Trip to Wrexham / Llangollen 16-09-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1012	Wrexham BS	Llangollen, Parade Street	5	Arriva NW&W
1010	Llangollen, Parade Street	Ruabon, The Villas	5	Arriva NW&W
3208	Ruabon, Kandy Lodge	Rhostyllen, Black Lion Inn	2	Arriva NW&W
711	Rhostyllen, Black Lion Inn	Wrexham BS	4A	Arriva NW&W
1011	Wrexham BS	Marleston, Lakewood	1	Arriva NW&W
1002	Marleston, Holiday Inn	Wrexham BS	1	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Wrexham. We didn't do a great deal of reserach for this trip other than to look at the 1 bws ticket website and to check the weather. Which was for mainly dry with the chanbce of some rain around 16:00. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ourselves ready and we got in the car and set off just after 11:30. We set off through Blurton and onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We continued through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. After picking up uncle Dave we continued down Wheildon Road and onto the Northbound A500. The plan was to stop at the truckstop in Crewe so we continued up the A500 passing Brit Coaches BU18 YMP. We went under the M6 and we travelled to the South of Crewe towards Nantwich. We decided to eat on the way so we turned right onto David Whitby Way. We turned left onto the A532 and we turned left into Cowley Way and to the truckstop. We parked up and saw that the truckstop was closed! At the truckstop was Chiltern Travel T19 HWT in Shearings colours parked up.

Chiltern Travel T19 HWT in Crewe

Mum looked up the location of a cafe near by, and Matthew went to the toilet. We got in the car and we set off along Cowley Way. We turned left onto the A532 and at the roundabut we turned left onto the A534. We ran past the railwy station and Eddleston Street and we saw the cafe. We turned around and parked up nearby. Matthew had a full english an a double outcake washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we got back into the car and we set off along the A534. We turned right onto Ernest Street and right onto Madeley Street. We turned right onto Sherwin Street and we re-joined the A534. We ran to the edge of Nantwich and we turned right to join the A51 Nantwich bypass. We ran around the North side of Nantwich and past site of the new link road and Reaseheath College and at the West edge of town we ran forwards onto the A534. We travelled west for around 4 miles and we crossed over the A49. We crossed over the A41 at Croxton and we continued to the eastern edge of Wrexham. We continued onto Holt Street and we ran into the centre of town. We veered right onto Chester Street and we turned left into the library car park. We parked up near to the Guildhall and we said goodbye to mum. We cut through onto Lord Street and we saw a space exhibition with a replic of the Virgin Launcher One rocket. We continued up Lord Street past the former RBS bank which has been auctioned off. We carried on towards the bus station and we saw Demonstrator RV22 DMY on loan to Pats Coaches on a #146 to Whitchurch.

Pats Coaches RV22 DMY in Wrexham bus station

We turned right onto Trinity Street and we saw Lloyds Coaches B28 on layover in between runs on the T3 to Aberystwyth.

Lloyds Coaches B28 in Wrexham bus station

We walked into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. We decided to wait for a bus towards Llangollen. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 1012 on a #5 to Llangollen.

Arriva NW&W 1012 in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we brought what we thought was a 1bws day ticket before going upstairs and sitting down in one of the bays of 4 sets around a table. We set off along Trinity Street and we followed the one way system around onto King Street. We joined the A5152 and we ran past Wrexham Central. We headed out of town through Rhostyllen and under the A483. We continued through Pentre Bychan and we saw Llew Jones LJ21 LLJ parked up in a layby. We continued Southwards through Johnstown. We continued into Ruabon and we turned right onto the A539. We ran through Acrefair and Trevor and we entered intl Llangollen from the East side. In the town we turned left onto Castle Street and we crossed over the river Dee. We turned right onto Market Street. We turned right onto East Street and we ran to the end where we got stopped in traffic. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 1012 before it returned to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1012 in Llangollen

Once off the bus we walked along Parade Street. We turned left onto East Street and we headed back to the car park where we had seen a coach parked up. We saw it was Williams Travel BL16 GCO on a day trip to 'Wales'.

Williams Travel BL16 GCO in Llangollen

We went to the toilet block and Matthew used the toilet. We crossed over Market Street and Matthew had an ice cream. We turned left onto Castle Street and we heard a train arriving in the station so we crossed over the bridge to go and have a look. It was class 26 D5310. after taking a few pictures we crossed back over the river. and we turned right onto Parade Street. We turned the corner and we saw Tanat Valley 376 on a 64 to Llanarmon DC.

Tanat Valley 376 in Llangollen

We got on the bus but when we tried to scan the tickets we realised the previous bus driver had sold us Arriva Daysavers and not 1 bws tickets! Single fares t Chirk would have cost us close to £12. We got off the bus and we waited for the following Arriva service. Whilst we waited Matthew had a can or Irn Bru. A short time later the bus appeared. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 1010 on a #5 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1010 in Llangollen

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Daysaver tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs. We set off along Parade Street and we turned left onto Castle Street. We crossed over the river and we turned right onto the Eastbound A539. We ran through Trevor and Acrefair. At the big roundabout we veered left onto the Northbound B5605. We ran past Ruabon railway station and as we headed throough Ruabon we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed thr9ugh town to go to a pub. As we set off we saw Arriva NW&W 3207 on a #2C to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 3207 in Ruabon

The batch of buses number 3202 to 3212 are former Arriva Midlands buses that transferred to Arriva Wales when the Osewetry depot shut. We continued Southwards and we crossed over the road to visit the Wynnstay Arms. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. We sat down and had our drinks and afterwards we went outside to see what we could catch. It was just after 16:00 and I was concious of the fact the Wrexham were playung at home and would finish around 16:50. We headed Northwards up the High Street and we crossed over. As we walked Northwards we were passed by Arriva NW&W 3208. It stop in front of us and as we got closer I realised that it was waiting time at the stop. Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 3208 before we got on the bus.

Arriva NW&W 3208 in Ruabon

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Daysaver ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This bus was the former Arriva Midlands 3786 which we had from Cefn Mawr to Chirk back in April. We set off Northwards along the B5605 and we continued through Johnstown. We ran under the A483 and we joined the A5152. We ran into Rhostyllen and we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once of the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 3208 as it contunued towards Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 3208 in Rhostyllen

We crossed over Henblas Road and we visited the Co-op. Matthew brought a bottle of Dr Pepper and some cakes. We were going to go and sit and wait for a Southbound bus and eat cake. We crossed over Henblas Road and before we could cross over we saw a Solo SR approaching. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said yes. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 711 on a #4A to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 711 in Rhostyllen

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Daysaver ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran up the A5152 the last two miles or so into the cente of Wrexham and past Wreham General railway station. We turned right into Regent Street and left into King Street. We turned left into Lord Street and we stopped outside the bus station. where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed inside the bus station and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we came out and we saw Arriva NW&W 4544 on a X51 to Ruthin.

Arriva NW&W 4544 in Wrexham bus station

We were going to catch it but we weren't quick enough. We decided to go in a new direction and catch a #1 towards Chester. We went onto stand 1 and there was already a bus there. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 1011 on a #1 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 1011 in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Daysaver ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Rhosddu Road. We turned right onto Grove Road and left onto the Northbound A5152. We ran under the A483 and we joined the Northbound B5445. We ran through Gresford, Marford and Rossett. We continued through Lavister and Belgrave and we joined the Northbound A483. We crossed over the A55 and we turned right into Heronsway where we got up got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture Arriva NW&W 1011 before it continued to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 1011 in Marleston

Once off the bus Matthew decided that he needed the toilet. We spotted a petrol station with a starbucks on the way in so we walked around the corner to Starbucks. matthew used the toilet and we brought a bottle of lemonade. When we had finihed we went out onto the main road and we saw an unidentified Lakeside coach going Northwards. We walked to the bus stop and we waited for the bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a cake. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 1002 on a #1 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1002 in Marleston

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Daysaver tickets under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Southwards down the A483 and we crossed over the A55. We veered left onto the B5445 and we headed Southwards through Belgrave and Lavister. We carried on through Rossett, Marford and Gresford. We crossed the Northern ring Road and we continued Aouthwards down the A5152 into town. We turned right to follow the A5152 and we turned left onto Rhosddu Road. We turned right onto King Street and we pulled up outside the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked along the King Street side of the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 2147 on a #11 to Minera.

Arriva NW&W 2147 in Wrexham bus station

As it was later in the day the bus station itself was closed. We walked around to the other side to see what was about before going back to the car. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 36315 on a #5 to Chester

Stagecoach Merseyside 36315 in Wrexham bus station

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 1000, which was on layover in between runs on the #1 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 1000 in Wrexham bus station

We set off on foot along Trinity Street and we turnmed right onto Rhosddu Road. We turned left by the library and we walked past the side of the library to the car, which mum had moved to the other car park. When we got to the car. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and we turned right onto Chester Street. We turned left to follow the road onto Holt Street and we turned right onto Market Street and we parked up in the car park. I went to the Everland Fish Bar and I brough Matthew sausage chips and gravy. When I had finioshed eating We rejoined Market Street and we turned right onto Holt Street and we ran out of town. We crossed the roundabout onto the A534 and at the next roundabout we continued along the A534. We ran though Llan Y Pwll and Barton. We continued through Clutton and we crossed the A41 at Broxton. We ran through Gallantry Bank and we joined the Southbound A49. We veered left onto the A534 and we ran through Burland. We turned left to follow the A534 and at the crossroads we continued onto the Eastbound A51. I was concious that Matthew hadn't been to the toilet for a while so I looked out for a pub. We passed Reeseheath College and we continued along the Nantwich Bypass. I spoted a pub at the roundabout with the A530, but I missed that the entrance to the car park was the left turn, so I turned around and headed back along the A51 and turned around at the next roundabout and came back again. We turned left onto the A530 and left into Alvaston Business Park. We stopped at the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards Matthew had a small glass of Coke. We got back into the and we set off back onto the A51. We joined the Eastbound A500 and we crossed over the railway line around Basford Hall. We ran forwards onto the single carriageway part of the A500 before crossing under the motorway and continuing along the A500. We ran through Talke, Longport and Etruria and we came off the A500 in Stoke. We ran forwards onto the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road. We stopped at uncle Dave's and Matthew helped uncle Rob finish off some Irn Bru. He also updated uncle Dave's calendar with the details of today's trip. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark