Trip to Widnes / Runcorn 16-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2555	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	79C	Arriva NW&W
2535	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea, Hospital	3A	Arriva NW&W
2554	Halton Lea, Hospital	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
HIG 5672	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea South	52	Ashcroft's Travel
2524	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
2519	Runcorn BS	Murdishaw Central	79C	Arriva NW&W
3138	Murdishaw Central	Runcorn BS	X1	Arriva NW&W
2554	Runcorn BS	Widnes, Green Oaks	110	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew decided that we were going to Runcorn. As we had never been to Rucorn by road we asked Matthew if it would be OK to drive to Widnes and catch a bus to Runcorn which he said was OK. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cloudy weather and showers in the North West and North Midlands and better weather to the South. We gave Matthew a list of Midlands destinations, but he didn't seem too happy. He instead point to a picture of a Halton Transport bus he had taken at Huyton which was a Rucorn service, and he wrote Runcorn on his day planner! Research then consisted of down loading the Halton & Widnes Arriva map from the website. Matthew got up around 10:00 and toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we went onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran down to the A50. We went West to Sideway and then we took the Northbound. As we ran North up the A500 we saw Stanton's of Stoke 3093 RU, white minibus MX05 NFA and an unidentified Belle Vue coach. When we got to the M6 we turned right onto the Northbound side. On the M6 we saw quite a few coaches as the southbound traffic was slow due to an earlier accident. We saw Alfa 67, YN11 AYA on a #550, An unidentified Andrew's Coach, Telford's X5 TCN, blue coach ???? XYJ, Phillips BT57 LCT, black minibus SF16 DWE & Park's of Hamilton LSK 832 on a #570. We had made a decision to go via thw M62 and not the M56, which turned out to be a good decision. We left the M6 onto the Westbound M62 and on the M62 we passed Maghull Coaches coach WK02 UMC. At junction 7 we left the M62 and we went South down the A557. Approaching Widnes we saw Oakward's Travel A12 OWT. We turned right and we went North into the Green Oaks shopping centre car park where we parked up near to the bus stops and the market hall. On the way to the market we saw Halton Transport Solo 55 on a #26 circular service to Cronton.

Halton Transport 55 in Widnes

Also in Green Oaks was Halton Transport 3 on a #61A to Huyton.

Halton Transport 3 in Widnes

We walked into the market Hall and Matthew went to the toilet, and then we walked down to the other end to the Market Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast which he washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we spotted the disabled toilet which Matthew had to quickly explore, and then we went out of the market hall to the bus stands outside. Whilst we waited for a bus to Runcorn we saw Halton Transport 46 on a #61 to Widnes.

Halton Transport 46 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus coming around the corner. It was required Arriva NW&W 2555 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2555 in Widnes

We decided to do this bus so we got on and booked Arriva Day Saver tickets at £5.30 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Green Oaks Way ans we ran South into the old town via Gerrard Street. Milton Road and Kingsway. Traffic was very busy and queue to cross over the roundabout. In front of us was Arriva NW&W 3138 on a X1 to Windmill Hill. After we crossed the roundabout we ran out of town and over the railway line and under the A533. There are quite a few roadworks at the moment due to the building of a new bridge over the Mersey referred to as the Mersey Gateway project. We joined the A533 and we ran over the Mersey on the Silver Jubilee Bridge and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2522 on a #110 to Warrington. We ran around in a near circle and we got onto the High Street. We passed The Waterloo, the pub which ise the feature in the sitcom 'Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps' and we ran into the Old Town town centre where there was a small collections of bus stands just off the High Street. As we came int the bus station we saw a coach parked up.Matthew decided he wanted to get off here so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another Arriva NW&W 2555 before it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2555 in Runcorn bus station

On the other side of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2538 on a #3C to Weston. We walked over to the coach which was Anthony's Travel RB16 ANT.

Anthony's Travel RB16 ANT in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 2535 which was on a #3A to Halton Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 2535 in Runcorn bus station

Immediately behind that was required Arriva NW&W 2554 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2554 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to do required Arriva NW&W 2535 on the #3A service to Halton Hospital. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right and up the hill. We crossed the canal and we went under the A533. We turned left into Boston Avenue and we ran Eastwards. We turned left into Halton Brook Avenue and then erm turned right into Halton Brook Avenue. This was our first time in Runcorn, and as a new town part of it are designed differently as we were about to find out... We went forwards off Halton Brook Avenue on to Brackendale and after crossing over the B5155 onto Halton Lodge Avenue we turned left onto the busway. With Runcorn being radically different, there are three types of Roads. Tgere are main roads for passing through quickly. Local roads for residential traffic and special busways which run in between the housing estates that only have buses on them and residents walk off the estates to to the busway to stops rather like stops on a tramline. This particular busway ran under the A533 central expressway and into the Halton Lea shopping centre. The Eastbound busway calls at the library on an elevated road. After a brief stop we continued to the hospital where the bus terminated. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2535 before it ran up to the turning circle.

Arriva NW&W 2535 in Halton Lea

We crossed over the busway and we waited for a bus back to Runcorn. We saw required Arriva NW&W 5006 on a terminating #21 service from Chester, and we few minutes later we saw another Arriva bus approaching, As it got closer we saw that if was required Arriva NW&W 2554 on the #110 to Warrington that we had turned down earlier.

Arriva NW&W 2554 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2554.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2554

We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along the busway Westwards. We stopped on the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre where there was an elevated road on which the buses run and a platform with 3 bus stands on it. It was considerably bigger than the Northside library stop. 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. As we came in we spotted a minibus on the opposite side. Once we got up and got off the bus we took a picture of Ashcroft's Travel Renault minibus HIG 5672 which was about to work a #52 service to Beechwood.

Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5672 in Runcorn bus station

We crossed over to the other side of the bus station and we waited at the appropriate stand. A quick check of the time table revealed that the bus was due off in 5 minutes and it was going via the southside of Halton Lea shopping centre. A few minutes later the bus came on stand and we got on and booked to the shopping centre. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5672.

Inside Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5672

We sat down and the bus went out of the bus station Eastwards onto the B5155. We crossed the canal and we turned left onto Halton Road. We traveled around 1/2 mile and we turned left onto Halton Brow, running under the A533. At the end of Halton Brow we turned right onto Main Street through and old part of the town with older building that you typically find in a rural village in Cheshire. The road curved around to the East ans we turned right onto Holt Lane. e ran through part of the Halton Lea shopping centre that were very run down and the we circle around onto the Southway and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5672.

Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5672 in Halton Lea

Once off the bus we decided to go for a little walk and find the toilet. We went downstairs and we walked around a little until we found a mall map and we worked out where the toilet were. The direct route had been cut off by re-development work on a new shop, so we went around in big circle! Matthew used the facilities which were unusual as all the toilet stall doors were different colours with a large gents type sign with crossed legs! We walked back towards the bus station and we went up the escalators to the bus station level. We got there in time to see required Arriva NW&W 3139 on a X1 service to the Liverpool One bus station.

Arriva NW&W 3139 in Halton Lea

a few minutes later we saw another Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2524 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2524 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We traveled back through Castlefields via the busway and then we headed back into Runcorn via the busway through Astmoor. When we got back into Runcorn Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2524 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2524 in Runcorn bus station

It wasn't quite 16:00 so we decided to do another trip out East. A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W 2519 made an appearance on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2519 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver. As it was the first time we had done a #79C beyond Runcorn we getting to experience yet another different way to travel between Runcorn and Halton Lea. We set off out of town as we had done on the #3A earlier 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. This is an older part of town and perhaps the roughest part... There were gangs of kids wearing masks hanging around the bus stop. 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 discovered the run up to Murdishaw was entirely along the busway. 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 2519.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2519

The bus ran off around the other side to go layover where there was also required Arriva NW&W 2525 on a #79 to Hough Green. By the bus stop was a Co-operative Food store. We went in and brough a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as some chocolate. After we had paid food the stuff we went back to the bus stop and Matthew had a double Milky Way and drank a can of orange Fanta. Whilst he ate we saw Halton Transport 49 go on layover.

Halton Transport 49 in Murdishaw

We also saw Halton Transport 90 on a #62 to Halebank.

Halton Transport 90 in Murdishaw

We were considering doing Arriva NW&W 5004 on a #2 Halton Lea circular when from the opposite direction we saw required Arriva NW&W 3138 on a X1 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3138 in Murdishaw

We decided to do this up to Runcorn so we got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus turned around the turning circle and we ran West up the busway to Halton Lea hospital. The bus emptied a little and Matthew to a picture of the empty seat adjacent to us inside Arriva NW&W 3138.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3138

We pulled up in Halton Lea South and the bus didn't load up very much. We ran back into town via Castlefield up the busway. 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 instead going along the busway we traveled Westwards along Astmoor Road. Where the road crossed the busway we joined the busway and 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. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Halton Transport 81 on stand opposite to us.

Halton Transport 81 in Runcorn bus station

We also saw Halton Transport 43 on a #61 to Huyton bus station.

Halton Transport 43 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2554 on the #110 which we had scored earlier in the day.

Arriva NW&W 2554 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day saver tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. 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. We saw Halton Transport 92 on a #14C to the old town in Widnes.

Halton Transport 92 in Widnes

We walked over to the car and mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and as we couldn't turned right we ran up to the B5178. What we should have done is turn around at the roundabout and go back onto the A557 and onto the M62. What I ended up doing is going East towards Warrington on the B5178 and onto the A562 past Fiddlers Ferry power station. We went into Penketh past the Tesco Express that we caught a bus to from Warrington back in April 2012. We turned sharp left onto Liverpool Road and we ran North up the junction 8 of the M62 via Lingley Green Avenue. Once on the M62 we ran East to the M6 and then we went South. The journey back was uneventful, except as we left the M6 we caught up with Wint's coach FL02 ZXV heading back towards the moorlands. We ran South down the A500 to Sideway and then east onto the A50. As we were going towards Longton I realised the coach was behind us. As we came off the slip road for Longton Matthew got a picture of Wints FL02 ZXV.

Wints FL02 ZXV on the A50

We went over to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. On the spare ground in the first row tonight we saw Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to check out what was in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 WPE.

Z Carz LG09 WPE in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we crossed over to the other side onto Baths Road. We stop at Tesco petrol station yo take on Diesel and then we returned onto the A50. We traveled West to Heron Cross an we came off onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road and then right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just before 19:00. For a late tea we had sausages, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 01:00... Mark

Trip to Hinckley / Nuneaton 02-08-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1916	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Stoney Stanton, adj New Road	X55	Arriva Midlands
2568	Stoney Stanton, opp Bluebell Inn	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	X55	Arriva Midlands
3904	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	158	Arriva Midlands
2115	Barwell, opp East Green	Barwell, Charnwood Road (NE Bound)	82	Arriva Midlands
2115	Barwell, Charnwood Road (NE Bound)	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	82	Arriva Midlands
2201	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Hinckley, adj Netherley Court	82	Arriva Midlands
3904	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton BS	158	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley. We had been checking the weather and the Met Office had given out a yellow weather warning for some areas so we left until Saturday morning before choosing the destination. A quick check off the BBC UK weather map help us to decided to go in a South Easterly direction. We gave Matthew a few familiar destination in this direction and Matthew chose Hinckley. Other than to check the weather we did no research. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 11:30 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned right at the Hem Heath pub onto Stanley Matthews Ways and then onto the Westbound A50. We turned North onto the A500 which we did up to Shelton New Road so we could pick up LPG. Once we had filled up we headed onto the A53 and onto the Southbound A500 which we did down to the M6. The rain was not heavy but it was persistent. Going South traffic was heavy and running a little slow. We were passed by a couple of coaches. Firstly we were passed by Holmeswood Coaches PO12 EOA. A few minutes later we passed by Shearings Holidays YN60 CAA.

Shearings Holidays YN60 CAA on the M6

We went through the roadworks section from junction 13 and the we came off the M6 at the junction with the A5. A few mile along the A5 we stopped at the trucker cafe on the right. Matthew used their toilet and then had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. We got back onto the road just after 13:00, and we carried on East along the A5. As we got close to Tamworth the rain stopped. When we got to the B4666 the South side of the road was clear and cloud free and the Hinckley side of the road was under a dark cloud! We continued the last few miles into town and the rain started again. We said goodbye to mum and we set off towards the toilet via the bus station. The bus station is currently under redevelopment but there are still a few services that call in there, and also vehicles layover there. One of the vehicles on layover was Grand UK Holidays coach YJ14 BYL.

Grand UK Holidays YJ14 BYL in Hinckley bus station

In front of that was 'Hinckley Bus' 1916 about to work the X55 to Leicester from Regent Street.

Arriva Midlands 1916 in Hinckley bus station

We carried on up to the toilet and then we walked over to Regent Street. We noticed that 'Hinckley Bus' 1916 was still at the stop so we decided to catch this bus. It wasn't a required bus as we had been on this bus back in April, but we decided to do it anyway. We got on the bus and asked for the Hinckley Bus day ticket expecting it to be £7.50 each. When the driver told us it was £8 between us we were surprised. Apparently Hinckley Bus has now fully integrated into Arriva Midlands and there was anew local Daysaver for £4 and the £6.20 midland Daysaver tickets wer now valid on their buses. We ended up getting a Midland Daysaver group ticket for £10. We sat down and the bus set off North through town before heading towards Burbage. It had now stopped raining and the weather was starting to clear. We checked the timetable to see where we could travel to and get a bus back. As we checked the timetable we passed Arriva Midlands 2555 on the first X55 going back. With the X55 being a limited stop bus, we checked the main stops to see where we could go to. We saw that we could go to Stoney Stanton for 20 minutes which would give us time to visit a shop whilst we were there. The bus carried on through Aston Flamville and Sapcote. A mile or so up the road from Sapcote is Stoney Stanton. We saw a junction and a Co-op food store so we assumed we had reached the centre of town. We got up and got off and Matthew got another picture of this beast.

Arriva Midlands 1916 in Stoney Stanton

We crossed the road and walked to the Co-op food store. Whilst there Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Cherry Coke as well as some chocolate and a box of millionaire shortbread squares. We crossed the road to the stop to wait for the bus back. Whilst there Matthew had a bus stop picnic of a Toffee Crisp washed down with the bottle of Cherry Coke. A few minutes later we saw a 'Hinckley Bus' liveried Solo approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2568.

Arriva Midlands 2568 in Stoney Stanton

We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets. Matthew beeped the horn on the bus. We sat down and the bus set off back towards Hinkley via Sapcote, Aston Flamville and Burbage. As we approached Hinckley we passed Arriva Midlands 2555 going the other way. We got into town and we let the bus empty so that Matthew could take a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2568.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2568

Matthew decided to take us on a walk through town for a short while. We walked up the pedestrianised Castle Street and back down into town via Stockwell Head. When we got back into Regent Street we stopped and Matthew ate some of his millionaires shortbread. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3912 going South towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3912 in Hinckley

On a #71 to Burbage was dud Arriva Midlands 1906.

Arriva Midlands 1906 in Hinckley

We decided to walk up the road a little to see what was due to go North towards Barwell. Since our previous visit, Arriva Midlands buses on the #158 service come through Regent Street instead of the bus station due to it's re-development. When we saw Arriva Midlands 3904 on the #158 to Leicester we decided to catch it.

Arriva Midlands 3904 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. The bus was quite full and we sat down near the back. As we were about to set off required Arriva Midlands 2115 pulled up in front of us on the less direct #82 Barwell service. We though that we should be able to head this bus off in Barwell and get on it there. We set off North along the B4667 which became the A447 as we left town and passed the hospital. we turned right off the A447 and we headed into Barwell. As we had never been into Barwell from this direct it took us a little by surprise, but we spotted the Co-op and we got up and got off. As we got off we got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3904.

Arriva Midlands 3904 in Barwell

On the opposite side of the road we saw Arriva Midlands 3901 on the Nuneaton bound service.

Arriva Midlands 3901 in Barwell

We crossed over the road to check out when the #82 to Barwell was due. We also checked out when the next #82 to Hinckley was too. The #82 to Barwell was due first at 16:07, and we thought that this would probably be Arriva Midlands 2115. We had around 10 minute to wait so Matthew sat on the concrete blocks outside the disused garage and had a few more millionaires shortbread squares. When the bus was due we looked down the road and we saw a red Dart approaching. As predicted it was required Arriva Midlands 2115.

Arriva Midlands 2115 in Barwell

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets before we sat down. This bus is a very recent transfer from Wednesfield. The bus set off north into the housing estate in Barwell and then when the bus started to turn to go back towards Hinckley I got up to flash the tickets again for the return journey. We went back through Barwell and then the long way back onto the A447 before going into Hinckley via Stanley Road and Hollycroft passing Arriva Midlands 1914 on the #82 to Barwell as we went. When we got into town we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside this rather smart looking Dart.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2115

We then crossed the road and got another good picture of the outside of Arriva Midlands 2115 too.

Arriva Midlands 2115 in Hinckley

We saw dud Arriva Midlands 2567 on the #75 to Wykin and we decided to go and visit the toilets on Station Road. On the way to the toilet we stopped to photograph Stagecoach Warwickshire 36171 on the #48 to Coventry. When we got to the toilet Matthew must have spotted a smartly dressed person enter a door on the other side of the car park that the toilet block was situated on. The building was a place called the green rooms which had been an old masonic hall which could be see from the stone above the door. Matthew dragged me in to go say hell to a couple of people. It turned out to be a wedding reception! After Matthew had said hello we used the toilet and then we headed back towards regent street via Station Road and he Horsefair. As it was quite warm we decided to visit a shop and get another drink. We sat down on a bench on regent street and Matthew drank his can of Vimto and also got another picture of Arriva Midlands 1906 on the #71.

Arriva Midlands 1906 in Hinckley

Dud Arriva Midlands 2201 was on the #82 but we decided to do this a filler move to get Arriva Midlands 1914 back before going on the 17:10 #86 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 2201 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. Matthew photographed the switches on the drivers cab before we sat down and Matthew photographed the empty seats opposite us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2201

The bus set off out of town, but it didn't turn left into Hollycroft... It then dawned on us that there must be a diversion in place, but only in one direction. We seemed to have travelled back from Barwell normally earlier on Arriva Midlands 2115. We decided to get off the bus and walk back towards Hollycroft to pick up the unknown bus on the #86 having probably missed doing Arriva Midlands 1914 on the Hinckley bound #82.

Arriva Midlands 2201 in Hinckley

The only problem is that we only had around 10 minutes to do it in and it was well over 1/2 a mile! We set off at a fast walk. We then tried a slow jog. Matthew was unable to run very far or fast. I think he got stitch as he was struggling and holding his side. We got onto Hollycroft around 17:12 but there wasn't a stop opposite. so we walked back towards town. When we got to stop there were barriers around it as the kerb had been raised for use with low floor buses. This was probably why the buses were being divert! We resigned ourselves to the fact that we had missed the 17:10 from Hinckley... That had probably been diverted too. At least with his other ticket there were other bus options. There was a #158 from Regent Street to Nuneaton at 17:32. We walked back down into town and we got to the stop at around 17:25 Whilst we were there we saw Arriva Midlands 1908 depart on a #58 to Market Harborough, and then we saw Arriva Midlands 2555 arrive in town having worked a X55 from Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 2555 in Hinckley

The destination as changed to Three Potts as it was going to work the next #5. Just then we saw and Arriva turquoise bus approaching on the #158. What are the chances of that... it was dud Arriva Midlands 3904 that we had been on earlier in the day!

Arriva Midlands 3904 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets. Matthew went to say hello to someone and scared them as they had been asleep! We sat down and the bus set off out of town down the Southbound B4666. We joined the A5 and then turned towards Nuneaton on the A47. Part way along The Long Shoot, the bus emptied in front of us and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3904.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3904

East of the town, we around the one way system before crossing over the railway and joining onto the anti-clockwise ring road. Just inside the ring road close to the railway station we pulled into the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew dragged us over to go say hello to someone before we walked over to the toilets. The journey to Nuneaton on the #158 was much quicker than we had anticipated, and as such we had caught up with the #86 from Hinckley. Had we not been bowled out for this service, we would have been on required Arriva Midlands 2570! We set off to where mum was usually parked, taking bus pictures on the way. The first bus we encountered was Stagecoach Warwickshire 36748 on a #5A to Camp Hill

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36748 in Nuneaton bus station

Next we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 39681 pause next to Dart 34496 which were on services #10 and #18 respectively.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 39681 in Nuneaton bus station

We crossed the ring road and mum was just parking by B&M have been over at Asda earlier. We got in the car and we had a Greggs sausage roll which Matthew washed down with 1/2 a litre bottle of sugar free irn-Bru. We set off out off town around the ring road, over the railway and onto the Northbound A444. A few miles up the road we went West on the A5. It was sunshine and showers most of the way back to the M6. In Brownhills we saw National Express West Midlands double decker 4767 on a #10A to Walsall as we passed though the Northern edge of the west Midlands. Having got in the wrong lane near Cannock and briefly joining the A34, we got back onto the A5 to pass South of Cannock and join onto the M6. We headed North up the M6 in sunshine and we came off the motorway at the Southern end of the A500. We went North on the A500 to Sideway, where we joined the Westbound A50 up to Longton to check out Z Carz. There were 6 buses parked up on the spare ground tonight. Firstly was the Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Then we saw Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Towards the back of the spare ground was Matthew's old school bus, LDV M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

At the back corner of the ground was Volkswagen minibus DX55 WGE.

Z Carz DX55 WGE in Longton

The we had Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Finally was former Phil Smiths Travel Mercedes minibus, M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row and the only bus in the compound was another former school bus, long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX looking a little sorry for itself. We rejoined the A50 and we traveled up to Heron Cross. We traveled home through Blurton, and we got home at 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime at 00:00... Mark