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 Stafford 26-07-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2344	Chell Road, Stafford	Weeping Cross, opp Baswich Lane	1	Arriva Midlands
3762	Stafford, opp Radford Bank Inn PH	Stafford Town Centre, adj Railway Station	825	Arriva Midlands
3736	Stafford Town Centre, adj Railway Station	Stafford Town Centre, opp Bridge Street	76	Arriva Midlands
2352	Stafford Town Centre, Gaol Square (Stand 2)	Stafford, adj Radford Bank Inn PH	3	Arriva Midlands
3729	Stafford, opp Radford Bank Inn PH	Stafford Town Centre, Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 1)	74	Arriva Midlands

Today we went to Stafford. Its the holidays and due to one reason or another we had been able to go out and do anything. So we promised Matthew we would out today, somewhere reasonably local. When asked if he wanted to got to Stafford Matthew said "yes". Matthew didn't get up until after 11:00 today. Before he got up I had looked out for the #22A to see if it was anything good. Today it was First Potteries 60196. Wardle Transport 1626 was seen about to Hanley. It was another hot and humid day. Since it stopped raining all the time we had experienced a week of sunshine, By the time we had eaten some breakfast and got dressed to go out it was close to 13:00. We headed North to Etruria to pick up LPG before heading Back South down the A500 and then onto the A34. We parked up in Stafford in a car park by Wilkinsons and behind Chell Road. This was a perfect place to park for visiting Theo's cafe, which is where we stopped for dinner. Matthew used the facilities before have a brunch. After eating we walked through the passageway opposite the market onto Chell Road. The first bus we saw was Arriva Midlands 2347, which had pulled up out of service.

Arriva Midlands 2347 on Chell Road

Across the road we saw Wardle Transport 2407 on the #482 service. We decided to stand at the last stop on Chell Road as this is where the local services go from and where the most interesting buses were likely to stop at. We didn't have to wait for long before required Arriva Midlands 2344 turned up on a Baswich service.

Arriva Midlands 2344 on Chell Road

We got on and booked to Baswich, getting an Arriva Staford day saver too as once again mum was travelling with us. We went right around the loop, and when the bus emptied out Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus looking forward.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2344

Getting off at the end of the loop, we decided to walk down Radford Bank so we didn't have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus. Before we did we stopped at the Weeping Cross bus stop for a few minutes to have a drink. It wasn't very pleasant walking along this road in the hot sunshine. Matthew propelled me down the road as fast as he could and mum lagged behind. It's lucky that we were going downhill or else it might have been even more unpleasant. As we walked down the hill Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 2338 on a #2 service.

Arriva Midlands 2338 on Radford Bank

When we got to the stop and there were a few people waiting. Matthew sat on the seat in the bus stop between two people. I told him he had to give up the seat for his mum so he sat on the floor instead. The first bus to turn up was a Pulsar. We asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. As we had never been on a Midlands Pulsar we knew it would be required. It was Arriva Midlands 3762.

Arriva Midlands 3762 on Radford Bank

We did the bus back towards town. As the bus stopped at the railway station we decided to get off to use the facilities. Matthew got another picture as the bus went off into the distance.

Arriva Midlands 3762 by Stafford Station

As we went on the platform we saw 90047 rush through on a Northbound Freightliner. Matthew may not like me saying this, but he even attempted to get a picture of it! After we had done in the station we brought some more pop from the station stall before walking back to the bus stop. We saw a Plaxton Centro approaching, another type that had never been on with Arriva Midlands. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said yes. We soon saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3736.

Arriva Midlands 3736 by Stafford Station

We did this into town. The bus service ended at South Walls so we got off and Matthew got a picture of the empty inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3736

We then walked off towards Gaol Square. On the way we saw Ex Arriva NW&W 2114 which now carries the number 2359 in the Arriva Midlands fleet.

Arriva Midlands 2359 former Arriva NW&W 2114

We walked up the road at little further and then stopped for a rest. Whilst we were there we saw Arriva Midlands 2299 parked up, Arriva Midlands 2337 went past as did Arriva Midlands 2231.

Arriva Midlands 2231

We carried on walking up the bank to the stops at Gaol Square. Whilst we there we saw 3 ALX Darts. Arriva Midlaands 2231, 2232 and 2233 were all present at one point. After a few minutes Required Arriva Midlands 2352 appeared on a #3 Walton service, so we decided to do this. We got on the bus first and as such Matthew was able to photograph the bus empty as we got on.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2352

We did this bus to Radford Bank and got off. As we walked to the crossing we saw Heyfordian coach B16 HTL coming along the road.

Heyfordian B16 HTL on Radford Bank

We crossed over and waited at the stop. We didn't have to wait long and another Pulsar appeared. I asked Matthew if he wanted to catch it and he said yes. As it approached we could see it was required Arriva Midlands 3729. We did the bus back past the railways station and the bus went behind Chell Road close to where the car was parked. We had promised Matthew a visit to Morrisons for a snack before we went home and so that is what we did. We got in the car and drove North up the A34 to Stone where we parked up at Morrison's. It was now gone 17:00 as we went into the cafe. We used the facilities and we got to the cafe in time for Matthe to have the last slice of lemon meringue pie. He also wanted something to eat so we got him a very small chips sausage and beans meal with some bread and butter. After we had eaten we went into the store to buy some pop. We left and drove to the Morrisons garage to put some air in the tyres before we set off homeward. We headed around the one way system and then back onto the A34. matthew wanted to go back via Barlaston, so we turned off just before the Darlaston Inn. We then went through barlaston and over the level crossing. We then headed out through rough close to Meir passing Wardle Transport 2408 on the #250 service to Stone.. Onto the A50 we then did a slow pass of the Z Carz depot so Matthew could take a few pictures.

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

We then looped around Longton and we to Adderley Green. As we passed near the Wardle Transport depot we passed on of the Caetano Nimbus's running out of service and 1647. At the Adderley Green roundabout we saw 40154 on a #1 service. We then traveled on to Bentilee, We saw Scraggs Blue Buses 38 turned by the Hillberry. We then went to Bucknall, along Leek New Road and then Victoria Road and past Duke Street. We then headed through Heron Cross and then home. We got home around 18:45. For a late supper we had a sausage sandwich before bedtime...Mark

Trip the Shrewsbury 23-01-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2705	Harlescott Park & Ride	Castle St, Shrewsbury	Orange	Arriva Midlands
6008	Shrewsbury BS	Radbrook, Crowmeole Lane Jct (opp)	20	Arriva Midlands
6002	Radbrook, Radbrook College (opp)	Shrewsbury BS	12	Arriva Midlands
2723	Shrewsbury BS	Whitchurch Road, Rosedale Jct (opp)	24	Arriva Midlands

Matthew had indicated in the week that he wanted to go to Shrewsbury. Mum had been to college on the Thursday to see Matthew using an iPod Touch and software as a communication aid. When asked where Matthew would like to go, he typed "pub" into the iPod. Mum said he go go the a pub on saturday, and he typed "Sat town". Mum reeled off a list of some of the places he usually goes to and when mum said "Shrewsbury", Matthew repeated it back to her. Having made that decision on Thursday, I did some research on buses and times and also to see if Shrewsbury Town were playing at home. Shrewsbury were at home to Dagenham & Redridge, so I knew there would be few extra buses around on the Prostar Stadium park & ride services. Setting off a fraction before 12:00, first stop was to be a pub in order for us all to have lunch. We choose the Elephant and castle pub in Shawbury, just a few Miles north of Shrewsbury.



Elephant & castle (Matthew)

We all chose Breakfast, except Uncle Dave who had a sausage sandwich. The meals were around £5 and were OK. Unusually, Matthew did not photograph his meal or the sink in the toilets! After we had finished, we made the short trip to the Harlescott park and ride car park. Immediately as we got there, there were 2 buses on the Prostar park and ride service. They were Tanat Valley double decker 510, and coach E131 PLJ



Tanat valley 510 (Matthew)

Shortly after this, weed travelled on the park and ride for the first time. Arriva Midlands 2705 was the bus that we caught and, it was painted in the blue Park & ride livery. When we reached Shrewsbury, we discovered that this bus did not go into the bus station, so we alighted and castle street and walk through an alleyway and down some steps to the bus station. The alleyway passes behind the back of the bus parking area, and you can photograph buses quite well of this raised area. Eventually, when in the bus station we spent half an hour just looking at and photographing buses, the best of which was Tanat Valley 509, another double decker on a Prostar Stadium park & Ride.



Tanat valley 509 (Matthew)

Mum was getting bored and wanted to go to do some shopping so we decide to go on a quick out and back bus journey. Bus timetables consulted, we decided to do a #20 to Radbrook College for a #12 back. 6008 turned up on the #20 and we did this to the stop after Radbrook college.



Arriva Midlands 6008 pulls away from Radbrook, Crowmeole Lane Jct (opp) stop (Matthew)

Now, we were using the tiny little maps that are provided on Arriva timetables, which are really useful to see which services travel along which roads. What we did not anticipate is the scale of the map! We crossed the road, and waited at the bus stop, only to see the #12 appear from the next street closer to Shrewsbury...Drat! As we walked back up the hill towards the next stop, the #20 that we had caught out of Shrewsbury passed us on it's return...Double drat! There ensued a best part of 30 minutes wait for the next #12...Still, whilst we were waiting, we did see a coach and saw a Minsterley motors services which we may be able to catch next time we visit Shrewsbury...Eventually 6002 arrived on the #12.




Arriva Midlands 6002 arrives at Radbrook, Radbrook College (opp) stop (Matthew)

Eventually, we get back to Shrewsbury bus station and we passed the reason why that traffic around town has been so bad today. On 3rd January, there had been a gas explosion that I remember seeing on the local news. The demolition work being carried out because of this meant that all southbound traffic towards the Welsh Bridge had been diverted around town. When we got back in the bus station we told Matthew he could catch 1 more bus in the direction of Harlescott. he spent a further 20 minutes taking bus photos, the best of which were Tanat Valley 230 and Arriva Midlands 2359.



Tanat valley 230 in Shrewsbury bus station (Matthew)



Arriva Midlands 2359 Leaves Shrewsbury bus station on an #8 service (Matthew)


He chose to catch a #24 to Moston Road. Once again, I used the Arriva map to try and work out which stop to get off at, before the bus turned into a housing estate off the main road north out of Shrewsbury. Once again I got off at the wrong stop (one stop too short!). Mum said she was going to kick me every time we passed a bus stop between where we got off and the car, for making her walk too far. We passed 3, though strictly speaking, only the one stop was on the #24 route...
Mattthew photographed a plastic sheep, a few buses and then barged his way into the bus drivers crew hut at the park & ride. Thankfully they took it in good spirits! :-)



Plastic Sheep, corner of Harlescott Tesco (Matthew)



Arriva Midlands Park & ride 2707 at Harlescott (Matthew)

All that was left was the drive back home... (Mark)