Trip to Winsford / Sandbach 20-04-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
766	Adderley Green, First bus depot	Ford's of Winsford	Charter	PMT
2612	Winsford, Town Bridge	Middlewich, St Michael's Way	37A	Arriva NW&W
3159	Middlewich, Croxton Lane	Sandbach, o/s Common	37A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Sandbach, o/s Common	Haslington opp Oakland Avenue	37	Arriva NW&W
67648	Haslington nr Oakland Avenue	Kidsgrove, Gloucester Road	3	First Potteries
65732	Kidsgrove, Adj St Johns RC Primary School	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
67633	Hanley BS	Adderley Green, First bus depot	11	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and we were going to take him out for the day. Matthew had expressed a wish to go and see POPS double decker 766 at Winsford for it's booked attendance at the Ford's of Winsford 60th anniversary event. I contacted a senior member off POPS and asked if it would be possible for us to travel up on the bus and they agreed that we could. Matthew got up around 06:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I came to pick him up just before 07:30 as the booked departure time from the bus garage was 07:50. Matthew got ready and we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Baker Street and left onto Glebedale Road. We turned right onto City Road and we saw D&G Bus 27 running out of service. We ran forwards onto King Street and through Foley into Longton. We went under the the railway line into Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We went up the hill and down the other side into Adderley Green. We turned left by the bus garage and at the next roundabout we turned left and headed into the estate. We parked up next to the publice footpath and we walked up the the back end of the bus garage. We saw new arrival First Potteries 65692 parked up at the back of the garage. We walked along the path at the side of the garage and to the bus stop on the A5272 outside the front of the garage. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching, and as expected it was preserved PMT 766.

PMT 766 in Adderley Green

We got on the bus and we were greeted by the senior POPS member. The bus was empty except for him and the driver so we were able to sit where we wanted to. We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside PMT 766.

Inside PMT 766

We set off along the A5272 and we headed into Bentilee. We passed Free Spirits FJ55 PVY parked up at the side of the road. We continued forwards into Bucknall. We joined the A52 and we ran up to Limekiln traffic lights. We ran forwards onto the A5272 and we followed it to the left and through Northwood. We continued through Birches Head and Sneyd Green. We stopped briefly by Central Forest Park and we continued up to Smallthorne roundabouts. We ran forwards onto High Lane and we ran to the end. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A527. We ran through Turnhurst and Pitshill down to the North end of Tunstall. We turned right onto the A50 and we headed through Sandyford into Kidsgrove. We crossed the A34 and we ran up to Church Lawton. We followed the A50 to the right and we veered left onto the A533. We ran through Rode Heath and we crossed over the M6 near to the Sandbach Services. We ran around the South Side of Sandbach town centre and continued along the A533 through Elworth Past Sandbach railway station. We ran alongside the canal into Middlewich town centre and we turned left onto the A54. We ran through the town centre and around the one-way system. and Westwards along the A54 out of town. We crossed over the railway line by Winsford railway station and we continued to the bottom of town. At the main roundabout we went forwards onto New Road. It must have been a wrong turning because after about 1/2 the driver turned the bus around. There was not a great deal along this road except a few industrial units and what appeared to be a virtual rock salt quarry. We returned to the big roundabout and we turned left onto the A5018. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Weaver Valley Road. We arrived at the Ford garage and there were thousands of cars! A representative of the garage came out and guided the driver backwards through a very narrow gate. We reverse up to the main building and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of PMT 766.

PMT 766 in Winsford

Once off the bus we had a look around at the other cars and Matthew used the toilet. We made arrangement with the POPS member that we would either hang around for 8 hours until the end of the day or we would make our own way back and message him if we no longer required to return on the bus. We got a POPS membership form and we had a look around at the other vehicles there were on display. These included a few cars from the 1980's and older, a fire engine, the original Ghost Busters car and a F1 racing car. Once we had seen the other vehicles on display we set off out of the garage onto Weaver Valley Road. just past the garage was the entrance to a park. We decided to walk through the park. Just inside the park was a large rock and we decided to sit and have a sausage roll. Matthew also had a drink of Irn Bru. When we had finished eating we carried on through the park. We continued down the path and we came out very near to the main roundabout in town. We crossed the roundabout and over the River Weaver and we walked up onto High Street. We cut across onto the A54 and we waited at the bus stop for the next Southbound bus. Whilst we were at the bus stop we saw Arriva NW&W double decker 4164 on a #29 and Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #31 to Northwich. A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 2612 on a #37A to Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Winsford

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW&W Day Saver tickets at £5.50 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A34 and across the main roundabout onto the Southbound A54. We veered left onto Station Road and we ran along the narrow street towards Middlewich. At the roundabout we ran forwards into Wisford railway station. We did a lap of the car park and back out onto the main road. We turned right onto the A54 and we crossed over the railway line. We continued East for around 2 miles and we came into the West end of Middlewich. We ran around the one-way system and left onto the A54 where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 as it continued towards Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Middlewich

Once the bus had gone we walked up At Michaels way onto Newton Bank. As we got to the food van by the Golden Lion Matthew decided he wanted to go the the toilet. We went to the pub but as it was still early the pub was still closed. We crossed over the road and we went to the Morrison's store. When Matthew had finished we attempted to but a bottle of pop but they hadn't got any bottle in the fridge by the cigarette counter that Matthew would actually drink! We crossed back over the road and we sat down at the food van in the pub car park. Matthew had a bacon bap washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we walked onto the A54 on the Western edge of town. We found the bus stop using Google Maps is there was an actual physical stop on either side of the road. We looked at google for the next bus departure and we had around 20 minutes to wait. Matthew sat of the grass verge in the sunshine and chilled whilst we waited for the bus. Around 20 minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #37A to Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 3159 in Middlewich

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 onto A530 and we ranaround the one-way system before turning left onto the A54. After a brief stop at the main bis stop we turned right onto the A533. We turned right onto Long Lane South and right onto Warmingham Lane. We ran through the estate and we turned left Cross Lane. We turned right and we re-joined the Southbound A533. We ran alongside of the canal and into Sandbach through Elworth. We turned left Hightown and at the next roundabout we ran forwards on Congleton Road. We turned right onto The Commons and we ran onto the other side of the triangle where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3159 before it returned to Northwich.

Arriva NW&W 3159 in Sandbach

Matthew went to the toilet and on the way back we visited McColls. He brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars as well as a drumstick lolly. We came out off the shop and back to the bus stop. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #38 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Sandbach

We let this Crewe bus go and we found a shady spot in which to sit. Matthew had a bottle of Fanta orange and ate his drumstick lolly. Whilst we waited for the next bus to Crewe we saw Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Macclesfield. I nipped to the toilet and we sat in the shade until just before the bus was due. A few minutes later we saw the bus drive around the common. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a #37 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Sandbach

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 along the common and we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2611 as it continued towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Haslington

Once off the bus we crossed over the road to the stop opposite to wait for the next #3 towards Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #38 to Macclesfield. A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67648 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67648 in Haslington

We got on the bus and we booked a First Potteries Network Day ticket at £7. We also brought a single to the the Staffordshire border which cost an astonishing £5. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along Crewe Road. We turned right onto Slaughter Hill and we ran forwards onto the B5077. We continued through Radway Green into Alsager and we continued along the B5077. We crossed over the A34 and we ran down the A50 towards Kidsgrove. Once we crossed into Staffordshire we got up and got off the bus. We watched the bus continue Southwards and we walked towards Kidsgrove town centre. As we headed towards the railway bridge uncle Dave pointed out the canal tavern which uncle Dave had taken a picture of on a previous occasion. This prompted Matthew to decided he wanted to visit the pub. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards we got a glass of Coke and we sat outside on a bench by the canal. Once we had finished the drinks we returned the glasses to the bar and we set off along the canal towards Kidsgrove. We came off the canal onto the car park at Kidsgrove railway station and we walked onto the A50. We turned We walked to the junction and we turned right onto The Avenue. We decided we would catch a 4A to Hanley. There was a bus due in a few minutes so we chilled out at the bus stop until it turned up. A short while later we saw the bus come around the corner and it was First Potteries 65732 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 65732 in Kidsgrove

We got on the bus and place the First Potteries Newtwork Day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along The Avenue. We turned left onto Lower Ash Road and right onto Mitchell Avenue. We turned left onto Harecastle Avenue and we turned left onto The A34. We ran up to the traffic lights and we crossed over the junction on Coalpit Hill. We ran forwards onto Swan Bank and we turned left onto Chester Road. We ran around the estate and we Ashenough Road. We turned left onto Monument Road and left onto High Street. We ran down to the roundabout and we ran forwards onto Talke Road. We ran through Red Street and we saw a few minibuses at the community centre including FN08 AXK. We continued down Crackley Bank to Dragon Square and into Chesterton. We ran down the High Street and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we joined the Southbound A34. We ran through Milehouse and as we headed towards Newcastle we were passed by Abbott's of Leeming coach XL13 AOL. We turned left onto Liverpool Road and left onto Ryecroft. At the roundabout we turned right onto barracks Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. After a brief stop we set off onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A53. We ran into Basford and over the A500. We ran down into Etruria and over the A500. We continued along the A53 and we turned left onto Forge Lane. We ran out along the Lane and we crossed over the canal before we returned back into Etruria along festival Way. We crossed under the A53 onto Etruria Road. We ran into Hanley and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went down to the appropriate stop to wait for a bus to Adderley Green. Matthew had a can of Coke and a chocolate bar whilst we waited for the next bus. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67633 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67633 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the First Potteries Network Day ticket under the scanner for the final time for today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and down the hill past the car park. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and we turned left onto the ring road. We ran around the ring road and we turned right onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights. We ran forwards onto the A52 and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we walked down the side of the depot. At the back of the depot was First Potteries 67647.

First Potteries 67647 in Adderley Green

Also in the depot was First Potteries 32635 with a damaged bumper and no destination blind.

First Potteries 32635 in Adderley Green

We walked along the footpath behind the housing estate and back to the car. Once at the car we set off through the housing estate and past Lidl onto the A5272. We ran past the bus garage and we turned right onto Anchor Road. We ran up and over the hill and down into Longton. We turned left onto Market Street and we followed the one-way system around onto Commerce Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto The Strand and we ran through Longton and under the railway bridge onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew decided he wanted to go to the shop when we got out of the car so he brought a can of Coke and a Milky Way. We returned to the residential unit and we went upstairs to his room. We said goodbye and Matthew chilled out on his computer. For tea Matthew had chicken nuggets and chips followed by a Manchester Tart. Later on Matthew went out. We went downstairs and he got in a car. We set off onto Temple Street amd we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout at Joiners Square onto Lichfield Street and the taxi stopped near to the bus station. We set off on foot up Lichfield Street and we ran forwards onto Stafford Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and we turned right onto Foundry Street and we stopped at the pub. Matthew had a drink of Coke and spent an hour or two listening to music and dancing. When it was time to go home we walked along Foundry Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and right onto Stafford Street. We continued onto Lichfield Street and we called for a taxi. We were picked up by an Intercity taxi. We ran along Birch Terrace and forwards onto Charles Street. We turned right onto Old Hall Street and we turned right onto the ring road. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we ran forwards onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Manor Street and right onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Later on Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 30-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4163	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4100	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2612	Crewe BS	Winsford, opp Asda	31A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Winsford, opp Siddon Street	Crewe BS	31	Arriva NW&W
4169	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4163	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Crewe. We had checked the weather for the North West and the Midlands and it was for dry and cool weather with some sunny intervals. We had a slight crack in the windscreen of the car and it couldn't be replaced until Monday, so we gave Matthew a list of places nearby. From the list Matthew chose Crewe. Since our last visit there had been a few Darts arriving at Winsford depot from Bolton, plus there were a couple of Plaxton President double deckers on loan at Winsford for the half term holidays. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice fro breakfast. We set off just after 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned onto Stanley Matthews Way and and down past the Britannia Stadium where there appeared to be some kind of event taking place. We went West on the A50 and then Northwards up the A500. At Wolstanton we passed ABC Supreme YX03 JVZ going Southwards. We crossed under the M6 and carried on along the single carriageway section of the A500 until we got to the Crewe turning. We turned right onto the A5020 and we followed the road right to the edge of town before turning left onto the A534 and passing the railway station. We turned right onto Edleston Road for the final run into town. Just before we got there we passed required Arriva NW&W 4163 on a #84 to Nantwich. We turned left into Delamere Street and we passed the bus station. We wound our way around the one way street and we parked in Asda car park this time. We walked through the car park to the shopping edge of town and we went into Vernon's fish bar for dinner. We looked across at the bus station and we could see an Arriva double decker was parked up as spare bus. After using the toilet Matthew had sausage chips and beans with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. When it was time to go we walked into the bus station and we saw what we were hoping to see, Arriva NW&W 4163 had returned and was about to the next #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva North West day tickets at £5 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4163.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4163

We sat down in the middle of the top deck and we waited for depature time. We noticed that the spare bus had swapped and was now a Plaxton Centro double decker. The bus set off out of the bus station Southwards onto Delamere Street. We carried on going South on Edleston Street. As we travlled down edleston Street we passed Beeline Taxis PN52 HUY going the other way. We turned right onto the A534 and we headed out of town. We passed through Wells Green and we turned left onto Willaston Road. We turned right into Coppice Road before rejoining the A534. We crossd the nantwich bypass and we carried on into town along the B5338. When we got to the edge of Nantwich we went North and around town until we got to the bus station on the A530. We got up and got off the bus. We crossed the road to get a better picture of Arriva NW&W 4163.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Nantwich bus station

There was quite a lot of activity in the bus station when we arrived. D&G Cadet 125 was on a #6 service to Nantwich Millfields.

D&G 125 in Nantwich bus station

There were a few GHA buses too. GHA's new Solo SR 1202 was on a #39 to Crewe.

GHA 1202 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was another on of their new Solo SR's, GHA 1203.

GHA 1203 in Nantwich bus station

Whilst we were there we also saw GHA Solo YJ59 GHG arrive and go on layover.

GHA YJ59 GHG in Nantwich bus station

We walked into town and we went to the toilet. After we had finished there we headed back into the market and Matthew had some spearmint chews. We carried on walking back to the bus station. matthew sat down and had a Milky Way and then dud Arriva NW&W double decker 4104 came into the bus station on a #84 to Chester

Arriva NW&W 4104 in Nantwich bus station

A minute or so later the Crewe bound service appeared in the hands of dud Arriva NW&W 4100.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Nantwich bus station

As both buses were dud we decided to head back towards Crewe to give us a greater choice of buses we could do. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and he rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4100.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4100

The bus set off onto the A530 and we wheeled around the North East corner of town before going Eastwards on the B5338. We crossed back over the Nantwich bypass and we headed East on the A534. We then headed into Willaston village along Coppice Road before turning left onto Willaston Road. We rejoined the A534 for the run into Crewe. We turned left into Edleston Road for the run Northwards into the town centre before turning left into Delamere Street, entering the bus station from the South. When we got back into to Crewe we considered which bus to do next. D&G 183 was on the on the #6 to Leighton hospital.

D&G 183 in Crewe bus station

We walked down the row of buses in the bus station taking pictures. We then stood on the end of the bus station and we took a few more pictures. On a #3 service we saw dud First Potteries Volvo 66962.

First Potteries 66962 in Crewe bus station

GHA have some new buses operating their #42 service to Congleton via Leighton Hospital and Middlewhich. We saw GHA Enviro 200 1407.

GHA 1407 in Crewe bus station

We then saw dud Arriva NW&W 2612 come in on a #37 service. It was about to work out on a #31A to Winsford, so we decided to do this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. It was the first time we had done this service between Crewe and Winsford so it was a bit of an adventure! The bus set off North out of the bus station and we wound our way through the streets towards Leighton Hospital. At the hospital there was a small bus station and there were a few buses there including D&G 183 on a #6, First Potteries 66303 on a #3 to Newcastle and GHA 1407 again on a the #42 to Congleton. We left the bus station area and we crossed the A530 at Bradfield Green before we continues up to Church Minshull crossing the Shropshire Union canal and the river Weaver. We continued North through the centre of Cheshire, Darnhall. We came into town along Beeston drive and we stopped opposite the shopping centre outside Witherspoons. We got up to get off and Matthew photographed the inside of the now empty Arriva NW&W 2612.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 as it carried to its next turn.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Winsford

We saw the bus turned right onto the A54. There were a few buses parked up there. On bus pulled off before we got there but the other two were Arriva NW&W 2612 which was now on the #37 to Crewe and Arriva NW&W 2610 which was about to work a #29 to Northwich. Across the road we saw required Arriva NW&W 2615 went passed on the other side of the road. Another Plaxton Centro also appeared and stopped on the opposite side of the road. So we crossed under the road in the subway and we came out and we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a #31 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Winsford

We decided to do the bus anyway so we got on and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off West up the A54 before turning left into the housing estate and heading back South through Darnhall. Somewhere between Darnall and Church Minshull we passed Northwich Travel minibus Y743 DDA coming the other way. We passed through Church Minshull and just before we crossed the A530 to go towards the hospital, we saw that the bus in front of us was empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2611

At the hospital this time we saw D&G 124, GHA 1406 on the #42 to Congleton and required Arriva NW&W 2608 on the #31A to Winsford. We headed back through the estate passing an Arriva Solo SR on the #6 to Leighton Hospital. When we got back to the bus station there was Plaxton President in the bus station. It was required Arriva NW&W 4169.

Arriva NW&W 4169 in Crewe bus station

It was going to work the next #84 to Chester, but it wasn't departure time so we had a look around the bus station to see what was about. Next to Arriva NW&W 4169 was dud Arriva NW&W 4489 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4489 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station was First Potteries 66838 on the #3 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 66838 in Crewe bus station

The driver came to the bus and readied Arriva NW&W 4169 for service. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4169.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4169

The bus set off out of the Southern end of the bus station onto Delamere Street and we turhedn right onto Edleston Street. As we left the bus station we passed Arriva NW&W 2609 on the #84 from Nantwich. At the other end of Edleston Street we turned right onto the A534 and we went Westwards along the road for a few miles until we got to Willaston. We turned left on Willaston Road to go into the village before going fight onto Coppice Road and we then rejoined the A534. We crossed the Nantwich bypass and we headed into town we rounded the North end of town and we turned into the bus station from the A530. We got up and got off the bus and once again we went across the road to get a better picture of Arriva NW&W 4169 as we had done earlier with Arriva NW&W 4163.

Arriva NW&W 4169 in Nantwich bus station

Also in the bus station was GHA Solo SR 1201.

GHA 1201 in Nantwich bus station

Behind this was standard GHA Solo YJ59 GHF.

GHA YJ59 GHF in Nantwich bus station

We decided to walk into town to use the toilet by the market. We walked into the market which had been packed up and when we got to the toilet it was closed! It shuts at 16:30 apparently. There were a couple of gentleman tidying up the yard area so we asked where there was another toilet. One of the gentlemen kindly opened up the toilet so that Matthew could use it. Once Matthew had finished with thanked the gentleman and we walked to the chip shop and brought a portion of chips between us and 3 cans of pop. We walked back to the bus station and we ate the chips. Matthew had a can of Coke and I had a can of Pepsi. We let Arriva NW&W 2609 go which was on the #84 to Crewe having worked in from Crewe on the short turn. We saw D&G 103 on a #1A to Crewe and also parked up was GHA solo SR 1204.

GHA 1204 in Nantwich bus station

The Chester bound #84 came into the bus station as it should do, and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4102.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Nantwich bus station

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was a Plaxton President double decker. It was dud Arriva NW&W 4163 which we had earlier, which had switched from doing the #84 shorts to Nantwich, to doing a trip to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4163 in Nantwich bus station

We got on this bus again and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver for the final time today and we went upstairs. The bus was a little fuller than we had been on earlier, which is understandable for the time of day. It didn't matter as we had already got a picture inside this bus earlier. The bus set off around the town and onto the B5338. As we approached the Nantwich bypass we saw David Brown of Willaston's Iveco minibus BX56 MVA in a pub car park which appeared to be on wedding duties! We crossed the bypass and and we entered Willaston village along Coppice Road and we rejoined the A534 off Willaston Road. When we got into town we made the left turn into Edleston Street behind required Arriva NW&W 2608 which was on a #37. When we got to the bus station there was just time to get a picture of Arriva NW&W 2608 before we headed back to the car.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Crewe bus station

We walked out of the bus station and mum had parked up on Victoria street outside Wetherspoons so we didn't have to walk as far back. Matthew said hello to a lady outside the pub and we got into the car. Mum had got Greggs sausage rolls for us and Matthew washed his down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We wound our way through the Streets in and we came out on Edleston Street. We headed onto the A534 and we went past the railway station before turning right onto the A5020. we ran out of town for a few miles before we joined the A500 and we went East. After we crossed under the A500 we followed Anytime Airports PY07 NHT South as it had come of the M6. When we got to Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton so that we could check out what was parked up at Z Carz today. First in the row was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to the Mercedes minibus S952 VMY was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus GL04 CVE was another Ford minibus PY08 KDX, Z Carz PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

At the back were another couple of minibuses. Next to the Fords minibus BN03 OVS was another Mercedes minibus, Z Carz CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Finally, last in the row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was there. There was only one vehicle, Z Carz Renault traffic DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We headed back onto A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. Unusually we passed through Blurton without seeing another bus. We got home around 18:40. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:15... Mark