Trip to Widnes / Runcorn 01-02-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3052	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	82A	Arriva NW&W
2788	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea North	X4	Arriva NW&W
3089	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	79C	Arriva NW&W
3049	Runcorn BS	Murdishaw Central	79C	Arriva NW&W
2792	Murdishaw Central	Halton Lea South	61	Arriva NW&W
3102	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	61	Arriva NW&W
3206	Runcorn BS	Widnes, Green Oaks	82A	Arriva NW&W

Todat we decided to re-visit Widnes. We sked Matthew on the Friday where he would like to go and he chose Widnes, which is a good mid Winter destination as it's not too far away. Research for the trip consuisted of checking the weather, which was for cold and cloudy with some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up at 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral betting shop. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. 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 ran up the A500 we saw silver minibus SD63 FON. We ran into Cheshire and up to the Motoway junction and we joined the Northbound M6. As we travelled Northwards we saw an unidentified Holmeswood coach, Flix bus 023, Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU, The travellers choice coach, Anthony's Travel, Ashcroft's Travel coach, an unidentified minibus. We came off the M6 at junction 21A and we headed Eastwards towards Liverpool. Travelling up the M62 we saw Selwyns (NX) BV23 ZXE(#171). We headed Southwards down the A557 past the site of the new Wendy's and Starbucks. We turned right and ran past Aldi and towards the Green Oaks Shopping Centre. We went past the bus station and we parked up in the car park. As we walked out of the car park we saw Arriva NW&W 2795 on a X4 to Windmill Hill.

Arriva NW&W 2795 in Widnes

We headed to the back of the market and we went to the cafe. Initially the cafe was full. Mum and uncle Dave waited for a table and I went with Matthew to the toilet. We walked back to the cafe and found mum and uncle Dave. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Dr Pepper. When we had finished we headed back throufg the market. We stopped at a sweet stall and we bough some spearmint chews and fried egg sweets. We continued out of the market and we headed to the bus stop to wait for a bus towards Runcorn. As short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it turned the corner we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3052 on a #82A to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 3052 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW Daysavers at £7.10 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Green Oaks Way and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went near to the site where are currently developing a new leisure centre on Moor Lane. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Hutchinson Road and we joined the the A533. We crossed over the Jubilee Bridge. We crossed the bridge into Runcorn and we wheeled around onto Station Road forwards onto Cavendish Street. We ran along the Runcorn Station Link Road and into the old town. We crossed over the canal and past 'The Archers' pub and onto the High Street and the former NatWest bank. We turned into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3052 before it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 3052 in Runcorn bus station

Once off the bus we walked onto Church Street and we headed to The Little Dessert Shop. Matthew had a slice of Black Forest Cheescake washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating we headed back out onto Church Street and into the bus station. We saw Ashcroft's Travel HIG 4408 on a #52 Beech circular service.

Ashcroft's Travel HIG 4408 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to head to Halton Lea and we saw a bus approaching. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 2788 on a X4 to Windmill Hill. Matthew didn't have time to get a picture before we got on the bus. We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets under the scanner before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Church Street. We ran forwards onto Leiria Way and at the first roundabout we ran forwards onto the busway. We ran the industrial areas around Astmoor and under the Mersey Gateway bridge. We joined Castlefield Avenue East and we got onto the busway at the corner of Tyrrel Way by the McColls Store. We ran through the Castlefields area and we stopped at the library side of the Halton Lea shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2788 before it carried on towards Windmill Hill.

Arriva NW&W 2788 in Halton Lea

After taking a few bus pictures we set off to go into the shopping centre. We walked down the stairs and through the shopping centre and we went to the toilets. After we had used the toilets we headed over to the South side of the shopping centre where the Runcorn bound buses stop. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3047 on a X30 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in Halton Lea

We waited for a more suitable bus to catch. A short time later we saw another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3089 on a #79C to Liverpool Queens Square.

Arriva NW&W 3089 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets under the scanner before we sat down. We set off along the Busway. We carried on West over Grangeway and we turned right onto Clifton Road. We ran forwards onto Moughland Lane and we turned right onto Greenway Road. We ran into ton and we turned left onto Runcorn Station Link Road. We ran past the station and we ran forwards onto Waterloo Bridge. We turned right onto High Street and into Runcorn town centre. We arrived in the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked across the The Ferry Boat and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and Matthew had a glass of Coke. We finished out drink and we went outside. We went back to the bus station and we saw Omega Busways C41 HOW on a #62 to Warrington.

Omega Busways C41 HOW in Runcorn bus station

We waited for a bus towards Murdishaw. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3049 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 3049 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets under the scanner before we sat down. We set off out of town along High Street and we turned right onto Devonshire PLace. We turned left onto station Road and we ran around the back of 'The Archers' over the A557 and past the railway station. We ran onto Greenway Road and we turned left onto Moughland Lane. We Turned left onto the busway crossed over the railway line and ran past the Arriva Runcorn Depot and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We decided to go a bit further East to Murdishaw. We ran past the hospital and we discovered the run up to Murdishaw was entirely along the busway. We traveled East for about a mile and the busway opened out at a turning circle and we guessed we had reached the end of the run. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 3049 before it returned to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3049 in Murdishaw

We headed to the Co-op and Matthew bought a couple of chocolate bars and a bottle of Coke. We went outside and obver the footbridge to take a few bus pictures. We walked back to the bus terminal and we waited for something heading back towards Halton Lea. We saw Arriva NW&W 2793 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2793 in Murdishaw

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 2792 on a #82A to Liverpool One.

Arriva NW&W 2792 in Murdishaw

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets under the scanner before we sat down. We set off around the turning circle and we ran West up the busway to Halton Lea hospital. We continued up in Halton Lea South and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2792 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2792 in Halton Lea

Behind that was Omega Busways Y22 HOW on a #62 to Runcorn. A short time later we saw another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3102 on a #61 to Liverpool Queens Square.

Arriva NW&W 3102 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets under the scanner. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3102 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3102

We set off down the busway and we stopped briefly at the area where they do driver changes. We carried on West over Grangeway and we turned right onto Clifton Road. We ran forwards onto Moughland Lane and we turned right onto Greenway Road. We ran into town and we turned left onto Runcorn Station Link Road. We ran past the station and we ran forwards onto Waterloo Bridge. We turned right onto High Street and into Runcorn town centre. We arrived in the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we sat in the bus station and waited for something towards Widnes. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a Mint Areo. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3206 on a #82A to Liverpool One.

Arriva NW&W 3206 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets under the scanner for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out off the bus station onto the B5155. We turned right onto Devonshire Place and left onto Station Road. We past the railway station and onto Runcorn Station Link Road. We crossed the roundabout and forwards onto the A533. We crossed over the River Mersey on the Jubilee Bridge and we came off the A533 onto Waterloo Road. We ran into the centre of Widnes onto Victoria Road. We ran to the East of the town centre along Widnes Road and we veered right onto Brynn Street. We turned left around the back of Asda petrol station and we turned right onto Gerrard Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Green Oaks Way and we turned left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3206 before it continued towards Liverpool One bus station.

Arriva NW&W 3206 in Widnes

Uncle Dave headed back to the car with the trip bag and I went with Matthew across to Morrisons. After using the toilet we bought a bottle of Coke. We headed back past the bus station to the car and we got in the car. We drove onto Green Oaks Way and we turned right onto Winfield Way and parked at the end. I went to the chip shop to get food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with the bottle of Coke. When I had finished eating we turned around and headed back to Green Oaks Way. We ran forwards onto Lugsdale Road and we visited Tesco petrol station and filled up with petrol. We turned right onto Lugsdale Road and we turned right onto the roundabout and onto the Northbound A557. As we travv;led Northwards we saw an unidentified Ellisons coach parked up in a layby. At the roundabout we turned right and joined the Eastbound M62. At junction 10 we got onto the Southbound M6 and we headed Southwards through Cheshire. On the M6 we saw black minibus FH68 RLZ, silver minibus YT65 MWW, ABC Supreme PT12 YOU an unidentified double decker with a graffiti livery and an unidentified white coach. At junction 16 we went South down the A500. There was an accident on the A500 and we were causght in traffic for a few miniutes. We saw First Potteries 63115 running empty. We continued through Longport and 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 Irn Bru. 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 19:00. 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 Milky Way. We got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Leeds / Cross Gates 25-07-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
35268	Leeds BS	Cross Gates, Poole Road	X27	First West Yorkshire
47631	Cross Gates Centre	Leeds BS	X27	First West Yorkshire
3630	Leeds BS	Tadcaster BS	843	Transdev York
3644	Tadcaster BS	Leeds BS	843	Transdev York
276	Leeds BS	Shipley (stop S8)	60	Transdev Keighley
2792	Shipley (stop S1)	Leeds BS	60	Transdev Keighley

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew chose to go to Leeds. 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 Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Church minibus RX18 GZW. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill and under the railway line into Stoke. We crossed over the A500 and we saw First Potteries 37158 on a #25 to Hanley. We joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 We got onto the Eastbound M62 as far as the M60. We went clockwise around the North side of Manchester and we rejoined the M62. We contnued Eastwards to junction 27 and we joined the M621 to run into Leeds city centre. We carried on the A653 and we ran North up to the A61. We turned left onto Crown Point Road and left onto the A61. We turned left onto Eastgate and we turned left onto Vicar Lane. We turned left onto George Street. At the top of the road we parked in the small car park by The Fisherman's Wife and we went inside. In Venus Fish bar Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed to the bus station whilst we decided what buses to catch. On layover was required Arriva Yorkshire 1929. We walked into the bus station and we looked for the toilet. A few minutes later we saw First West Yorkshire 35268 on a X27 to Thorpe Park. We got on the bus and we brought Metro bus only tickets from the driver at £6 each before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A61 and we turned right onto the A64. We went through Harehills and over Osmondthorpe through Killingbeck. We turned right onto Crossgates Road we ran up the hill through Cross Gates where we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus we walked onto Crossgates Road where we saw Arriva Yorkshire 1968 on a #166 to Leeds. We turned right onto the A6120. We turned left onto Austhorpe Road. Once in the pub Matthew went to the toilet and had a glass of Coke. When we had finished in the pub walked down Austhorpe Road. As we walked up the bus stop we saw Connexions Buses YN56 NVB on a #64 to Leeds. When we had finished we crossed the road and we waited for a bus back to Leeds we saw First West Yorkshire 47629 on a #11 to Leeds. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As expected it was First West Yorkshire 47631 on a X27 to Leeds. We got on the bus and we flashed the Metro bus only tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. we set off along Austhorpe Road and we turned right onto the A6120. We turned left onto Crossgates Road and we veered left onto the A64 running through Killingbeck and we ran forwards into Osmondthorpe and into Harehills. We ran through Leeds and we turned left onto Marsh Lane. We turned right onto York Street and we turned right into the A61. We turned into the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We saw First West Yorkshire 35601 on layover. Whilst outside the bus station we saw dud Transdev Harrogate 3625 on a #36 to Harrogate. As it got closer we saw it was Transdev York 3630 on a #843 to Scarborough. We got on the bus and we flashed the Metro bus only tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. Whilst we waited for departure time we saw First West Yorkshire 35238 on a X6 to Bradford. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A61 and we turned right onto the A64. We went through Harehills and over Osmondthorpe through Killingbeck into Cross Gates. We turned left onto York Road and into Seacroft. We went through the A64. We climbed the hill into Whinmoor and we ran down Kiddal Lane End and we turned left onto the into the A659. We ran through Tadcaster where we saw Transdev York 3632 on a #843 to Leeds. We turned right onto Garnet Lane and we turned left onto Woodlands Ave. We turned left onto Stutton Road. We ran up the A659. We turned into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. In the bus station we saw York Pullman BV17 CPU on a #37 to York. Once we walked through the shopping centre onto the A659 and we went into Costcutter. We brought a bottle of Coke and a few chocolate bars. After we paid for the good we headed back onto the A659. We went into the bus station and Matthew visited the toilet. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was Transdev York 3644 on a #843 to Leeds. We got on the bus and we flashed the Metro bus only tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station onto A659. We turned left into Stutton Road and right onto Woodlands Ave before turning right into Garnet Lane. We turned left onto the A659 and we joined the A64. We travelled through Kiddal Lane End and Whinmoor. We rejoined onto York Road. We ran through Seacroft and we turned right into the A64. We went through Cross Gates we ran up Killingbeck and we ran forwards into Osmondthorpe and into Harehills. We ran through Leeds and we turned left onto Marsh Lane. We turned right onto York Street and we turned right into the A61. We turned into the bus station we got up and got off the bus we saw First West Yorkshire 35270 on a #6 to Holt Park. We headed down the bus station and Matthew decided to go to Shipley. Whilst we waited we saw Transdev Keighley 276 on a #60 to Keighley. We got on the bus and we flashed the Metro bus only tickets to the driver before sat down towards the back of the bus. Whilst we waited for departure time we saw Transdev York 238 on a A1 to Leeds Bradford Airport. We set off out of the bus station and onto A61. We turned right onto Eastgate and and we continued forwards The Headrow. We turned left onto Park Row and we turned right onto Wellington Street. We continued forwards the A65 and we ran into Kirkstall. We turned left onto Savins Mill Way and we crossed the B6157. We ran into Rodley and we turned right onto the A657 and we ran down the hill towards Calverley. We ran down Calverley and onto Greengates. We ran through Apperley Bridge and Simpson Green and into Shipley. We turned left onto the A6038 and we turned right onto Market Street and we went forwards onto Market Square where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over Market Square. We turned right onto Bank Street and at the end we turned left onto Kirkgate. We turned right onto Westgate and we turned right onto Atkinson Street. We turned left onto the A657 and we turned right onto Victoria Street and we continued forwards onto Salts Mill Road past the site of the new wharf retail park. We returned along Salts Mill Road and we continued forwards onto Victoria Street. We turned left onto Wharf Street and we turned right onto the A657. We turned right onto Bank Street and we turned left onto onto Market Square and we went forwards onto Market Street and we visited Costa Coffee. Matthew had millionaires shortbread washed down with a can of Coke. We walked back to the bus stops and as we turned the corner we saw First West Yorkshire 69475 on a #612 to Bradford. We sat down and Matthew washed down with a can of Vimto. we saw Transdev Keighley 2792 on a #60 to Leeds. We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro bus day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the square and forwards onto Market Street. We turned left onto the A6038 and right onto the A657. We ran down through Simpson Green. We continued through Apperley Bridge. We continued through Greengates to Calverley. We joined Rodley and we ran the B6157. We though Kirkstall. We turned right onto the A6038 and we ran South through Burley. We continued onto Wellington Street and we turned left onto King Street. We ran forwards onto East Parade and we turned right onto The Headrow and we saw Transdev Keighley 243 on a #60 to Keighley. We continued onto Eastgate and we turned right onto the A61. We continued along onto St Peter's Street and onto Kirkgate turning right into Cross York Street. We turned right onto York Street we entered the bus station. When we got off the bus we spotted we saw Arriva Yorkshire 1951 on a #117 to Wakefield. A few minutes later mum appeared and we got in the car. Mum had brought sausage rolls and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off along A61 and we turned right onto Crown Point Road and we ran through Black Bull Street. We turned right onto the A61 where we saw First West Yorkshire 69340 on a #74 to Middleton. We turned left onto Meadow Lane. We carried on down to the M621. We joined the Westbound M62 and we ran Westwards to the M60 and we got onto the the clockwise ring road. We ran around the East side of Manchester and through Stockport. We came off the M60 onto the M56 and we ran Westwards to the A556. We ran West for one junction and we went Southwards down the A50. We travelled South through Knutsford. We continued to Holmes Chapel and down into Kidsgrove. We carried on South towards Tunstall and we turned left onto the A527. In Fegg Hayes we turned right onto Oxford Street and we ran through Chell Heath past Matthew's old school which has been fenced off. In Smallthorne we turned right onto Ford Green Road and at the roundabouts we turned left onto the A5272. We followed the road through Sneyd Green and Northwood and down to Bucknall. We turned right onto the A52 and at Joiners Square roundabout we turned left onto Victoria Road. At the top of the hill we turned right onto City Road and we ran down the hill to Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out on his computer and watch buses out of the window. For tea Matthew had plain burger and chips followed by a Bakewell tart. Matthew went back to his room. Matthew returned to the living room and outside we saw Z Carz YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Fenton

Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark