mandy has swapped winter coats for summer rainwear, it must be winter!