Trip to St Helens / Widnes 07-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2719	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34A	Arriva NW&W
719	St Helens BS	Widnes, Vicarage Road	17	Arriva NW&W
2536	Widnes, Town Hall	Widnes, Green Oaks	110	Arriva NW&W
14	Widnes, Green Oaks	St Helens BS	17	Halton Transport
2708	St Helens BS	Prescot BS	89	Arriva NW&W
4603	Prescot, Adj Stanley Crescent	St Helens BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We had checked the weather for today and the forecast was for cloudy and clear weather for the sfternoon, clearing up from the rain that was predicted in the morning. We gave Matthew a choice of destination from the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose St Helens. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a fraction after 12:00 and as we travelled towards the A5035 we saw First Potteries 50296 in the distance on a #23A to Hanley. We turned right onto the A5035 and then right again onto Stanley Matthews Way. As we approached the Britannia Stadium we looked for 'The special one's' chair, but we didn't see it. We joined the A50 down to Sideway and then we joined the North bound A500. As we crossed under Glebe Street where we saw D&G 117 on a Hanley bound X14 service. Further up the A500 we passed Southbound Robin Hood Coaches MKZ 1877. We joined the Northbound M6 and we travelled Northwards we saw Daw2Door MA59 KME & Hollinshead RIL 1023. When ew got to the M62 we went westwards for one junction to Winwick, where we got onto the A49 up to Newton-le-Willows passing passing Network Warrington 93 on the #22 and Arriva NW&W 2980 on the #360 service. In Newton we turned left onto the A572 turning left to go into Earlestown when we got to the Texaco petrol station. We went into town and we parked up in the free car park near to the bus station. We walked past the bus station and we had dinner in Crumpets cafe as we usually do when in this part of the world. Matthew had a breakfast wash down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished we went to the toilets along from the cafe and we saw Hatton's Travel MX55 YBA,

Hatton's Travel MX55 YBA in Earlestown bus station

We then headed back to the bus station. We said goodbye to mum who was staying in Earlestown for a while, and I ran back to the car to get the trip bag and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2719 on a #34A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2719 in Earlestown bus station

I got back from the car and the bus was still there so we jumped onto Arriva NW&W 2719 and we booked North West Day Saver tickets at £5.20 each. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out off the bus station and through the housing estate to the South of the A572. We joined the main road and we headed West into St Helens. We had to travel through two sets of temporary traffic lights before Joining the A58 on the Eastern edge of town. We left Parr Street and went onto Corporation Street and we went into the bus station and staright onto stand for the returned departure. We let the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2719.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2719

It was still raining when we got off the bus. We decided to have a quick walk around taking a few picture whilst we decided what to catch next. On layover on Corporation Street was required Arriva NW&W 2981.

Arriva NW&W 2981 in St Helens bus station

Further inside the bus station we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2493 on a #38 to Rainford.

Arriva NW&W 2493 in St Helens bus station

We had previously been on Arriva NW&W 2493 on a #20 service from New Boston to Earlstown back in July 2012. We went onto Bickerstaffe Street which is on the other side of the bus station and we saw required Arriva NW&W 719 on a #17 to Widnes.

Arriva NW&W 719 in St Helens bus station

As we had got an Arriva tickets and not a Merseyside Saveaway ticket, we decided to do the Solo SR and leave the Merseyside area. We got on the bus and we flashed the North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off through the town and as we passed World of Glass we saw PG Coaches coach YX55 FVA. We went across the roundabout near to KFC and We went along Peasley Cross Lane and under the railway line. We went South and we joined the A569 and there appeared to be a cross country event taking part in Sherdley park. We went over the railway line at Lea Green and we went towards Clock Face. We went through the estate and we ended up on Jubits Lane. We went past The Dream and we crossed over the M62 and the A557. We joined the B5419 and we went South. At Victoria Park we turned left onto Locketts Road. We went South down Peel House Lane. We arrived at a busy shopping area with quite a few bus stops. As we passed the stops we saw Springfield East Lancs double decker F16 HOW on a X62 to Runcorn. We went West back onto the B5419 and we carried on Southwards. We turned into a side street and everybody got off the bus. We had reached the terminus. The bus was now empty and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 719.

Inside Arriva NW&W 719

We got off the bus and we took another picture of Arriva NW&W 719 in Widnes.

Arriva NW&W 719 in Widnes

We remembered our last visit to Widnes back in July 2015, and we walked down onto Victoria Road to wait for a Green Oaks bound Arriva Service. We had a choice of catching a #79C or a #110 which end up in Liverpool or Warrington respectively. Whilst we waited we saw required Halton Transport 19 on a #2 service to Halebank.

Halton Transport 19 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2536 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2536 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we flashed the North West Day Saver tickets to the driver. We had asked the driver if the bus called at the Green Oaks retail park and an elderly passenger sat near to the front of the bus thought it was odd we were only travelling 3 stops up the road! The bus travelled up the road and we turned into the retail park. When we got to the main stops we got up to get off the bus. The gentleman was still wondering about our journey and he said that 'it's no wonder kids are unfit today!'. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2536 in full sunshine before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2536 in Widnes

Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew was going to visit the toilet. On the way we saw Halton Transport 31 going Southwards.

Halton Transport 31 in Widnes

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 2668 on the #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2668 in Widnes

Matthew visited the toilet and when we got back we around 5 minutes to wait. Whilst we waited we saw Halton Transport 34 on a #61 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 34 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw the #17 branded bus turn the corner and it was required Halton Transport 14.

Halton Transport 14 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we flashed our Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver, valid on this bus due to the Quality Bus partnership agreement between bus companies and Merseytravel. We sat down near to the back and we set off out of the Green Oaks retail park and onto Peel House lane. We turned left at Lockett Road and right onto the B5419. We travelled North through Farnworth and into Lunts Heath. We went North up Wilmere Lane and over the A557 and the M62. The road became Jubits Lane and then we turned into Gartons lane. We zigged through the housing estate and we came out on Clock Face Road. At the big roundabout we crossed over and went over Lea Green railway station on the A569. We went up Marshall Cross Road and past Langtree Park again. We crossed under the railway line and we went into town via Parr Street, Church Street and Hall Street were the bus terminated around the corner from the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Halton Transport 14.

Inside Halton Transport 14

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Halton Transport 14.

Halton Transport 14 in St Helens

We walked around the corner into Bickerstaffe Street and we had a quick look around to see what we could do. It had just gone 16:00 so we needed to do another bus quickly before it went dark. There was a Volvo on the #34 and we considered doing this. We also saw a Volvo on the #89 to John Lennon Airport... As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2708.

Arriva NW&W 2708 in St Helens bus station

We decided to do this bus anyway, as we could do a double decker back from Prescot. We got on the bus and whilst I flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver, Matthew took a picture of the inside of Arriva NW&W 2708.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2708

This was a bus we first had back in March 2013, from Leigh to Lane Head near to Newton-le-Willows on a #34 service. The bus set off out of the bus station and into the town. we picked up a few more passengers before we went onto the A58. Part way along Prescot Road we turned down Grange Park Road and we followed the route down through Portico and past Eccleston Park railway station. We came out on the A57 opposite Whiston hospital and then we carried on into town along the A57. We turned left into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. The bus carried on towards Huyton and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2708.

Arriva NW&W 2708 in Prescot bus station

We walked back up to the A57 and Matthew indicated that he wanted to go to the toilet. There was a pub on the corner by the bus station called The Sun Inn, and Matthew wanted to go in there. We purchased a drink which happened to be a can of Coke so we could take it with us, and then Matthew used the toilet. After we had finished we went outside and we crossed the road at the crossing before waiting on the opposite side of the road for a return service to St Helen. It was going to be either a #10 or #10A service. It could either be an Arriva double decker or a Stagecoach single decker. Matthew shared a Milky Way double bar with uncle Dave and I, and then we saw 3 buses approaching... There were 2 Arriva double deckers and a Stagecoach single decker. The Stagecoach single decker pulled over at the stop down the road and the Arriva double decker on the #10 came first. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4603.

Arriva NW&W 4603 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver foe a final time today. We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the top deck of Arriva NW&W 4603.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4603

The bus set off Eastwards along the A57 and then we turned left onto St Helens Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A58. It was now dark albeit a small slit of light coming from the west under the clouds that were now overhead. As we travelled Eastwards it started to rain again. We got back to St Helens very quickly along the A58, in around 15 minutes... We came into town from the west end and we ran past the town hall and into Corporation Street. We got up and got off the bus and we took another picture of the double decker. In front of us was Arriva NW&W Volvo B10BLE 2720, which was also on layover. We crossed the road to get a better picture of 2720...

Arriva NW&W 2720 in St Helens bus station

We walked towards the toilets, which were closed today... Then we remembered that Matthew had already been in the pub in Prescot. We walked up to the car which was now just around the corner from the bus station, where mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew washed his down with a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off past the North West Museum of Road Transport and we joined back onto Corporation Street. We joined the Eastbound A58 which we did for a few hundred yards and then we turned right onto the A572. We went back through Earlestown and into Newton-le-Willows and we turned right onto the A49. We went South and we saw Network Warrington 51 on the #22 service and Arriva NW&W 3050 on the #360 service. At Winwick as we waited to get onto the A49/M6 link road we saw a Red Kite midicoach go past us. We ran the mile or so along the dual carriageway A49 Winwick Link Road and we got onto the southbound M6 at Junction 22. Going Southward we had quite heavy rain so we took our time. There was also the radio commentary of the Stoke City match to listen to, which kicked off at 17:30. We made steady progress and we saw Paul's of Stoke coach M41 KCU. When we got to junction 16 we came off the M6 and we saw Hodsons coaches Y2 HOD at the roundabout. Further down the A500 we saw MT Travel DK60 CWY. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we came off it at Longton to see what was parked at Z Carz. In the front row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Near bus on the front row Z Carz Ford minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

The nearest vehicle in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW used for school transport.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound, There we saw Z Carz taxi minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we went to Tesco to fill up with diesel. When we had finished we went West on the A50 and we heard that Marko Arnautovic score his goal on the commentary. We headed through Blurton and we got home around 18:45. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a Pudsey Bear shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark

Trip to Leigh 02-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
69522	Leigh BS	Hag Fold, o/s House 334 Newbrook Road/Broadway	582	First Manchester
69523	Hag Fold, opp House 286 Newbrook Road/Bolton Boundary	Leigh BS	582	First Manchester
31947	Leigh BS	Daubhill, nr House 462 St Helens Road/Blethyn Street	582	First Manchester
69531	Daubhill, nr House 443 St Helens Road/Blethyn Close	Leigh BS	582	First Manchester
2708	Leigh BS	Lane Head, Newton Road/Sandup Farm (SW-bound)	34	Arriva NW&W
7644	Lane Head, o/s House 518 Newton Road/Sandup Farm	Leigh BS	34	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Leigh. We hadn't been here for a while and certainly not since Stagecoach had taken over the First Wigan operation last December. Research for this trip consisted of a quick viewing of the Wigan South, Bolton and Salford bus maps to look at services in the area. The weather was forecast as cloudy and 8' C. Matthew got up a little after 10:00 today and had crumpets and orange juice today. We set off a little after 12:00 and we headed straight for the A500 and onto the M6. Just on the M6 we passed Copeland's tours MIB 246 heading South. We also overtook a Leyland Titan on the M6 near Thellwall. We came off the M6 one junction North of the m62 and did the A572 into Leigh town centre. As we approached the town we passed an Arriva Volvo B10BLE 2711 on a St Helens bound #34 service. We also saw South Lancs Travel R104 GNW arrive on a service #581. We parked up by the Spinning Jenny shopping centre and walked around it into the bus station. We decided to eat first, but we were distracted by the sight of First Manchester 31947 on a #582 Bolton service. Matthew got a picture before we went to the outdoor cafe.

First Manchester 31947 in Leigh bus station

We sat down and had some food and then he went the toilet. We decided to go after 31947 as we didn't even know they still had Dennis Arrows in the First Manchester fleet. We had noted it was on the #582 and so we found it went from stand A n the bus station. There was a large crowd there and we saw 2 buses arrive at once. On emptied out and then went off stand. This was followed by First Manchester 69527 which emptied out and then went on stand. Another bus arrived behind this, emptied and left the stand. The number of people on stand a for the bus was quite large and 69527 was soon full. We decided not to do this bus but to wait for the next one. After it departed we didn't have to wait very long before required First Manchester 69522 reappeared on stand. There were only a few people on this bus. We got on and booked System One tickets for our journey. Matthew took a picture of the rear of this bus before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 69522

We sat down near the rear and consulted the map. We decided to go around half way to Bolton as we did not know how long it would be before 31947 returned if indeed it did at all. We decided that we would go just passed Atherton and then get off somewhere we thought we didn't have to walk far to the stop opposite. We went past the railway station and we decided to get off a couple of stops further on. We spotted to stops close to each other on a corner and so we rung the bell and got up. When we got off Matthew got a picture of our bus up 69522.

First Manchester 69522 in Hag Fold

We crossed the road and went to the stop opposite. According to information on the stop the service was only every 20 minutes at this point. Did some #582's only run between Leigh and Atherton...? Had we missed 31947 if it had done a short and had gone back down the high street out of sight? Had it just worked back to Bolton and gone back onto the garage? We saw another bus approaching that was on the timetable and that was South Lancs Travel 58 on a #581 to Leigh. Matthew got a picture of it as it whizzed past.

South Lancs Travel 58 in Hag Fold

According to the timetable the next bus was at 14:31. A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. It was required First Manchester 69523.

First Manchester 69523 in Hag Fold

We got on and sat down near the front as the bus was quite full again. A few people got off in Atherton and so we went to the back to sit together away from those flip down seats! When we got back the bus emptied out and Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside First Manchester 69523

At this point we didn't know what we were going to do. We thought we would see what came in next. South Lancs Travel 79 arrived in on a #126 from the Trafford Centre and we thought we may do this if nothing better turns up before it is due off.

South Lancs Travel 79 in Leigh bus station

A few minutes later 31947 reappeared. It went off empty but it only went to park up for a short while.

First Manchester 31947 in Leigh bus station

I asked the driver when he was due off and he said 10 minutes. In the mean time Matthew had a Milky Way, and then we saw Arriva NW&W 2254 arrive on the #34. It parked up for a short while, and when it went on stand we went to take a picture.

Arriva NW&W 2254 in Leigh bus station

At the same time 31947 was moving onto stand and so we went up to get on it. We got on and went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside First Manchester 31947

We decided to do this bus a bit further than we had done 69522 out before. We went through Atherton and headed North towards Bolton. We crossed over the M61 and then went through Four Lanes end we decided to go a couple of stops further and then get off, and this happened to be in a place called Daubhill. We got off 31947 and crossed over the road and went into a Premier shop. We bought a can of coke and a Galaxy Caramel bar. The shop didn't sell lottery tickets though. We went to the stop outside and waited for the next bus. It just happened to be another #582 and it was required First Manchester 69531.

First Manchester 69531 in Daubhill

We got on this bus and sat near the back. One again the bus emptied a little when we went through Atheron and then we all sat together. We called mum to say we would probably do another 2 buses and to tell her we hadn't got lottery tickets. She was going to meet us at stand a so she could have the fast pay cards and then we would do another couple of buses. Just before we got back in the bus station we saw our first ever Network Warrington double decker 155 on a #19 service. When we got back into the bus station and matthew photographed the empty First Manchester 69531.

Inside First Manchester 69531

We met up with mum who said to us "you do know where the lottery place here is..?" didn't and it turned out to be right around the corner by stand a in the bus. We got lottery and a couple of Milky Ways. I said to Matthew we would check out the next Arriva bus and there was an Arriva driver by the lottery stand so we knew there was one in! He went to the toilet and then we went to se what was on the #34. It was required Volvo B10BLE 2708 so we went to to do this.

Arriva NW&W 2708 in Leigh bus station

There were few people on this bus, so Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus near the rear.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2708

We sat down near the rear to enjoy the ride on this fine bus. We decided to do it to the edge of Manchester catching another #34 back. As we headed out of town we passed 2715 We headed out through to village of Lowton, across the A580 and when we saw the M6 in the distance we stood up to get off. once off Matthew got another picture much to the amusement of the driver who gave him a wave as he took it.

Arriva NW&W 2708 in Lane Head

I could see a bus in the distance and so we crossed the road quickly. We left uncle Dave on the other side of the road. He eventually caught us up and then we saw the in the distance. it was a Marshall bodied Dart. It was Arriva 7644 and the first un-required bus of the day.

Arriva NW&W 7644 in Lane Head

done it out of Northwich on a #37. The bus was empty apart from one man. We got on and sat down near the back. A few people got on as we headed back through Lowton, but not many. Before long we were back in the bus station. When the bus emptied out he got his empty bus picture in Arriva NW&W 7644.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7644

We met up with mum and walked back to the car. Waiting for us were some Greggs sausage rolls and matthew had a large can of dandelion and burdock. We set off back down the Lowton Road and we passed 2703, another Volvo B10BLE bound for Leigh. I decided to carry on down the A572 to Newton and then drive down the A49 to Winwick. At Newton we passed Hattons W146 WGT on a #141 service. Biggest surprise was passing Arriva NW&W Solo 710 o a #360 Warrngton - Wigan service. Apparently St Helens have taken over the running of this service recently. We then carried on along the A49 onto the M6 one junction North of the M62. We carried on down the M6 and onto the A500. At Sideway we joined the A50 and we came off at Longton to view the Z Carz depot. First in the row was Z carz V690 EBC.

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

Also present were Iveco HX51 HRU, LDV minibuses M420 UEH and W591 YBN and Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX and Renault X848 JFR. We carried on down Longton Hall Road and got home around 18:10 just as it was going dark. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash and then cheesecake for afters. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Shrewsbury 23-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2223	Harlescott, opp Tesco	Shrewsbury BS	25	Arriva Midlands
2348	Shrewsbury BS	Gains Park, adj Woodcrest Jct	1	Arriva Midlands
2722	Gains Park, adj Woodcrest Jct	Shrewsbury BS	1	Arriva Midlands
2727	Shrewsbury BS	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	27	Arriva Midlands
2708	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	Shrewsbury BS	27	Arriva Midlands
2383	Shrewsbury BS	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	27	Arriva Midlands
2383	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	Shrewsbury BS	27	Arriva Midlands
2345	Shrewsbury BS	Harlescott, opp Tesco	24	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Shrewsbury. We haven't been for just over a year. The last time we went it was to ride on Arriva Midland Darts 2309 & 2310. We didn't do any research for this trip, other than check the weather. The weather was for grey skies and temperatures of 3' C. We got up around 09:00 and Matthew at some of his toast and drank his orange juice. We set off around 11:00 today and we headed North to get some LPG from Etruria, on the way we passed 40145 on the #22 service. After we had got the LPG we headed south down the A500 to it Southern end before joining on the A5182. We did this along to the A53 and then it was one straight road. Just North of market Drayton we encountered roadworks and a very strange phenomenon. The was a short stretch of road where all the tree's were draped in ice, but only 20 yards or so. Everywhere else was ice free. We carried on South. When we reached the A41 we stopped at the Shell garage and put some air in the tyres. We carried on a bit further. When we got to Shawbury we stopped again to have chips and sausage from the chippy here. Arriva Midlands 3732 came past whilst we ate. After eating the food we carried on to the Harlescott park and ride site. Since we last came there has been a new bus depot built here, and we could see a #64 branded Centro parked outside the depot. After visiting visiting the toilet we went to the back of Tesco to catch a bus down. Required Arriva Midlands 2345 made an appearance but it went to stand near the depot. At roughly the same time required 2223 appeared so we decided to catch this bus as it was going straight back. Matthew got a picture and we got on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 2223 in Harlscott

We booked Shrewsbury Daysavers and we sat down at the back. The journey in was pleasant enough and we got into town in no time. as we approached the main rod again we passed a Co-op on our right which mum pointed out to Matthew. Mum downloaded a Greggs app to her ohone so she could find sausage rolls for later. The app didn't work too well as it failed to render a map of where the shop was! At the same time she discovered the was an app for Poundland too! We got to the bus station and Matthew took a picture of the inside of 2223 too.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2223

We came out of the bus station and went across to the stabled buses. There was another bus photographer present but we did not recognise him. We walked past Arriva Midlands 2706 which had been on last February and also Bryn Melym M403 EFD which we had seen in Wrexham last January.

Bryn Melyn M403 EFD between duties in Shrewsbury

There were a group of teenagers sitting where we usually sit with Matthew so we had a bit of a wander round taking bus pictures. I was hoping something useful would turn up quickly and sure enough it did. Arriva Midlands 2348 came in on a #1 gains Park service.

Arriva Midlands 2348 Arrives in Shrewsbury bus station

The bus pulled into stand B and we raced around to get on it. I though we had been in this direction before and I was right. We had done 2308 in this direction back in October 2009! I downloaded the #1 timetable from the Arriva Midlands website to check how long it would take and the service frequency. It took around 20 minutes to get to the end and the frequency was every 15 minutes. As we waited to depart we saw a UVG bodied Dart enter the bus station. It was required Arriva Midlands 2383. We would try and go after this later. We set off over the Welsh Bridge and up toward Copthorne Barracks. We went beyond the point to which we had travelled before back on 2009 and then turned into the Hospital. Air Ambulance G-EEMA was parked on the helipad adjacent to the bus stop. We came back out of the hospital and carried on along to Gains Park Way. Weret sure if the end of this service was circular so when someone was at a stop getting on the bus we decided to get off. Matthew photographed the bus empty as we got off.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2348

We didn't know whether to wait at this stop or the stop opposite for the next bus. We decided to go for a short walk rather than wait 15 minutes in the stop. A few minutes later we saw 2348 return out of Gains Avenue. We had a little bus stop picnic and Matthew drank a can of coke. We thought that we could get a picture of the next bus on the opposite side of the road before catching it back. Arriva Midlands 2722 pulled up opposite an immediately behind it was Tanat Valley 214.

Tanat Valley 214 in Gains Park

After we had taken a picture of 214 we returned to the stop to wait for Arriva Midlands 2722 to return, which it did a few minutes later.

Arriva Midlands 2722 in Gains Park

We got on the bus which was nearly empty and sat down near the back. I looked up if we had been on this bus, and it was one that we had been on from Harlescott to Shrewsbury last February. I had thought that we we had aleady been on 2348 before, but I a had misread 2248 on his list when I hadn't used my glassed. So we had picked up 2 out 3 new buses so far. We got back into town only to see Arriva Midlands 2383 depart on the #27. We also saw the Dart 2345 which we had seen earlier. We now had a plan sort of. We would do the next #27 down towards Bayston Hill and try to intercept it. In the mean time we walked around to the edge of the bus station to take some pictures. Tanat Valley 573 made an appearance on a football shuttle.

Tanat Valley 573 in Shrewsbury

We saw the next #27 arrive and it was required Arriva Midlands 2727. We walked around to the correct stand and Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 2727 which turned out much better than I thought it would.

Arriva Midlands 2727 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on and sat near the back of the bus. This time last year we would have been on a #25 service. The #25 was split in two, with the Southern half becoming a #27. The route around the end has also changed slightly too. The circle at the end has become bigger, crossing the A5 on the A5112/49 and returning North along Pulley Lane. as we passed the end of Pulley Lane we saw Arriva Midlands 2383 heading back North. We did the bus well into the estate and we got off outside The Beeches pub as we turned a corner.

Arriva Midlands 2727 in Bayston Hill

We decided to wait 15 minutes for the next bus. We had worked out that there were either 3 or 4 buses doing this run, but the tiings didn't seem to quite work out. It was 15:00 and we didn't know if we were late or early as buses were due at this stop at 14:53 and 15:08. approximately 10 minutes passed and then we saw another DAF approaching. It was Arriva Midlands 2708.

Arriva Midlands 2708 in Bayston Hill

For some reason I thought we were on 2706, which was dud. Matthew soon corrected me at looking at the picture he was right as we had taken a picture of 2706 in Interurban livery as well as 12 months earlier. We passed 2383 again at the end of Hereford Road and we worked out there were only 3 buses in the circuit and we had been on 2 of them! We would go back to Shrewsbury and wait 15 minutes for 2383 to appear. We got back into Shrewsbury and Matthew took an inside view of Arriva Midlands 2708.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2708

We now had a short wait. We took Matthew to the toilet and walked around the outside of the bus station to wait for 2383. Arriva Midlands 2345 came and went again and we realised it was taking an hour to return and it left at around 35-40 minutes past each hour. Whilst there we saw Bryn Melyn's Icarus bodied bus W235 CDN arrive.

Bryn Melyn W235 CDN in Shrewsbury

We also saw Tanat Valley's plain white Wright Cadet MM02 ZVJ which used to be Arriva NW&W 2559 and is required

Tanat Valley 284 in Shrewsbury

A few minutes later we saw the UVG Dart 2383 arrive and so we got a picture of it as it came in.

Arriva Midlands 2383 arrives in Shrewsbury bus station

We raced around the outside of the bus station and then got on 2383. We sat down near the back and when the bus left the bus station it was nearly empty. that soon changed when we stopped at St Mary's Street as it was now around 16:00 and shoppers were returning home in droves. The bus was due back around 16:32 ish. I had worked out that we could get 2345 in as well as long as mum was ready to go as soon as we got back to Shrewsbury so I texted her to tell her what we planned to do. After a quick phone call we worked out the details. The bus was reasonably well filled and did not empty much until after we crossed the A5. when we reached Bayston Hill I went to the front to flash tickets for the return journey. We got back around 16:32 and Matthew took his empty bus photo of this UVG, only the second one he has been on the other being First 40751 back in May 2011.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2383

Mum was at the bus station and 2345 was already on stand albeit without a driver. Matthew said hello to a cooupe of girls and we waited for the bus. One girl musn't have said hello back to her loud enough, so he dragged me onto an unidentified Versa on the #70 to Oswestry to say hello to her again and this time he was happy with it! A couple of minutes later the driver for 2345 appeared and we got on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 2345 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on and sat near the back of the bus. The journey back was pleasant, although when the bus went over to the East side of the A5112 we did get a bit worried! The bus eventually crossed over to the other side of the Road and we headed around the back of Tesco. We got to the end and Matthew photographed the bus empty.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2345

We went to the toilet before returning the the car. we saw NCB Motors coach C20 NCB arrive, dropping off a few fans or had just left the Shrewsbury match. We left Shrewsbury and headed north up the A53. By the tie we had retuned to the mystery icicles it was nearly dark. We decided to stop at the co-op at Loggerheads for lottery. and Matthew had some pop and Chocolate cake. We carried on North to the A5182 and across to Whitmore road, We joined the A34 and then turned left onto the A5035. We went passed the Hem Heat pub and Matthew wanted to go to Z carz so we carried onto to Longton. As we passed the depot we saw there were 4 buses present. We saw Mercedes minibus T131 SGA.

Z Carz T131 SGA in Longton

This was followed by V690 EBC, currently for sale on E-bay!

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

We then saw LDV minibus R920 WNT.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

A car came up behind us and so we went on to Willow Row and turned around. Matthew then got a picture of W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We went down Longton Hall Road and then to Blurton. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots. Afterward he had some of his cake. Matthew chilled out on his computer and went bed around 00:00...Mark