Trip to Sandbach 02-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N472 XRC	Chell Heath	Sandbach, o/s Common	Charter	Winsford Taxis
3330	Sandbach, o/s Common	Wharton, nr Wharton Road	37	Arriva NW&W
7628	Wharton, Wharton Road (cnr)	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)	37	Arriva NW&W
4156	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)	Wharton, opp Wharton Gardens	37	Arriva NW&W
3349	Wharton, nr Wharton Gardens	Winsford, Town Bridge (W-bound)	31	Arriva NW&W
3330	Winsford, Town Bridge (W-bound)	Sandbach, o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we went on another relatively short trip. Matthew had something on at Heathfield and so we weren't going to set off until after 12:00, so we chose to go to Sandbach. Matthew got up around 08:30 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We left home at 09:40 ans we went past the Hem Heath pub and along Stanley Matthews Way. We joined thee westbound A50 and then went along the A500. We passed City buses & coaches TJI 3131 as we went along. We then did the Tunstall bypass the High Lane and then we cut down to Heatfield School. We got there just after 10:00. Matthew went to the toilet and did some cooking before we returned to pick him up at 12:30. After saying goodbye to his friends we saw Mercedes Minibus N472 XRC which we got on to Winsford.

N472 XRC in Chell Heath

we sat down near the back and the bus set off the 25 coach seat bus back on to the Tunstall bypass and then onto the A500 and though the roadworks. Just before we reached the motorway we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 236 heading South. We did the M6 up to the A54 and we did this through Middlewich past the new Morrison to Winsford Morrisons, as this one has a cafe! We visited the toilet before going into the cafe. In the cafe Matthew had a breakfast and 2 cakes. It was quite busy so the meal took a while. He had the Bakewll slice first as a starter as he was a little impatient. after the breakfast he ate his favourite lemon meringue pie. We then moved on to Sandbach. We headed back to middlewich and then down the A533 to Sandbach. i made a slight error and we ended up going through Middlewich town centre and through some backstreet to The Cheshire Cheese pub. As we went South alongside the Trent and Mersey canal we saw a southbound bus and it was a double decker. We also saw a Northbound bus and it was a Centro. We got off headed into Sandbach and got another picture of this bus. The double decker we saw arrived and it was Arriva NW&W 4156.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Sandbach

We decided not to do 4156 and Matthew went to the toilet by the market. Matthew saw the #319 and it was GHA S280 AOX. When we got back to the stop the Northwich bound #37 was there and it was Arriva NW&W 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Sandbach

We decided to do this and we got on and booked Arriva NW&W Daysavers and went upstairs. It was empty so Matthew photographed the empty up stair of 3330.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

Whilst we waited for time we saw D&G 64 on a #78 service.

D&G 64 in Sandbach

Time passed and we set of towards Northwich. We passed the first Southbound #37 in the estate South of Middlewich and it was 2613. When we got to Middlewich we diverted around town due to roadworks. We passed the new Morrisons and then set off towards Winsford. We passed the next bus just before Road One and it was another Centro 2614. In Winsford we saw a Crewe bound #31A and it was 2610. We decided to get of in Wharton so we could get back for 4156. We rounded the corner into Crook Lane and got off. Matthew got another picture of 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Crook Lane

We crossed the road and immediately spotted this Gailsway Travel LDV minibus T834 JVR come around the corner.

Gailsway Travel T834 JVR in Crook Lane

We only had to wait 2 minutes and then we saw a bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 7628 and Matthew got his picture.

Arriva NW&W 7628 in Crook Lane

We decided to do this 2 buses back through the rota to get another ride on 4156. We went down into Winsford around town and back down the hill. Whilst we were at the bottom stop on the high Street we saw Arriva NW&W 4042 heading towards Crewe running out of service. Almost immediately we saw Arriva NW&W 4040 going in the opposite direction. We passed the Northbound Centro on the #37 on Station Road and then we continued East to Middlewich. As we passed back through Warmingham Lane we decided to get off for 4156. We cut it a bit fine as we didn't have time to get a picture of 7628 as it went or 4156 as it approached. We ran across the road and flagged down 4156 an got. As the upstairs was empty behind us Matthew got a picture of the top deck.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4156

We passed the New Morrisons and I managed to get a picture of the Blimp. We carried on North and passed the next bus which was Arriva NW&W 3334. We went through Winsford and back towards Wharton. We were going to get off on Crook Lane again but as we climbed the bank out of Winsford we passed a Centro on the #37. We decided to stop on he bus and go to Wharton Gardens and wait for the next #31. We got off at Wharton Gardens and crossed the road. There was a #31 in 5 minutes and a #37 15 minutes later. The #31 appeared and it was Arriva 3349.

Arriva NW&W 3349 in Wharton

This was only our second trip on this bus as we scored it last week on the #29A. We only had a short trip on this bus today. It did go via the morrisons store which we had eaten at earlier. At the roundabout at the bottom we passed GHA SB38 on the X20 service. We got off at the bottom of Winsford High Street and he got another picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 3349 in Winsford

We now had around 12 minutes to wait for the next bus which we worked out should be Arriva NW&W 3330 again. As we waited we saw 7628 return North on a #37. We also saw 2613 on a #31. Eventually we saw a double decker approach from across the roundabout and it was as predicted Arriva NW&W 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Winsford

We got on and sat upstairs for our last journey. We went past The Red Lion and we saw the De Bees Music Bar N469 AWB Mercedes minibus that parks at the back. I called mum to let her know when to meet up. The bus emptied out so Matthew got another picture of the top deck.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

It was now going dark as we approached Sandbach. When we got to Sandbach we got of and got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Sandbach

We went to the chip shop and Matthew pick a can of Ben Shaws dandelion and burdock and a can of Coke for later. The toilet was out of order so we went to the toilet by the market. We then met up with mum at the car to eat chips. Whilst we sat there we saw D&G 66 on a #78 service and Arriva NW&W 3334 returning north on a #37. After we had finished eating we set off back home. We headed out of town on the A534 to the M6. We did the M6 down to the A500. As we went down the A500 we passed D&G 26 running empty back to Crewe. We also saw Mercedes minibus N769 EWG. We got on the A50 and headed to Longton. We then went past Z Carz to see what was on. First in the row was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The we saw DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We then saw Mercedes minibus T131 SGA.

Z Carz T131 SGA in Longton

Finally we saw LDV minibus T408 JUX.

Z Carz T408 JUX in Longton

We then passed Z carz minibus CE02 LYX from the taxi fleet before going down Longton Hall Road. we passed 40151 on a 22 and 40030 on a #23A. We got hoe around 18:30. For a late tea tonight had sausages potatoes and carrots. He washed this down with a glass Shandy Bass. He went to bed just before midnight...Mark.

Trip to Northwich 15-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
869	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, Iron Bridge (SW-bound)	1	Arriva NW&W
868	Northwich, Iron Bridge (NE-bound)	Northwich Interchange	1	Arriva NW&W
3330	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
3330	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
2617	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
2617	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
SB16	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, opp Tesco	289	GHA
877	Northwich, opp Tesco	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	2	Arriva NW&W
877	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	2	Arriva NW&W
7628	Northwich Interchange	Sandbach, o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Northwich. As we are near the middle o winter we once again gave him to nearby destinations to chose from and he chose Northwich. Like last week we had been to Northwich on the equivalent weekend last year. We didn't do any research for this trip, and we checked the weather on the night before. The weather was forecast for cloudy with sunny intervals, with a positively tropical temperate of 9' C. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 today and mum drove as dad had been out the night before. We asked Matthew where he wanted to eat and he chose the Country Kitchen in Middlewich, a place we have visited before. We headed along Stanley Matthews Way and onto the Westbound A50. We then did the A500 Northwards to the M6. We did the M6 2 junctions North and came off at the A54 and went into Middlewich and onto the car park for The Country Kitchen. It was very busy today as there were workmen having there dinner from across the road, working on the new Morrisons Store. We had thought it was going to be ready but the opening has been delayed. We ordered our food and after a short while we were eating it. Matthew got a picture of the trailer just before he tucked into his breakfast.

The Country Kitchen in Middlewich

We saw Arriva NW&W 3330 heading North. After we had finished eating mum carried on driving We headed North up the A533 to Northwich and headed to the car park. We saw Arriva 7628 on a #37 Sandbach short and Arriva NW&W 3334 on a #29A service. We parked up and then walked back to the bus interchange. 7628 & 3330 had gone and it was just after 13:00. We had a quick toilet stop and then walked back to the stops. First thing that we saw was GHA Solo SL16 on a #48 to Frodsham.

GHA SL16 in Northwich Interchange

We saw Arriva NW&W 869 on a #1 service. I remembered doing this move last year, and I thought it would be a good thing to do before the next #37 service. Matthew got a picture and we got on the bus.

Arriva NW&W 869 in Northwich Interchange

We brought some Arriva NW&W Daysavers and sat down near the back. I checked to see if we had been on this bus before and we had. It was in fact the first Arriva bus we had done in Northwich on our first visit back in October 2011. We did this service as we had done before to the Iron Bridge and got off. Matthew tried to take a picture but his batteries were flat. Fortunately the driver stayed put whilst he changed his batteries for which we would like to say thank you if he ever reads this Blog!

Arriva NW&W 869 by the Iron Bridge

We crossed the road to wait or the return #1. We didn't have to wait or more than a couple of minutes and required Arriva NW&W 868 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 868 by the Iron Bridge

We got on the bus and sat down. On the equivalent weekend last year the bus was full. This year it was virtually empty. The journey in was swift and when we got back Matthew got a picture of the empty inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 868

When we got off we could see Arriva NW&W 3330, which had finally caught us up. It was about to do the 29A to Leftwich. Behind it pulled in Arriva NW&W 3334 which was going to do the next #37 to Crewe. We asked Matthew which bus he wanted to catch and he chose 3330 on the #29A. We got a picture of this bus before boarding and going upstairs.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Northwich Interchange

As soon as we got upstairs Matthew took his empty bus photo.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

We sat down and relaxed ready for the journey ahead.We set of and headed South under the railway arch. by the time we reached the letwich road junction 3334 had caught us up and the 2 palatine II double deckers stood side by side. If I had been quicker perhaps I could have got some kind of picture. We carried on around the estate and then we headed back into town on the bus. i had thought that we might carry on on this bus when it did the #37 so we could go after Arriva NW&W Marshall Dart 7628. When we spied a Network Warrington Dart 31 on the #45.

Network Warrington 31 in Northwich Interchange

We had followed Arriva NW&W 2617 into town on the #37 so we knew it was going out to Leftwhich on the #29A. when I gave Matthew the choice of 2617 or 3330 he chose 2617. He got a picture and then we got on and sat near the back.

Arriva NW&W 2617 in Northwich Interchange

Doing this bus did surprise me a little. it was a required bus, but Matthew has often turned down these Plaxton Centros and we have been waiting around other than catching one of these buses. We did the bus around the estate again and at his point it started to rain a little. We headed back into town and hen the bus arrived back and emptied out he got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2617

Arriva NW&W 2611 came in to work the next #29A and Matthew decided he wanted to do this too. This bus was a dud one, having done it before on a Sandbach trp back in March this year. We did the bus around the estate again and then when we got Back Matthew took a picture of the inside of that bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2611

When we spied GHA SB16 on a #289 service. He got a picture of this bus.

GHA SB16 in Northwich Interchange

Matthew wanted to do this but I told him he couldn't as we didn't know what we could do back if we caught it. Required Arriva NW&W 2608 had arrived to do the next #29A and Matthew didn't seem interested in catching it. I went back to the stop and saw that the #45/46 also went off the same stop and at least on of the service seem to go in the same direction.i went back onto the bus and asked the driver if he went past the station and he said yes. So i went to fetch Matthew and told him we could do the bus but only for a short distance. We got on a and sat near the back.The bus took a slightly different route to the station from what we could remember on doing the Warrington Bus last October, but we got to Tesco and we got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of this bus before it pulled off into the distance.

GHA SB16 by Northwich Tesco

When we did the Warrington bus last time we did a #2 back to Northwich, We walked back past Tesco and then we looked up and down the road. we couldnt remeber the route of the #2 from last time, and we decided to turn right as that was the most likely route. The stop on the Northwich side of the road had no timetable and no text information. There was a phone number to ring for bus time but the stop wasn''t marked! We went to the shop and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and a twin Milky way. We decided to cross the road as that stop was marked. It also had a timetable and we saw there was a bus due 10 minutes ago and 20 minutes later.There was someone waiting so we assumed the bus was late. Almost immediately we spied an Arriva MPD Dart approaching. Matthew got a picture and it as required Arriva NW&W 877.

Arruva NW&W 877 on Station Road Northwich

We sat down near the back on this bus which was reasonably well filled. We headed put of town first and then around the end before heading back in. We knew that we had missed Arriva 7628 on the #29A, but we knew we should be back in plenty of time to see it do the #37 service. We got back and Matthew got a picture o the inside of this bus.

Inside Arruva NW&W 877

GHA wright bodied single decker YJ04 BVB made an appearance on the #82 service and Matthew got a picture.

GHA YJ04 BVB in Northwich Interchange

Matthew then revisited the toilet and we formulated a plan to get a decent run on required Arriva NW&W 7628. It arrived and then we got on.we then realised that it wasn't due o until 16:00 so we had 10 minutes. We were also going to be in darkness by the time we reached Sandbach. So we got off and got a picture and then got back on again.

Arriva NW&W 7628 in Northwich Interchange

We sat back down and waited for time. I arranged with mum to drive down to Sandbach and meet us there. When the bus pulled of I texted mum to let her know we were on our way. we headed south to Winsford and then through Middlewich. I thought that mum knew the way to Sandbach and so did she! She got a little lost and was going to head back towards Stoke-on-Trent when she saw a sign for Sandbach. It took her nearly an hour to do what should have been a 30 minute journey, but that was OK because the bus was scheduled to take longer. We got into Sandbach and we saw Arriva NW&W 4491 on a #38 Macclesfield service. On the Common Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7628

We met up with mum who was a little bit annoyed with her journey down, and she went to get some chips. Matthew went to the toilet supervised by Uncle Dave and I went to get lottery ticket from McColls. As Matthew walked back towards mum he got a picture o D&G 66 on the #78 service.

D&G 66 on Sandbach Common

We all met up back at the car and we ate chips and Matthew had a spam fritter and a sausage roll too. We set off around 17:15 and we headed back to the M6 along the A534 to the M6. On the radio we heard the stoke had drawn with Everton following an unfortunate Ryan Shawcross own goal and then a Kenwyne Jones header. We got of the M6 at junction 16 and headed southwards down the A500. at Sideway we headed east along the A50 to Longton and then we passed he Z Carz depot. On the depot was coach D104 XAN, Mercedes minibus T131 SGA, LDV breadvan M420 UEH and airport transfer bus DL03 HHU. We then headed down Longton Hall road and then home. We got back around 18:15. Matthew had sausage, carrots and mash for a late tea before spending time on his computer before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Crewe 09-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2500	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL17	Nantwich BS	Nantwich, Millfields Marsh Lane	53	GHA
SL17	Nantwich, Millfields Marsh Lane	Nantwich BS	53	GHA
138	Nantwich BS	Crewe, opp The Brunswick	44A	D&G
4489	Crewe, Crewe Arms Hotel (NE-bound)	Sandbach o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
3330	Sandbach o/s Common	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to do a fairly local trip as we have been out a few days this week. Matthew chose to go to Crewe. Today was overcast but dry and fairly cool for the time of year. We set off around 12:00, going North along the A500. We had planned on stopping at the food trailer at the top of the A500 but it wasn't there! So we decided to carry on and see if there was a burger van in the B&Q car park in Crewe. We parked up by the road so Matthew could see if any useful buses went past on the #37 or #38 whilst we waited and ate. Whilst I was getting the food an unidentified Olympian went past towards Crewe. After we ate we drove into Crewe town centre. We passed the Olympian going out on the #37 and it was 3330. After parking up we walked into the bus station. The first bus we saw was GHA SB55 parked up between duties.

GHA SB55 in Crewe bus station

We now had to choose what we were going to do. Arriva NW&W 2499 was on the #31, 2500 was on the #84 to Chester and 4491 arrived in on the #38. Matthew chose to do the one bus he had already been on Arriva NW&W 2500 on the #84. We booked to Nantwich and got on the bus. As we were leaving Crewe bus station we saw First Potteries ALX200 40144 on a #20. These don't work to Crewe very often. The journey down was quite quick and pleasant and we passed several Plaxton Centros on other #84 services. When we arrived in Nantwich, Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus which was nearly empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2500

He also got a good shot of the outside of the bus.

2500 in Nantwich bus station

We decided to go use the facilities in Nantwich market. On the way back we called at the sweet store and picked up some Taveners mint chews. Back at the bus station we now had around 15 minutes to wait for a bus back to Crewe. Matthew was eying up GHA step entranced minibus MB29 which we presumed was being used as the crew mess bus. When the next #84 turned up it was a Centro and Matthew refused to do it! After it had left had dragged me over to MB29 and I told it again it wasn't working. I even asked the driver on the bus and he confirmed it to be the case. Whilst we were there GHA SL17 turned up on one of the town circular. Matthew wanted to do this respite having been on it before so we did a circle around the town on this.

GHA SL17 in Nantwich bus station

After doing the spin around time Matthew photographed the bus empty back at the bus station.

Inside SL17

There was a Crewe bus in the bus station, bus it pulled away before we got off SL17. Behind it was a D&G bus bound for Crewe so we decided to get on this as it wasn't a Centro. It was unrequired D&G 138

D&G 138 in Nantwich bus station

We did this bus back and as it was travelling along Gresty Road I though about getting off to intercept the #37 to Northwich. As we got up Matthew photographed on of the seats on this unusual Marshall bodied Dennis Dart

Inside 138

We got off at the end and Matthew got a picture of the bus.

138 in Crewe

We then crossed over Nantwich Road to wait for the #37. The bus stop looked like a normal bus stop and as we waited for the #37 we saw First Potteries 60194 go past on a #20 and D&G 21 on a #85. As the #37 approached we stuck out our hand to be picked up. The bus driver shook his head and waved and went past. We thought that the bus didn't look full so we guessed that the bus stop must be disused. Later research found that this stop is alight only despite there being no clue to this on the actual stop. We decided to walk to the stop by the railway station to wait for the #38. We had already seen it going towards Crewe and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4489. After around a 15 minute wait we saw 4489 approaching.

Arriva NW&W 4489 near Crewe railway station

We got on and climbed onto the top deck. The journey was swift and when we got off matthe got another picture of this bus.

4489 on Sandbach Common

We used the facilities at Sandbach Market and then went back to the Common. Required Arriva NW&W 2617 was on a Northwich short but Matthew turned it down again. As we had time to kill before the next bus we visited McColls for drinks and lottery tickets. When we got back we had around 15 minutes to wait for the #37 to Crewe, which was the Olympian we seen earlier 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 on Sandbach Common

We sat on the front seats. Matthew photographed the empty top deck.

Inside 3330

Matthew had wanted to sit on the seat behind but appeared to be broken. The journey back was swift, we had the top deck virtually to ourselves as we travelled back to Crewe bus station. Back at Crewe we saw 4040 on a #31A pull off as we arrived. We walked around the bus station where matthew said hello to a couple of people before we head back to the car. Not before getting a picture of First Potteries 60015 on a Hanley service.

First Potteries 60015 in Crewe bus station

Back at the car we had sausage rolls and drink before setting off back towards Stoke-on-Trent. We had a quick trip past Longton bus station where we saw First Potteries red and yellow 60171 on a #26 service. We also saw some vehicle parked up at the Z carz site before retuning home a little before 18:00...Mark.