Trip to St Helens / Liverpool Airport 29-04-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2716	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2706	St Helens BS	Prescot BS	89	Arriva NW&W
66	Prescot BS	Huyton BS	61	Halton Transport
2691	Huyton BS	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	89	Arriva NW&W
4123	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	81A	Arriva NW&W
2707	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We checked the weather for today and it was for dry, cool weather throughout the North West and West Midlands. We gave Matthew a list of destination from Midlands and north West and from the list Matthew chose St Helens. As is usually the case we were driving to Earlestown to have dinner before catching a bus up to St Helens. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We saw First Potteries 67638 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we saw Events Management minibus DS65 UJF outside the BET365 Stadium. We went West along the A50 and then North up the A500 as far as Shelton where we came off onto Shelton New Road to go the the gas garage. After filling up with gas as I turned the car I gently touched the bumper of another car as I reverse to turn around. The bloke whose car it was saw me hit it and I got out to have a look. Lucilky I saw going slowly and there was no damage! We went West along the A53 and we passed First Potteries 65732 on a #4 to Hanley. At Etruria we joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled North to the M6 we passed S&S Travel M940 JBO & Barratt's coach P50 BCL. We got onto the Northbound M6 and we were at a near standstill. After a short while traffic got moving and after that we made reasonable time. As we travelled North we passed an unidentified Vision coach, Park's of Hamilton KSK 985 & John Musso YD60 CXA. We came off the M6 at junction 21A and we went Westwards along the M62 for one junction before joining the Northbound A49. As Matthew wanted to do a multi operator ticket we stopped at newton-le-Willows station to pick up a Saveaway day ticket to use on the bus later. Outside the railway we saw Olympia Travel OSV 519 / S19 JOB & Davron LN55 PHZ. Once we had picked up the tickets we continued up the A49 though the centre of Newton-le-Willows and we turned left onto the A572. We went Westwards to Earlestown and we ran into the centre of Earlestown along Market Street and Tamworth Street and we parked up in the car park. We walked past the bus station and we went into 'The Nine Arches' for dinner. After using the toilet Matthew had a burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked outside to the bus station. I had left the bag in the pub with mum. Whilst I returned into the pub to get the bag we saw Arriva NW&W 2729 on a #34A service to Acorn Street.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in Earlestown bus station

Once I had returned from getting the bag from mum, we saw Arriva NW&W 2716 on a #34 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2716 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Tamworth Street. We ran out of town along Market Street and at the end we turned left onto the A572. We ran West for a few miles into Parr and we joined the A58 on the eastern edge of town. We ran into the centre of town along Corporation Street and we followed the one way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2716 before it returned to Newton-le -Willows on the next #34A service.

Arriva NW&W 2716 in St Helens bus station

Once we got off the bus we had a look around and took a few bus pictures. Further along Bickerstaffe Street we saw Arriva NW&W 724 on a #33 to Sutton Manor.

Arriva NW&W 724 in St Helens bus station

There seemed to be some work being carried out in the bus station at the moment. On of the rows of stands were out of use and the tardis style toilet had been removed. On Corporation Street we saw Arriva NW&W 2694 on a #352 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2694 in St Helens bus station

We saw another Volvo approaching and it was on a #89 so we walked to the middle set off stands to try and get there before the bus did. The bus beat us onto the stand and as we got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2706.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in St Helens bus station

We decided to do the ageing Volvo anyway as we probably would get too many more runs on these buses before they are withdrawn from service. Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Arriva NW&W 680 on a #35 to St Helens Junction station.

Arriva NW&W 680 in St Helens bus station

The bus was readied for service and we got on Arriva NW&W 2706. We flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Bickerstaffe Street. We ran forwards onto Cotham Street and we turned left onto Ormskirk Road. We followed the road around onto Bridge Street and we stopped at the the bottom of the hill to pick up more passengers. We joined the A58 and we passed Hatton's SN56 AXB on a #12 town circular service. We ran West along the A58 as far as Grange Park golf course where we turned right onto Freckleton Road. We ran through the housing estate to the South of the A58 and onto Scholes Lane. At the end we turned left onto Portico lane and we ran past Eccleston Park railway station. We ran South and joined the B5201 and opposite the Whiston Hospital we turned right onto the A57. We ran West and around the North side of Prescot before we turned left into Church Street before we entered Prescot bus station from the Western end. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2706 before it carried on towards Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in Prescot bus station

Once we got off the bus we went around the corner to the Sun Inn. Matthew went to the toilet and then we brought a can of Coke. We walked back to the bus station with the intention of catching the next #89 to Liverpool Airport. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw Cumfybus YJ12 GXO on a #139 to St Helens.

Cumfybus YJ12 GXO in Prescot bus station

As we had a saveaway ticket we decided that we could catch the next bus to Huyton and catch a #89 forwards to Liverpool Airport. There was a #61 to Liverpool due a few minutes before the #89 so decided that we would do that. The bus came around the corner into the bus station and we saw it was required Halton Transport 66 on a #61 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 66 in Prescot bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran down towards the shops and we passed an ex London double decker on a #139 service. We headed South down Sewell past the shops and forwards onto Hall Lane. We went forwards onto Cross Lane ans at the end we turned right onto Dragon Lane. We ran near to Whiston railwat station and then forwards onto Windy Arbour Road. We continued South over the M57/M62 and onto a large roundabout over the motorways. We turned right onto Tarbock Road and we went North past Huyton Industrial Estate where we saw an unidentified green Routemaster with an all over Crabbies advertisement which we believe to be RMC 1459. We turned right onto Meadow Drive and left onto Manor Farm Road. We turned right onto St John's Road and then left onto Huyton Hey Road. We then turned left into Huyton bus station and we saw the #89 on stand. We got up and got off the bus but the #89 to Liverpool Airport left before we could get to it. We decided to go outside the bus station and take a few picture whilst we waited for the next #89. Whilst there we saw Arriva NW&W 4590 on a #10B to Huyton.

Arriva NW&W 4590 in Huyton bus station

A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47327 on a #163 service to Fazakerley.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47327 in Huyton bus station

Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited for it to be time to go and catch the bus. Just before we left the spot we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27701 on a #227 to Kirby.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27701 in Huyton bus station

We set off towards the bus station and on the way we saw Arriva NW&W 3047 on a #7 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in Huyton bus station

We walked into the bus station and we only had to wait for a short while before required Arriva NW&W 2691 appeared on a #89 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 2691 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Lathom Road. We turned left onto the B5199 and we ran Westwards out of town. At the next roundabout we went left onto the B5080. After around 1/2 milw we turned right onto Wheat Hill Road. We crossed under the M62 and we ran forwards onto Naylor's Road. At the end we turned right onto Childwall valley Road and then left into Hedgefield Road. We went past Belle Vale shopping centreas well as a small bus interchnage and we continued down onto The B5171. We ran through a small village called Gateacre and then up a steep hill to Gateacre Brow. At the top of the hill we turned left into Acrefiled Road and we ran into the village of Woolton. We were now deep into new territory and almost all the buses we passed were unfamiliar. We went across a crossroad onto Speke Road and we followed it down into Hunts Cross. We continued onto Woodend Avenue and we travelled South along a wide boulevard style road. We crossed the A561 and we travelled further South. We ran Eastwards along Central Avenue which was another Boulevard. The streets if not the houses would not look out of place in a Spanish holiday town. Even though this is a social housing estate there were some unusual features... As well as the ultra wide roads there were brick arch between the houses that were almost the full height of the houses and big enough for a lorry to pass between them! We travelled South down Eastern Avenue and then we turned right onto Hale Road. We ran West for around about 1/2 mile and then we entered into the Airport grounds. We passed through two sets of barriers and then the bus pulled up outside the main departure lounge of the Airport. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2691 before it went on layover.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2691

When we got off the bus we noticed a few buses dotted around the area on layover. Across the way was Arriva NW&W 4810 about to work a #80A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4810 in Liverpool Airport

Outside the hotel opposite to the departure lounge was North West Coachlnes PN09 CWR.

North West Coachlnes PN09 CWR in Liverpool Airport

As we headed back to check out where the busback departted we saw another bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 4123 going on layover after working a #81A from Bootle. We headed into the terminal and Matthew used the toilet before we returned outside to catch a bus back towards St Helens. Matthew took an interest in Arriva NW&W 4444 which was on a #500 service toi liverpool but we ciuld not catch that bus today... It was already 17:00 and we were over an hour away from St Helens! e found the stop from which the #89 departed and we found a map of bus routes out of the airport. It appeared that the #81 & #81A both went north through hunts cross just like the #89 did, albeit via a different more direct route. We had seen Arriva NW&W 4123 on layover and it was about to work a #81A to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4123 in Liverpool Airport

When it came on stand we decided to do this as far as Hunts Cross. We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4123 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4123

We set off out of the airport past the yellow submarine ans we turned right onto Speke Hall Avenue. We turned right onto Dunlop Road and then left onto Western Avenue. We travelled North across the A561 and onto Woodend Avenue. We crossed over the A562 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4123 before it carried on North to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4123 in Hunts Cross

I reckoned we had 10 minutes before the #89 so we crossed the road and visited the Co-operative Food store on the other side of the road. Mathew had a can of Coke an a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We crossed back over to wait for the next #89 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4446 on a #81 to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4446 in Hunts Cross

We had seen what we though would be the next bus earlier today and we expected it to be Arriva NW&W Volvo B10 2707. A few minutes later as expected we saw the Arriva single decker approaching.

Arriva NW&W 2707 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver for the final time today. It was almost 17:30 and we knew we had a 59 minute journey time from this stop according to the information board opposite to us. We ran North up Speke Road into Woolton and we continued forwards the B5171. We followed the road to the right onto Gateacre Brow and we ran down the hill towards Belle Vale. We called at the Belle vale bus station and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road and we ran north under the M62 and forwards onto Wheat Hill Road. at the end we turned left onto the B5080 and we ran North West up to the Crofters Arms. At the roundabout we turned right onto the B5199 before turning right into Huyton Bus station. We sat outside for a brief moment near to the bingo hall before continuing onto the stand. After loading up we ran north up Lathom Road and onto Huyton Lane. We crossed under the M57 and we turned right onto Carr Lane. We ran into Prescot from the South and into the bus station. The bus set off out of town along the A57 down to the hospital where we turned left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58 at the same junction where saw an unidentified Watkins Coaches coach at the Parkview Hotel. We continued along the A58 and we passed through the town before circling around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we could enter the bus station from the East end. When we got onto corporation Street we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2707.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2707

Once off the bus we took a few more bus picture before we returned to the car. We saw Arriva NW&W 714 on a #33 service to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 714 St Helens bus station

We walked back to the car and we saw HTL Buses Solo YJ12 PNK on a #141 to Earlstown. We met mum at the car and we drove along Corporation Street onto the A58. At the next junction we turned right onto the A572 and we ran out of town. Mum wasn't able to get any sausage rolls from Greggs so we stopped at a chip shop on the corner of Southport Street. Once we had chip we continued out of town alonng the A572 and to the North of Earlstown. We turned right onto the A49 and we ran through newton-le-Willows and down to Winwick. We ran fast along the Eastbound section of th A49 across to the M6 at junction 22. Once on the M6 we ran South towards junction 16. As we ran South we saw an undentified JB Travel coach and we were passed by Ellenbrook Travel R309 JAF.

Ellenbrook Travel R309 JAF on the M6

As we continued down the M6 we passed by an unidentified Holmeswood VIP coach and an unidentified tri-axle white & two tine blue Lakeside coach. As we were about to leave the M6 we were passed by Kings Norton Coaches VX04 KSU.

Kings Norton Coaches VX04 KSU on the M6

We ran down the A500 to Sideway and then we went Eastwards on the A50 to Longton. We came off the A50 onto baths Road and we stopped at the Tesco petrol station to top up with petrol. We crossed over the A50 to check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the front row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also on the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

Further along the road we saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran West to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Rod and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 20:00. For a late tea we had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to St Helens / Prescot 13-06-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4611	St Helens BS	Prescot, adj Church Street,	10	Arriva NW&W
2700	Prescot BS	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W
2237	St Helens BS	Ashtons Green, opp Mount Pleasant Ave	31	Arriva NW&W
2706	Ashtons Green, adj Havannah Lane	Earlestown BS	34A	Arriva NW&W
2713	Earlestown BS	Newton-le-Willows, adj The Parchments	34	Arriva NW&W
84	Newton-le-Willows, adj Cobden Street	Earlestown BS	22	Network Warrington
2713	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit St Helens. The weather report for today had been for widespread heavy rain, so we checked the weather in the morning. There was and area in the North that appeared to be rain free, so we gave Matthew a choice of destinations from the East Merseyside, Western Greater Manchester area to pick from, and from the list Matthew chose St Helens. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 12:00 and it was still wet in Staffordshire at that time. We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and headed North up to the A50. We headed West to the A500 and then we headed North. On the A500 we saw Selwyns Coaches National Express liveried coach FN62 CCZ on a #323 service and and MT Travel minibus HK58 ECV. When we got to the M6 we carried on Northwards and we saw Posh Limos P20 SSH. We came off the M6 at Junction 22 and we went West on the A49 link road to Winwick. We then carried on North up the A49 up to Newton and we turned left to headed towards St Helens. As is usually the case we decided to stop for dinner at Earleston on the way we in. We left the A572 and went into town along market Street. We parked up in the free shoppers car park opposite to the bus station and we set off on foot to Crumpets Cafe which is locate just along the road from the bus station. On the way in we paused to see required Arriva NW&W 2259 on a #20 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2259 in Earlestown bus station

At the cafe Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw quite a few buses go past the cafe window including Arriva North West Volvo's 2706/2709 on the #34 service and Darts 2236 on the #20 and 2272 on the #34. When we had finished we visited the toilets by the market and then we walked back to the car. We headed back onto the A572 and into St Helen's, passing required Arriva NW&W Dart 2237 on the #31 Parr service. We went into the town centre to the bus station and we went past the bus museum before parking up in front of the town hall. Today we decided to stick to Arriva buses, so instead of buying the Merseytravel Saveaway ticket from the travel office we were going to have an Arriva North West Day Saver which would allow us to travel further should the chance arise. We said goodbye to mum and we walked down the row of buses on layover on Corporation Street. One such bus was required Arriva NW&W 4615 which was between working #10A Liverpool services.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in St Helens bus station

Passing through Corporation Street on it's way into the bus station to work the next #89 to John Lennon airport was required Arriva NW&W 2718.

Arriva NW&W 2718 in St Helens bus station

At the end of the row of buses on layover was Hatton's Travel MX55 YBA.

Hatton's Travel MX55 YBA in St Helens bus station

We walked around the bus station and we took a few more pictures. Departing from the bus station on a #352 to Wigan via Orrell was dud Arriva NW&W 2694.

Arriva NW&W 2694 in St Helens bus station

We had been on Arriva NW&W 2694 on our last trip to St Helens from Ashton Green to St Helens back in May. We had seen required Arriva NW&W 4611 arrive and go on layover, so we decided to have a spin up to Prescot on this double decker. We waited at the relevant stand and a few minutes later the bus came around and Matthew took a picture.

Arriva NW&W 4611 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased Arriva North West Day Saver tickets at £5.20 each. We went upstairs and the rear of top deck was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4611.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4611

Last time we travelled to the Prescot area, we rode on the #10A service via Thatto Heath. We also completely missed the town and ended up on the other side of the M57! This time we took the more direct #10 service. We set off into the town centre and we cam out of the other side and we joined the A58. It was now pretty much a straight run along a twisty A road, just to the North of Prescot we took the link road from the A58 to the A57. We turned left onto the A57 and then we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4611 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4611 in Prescot

This time we didn't miss the town. We walked to Chruch Street and we spotted the bus station around the corner. When we got there it was deserted. There were 4 stops on an area of block paved road. There were two stops in each direction. The first stop we checked out was for the airport bound #89. We had to cross over for the #89 to St Helens. Before we had chance we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2982 come and go on the other side of the road on the St Helens bound #89.

Arriva NW&W 2982 in Prescot bus station

The Arriva bus was followed by required Halton Transport 32 on a #61A from Huyton to Murdishaw.

Halton 32 in Prescot bus station

We decided to have a quick picnic for Matthew. He had a can of Irn Bru and are a Milky Way. We crossed the bus station to see when the next #89 to St Helens was due. The daytime service on a Saturday was every 20 minutes, so we didn't have too long to wait for the next one. We had seen required Arriva NW&W 2718 head up to the airport earlier. The next bus to show up in the bus station was Halton Transport 52 on a #61 to Widnes.

Halton 52 in Prescot bus station

Across the way, required Halton Transport 15 appeared on a #61A to Huyton.

Halton 15 in Prescot bus station

We then saw Cumfybus MX53 FDF on a #139 from Liverpool to Prescot

Cumfybus MX53 FDF in Prescot bus station

On the opposite side of the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 2985 on a #89 service to John Lennon airport.

Arriva NW&W 2985 in Prescot bus station

A few minutes later we saw required HTL Buses Solo YJ12 PNN on a #138 from Billinge to St Helens.

HTL Buses YJ12 PNN in Prescot bus station

The 20 minutes past quickly and we saw a variety of buses with different operators. It was time for the bus we were going to catch. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2700 on the #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2700 in Prescot bus station

We go on the bus and flashed the Day Saver tickets at the driver and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. It was the first time that we had been on a #89. The route is different again to the #10 or #10A... The bus set off out of town towards the hospital like a #10A does and then it turns left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58 at the same junction where the #10A deviates from the A58, albeit from a different road. We continues into town along the A58 and we passed through the town before circle around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we cold enter the bus station from the East end. The bus emptied out on the stand and we got off. Coming through Bickerstaffe Street was Halton Transport 13 on the #17 to Widnes.

Halton 13 in St Helens bus station

Had we got back a few minutes earlier we could have done that bus, as Halton Transport accept Arriva tickets and vice versa on the #17 service as part of the quality bus partnership on that service. I asked Matthew if he wanted the toilet and he said yes, so we went up to the 'tardis' style toilet on Corporation Street, viewing Arriva NW&W Dart 2251 on a #320 to Wigan was.

Arriva NW&W 2251 in St Helens bus station

After Matthew had been to the toilet we spotted Arriva NW&W 2237 was about to depart on the #31 to Parr.

Arriva NW&W 2237 in St Helens bus station

As we walked up to get on Arriva NW&W 2237 we spotted Arriva NW&W 2259 arrive on a #20 from Earlestown. Great! Maybe we could do 2237 and then go forwards to Earlestown to try and head off 2259. We got on Arriva NW&W 2237 and we flashed the Day Saver ticket to the driver. The bus set off out of town and over the railway line and we joined the A58. On the Eastern edge of town we joined the A572 before heading deeper into Parr along Fleet Lane. On Concourse Way we saw Arriva NW&W 2551 on a St Helens bound #31 service. We carried on to Derbyshire Hill Road and then we went around Mount Pleasant Avenue. We saw HTL buses minibus BF62 JZT on a #111 Lea Green to Parr service. The bus turned left into Waring Avenue and we got up to get off the bus. As the bus was empty at this point Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2237.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2237

After we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2237 as it carried on back towards St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2237 in Ashtons Green

As we had decided to go after Arriva NW&W Dart 2259 we set off walking towards the A572. As we walked up to the road we saw what looked like a Pulsar heading towards Earlestown... Not to worry there should be another one in 10 minutes. We crossed the road and we headed over to the bus stop. As we had a short wait Matthew had a Milky Way. Across the road heading into St Helens on a #34 service was required Arriva NW&W 2706.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in Ashtons Green

It was around 16:00 and there must have been a bus due any minutes but there was a gap in the service for some unexplained reason. It was a quiet road with only a few car a minute going by, never the less there seemed to be plenty of activity going on in the area. A bloke appeared to catch the bus but like us he was getting a little impatient with the lack of buses. There seemed to be a police car past every few minutes but no buses going Eastwards. Going into town we saw We saw required Arriva NW&W 2713, followed by required Arriva NW&W 2676 and required Arriva NW&W 2495. Other interesting activities observed whilst at the bus stop included the transportation of a flat pack shed across the main road on a wheelbarrow! The problem was there were very high kerbs and the shed ending up sliding onto the main road holding up traffic for around a minute! Eventually over 30 minutes later a bus appeared and it was required Arriva NW&W 2706 that went past towards St Helens earlier. We got on the bus and the driver must have noticed us when Matthew took the picture going the other way as he said 'have been waiting for all this time!' We sat down near to the back of the bus that was nearly full and we carried on into Earlestown. As this was a #34A we turned to go through the estate. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2706 before it carried on towards Acorn Street.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in Earlestown bus station

As it was getting late we were desperate to get moving. the first bus that came into the bus station that we could catch was required Arriva NW&W 2713 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2713 in Earlestown bus station

We decided to do this bus, but in hindsight it was perhaps not a good idea. We got on the bus and we flashed the Day Save ticket to the bus driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station and past the market. As the seats behind us were empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2713.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2713

We headed out of town up Cross Lane and we went over the A572 into a housing estate. having navigated Belvedere Road and Queens Drive we rejoined the A572 before turning right into the A49. We got up and got off the bus here. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2713 before it carried on towards Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2713 in Newton-le-Willows

We decided to head off to a shop and stock up the trip bag. There was a Spar shop across the road we brought a few small bottles of pop and some chocolate. as we come out of the shop we saw a bus disappear around the corner on a St Helens bound #34 service. There was a bus due in 20 minutes so Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and some Milky Stars. 17:20 came and went and then it occurred to me, if they had been a gap in the service towards Leigh, there would probably be a gap in the service going back the other way! Unfortunately it was true... There was a #22 Network Warrington bus due at 17:35. If nothing turned up by then we would catch it and hopefully get back to St Helens quicker on another bus from Earlestown. 18:35 came around and we saw the Network Warrington bus approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was required Network Warrington 84.

Network Warrington 84 in Newton-le-Willows

We got on the bus and we booked to Earlestown at £2.10 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. As the bus went along the A572 the emptying out a little at each stop. The seats opposite to us emptied and Matthew took a picture inside Network Warrington 84.

Inside Network Warrington 84

The bus kept going almost as if it was going towards St Helens! It eventually turned in to the estate where the #34A goes when it come in from The St Helens end. Part way down Marian Avenue we passed required Arriva NW&W 2709 on the #34A to St Helens. When we got to the bus station we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Network Warrington 84.

Network Warrington 84 in Earlestown bus station

We were now going to get the next Arriva bus back to St Helens. On a #141 to Earlestown was Hatton's Travel Dart Y538 XAG.

Hatton's Travel Y538 XAG in Earlestown bus station

Across the way on layover was required Arriva NW&W 2550 on a #20 to St Helens but it wasn't due off for a few minutes. The next and most direct Arriva bus back to St Helens turned out to be dud Arriva NW&W 2713 which we had done up to Newton around an hour ago!

Arriva NW&W 2713 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Day Saver tickets to the driver for the final time today. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off back onto the A572 by the more direct Market Street route. We joined the a572 and we went westwards through Ashton Green and Parr. In Parr we passed required Arriva NW&W 2272 which must have swapped off the #34 and onto the #31 service. We joined the A58 and we came into the town centre along Corporation Street. The bus emptied out on Bickerstaffs Street and we headed over to the 'tardis' toilet for Matthew. When he came out we went onto Corporation street to take the last pictures of the day of the buses on layover. One of the buses on layover was dud Arriva NW&W 2715.

Arriva NW&W 2715 in St Helens bus station

We walked back to the car and mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew washed his sausage roll down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off back onto the A58 and then forward onto the A572. Of the Western edge of Earlestown we stopped at the Texaco petrol station on the end of Market Street to take on some diesel before continuing back on the road to Newton. We turned South on the A49 and then we joined the A49 link road at Winwick. After going East along the link road we joined the M6 at junction at 22. It was quite on the M6 and we made good time down to the A556. As we carried on South it started to rain. We joined the A500 and we saw Intercity OV58 YJE going North. At Sideway we joined the A50 and we went up to Longton to see what was at Z Carz tonight. There were a few buses parked on the spare ground tonight. The rear Mercedes minibus was CE02 LYX. In front of that was Volkswagen minibus Z Carz OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

At the very rear of the site was accident damaged YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

Front of the row was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

Another Iveco minibus is Z carz HX51 HRU.

Z Carz HX51 HRU in Longton

The final bus on the spare ground was Mercedes minibus Z Carz M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row and there were a few minibuses from the taxi fleet in the compound. One of the buses was Ford minibus Z Carz LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 986 going towards Meir. We left the A50 at Heron Cross and we travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road. We carried on forwards onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just after 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilld out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark