Trip to Wrexham / Llangollen 15-02-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1006	Wrexham BS	Llangollen, Parade Street	5	Arriva NW&W
228	Llangollen, Parade Street	Chirk, Hand Hotel	64	Tanat Valley
2655	Chirk, Hand Hotel	Cefn Mawr, o/s Tesco	2	Arriva NW&W
2659	Cefn Mawr, Opp Tesco	Johnstown, o/s Co-op	2C	Arriva NW&W
1010	Johnstown, after Co-op	Ruabon, Station Road	5	Arriva NW&W
1012	Ruabon, Station Road	Wrexham BS	5	Arriva NW&W

Today We decided to re-visit Wrexham. Reseach for the trip consisted of looking at the 1 bws ticket, looking at where we ate on our previous visits to Wrexham and checking the weather. The weather was for grey skys with rain and cold. Matthew woke up at 08:00 to have his medication. Matthew got up at 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off just before 12:00 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road and we ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled up the A500 we saw Z Carz WU67 UJC and black minibus HS24 YLZ. We continued past the M6 and over the West coact main line before we turned right onto the B5071. We stopped at the YMCA asnd went into the cafe. Matthew had a full English Breakfast washed down with a can of Cherry Coke. Afterwards Matthew went to the toilet. We got in the car and we turned around and went back South B5071. We turned left onto Laura Street and we continued down the Manor Way and left onto Brookhouse Drive. We followed the road around to the left and Davenport Avenue and back onto the B5071. and we joined the Westbound A500. We continued for a further 3 miles or so and we turned right onto the Nantwich bypass, past the new road under construction and we ran around the North side of Nantwich before joining the Westbound A534. We travelled west for around 4 miles and we crossed over the A49. We crossed over the A41 at Croxton and we continued to the eastern edge of Wrexham. We continued onto Holt Street and we ran into the centre of town. We veered right onto Chester Street and we turned left into the library car park and parked up. We said goodbye to mum and we walked onto Rhosddu Road. We continued to the bus station and we turned left onto Trinity Street walking past the buses on layover. In the row of buses we saw Valentines Travel J99 VTS on layover in between runs on the town link services.

Valentines Travel J99 VTS in Wrexham bus station

We walked into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we considered what we might catch. We saw Tanat Valley 233 arrive into the bus station and go on layover.

Tanat Valley 233 in Wrexham bus station

We consider catch Valentine's Travel J99 VTS on the TL3 service, but we wanted to buy a 1Bws ticket and the driver wasn't sure how to issue them. We decided to go towards Llangollen. We looked on stand and we saw a double decker. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 1006 on a #5 to Llangolllen.

Arriva NW&W 1006 in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we brought 1bws day tickets at £7.00 each before going upstairs and sitting down in one of the bays of 4 sets around a table. We set off along Trinity Street and we followed the one way system around onto King Street. We joined the A5152 and we ran past Wrexham Central. We headed out of town through Rhostyllen and under the A483. We continued through Pentre Bychan and through Johnstown. We continued into Ruabon and we turned right onto the A539. We ran through Acrefair and Trevor and we entered intl Llangollen from the East side. In the town we turned left onto Castle Street and we crossed over the river Dee. We turned right onto Market Street. We turned right onto East Street and we ran to the end where we got stopped in traffic. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 1006 before it returned to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1006 in Llangollen

We walked around the corner onto Castle Street and we went to a kiosk. Matthew had a vanilla ice cream and a bottle of Coke. We walked back around the corner onto Parade Street to wait for a bus. We saw on the map that there was a Tanat Valley bus in the area. Whilst we waited we saw Lloyds Coaches BV24 LMM on a T3 to Barmouth.

Lloyds Coaches BV24 LMM in Llangollen

A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 1012 on a #5 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1012 in Llangollen

Almost as soon as we saw the Arriva double decker we saw our bus approaching. As it closer we saw it was Tanat Valley 228 on a #64 to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Tanat Valley 228 in Llangollen

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Parade Street and we turned right onto Castle Street. We turned left onto Regent Street and right onto Brook Street and up the hill into a housing estate. We ran forwards onto Pengwern and around the loop and back onto Brook Street. We ran back down the hill and we turned right onto Regent Street. We had a fast run along the A5 to Froncysyllte and we turned left onto Gate Road. We ran down the hill and around the community centre before coming back up Gate Road and re-joining the Eastbound A5. We continued to the A483 and we went straight across towards Holt. We turned left onto Black Park and we ran into the small hamlet. We did a 3 point turn on the end of the road by the bus stop and we waited time before setting off back along Black Park. We ran under the Chirk bypass and we turned left onto the B5070 and we ran the final mile or so into the centre of Chirk. We turned right onto Station Avenue and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Tanat Valley 228.

Tanat Valley 228 in Chirk

We walked around the corner onto Church Street and we had a look around. Matthew indicated that he wanted to go to the pub, but the pub across the road appeared to be closed, so we headed back to the bus stop with a promise of a pub visit later on. As we got to the bus stop we turned and saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2655 on a #2 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 2655 in Chirk

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the B5070 and we turned right onto Colliery Road. We follwed Colliery Road to the left and we ran through the housing estate before rejoining the Northbound B5070. We turned right onto the A5 and we ran to the A483 where we turned left. We ran fast Northwards over the Dee and we turned left onto the A539. We veered left onto the B5605 and we ran into Rhosymedre. We turned right onto High Street and we ran into Cefn Mawr. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we ran past Tesco. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2655 as it continued towards Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 2655 in Cefn Mawr

We went down the steps to Tesco and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we had a walk around the shop and we brought a a phone charger and a chocolate bar. After paying for the food we went outside and we went to the Wrexham bound stop. Whilst we waited Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. A few minutes later the bus appeared. As expected we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2659 on a #2C to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 2659 in Cefn Mawr

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up Oxford Street and we turned right onto the B5096. We turned left onto Rock Road and we turned right onto Hampden Way and we ran Westwards alongside the A539 in to opposite direction that we had just travelled along. We ran forwards onto Oak Road and we turned right onto the A539 and we headed back Eastwards. We ran up to the roundabout and we turned left onto the B5605. We ran through Ruabon and as we headed Northwards we continued for around another mile up to Johnstown and we got up and got off by the big Co-op. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2659 as it continued Northwards towards Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 2659 in Johnstown

Once off the bus we gheaded to the Co-op to get supplies. We went into the shop and we bought a can of Coke and a large Galaxy Caramel bar. We headed back to the bus stop and we shared out the chocolate bar whist we waited for the bus. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 1010 on a #5 to Llangollen.

Arriva NW&W 1010 in Johnstown

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up out of Johnstown and we continued into Ruabon and we ran under the B5605. We got up and got off the bus as we approached Ruabon railway station. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 1010 as it continued towards Llangollen.

Arriva NW&W 1010 in Ruabon

Once off the bus we crossed pver the road and we went to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered the drinks. Matthew returned and we sat down with the drinks. Matthew had a small glass of Coke. When we had fininshed we went outside and we walked to the bus stop. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 1012 on a #5 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1012 in Ruabon

We got on the bus and we placed the 1 bws tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Southwards along the B5605 and we continued for around another mile up to Johnstown and we continued into Rhostyllen and we ran under the A483. We ran up the A5152 the last two miles or so into the cente of Wrexham and past Wreham General railway station. We turned right into Regent Street and left into King Street. We turned left into Lord Street and we stopped outside the bus station. where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 1012 before it worked back to Oswestry.

Arriva NW&W 1012 in Wrexham bus station

Once off the bus we walked along Trinity Street and we looked at the buses on layover. We saw Arriva NW&W 662 parked up.

Arriva NW&W 662 in Wrexham bus station

Also see was Arriva NW&W 3207 in between run on the #2 to Oswestry.

Arriva NW&W 3207 in Wrexham bus station

Mum appeared in the car and we did a crew change. Matthew had a cup of Cherry Coke with ice. Once in the car we drove onto Chester Street. We followed the road around onto Holt Street and we turned right onto Market Street. We parked up and I went to the chip shop. Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy. Once I had finished eating we set off along Market Street and we turned right onto Holt Street. We ran to the edge of town and we joined the Eastbound A534. We ran out of town through Rhosnesni and we joined the main A534 and ran Eastwards out of town. We ran up to Nantwich crossing the A41 and A49. We joined the A51 and we passed the site of a new Shell petrol station where work has statrted. We continued Nantwich by-pass and we ran around the North side of town and we joined the A500. We crossed over the west coast main line and when we got to the A531 we saw that A500 was closed due to an accident. We turned right onto the A531 and left onto the B5500. We ran through Audley towards Chesterton. We turned left onto Cedar Road and we ran past Crackley Bank to the A34. We headed South past Bradwell Hospital which is awaiting funding to help rebuild it. We turned left onto the B5369 and we ran though Wolstanton Marsh and into Basford. We turned left onto the A53 and right onto the A500. We ran through Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 and we diverted onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. He also had some of uncle Rob's Fanta orange. We updated uncle daves calendar to show recent activity. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 19:30. Matthew had his medication and chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke and slice of victoria sponge. We got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Caernarfon / Bangor 29-01-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2655	Caernarfon BS	Bangor BS	5C	Arriva NW&W
2649	Bangor BS	Conwy, Town Ditch	5	Arriva NW&W
3173	Conwy, Bodlondeb	Bangor BS	5	Arriva NW&W
2652	Bangor BS	Caernarfon BS	5C	Arriva NW&W
YJ14 BCX	Caernarfon BS	Tan-y-bwlch, Oakeley Arms	T2	Lloyds Coaches
YJ65 EUM	Tan-y-bwlch, Oakeley Arms	Caernarfon BS	T2	Lloyds Coaches

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Caernarfon. We checked the weather forecast and it was for cold rainy weather. Drone footage shows progress of Caernarfon bypass as £139m scheme nears completion. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until we saw Afford rent-a-car MJ71 DFZ.

Afford rent-a-car MJ71 DFZ in Fenton

Matthew got his face mask and bag and got ready to go. We came around 11:30 and Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had no batteries so we returned to the residential unit to pick them up. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road and we saw Travel Express BG61 KTK. We turned right onto Temple Street and we stopped at the residential unit. We collected his batteries and and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hiull into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the the A500 and we turned right onto Northbound A500 before we turned right onto the Northbound carriageway. We ran North for a few miles and then we continued Westwards as we crossed under the M6. We continued along the A500. Today we decided to stop on the end of the A500 to eat food from the van there. He had a bacon and egg sandwich with tomato sauce washed down wit a can of Coke. to the South of Crewe until we reached the end before going onto the Nantwich by-pass. At the end of the by-pass we turned right following the A51. We ran up to Tarven and we joined the Westbound A54. At the edge of Chester we crossed the Westbound A55. At junction 19 and we turned left onto the A470. We ran through Colwyn Bay and Pentrefelin. We reached the Tal-y-cafn and through Llanrwst. We turned right onto the B5106 and we saw Llew Jones CX71 PZY on a #19 to Llandudno. We turned right onto the A5 and we ran through Pentre Du and into Glyn. We through Capel Curig and we turned left onto the A4086 and through Llanberis into Caernarfon. We continued onto Penllyn and into the car park. We parked up and we walked through the the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and then we said goodbye to mum. We walked though the bus station and we saw Dilwyn’s Coaches AE57 CNN on a #91 to Dinas Dinlle. We walked into the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw required Arriva NW&W 2655 on a #5C to Bangor. We got on the bus brought a Cyngor Gwynedd Dayrider ticket at £11.60 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Bridge Street onto we ran the A487. We ran through Waterloo Port and up to Y Felinheli and along the B4547 through Capel-y-graig to the A487. We turned right onto Penrhos Road. As we travelled through the hospital and we turned right onto Penrhos Road into Bangor and we turned left onto Belmont Road and we turned right onto Ffriddoedd Road. We turned right onto the A5 and we turned right onto Ffordd Gwynedd to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We walked down to the toilet. As we walked through the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2914 on a #4A to Llangefni. We headed back into the bus station and we sat down on a bench. Matthew ate his flapjack and then washed it down with a can of Barr Cola. The bus we should have caught was late. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2649 on a #5 to Llandudno. We got on and flashed the Cyngor Gwynedd Dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the A5 and through Hirael and Llandygai and right onto onto A55. We turned right onto Aber Road and up to Llanfairfechan and right onto onto A55 and into Penmaenmawr. We turned left onto Bangor Road and forwards onto Conway Road. We ran forwards onto Ysguborwen Road and we turned left onto the A55. We turned right onto the A547 and we ran down the hill into Conwy. We turned left onto Town Ditch Road where we got up and got off the bus. we walked back up Town Ditch Road to the pub. We walked into a courtyard and the pub toilets were off the courtyard. Once Matthew had used the toilet we entered the pub and Matthew had a glass of Coke. Once he had finished his drink we headed outside and met up with uncle Dave again. We walked and onto Town Ditch Road and we turned right onto the A547 and we walked down towards the bus stop for a bus back towards Bangor. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3173 on a #5 to Bangor. We got on the bus and we flashed the Cyngor Gwynedd Dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down. The bus set off down the A547 and we turned left onto the A55. We turned left onto Glan-Yr-Afon Road and we continued along Ysguborwen Road and forwards onto Conway Road and through Penmaenmawr. We ran forwards onto Bangor Road and we ran forwards onto High Street. We turned left onto the A55 and we turned left onto Penmaenmawr Road. We turned right onto Tyddyn Drycin and left onto Penmaenmawr Road and into Llanfairfechan and and forwards onto Aber Road. We turned left onto the A55 and onto the A5. We ran through Llandygai into Hirael. We turned left onto Ffordd Gwynedd to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we spotted Arriva NW&W 3176 on a #62 to Amlwch. Once off the bus we walked into town and we visited the M&S Simply Food store. Matthew had a small can of Coke and a few chocolate bars. We paid for our stuff and we headed back to the bus station for a bus back towards Caernarfon. As it approached we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2652 on a #5C to Caernarfon. We got on and flashed the Cyngor Gwynedd Dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A5. We turned left onto the A4087 and forwards onto the A5. We turned left onto Ffriddoedd Road and we ran forwards onto Penrhos Road. We turned left into the hospital and we ran through the the grounds. We turned left onto Penrhos Road and we turned right onto Belmont Road through Penrhosgarnedd. We turned left into the A487 and we saw Arriva NW&W 2655 on a #5C to Bangor. We ran through Waterloo Port and up to Capel-y-graig and along the B4547 through Y Felinheli to the A487 up to Waterloo Port into Caernarfon and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once in the bus station we saw Gwynfor Coaches YX11 AEL on a #88 to Llanberis. A short time later we saw Lloyds Coaches YJ14 BCX on a T2 to Machynlleth. We got on and flashed the Cyngor Gwynedd Dayrider ticket to the driver before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Bridge Street onto we turned right onto the A487. At Bontnewydd and and we ran up the hill into Dinas. We ran down into Llanwnda and we ran down the hill into Groeslon and we turned left onto the A487. We travelled South through Penygroes. We continued to Llanllyfni and down into Nasareth and we ran through Pant Glas. We turned left onto the A487 through Bryncir and Glan-Dwyfach and down to Garndolbenmaen and into Dolbenmaen. We ran up the hill into Penmorfa and we turned left onto the A498 through Tremadog and we turned right into Church Street. We turned left onto the A487 and we turned right into High Street and we ran up the hill into Minffordd and we ran to Penrhyndeudraeth and we ran through Tan-y-bwlch where we got off the bus. Once off the bus we followed a sign and walked up an alley into a car park where there was a toilet block. The toilets were closed. We continued back down to the roundabout and we walked back towards Caernarfon bound bus stop. A few minutes later we saw Lloyds Coaches YJ65 EUM on a T2 to Bangor. We got on the bus and we flashed the Cyngor Gwynedd Dayrider ticket to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the A487 and went into Penrhyndeudraeth. We crossed the roundabout onto High Street and we ran up the hill into Minffordd. We ran up through Porthmadog. We veered left onto the A487 and we turned right onto Church Street and we ran down into Bontnewydd and Penygroes and we ran into Caernarfon. We turned left onto the A487 and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew used the toilet. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2912 on a #5C to Bangor. Once away from the bus Matthew used the toilet and we met up with mum. We walked up the stairs and we headed along the path to the car in the car park. Mum had brought sausage rolls and can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and onto Pool Hill and we turned left onto Penllyn. We turned right onto Bridge Street onto we ran the A487. We ran through Waterloo Port and up to Y Felinheli and along the B4547 through Capel-y-graig to the A487. We turned right onto Penrhos Road and we turned right onto the A4087 and we ran into Bangor. We stopped at the McDonalds in the cente of town. Matthew ate burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. When I had finished eating we continued towards home. We set off onto the A4087 and we turned left onto the Southbound A55 at junction 19. We continued Eastwards thriugh Noerh Wales and we ran forwards onto the A494 at Queensferry. We got onto the Eastbound M56. At junction 9 we joined the Southbound and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A500 to Etruria and we cam off the A500 and we turned right onto Wheildon Road. We went under the railway line and we stopped at uncle Dave. Matthew nipped in and helped himself to some Irn Bru. We set off onto Whieldon Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went to his room to chill out and use his computer. later on he had a Crunchie and a slice of Millionaire's Shortbread. Matthew looked at buses on the Internet and watched the television. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.