Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 11-04-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
10577	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	1	Stagecoach Merseyside
3173	Chester BS	Blacon, The Arches School	14A	Arriva NW&W
3174	Blacon, Blacon Parade	Chester BS	14	Arriva NW&W
36802	Chester BS	Hough Green, Cavendish Road	61	Stagecoach Merseyside
15583	Hough Green, Howe Road	Chester BS	16	Stagecoach Merseyside
36804	Chester BS	Kingsway, Pear Tree Way	53	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port and Chester for the first time in a long time. Research consisted of checking what ticket we needed, Checking the car parking in Chester and checking the Weather, which was for dry cool weather with some sunshne. Matthew wokw up at 08:00 to have his medication and then got up around 09:30. We had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off around 12:00. 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 shop which is new going to be flats. 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. On the A500 we saw Selwyns BF24 AOJ and white minibus YM05 FUO. We joined the Northboumnd M6 and we headed up to juncction 20. Travelling up the M6 we saw Holmeswood PO68 ???, blue minibus AE68 ONM / WF70 PPV, an unidentified J&A Travel coach and Ridleys Coaches YK26 LBV. We joined the Westbound M56 and we passed the site of a new McDonalds. We got onto the Northbound M53. We came off the M53 at junction 9 and we headed Westwards on the A5032. We turned left onto Cromwell Road and we followed the road to the right onto Wellington Road. We turned left onto Cambrdge Road and we went right onto McGarva Way. We turned right onto Grange Road and we parked up near to the Market. Once out of the car we saw grey minibus CX73 ZKW parked up. We headed into the market which is in the middle of a re-devlopment. The food court seems to be much smaller than it used to be. We ordered the food and sat down. Whilst we waited for the food we went to the toilet. The toilets have been upgraded and are much better than before. We headed back to our table and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating, we said goodbye to mum an we headed to the bus station. We came out of the market and past The Food Wharehouse and The Portal, which sits on the site of the former bus station. As we got to the coner of Civic Way we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15471 on a #1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15471 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We continued to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Chester. We turned down Stagecoach Merseyside 27258, which was on a #2 to Runcorn.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 in Ellesmere Port bus station

a few minutes later a suitable bus came around the corner. As it got closer, we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 10577 on a X1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10577 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £5.70 before we went sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned left onto Stanney Lane and we ran past The Grace Arms, which was a pub we used to eat at back when we first started to visit Ellesmere Port. We continued down the road for around 1/2 mile and then we turned left into the Coliseum Retail Park. We continued into the adjacent Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and we saw , an unidentified Woods coach and Milligan's MIL 1920 in the coach park. We got onto the A5117 and we ran Westwards to the A41. We ran South and where we would normally turn right we went straight on towards Chester Zoo. We turned into the zoo and we saw M & H Coaches M555 MNH parked up. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down the A41 and we turned right onto Heath Road. We continued onto Mill Street and we joined the Southbound A5116. We ran into Chester and over the ring road onto Northgate. We turned left into Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we went to the cafe. Matthew had a slice of Victoria Cake and bottle of Coke. When we had finished we looked for a bus we could catch on the ticket we had. We spotted Arriva NW&W 3173 on a #14A Blacon circular.

Arriva NW&W 3173 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks and we ran onto George Street. At the end we turned right onto Northgate Street and we crossed over the ring road onto the A5116. We veered left on the one-way system and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran past Chester University and we hit traffic as we got to the edge of town. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blacon Avenue. We turned left onto Saughall Road where we got off the bus.

Arriva NW&W 3173 in Blacon

Once off the bus we head back to The Parade and we went into Spar. Matthew had a can and a chocolate bar. We walked to the stop on Blacon Avenue and we waited for a bus back towards Chester. A short time later a bus came ariund the corner. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3174 on a #14 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3174 in Blacon

We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Blacon Avenue and we had a long run of around 2/3 of a mile down to a roundabout. We crossed the roundabout onto the A540 and we had another run of around 1/2 mile up to Liverpool Road. We ran around the one-way system and passed the former Stagecoach bus depot which is now student accomodation. We continued and into town along Northgate. We crossed over the ring road on Northgate and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We had a look around to see what we could catch. Arriva NW&W 2668 was on a #11A to Connah's Quay, but we weren't on our tickets.

Arriva NW&W 2668 in Chester bus station

It was also as bus we had been on before. We had previously been on Arriva NW&W 2668 in August 2021, from Runcorn to Halton Lea Hospital on a #3C. Also seen was Arriva NW&W 4542 on layover in between runs on the #11 to Rhyl.

Arriva NW&W 4542 in Chester bus station

We saw a freshly painted bus on a stand behind us. We went to have a look and we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 on a #61 to Higher Kinnerton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 in Chester bus station

We had a look in which direction the bus was going and we worked out where we could do the bus to and get back on another service. We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside of Stagecoach Merseyside 36802.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 36802

After waiting time, we set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We turned right onto Love Street and onto Pepper Street. We continued onto Lower Bridge Street and we turned left onto Old Dee Bridge into Handbridge. We continued onto Overleigh Road and we crossed the A483 and we turned left onto Lache Lane where we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 as it carried on towards Higher Kinnerton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36802 in Hough Green

Once off the bus we crossed over Lache Lane and we walked along Cavendish Road. When we got to the A5104, we saw that it was a residential area and there were no places to go to. We crossed ovcer the road and we waited at the bus stop. We waited for the next Stagecoach bus. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2909 on a #4 to Chester Railway Station.

Arriva NW&W 2909 in Hough Green

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 15583 on a #16 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15583 in Hough Green

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Hough Green and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Overleigh Road. We continued onto Handbridge and we crossed over Old Dee Bridge. We turned right onto Pepper Street and forwards onto Vicar Lane. We turned left onto Love Street and right onto Foregate Street. As we waited to pull forwards onto the Grosvenor Court roundabout an unidentified CIE Tours coach. We turned left onto St Oswald's Way and we entered the bus station in the North West corner. Once off the bus we decided to have a bit of a break and head into a pub. On the way we saw Prospect Coaches YS25 XOV on a #021 Flixbus service to London.

Prospect Coaches YS25 XOV in Chester bus station

We crossed over St Oswald's Way and we headed into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar to get a drink. Matthew had a glass of Coke. After we had finished our drinks we headed back to the bus station. We decided to have one more bus and arrnage to met mum somewhere. We just missed a stagecoach bus on the #14 to Blacon, and the next bus was Arriva NW&W 3173 which we had already been on earlier in the day. We decided to catcha bus to Kingsway instead and go to the chip shop there. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 582 on a #82 to Northwich.

D&G Bus 582 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus heading towards the stand. As it came by us, we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and we turned left onto the A56. We ran North through Hoole and we turned left onto Newton Lane. We crossed over the bridge of an old disused railway line and then we turned right onto Kingsway. Just before the shops we turned left onto Coniston Road and we went to the end where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 as it continued around Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36804 in Kingsway

Once off the bus we had a look around. The chip shop that we used to go to had closed down. Whilst we waited for mum we decided to go the the Co-op. Matthew picked up a can and a chocolate bar. We sat on a bench and Matthew shared his chocolate bar with be and uncle Dave. Mum arrived and we decided to drive to another chip shop. We got in the car and we set off onto Kingsway. We turned right onto Newton Lane and left onto Brook Lane. We turned left onto Ermine Road and we stopped near then end by a chip shop. I went to fetch the food and on my return, Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. When I had finished eating we set off along Ermine Road and we turned left onto the A56. We headed North Eastwards and we crossed over the A41. At the next roundabout we turned left onto the M53. We headed Northwards to Stoak and we joined the Eastbound M56. We ran through cheshire for around 15 miles and we joined the Southbound M6. As we were heading Southwards through Cheshire we were passed by a group of coaches. I beleive these were returning fans to Gillingham after there football match at Salford. The first coach to pass us was Worthing Coaches BU18 YTW.

Worthing Coaches BU18 YTW on the M6

Straight after this coach was Worthing Coaches BV69 LSF.

Worthing Coaches BV69 LSF on the M6

A few minutes later we were passed by Spirit of Sussex 549.

Spirit of Sussex 549 on the M6

At junction 16 we joined the A500. A we headed towards Talke we were passed by Copeland's Tours MIB 537 returning from a day trip to Lichfield and Penkridge.

Copeland's Tours MIB 537 on the A500

We continued through Longport and Etruria and we came off the A500 at Stoke. We veered left onto Wheildon Road. We crossed over the canal and under the railway line. We stopped to drop off uncle Dave and we said goodbye. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. 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 and continued along Blurton Road. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton around 19:20. Matthew 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. We watched YouTube and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Caernarfon / Bangor 29-01-2022

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

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

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

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

Afford rent-a-car MJ71 DFZ in Fenton

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