Trip to St Helens / Halewood 07-07-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3012	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
4602	St Helens BS	Prescot, Church Street	10A	Arriva NW&W
15	Prescot BS	Wavertree, Glynn Street	61	Halton Transport
49	Wavertree, Hey Green Road	Belle Vale Interchange (Stop B)	61	Halton Transport
4825	Belle Vale Interchange (Stop B)	Halewood Shopping Centre	79	Arriva NW&W
4565	Halewood, Leathers Lane (Stop C)	Belle Vale Interchange (Stop B)	79D	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. No research was done for this trip not even to check the weather, as it has been hot and sunny for a couple of weeks now. 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 had Matthew his toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready to go out. We set off around 11:45 onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthew Way. After passing the BET365 stadium, 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 we saw Swans Travel YN14 NRJ. As we travelled up to the M6 we saw coach hire DIW 1386, an unidentified Holmeswood coach, Alfa 86 & white minibus EN67 MWA. Matthew also lost his hat out of the window as we travelled up through Cheshire. At junction 20 we went Westbound along the M62. Seen on the M62 was taxi minibus YG16 AHB. 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. We turned left into Leigh Street and 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 and a burger on a bap with fries washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked to the bus station. We saw Arriva NW&W 2691 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2691 in Earlestown bus station

After a quick check of the car just to make sure the hat wasn't there, we saw a bus approaching. It was required Arriva NW&W 3012 on a #20 to Earlestown.

Arriva NW&W 3012 in Earlestown bus station

We got onto the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and went onto Market Street. We turned onto the A572 and we turned onto Vista Road. We ran North for around 3/4's of a mile and then we turned left onto the A599. We ran through new Boston into Haydock and we passed the Tesco superstore. We joined the A58 just outside of town and we ran into town and over the railway line along Corporation Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street and into the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3012 before it returned to Earlestown.

Arriva NW&W 3012 in St Helens bus station

We decided to have a walk around to see what was about before we caught another bus. We walked up to Corporation Street to see what was parked up on layover. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27155 about to work a #10A to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27155 in St Helens bus station

We walkd back through to the other side pf the bus staton and we saw preserved ex Southampton 187 on a tour running aong Bickerstaffe Street.

Southampton 187 in St Helens bus station

We went to the middle stands to see what we sould do towards liverpool and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27155 about to do a #10A. By the time Matthew had taken a picture the bus pulled off. Right behind it was Arriva NW&W 4602 on a #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in St Helens bus station

We decided to do this bus. We got on and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. A quick check of the buses I have travelled on page revaeled that this was dud. We had been on Arriva NW&W 4602 before when we did it from Belle Vale to Hunts Cross on a #89 back in September 2017. The bus set off out of the bus station through town. We went past the new Nando's and Cinema. We joined the A58 and we ran Westwards. 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 got off the bus by the stop opposite to Tickle Hall Cross. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4602 before it continued to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in Prescot

We turned down dud 4621 which was on the #89 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and we went to the Sun Inna and Matthew used the toilet. The England vs Sweden game was on the television and the score was still 0-0. We brought a can of Coke and we went outside to uncle Dave. We walked onto Church Street and into the bus station to wait for something going Westwards. The first bus due was Halton Transport 15 on the #61 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 15 in Prescot bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran down towards the shops and we passed Cumfybus ex Rotala Versa YJ61 JJO on a #139 service. We headed South down Sewell past the shops and forwards onto Hall Lane. We went forwards onto Cross Lane ans at the end we turned right onto Dragon Lane. We ran near to Whiston railwat station and then forwards onto Windy Arbour Road. We continued South over the M57/M62 and onto a large roundabout over the motorways. We turned right onto Tarbock Road and we went North past Huyton Industrial Estate where we saw an unidentified green Routemaster with an all over Crabbies advertisement which we believe to be RMC 1459. We turned right onto Meadow Drive and left onto Manor Farm Road. We turned right onto St John's Road and then left onto Huyton Hey Road. We turned left into Huyton bus station and we asked Matthew if he wanted to carry on a bit further and he said yes. We decided to go further in to Merseyside as far as Wavertree. We came out of the bus station and we turned left onto the B5199. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A5080. We crossed over the M62 and we ran parrallel to the motorway for anout a mile. Near to Broad Green we turned left onto Rocky Lane. We crossed over the A5058 onto Thingwall Road. At the end we turned right the B5178. We crossed over the roundabout onto Wavertree High Street and as we got towards the centre we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Halton Transport 15 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Halton Transport 15 in Wavertree

We turned and immediately we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27289 on a #204 to Liverpool. Across the roads we saw Arriva NW&W 5008 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Wavertree

We crossed over the road and we saw a shop by the bus stop. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a Flake and a carton of orange. We went outside to wait for the bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way and the carton of orange. A minute or so later we saw a Halton Transport bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Halton Transport 49 on a #14A to Runcorn.

Halton Transport 49 in Wavertree

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Wavertree High Street and fowards onto the B5178 into Childwall. We crossed over the Childwall 5 ways roundabout onto Childwall Valley Road and we continued for around 1 1/2 miles until we cam to the Belle Vale shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Halton Transport 49 as it carried on towards Runcorn.

Halton Transport 49 in Belle Vale

We decided to catch the next #79 to Halewood Shoping centre as oopsed to going further into Merseyside. We waited at the bus stop for a few minutes and then we saw a hybrid bus approaching. As we haven't had many Hybrids I thought that there would be a high chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4825 on a #79D to Halewood Shopping Centre.

Arriva NW&W 4825 in Belle Vale

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. This was a bus that we had been on from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Liverpool South Parkway back in June 2017. We set off along Childwall Valley Road. We followed the road around the 90' left hand turn into Netherley and we turned right onto Wood Lane. We continued onto Gerrards Lane and at junction we turned left onto Lydiates Lane. We turned riught onto Okell Drive and we ran around the housing estate. At the roundabout we turned right onto Church Road and into the old village. We turned right onto Baileys Lane and we crossed over the railway line. We turned right onto Leathers lane and by the shopping centre we turned left onto Hillingdon Avenue where the bus terminated. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4825.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4825

Once off the bus we walked around the corner onto Leathers Laneand into the retail park. At the bottom end we could see a line of Arriva double deckers on various services. We went down to the 3 buses stops in the shopping centre. We saw Selwyns LJ08 RJY on a #3A Huyton circular.

Selwyns LJ08 RJY in Halewood

Matthew decided he wanted the toilet so we went into Subway. After using the toilet we brought a bottle of Pepsi and a bottle of water. We walked up to stand C to wait for the next #79/79D to Belle Vale. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva NW&W 4827 on a #78 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4827 in Halewood

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4557 on a #75 to Liverpool One.

Arriva NW&W 4557 in Halewood

The bus pulled up from down the bottom end and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4565 on a #79D to Liverpool Dale Street.

Arriva NW&W 4565 in Halewood

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4565 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4565

We set off out of the shopping centre and we turned right onto Leathers Lane. We turned left onto Baileys Lane and we crossed over the railway line and ran into the the old village centre. We turned left onto Church Road and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Okell Drive. As we travelled up throught the estate we realised it was getting a bit late. Mum called to say she had finished in town so we arranged to meet up at Belle vale. We turned left onto Lydiate Lane and Right onto Gerrards Lane. We continued onto Wood Lane and at then end we turned left onto Childwall Valley Road. We followed the road through 90' and we ran towards the shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4565 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4565 in Belle Vale

Once off the bus we waited for mum to arrive and we took a few more bus pictures. We saw required Arriva NW&W 4600 on a #89 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4600 in Belle Vale

A few minutes later we saw required Halton Transport 69 on a #14A to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 69 in Belle Vale

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 4454 on a #79 to Halewood Shopping Centre.

Arriva NW&W 4454 in Belle Vale

Mum appeared and we got in the car. Matthew had a sausage roll and a can or orange Fanta. We set off along Childwall Valley Road and we ran into Netherley. We turned left into Whitefield Lane we saw silver minibus AK66 YZP. We continued into Tarbock village and we turned right onto the A5080. We joined the Eastbound M62 and we saw an unidentified Ashcroft's Travel coach. We ran up to Junction 10 and then we got onto the Southbound M6. Travelling South down the M6 we saw an unidentified Red Rose coach, an unidentified white Mercedes minibus, Alfa 106, silver taxi minibus PL08 JKO, 2 x unidentified Straffords coaches, an unidentified Anthony's Travel coach, foreign minibus HEL 177, an unidentified Omega1 coach. We ran down to junction 16 and we came off the motorway onto the Southbound A500. Seen on the A500 were Paul's of Stoke Y14 POS, preserved PMT 207, Stanways PIL 2678. We ran through Longport and Etruria aand Stoke. At Sideway we came off the A500 onto the A50. Seen on the A50 was grey minibus YM66 UBU. We came off the A50 and Longport and we went to Z carz to see what was parked up there this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground so we turned left into Willow Row. We saw Z Carz new minibus SJ61 OPK parked up near to the gate.

Z Carz SJ61 OPK in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz new minibus SA12 CKO.

Z Carz SA12 CKO in Longton

At the back of the compound was Z Carz Volkswaggen minibus OV05 WSW which is now VOR.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW in the corner of the new yard. We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We ran down Finstock Avenue and we stopped briefly for mum to pick up some baps. We continued down Finstock Avenue and we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had sauage baps followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

Trip to St Helens / Huyton 05-03-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2575	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2707	St Helens BS	Ashtons Green, opp Mount Pleasant Ave	31	Arriva NW&W
2976	Ashtons Green, adj Havannah Lane	Earlestown BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2496	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
4597	St Helens BS	Prescot, adj Church Street	10	Arriva NW&W
2980	Prescot BS	Huyton BS	89	Arriva NW&W
2713	Huyton BS	Prescot BS	89	Arriva NW&W
4620	Prescot, Adj Stanley Crescent	St Helens BS	10A	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit St Helens. After last weeks expense we decided to travel to an area where there was a multi-operator ticket. We checked the weather and it was was for mainly cloudy with an odd shower. We gave Matthew a list of destinations with Multi-operator tickets and from the list he chose St Helens. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 12:00 and we drove onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way, following D&G 33 which was on a #14 service to Hanley. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we went North onto the A500. We ran up to Wolstatnton where we came off the A500 to get some diesel. At the Wolstanton retail past we saw First Potteries 41514 on #97 service to Newcastle. After rejoining the A500 we made good time up to the M6. On the way North we saw silver minibus BK15 WBF. Intercity KX09 DGY, Stagecoach (Magic Bus) 17639 and an unidentified Kingsley's coach. We came off the M6 at Junction 22 where we went along the A49 link road to the A49 at Winwick. We went North into Newton and we stopped at the railwat station to get Saveaway Day Tickets. Whilst there we saw JR's Airport Express minibus YJ03 LVK dropping off passengers at the railway station.

JR's Airport Express YJ03 LVK in Newton-le-Willows

After getting the tickets we continued North up the A49 through Newton Village before turning left onto the A572. We continued West before entering Earlestown down Market Street. We parked up in the free shoppers car park so that we could heave dinner in Crumpets. Matthew had a breakfast and a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate we were entertain by some locals who sat on the table near to us. The little who was with them was handing these little flowers which one of the blokes thought were sweets. They were actually rubber pendants with metal ring on which thy could be threaded onto a necklace. The bloke proceeded to eat the pendant.much to everyone's amusement! when we had finished eating we walked down to the toilet block and Matthew used the toilets. We said goodbye to mum and we walked back to the bus station. As we turned the corner we saw required Arriva NW&W 2575 on a #34 to Earlestown.

Arriva NW&W 2575 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we headed onto the A572. We ran into town through Ashton Green and Parr and we came into the town centre along Corporation Street and over the railway line and then in Bickerstaffe Street. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2575.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2575

Once of the bus Matthew took a few pictures of buses in Bickerstaffe Street. One of the buses adjacent to the station station was dud Arriva NW&W 2978 which we had been on before from Golborne to Wigan last month.

Arriva NW&W 2978 in St Helens bus station

We also saw dud Arriva NW&W 2501, a bus we had from Nantwich to Crewe back in March 2011.

Arriva NW&W 2501 in St Helens bus station

We walked over to the Coporation Street side of the bus station and we saw that the tardis style toilet was out of order. We would have to go for a walk or catch a bus to somewhere else with a toilet. We noticed that required Arriva NW&W 2707 was about to work a #31 to Parr Stocks. Whilst we waited for the bus to come onto stand, we took a few pictures in Corporation Street. We saw Arriva NW&W 4602 on layover between #10's.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in St Helens bus station

Also on layover we saw Hatton's Travel Dart Y538 XAG.

Hatton's Travel Y538 XAG in St Helens bus station

A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W 2707 came on stand and whilst we waited to board Matthew took a picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 2707 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Corporation Street and over the railway onto the A58. We turned right onto the A572 and we ran out of town through Parr, before turning right onto Fleet Lane. Opposite to the The Duckeries we went around Concourse way, a small crescent of the lane where the bus stop is located. We got back onto Fleet lane and we continued East to Derbyshire Hill Road where we turned left. We traveled North for a few hundred yard before turning right onto Mcminnis Avenue. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2707.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2707

The bus turned left into Mount Pleasant Avenue and when we got to the end and turned right into Waring Avenue we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2707 as it carried on back towards St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2707 in Ashtons Green

Once off the bus we walked up Waring Avenue and onto the A572. As the toilet in St Helens was broken we decided to return to Earlestown where we knew there was a walking toilet. As we started walking towards the bus stop I spotted a bus in the distance approaching. I asked Matthew and uncle Dave if they were up for a run to try and catch the bus and they said yes. I Started running with Matthew and it looked like we might not make it. So I left Matthew jogging with uncle Dave and I sprinted ahead. I got to the bus stop with a few seconds to spare and a flagged the bus down. Matthew took a picture of required Arriva NW&W 2976 before we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 2976 in Ashtons Green

We flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver to the before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A572 and we ran the 2 or so miles into Earlestown along the A572 and Market Street. As we got closer to the bus station Matthew photographed the empty seats behind in Arriva NW&W 2978.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2976

The bus pulled up in the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2976 before it carried on towards Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2976 in Earlestown bus station

Behind the bus in the picture the building in the background it being refurbished and Matthew researched the fact that it is is being converted into a Wetherspoons! We walked along Tamworth Street to the toilet and Matthew used the facilities. When we had finished we walked back just in time to see required Arriva NW&W 2496.

Arriva NW&W 2496 in Earlestown bus station

A few years ago the #20 used to run forwards into the village, but now it seems to terminate here and go straight back to St Helens. The driver changed the display to St Helens and I asked Matthew it he wanted to do this Cadet and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We were doing quite well.. We were on bus #4 already and we had only been on the move for an hour and they were all required. The bus set off onto Market Street up to Vista Road. We headed North for around a mile up to new Boston and we turned left onto the A599. We ran through Haydock and in Blackbrook we turned left onto Park Street. At the end of Park Street we joined the A58 and we ran around 2 miles South West into St Helens. We ran into the town centre along Corporation Street and and the bus turned into Bickerstaffe Street where the bus emptied out. Matthew then took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2496.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2496

We decided it would be a good idea to go towards Prescot for the second half of the afternoon. We walked to the middle stands to wait for an Arriva NW&W double decker on the #10 or #10A. On the way we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27771 on their #10A service to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27771 in St Helens bus station

Across the way on Bickerstaff Street we saw required Arriva NW&W 2986 arrive in the bus station on a #320 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2986 in St Helens bus station

We also saw Halton Transport 15 about to work a #17 service to Widnes.

Halton Transport 15 in St Helens bus station

We also saw Hatton's Travel Enviro 200 MX61 KOD on a #28 Blackbrook - St Helens - St Helens Junction circular service.

Hatton's Travel MX61 KOD in St Helens bus station

Before the double decker came around onto the stand we saw required Arriva NW&W 2980 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport. The bus came around from off layover and it was required Arriva NW&W 4597.

Arriva NW&W 4597 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4597.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4597

The bus set off through the town centre and we joined the westbound A58. As we went past West Park Rugby club we saw a Selwyns coach. We carried on Westward along the A58 to the edge of Prescot and we went into town along St Helens Road and right into High Street. Near to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4597 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4597 in Prescot

Once the bus had gone off into the distance we walked around the corner into the bus station. On stand was HTL Buses Solo YJ11 EKK on a #139 to St Helens.

HTL Buses YJ11 EKK in Prescot bus station

A few minute later a #89 service turned up, and it was the same bus we saw leaving St Helens earlier, required Arriva NW&W 2980.

Arriva NW&W 2980 in Prescot bus station

We decided to do this bus to a new destination, Huyton. 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. The bus set off South through the town centre and past Tesco. We crossed over the M57 and we went South Westwards along Huyton Lane. After about a mile we turned left into lathom Road and we ran between a shopping centre and a large supermarket. At the end of the road was the bus station. There were around 7 stand with a large layover area next to the bus station by the railway line. When we got onto the stand we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2980.

Arriva NW&W 2980 in Huyton bus station

Once off the bus we asked a Merseytravel employee where the nearest public toilets were and they directed us to MacDonalds. Matthew used the toilets and we brought him a plain Cheeseburger and some fries. We walked back to the bus station we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 34805 which was on a #227 to Kirby.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34805 in Huyton bus station

As we were about to start eating we were politely asked by another Merseytavel employee not to take pictures. They suggested we could take picture from the car park adjacent to the bus station so we headed off to there. Between eating the burger and fries Matthew took a few pictures. We saw Cumfybus Solo MX06 YXV on a Halewood service.

Cumfybus MX06 YXV in Huyton bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 4655 on a #15 service to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4655 in Huyton bus station

We also saw required Halton Transport 50 on a #61 service.

Halton Transport 50 in Huyton bus station

A few minutes alter we saw required Arriva NW&W Volvo B10 2730 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 2730 in Huyton bus station

We were considering walking back over to the bus station to catch a #89 back towards St Helens. Just before we went we saw Cumfybus MX53 FDU on a #139 to Prescot.

Cumfybus MX53 FDU in Huyton bus station

We walked over to the bu station and we sat down at the stand to the St helens bound #89. A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2713 on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2713 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go to Prescot on this or St Helens and he said Prescot. The bus set off out of town and onto Huyton Lane. The bus emptied out a little so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2713.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2713

We came into Prescot from the South and when we came into the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2713 as it carried on towards St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2713 in Prescot bus station

Once off the bus we left the bus station and we headed for the Sun Inn on the corner. Matthew used the toilet and we purchased a can of Coke to takeaway. We then headed across the High Street to wait for the bus back to St Helens. We turned down Stagecoach Merseyside 27713 & 27719 which were both on #10A service. We hoped that the next arivva bus was going to be a #10 and not a #10A so we would get back quicker. Matthew shared a double Milky way with me and uncle Dave whilst we waited for the bus. A few minutes later we saw an Arriva double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4620 on a #10A.

Arriva NW&W 4620 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver for the final time today, before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4620.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4620

The bus set off up the High Street and we went straight onto the A57. We ran South Eastwards out of town past Whiston Hospital and down towards Rainhill railway station. we turned left onto Rainhall Road and we went North towards Thatto heath. We crossed the railway and we went North to the A58. At the junction we turned right and we ran into the Western end of St Helens. After running though the shopping centre of town and we passed the town hall before running in along Bickerstaffe Street and Corporation Street. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4620.

Arriva NW&W 4620 in St Helens bus station

Before we headed back to the car we took a few more pictures. On layover was Arriva NW&W 2719.

Arriva NW&W 2719 in St Helens bus station

As we walked back to the car we saw dud Ex Winsford cadet Arriva NW&W 2500 on a #33 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2500 in St Helens bus station

We got back to the car and mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew also had a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off in the car along Corporation Street and over the railway line. We joined the eastbound a58 which we did to Parr before turning right onto the A572. We ran the few miles past Earlestown and into Newton and we turned right onto the A49. We ran down to the A49 link road and we took the link over to the M6 Junction 22. We headed South and in Cheshire we were caught up by Brighton & Hove coach 502 heading South.

Brighton & Hove 502 on the M6

Presumably it was taking fans home from Brighton's away trip to Preston. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we went south down the A500. At Sideway we went East up the A50 towards Longton were we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There were only 3 buses on the spare ground tonight, all park quite far back. The closest bus to the road was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row and the compound was packed tonight. At the front was Z Carz Ford minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

we headed back onto the A500 and we crossed the main road to go to the Tesco petrol station to take on some more diesel. Once we had topped up we got back onto the A50 and we went west to Heron Cross. We passed through Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:15. for a let tea we had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark