Trip to Hanley / Stafford 23-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67151	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
35933	Hanley BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
35936	Stafford BS	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
67172	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6A	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We saw Shelton Care Group YP70 JYJ outside. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and we cut through onto City Road and we saw Afford rent-a-car DY21 HXH outside there yard. We stood at the bus stop and we waited we saw First Potteries 67147 on a #11 to Newcastle. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was First Potteries 67151 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we joined the A52 and ran under the railway line. After crossing over the A500 we ran into Stoke town centre along Church Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Elenora Street and right onto Copeland Street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we ran under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. After stopping briefly outside the railway station we turned right onto College Road and We turned left onto Avenue Road and we turned right onto Snow Hill. We turned left and ran up Broad Street. We turned right onto the ring road and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up to the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we waited for a bus to Stafford. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 35933 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 35933 in Hanley bus station

We got on and we booked to Stafford before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off through the bus station and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned right onto Shelton New Road and we saw Cabability minibus DG17 UYM parkd up at their depot. We ran down through Etruria an up into Hartshill before joining the A52. We ran into Newcastle down George Street. We joined the one way system and we turned left on the roundabout onto Barracks Road. As we got to the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we ran down through Trent Vale and into Hanford. We continued down through to Trentham and then we got onto the fast section of the A34. We ran through Tittensor to Darlaston and past the roundabout where the new KFC has been built. We continued down to the North end of Stone. We Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. After going around the one-way system and onto Stafford Road. We crossed over the A34 onto Eccleshall Road. We turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We saw former Wolverhampton Council minibus WX05 GDZ. We rejoined the A34 at the roundabout where the A51 goes Eastwards and we ran Southwards through the fast section on the A34 to the A513 roundabout. We ran the last couple of miles into town down the A34 onto Foregate Street and we turned right onto Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over Chell Road and we set off past the old Wilko now Poundland and we turned right onto Gaolgate Street. We continued through the Market Square and forwards onto Greengate Street and we crossed over the bridge. We stopped at a pub and Matthew had a chickenburger and fries washed down with a glass of Coke. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a chocolate fudge cake and custard. when we had finished we walked down Bridge Street and forwards onto Greengate Street. We walked to the North end and we stopped ar Starbucks. Matthew had an orange juice. We then crossed the market Square onto Gaolgate Street and we turned right Chell Road and we waited for a bus back to Newcastle. After we crossed the road to Sainsbury's. Once out of the car we went into the supermarket and we brought a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we crossed over the road. When we had finished we walked back along Chell Road and we entered the we saw Select Bus 25 on a #9 to Highfields.

Select Bus 25 in Stafford bus station

Across the road we saw Select Bus 14 on #12 to Doxey.

Select Bus 14 in Stafford bus station

A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 35936 on a #101 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we flashed The Knot ticket to the driver before. We left the bus station onto the A34 and we ran Northwards to the edge of town. Due to roadworks on the A34 roundabout we turned left onto the M6 link road and at the first roundabout we did a 180' turned and rejoined the A34. We continued up the fast section of the A34 to the edge of Stone and then we turned left onto the industrial estate. We ran around the estate and onto Tiling Drive. We turned right onto Eccleshall Road and we crossed the A34 onto Stafford Road. We turned left onto Crown Street and we stopped at the main stop in Stone. We ran North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the Northbound A34. We ran Morth through Meaford and Tittensor and up into Trentham. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we past the City General hospital before going into Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station we saw First Potteries 63103 on a #4A to Talke Pits. We continued along onto Barracks Road and we crossed the roundabout onto the A53 and we went onto the one-way system on the A52. We veered left onto George Street and at the roundabout we went onto Shelton New Road. We crossed over the A500 and we ran up to Snow Hill. We ran up Broad Street and we turned right onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street. We climbed the hill and up into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 35936.

First Potteries 35936 in Hanley bus station

We left the bus station and we walked up LIchfield Street. We walked down Tontine Street and onto Tontine Square past the HSBC bank onto Piccadilly. We turned left onto Pall mall and we walked past radio stoke and onto Lichfield Street. We returned to the bus station and we waited for a bus back towards Fenton. A few minutes later we saw it was First Potteries 67172 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 67172 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. One off the bus we set off on foot onto City Road and we turned left onto Glebedale Road and we continued onto Station Bridge Road. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we passed First Potteries 67152 on a #23 to Hanley. We waited for a taxi and we went to cineworld in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road and we ran forwards onto Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road and we headed down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto Lichfield Street. We joined the anti-clockwise ring road and we ran around to Town Road. We headed towards Birches Head and we joined the Northbound A5272. We ran through Sneyd Green and up to Smallthorne roundabout. We continued onto High Lane and we ran to the end. We turned right onto the A527 and down the hill to Fegg Hayes. We turned right onto Chell Heath Road and we ran through Chell Heath past Matthew's old School which has been demolished and is going to be a new retirement complex. We continued through Bradeley and at the end of the road we turned left onto Ford Green Road and up into Norton. We turned left into Saint Nicholas Avenue and we past old Children's Centre. We then set off back to the residential unit. We came out of the estate along St Nicholas Avenue and we turned right onto Ford Green Road. We ran to the bottom of the hill and ran up through Smallthorne to the roundabouts. We turned left onto the A5272 and we headed through Sneyd Green and to the edge of Hanley. We ran clockwise around the ring road and we turned left onto Lichfield Street. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we went across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Manor Street. We turned right onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out on his computer. We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hill into Stoke and we joined the A52. We ran under the railway line and we crossed over the A500. We ran into Stoke town centre and around the one-way system. We turned left onto London Road and we ran through the West End to Oakhill. We ran past the former Oak Tree pub and into Trent Vale. We turned right onto the A34 and we stopped at the pub. Matthew had Sausage, egg beans and chips with bacon and 2 oatcakes washed down with a glass of Coke. for dessert Matthew had toffee sponge pudding and custard. We got in the car and we set off onto the A34. We turned left onto London Road and we ran through Oak Hill and the the West End before running into Stoke Town centre and Campbell Place and onto the one way system. We followed the one-way system to the left onto Church Street and we veered left onto Liverpool Road. We veered right onto Elanora street and we followed the road to the right onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one way-system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and we ran forwards onto City Road. We went under the railway line and we ran up City Road into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and to his room to chill out. He watched television and used his computer. Later on he had a bath. After his bath he had some toast for supper. He chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to the POPS rally 24-06-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
JTF 218F	Bet 365 Stadium	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Stanton's of Stoke
JTF 218F	Stone, Crown Street	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Stanton's of Stoke
2599	Bet 365 Stadium	Trentham Gardens	Special	Ulsterbus
2599	Trentham Gardens	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Ulsterbus
14	Bet 365 Stadium	Trentham, A34 adjacent Gardens	Special	Stevesons
DVG 266	Trentham, A34 adjacent Gardens	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Crosville
312	Bet 365 Stadium	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Green Bus
312	Stone, Crown Street	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Green Bus

Today was the highlight of Matthew's social calender, the main POPS rally at the BET 365 stadium. There was no research to be done as we did not know what buses would be in attendance or the timetable being used until we arrived on site. The weather was forcast for fine sunny weather all day. Matthew got up 08:00 and was bouning around with excitment. Uncle Dave who stopped over ready for today's trip made him soem toast and gave him some orange juice for breakfast. Matthew had to wait until gone 10:30 before I returned home from work. We made some sandwiches and packed a bag and we jumped into the car. It was only a 2 mile trip or so to the BET365 stadium. We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. At the other end we turned left at the roundabout by the stadium and we parked up as direct by the stewads in front of the West Stand. We set off up the car park and onto the service road in from of the staium and headed towards the Boothen end behind which all the buses were parked up. As we got to the corner we saw Invincible coach NTU 191L arriving on site.

Invincible NTU 191L in BET365 Stadium

At the corner of the site were a group of stalls. Supporting one of the stalls was WM BUses Leyland Lynx 1266

WM Travel 1266 in BET365 Stadium

We decided to go around and take picture of as many of the buses as we can before we did anything else. We set off up the row and we saw Blackpool Transport Leylane Atlantean 353.

Blackpool Transport 353 in BET365 Stadium

Further up the row was ex PMT Leyland Olympian 757 which has be re-painted back into the colour it was delivered in back in the late 1980's.

PMT 757 in BET365 Stadium

Towards the top end of the row we saw Bassetts Leyland coach JRE 354V.

Bassetts JRE 354V in BET365 Stadium

Towards the top end of the row was ex National Express West Midlands Plaxton President 4112, now 312 in the Green Bus fleet.

Green Bus 312 in BET365 Stadium

We said hell to the ice cream man who is our own ice cream man, and we went to the top end of the site where there more coaches and buses parked up. We saw Stanton's of Stoke new coach 222 GGX in this row.

Stanton's of Stoke 222 GGX in BET365 Stadium

whilst we were up there we saw Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F going out on a short run.

Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F in BET365 Stadium

We walked down the back end of the site and down the row of buses and coaches. We saw dud GM Buses Leyland coach 81 there.

GM Buses 81 in BET365 Stadium

Also in the row was First Potteries newest vehicle 67159.

First Potteries 67159 in BET365 Stadium

Towards the bottom of the site were the Copeland's Tours coaches. One of the 4 Bovas on show was Copeland's Tours coach MIB 746.

Copeland's Tours MIB 746 in BET365 Stadium

At the very bottom of the site was Orion Travel tri-axle coach OR10 NTX.

Orion Travel OR10 NTX in BET365 Stadium

We found the control bus and we brought a program for the event at £3. We walked up towards the middle of the site and we saw Midland General Bristol 148.

Midland General 148 in BET365 Stadium

Further up the site was required Crosville DVG 266 which had just arrived back on site.

Crosville DVG 266 in BET365 Stadium

We walked up the side of the Botthen end where there were more stalls and we went inside so Matthew could use the toilet. He also went to see Dave Spencer on the PMP Video stall and he brought a DVD. We went outside and we sat down for a short while whilst we worked out what buses we could do. there din't seem to be much out that we hadn't already had Crosville DVG 266 was due to work at some point as was Blackppol Transport 225 and the Orion Travel coach. Everything else was the same as usually work at most of the local rallies. We saw Green Bus 312 about to depart on a Trentham Gardens service so we walked down towards it and it pulled off as we got there. The next one off was the 12:30 was booked to be Prentice of Haddington MFS 444P. It was a bus I could remember seeing today and I guess it was one that didn't make it today, as the bus was replaced by Stanton's of Stoke open-topped double decker JTF 218F. We decided to do this bus as we hdn't been on it for a while. We got on the bus and we went upstiars. One of Matthew's old bus escorts was on board but he didn't seem to keen to chat! We set off onto Stanley Matthews way and we ran to the Southern end. We turned right onto the A5035 and we ran into Trentham and the roundabout on the A34. We turned left onto the A34 and we had a spirited run past the Monkey Forest and through Tittensor. We continued down to Darlaston and we ran past Stone through the Fillybrooks before turning left onto Stafford Street and then left onto Crown Street where we stopped. We got off and we took a picture of Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F.

Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F in Stone

We decided to go back North on Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F. When we got back on people on the top deck had spaced out so we had to go downstairs. The bus set off Back North up Newcastle Road and onto the A34. As we passed the Monkey Forest roundabout we saw Stanton's of Stoke double decker WSV 530 which had worked a duplicate Trentham service. We carried on North up to Trentham before taking the A5035 back to Stanley Matthew Way. As we ran down Stanley Matthews Way we passed required Blackpool Transport 225 on the 13:15 to Trentham Gardens. We turned left at the roundabout and then into the Stadium. Once we got back we walked back to the car and grabbed the supplies for the packed lunch. We ate cocktail sausage and we made up manwiches with baps and slices of chicken. We also went into the Boothen end and we got a couple of bottles of Tango Orange between us. Once we had finished eating we looked for something to catch back. We spotted Ulsterbus 2599 which was about to work a duplicate service to Trentham Gardens, so we decided to do that.

Ulsterbus 2599 in BET365 Stadium

We got on the bus and we sat down near to the front on the right hand side. The bus set off out of the stadium and onto the Southbound Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the A5035 and we headed into Trentham. We carried on to the end of the road where we crossed over the A34 and went into the main entrance of the gardens. We turned left past Frankie and Benny's and we circled around the car park to the coach drop off point. We got off the bus to take another picture of Ulsterbus 2599.

Ulsterbus 2599 at Trentham Gardens

We got on the bus and at the roundabout we turned right onto the A34. We ran down to the Monkey Forest roundabout and we did a U-turn. We ran back up North and as there was nobody waiting at the lay-by at the top end we carried on to the roundabout. We turned right at the roundabout and the bus headed back onto the A5035. We turned left onto Stanley Matthews and we ran back to the stadium. As we apporached the roundabout we passed Orion Travel OR10 NTX going the other way. As we had missed the 14:30 to Stone we went into the Boothen end and used the toilet again. We went outside to see what was on the 14:45 to Trentham. It was booked to be Crosville DVG 155, but Stevenson 14 turned up to work the service.

Stevensons 14 in BET365 Stadium

We decided to do this bus anyway, so we got on and we sat down near the front on the right hand side. The bus set off out of the stadium and onto the Southbound Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the A5035 and we headed into Trentham. We carried on to the end of the road where we turned left onto the A34. We ran down to the Monkry Forest roundabout where we did a u-turn and headed back up the A34. Towards the top end of the stretch at the back of the Premier Inn, we pulled over into the layby, passing required Crosville DVG 266 going the other way. We got off the coach and we took another picture of Stevensons 14.

Stevensons 14 in Trentham

It occur to us that if the other bus stopped, we could transfer over on to it. We waited at the back end of the coach waiting for the double decker to come into sight. The bus appeared from around the corner and we stuck a hand out to flag it down. To our relief the bus did dtop and Matthew got a picture of Crosville DVG 266 as it pulled up.

Crosville DVG 266 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off onto the Northbound A34 and we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Blurton and we turned left into Stanley Matthews Way. We ran down to the stadium and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Crosville DVG 266.

Inside Crosville DVG 266

The bus had got back quite early so we had time to go to the toilet and Matthew also brough a few pictures from one of the stalls. We were expecting a run on ex PMT Olympian, but the driver was nowhere to be seen. Ulsterbus 2599 went down to the stop first which was a little disappointing, but behind that was required Green Bus 312, which we decided to do.

Green Bus 312 in BET365 Stadium

We got on the bus and the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Green Bus 312.

Inside Green Bus 312

We set off onto Stanley Matthews way and we ran to the Southern end. We turned right onto the A5035 and we ran into Trentham and the roundabout on the A34. We turned left onto the A34 and as we ran Southwards we overtook Ulsterbus 2599 which was chugging away considerable slower than we were. We went past the Monkey Forest and through Tittensor. We continued down to Darlaston and we ran past Stone through the Fillybrooks before turning left onto Stafford Street. As we past West Bridge Park fitness centre wher they are building a new leisure centre. We continued along Stafford Road and we turned left onto Crown Street. We got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet even though he had only just been. Behind us was First Potteries 67154 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Stone

Eventually, Ulsterbus 2599 arrived at the stop and passengers transferred between the 2 buses. We decided to have another run on Green Bus 312 so we got back on and went upstairs again. The bus set off Back North up Newcastle Road and onto the A34. we continued past the Monkey Forest and up the A34. We carried on North up to Trentham before taking the A5035 back to Stanley Matthew Way. As we ran down Stanley Matthews Way and then into the Stadium. Once we got off the bus we had a quick walk around and took a few more picture before we went home. One of the bus had driven down to pick uo the support stall and nit's contents. Matthew took another picture of GM Buses 2032.

GM Buses 2032 in BET365 Stadium

We set off back towards the car and we took took a few pictures of the bus arrvng and leaving the site. We saw PMT Bristol VRT 604 which was on the 16:30 to Hanley.

PMT 604 in BET365 Stadium

Also seen was the award winning Robin Hood coach RIB 8289 that won the Michael Burns Memorial Trophy.

Robin Hood RIB 8289 in BET365 Stadium

We retruned to the car and we set off up to Stanley Matthews Way and over the A50. We ran up to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We dropped uncle Dave off and Matthew went in to add a few dates to his calender. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we ran back up to Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We saw Lightning Travel MX54 VVF at the lightning house and we continued into Blurton. We veered right onto Church Road and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Finstock Avenue and we saw Z Carz PE10 MJK parked up in it's usual spot. We got home around 17:00. Matthew watched his new DVD and we uploaded the new pictures online. We continued to write Blog enterries for earlier in the week. For a late tea we had a fishfinger sandwich washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Later on Matthew had a bath and we continued to write Blog enteries. When mum got back we went to bed around 01:00... Mark.

Trip to St Helens / Old Swan 20-01-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2981	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2962	St Helens BS	Eccleston, Broadway	37	Arriva NW&W
2939	Eccleston, Bleak Hill Road	St Helens BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4614	St Helens BS	Old Swan, Belfast Road	10A	Arriva NW&W
4690	Old Swan, Chilcott Road	Hunts Cross station, Stop F	81	Arriva NW&W
4608	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We checked the weather for today and it was for cold snowy weather clearing up in the afternoon. The weather seemed to be better in the North West. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from the North Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose St Helens. Matthew got up around 10:00 and got ready to go out. We set off around 11:30 and we realised that we had forgotten to give Matthew his toast and orange juice. We ran onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthew Way. We passed D&G Bus 33 on a #14 to Stafford. Outside the BET365 stadium we passed Linburg coach IIG 7842. We joined the Westbound A50 which we did down to Sideway and then we joined the Northbound A500. We ran up to Wolstanton and then we came off to get petrol at Asda. After topping up with petrol we re-joined the Northbound A500. AS we headed up towards the motorway we saw Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU. We joined the Northbound M6 at junction 16 and today the road was relative clear. It was probably the poor weather that was keeping many from venturing out. As we travelled Northwards we saw an unidentified City Circle coach, red minibus reg like PN60 TWN, an unidentified JAK Travel coach, 7 unidentified Stott's coaches (presumably on the way to the BET365 with Huddersfield fans) and unidentified Redline coach. We came off the M6 onto the Westbound M62 and we ran to the next junction. We came off the M62 and we went Northwards up the A49 to Newton-le-Willows. We stopped the the railway station to buy Saveaway tickets and then we continued into Earlestown. At the mini roundabout we turned left onto the A572 and we ran for a couple of miles before we turned shap left onto Market Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto Tamworth Street and we went past the bus station on Lord Street. We turned right onto Leigh Street and after turning the car around we parked outside The Nine Arches pub. We went into the pub and Matthew used the toilets. Once we had been to the facilities mum went to the bar to order the food. Matthew had a chicken fillet on a bap with fries washed down with a glass of Coke. He also helped to eat 1/2 of my chicken burger. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum. We went outside to the bus station and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2900 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2900 in Earlestown bus station

As there wasn't a st helens bound bus we returned briefly to the car to drop something off and pick up a pack of tissues. We went into the bus station to wait for the next bus to St Helens. Whilst we waited we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2972 on a #34A to Acorn Street. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2981 on a #34 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2981 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto St John Street. We went through the housing estate to the West of the bus station before coming out on the A572. We ran West and into to St Helens through Parr and past the community fire station. Just outside of town we joined the A58. We turned right onto Corporation Street and we ran over the railway line by St Helens Central before entering the bus station along Bickerstaffe Street. Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2981 before it returned to Acorn Street on a #34A service.

Arriva NW&W 2981 in St Helens bus station

Once we let the bus go we had a look around to see what we could catch next. It was raining lightly and we wanted to catch another bus quickly to get out of the weather. As we went to loo at was was going of the middle stands we saw Halton Transport 10 departing on a #17 to Widnes.

Halton Transport 10 in St Helens bus station

On the middle stands we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4603 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport and dud Arriva NW&W 4612 on a #10A to LIverpool. As we were considering catching one of these buses Matthew spotted required Arriva NW&W 2962 on a #37 to Eccleston.

Arriva NW&W 2962 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station along Bickerstaffe Street and forwards onto Cotham Street. We turned right onto Baldwin Street and we stopped to pick up more passengers. We crossed over The Landings and we continued onto Duke Street. We continued out of town for around 1/4 of a mile and we joined the westbound A570. As we travelled towards Dentons Green the road split into two creating a small one-way system. At the top end of the one-way system we turned left into Kiln Lane. As we turned the corner we saw Arriva NW&W 2493 on a #38 to St Helens. We ran for around 1/2 mile and we turned left onto Millbrook Lane into the centre of the village. We crossed over Broadway onto Springfield Lane and we turned right onto Walmesley Road. At the end of the road it seemed like a good place to get up and get off the bus. The bus was now empty so Matthew to a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2962.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2962

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2962 before it returned to St Helens on the #37 service.

Arriva NW&W 2962 in Eccleston

I had checked the time table so I knew the next #37 wasn't for nearly 30 minutes. We went into the one stop shop and Matthew had a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars and some Digestives biscuits. Once we had finished shopping we went outside and we tried to work out if the #38 service was in walking distance so we could get back into town a little quicker. Using nextbuses.mobi we were able to work out the #38 passed around the corner of Bleak Hill Road and Kiln Lane. Using the map we set off onto Broadway and we turned right onto Gunning Avenue. At the end we crossed over and we got a little disoriented. We stood at the wrong stop and the timetable said the next bus was a #37. A quick check of the map and we needed to be on the stop around the corner on Kiln Lane. We also saw Arriva NW&W 2493 going to other way around the corner towards Rainford. A few minutes later the bus came around the corner and it was required Arriva NW&W 2939 on a #38 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2939 in Eccleston

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Kiln Lane and we ran to the end where we turned right onto the A570. We ran around the one-way system before the two carriageways joined up further South. As we ran towards town we passed a single decker on the following #37 service to Eccleston. We continued onto Duke Street and we crossed over The Landings onto Baldwin Street. We turned left onto Cotham Street and we ran forwards onto Bickerstaffe Street. As we ran towards the bus station we passed pink Arriva NW&W 4438 on a #10 to Liverpool. we turned onto Corporation Street and we ran past the buses on layover where we saw Arriva NW&W 3014 on a #31 to Parr Stocks. We turned right onto hall Street and we turned right into the middle stands of the bus station. We got off the bus and we had a look a round to see what we could catch. On Bickerstaffe Street was Halton Transport 14 on a #17 to Widnes.

Halton Transport 14 in St Helens bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 2580 on a #329 to Warrington. In the middle stands we saw required Arriva NW&W 4614 on a #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4614 in St Helens bus station

We decided to do the double decker so we got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4614.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4614

The bus set off out of the bus station through town following Hatton's Dart N60 RFL. We went past the new Nando's and Cinema. We joined the A58 and we ran Westwards. We followed a black minibus with reg like YY63 KYT going out of town. before we turned off the main road to head towards Thatto Heath down Lugsmore Lane. We continued South through Nutgrove and over the railway line at Rainhill. Here we joined the A57 for the run towards Prescot. We passed Whiston hospital and we went around the town to the North. We decided to go further East on the service that we had ever done before in order to explore a new section of Merseyside. We ran forwards onto the A58 and we crossed over the M57. We continued a further mile or so into Page Moss. We travelled along the dual carriageway for a further mile or so and we entered the Dovecot area and we continued for another mile past Alder Hay hospital and into the bustling region of old Swan by the out ring road. We crossed the ring road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4614 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4614 in Old Swan

As we hadn't research this area I had quickly looked up where we could intersect with other bus service that we were familiar with. A quick look on the map revealed that we could go onto the ring road and catch either a #81 or #81A down towards Hunts Cross. We walked back to the ring road and then we preceded to cross over which was quite a mammoth task. As we crossed over we saw Avon Buses 354 come off the ring road and go eastwards along the A57 towards Page Moss. Eventually we crossed over the road and we saw a Southbound #81A. We ran down the road to try and catch it but we were able to get to the bus stop quick enough which was around 200 yards down the road! We checked the bus stop and there was another Hunts Cross bound bus due in just over 10 minutes. Whilst we waited for that bus we saw Avon Buses 354 return Southwards on a #204 to Dingle Mount.

Avon Buses 354 in Old Swan

Around 5 minutes later as expected we saw another bus approaching from across the other side of the A57. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4690 on a #81 to Speke Morrisons.

Arriva NW&W 4690 in Old Swan

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set of down the ring road and we ran southwards towards Broadgreen. instead of continuing along over the fly over the bus diverts down onto the roundabout below where we saw Arriva NW&W 4661 on a #68 to Aigburth Vale. We rejoined the A5058 and we ran South into Childwall. At Childwall Fiveways we ran onto Childwall Prior Road. We ran forwards onto Childwall Park Avenue and at the roundabout we went left onto Woolton Road. We ran forwards for another 1/2 mile and then we came back into familiar teritory as we passed Gateacre Brow where the #89 turns towards Belle Vale. We continued along the road into Woolton and we ran forwards for a further mile into Hunts Cross. I was hoping the the bus would stopped near the the railway station but the bus turned right onto the A562 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4690 as it carried on towards Speke Morrisons.

Arriva NW&W 4690 in Hunts Cross

Once of the bus we crossed over Woodend Avenue and the the A562 and we saw village taxi minibus MJ65 VUB. We went to the shell petrol station and Matthew used the toilet. Once Matthew came out after around 10 minutes we brought a can of Coke and a Bounty. Once we had finished in the garage we walked across to the main road and we crossed over Speke Road. Wewaited at the bus stop for a #89 back to St Helens. We didn't have to wait long before we saw an #89 service approaching in the distance. As it came closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4608 on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4608 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day tickets to the driver for the final time before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4608.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4608

We ran North up Speke Road into Woolton and we continued forwards the B5171. We followed the road to the right onto Gateacre Brow and we ran down the hill towards Belle Vale. We called at the Belle vale bus station where we saw EU08 FHD on a #3 to Huyton. We left the bus station and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road and we ran north under the M62 and forwards onto Wheat Hill Road. At the end we turned left onto the B5080 and we ran North West up to the Crofters Arms. At the roundabout we turned right onto the B5199 before turning right into Huyton Bus station. We sat outside for a brief moment near to the bingo hall before continuing onto the stand. After loading up we ran north up Lathom Road and onto Huyton Lane. We crossed under the M57 and we turned right onto Carr Lane. We ran into Prescot from the South and into the bus station. The bus set off out of town along the A57 down to the hospital where we turned left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58. We continued along the A58 and we passed through the town before circling around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we could enter the bus station from the East end. When we got onto corporation Street we straight through onto Hall Street and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We walked back onto hall Street and we turned left onto Corporation Street up to the line of buses on layover. We saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27714 in between runs on the #10A to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27714 in St Helens bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 4596 about to work a #10A back to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4596 in St Helens bus station

We walked along Corporation Street and we met up with mum. Once we got in the car Matthew had a small sausage roll from the Pound Bakery and a bottle of irn Bru. Mum wasn't able to get the usual sausage rolls from Greggs as they had run out. The small Pound Bakery sausage roll came with a carton of juice and a cake for a £1. We set off along Corporation Street and we joined the Eastbound A58. On the edge of town we turned right onto the A572 we continued through Parr and out of the Western edge of St Helens and we ran into Earlestown. We continued to the North of the town centre and we turned right onto the A49. Just South of Newton village before newton-le-Willows railway station we passed Network Warrington 104 on a #22 to Vulcan. We continued Southwards to Winwick and we turned left onto the dual carriageway. We had a sligh issue in the back seat so we stopped at a lay-by to sort this out. Uncle Dave though some rubbish in the bin in the layby and whilst we were there we saw BSS coaches C17 BSS go past. Once we had sorted the problem out we continued along the A49 to the M6. We got onto the South M6 and we ran down to junction 16. As we travelled South we saw an unidentified NPC Coaches coach. We came off the M6 onto the Southbound A500 and we ran down to Sideway. We went Eastwards along the A50 as far as Longton and then we came off it. We went over to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground but we saw Lucky Seven minibus PE61 HHL parked in their yard. We turned left into Willow Row. The only thing visible in the compound this evening was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran up the Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home around 19:30. When we got back we downloaded photos off camera, wrote e-mails and worked on the Blog. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a few Cornflake cakes. Later on we chilled out and watched television. I took uncle Dave home and Matthew chilled out on the sofa. later on Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark.