Trip to Crewe / Congleton 02-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2623	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4476	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4491	Crewe BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4490	Congleton BS	Sandbach, o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
2608	Sandbach, o/s Common	Elworth nr railway station	37A	Arriva NW&W
2614	Elworth adj railway station	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine & showers, with the weather being better to the South and West. Other research involved checking the GHA & Cheshire East sites to see if the GHA #84 service still ran. We gave Matthew a list of places to visit and from the list Matthew surprisingly chose Crewe. Matthew got up around 10:00 and I forgot to give him breakfast! We set off around 11:40 and we ran onto the A5035. As we turned into Stanley Matthew Way we saw D&G 170 on a #14 service. We traveled North up to the A50 and we went West to Sideway. We then turned right onto the A500 and we headed North. We passed an unidentified AC Williams coach and we crossed under the M6 and we carried on Westwards. On the single lane section of the A500 we passed Routemaster Buses RML2515 going the other way. We turned right onto David Whitby Way and then left onto the A532. We followed the road around to left past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. As we traveled up the road we past required Arriva NW&W 4106 on a #37 to Northwich. We also past a shop called Total Tile & Bathrooms where there was a lady mannequin sitting on a toilet! We followed the road into town and left onto Delamere Street past the bus station. We whizzed around the street to Asda and we parked up. We walked around the corner to Vernon's Fish Bar and after Matthew had used the toilet he had sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished we left mum to pay the bill and we walked around the corner into the bus station and we saw D&G Solo SR 103 on a #12 to Shavington.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We turned the corner and we saw Arriva NW&W 4477 which had broken down and was about to get towed away, and GHA Solo CN06 BXS which was about to work a #44 to Nantwich.

GHA CN06 BXS in Crewe bus station

We walked down to the other end of the bus station and we saw First Potteries 67633 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67633 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station were Arriva NW&W 4100 on a #37 service and 2617 was on layover by the old garage. We were hoping to see the 13:03 #84 service to Chester, but it appeared not be running today. On stand was required Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Crewe bus station

In the absence of the GHA bus, we decided to do Arriva buses instead. We got on the bus and we booked an Arriva Day Saver ticket at £5.30 and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went along Delamere Street and around the corner onto Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edleston Road and we passed required Arriva NW&W 894 on the #6 service. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A534 and we headed West. After traveling a couple of miles we turned left onto Wistaston Road and just before he level crossing we turned right onto Coppice Road. At the end of the road we re-joined the westbound A534 and we crossed over A51 at the Peacock Roundabout. Just before town we turned right onto Millstone Lane passing Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #84 to Crewe. By the tractor shop, we turned left onto Beam Street. We passed Marks & Spencer's and the library and we entered the bus station. Matthew didn't take a picture inside the Arriva bus... For some reason a few of the passenger though it was a through bus to Chester and just sat there and didn't move! We got of the bus and we spotted an interesting looking GHA minibus. We walked over to the other side of the bus station and we saw GHA Mercedes minibus X996 AHT.

GHA X996 AHT in Nantwich bus station

We saw GHA Solo SR 1201 on the #52 to Sainsbury's, and then we headed into town. We walked down Market Street and into the market and we went to the toilet. After we used the toilet we stopped at the stall where Matthew usually has a few sweets from, but it was now a workwear and safety equipment stall. We asked if there was a sweet still in the market and it turned out it had moved next door! Talk about having tunnel vision! We brought a few spearmint chews and then we walked back to the bus station. We considered what to do next. We had planned on going forwards to Chester, but there was a large crowd at stand C waiting for the bus, presumably because the GHA bus hadn't run. The bus was due at 14:02 and when it turned up it was dud Arriva NW&W single decker 2617. We decided to turn it down and do the next bus back to Crewe which was an #84 from Chester. A few minutes later the bus rolls in and it was required Arriva NW&W 4476.

Arriva NW&W 4476 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus pulled out of the bus station just as dud Arriva NW&W 2613 came in which would work the next #84 back to Crewe. We went East along Beam Street and we turned right onto Millstone Lane and the left onto the A534. We ran out of Nantwich and we crossed the Peacock Roundabout carrying on Eastwards. We turned into Willaston along Coppice Road and at the end we turned left onto Wistaston Road. We rejoined the A534 and we ran a couple of miles into Crewe before we turned left into Edleston Road. We ran along the long straight road and we went over the Chester railway line onto Chester Bridge before the bus followed the road around onto Delamere Street. We turned right into the bus station and we let the bus empty out before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4476.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4476

We got off the bus and immediately we saw required Arriva NW&W 4491 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Crewe bus station

We decided to do this bus, and Matthew wanted to do it to Congleton, so we got on and we flashed the Arriva Day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. This was the last required bus of the batch of three 'Sapphire' buses that work on the #38 service. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We followed the road aroundto the right onto Chester Bridge and we crossed the railway line and onto Edleston Road. At the end of the long straight road we turned left onto the A534 and we ran past the railway station ans past B&Q. We traveled Eastwards along Crewe Road. We went through Haslington and Winterley and further North through Wheelock Heath. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock where we saw Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Crewe. We ran over the canal and into Sandbach town center past Sandbach School. When we got to the Common we stopped for a short while and we saw Arriva NW&W 2618 on a #37A to Sandbach. Around 15:10 we set off out of the Common onto Congleton Road. We joined the A534 and we crossed over the M6 and into open countryside. I had now got the phone to work downloading the Arriva mobile App and we worked out that we could go to Congleton and have around 10 minutes before returning on the next #38 towards Crewe (or wait another hour!). We carried on through open countryside and we crossed over the Arclid crossroads. On the edge of Congleton we joined the A34 and we ran East along the road for a short while before going onto West Street. We entered town along Antrobus Street, Mill Street and Mountbatten Way. We turned right into Market Street, past the Bear Grills cafe and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4491 before it carried on towards Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Congleton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet and I asked someone if there was a public toilet nearby. There was one just around the corner and then I remembered when we used to come to Congleton regularly we used it all the time! We used the toilet and the couple of minutes we were in there uncle Dave got slightly wet as it had started to rain. By the time we had both come out it had stopped raining! we started to walked down to stand 1 where the Arriva Bus App instructed u to go to, and on the way we saw GHA Enviro200 1407 on a #42 to Crewe.

GHA 1407 in Congleton bus station

We also saw GHA 'Beartown' branded 1471 on a #90 town circular service. As we walked down to stand 1 we saw the bus approaching of Mountbatten Way. It was another 'Sapphire' branded bus so we knew that it wouldn't be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4490.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Congleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. As we had passed the #38 just the other side of Sandbach, and we had also seen the #37A to Northwich which connect into the #38 in both directions, we decided to got to Sandbach to get the #37A north to the railway station, before coming back South on the following #37 to Crewe. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned left onto Mill Street and we climbed the hill, turning right onto West Street. At the roundabout we went straight onto the A34 and at the following junction we went straight ahead onto the A534. We went out of town through West Heath and then out into open countryside. We crossed the A50 at the Arclid crossroads and we passed a large lake. It was now bright sunshine as we crossed the M6, where we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach going North. On the west side of the m6 we left the A534 and turned right onto Congleton Road and we ran into Sandbach Common. As we were getting up the bus behind us emptied out so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4490.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4490

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4490 before it carried on towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Sandbach

As we had run around, had seen the bus that was going to be the #37A... It was dud Arriva NW&W 2608. It wasn't due off for another 10 minutes so we visited McColls to do a bit of shopping for Matthew. We brought a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a a pack of Milky Ways. We paid for the good and we walked down to our bus to get a picture, Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Sandbach

We sat down at the bus stop and Matthew ate cadbury's Snack, sharing some of it with me but not with uncle Dave for some reason. Whilst we were there we saw A&A minibuses transit YLZ 1348. A few minutes later the bus pulled on stand and we got on Arriva NW&W 2608. We flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver, and as the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2608.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2608

Sandbach railway station is a round a mile out of the town centre in the Elworth area. The bus set off out of the Common. We passed the town hall and we joined the A533 and we went West. A mile or so along the road just before the railway station, we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Elworth

We crossed the road and we stood at the bus stop to wait for the next bus to Crewe. We were hoping that it was going to be required Arriva NW&W 4106, which we had seen on the #37 earlier in the day. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was another Centro single decker, there was only a 1 in 6 chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2614.

Arriva NW&W 2614 in Elworth

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A533 and we went into Sandbach town centre and around the Common. After a brief stop 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 Crewe Green and forwards onto the A534. We ran past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. We entered Crewe town centre and we followed the road around onto Delamere Street. When we got into the bus station we got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the few uses that were still in the bus station. On an adjacent stand we saw D&G 121.

D&G 121 in Crewe bus station

We headed back through the bus station and onto Victoria Street and into Adsa car park where mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew also had the bottle of Irn Bru from the bag which we had purchased earlier. We set off out off the car park and around town via Flag lane, Alton Street and Derrington Avenue. As we approached Edleston Road we saw an unidentified Burland Coach heading into town. We turned right onto Edleston Road and at the end we turned left onto the A534. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto the A532 past the Brocklebank pub. At the next roundabout we turned right onto David Whitby Way and across the roundabout and at the end we turned left onto the A500. We ran onto the single lane section of the road and then we crossed under the M6. As we traveled down we passed an unidentified silver Happy Als coach and an unidentified Waltons coach. At Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. In the first row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest minibus was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound tonight. Closest to the gate was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we ran up to heron Cross before turning left onto Blurton Road. We stopped in Blurton by the shops for a short while and then we continued along Blurton Road and then right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just before 18:00. For a late tea a had chicken, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 01-08-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4216	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2618	Nantwich BS	Willaston, nr Jacksons Corner	84	Arriva NW&W
4179	Willaston, opp Nags Head PH	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4105	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2447	Crewe BS	Wistaston Green, Wood End (S-bound)	8	Arriva NW&W
2447	Wistaston Green, Wood End (S-bound)	Crewe BS	8	Arriva NW&W
2608	Crewe BS	Leighton, o/s Leighton Hospital	31A	Arriva NW&W
679	Leighton, o/s Leighton Hospital	Crewe BS	6	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe, this was partly due to the sighting of Arriva NW&W 4179 on the #84 service in Chester last week. We had checked the weather the day before and it was for fine sunny weather all over the Midlands and North West. We gave Matthew a list of place which were waited towards a choice of Crewe, and from the he due obliged and chose Crewe. A quick check of the weather again and the weather had now change to cloudy with showers. Matthew got up and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off through Blurton and we saw First Potteries 60205 on the Longton bound #22 and First Potteries 41497 on the #22 to Newcastle. We joined the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way passing Lucky Seven SJ55 LSK. At the other end we joined the Westbound A50 before going North on the A500. Seen going up the A500 were Mencap EK03 GXH, City Cabs EF05 OLX, Routemaster buses RML 2400 & Sheldon Executive Travel T85 BUB. I thought I had heard on the radio that the new link road from the A500 to the A532 / A5020, but I had heard correctly. I think the new road was linking the A500 to Gresty Road. We ended up going North on the other new road, which seem to pass close to the rail freight yard at Basford. We past the football ground and we queue up to join the A534 at the lights. As we waited we saw two coach pass then end of the road, one of which was Elcock Reisen A2 EXC. We joined the A534 before turning right into Eddleston Road. We were followed into town by dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a Crewe bound #37 service. We passed the bus station and we headed through the back streets to Asda. One we had sorted out a ticket for the car, we walked over to town to Vernon's fish bar and Matthew used the toilet before having sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished eating we pad up and we said goodbye to mum before walking over to the bus station. When we got there were two Solo SR's from 2 different operators on stand. Arriva NW&W 702 was on a #6 to Broad House and D&G 105 was on a #8A to Beech Grove.

D&G 105 in Crewe bus station

On layover on the other side of the bus station was Arriva NW&W Dart 894 along with GHA coach DA04 GHA. The first bus to come into the bus station was required Arriva NW&W 4216 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4216 in Crewe bus station

Whilst the driver of Arriva NW&W 4216 readied the bus for service, Matthew took a picture of the GHA coach DA04 GHA which was an unusual sighting.

GHA DA04 GHA in Crewe bus station

As the objective of today trip was to try and ride on Arriva NW&W 4179 and we considered it most likely to be out on the #84 service, we though we would do required Arriva NW&W 4216 and kill two birds with one stone. When the driver readied the bus for service, we got on a booked Arriva North West Day Saver tickets at £5.20 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty, and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4216.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4216

We sat down in the middle of the offside of the bus, and we looked over and saw dud First Potteries 66307 in a favourable position to take a photograph.

First Potteries 66307 in Crewe bus station

When it was time to leave the bus left the bus station ans went onto Delamere Street. We turned right into Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edlestone Road and we passed dud Arriva NW&W 4106 on the inbound #84 from Chester. At the end of Edleston Road we turned right onto the A534 and we headed out of Crewe. About 1/2 way between Crewe and the willaston turned we passed required Arriva NW&W 4106 broken down at the side of the road on what was presumably the #84 to Nantwich. We turned left into Wistaston Road and then right into Coppice Road before rejoining the A534. We crossed over the A51 Nantwich Bypass and we carried onto towards Nantwich town centre. As we came close to the town we passed the bus that we had come for, Arriva NW&W 4179. We turned left onto the B5074 and then right onto the A530 before we entered the bus station from the East. We got off the bus and then Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 4216.

Arriva NW&W 4216 in Nantwich bus station

There was a hive of activity at the bus station in Nantwich when we got off. There were a couple of GHA buses on layover on the lane closest to the main road. GHA Solo YM52 TPY was at the front and new GHA Solo SR 1203 was at the rear.

GHA 1203 in Nantwich bus station

On layover by the library was GHA YJ54 UBD. This pulled onto a stand and was about to work a local service.

GHA YJ54 UBD in Nantwich bus station

We walked into town and we went to the toilet. On the way back we stopped at the sweet stall in the market to by a couple of once of taverners mint toffee chews, before returning back to the bus station. Whilst we waited for the next bus towards Crewe to intercept Arriva NW&W 4179, we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4100 on a #84 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Nantwich bus station

This was followed by required D&G 125 which was on the #6 to Leighton Hospital.

D&G 125 in Nantwich bus station

As everything we had seen recently had been a double decker we had be expecting another one to turn up on the Crewe bound #84. When a Centro turned up we were a little surprised by it. As it pulled up we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2618.

Arriva NW&W 2618 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the Arriva NW&W 2618 and we flashed our Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus was quite well filled probably down to the fact that it was a single decker. We started to leave the bus station and we noticed and opportunity to get a picture of GHA Solo YM52 TPY at the front of the layover lane.

GHA YM52 TPY in Nantwich bus station

We went around the town before going East along the B5338. We crossed the Nantwich by-pass ans we saw Malbank coach SN55 OUF going the other way. We joined the A534 before turning right into Coppice Road and then left onto Wistaston Road. When we re-joined the A534 we got up to get off the bus. AS we were getting off I asked the driver where the nearest nantwich bound stop was and he told us it was on the end of Wistaston Road. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2618 as it carried on towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2618 in Willaston

We crossed the A534 and we turned to see Happy Days coach 181 going towards Crewe.

Happy Days 181 in Willaston

We walked onto Wistaston Road but we couldn't see the bus stop. We ended up walking down a few hundred yard to the next bus stop. We saw GHA Solo YJ59 GHB on a #78 to Nantwich.

GHA YJ59 GHB in Willaston

Matthew wanted to sit down whilst we waited for Arriva NW&W 4179. At this point we noticed that Matthew had a 6" split in his trousers! We considered what to do whilst we waited for the bus. Just as I found the emergency roll of tape in the bag we turned and saw Arriva NW&W 4179 approaching so we had no time to fix his trousers here.

Arriva NW&W 4179 in Willaston

We flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. We set off down Wistaston Road and the right onto Coppice Road. We joined the A534 and crossed over the Nantwich by-pass onto the B5338. The bus was quite well filled Matthew took a picture of the bus seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4179

Whilst we ran into town we hatched a plan to deal with Matthews trouser situation... I called mum to let her know what we were going to do so that we could meet her, and hopefully she would be able to find and buy Matthew a replacement pair of trousers. There was a dead time onto a bus back to Crewe, and if we made it we would be able to meet mum in around 30 minutes. As we pulled into the bus station we saw the Crewe bound bus already in the bus station. We got off Arriva NW&W 4179 and Matthew took a picture of dud Arriva NW&W 4105 before we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 4105 in Nantwich bus station

We flashed the Arriva North West Day saver tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus set off out of nantwich town and across the nantwich by-pass and onto the A534. We headed into Willaston along Coppice road and back onto the A534 via wistaston Road. Arriva NW&W 4106 was still broken down by the side of the road and we still hadn't passed another bus working the other #84 to Nantwich. Mum texted us to say that she had successfully got trousers for Matthew and that she was waiting at stand 9 in the bus station. We turned left into Edleston Road and we crossed over the railway line and into town. We turned left into Delamere Street and we entered the bus station. Before we got off the bus we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4105.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4105

We met up mum and we considered how we were going to change Matthew's trousers... We tried the disabled toilets in the bus station and there were screwed shut so we gathered around Matthew in a doorway to give him some privacy and Matthew successfully swapped into his new beige coloured Chinos. Now that Matthews trousers were split free, we went back to the main part of the bus station to consider what we might catch next. We saw D&G 144, the former Bakerbus Cadet about to work a #6 to Leighton Hospital.

D&G 144 in Crewe bus station

We also saw First Potteries 60069 on a #3 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60069 in Crewe bus station

There were a few interesting Arriva buses in the bus station. Required Arriva NW&W 4460 was on a #38 to Macclesfield, dud Arriva NW&W 2267 was on a #31 to Winsford, and Arriva NW&W 2447 was on a #8 to Beech Drive, Wistaston Green.

Arriva NW&W 2447 in Crewe bus station

With it being an older buses, we decided to do the Cadet 2447 on the #8, which is a service that we have never done before. We got on the bus first and as such Matthew was able to get a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2447.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2447

We flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver and we sat down. Thinking that it must be a required bus we check the page buses I have travelled on and it turned out to be dud! It was a bus that we had been on from Ellesmere Port to Chester almost five years ago back in December 2010. As we sat down we noticed what an awful smell there was... It was also commented on by other passengers. We had decided to do a complete circle and than head back to the bus station so that we could do another couple more buses. The bus left the bus station onto Delamere Street and we turned right onto Chester Bridge. We crossed the railway line and we turned right into Electricity Street. We went forwards onto Alton Street and down to Queens Park we then entered the circular end of the service turning left onto Moreton Road and right onto Capesthorn Road. It was here that I think we passed Leyland swift F30 TMP which was parked at the side of the road. We turned onto Wistaston Green Road and Valley Road before starting to head back towards Crewe on Aldersey Road. We rejoined Moreton Road and we went back past Queens Park and onto Alton Street. We went back into town and into the bus station. When we got up and got off the bus there were once again a few Arriva buses in the bus station. Dud Arriva NW&W 2501 was about to work a #37 to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2501 in Crewe bus station

On an adjacent stand was required Arriva NW&W 2608 on a #31A to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Crewe bus station

We also saw dud Arriva NW&W 4102 on the #84 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Crewe bus station

We decided to required 2608 on the #31A up to Leighton Hospital. We could do another #31 back or even one of the required Arriva Solo's working the #6 service. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of this well filled bus and the bus set off Northwards out of the bus station. We turned onto West Street we turned North onto Underwood Lane. We turned left onto the B5076 and then we turned Northwards again onto Mablins Lane. We turned left onto Parkers Road before rejoining the B5076. We crossed a roundabout and then we took the next left into Leighton Hospital grounds. We got off the bus and in front of us was required Arriva NW&W 2614.

Arriva NW&W 2614 in Leighton

We decided not to this as Matthew had done buses continuously without a break so we decided to wait for the next Arriva bus. Also in this small bus station was First Potteries 65733 on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 65733 in Leighton

The next Arriva bus was due off at 16:34. As there was a small gap in the service Matthew had packet of Milky Stars and a small bottle of Irn Bru. The next bus into the bus station was GHA Solo SR 1204 on a #78 to Scholar Green.

GHA 1204 in Leighton

We saw an Arriva bus approaching and as it got closer we that it was required Arriva NW&W 679 on the #6 to Broad House.

Arriva NW&W 679 in Leighton

We got on the bus and we were the first on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 679.

Inside Arriva NW&W 679

We sat down and we also saw GHA enviro200 1407 come into the bus station on a #42 to Crewe and First Potteries Volvo 66845. We set off back towards Crewe at 16:34 and we rejoined the B5076 and headed back to Crewe via Underwood Lane and West Street. We passed the Fung Lung Chinese takeaway, which I always thought sounded like some kind of medical condition and we turned onto Hightown to run into the bus station. when we got back into the bus station we took a few more bus pictures. Matthew ran onto Arriva NW&W to say hello to someone and then we headed towards the car. On the way we saw First Potteries 66845 again heading towards Newastle.

First Potteries 66845 in Crewe bus station

We meet up with mum at the car and she was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of Victoria street and down Flag Lane and onto Wistatston Road. We crossed over Edleston Street onto Vernon Way before turning right onto Mill Street. At the end of Mill Street we turned left onto the A534 and we went past the railway station. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A532 and we saw coaches Merediths 684 DYX and Furlongs Travel Y312 KBN parked together adjacent to the road in the industrial estate. We left Crewe along the A5020 and we joined the A500. As we got to the M6 we caught up with Britannia Travel AY14 NVM. We also saw ABC Supreme SB56 SKV. When we got to Sideway we turned left onto the A50 which we did up to Longton so that we could check out the Z Carz depot. There were quite a few minibuses on the spare ground this evening. Closest to the A50 was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

The next bus we saw was Z Carz Airport division minibus MJ03 DPU

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Further back just in sight were Z Carz DL03 HHU and M372 NWN. At the front was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

The last bus in the row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Mercedes minibus S952 VMY as well as Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off it at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton and we stopped briefly at mums friends shop before we continued along Blurton Road passing First Potteries 53123. We went forwards onto Church Road and We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 17:45. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots by a toffee cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark