Trip to Widnes / Runcorn 02-02-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5015	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	500	Arriva NW&W
2642	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea North	110	Arriva NW&W
2540	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
5001	Runcorn BS	Weston, The Cross	3C	Arriva NW&W
5001	Weston, The Cross	Runcorn BS	3C	Arriva NW&W
5012	Runcorn BS	Murdishaw Central	500	Arriva NW&W
5007	Murdisham Central	Halton Lea South	1	Arriva NW&W
49	Halton Lea South	Widnes, Green Oaks	62	Halton Transport

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. It had snowed in the week and the weather wasn't the best so we decided to do a medium distance trip. We gave Matthew a choice of nearby destinations in the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Widnes. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 12:00 on the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthew Way. We ran to the Northern end past a new building that is appearing next to the Audi garage. We joined the Westbound A50 and we ran down to Sideway. At the roundabout we joined the Northbound A500. Traffic was light and we made good progress. We joined the M6 at junction 16 and we ran Northwards. As we travelled North we saw Edwards Coaches National Express liveried coach BU18 OTL on a #528 to Haverfordwest, an unidentified KT Coaches coach and an unidentified gold coloured coach. When we got to Thelwall Viaduct we could see the snow on top of Winter hill to the North side of Bolton. At junction 21A we turned left and we joined the Westbound M62. We came off at junction 7 and we headed Southwards down the A557. After a few miles we did the designated u turn onto the Northbound side of the A557 and we veered left onto Watkinson Way. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Green Oaks Way and after the bus station entrance we turned left into the car park. As we were parking up the car we saw a Stagecoach coach approaching. Once out of the car we headed over to the bus station to see Stagecoach Merseyside 53290 on a X5 to Liverpoool One.

Stagecoach Merseyside 53290 in Widnes

Also in the bus station was Halton Transport Dart 3 on a #17 to St Helens.

Halton Transport 3 in Widnes

Mum caught up with and we headed over to the market. On the way was saw Dial a Ride minibus DK66 CKJ parked up near to Morrisons.

Dial a Ride DK66 CKJ in Widnes

We headed into the market and Matthew used the toilet. We had dinner at the nearby Widnes market Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked towards the exit near to the bus station. We stopped on the way at a sweet stall and Matthew had a few eggs and a couple of jelly snakes. We asked which buses Matthew wanted to do and he chose Arriva. We decided to head over the river first so we stood on the North side of the bus station. Whilst we waited we saw Halton Transport 92 on a #62 to Halebank.

Halton Transport 92 in Widnes

Matthew considered changing his mind as we saw Halton Transport 6 on a #61 to Halton Hospital.

Halton Transport 6 in Widnes

Across the way was Arriva NW&W 719 on a #17 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 719 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 5015 on a #500 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we brought Arriva NW&W daysaver tickets at £5.50 each. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 5015.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5015

We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We got onto the new A533 and we crossed over the new Mersey Gateway Bridge. We then headed back Westwards and then joined Leiria way to run into Runcorn town centre. We ran onto the High Street we ran past the bus station before turning right into the bus station so we were pointing the right way to go towards Halton Lea. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5015 as it continued towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to go forwards towards Halton Lea on the next bus. A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2642 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2642 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Church Street. We ran forwards onto Leiria Way and at the first roundabout we ran forwards onto the busway. We ran the industrial areas around Astmoor and under the Mersey Gateway bridge. We joined Castlefield Avenue East and we got onto the busway at the corner of Tyrrel Way by the McColls Store. We ran through the Castlefields area and we stopped at the library side of the Halton Lea shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. After taking a few bus pictures we set off to go into the shopping centre. There was an old lady who was struggling to get to the shopping centre due to there being an elevated walkway and her being quite afraid of heights. I helped her to the lift and I also guided he out of the lift into the shopping centre after I had walked down the stairs. We walked through the shopping centre and we went to the toilets. After we had used the toilets we headed over to the South side of the shopping centre where the Runcorn bound buses stop. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2552 on a #1 Halton Lea circular service which Matthew decided to turn down.

Arriva NW&W 2552 in Halton Lea

We waited for the next bus back to Runcorn. A few minutes later dud Arriva NW&W 2540 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2540 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus stattion onto busway, and we went around an Asda store and North under the Halton Link Road. The busway was on a sweeping curve to the right and we went through the middle of the Castlefields area. After around 3/4 of a mile we left the busway and went forwards on Tyrell Way. We followed the road around to the left and we turned left onto Castlefields Avenue East. We crossed over the A558 Daresbury Expressway and we then turned left onto another busway. We ran Westwards through the Astmoor area of town. The busway crossed over road every couple of hundred yards and there were traffic lights which usually turned to green and we approached them. We also passed under the Southern end of the Mersey Gateway bridge. We went under the B5155 adjacent to the canal and we turned right at a roundabout off the busway onto Lieria Way with the town centre in sight. We ran down the hill and we turned left into the bus station. Once we got to the station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2540 before it continued of towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2540 in Runcorn bus station

Once we had seen the bus depart towards Warrington Matthew want a short break away from the buses. He walked to the bottom end of the bus station and played with the ice on the wall, clearing much of it away. On the other side of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2536 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2536 in Runcorn bus station

A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 5003 on a #500 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5003 in Runcorn bus station

A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 5001 on a #3C Weston circular.

Arriva NW&W 5001 in Runcorn bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do this bus, which seemed a little surprising. It turned out we had never done the Weston section of the #3C circular, so it was quite an interesting journey. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the High Street. We went past 'The Archers' and over the A557. We went under the A533 and past the railway station. We continued along Picow Farm Road and we turned left into Penn Lane. We turned right onto Holloway and right onto Weston Road. As we travelled around Weston as the bus climbed up a little there were great views of the Mersey and the chemical plant below. As we got to a tur in the road we noticed the Selwyns coach depot in front of us. In the gate was Selwyns double decker SN16 OGW. We followed the road to the left and we got another view of the depot and saw Selwyns midicoach FJ65 XRW. We turned right onto Rocksavage Way and under the A557. We ran adjacent to the chemical plant and into the Weston Point area. We ran forwards onto Bankes' Lane and forwards again onto Lydgate Lane. We turned right onto South Parade and left into Sandy Lane. We crossed back under the A557 and we turned left onto Russell Road. We turned right onto Westfield Road and at the end we turned left onto Holloway. We turned left onto Penn Lane and Right onto Picow Farm Road. We ran past the railway station and under the A533. We crossed over the A557 and forwards onto High Street and into the bus station. We got off the bus and it was at this point Matthew decided to go to the pub across the road. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. Once he had finished his drink we re-joined uncle Dave who waited outside and we went back up to the bus station. We decided to go to Murdishaw and back to Widnes. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It was required Arriva NW&W 5012 on a #500 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5012 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the Arriva Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of town and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We decided to go a bit further East to Murdishaw. We ran past the hospital and we travelled East for about a mile and the busway opened out at a turning circle and we had reached the end of the run. We got up and we got off the bus. After taking a few bus pictures off the footbridge we went into the Co-operative food store. Mathew had a bottle of Coke. He also had some Milky Way and a Flake. Once we had done our shopping we went to the till. Whilst we waited to catch an Arriva bus we saw Halton Transport 63 on a #14A to Liverpool One.

Halton Transport 63 in Murdishaw

We had seen required Arriva NW&W 5013 which was going to work the next #500 to Widnes. Whilst we waited we saw dud Arriva NW&W 5007 on a #1 Halton Lea circular service.

Arriva NW&W 5007 in Murdishaw

We got on the bus and flashed the Arriva Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off around the turning circle and onto the Southbound busway we ran through the Palacefields area and past Halton Hospital. We continued down to the Halton Lea shopping centre and we got up. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 5007 before we got off the bus station.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5007

Once off the bus we saw Halton Transport 49 on a #62 to Halebank.

Halton Transport 49 in Halton Lea

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 2535 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2535 in Halton Lea

Matthew decided to do Halton Transport 49 so we got on the bus and booked the final bus journey of today to Widnes. We set off onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station. After a brief stop we set off up the High Street We turned right to go onto the Leiria Way.joined the A533. We crossed over the Mersey on the new bridge. we ran into the old town of Widnes up Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran through a bus lane into the Asda car park. We joined onto Gerrard Street past Marks & Spencers and we turned left onto Green Oaks we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture Halton Transport 49 before it carried on towards Halebank.

Halton Transport 49 in Widnes

We took a few bus pictures before we returned to the car. We saw Halton Transport 46 on a #62 to Murdishaw.

Halton Transport 46 in Widnes

We walked back to the car and mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Green Oaks Way and we did a U-turn at the roundabout and headed Southwards. We turned left at the roundabout and we joined the Northbound A557. We ran the 3 miles or so up to the M62 and we got onto the Eastbound M62. We ran for around 8 miles to junction 10 and we joined the Southbound M6. As we travlled down the M6 we saw Intercity SF07 DHU, an unidentified GDS Travel minibus, and Pod Tre? MC14 BYR. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. Seen on the A500 was an unidentified National express liveried coach (#325). At Sideway we left the A500 and got onto the Eastbound A50. Seen on the A50 was an unidentified A1 Travel minibus. We came off the A50 at Longton and we went to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. The spare ground was empty so we went to Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW in the compound.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. As we got home we saw Afford rent-a-car WX18 WKF. We got home just before 19:00. For a late tea bangers and mash with carrots followed by 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 Widnes / Runcorn 07-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2538	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
2526	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea, Hospital stop A	79C	Arriva NW&W
2541	Halton Lea, Hospital stop B	Runcorn BS	79	Arriva NW&W
2528	Runcorn BS	Murdishaw Central	79C	Arriva NW&W
5008	Murdishaw Central	Halton Lea, Hospital stop B	1	Arriva NW&W
2527	Halton Lea, Hospital stop B	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
3136	Runcorn BS	Murdishaw Central	X1	Arriva NW&W
2530	Murdishaw Central	Halton Lea South	110	Arriva NW&W
2540	Halton Lea South	Widnes, Green Oaks	79	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We had checked the weather for today and it was for a dull cloudy day all around here, so we gave Matthew a list of medium distance location from the North West and Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Widnes. Research consisted of looking at the Arriva North West website for a map but it was 6 years out of date! We then look at Halton Borough council maps for Widnes & Runcorn. Matthew got up around 11:00 today as he had been awake half the night. As we were about to set off around 11:30 we realised that Matthew hadn't had any breakfast, so we set off through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive and right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we stopped at the sandwich shop for a bacon oatcake for Matthew, to keep him going until we got to Widnes. We carried on up to Heron Cross and we joined the Westbound A50. Near to the roundabout at Sideway we saw Silverdale coach MV12 ODS. We went North up the A500 to Shelton and we passed S&S Travel M940 JBO and a white unidentified tri-axle Volvo Olympian. We went along Shelton New Road and past the old Twyford factory to the gas garage. After we had filled up we headed back onto the A500 via the A53. We travelled North up the the A34 and we came off to fill up with petrol at the Shell garage. Once we had filled up we got back onto the A500 and we passed Howards double decker F18 HOW. We joined the Northbound M6 and we travelled North up to the M62 we saw Howards Y22 HOW, Tyrers CHO 213Y & Ashton Travel V1 NNK. At the M62 we went West a few junctions to A557 and we travelled South into Widnes. As we entered town we followed Vision coach BK63 ZSW. We parked up near to the Market and bus stops and set off to the Market. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 2542 on a #82A to the Liverpool ONE bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2542 in Widnes

We walked into the market and we went to Av U Et? at the back corner of the market. Matthew went to the adjacent toilet whilst mum ordered the food and uncle Dave saved he table. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and walked through the market back to the bus stops. Whilst we waited for the next bus to Runcorn we saw Halton Transport 19 on a #26A to Cronton.

Halton Transport 19 in Widnes

A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was required Arriva NW&W 2538 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2538 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW&W Daysaver tickets at £.530 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Green Oaks Way and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Hutchinson Road and we joined the the A533. We crossed over the Jubilee Bridge and we caught up with Arriva NW&W 2541 on the #79C to Murdishaw. We crossed the bridge into Runcorn and we wheeled around onto Station Road and into the old town. We crossed over the canal and past 'The Archers' pub and onto the High Street. We turned into the bus station and we saw Antony's Travel minibus TB65 ANT leaving as we arrived. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Arriva NW&W 3140 on a X1 to Liverpool ONE bus station.

Arriva NW&W 3140 in Runcorn bus station

We let Arriva NW&W 2541 on the #79C go and we then had a wait of around 15 minutes. Whilst we waited we saw Halton Transport 52 on a #62 to Warrington.

Halton Transport 52 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2526 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2526 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of town and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty seat opposite on Arriva NW&W 2526.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2526

We decided to go a bit further East to the library. We continued along the busway and around the corner to the hospital where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2526 as it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2526 in Halton Lea

As we got off the bus we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 37440 on a X2 service to Chester. We crossed the road to the other side to wait for a bus back towards Runcorn town centre. Going the other way we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2520 on a #3C circular service and Arriva NW&W 2530 on a #110 to Murdishaw. A few minutes later a bus to Runcorn appeared and it was required Arriva NW&W 2541.

Arriva NW&W 2541 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the busway Westwards and we stopped on the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre. We carried on West onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2541 as it carried on towards Hough Green.

Arriva NW&W 2541 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to have a short comfort break. On the way to the pub we saw Ashcroft's Travel YK04 KWJ on the #52 Beechwood circular service.

Ashcroft's Travel YK04 KWJ in Runcorn bus station

We crossed over Church Street to the Wetherspoon's pub The Ferry Boat and Matthew used the toilet. We then went to the bar and Matthew had a small Coke. Once we had finished we went outside to meet back up with uncle Dave. We walked back up to the bus station and we waited for the next bus towards Halton. Around 10 minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was dud Arriva NW&W 2528 on a #79C to Mudishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2528 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of town and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We decided to go a bit further East to Murdishaw. We ran past the hospital and we traveled East for about a mile and the busway opened out at a turning circle and we guessed we had reached the end of the run. we got up and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2528.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2528

Once off the bus we saw Halton Transport 86 on layover in between working duties on the #61A to Huyton.

Halton Transport 86 in Murdishaw

We went to the adjacent Co-operative food store and Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Once we got the thing we went to the till to pay for them and Matthew made friends with the lady behind one of the checkouts. We walked up to the bridge to have a look a the buses parked up. Matthew also liked the view of the lamppost.

Lamppost in Murdishaw

We headed back down to the bus stops and Matthew had a double Milky Way. The next bus that turned us was dud Arriva NW&W 5008 on a #1 circular service.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Murdishaw

We decided to do this bus as far as the hospital. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus in front was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Inside Arriva NW&W 5008.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5008

The bus turned around the turning circle and we ran West up the busway to Halton Lea hospital where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5008 before it carried on around the circle to the Halton Lea South terminus.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Halton Lea

We decided to wait for the next Runcorn bound bus. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 3137 on a #79C to Murdisham and Stagecoach Merseyside 37444 on the X2 to Chester. A few minutes later our bus appeared and it was required Arriva NW&W 2527 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2527 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along the busway Westwards. We then stopped on the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre. The busway went around an Asda store and North under the Halton Link Road. the busway was on a sweeping curve to the right and we went through the middle of the Castlefields area. After around 3/4 of a mile we left the busway and went forwards on Tyrell Way. We followed the road around to the left and we turned left onto Castlefields Avenue East. We crossed over the A558 Daresbury Expressway and we then turned left onto another busway. We ran Westwards through the Astmoor area of town which is an industrial estate and docks. The busway crossed over road every couple of hundred yards and there were traffic lights which usually turned to green and we approached them. We also passed under the Southern end of where the Mersey Gateway bridge is being built. We went under the B5155 adjacent to the canal and we turned right at a roundabout off the busway onto Lieria Way with the town centre in sight. We ran down the hill and we turned left into the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2527 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2527 in Runcorn bus station

The plan was to get the next bus back to Widnes, but Matthew had other ideas... Matthew indicated that he wanted to go to the toilet, so I though we were going to The Ferry Boat again to use the facilities there. As we walked towards it, required Arriva NW&W 3136 pulled up in the bus stop opposite to us and Matthew decided he wanted to do that instead!

Arriva NW&W 3136 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. It was now fully dark and we had never done the X1 service in this direction before... We set off out of the bus station and onto Lieria Way. We then turned left onto the bus way and we ran along through the industrial area as if we were on a #110 service. We joined the Astmoor DSpine Road as if we were on a #110 but instead of going towards Halton Lea we took the busway in the opposite direction. The bus way was perhaps and old railway line as this part seem to run through a cutting, but it has no lighting so we couldn't see where we were. We seemed to run for ages, and we decided to get up at the next place we recognised. Unbeknown to us we had run around the Windmill Hill and Norton Village part of Runcorn passing close to Runcorn East railway station on the Manchester to Chester line. We came out into a lit area and we recognised it as the turning circle at Murdishaw, so we got up and got up and got off the bus. There was a bus on layover so we knew we would have to wait long for another bus back towards Widnes. A few minutes later the bus pulled of the layover bay and onto the bus stop. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2530 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2530 in Murdishaw

We got on the bus for what we thought would be the final time today, and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2530.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2530

The bus turned around the turning circle and we ran West up the busway to Halton Lea hospital. We continued along the busway and as we approached the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre, Matthew indicated that he wanted to go to the toilet and stared to get up. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2530 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2530 in Halton Lea

Once the bus had departed we went into the shopping centre and we went down one floor on the escalator and around the corner until we came to the toilets. After Matthew had used the facilities we walked back through through the shopping centre and back up the escalator to the bus terminal. We looked at the time table and we saw that we had another 10 minutes to wait. I called mum to let her know that we would be later than expected and we sat down to wait for the bus. Whilst we were there we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 37443 on a X2 service to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 37443 in Halton Lea

A few minutes later we saw bus approaching up the hill onto the elevated road to the bus terminus. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2540 on a #79 to Hough Green.

Arriva NW&W 2540 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus for what was actually the final time today, and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along the Busway. We carried on West onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station. After a short stop in the bus station, we set off up the High Street and we passed close to the Waterloo pub as was and we joined the A533. We crossed over the Mersey and we ran into the old town of Widnes up Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran through a bus lane into the Asda car park. We joined onto Gerrard Street past Marks & Spencers and we turned left onto Green Oaks Way. We we got to the bus stops by Green Oaks we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2540 before it carried on towards Hough Green.

Arriva NW&W 2540 in Widnes

On the way back to the car we saw Arriva NW&W 710 on a #17 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 710 in Widnes

We crossed over the road and we walked over to the car. Mum was waiting with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off onto Green Oaks way and we ran South to the roundabout. We got on the Northbound A557 we we ran the 2 miles up to the M62. As we went Eastwards along the motorway we saw Selwyn's coach YJ06 LFV join the motorway ahead of us. We continued East for around another 5 miles an then we joined the Southbound M6. As we travelled South we saw Afford Rent-a-Car HN16 CNC, Sharps of Nottingham ACZ 103 & Selwyn's (National Express) BX16 CKF on a #550 service to Southport. We made good progress going South apart from a small section where the motorway went down to two lanes through the roadworks. We continued down to junction 16 and then we got onto the Southbound A500. As we travelled South we saw Paul's of Stoke M41 KCU, First Potteries 67642 running out of service, an unidentified grey Bakers coach. At Sideway we went East up the A50 where we saw an unidentified S&J Travel minibus. We continued to Longton so that we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row was one of the newer arrivals, Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We also saw Z carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Closest minibus in the first row was Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound this evening. On the road we saw Z Carz silver Renault minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

In the compound was Z Carz minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We spotted another minibus further up the road so we drove up to investigate we turned around and Matthew got a picture of DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we saw Paul's of Stoke M20 BUS. We ran West to Heron Cross and we came off the A50 onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. At the end we turned right onto the A5035 and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit.Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark