Trip to Warrington / Penketh 11-04-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
221	Warrington Interchange	Penketh, Red Lion	32	Network Warrington
217	Penketh, Greystone Road	Warrington Interchange	14	Network Warrington
303	Warrington Interchange	Orford, Winwick Road College	21	Network Warrington
304	Orford, Winwick Road College	Warrington Interchange	21	Network Warrington
225	Warrington Interchange	Winwick, B&Q(Adj)	19	Network Warrington
224	Winwick, B&Q(Opp)	Warrington Interchange	19	Network Warrington
302	Warrington Interchange	Penketh, Red Lion	32	Network Warrington

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew also Originally we had planned on going to Whitby today but the trip was canceled due low numbers. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

So we decided to go to Warrington. After get ready we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Glebedale Road. We turned left onto City Road. We ran over the railway line and then we turned went Forwards onto the A52. We went under the railway line and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 at junction 20 and we headed Northwards up the A50. We ran Northwards through Grappenhall and Latchford and we ran into Warrington. After crossing over the Mersey we turned left into Bridgefoot. We turned right into Winmarleigh Street and at the end we turned right into Sankey Street. We turned left into Leigh Street and we missed the entrance of the car park so we went around again. We turned left onto the A57, left onto Crosfield Street and back onto Sankey Street. Once we got back to the Golden Square shopping centre car park we parked up and afterwards walked through the shopping centre past the bowling alley. We carried on through the shopping centre into Old Market Place. We through into the pedestrianised centre of the town and We carried on to the cafe where we had planned to eat, the Hideaway Cafe. Matthew used the toilet whilst mum ordered his food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we set off onto Buttermarket and we turned left onto Scotland Road. We continued onto Winwick Street and we decided to do a lap of the bus station and take a few pictures. We saw Network Warrington 303 on layover. At the West end of the bus station we saw Network Warrington 88 on a #20 to Orford. We walked into the bus station and we had a look around to see what we could catch. Almost immediately we saw Network Warrington 221 on a #32 Widnes. We got on the bus and we booked Network Warrington Day tickets at £5.95 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we went under the bus station before turning left onto Leigh Street. We turned right onto Sankey Street and we ran forwards onto Liverpool Road. We crossed over the railway line and at the roundabout we turned left onto Old Liverpool Road. We ran for around 1/2 mile through Sankey Bridges and we turned left onto the A562. We ran for around 1/2 mile into Penketh and we turned right into Greystone Road. As we travelled North we passed Network Warrington on a #14 to Warrington. We turned left onto Meeting Lane and at the end we turned left into Stocks Lane. We turned right onto Farnworth Road and at the roundabout we continued Westwards along the A562. where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked over to the Co-operative food store opposite. It was quite a large Co-op store, probably the biggest we have been to in recent history. Matthew chose a can of Coke and some Angel Slices as well as a couple of chocolate bars, one of which was to give to mum for mothers day. Once we had finished shopping we walked back along the A562 Eastwards for around 1/4 of a mile back to the turning where the #16 and #14 emerge from. As we got to the stop we saw Arriva NW&W 3140 on a #110 to Warrington. We stopped at the bus stop and we saw we had around 10 minutes to wait for the next #14. Whilst we waited Matthew ate one of the twin packs of Angel Slices. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching along Greystone Road. As it got closer we saw that it was required Network Warrington 217. We go on the bus and we flashed the Network Warrington Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A562 and after around 1/2 mile we turned right into Liverpool Road. We through Sankey Bridges and forwards onto Liverpool Old Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A5061. We crossed over the railway line just North of Warrington Bank Quay railway station, and we ran forwards onto Sankey Street. We turned left onto Legh Street and we turned right under the shopping centre and through the tunnel into the interchange. Once we got off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Once he had used the facilities we looked around for a bus to catch. We saw Network Warrington 84 on a #20 to Orford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Warrington Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the bus station and turned around to head back onto Winwick Street. We went under the railway line past Warrington Central station and we saw taxi minibus MEZ 5947 in front of us. At the roundabout we veered right onto Pinners Brow. We crossed over the A49 onto Orford Lane and we followed the road around a right hand bend. We turned left onto Orford Avenue and we followed the road to the right onto Norris Street. We turned left onto Hallifelds Road. We continued along Hallifields Road and turned right onto Smiths Drive. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A50 and right onto Poplars Avenue. We ran the entire length of the Avenue which is about a mile long and we followed the road around a left hand bend onto Cotswold Road. We stopped outside some shops before continuing Southwards. We decided to stay on the bus until we reached the A49. We ran forwards onto Sandy Lane and at the next roundabout we turned right onto Northway. At the end of Northwards we turned right onto the A50 and then left onto the A49. We got up and got off the bus. Whilst we waited for the next bus we saw Arriva NW&W 2901 on a #329 to St Helens. A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Network Warrington 94 on a #21 to Warrintgon. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Warrington Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards down the A49 continued where we turned left to Jubilee Way and we ran down to The Orford Centre. After passing the bus stop we returned to the A49. We turned left onto Pinners Brow and Left onto Winwick Street. We ran under the railway line and we turned right into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew spotted a shop in the interchange selling ice cream so we went in and Matthew had a vanilla cone. Whilst he was eating his ice cream, we went outside to take a few bus pictures. Once he had finished eating his ice cream we went back into the interchange to look for another bus to catch. We spotted required Network Warrington 225 on a #19 to Leigh. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Warrington Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the bus station and turned around to head back onto Winwick Street. We went under the railway line past Warrington Central station and we saw taxi minibus MEZ 5947 in front of us. At the roundabout we veered right onto Pinners Brow. We turned left onto the A49 and we headed Northwards. We travelled Northwards through Orford and we crossed over the M62 into Winwick where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the A49 and we went to the stop opposite to wait for a Warrington bound bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way. Just before our bus, we saw Arriva NW&W 2690 on a #329 to Warrington. A few minutes alter we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Network Warrington 224 on a #19 to Warrington. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Warrington Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards down the A49 and we crossed over the M62. As we travelled South I asked Matthew if this was the last bus, to which he replied no. We travelled down the A49 through Orford and into the North end of Warrington. We followed the A49 to the left and we turned right into Pinners Row. We turned left into Winwick Street. We ran past the railway station under the railway line and we entered the Interchange. We saw Arriva NW&W 4843 on a #7 to Liverpool. Once off the bus we decoded to go around the bus station and take a few more bus pictures. In one of the layover bays was Network Warrington 303. We decided to one more bus and we arranged for mum to come and pick us up from where we were dropped off. we saw required Go North West 6157 on a #100 to Manchester. We walked back into the bus station and we looked for a bus we could catch. We had a look around to see what we could catch and we spotted required Network 302 on a #32 Widnes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Warrington Day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out bus station and through the tunnel under the shopping centre before turning left onto Leigh Street. We turned right onto Sankey Street and we ran forwards onto Liverpool Road. We crossed over the railway line and at the roundabout. We turned left at the roundabout onto Old Liverpool Road. We ran for around 1/2 mile through Sankey Bridges and we turned left onto the A562. We ran for around 1/2 mile into Penketh and we turned right into Greystone Road where we got up and got off the bus. was following behind the bus and she picked us up. She arrived with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set of along Greystone Road and we turned right onto Meeting Lane. We ran forwards onto Heath Road. and we turned left onto the A562 and we ran Eastwards to the A57. At the big roundabout we ran forwards onto the A57 and we passed by the Interchange and Warrington Central station on the high level road. We turned right onto Mersey Street and we crossed over the river on the roundabout We ran South through Latchford and Grappenhall and we ran down the A50 to the M6. We joined the M6 We stopped at Knutsford Services and Matthew visited the toilet, We also visited burger king and Matthew had a burger and fries. We re-joined the M6 and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A500 to Etruria and we cam off the A500. We turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew took a can of Irn Bru with him. We went up to Matthew's room and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew also drank a can of Irn Bru. Matthew chilled out in his room watching television and using his computer. Later on we saw Afford rent-a-car KV19 NUC in their garage.

Afford rent-a-car KV19 NUC in Fenton

After a while we saw First Potteries 63098 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 63098 in Fenton

He used his computer and watched music videos on the Television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Newport / Biddulph 01-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
29	Newstead, adj Magdalen Road	Newport BS	350	Bakerbus
29	Newport BS	Crown Street, Stone	350	Bakerbus
217	Crown Street, Stone	Hanley BS	X1	Bakerbus
248	Hanley BS	Biddulph, High Street	9	Bakerbus

Today we had originally planned to go to Birkenhead, but with the timetable changes taking place over this weekend I asked Matthew if he wanted to go on the #350 service as it was the last day of operation on this service for bakerbus and he said yes. The weather forecast for today was for sunny intervals, so hopefully no rain! Whilst Matthew had his breakfast I went to Aldi for some food for the trip, and also to view what buses were out on the #350. The northbound 10:30 through Hem Heath was required Bakerbus 195, which should in theory be the Southbound 11:30 to Newport. For some reason the Southbound 10:30 didn't show and so I went back to finish off getting ready and to make up a packed lunch. We set off on the long walk to the bus stop around 11:15 and we arrived in time to see First PMT 40017 on a Longton bound #22 service. A few minutes later we saw a Bakerbus breadvan in the distance, but it wasn't in the newer wavy blue and yellow livery so it wasn't going to be 195. As it approached we saw it was dud Bakerbus 29.

Bakerbus 29 on their last day of operation on the #350

We got on a booked a Bakerbus day ticket. At a cost of £3.90 it is excellent valu considering how far you can travel on it. We sat down and settle in a for a 20 mile plus trip to Newport. We should have passed a #350 heading northwards but it hadn't shown up. When we got to Wedgwood passengers were asking about the Hanley bound bus. The driver told them that one of the three vehicles wasn't operating and so some of the passengers booked to Stone to catch something else to Hanley. We stooped at barlaston crossing to let a class 221 go passed before carrying on through Titensor and down to Stone. AS we reached town we saw Wardle Transport 2245 on a #250 service. South of Stone we were in new territory as we have never been South of Stafford Road. We span around the Cherryfields estate and passenger were still asking about the Hanley bus. The bus carried on into Yarnfield and then on to Eccleshall. Beyond there it was mainly high speed running to Newport with the exception of visiting Norbury down some very narrow lanes. We arrived in Newport bang on time at 12:50. The bus was empty and Matthew got a picture of this high spec if a little aged Mercedes minibus.

Inside Bakerbus 29

We had 30 minutes to kill. Just after we got off we saw Arriva Midlands 2941 on a Telford bound #481 service.

Arriva Midlands 2941 in Newport bus station

We visited the public toilet and then went to do a spot of shopping in Waitrose. Matthew brought some cans of Coke and a large Bakewell tart. after paying for his food and getting lottery tickets we headed back to have a bus stop picnic of Chicken sandwiches washed down with a can of Coke. A few minutes before we were due to leave the bus fired up and we got on for the return journey. We set off back Northwards at 13:20 and we made good time. I downloaded and checked the times of the X1 from stone and we realised there was a plus eight onto the 14:20. Passing through Norbury was interesting when we encountered a Transit van on the lane into town. As he was closer to the village he had to back up about 100 yds down the track. We carried on through Eccleshall where we saw Arriva Midlands 2266 on a #432 service. We carried on through Yarnfield and then we arrived in Stone a minute or so early. Matthew got a picture of Bakerbus 29 which we had just done well over 30 miles on.

Bakerbus 29 in Crown Street Stone

Matthew then went to the toilet and then we waited for the X1. We didn't see any other buses, but we were pleasantly surprised when we saw one of Bakerbuses Volvo B6's turned the corner. We had only been on one of the four so there was a good chance it was going to be required. As it got closer we saw it was required Bakerbus 217.

Bakerbus 217 in Crown Street Stone

The bus was empty and we settled down in some seats just on the hump on the near side of the bus. the journey was swift as you would expect of an 'X' service, We picked up a few passengers North of Barlaston and outside Trentham Gardens and then we headed up College Road passing one of Firsts new buses 41500. As we crossed over the Hanley ring road we passed Bakerbus 216 on a X1 service. We Arrived in Hanley bus station and after the bus emptied Matthew got a picture inside this fine ALX200 bodied bus.

Inside Bakerbus 217

We then headed of to the balcony so he could take a few pictures whilst I went to get some chips. Matthew got a picture of 40136 on a #20 service.

First Potteries 40136 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we ate the chips, Bakerbus 195 carried on the remainder of the #350 diagram! Bakerbus 29 switched onto the #9 service and we saw Wardle Transport 4650 going towards derby on the X50. Including 217, there were 2 other Bakerbus B6's parked up, so all of the type must have worked into Hanley at some point during the day. We then saw First Potteries 41499 arrive on a #23 service.

First Potteries 41499 in Hanley bus station

We decided to wait and see what was working on the next #9 so we could use the ticket that we already had. When it turned the corner and it was one of the new Hybrid double deckers we decided to do it as we have only been on one once before. It turned out to be bakerbus 248 which is the one we have already been on. We went down off the balcony and waited for the driver to return onto the bus. When we got on we went upstairs of course!

Inside Bakerbus 248

The journey took around 40 minutes. At the bottom of Smallthorne bank we passed 61244 on a #29 service. As we passed near the Bakerbus depot we passed Bakerbus B6 215 on a #9 and Bakerbus 29 on a #94 service. Before we got to Biddulph we passed First Potteries 60073 on a Southbound #7A service. We had seen this leave Hanley earlier in the afternoon. When we got to Biddulph bus station around 16:20, we got off and Matthew got a picture of Bakerbus 248.

Bakerbus 248 in Biddulph

As we walked down to mum we saw one of Bakerbus's newer acquisition, 250.

Bakerbus 250 in Biddulph

Before going down to mum in the car, we used the toilets by the bus station. We got in ans Matthew had a can of Coke before we drove off. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go straight home and so he directed us up to Congleton. We saw bakerbus 207 on the outskirts of town and we saw another beartown bus and Bakerbus 200 in Congleton bus station. We then headed down the A34 to Talke when we ran out of LPG. We got on the A500 and went to Longport to put some LPG in the car. We then went through Wolstanton to Milehouse and then past the First Newcastle garage where was saw new arrivals 34158 and 34286. We then went around Newcastle to Shelton and back onto the A500. We went to longton and went past the Z Carz depot where he got another picture of minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Back down Longton hall Road and into Blurton we passed First Potteries 41499 again on the #23. We got in just before 18:00. Matthew settled down for the evening and had a snack of sausage on toast for supper...Mark

Trip to Oswestry 01-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2369	Oswestry BS	College Road, Oswestry	70	Arriva Midlands
2370	College Road, Oswestry	Oswestry BS	70	Arriva Midlands
510	Oswestry BS	Llynclys	71	Tanat Valley
510	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	71	Tanat Valley

Today we decided to re-visit Oswestry. Since our last visit there has been a major timetable change in he area with the #445 and D71 being re-designated #71 & #72. Planning consisted of download the new timetable as well as the #449 for good measure just in case we got a chance to do this service. We set off after 12:00 and we had the head north up the A500 to Longport to get LPG. Afterwards we went straight down the A500 to the A519. Then it was the A5182 A53, A51, A525, A495. we arrived in Oswestry just after 14:00. First thing first we decided to get something to eat! Last time we came mum saw a cafe that was just about to close for the day called Jeanies. This time we decided to give this place a go rather than spending a lot of money in a pub on the way. matthew had a breakfast bap and a portion chips, mum had a sausage egg and mushroom bap and uncle Dave and I had the turkey bap as it was a red hot day. Along with 3 cans this came to around £11.50. This was much cheaper than a pub and just as enjoyable. Whilst we were eating we saw Tanat Valley 251 departing on the 14:22 towards Llynclys. The next departure along this route would be 15:17 so we had some time to kill. With the #70 service to Shrewsbury being every 30 minutes, we decided to do this service on a short out and back in order to fill time before 15:17. The 14:42 Shrewsbury appeared and it was required 2369. We got on this bus and booked to College Road. On the way we passed the Arriva bus garage. We saw a double decker and also preserved dart L116 YVK. we alighted on College Road and Matthew got a picture of our transport.


Arriva Midland 2369 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

We crossed the road and we nloy had around 5 minutes to wait for the return service. It was dud (for Matthew) 2370.


Arriva Midland 2370 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

I required this bus as Matthew had previously been on this one with his mum. We returned back passed the garage and Matthew got a shot of the parked up double decker. By the time we got into town, the bus had emptied out.We had the bus to ourselves as we entered the bus station again in Oswestery. Matthew got his customary empty bus shot here.


Inside 2370 (Matt)

When we got off there were busy scenes at the bus station. As well as 2370, Tanat Valley 259 which I think was doing #449's had come into the station on lay over. Also, Arriva Midlands 2348 was in a on a #2A Wrexham service.


Tanat Valley 259 and Arriva Midlands 2348 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the other side of the bus station. Tanat Valley 510 was waiting time to work the 15:17 #71 service.


Tanat Valley 510 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

After a very short while, 510 moved onto stand to work the #71. We booked to Llynclys and we went upstairs. Matthew then got a shot of the inside of the bus.


Inside 510 (Matt)

We eventually left the bus station, picking passenger along the way as we left town. We appsed another Tanat bus with #79 on the front at the edge of town. A few minutes later we were in Llynclys and we alighted from the bus. Matthew had time to take a picture before it departed.


510 at the White lion, Llynclys (Matt)

We had a bit of time to kill before the return journey so we decided to walk down to Llynclys station to have a look at the preserved railway. We heard a horn in the distance but we couldn't see anything working. We had a quick look around and Matthew had a Bakewell tart and I had a cCornetto from buffet car 1850. We then walked back to the road and waited for the bus. The bus turned up and it was 510 again.


510 returns (Matt)

When we looked at the timetable, I was hoping 251 would run light from Welshpool to pick up this service, But if I had studied it hard it can be seen that the 14:22 runs to Welshpool and lays over except on a shoolday. Otherwise it returns from Welshpool at 15:41. Also the 15:17 departure from Oswestry stops at Four Cross 9 minutes before the return bus departs! anyway we laerned something about the afternoon bus turns in the area. when we arrived back Matthew photographed the downstairs.


Downstairs in 510 (Matt)

When we got back we decided to call it a day. Matthew had time to get a couple more picture on the way back to the car including Tanat Valley 217 in the bus station


Tanat Valley 217 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the way back we made a slight accidental diversion into Whitchurch. We saw Dennis Dart SN05 HDC on the #205 Chemistry circular, a service that we caught back in 2009. We got back home around 17:50... Mark

Trip to Newcastle 16-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40144	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
40016	Newastle BS	Hanley BS	24A	First Potteries
40016	Hanley BS	Newastle BS	24A	First Potteries
40142	Newastle BS	Whitehill Newchapel	99A	First Potteries
40142	Whitehill Newchapel	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	99A	First Potteries

Matthew was once again in respite and was taken by staff there. Whilst waiting for his bus he saw Bakerbus Volvo B6 217 on a Newcastle bound 94a service.


Bakerbus Volvo B6 217 on a 94A towards Newcastle (Matt)

shortly afterward 40144 turned up on the Newcastle bound First potteries service.


40144 on a Newcastle service (Matt)

When in Newcastle, they did a 24A service to Hanley with 40016. Whilst at Hanley bus station Matthew took this close up of 61553.


Close up of 61553 in Hanley Bus Station (Matt)

Matthew then did 40016 back to Newcastle. back at Newcastle 40142 appeared on the 99A. Matthew did this to whitehill and then waited for the bus back, which happened to be the same bus.


40142 in Whitehill (Matt)

Matthew then did this back to Wolstanton and then returned to his respite unit...Mark