Trip to Hinckley / Nuneaton 12-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2203	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	7	Hinckley Bus
2714	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	8	Hinckley bus
2204	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	1	Hinckley Bus
2169	Barwell, adj East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	3	Hinckley bus
3300	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	158	Arriva Midlands
3317	Barwell, adj The Square	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	158	Arriva Midlands
3315	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton BS	158	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley. We had checked the weather for today and the better weather was in the Midlands with some showers in the North West. We ruled out Chester as there was a race meeting on today. We gave Matthew a list of destination in the North West and Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Hinckley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we drove down to the A5035. We headed towards Trentham and we saw Free Spirits minibus MK52 PXH. We joined the Northbound A34 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. At the end of Whitmore Road we joined onto the A519 for a short while before taking the Southbond M6. As we travelled South we saw that the Northbund carriageway was very busy. Coaches queuing on the Northbound carriageway included a Castell Coaches, An Attain coach, Jumbulance J100 STB, a Berry's double decker coach, a P&D York coach, A Johnsons, a NAT coach and an Eastville coaches coach as well as First / Trurorian 20556. At Gailey we joined the A5 and we went Eastwards passing P&D York minicoach T3 PDY. We stopped at Truckers Rest Cafe for dinner. After visiting the toilet Matthew had a breakfast and washed it down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we went back to the car and we carried on Eastwards. Just South of Cannock we saw Arriva Midlands 2209 on an #19 service. We carried on Eastwards and we went passed Tamworth and Polesworth. Just North of Nuneaton we took the B4666 into Hinkcley following Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 into town. We overtook the bus at a bus stop and we parked on the Western edge of town. We said goodbye to mum and as we walked towards the toilet we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 come past us again on the #48 to Leicester.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 in Hinckley

We walked up Waterloo road and we witnessed the shopping centre doing up on the right hand side. The sign on the end of the building reads 'The Crescent'. We went to use the disabled toilet on Station Road but it was in use so Matthew went to the gents. Having used the toilet we walked down to Regent Road to see what bus we could catch. As we walked onto the Street we saw required Arriva Midland 3314. We then saw a very familiar looking bus approaching... It was former Wardle Transport, now Hinckley Bus 2203 on a #7 to Burbage.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Hinckley

There are two of these ex Wardle Transport Caetano Darts now at Hinckley. One was required and on we had back in January 2013. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes... I assumed he knew which one we had been on. Whilst we waited for the drivers to swap we took a picture of Arriva Midlands on the #158 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3314 in Hinckley

We also saw a Solo going up the Street. It was dud Hinckley Bus 2569.

Hinckley Bus 2569 in Hinckley

After the driver change had completed we got on Hinckley Bus 2203 and we booked Hinckley Day savers at £4 each. A quick check of the buses I have travelled on page revealed that this was the bus we had been on from Hanley to Birches Head back in January 2013. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off Southwards down Regent Street and then left onto Lancaster Road. The bus turned right into Station Road and at the Bottom we turned Right onto Hawley Road. We went past the railway station and we turned left onto Rugby Road and we ran under the railway line. We went over the roundabout and we turned left into Brookside. We headed through the big housing estate and when a few people got off the bus Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2203

We turned left into Windsor Street and left again onto the B578. When we got to the Horsepool stop we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of this bus as it carried on back towards Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Burbage

We got off the bus and we inspected the timetable on the stop. Since the timetables changed around a year ago the the frequency of the service dropped to every 30 minutes. There was also the #8 (formerly the #58) Lutterworth to Hinckley which ran once every hour. The next bus due was the #8 in around 20 minutes time. This gave us time to have a quick explore around the Horsepool. We entered the gate (now open as the tree stump carving had been completed). The tree stump which had been carved into a castle had now been populated with Playmobil figures! The was a small laminated notice on the gate that read 'You can play with us, but please don't take us away...' we also sat down and Matthew ate a packet of Milky Stars. We walked around the other side of the pool and Matthew photographed a red admiral butterfly on a bush. We walked back to the stop to wait for the #8 bus. 14:54 came and went and we were getting close to the time of the next #7... Eventually we saw a bus approaching and it was in original Arriva colours. As it got closer we saw that it was required Hinckley Bus 2714.

Hinckley Bus 2714 in Burbage

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off through Burbage and we headed onto the B4669. We crossed the railway line and we headed into town. On arrival in Regent Street we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside of Hinckley Bus 2714.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2714

We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Hinckley Bus 2714.

Hinckley Bus 2714 in Hinckley

I needed the cash machine so we decided to visit Yorkshire Bank to use the cash machine. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3315.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Hinckley

We got the cash and then we the newsagents on the corner. Matthew had a can of Fanta and some chocolate to re-stock the trip bag. After we had purchased the stuff we crossed the road and sat on the bench whilst we contemplated what bus to do next. Matthew ate a Galaxy Caramel that we had brought out with us and was a little bit squashed. After Matthew had finished eating it we saw a familiar bus approaching it was former Wardle Transport now Hinckley Bus 2204... This time we knew it was the required one of the pair!

Hinckley Bus 2204 in Hinckley

As we got up to go and catch the bus there was a flurry of activity. Going South was new Hinckley Bus Enviro200 2000 on an inbound #66 service from Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2000 in Hinckley

Right behind this was required Hinckley Bus 2503 also on a inbound service, this time a #2.

Hinckley Bus 2503 in Hinckley

We walked up to the stop and we went to get on the bus. The bus wasn't due to leave for a couple of minutes and there was a drunk by the step finishing his cigarette. We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver. We went to the back of the bus and Matthew photographed the empty rear seat of Hinckley Bus 2204.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2204

We sat down and the drunk sat down in front of us. He tried to get a rendition of 'The Wheels on the bus' going but no one was going for it. The bus set off out Northwards out of town along the B4667. We passed the hospital and the drunk who had moved to the front of the bus was now belting out 'Ain't no sunshine when she's gone'. We crossed the A47 and we went Northwards up the A447 before turning right onto the the Hinckley Road. We ran into Barwell and we we got up and got off at the stop in the centre of town. Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2204.

Hinckley Bus 2204 in Barwell

As we had done our shopping in Hinckley we headed to the main Hinckley bound stop to see when then next bus was due to depart. There was an Arriva Midlands #158 due. Matthew decided to visit the toilet with about 3 minutes before the bus was due. The bus pulled up outside the stop and Matthew was still in the toilet. Matthew just came out and we saw the bus pull off! We decided to check out the other stop to see it there was a bus due. The was a #2 to Hinckley due in less than 10 minutes. We saw the bus go up and it was required Hinckley Bus 2169. A few minutes later it returned and as expected it was Hinckley Bus 2169.

Hinckley Bus 2169 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew got a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2169 before we sat down.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2169

We set off down down The Common and we crossed the A47 and ran towards town down Leicester Road. We turned right onto Stonegate Drive and we turned left onto Barwell Lane. We passed the Asda Store and we rejoined the main road from Hinckley to Barwell the B4667. We only stayed on this road for a short while as we turned right into Netherley Road. We went forwards onto Tudor Road and we turned right into Stanley Road. As we approached Hollycrofts we saw a Scania Onmicity disappearing into the Hollycroft housing estate. Is was there one and only Scania Omnicity Hinckley Bus 3512. We headed into Hinckley town centre down Hollycrofts and we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2169.

Hinckley Bus 2169 in Hinckley

Almost immediately we saw what I thought was required Arriva Midlands 3300 on a #158 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3300 in Hinckley

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. A quick check of the page revealed we had indeed been on the bus but I couldn't remember doing the bus. Back in 2013 when the bus was new to Arriva Midlands it was numbered 3999. We had it from Hanley to Burslem and back in February 2013 when it worked at the Hanley bus station finale gala. The bus set off out of town up the B4667 and we past the hospital and crossed the A47. We turned right onto Hinckley Road and we ran into Barwell town. When we got into the town centre got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3300 before it carried on Northwards towards Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3300 in Barwell

We ascertained that had missed the #3 to Hinckley so we had around 15 minutes before the next #158 to Hinckley. We decided to visit the Barwell Fish Bar for chips whilst we waited for the bus. I went into the chip shop to order the chips and we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36752 on a #10 to Earl Shilton.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36752 in Barwell

Matthew joined me in the chip shop and chose another couple of small bottles of pop. We ate the chips and then we crossed over to the Hinckley bound main stop. As we waited for the bus bus we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36171 on a Leicester bound #48 service.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36171 in Barwell

A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 3317.

Arriva Midlands 3317 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver before sitting down at the rear of the bus. The bus set off out of town along Hinckley Road and onto the A447. We crossed the A47 and went forwards onto the B4667. We passed the hospital and we headed into town. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3317.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3317

We carried on a stop further onto Regent Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3317 before it carried on towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3317 in Hinckley

We decided to visit the toilet before catching the next bus to Nuneaton. We walked down George Street and onto Lancaster Road. As we approached Station Road we saw another one of the route branded buses on the #66 service turn the corner. It was required Hinckley Bus Enviro200 2002.

Hinckley Bus 2002 in Hinckley

This was followed by required Hinckley Bus Dart 2176.

Hinckley Bus 2176 in Hinckley

We visited the toilet and this time the disabled toilet was vacant. After using the facilities we walked back onto Regent Street via The Horsefair. On the back of a building that looked like a theatre was a blue plaque for Arthur Kimbrell (1908-1986) who was described on the plaque as 'Hinckley's Mr "Show Biz"'. Back on Regent Street we had around 15 minutes to kill for the next #158 to Nuneaton. We sat on a bench and opposite to us was required Hinckley Bus Solo 6100.

Hinckley Bus 6100 in Hinckley

We also saw Roberts Solo RBZ 1664 arrive on a #159 from Coalville.

Roberts RBZ 1664 in Hinckley

A couple of minutes before the bus was due we crossed the road and we waited at the stop. Bang on time we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3315 appear on the #158.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day saver ticket to the driver for the final time today. I called mum to tell hetr we would be back at the car in around 30 minutes. We set off down the B4666 towards the A5 We travelled West along the A5 for a short while before joining the A47 for the run into town. We crossed under a bridge and we went around a short one way system before crossing over the railway line at Nuneaton railway station. We joined the ring road and we travelled anti-clockwise for a short distance to the bus station. We entered the bus station and everyone got up and got off the bus before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3315.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3315

We walked around the bus station to take a few picture before we went back to the car. On a #9 service was dud Stagecoach Midlands 47070.

Stagecoach Midlands 47070 in Nuneaton bus station

Matthew visited the toilet and we carried on back towards the car. On a #767 service was dud Stagecoach Midlands 36166.

Stagecoach Midlands 36166 in Nuneaton bus station

We walked down the last side of the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Midlands Dart 34595 on a #18 service. Sitting out of service was Stagecoach Midlands 39686.

Stagecoach Midlands 39686 in Nuneaton bus station

We crossed the ring road and we walked into the car park where we found the car and mum. She was waiting with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of the car park and onto the ring road. We followed the one was system past the railway station and we crossed over the railway line. We left town along the A444 for a couple of miles until we hit the A5. We then headed West on the A5. Near to Lichfield we saw Harpur's MX04 AEV and further West at Brownhills we saw Shearings 223. We travelled to the South of Cannock and we joined onto the M6 at Gailey. Going North we didn't see many coaches, but we did catch up with Hayton's YJ06 LFV just before we left the M6 at junction 15. We joined the Northbound A500 which we did to Sideway before going Eastwards on the A50 up to Longton. At Z Carz tonight there were quite a few buses parked in two rows facing the A50 again. The front row included Mercedes minibus HX51 HRU, Green Ford Minibus T418 WYJ and White Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

On the end of the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Closest bus on the second row was Z Carz Airport Division minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. There were 3 minibuses there including Z Carz BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we did this up to Heron Cross before joining Blurton Road. We saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT near to the Lightning house and we travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark