Trip to Hanley / Tunstall 30-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
43876	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle BS	22	First Potteries
31518	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	X25	First Potteries
164	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	20	Bakerbus
60202	Tunstall, adj stop B	Hanley, adj stop J1‎	20	First Potteries

Today we decided to have a local trip out to try and ride on a required First Potteries double decker or two. It was half term from college and I was working monrnings. Matthew got up at 10:30 and toast and orange juice for breakfast. He also had some crab paste sandwiches just after 12:00. I arrived home at around 12:45 and having seen what buses were going to be working the 13:00 from Blurton (43876) and the 13:15 from Blurton (60196) up to Newcastle, I decided we could do required First Potteries 43876. We set off just before 13:00 and walked all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road to wait for the bus. As we waited for the bus we saw Wardle Transport 2963 on the PLumline and JayJays Travel RX57 POV parked up. A minute or so late we saw as expected required First Potteries 43876 round the corner.

First Potteries 43876 in Blurton

We got on and booked to Newcastle, then sat down near the back. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we turned toward Trentham. Here we passed dud First Potteries 40180 on another #22 towards Longton. We also passed First Potteries 40010 on the other #22 in Trent Vale, Wardle Transport 2211 on the #41 service in the Hospital and First Potteries 40150 on the afternoon #22/22A turn just outside of Newcastle on the A34. As we approaches the bus station we could see that there were a couple of step entranced First buses in the bus station. The bus pulled into the bus station and we waited for the bus to Empty so Matthew could get a picture inside First Potteries 43876 too.

Inside First Potteries 43876

A few stands up from where we arrived First Potteries 34285 was on an unidentified service. We turned it down because we had been on the bus to Biddulph on the #99 back in August. We walked around to the exit of the bus station and we saw that First Potteries 34285 was departing on a #98 to Ball Green. On layover (presumably from working a #32A dupe to & from Alton Towers) was dud First Potteries 34158.

First Potteries 34158 in Newcastle bus station

We only needed 2 more First step entranced buses that we could still get. One was First Potteries 38125 which until the recent #25A service had been ultra rare and only worked on one or two different occasions until this October. The other was First Potteries 31518 which always seem to be on the Alton Towers service when we weren't able to catch it. It was then we saw First Potteries 31518 come into the bus station with a paper X25 sticker on the front.

First Potteries 31518 in Newcastle bus station

We were going to catch this bus whichever way it was going, but we were delighted when we asked the driver and he said he was going to Hanley. The bus was reasonably well filled and we went upstairs. The bus stayed in the bus station for a few minutes and as we left the bus station we saw First Potteries 34286 on an unidentified service. The buses headed up George Street and into Hartsill. We passed one of the 'new' double deckers from east Anglia on a #25 and then we headed down into Stoke. In Stoke we saw the 3rd Alexander bodied Volvo 34288 working a Keele bound X25 service. We headed out of Stoke town centre and past the railway station and up through Shelton. The bus went past the Hinde Street park and ride site and then onto the ring road towards Broad Street. As we waited to turn onto broad Street we saw a 6th step entranced First double decker working. It was First Potteries 34311 on a #34 service into Hanley. We headed into Hanley town centre and then into the bus station. When the bus arrived we waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew got a picture of the top deck of First Potteries 31518.

Inside First Potteries 31518

We got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet.We decided the leave the bus station and go and get some chips so we could stand in the John Street car park and watch buses. We decided to stop on the way to the chip shop and get another picture of 31518 on the X25. We stopped at the entrance of the bus station and waited for a couple of minutes. We then got another picture of First Potteries 31518.

First Potteries 31518 in Hanley bus station

We walked down to the chip shop and brought a portion of chips and 3 cans of pop. We then walked back to John Street car park and we were passed by Moore's coach M600 JCP, We stood in the car park and ate the chips between us. Matthew drank a can of dandelion and burdock and I had a can of Pepsi. We stopped and took a few pictures. On layover was Bakerbus Streetlite MX12 DZA. We also saw Wardle Transport 2217 on the X51 to Cheadle. We also saw Wardle Transport 4809 on the #16 to Leek, Wardle transport 4898 on the #19 to Bradeley. We then walked down to the bus station to see if we could catch something else interesting. We then saw Wardle Transport 3419 on a #46 to Blurton, and had it not been heading towards home we probably would have done this required step entranced Scania. We then saw step entranced Volvo B10 Bakerbus 164 arrive on a #5 from Abbey Hulton. It was already displaying #20 for it's next turn to Tunstall.

Bakerbus 164 in Hanley bus station

The bus had a short layover so we sat down and waited for the bus to arrive on stand P. Whilst we waited we saw a couple of the 'new' double deckers in service. First Potteries 37156 was on a X25 to Keele and first Potteries 37158 was on a #20A to Kidsgrove. Just before it's due time a late running #101 Stafford service pulled onto stand P so we had to watch to see where our bus was going. just before it's due time it pulled onto and adjacent stand and we got on it. The bus was quite well filled and it set off through Hanley. On Stafford Street we saw First Potteries 41070 which appeared to have broken down as it Pulled off the stop! We had only see this bus leave 10 minutes earlier on the #18 to Leek. The bus went through Cobridge and the traffic was heavy up to Burslem. The heating on this bus worked very well... A little too well so we had to open a window. A short bus lane in the centre of the road which I can't remember seeing before seemed to help a little to get the bus through the traffic. After we left Burslem the bus made good time. When the bus got up to the last stop on Tunstall High Street the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this fine beast.

Inside Bakerbus 164

When Matthew got off the bus he decided to visit a cafe on the High Street. He used the toilet and then I brought him a can of Coke to take out. He decided he wanted to sit in and also that he wanted a piece of toffee Cheesecake too! After we had eaten we crossed the road to catch something back to Hanley. Wardle Transport 2962 was on a #91 to Newcastle.As we walked up to the stop we saw a First bus pull up behind it. It was dud First Potteries 60202, which we decided to do anyway.

First Potteries 60202 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and sat near the back. There wasn't many passengers on the bus. Dud First Potteries 60078 was running just in front of us on a #29A. We headed into Burlsem and then up through Cobridge. We got back a lot quicker than we did going the other way as the road was much clearer. Due to a road closure around the town hall went all around Hanley on the ring road before turning into the bus station near the fire station. We got into Hanley and as the bus was emptying on John Street we decided to get off there. Matthew got a picture inside the bus as we got off.

Inside First Potteries 60202

We had arranged to meet mum in the car park. Whilst we waited for her to turn up we took a few pictures of buses. First Potteries 61143 was seen parked up in the layover area.

First Potteries 61143 in Hanley bus station

Wardle Transport 3611 was seen on the X50 and then we saw Wardle Transport 2543 on a #46 to Blurton.

Wardle Transport 2543 in Hanley bus station

We also saw Wardle Transport 3152 coming off the #118 from Buxton.

Wardle Transport 3152 in Hanley bus station

Mum turned up and we headed into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. We left Hanley down Lichfield Street and then we went across Joiners Square onto Victoria Road. In fenton we joined City Road and then headed down to duke Street on the A50 link Road. On Duke Street we saw City Buses & Coaches R774 AKN. We picked up uncle Dave and headed into Longton to see what was visible on the land adjacne to the Z Carz depot. Today we saw Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z carz S952 VMY in Longton

In front of this was Z Carz coach M534 RSO.

Z carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to that was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z carz D104 XAN in Longton

We then headed back to Blurton along the A5035. We stopped at Aldi to pick up some oatcakes and orange juice and chips from the chip shop.and then we headed home along the A5035. We got home around 17:00. Matthew had chips sausage and gravy from the chips for his tea followed by a toffee flavoured yogurt. He chilled out on his computer for an hour or two and then we went around to uncle Daves house. We set off through Blurton and dropped mum off with a friend on Blurton Road. We the headed through Heron Cross into Fenton. At uncle Daves we ate custard creams and drank Fanta orange whilst watching the telly and listening to music and watching music videos. around 10:00 we set off home via heron Cross picking mum up on the way back. We got home around 22:15. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Preston 26-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
21108	Preston BS	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
21107	Moor Nook, by Birkett Drive	Preston BS	9	Stagecoach Lancashire
15906	Preston BS	Red Scar, opp Roman Way	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
19041	Red Scar, by Roman Way	Preston BS	1	Stagecoach Lancashire
1102	Preston BS	Walton-le-Dale, by Higher Walton Road	152	Transdev Lancashire United
15571	Walton-le-Dale, by Sir Robert Peel	Preston BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
18359	Preston BS	Lea, o/s Police Station	68	Stagecoach Lancashire
15913	Lea, opp Police Station	Preston BS	61	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to go to Preston. We didn't do much research for the trip today as we didn't decided where we were going until quite late. We checked the weather which was for cloudy with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 today, heading onto Stanley Matthews Way and then onto the A50. We then went North on the A500 to Shelton where we diverted off the road to get LPG. We got on the Westbound A53 and then back onto the A500. We then get onto the Northbound M6. The road was very busy and it took a while to get up to junction 18. North of Junction 18 we were passed by Hawkes Setra coach BF03 HOF on a day trip.

Hawkes BF03 HOF on the M6

We carried on up the M6 Northbound and the traffic thinned out as we headed North. We did the M6 up to Junction and then turned onto the Westbound A59 to do the last 2 miles or so into central Preston. We then parked in the bus station car park. We headed down to the toilets and then we went into the cafe for dinner. Present in the bus station was Transdev Lancashire United 1101 on the #152 to Burnley. Matthew had a breakfast for dinner washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we ate we went around the bus station to see what we could catch. We picked up some Stagecoach timetables and a map of local services. We saw required Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on a #9 to Moor Nook and we decided to do it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

We got on the bus and booked a day ticket. The driver issued us with a Citi group ticket at £5.50 which weren't aware of until today. We sat down near the back and the bus set off. We traveled out of the centre of Preston and then onto the A59 towards the M6. Part way along we turned at a roundabout and then turned right to go though cemeteries on both sides of the road otherwise know as the 'dead centre of town!'. The bus emptied out on Grizledale Crescent and we decided to get off on a quiet part of the estate before the bus turned to head back towards Preston. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the bus as we stood up to get off.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21108

As the bus went off into the distance, Matthew got another picture of the bus.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Moor Nook

According to the map, we only had around 10 minutes to wait for the next bus back. We also spotted a #8 was on the stop flag, and whilst we waited for the next #9, Rotala Preston Bus 30916 appeared on the #8 service.

Preston Bus 30916 in Moor Nook

A few minutes later we heard a noise around the corner and then we saw the bus approach. It was dud Stagecoach Lanacashire 21107. We got on and sat down near the back. We had done this bus on our first visit to Preston on a #68 to Lea back in August this year. We turned onto Pope Lane and then headed back towards Preston via the A59. Unlike last time, Matthew was able to get a decent picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 21107

As we pulled into the bus station we spotted Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 on the next #1 to Longridge. We got off 21107 and then got a picture of 15906 before walking over to get on it.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15906 in Preston bus station

We went upstairs, and as it was nearly empty upstairs Matthew got a picture inside the bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15906

We sat down and I checked the 'buses I have travelled on' page and was surprised to find that this bus was required. I thought we had been on this last time we visited Preston and this turned out not to be the case. The bus set off out of the town centre and then we headed out of town along Longridge Road. The ticket we had was only valid up to Red Scar, which was just East of the M6 motorway. When we crossed the motorway we got up and got off 15906. We crossed the road and waited at the stop. As we had just passed a bus when we got off, we had time for Matthew to have a quick bus stop picnic. This consisted of a bottle of Irn Bru and a Bakewell Slice that we had brought at the bus station cafe earlier. Just as Matthew had finished eating we saw an Enviro400 approaching. It was required Stagecoach Lancashire 19041.

Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 in Red Scar

We got on the bus and went upstairs. We sat down near the back for the journey back to Preston. The bus was nearly empty upstairs. We carried on down Longridge Road back into Preston and then into the bus station. When the bus emptied, Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 19041

Matthew went to the toilet and then he decided he wanted a break from doing Stagecoach buses. Transdev Lancashire United 1102 was on stand and matthew wanted to do it. I asked the driver if it went along any of the Stagecoach routes, and with the help of the map we worked out we could pay to do the bus to Walton-le-Dale and come back on either a #150 or a #125 service. The adult fare to Walton-le-Dale was £1.70 each. We got on the bus which was quite full and we sat near the back. I advised Matthew to take a picture of the empty seats behind us as the bus might fill up as we left town.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1102

The bus left the centre of town and then came up alongside the Homebase store, we turned right onto London road and we followed a #125 service down to Walton-le-Dale alongside the Ribble. When the #125 in front of us turned right at a roundabout and we turned left we knew it was time to get off. Matthew jogged past the bus stop to get a good picture of Transdev Lancashire United 1102 before it departed towards Burnley.

Transdev Lancashire United 1102 in Walton-le-Dale

We crossed the road and walked back to stop that served both route outside a pub. Matthew made friends with a bloke who had just come out of the pub who was a little worst for wear! Whilst we waited for the next Stagecoach bus back we saw Transdev Lancashire united 1098 on the #152 to Preston.

Transdev Lancashire United 1098 in Walton-le-Dale

A couple of minutes later we saw an Enviro400 round the corner and we saw it was stagecoach Lancashire 15571.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15571 in Walton-le-Dale

We got on and sat upstairs. This was another bus that we thought was dud but turned out to be required. The bus headed back into Preston along the A6 and then we headed into the bus station. When the bus emptied out Matthew got a picture inside stagecoach 15571 too.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15571

We then had a bit of a break from the buses. We went tot the shop and brought a can of Coke and some chocolate, plus a toffee flavoured flapjack. We sat down near the high numbered stands and Matthew ate the flapjack. There were a couple of required buses on the #1 to Longridge include Stagecoach Lancashire 15823. Matthew had taken a fancy to doing dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 which was on stand but not got its display turned on. Dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 was on the next #61 to Blackpool and dud Stagecoach Lancashire 18364 was on what we thought was the next #68 to Blackpool. We had a bit of a walk around the bus station and we took some pictures from the west side before retuning to the Stagecoach stands. Just as we thought we were going to be doing something else, a driver appeared for Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 and the display was set for #68 to Blackpool.

Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 in Preston bus station

We booked to Lea as we done before the last time we did Stagecoach Lancashire 18359 on the #68 service. We went upstairs and sat down. The buses headed out of town past the outdoor market. The bus was quite full to I advised Matthew to get a picture of the insied of the bus before it filled up any more!

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 18359

We headed out of town along the A583 and under the west coast main line. The #61 and #68 take similar routes and we kept seeing Stagecoach Lancashire 15908 in front of us as headed West. As we went into Lea we were right behind Stagecoach Lancashire 15908. We got up and got off outside the police station and the 2 buses were at the stop at the same time. We then crossed the road to wait for the next bus back to Preston. At the stop we saw there was a #61 due around 2 minutes ago and we hadn't seen one go past. A minute or so later we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 approaching which we knew was a required one.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15913 in Lea

We got on and went upstairs. We then headed back into Preston along a slightly more Northerly route into town the the #68. We crossed over the Blackpool line and then swept down hill into town. After going into town under the west coast main line along the A583, we went down an underpass to cross the A59 Ringway and then we appeared near the Northern corner of the bus station. We then loop around to the south end of the bus station and the bus dropped us off near the high numbered stands. As the bus emptied Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15913

We got off the bus and mum was waiting for us. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go home, he a sweep around the bus station taking a few pictures. We first saw Trandev Lancashire United 1840 on a #280 to clitheroe

Transdev Lancashire United 1840 in Preston bus station

Next to this was Cumfybus MX09 MJK on a #80 to Fleetwood.

Cumfybus MX09 MJK in Preston bus station

Towards the Southern end of the bus station was Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 on the #9 service.

Stagecoach Lancashire 21108 in Preston bus station

Matthew then visited the toilet and then took a picture inside the bus station over the exit subway.

View inside Preston bus station

After a few more picture we headed up the the car park were there were sausage rolls and drinks waiting for us. We left the car park and we headed out of town along the A59.We then joined the southbound M6. It was now going dark and it had started to rain. It was the last Saturday before British Summer Time ends, and it would now be dark on every return journey home until next spring. We got to the A500 which we did down to the A50. We then headed into Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were only 3 buses parked up at the front of the spare ground. Firstly we saw VW minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to this was there newest coach, M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Lastly was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We went along willow Row to see if there was anything we could photograph in the Willow Row compound (there wasn't), and then we headed home along Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries 40150 on the #22 to Longton. We got home a little after 19:00 and Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by chessecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Trent Vale 25-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
43877	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today was a teacher training day at college so Matthew had the day off. He got up around 10:00 this morning and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. He used his computer and watched his telly for a few hours before having half an omelette or dinner. I viewed the #22 buses and there were 2 required buses out today. First Potteries 43877 was on the #22A turn and was going to be passing through Blurton around 15:15. First Potteries 40019 was going to be working the bus through Blurton around 16:00. The other 2 buses on the #22 were dud First Potteries 40011 and 40304. We decided to go out after required Dart First Potteries 43877. Matthew got dressed just before 15:00 and we walked to the stop. We saw Z Carz S952 VMY on a school run to Chell Heath. The bus was due through this part of Blurton at around 15:17 and bang on time the bus appeared from around the corner and it was required First Potteries 43877 as expected.

First Potteries 43877 in Blurton

We got on and sat near the back. As the bus pulled of we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 236 heading to the Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy. The bus was empty in front of us so I encouraged Matthew to take a picture facing forwards whilst he could.

Inside First Potteries 43877

The bus carried on along the A5035. and the turned into New Inn Lane. we passed First Potteries 40019 on the #22 as it should be and then we passed First Potteries 40175 on a #21 in Hanford. When we reached the A34 it was quite busy and there were a few vehicles were Stoke on Trent welfare bus OU11 YCX was in front of us at the lights, #26/26A branded Scania 65027 was on a #101 to Hanley, and then two coaches went north on the A34. These were Grayway YJ04 BNN and Shearings BK11 CRV. We joined the Northbound A34 ourselves and headed up though Hanford and into Trent Vale. Just before we turned into Harpfield Road we passed First Potteries 65034 in the new livery on a Stafford bound #101. We turned into the road and we got off at the stop. Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 43877.

First Potteries 43877 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and towards the Black Lion pub where we were meeting mum today. As we waited we saw Wardle Transport 4812 on a #604 St Peters High School bus service.

Wardle Transport 4812 in Trent Vale

We carried on to the pub and sat on the wall of the car park. We only had to wait for a couple of minutes before mum turned up. We went into the pub and Matthew had his usual 2 sausage egg chips beans with a side of bacon and two rounds of bread. This was washed down with a Coke. For afters he had toffee sponge pudding and ice cream. When we had finished we called uncle Dave on the phone and we went to go fetch him. We went via the A34, A500, A50 and Heron Cross. When we had picked him up it had started to rain quite heavily. We carefully drove back to Heron Cross and into Blurton. As we went along we passed First Potteries 40019 again on a #22 to Longton and also Wardle Transport 2963 on the Plumline. We got home around 17:15. Matthew then chilled out at home for the evening. Using his computer, watching bus DVDs and watching some TV. Matthew then went to bed around 00:00...Mark

Trip to St Helens / Earlestown 19-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2729	St Helens BS	New Boston, opp Vista Road	320	Arriva NW&W
2254	New Boston, adj Vista Road	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
2693	St Helens BS	Clock Face, Gartons Lane (NW-bound)	32	Arriva NW&W
712	Clock Face, adj Jersey Street	St Helens BS	33	Arriva NW&W
2261	St Helens BS	Earlestown BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2238	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit st Helens. We didn't do much research other than to check the weather. The weather was for cloudy with sunny interval and showers. We hadn't checked the Arriva St Helens allocations recently and were surprised that there was only one Marshall Dart left there 7634. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had bacon and oatcakes for breakfast. We set off at 12:00 and went onto the A5035. We headed north up Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. We then got on the Northbound A500 where we passed Rigby's minibus SUI 8773 and Ausden Clarke BIG 9834. We got onto the Northbound M6 and it was quite busy. We decided to eat in Earlestown as we knew where there was a cafe, and then drive into St Helens. We got onto the westbound M62 and then drove into Earletown via Newton le Willows. As we parked up around 13:10 we saw required Arriva NW&W 2346 on a #34 service. As we walked to the cafe we saw required Arriva NW&W 2261 on a #34A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2261 in Earlestown

We had dinner at Crumpets again, Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After dinner we walked back to the car. On the way back we photographed South Lancs Travel 23 on a #603 service.

South Lancs Travel 23 in Earlestown

We got back in the car and we drove into St Helens along the A572 and onto the A58 and passed the Co-op. We went behind the bus bus museum and then we parked up near the town hall. We walked to the travel centre and purchased our Saveaway tickets. We scratched off the date and went to look for a bus to catch. We let required Arriva NW&W 2254 go on the #20 and we had a walk around to see what we could catch. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2729 on a #320 to Wigan and we decided to do it.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was empty looking forwards so Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2729

The bus filled up a little and then we set off. We decided to do the bus to the far end of Haydock just before the #20 turns off towards Earlestown so we had a few choice of bus back. As we set off out of town we passed Arriva NW&W 2238 on the #20. This was followed by Arriva NW&W 2701 on the #320 and Arriva 2712 on the following #20. When we got to Penny Lane we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2729 as it went off into the distance.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in Haydock

Across the road was Arriva NW&W 2422 on a St Helens bound #620, but we couldn't get across the road quickly enough. We checked the timetable a the bus stop and the next bus due was a #20 next in around 7 minutes. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Rice Crispy squares. The bus turned up and it was Arriva NW&W 2254. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. I had thought it was dud, but a quick check of the page revealed that it was in fact a required bus! The bus set off back towards town through Haydock and passed the Tesco store. As we traveled back into town in addition to the buses that we passed heading inbound earlier, we also saw Arriva NW&W 3025 on a #320 and 2242 on a #34A. When we got to St Helens Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2254.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2254

As he hadn't been successful get a picture of the outside of Arriva NW&W 2254, he had another successful go here.

Arriva NW&W 2254 in St Helens bus station

We then had a break from buses for around 30 minutes. matthew wanted the toilet and the tardis toilet in the bus station was out of action again. We took him around the outside of the shopping centre to use the disable toilet by the entrance of the shopping centre. when we walked back we took a few bus pictures. One vehicle type that we didn't tkae many pictures of were the electric shuttle buses. Here is Selwyns Travel 193 on the E11 to Ravenhead retail park.

Selwyns Travel 193 in St Helens bus station

We carried out another circle of the bus station and we took some more pictures. Here is former D&G buses 30 which is now there sister company South Lancs Travel.

South Lancs Travel 30 in St Helens bus station

Another vhicle which took us by surprise was Arriva NW&W 3047 which is now painted in a gold livery.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in St Helens bus station

Time was moving on and we need to catch another bus quickly. Of all the thing in the bus station at that moment, Matthew decided we should do required Arriva NW&W 2693 on a #32 to four Acre Lane.

Arriva NW&W 2693 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and sat down. As we left the bus station the sky started to look very dark indeed... We also noted an unidentified ALX200 Dart behind us on a #33 service. We passed the hospital and headed South out of town. I seemed to remember us doing a Dart on a #32 and doing a #33 back from the same stop. It was Arriva NW&W 2102, and it was our first trip to St Helens back in January 2012. The bus emptied out a little in the Clockface area, and Matthew took a picture of empty rear of Arriva NW&W 2693.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2693

We were going along a road and I noticed the Dream in the distance on the left so I thought it was time to get off. We saw two stops opposite each other with shelters (essential with the inevitable rain) and got up to get off the bus. Just before we reached the stops, the bus turned left and stopped at a stop with no shelter! We quickly got off the bus and walked around the corner to the other stops. The view looked familiar, from the time we had gone after and caught up with Arriva NW&W Pointer Dart 7570 back in July 2012. The rain started to fall and fall it did... We all huddled under the shelter as the rain lashed down. Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru and we put the empty bottle in the bag as no one wanted to venture out of the shelter to the bin. Disappointingly we saw an Arriva NW&W Solo SR approaching. The only consolation was it was going to be required as we had yet to sample on of these buses. As you can see from the photo the light was very poor as required Arriva NW&W 712 approached the bus stop.

Arriva NW&W 712 in Clockface

We waited for the bus stop and the door to open before we ran onto the bus. We got on and Matthew insisted on honking the horn. Luckily we had a very nice obliging driver...We sat down near the back and enjoyed the journey. The rain was so heavy that every time we turned left water washed down the right hand side of the bus and vice versa. By the time we had reached the A569 and the run past the park we were running through a few inches of water and waves of spray were being sent up on either side of the bus. Some of the cars were struggling a little with the flash flooding but the bus went though these roads with no problem. We got to the bus station as the a was easing off and Matthew waited for the bus to empty so he could take a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 712

We had another quick wander around and Matthew took us down to the railway station to say hello to someone. We let required Arriva 2238 go on the #20 and then we told Matthew he had to catch another bus quickly. He decided to do required Arriva NW&W 2261 which we had seen a few times today. he got another picture of it through the glass of the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2261 in St Helens bus station

We got on and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus was quite full so he was able to get picture inside at this point. We set off out off town towards Parr and then we turned onto the road to Earlestown at The Horseshoe pub. We carried on along the A572 and into Earlestown. The people behind us were getting off at Earlestown so Matthew took a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2238 as we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2261

We got off and we got a another picture of the outside of this bus too.

Arriva NW&W 2261 in Earlestown bus station

We had a few minutes to wait for either the next #34 or the next #20. We worked out that the next #20 would probably be required Arriva NW&W 2238. We saw required Arriva NW&W Cadet 2495 on the #34 but we decided to wait for the Dart. A few minutes later Arriva NW&W 2238 appeared as expected.

Arriva NW&W 2238 in Earlestown bus station

We got on and the bus was empty and so he got his empty bus picture first.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2238

We sat down near the back and the bus set off. As the bus set off North towards Haydock there was a bright rainbow in the sky. the bus turned right into Penny Lane and we headed into town. We got off and had a quick walk around the bus station taking pictures. Immediately we saw required arriva 2271 on the #329 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2271 in St Helens bus station

Matthew decided h want to go to the toilet so we walked through the shopping centre and went to the disabled toilet at the other end. We walked back around the outside and as we walked back towards the car we finally caught up with the ALX200 Dart on the #33 to Widnes which was Arriva NW&W 2269.

Arriva NW&W 2269 in St Helens bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2346 Which was on the #34 to Leigh. We waked back to the car where there were sausage rolls and Tizer waiting. We drove off and headed out of town on the A58. We joined onto the A580 and we passed an accident were two cars had collided. We then got onto the Southbound M6 and then onto the A500. We then got onto the A50 and we went into Longton to view the Z Carz depot. There were 2 coaches at the front of the depot. First was Z Carz M534 RSO with its purple decals.

Z carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z carz D104 XAN in Longton

Behind these was the minibus OV05 WSW which was too far back to get a good picture in the dark. We turned the corner into Willow Row where we saw T408 JUX parked up at the back of the Z Carz compound. We went down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark