Trip to Crewe / Chester 27-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1202	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	39	GHA
H119 SAO	Nantwich BS	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	C84	Routemaster Buses
S644 KJU	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	Chester BS	82	GHA
34810	Chester BS	Chester, opp Northgate Avenue	51	Stagecoach Merseyside
5000	Chester BS	Chester, after Newton Lane	X30	Arriva NW&W
5001	Chester, by Hamilton Street	Chester BS	21	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. With GHA starting a #84 service on Monday, we decided to go to Crewe to check it out. Research consisted of checking the weather (which was for cool cloudy weather with sunny intervals) and going on the GHA website to download the timetable and check bus times. We gave Matthew a choice of destination from the North West to visit, but Matthew picked Crewe from the list. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we passed the Britannia stadium where there was already activity ahead of todays clash against Aston Villa. We went West onto the A50 and then North onto the A500. As we joined the A500 we saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus YX53 CYZ. As we continued North we saw Tyrers YN65 AXR, City Centre Central SA08 ONW, SS Travel PN57 CUY & SO Coaches T431 KLE. The A500 was blocked West of the M6 so we had to divert around. We went North up the A5078 and we turned left to go towards Barthomley. We went West along a road designated R70 and we went through the villages of Englesea Brook & Weston. We turned right onto Main Road and we joined the old route to Crewe opposite to Crewe Hall. We turned left and we ran up to the A534 where we turned right towards the railway station. Outside Crewe station was Eavesway YJ14 BYG & silver taxi minibus EK60 KMG. We ran along the A534 before turning right onto Edleston Road. As we travelled up into Crewe town centre, we saw a number of buses. Coming the other way we Routemaster Buses H116 SAO on a C84 to Chester, Arriva NW&W 4104 on a #37 to Winsford, D&G 130 on a #85 to Newcastle, Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 and First Potteries 66305 on a #3 to Hanley. We went past and around the bus station and we parked up in Asda. For dinner we visited Vernon's Fish Bar. After visiting the toilet, Matthew had sausage chips and beans with a round of bread and butter and a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating, we said goodbye to mum and we walked over to the bus station. On the way in we saw D&G 154 which had developed a fault whilst working a #12 service.

D&G 154 in Crewe bus station

When we got in the bus station we had around 5 minutes before the 13:03 GHA #84 to Chester was due. The plan was to do this as far as Tarvin before doing a #82 forwards to Chester. Whilst there we had a look around to see what was in service in Crewe today. Parked up in the bus station, presumably for driver comfort breaks was GHA Mercedes minibus OEZ 2159.

GHA OEZ 2159 in Crewe bus station

Formerly 1421 in the Wardle Transport welfare fleet, this is one of the few buses in the fleet that Matthew hadn't been on around the time of the sale to Stanton's of Stoke. Also parked up on layover was Routemaster Buses East Lancs bodied Dart PL05 PLO.

Routemaster Buses PL05 PLO in Crewe bus station

We also saw Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD, which was about to work their 13:00 C84 service.

Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD in Crewe bus station

There was a bit of activity around the hour... Required Arriva NW&W 894 was on a #6 service, required Arriva NW&W 2615 was on a #31A and required Routemaster Buses PL05 PLN was about to work a #9 service.

Routemaster Buses PL05 PLN in Crewe bus station

13:03 came and went and the GHA #84 bus come in. We had noticed the Routemaster Buses 12:00 C84 was running a little late, so we thought it might have been caught in traffic. Across the other end of the bus station we saw required GHA 1202 come in, which was going to work the 13:25 #39 departure to Nantwich.

GHA 1202 in Crewe bus station

The driver had a quick comfort break and then returned to the bus. When the driver got the bus ready for service we boarded the bus and we booked GHA day tickets at £5 each. Matthew honked the horn before he sat down... :( At 13:25 the bu set off out of the bus station and we headed up to the A534 via Delamere Street, Chester Bridge, High Street and Mill Street. After turning left we turned right onto Gresty Road and we were followed by a maroon Gordon's coach. We past the Alexandria Stadium and we went through the housing estate to the North of the Crewe Shrewsbury railway line. We crossed over the railway line on Rope Lane and we turned left onto Gresty Lane. After going eastwards for a while we crossed the A500 and we travelled through Basford before crossing over the West Coast main line. We passed through the villages of Weston, Hough and Shavington before coming into Wybunbury from the North. We traveled down to Walgherton and we joined the A51. We then headed North up the A51. we came into town along the B5074 and we crossed over the Crewe Shrewsbury line for a third time before going around the town centre to the East and into the bus station along Beam Street. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside GHA 1202 before we got off.

Inside GHA 1202

Having taken a very circuitous route from Crewe to Nantwich, the next bus towards Chester was due soon. The Routemaster Buses bus was due at 14:24 and the GHA bus was due at 14:27. Mum had now committed to pick us up from Chester, so we decided to catch the next bus going towards Chester whichever one turned up first. In the meanwhile we had a few minutes to take bus pictures. On layover in the bus station was GHA Solo YJ59 GHB.

GHA YJ59 GHB in Nantwich bus station

We walked over to stand E to wait for the bus and as we got there Routemaster Buses Olympian H119 SAO came into the bus station into the wrong stand!

Routemaster Buses H119 SAO in Nantwich bus station

We walked over to the bus and a few passengers came off the bus. We got on the bus and we found out why the bus came into the wrong side. It was because there was a diversion around town and we had to turn right out of the bus station which isn't possible from stand E. We booked to Tarvin and whilst we were sorting the tickets Matthew took a picture of the empty lower saloon.

Inside Routemaster Buses H119 SAO

After we got the tickets we went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the upper saloon too.

Inside Routemaster Buses H119 SAO

We set off out of the bus station onto Beam Street and then we turned left onto Barony Road. We passed silver minibus FN13 EWF. We joined the A51 and we passed Routemaster Buses X616 JCS on the #56A service. We continued West along the A51 and we passed Snugbury's Ice cream and through Wardle. Further West we passed required Routemaster Buses G706 TCD on a Crewe bound C84 service. We joined the A49 and we then we went through Tarporley where we saw Arriva NW&W 4216 on a Crewe bound #84 service. we left Tarporley and we got back onto the A51. We ran around another 5 miles along the A51 before turning off to go into Tarvin village. We went up Tarporley Road and we turned into High Street. When the bus got to Londis we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses H119 SAO before it carried on towards Chester.

Routemaster Buses H119 SAO in Tarvin

Once off the bus we headed to the Co-operative Food store just off the High Street. In the shop Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of Milky Way twin bars and a pack of Curly Wurlies. Once we finished shopping we paid for the goods and we headed back to the stop where we got off. Going the other way we saw GHA Centro CN57 EFD going towards Northwich on a #82 service. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew share one of his Milky Way twin bars with me and uncle Dave. A few minutes later we saw the Chester bound #82 round the corner on the High Street. As it got closer we saw that it was dud GHA Northern Counties bodied Volvo S644 KJU.

GHA S644 KJU in Tarvin

We got on the bus and we flashed the GHA day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The bus set of down the High Street and we joined onto the Westbound A54. A few hundred yards down the road we joined the A51. We climbed the hill through Littleton and to the M53 where we passed another GHA 57 reg Centro on the #82 to Northwich. We crossed the A41 and we ran into the East end of Chester through Vicars Cross. At thr bottom of foregate Street as we joined the ring road we saw Gold coloured Stagecoach Merseyside 47515 on a #7 service. We went around the northern end of town and we came into the bus station down Northgate and under the City Wall. We turned by the theatre which is in the middle of a major refurbishment and into the bus station. When we got off the bus we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 on a #1 to Blacon.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Chester bus station

As we walked down to our usual perch we saw required Arriva NW&W 2649, which has been refurbished up to Sapphire Bus standard on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 2649 in Chester bus station

Matthew went to the toilet under the market by the car park, which has now been fixed albeit the sink is still not working. We then perched in our usual spot to watch the buses go by. Whilst there we saw a couple of lorries coming and going in relation to the theatre refurbishment. The first one we saw was leaving with a large section of We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21273 on a #31 Sealand Road park and ride service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21273 in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 which was on a #1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5002 on a #21 to Runcorn Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5002 in Chester bus station

The gold coloured 'Investors in People' bus also made an appearance. Required Arriva NW&W 3047 was on the #2 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in Chester bus station

When then next #82 was due we went over to the stops. Whilst we were waiting we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 34810 on a #51 to Plas Newton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34810 in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 again, this time on a #1A to Blacon.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Chester bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go and say hello to someone on the Plas Newton bus. When we got on after saying hello he decided he going to do the bus. Required GHA double decker W469 BCW came into the bus station and Matthew still refused to get off the bus! We let uncle Dave know we were going and we booked to the back of the bus depot. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went down to the ring road and we turned right. We crossed the Liverpool Road and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 34810.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 34810

We turned left onto Victoria Road and we got up and got off the bus. We set off back to the bus station on foot. We walked back onto the ring road and we went under the roundabout onto Northgate Street. On the way back to the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 5000 on the X30 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 5000 in Chester

After we went under the City Wall Matthew went to say hello to someone in a cafe before we carried on past the theatre and into the bus station. We got within about 20 yards of uncle Dave and Matthew decided to jump on another bus! We booked to Hoole Road and we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and Matthew waved at uncle Dave as we went past him. We went down to the ring road and we went around to the A56. As we passed the railway station we were along side JAK Travel YN05 VTE. We went over the railway line and we continued North for a short while and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5000 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 5000 in Chester

We saw a coach up the road and we went up to see it. It was a French coach Maury AP 784 TS. We crossed the road and we looked at the timetable on the bus stop. There was a bus to Chester due in a couple of minutes. I thought it would be better to catch a bus back even though it would coast more money, as we might stand a better chance of getting back to uncle Dave without Matthew jumping on another bus. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 5001.

Arriva NW&W 5001 in Chester

We got on the bus and we booked to Chester before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the A56 and we crossed the railway line and went past the railway station. After going around the ring road anti-clockwise we entered the city down Northgate and we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 5001.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5001

Once off the bus we met up with uncle Dave again and went over to the toilet. After using the facilities Matthew went to the gent to wash his hands. We then went back to our usual spot to take a few pictures. We saw a white coach enter the bus station. It was Arrowebrook P209 RWR.

Arrowebrook P209 RWR in Chester bus station

We considered doing the 17:20 #82 towards Tarvin. We went over to check it out and it was required GHA Solo YM52 TPX. Matthew didn't fancy doing it for some reason. We went back to the spot and we watched it depart.

GHA YM52 TPX in Chester bus station

A few minutes later Matthew jumped up and dragged us over to the other side of the bus station. Required Routemaster Buses Leyland Olympian G706 TCD had returned from Crewe on the C84 service.

Routemaster Buses G706 TCD in Chester bus station

We did consider doing this bus, and if we had done W469 over to Tarvin, we would have almost certainly come back on this bus. Mum arrived from Ellesmere Port and we decided to call it a day. We went back to the via the shopping centre. Mum hadn't been able to get Greggs from Ellesmere Port as it had closed early. The Greggs in Chester appeared to have shut too. We decided to go back to the car and get some chips on the way home instead. Matthew had a small bottle of Irn Bru. We left the car park and we went around the ring road to the A56. We went North for a round 1/2 mile and we cut through the housing estate to the Kingsway Shopping Centre where we knew there was a chip shop. Mum brought a couple of portions of chips between us to keep us going until we got home and cooked tea. We went back to the A56 and then we joined the Northbound M53. We went up one junction and then we joined the Eastbound M56. It was now dark as we went through Cheshire. We continued over to Lymm and we joined the Southbound M6. We rolled through the roadworks on the M6 and then we came off at junction 16. The westbound A500 was shut and I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the accident earlier. As we went Southdown the A500 we caught up with First Potteries 66838 running out of service. At sideway we went east up the A50 to Longton. We came off the A50 and we went to Z carz to see what was parked up there tonight. There wasn't much on the spare ground this evening. At the front was Z Carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Towards the back of the site was Z Carz maroon Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. has it been often recently the compound was packed with minibuses, the closest to the gate being Z Carz minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We left the A50 and went through Blurton along Blurton Road. We carried on forwards to Church Road and then we turned right onto Beaconsfield Road. As we travelled along we passed First Potteries 67601 on the final Longton bound #22 of the day. We got home shortly after 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a Caramac Breakaway. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Festival Park / Trent Vale 26-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Festival Park	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Festival Park	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Joiners Square	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
42894	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00. He got dressed and had a giant crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Blurton

The bus set off onto the A5035 and we we over the railway onto Trentham. We turned right into New Inn Lane and right again into Pacific Drive. After picking up another service user we returned onto New Inn Lane and then onto the A5035. We crossed back into Blurton and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we continues onto Blurton road. At heron we went East on the A50 and onto the A50 Link Road. We turned left onto City Road and left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. We then went out to Festival Park to go bowling. bus for the trip out was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Glebedale Road and left onto City Road. At the bottom of the hill before we got to the railway we turned right onto the A52. We continue straight towards Joiners Square past the University and we turned left onto Cauldon Road. We turned right onto Boughey Road and right onto Ridgeway Road. We went around Hanley park and onto Hardings Road. We went left onto Cleveland Road and right onto College Road. We turned right onto Snow Hill and left onto the ring road before visiting Tesco petrol station. After filling up we continued around the ring road and onto Etruria Road. After crossing under the A53 we turned right in Festival Park and we park up outside the bowling alley. Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink before playing some bowling. After they had finished the got back on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We left the car park and we went straight across the roundabout and to Macdonald. Matthew had a beefburger and fries with a drink of Coke. When we had finished eating we got back on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. The bus set off though Festival Park and onto the waterloo Road. In Burslem we saw First Potteries 66840 on a #3 to Hanley. We turned left Newcastle Street and we ran down through Longport where we saw CG Travel LDV minibus DX07 OJT. We turned left onto the A500 and running down to the A53 we headed back to Festival Park to meet up with Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX to pick up another service user. We then continued back to Fenton. We went under the A53 and onto Etruria Road We turned right onto the ring Road and we ran around to Lichfield Street and we saw Routemaster Buses X616 JCS on the #79 to Nantwich. At Joiners Square we went across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We went to the top of Victoria Road and we turned sharp right onto City Road before going left onto Glebedale Road. After a quick stop we transferred on Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU for the trip to the pub. The bus set off onto Glebedale Road and sharp left onto Victoria Road. As we travelled down we saw KH Travel YD65 PGU parked up a side street. We ran down to Joiners Square and we crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and to our destination. Once there Matthew took a picture of Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Joiners Square

Inside the pub Matthew went to the toilet and he had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included City Cabs FY02 RTV.

City Cabs FY02 RTV in Joiners Square

We also saw First Potteries 63099 on a #6 to Weston Coyney.

First Potteries 63099 in Joiners Square

At the pub Matthew listened to Alson Moyet, Bucks Fizz and Aneka! We it was time to go We got aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Lichfield Street and at the Joiners Square we turned right onto the A52. We ran down towards the railway and we turned right onto Station Road. At the end of Station Road we turned left onto Stoke Road and we crossed the A500 and ran into Stoke. We went around the one way system and onto London Road. At City Cabs we saw minibus YN02 UYV parked up. We carried onto down to Trent Vale and we turned left onto the A34. After crossing under the A500 we turned left up Church Lane and into Hanford. We ran down New Inn Lane and we dropped off a service user in Trentham before carrying on down to the A5035. We turned left and headed down to Blurton. Matthew got home just before 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of dandelion & Burdock whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 16:26 to Newcastle. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. I had seen the turn earlier in the day and it was booked to be required First Potteries 42894. It turned the corner and as expected it was required First Potteries 42894.

First Potteries 42894 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we noticed that the bus behind us was empty and the bus was about to pick up more passengers by Crowcrofts Road, So Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First Potteries 42894.

Inside First Potteries 42894

We carried on towards the railway line and we passed First Potteries 67636. We continued into Trentham and we turned into New Inn Lane and we were followed First Potteries 53122 on the #21A to Hanley. At the top of New Inn Lane as we entered Hanford we saw First Potteries 41514. We went along Wilson Road and we turned left into Church Lane. We joined the A34 and we went under the A500 into Trent Vale. We turned right onto Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42894 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42894 in Trent Vale

We walked back down onto the A34 and we stopped to see required First Potteries 67635 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 67635 in Trent Vale

Whilst we waited and we saw Parklands Volkswagen minibus CX64 MYL going South.

Parklands CX64 MYL in Trent Vale

Mum appeared and we went to meet her before going into the pub. As we went in the pub we saw Stanton's of Stoke YJ04 BKF going Northwards. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included Raspberry liveried Scania's 65033/65034 on the #101 service, Sentinel Scania 65040 on a Stafford bound #101 service & ABC Supreme N806 CRJ. When it was time to go we got in the car to go and pick up uncle Dave. We went South down the A500 and we turned left onto the A500. As we travelled North we passed The Travellers Choice PO15 KTK going the other way. At Sideway we went east on the A50 to Heron Cross. We headed though Heron Cross and we went into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross. We crossed the A50 into Blurton. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:10. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Hinckley / Earl Shilton 20-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2112	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Earl Shilton, adj Almeys Lane	1	Hinckley Bus
3318	Earl Shilton, adj Almeys Lane	Barwell, adj The Square	158	Arriva Midlands
2203	Barwell, adj East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	3	Hinckley bus
2570	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton, Adj The Long Shoot	1	Hinckley bus
3318	Nuneaton, Adj The Long Shoot	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	158	Arriva Midlands
2170	Barwell, adj East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	2	Hinckley bus
3315	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton BS	158	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Hinckley. A quick check of the weather revealed there was rain all day in the North and West so we would have to choose a Midlands destination. We gave Matthew a choice of destinations and from the list he chose Hinckley. Matthew got up around 10:20 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We went West towards the A34 and at Trentham we went North. After turning left onto Whitmore Road we joined the A519 for a few hundred yards and then we took the Southbound M6. As we traveled down the motorway we passed a number of coaches going the other way... As we went South we passed Shearers Grand Tourer 308 and an unidentified AC Williams coach. We left the M6 at Junction 11 and we went East on the A460 past the South of Cannock. As we joined the Eastbound A5 we saw Arriva Midlands 3309 on a #1 service. As we passed close to Brownhills we saw National Express West Midlands double decker 4870 on a #10A service. We also saw Arriva Midlands 2736 on a #3 service. East of Brownhills we got onto the fast section of the A5 and we bypassed Tamworth. West of Dordon we saw A2B Travel Dart T311 SMV going in the opposite direction running out service. We had planned to eat at The Copper Kettle roadside cafe, but when we got there it was just closing. We got back in the car and we decided to go through to Hinckley and eat there. We continued along the A5 and we saw Arriva Midlands 3507 emerging from a junction to the left on a #65 to Nuneaton. When we got to the B4666 we turned left and we ran the last couple of miles into town. On the way up we passed required Hinckley Bus 2106 on a #1 to Nuneaton. We couldn't park in the usual car park as the road was blocked after an accident. We parked on Rugby Road and we went into The Stottie Shop. The shop didn't have a toilet so we decided to go to the toilet before we ordered food. We walk along Waterloo Road and we could see the refurbished bus station taking shape along side the new Crescent Shopping Centre. We crossed Station Road and we used the toilet before walking back to Rugby Road past the library. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. After dinner we said goodbye to mum and we walked up Regent Street to the current main bus stands. The first bus we saw was required Hinckley Bus 2570 on a #1 to Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2570 in Hinckley

Also on Regent Street we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36753 on a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36753 in Hinckley

Going North we saw required Hinckley Bus 2172 on a #2 to Barwell.

Hinckley Bus 2172 in Hinckley

Also going North we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36157 on a #48 to Leicester.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36157 in Hinckley

We went to check out what buses were going North. Going South through town we saw Roberts YX63 GXP on a #159 to Coalville.

Roberts YX63 GXP in Hinckley

We saw that there was an #1 to Earl Shilton due, which we have never visited before. We decided to wait for that. We also saw dud Hinckley Bus 2714 on a #8 to Lutterworth.

Hinckley Bus 2714 in Hinckley

At the same time we saw a Dart on the #1 approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Hinckley Bus 2112.

Hinckley Bus 2112 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we purchased Hinckley Bus Day Savers at £4 each. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2112 before we sat down.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2112

The bus set off northwards out of town and onto the B4667. We crossed the A47 and we went past the hospital before we turned right onto Hinckley Road. We ran the last 3/4's of a mile into the centre of Barwell and the bus stopped in the square outside the Co-operative Food store. After a brief stop we continued East up Shilton Road. At the Junction we turned right onto Leicester Road and then left Elmesthorpe Lane. We then ran through the estates to the East of town after travelling for over a mile we came into the North end of Earl Shilton. We traveled in along Mill Lane, Church Street and onto the High Street. A couple of stops down we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2112.

Hinckley Bus 2112 in Earl Shilton

The disappeared down the High Street and we looked at the timetable on the bus stop. The next bus to Barwell was due in 10 minutes so there wasn't time to go exploring. Matthew had a Milky Way and a bottle of Cola whilst we waited. The time past quickly and before long we saw an Arriva Midlands Streetlite approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3318 on the #158 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Earl Shilton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Southwards and we realised there was more to the town of Earl Shilton than we had thought. The high Street was busy for shops than the centre of Barwell with such establishment as The Man Cave, several pubs and a bank. The back of the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3318.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3318

We continued on down to Hinckley Road and we turned right onto Shilton Road and we Passed required Hinckley Bus 2570 going North on the #1 service. A couple of minutes later we were in the centre of Barwell and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3318 as it carried on towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Barwell

Right by the bus stop was the public toilets, so we used the key and Matthew used the facilities. When we had finished we walked over to Co-operative Food store and Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru. He also had a couple of chocolate bars and a small box of millionaires shortbread. We sat on the bench outside briefly, and Matthew ate a couple of the shortbread squares. We decided to check out the bus stop by East Green to see it there was a #2 or #3 due before the next #1. It just so happened that there was a departure due before the #1, so we decided to wait there to see what it was. A couple of minutes later we saw a Caetano Dart approaching we new it would be a dud one. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Hinckley Bus 2203.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. This former Wardle Transport bus was on we first had from Hanley to Birches Head back in January 2013. We also had it on our last visit to Hinckley back in September 2015 from Hinckley to Burbage. The bus left Barwell down Chappel Street and we crossed over the A47. We went South down the B4668 and we turned right into Stoneygate Drive. We joined Barwell lane and we passed the Asda Store before turning left onto Ashby Road. We turned right onto Netherley Road and followed it around to the end. At the crossroad we continued forwards onto Tudor Road. A couple of hundred yard later we turned left into Stanley Road which we did to the end. We entered the town from the North down Hollycroft and we ran down into Regent Street. We also saw We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2203 before it carried on towards Three Pots.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Hinckley

Going Northwards we saw Hinckley Bus 2176 going North towards Nuneaton. Almost immediately we saw required Hinckley Bus 2570 come onto Stand 4 on the #1 to Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2570 in Hinckley

We agreed to do he required Solo on the condition that Matthew was well behaved and he didn't try and honk the horn... We got got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver and we wrestled Matthew past the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. Matthew was his usual cheeky self trying to honk the horn on the Solo. The bus set off Southwards down Regent Street and we turned right onto the B4667. There was around a 2 mile run down to the A5 and we passed Hinckley Bus 2112 going back North on the #1 to Earl Shilton. The bus emptied out in front of us so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2570.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2570

After we joined the A5 we traveled a short distance West before going South again down the A47. After a couple of stops we got up so we could get off the bus and return North on the #158. As we passed the driver we had let our guard down and Matthew honked the horn. Luckily the driver saw the funny side. We got off the bus and we crossed over the road at the traffic island which was right next to the Northbound bus stop. We only spent around 2 minutes on the ground and then we saw an Arriva Streetlite coming towards us. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva Midlands 3318 that we had been on from Earl Shilton to Barwell earlier in the day!

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Nuneaton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We decided to do the bus back up to Barwell, where we could use the toilet and if we had time, perhaps get some chips. The bus went up the A47 and we joined the Eastbound A5. We went left onto the B4667 and we went into Hinckley. After a few minutes on Regent Street we went out of town and onto the B4667. We crossed the A47 and we went past the hospital before we turned right onto Hinckley Road. We ran the last 3/4's of a mile into the centre of Barwell and passed required Hinckley Bus 2106 on the #3 service. The bus stopped in the square outside the Co-operative Food store. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3318.

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Barwell

As we had nearly 30 minutes so we decided to go to the chip shop, the Barwell Fish Bar. We selected a couple of can s form the fridge and the kind gentleman behind the counter gave Matthew a few chips in a cone whilst we waited for him to do the main portion. One we had been served we went outside in the square and the three of us ate the chips and Matthew drank a bottle of Irn Bru that we had brought form the Co-op earlier. We also had a few more millionaire shortbread squares. Whilst we were eating we saw Roberts YX63 GXR on a #159 to Coalville.

Roberts YX63 GXR in Barwell

Once we had finished eating we went across to the toilet on Shilton Road. Once Matthew had used the toilet we walked over to the stop by East Green. There was now last than 10 minutes before the bus was due. A few minutes later we saw a red Hinckley Bus Dart approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Hinckley Bus 2170 on the #2 to Hinckley.

Hinckley Bus 2170 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver. The bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2170 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2170

The bus left Barwell down Chappel Street and we crossed over the A47. We went South down the B4668 and we turned right into Stoneygate Drive. We joined Barwell lane and we passed the Asda Store before turning left onto Ashby Road. We turned right onto Netherley Road and followed it around to the end. At the crossroad we continued forwards onto Tudor Road. A couple of hundred yard later we turned left into Stanley Road which we did to the end. We entered the town from the North down Hollycroft and we saw Hinckley Bus 2714 on layover on Lower Bond Street. We ran down into Regent Street and on the way in we saw a white Robinson's coach going South down Mansion Street. We also saw Hinckley Bus 2106 on a #3 to Barwell. When we stopped in Regent Street we got up and got off the bus. We saw required Hinckley Bus 2176 on a #7 service. We would have done this bus, but it was on a short service terminating on Roston Drive. We would have to wait until 17:30 for the #158 for the next bus that we could catch with our ticket. Whilst we were over checking out the #7 service we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 on a #48 to Hinckley.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 in Hinckley

We also saw Hinckley Bus 2003 on a #66 service, but we weren't sure if our ticket was valid on this service.

Hinckley Bus 2003 in Hinckley

We sat on a bench and Matthew ate a Toffee Crisp whilst we waited for the bus. A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3315 pull up on the opposite side of the road on the #158 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Hinckley

We walked across to the bus and we got on it. We flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. After a short wait the bus set off down Regent Stree and we turned right onto the B4667. We ran the two or so miles down to the A5 and the bus emptied out, and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3315.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3315

We crossed the A5 and we ran down the A47 into Nuneaton. After going around the one way system we crossed over the railway and we went into the centre of town and into the bus station. The bus station was that busy we had to park on the end as we couldn't get through onto the stand. We set off towards the toilet and on the way we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 47071 on a #9 service.

Stagecoach Midlands 47071 in Nuneaton bus station

There was someone in the toilet so we had to wait for a couple of minutes before Matthew could use the facilties. Once he had been we set off towards the multi-storey car park where mum had moved the car to. On the was we saw Stagecoach Midlands 36207 a #5 to Camp Hill.

Stagecoach Midlands 36207 in Nuneaton bus station

We walked over to mum and we got in the car. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out off the car park and we drove to the Asda petrol station opposite to put in some diesel. We set off out of town past the railway station and over the railway line onto the A444. When we got to the A5 we went West past Tamworth and Brownhill and to the Southern end of Cannock. We joined the A460 and we ran West to the M6. It was now raining hard as we went North but now that the roadworks have finished we made good time up the the 4 lane section despite the weather. We came off the M6 at junction 15 and we ran up the A500 to Sideway. We then went east to Longton so that we could check out what was at Z Carz this evening. There wasn't as much on the spare ground this evening. At the front was Z carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

At the back of the site was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN, which is currently out of action.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz silver minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

The compound itself was packed full of minibuses, but there were cars parked in front of them. There was another Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP parked on the road. It was Z Carz silver Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross before coming off the A50 onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we went forwards onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:40. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark