Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 28-09-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3123	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
4488	Chester BS	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2352	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)‎	Chester railway station	4	Arriva NW&W
4143	Chester BS	Boughton, o/s Bridge Inn	84	Arriva NW&W
SB23	Boughton, opp Bridge Inn	Chester BS	82	GHA

Today we decided to Chester. We had not visited since back in March, when there was deep snow all around! I didn't do any research except to check the weather, as we only decided on Chester on Thursday night. Matthew got up a little before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we went along Stanley Matthews way onto the A50. We headed up the A500 stopping in Etruria for LPG. Whilst there we saw 60193 & 41493. We went onto the A53 and back onto the northbound A500. As we joined the M6 we were followed on by Stagecoach Megabus 55004. The motorway was busy and we were passed by a few different buses Leon's Coaches 206 & Happy Days Coaches 226 were going to Manchester United from West Brom. We headed west when we reached the M56 and then north on the M53. We drove into Ellesmere port along the A5032 and we saw GHA MX56 AAZ on the 7 to Rivacre. We also passed GHA SB15 on the #36 to Runcorn. We parked up near the market and we ate in the market food hall. We had to wait for a few minutes, so we went to the toilet.It was a while before we could get a table but eventually we did, (we shared a table with an old couple) and Matthew had a breakfast followed by a Victoria sponge cake. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and walked to the bus station via the shopping centre. We walked out of the shopping centre and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 28547 parked up in the bus station.

Stagecoach Merseyside 28547 in Ellesmere Port bus station

There was a solitary 'Into the port' GHA bus parked up (YM52 TPO) which we photographed and then we walked up to the top end to wait for a bus. I checked the time of the next 2 and it was due in about a minutes at 14:08. It turned and we saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 3123.

Arriva NW&W 3123 in Ellesmere Port

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. This was a bus that we had done when it was first delivered to Birkenhead back in September 2012. The bus was around 1/2 full and it dropped off a few passengers as we went through the estate before we joined onto the A5117. We carried on down the A41 dual carriageway and then we turned right onto the A5116 and went passed the Hospital ad Morrisons. We carried on passed the stagecoach depot and into the bus station via Northgate. When the bus emptied out Matthew took a picture inside the Arriva NW&W 3123 too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3123

When we got off the bus Matthew decided to walk to the bus station the long way around passed the library before turning into Princess Street. On the way to settling on our usual perch, We spotted and photographed Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 on the 1A to Blacon.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Chester bus station

We carried onto the perch and we sat down. We were followed down by MacPhails Van Hool coach LCZ 6332.

MacPhails LCZ 6332 in Chester bus station

We sat around for a few more minutes then we decided to do a bus. Required Arriva 2636 was on the #10 to Connahs Quay and dud Arriva NW&W 4488 was on the #11 to Holywell. We decided to do 4488 on the #11.

Arriva NW&W 4488 in Chester bus station

We waited for a few minutes for the driver to return to the bus and then it started to board. We got on the bus and went upstairs which was empty at the rear. Matthew got a picture of the bus whilst it was empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4488

We set of out of the bus station and off towards Hawarden. This was a bus that we had done twice before...First in June 2012 and then again in December 2012! When we crossed over the Dee we noticed there were large amounts of coaches parked up and that the races were on today. We carried on the A5104 and we passed a couple of darts on the #3 and #4 service. We passed required Arriva NW&W 2359 & 2348. We decided to get off at the end of the A5104 and see if we could get a required Dart on one the other service. When we got to the end of the road we got off the bus. Matthew got a picture of Arriva NW&W 4488 before it set off towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4488 in Broughton

We crossed the road (eventually), and waited at the stop on the other side of the road. Whilst we waited we spotted Arriva NW&W 675 on the #12 service.

Arriva NW&W 675 in Broughton

A few minutes late we saw a Dart head into the shopping centre. A few minutes later it reappeared and headed towards us. As it got closer we could see it was required Arriva NW&W 2352. We got on and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty, but it did pick up a few extra passengers going into town. As we headed into Chester we passed another required Dart 2358! Further into town we also passed 2348 on the #3 towards Mold. The bus went around Chester and then headed towards the railway station. When we got to City Road the bus terminated. Matthew got a picture inside 2352 as we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2352

The area was packed with buses and coaches and we could only get a picture between other buses.

Arriva NW&W 2352 near Chester railway station

We walked back along City Road and we saw former Procters van Hool coach HIL7614 which is now with Atlantic Travel of Bolton.

Atlantic Travel HIL 7614 near Chester railway station

We carried on towards gorse stack and we saw Arriva NW&W 4405 on the #1 to Wrexham. we also saw GHA SB30 on the X20 to Winsford. On Gorse Stacks we saw 'Into the Port' liveried Solo X9 GHA on a Mold service. On Delamere Street we saw Walter Martin coach WAL 895.

Walter Martin WAL 895 on Delamere Street

We carried on up Delamere Street and we saw Arriva NW&W gas powered bus 5004 and Arrowebrook MX07 NTT. Matthew decided we were going to walk back to the bus station around the ring road. whilst walking down we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 17502 on the City Sightseeing Tour open top service. We entered the bus station via Hunter Street and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2341 on the #10 to Connah's Quay. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he turned it down. asked if he wanted to go to the toilet and he said yes. Instead of going to the market car park toilets that we usually use he decided he wanted to use the Portaloo's in Northgate! We walked back to the bus station and we sat on our perch whilst we decided which bus to do. We let go required Arriva NW&W 2636 on the #10, required 674 on the #12, required 4485 on the 11, and also required 4061 on the #84. This was followed by required gas bus 5005 on the X30.

Arriva NW&W 5005 in Chester bus station

Matthew decided he wanted another wander around, so we walked out of the bus station through princess Street and onto Northgate. We photographed some buses and coaches by the cinema before walking back to the bus station. by this time mum had arrived in the car from Ellesmere Port. We walked back down to the bus station and we saw Avon Buses 356 on the #22 to West Kirby.

Avon Buses 356 in Chester bus station

Shortly afterwards required Arriva NW&W 4143 arrived on the #84 and actually decided he wanted to catch a bus! The problem was that I hadn't done any research on the Deeside Daysaver Zone so I didn't know how fr east you could travel on the #84! We had to wait for a few minutes for the driver to ready the bus and whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 5003 on the #21 to Runcorn. When the bus was ready the bus loaded up and we got on.

Arriva NW&W 4143 in Chester bus station

We went upstairs and it was already quite full. The bus set off through Chester and picked up even more passengers in Foregate Street. We decided to go a few stops out of Chester. on the way we saw Burland Group minibus X863 BVN. We also passed Arriva NW&W 4489 on an inbound #84! We got off the bus in by The Bridge Inn and Matthew got another picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 4143 in Vicars Cross

Looking at the bus stop timetable we had nearly half an hour to wait for the next #84 which was no surprise, but I didn't want to go too far on the tickets in case weren't valid. The problem was the next bus was a GHA one on the #82, and the alternative was a long wait. Around 17:25 the bus rounded the corner and it was GHA SB23.

GHA SB23 in Vicars Cross

We got on and asked for Chester and it cost us £1.70 each! I nearly died (well I didn't feel too chuffed with paying out those fares...)! Even worse when looked up SB23 in the list it was dud, having previously done it back in October 2011 on our first visit to Northwich, the one and only time we had previously covered the #82. We travel back into Chester along the A51. As we entered Chester we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 346. We then headed up Gorse Stacks and when we got back Matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside GHA SB23

He also got another picture of the bus at Chester too.

GHA SB23 in Chester bus station

To make things worse as we walked back to the car we saw required Arriva NW&W 2258 on the #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 2258 in Chester bus station

We went to the car where mum was waiting with sausage rolls and pop. We set off out of the bus station and clockwise round the ring road to the A56. We did the A56 north up to the M53 and then onto the eastbound M56. We did this to the m6 and then headed South. The coaches that we had seen going North Leon's 206 and Happy Days 226 went south with jubilant West Brom fans after there win against Manchester United... We got onto the southbound A500 which we did down to the A50 and into Longton. At the Z Carz depot we saw 5 buses on the spare ground. Newest Mercedes minibus S952 VMY was at the front.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next the this were 2 coaches. The first was Scania D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was M534 RSO, which has had the purple decals added to the front and sides.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

At the rear of the land was the coach ALZ 8539, and the last bus on the land was LDV minibus R920 WNT.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

We had a look in the Willow Row compound we saw LDV minibus T408 JUX. We turned around and Matthew got another picture of R920 WNT from the other side.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

We headed back along Longton Hall Road and into Blurton. We passed First Potteries 40017 on the #22 and 53828 on the #23. We got back just after 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by Cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 12:30...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 23-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3131	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
2629	Chester BS	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	10	Arriva NW&W
2635	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4486	Chester BS	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2629	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we were going to Ellesmere Port and Chester. The day before it started to snow and snow and snow. It eased off during the day. Matthew didn't go to college as it had been closed for the day. We checked the weather for Saturday and it was going to continue to snow albeit lightly. The night before mum ad been out wit her friend from Barlaston and I dropped her off there. Blurton Road in Wedgwood was quite bad as snow had drifted off the nearby fields and snow was 2 feet deep in places. In the early hours of the morning I dropped off her friend again and the drifts were 3-4 feet deep now and we only just got there. Needless to say we came back the other way over the railway line! Mums friend was coming with us again today so after breakfast we set off just after 11:00 towards Barlaston the roads had cleared a little since the night before so we decided to go along Blurton Road again. Half way along we came across the Wardle Transport support vehicle and we could see a Wardle bus stopped in the distance. Another driver in front of me had turned in the road and come back passed me. I decided to get out and have a look. ardle Transport 2224 was stuck and it was being dug out. I got a picture whilst stood in a 2 foot snowdrift but it wasn't a very good one.

Wardle Transport 2224 on Blurton Road

Even tough the bus was nearly free at this point we decided to turn in the road and go around as it was cutting into Matthew's bus traveling time. We turned and went back onto the A5035 and then along Barlaston Old Road. and then across the level crossing at Wedgwood. We picked up mums friend and then headed back North. Barlaston Old Road, A5035, Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. It was now around 12:00. We stopped at Longport off the A500 to top up with LPG and then carried on North. The motorway was quiet. In Cheshire there didn't appear to be any snow! We passed Knutsford services and we saw City Buses and Coaches TJI 3131 from Fenton parked up there but I don't know where it was going to. When we reached the M56 we headed west and the snow appeared on the ground again. We headed North when we reached the M53 and came into Ellesmere Port along the A5032. We parked up at the markets and we had dinner there around 13:30. After a visit to the toilet Matthew ate a breakfast and drank Coke and had a chocolate cake for afters. We then walked to the bus station to wait for a bus to Chester. First bus that we saw was GHA ALX bodied bus SB46 on a #36 to Runcorn.

GHA SB46 in Ellesmere Port bus station

It was around 14:00 and there was a #2 service due at 14:08. band on time, required Arriva NW&W 3131 appeared.

Arriva NW&W 3131 in Ellesmere Port bus station

After getting a picture we trotted down to the stop and booked some Deeside Daysaver tickets. We sat down near the back on the bus which was relatively empty for a Saturday. The bus didn't pick many people up and we made good time down to Chester. I heard a rattling coming from behind me and i thought this vehicle was too new to have such a noise. Further investigation revealed an an empty can of carling had been wedged between the seat and the window cause the the rattle! We passed Stagecoach trainer 52172 which was on a MBC tour and then we passed the depot with stagecoach Dart 34604 at the front. We got to Chester bus station and Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture of the inside of 3131.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3131

We walked into the bus station to see that half of the bus station was closed for refurbishment. Most of the local Stagecoach service were operating from Gorse Stacks with only the Blacon Pointers and Saughall uses and the longer services such as the 1,2,10,11 and 22 operating from the bus station. It was very cold and so we decided to get on a bus as quick as possible. The first #10 to come in was dud Arriva NW&W 2629.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Chester bus station

We decided to do this anyway as it was far to cold to hang around. We first did this bus back in December 2012. We got on and sat near the back. Once again the bus was a lot quieter than you would usually expect on a Saturday. We decided to do this bus to the Welsh border arnd get another #10 back. we got off in snowy Sealand and Matthew got another picture of 2629.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Sealand

We hadn't passed another #10 which is quite unusual. We crossed over to see that there was one due any minute at 15:00. Oncee again bang on time required Arriva 2635 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 2635 in Sealand

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty but that is quite common on a inbound bus at this time of day on a Saturday. Once again the journey was quick and we were back in Chester in just over 10 minutes. We walked over to our usual perch and waited for a bus we could catch. Matthew didn't fancy going back out on 2635 and there wasn't a #11 until 15:30. Whilst we waited we took a few picture. One such picture was of Stagecoach Merseyside 21249 which was First Manchester 66701.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21249 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W Dart 2348 made an appearance on the #10.

Arriva NW&W 2348 in Chester bus station

We got up go and catch this and then required Arriva 4486 came into the bus station on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4486 in Chester bus station

I thought it was best to do the Dart but Matthew wanted to do the 4486. After waiting a short while for the driver to re-appear We got on and went upstairs. There were a few people on this bus compared to some of the loadings we had seen today. The journey was quite pleasant and on the edge of Chester there was a diversion off the A5104. we turned back onto the Chester Road from Sandy Lane by the steel footbridge. As we carried on the snow was deeper on the ground. Hawarden looked like a scene from a Christamas card with snow covered trees and houses. We then headed into Queensferry passing dud 4484 at the stop opposite Asda. We got off at the next stop. Matthew wanted to stay on that side on the road and it soon became apparent why. We crossed over and sat in the stop opposite. We then saw Arriva 2348 on the opposite heading out to Connah's Quay. Matthew must have seen it in the distance as we passed the end of Chester Road East. There was a Chester bound bus due anyway and when it came we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2629 again!

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Queensferry

Not the bested planned move we ave ever done, but when it is this cold you just want to keep on traveling. In Garden City we passed required bus 2641. Back in Chester, Matthew photographed the inside of 2629.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2629

We got back to around 16:20 and the plan was to go toilet and then perhaps catch another bus or two. Matthew however wanted to go on a bit of a wander. We walked out of the bus station onto Northgate. We visited a shop and got Lottery tickets and Matthew had a can of Coke and a Milky Way. we then walked along the bottom of the wall to the Ring Road and back to the bus station. In the bus station we saw Avon 139 on a #22 to West Kirby. We also saw required dart 2352 on a #10. Matthew visited the toilet and when he came out required Arriva NW&W Dart 2341 was on the #10 too.

Arriva NW&W 2341 in Chester bus station

We went back to the car and had sausage rolls and Matthew ad his can of coke. We headed out of town around the ring road and then up the A56. We got onto the northbound M53 and then turned onto the Eastbound M56. Along here we saw Arriva ALX200 2303. Matthew was a little grumpy probably because we missed out on going on the required Darts. At the M6 we headed South and then came off at the A500. We got on the A50 and then we came off and dropped mums friend off near the Britannia Stadium before heading to Longton to go passed Z carz. It was still Light and there was snow on the ground. First in the row was on of the taxi fleet Renault YE52 UZX.

Z carz YE52 UZX in Longton

we then saw coach V690 EBC which still had its contract destination in the window 279.

Z carz V690 EBC in Longton

Next was Iveco minibus HX51 HRU with 'Blackfriars' in the window.

Z carz HX51 HRU in Longton

Next was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Then it was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z carz M420 UEH in Longton

Finally was minicoach W344 WNS.

Z carz W344 WNS in Longton

We then headed down Longton Hall Road stopping at the shop on Naishe Drive. Matthew had a can of Coke and we picked up a Chocolate Gateau for later. When we got home Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash and this was followed later by a slice of the gateau with whipped cream. He then chilled out and used his computer up until bedtime around 23:30...Mark