Trip to Newport / Telford 03-02-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3322	Newport BS	Telford BS	5	Arriva Midlands
3701	Telford BS	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	2	Arriva Midlands
3704	Madeley Centre (Stand B)	Telford BS	1	Arriva Midlands
2702	Telford BS	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	4	Arriva Midlands
3331	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	Telford BS	4	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Telford. The weather forecast for today was for cold grey weather with ligh rain or snow all around. We decided that the best weather was in Cheshire and Merseyside but we have been there quite a few times lately. We let Matthew look at the local map and on the map Matthew chose Telford. Research consisted of looking at tickets on Arriva Midlands website and looking uo where we ate on our last visit. Previously we had eaten inEccleshall as we traveled down and we decided to stop in Newport this time. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. coming the other way were First Potteries 67632 on a #22 to Longton. We crossed into Trentham and we saw D&G 174 on a #14 to Hanley. Unsure if I had forgotten something we decided to turn at the roundabout and head back home! We crossed into Blurton and we saw First Potteries 67633 on a #22 to Newcastle. After picking something up we set off again onto the A5035 past the old NatWest bank which has now closed. We ran to the entrance of Trentham gardens and we joined the Southbound A34. We ran a couple of miles to the Darlaston roundabout and we joined the Westbound A51. We crossed over the M6 and we turned left to run down into Swynnerton village. We ran through Cold Meece past the triangle which we visited which was a bus turning circle when the #23 was extended to Eccleshall back in September 2015. We ran along Swynnerton Road near to Yarnfield and we crossed over the west coast main line before we joined onto the A519 just North of Eccleshall. We ran through Eccleshall town centre and at the second roundabout we turned right onto Horsefair. We continued Southwards along the A519. We ran through Wootton and Woodseaves. We crossed over the A41 and we ran into town along the B5062. In the town centre we saw A Star Dart W159 EAX & H5 PTY. We turned left into Stafford Street and we pulled up into the car park by the bus station. Matthew used the toilet and then we went to the cafe on Stafford Street. Matthew checked out the toilets in the cafe but just to see if the sink was a branded locally made one! For dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of diet Coke, but we had finished the meal before the toast was ready so we had to leave it. We just missed the Telford bus so we had nearly a 30 minute wait for the next one. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 2976 on a #519 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2976 in Newport bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3784 on a #5 to Stafford. A few minutes later our bus turned up and it was required Arriva Midlands 3322 on a #5 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3322 in Newport bus station

We got on the bus and we brought Telford Day Saver Plus tickets at £4.70 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Stafford Street and we headed into the centre of town. We turbed right onto Wellington Road and we ran South West for a short distance before turning left onto Granville Road. We turned right onto Ashworth Way and we ran into Aston. At the end of the road we turned right onto The Dale before we re-joined Wellington Road. At thr roundabout we joined the A518 and we went West for one junction before turning left into Lilleshall village. As we entered the village we spotted a large stone monument. Lilleshall monument is marked on the map on google and one review refers to it as "very monumenty". We ran through the village and then we ran forwards onto Wellington road into the village of Muxton. We got close to the A518 again and we turned left onto the A4640. We turned right onto School Road and we ran forwards onto Queens Road. We turned right onto Wrekin Drive and near to the shops we turned left onto Winifreds Drive. We turned left onto West Avenue and right onto Park Road. We turned left onto Furnace Lane and under the B4373 onto Moss Road. We continued Southwards into Oakengates along Gower Street and at the end we turned right onto West Street. We ran forwards onto Station Hill and under the A442. We turned right onto Uxacona Way and into Oakengates bus station. We gave Matthew the option of getting off here to catch a different bus forwards but he chose to stay on this bus. We left the bus station onto Uxacona Way and we went forwards onto Station Road. We crossed the A442 onto Holyhead Road. We turned right onto the A5 and then we called into the railway station. After a run aaround the station area we returned to the A5 and crossed over the M54. We crossed the A442 roundabout onto Hollinsgate and we ran up the hill. at thr next roundabout we went straight onto Grange Central. At the next roundabout we turned right onto Northfield Street and we pulled into Telford Bus station. We got off the bud and we had a look around. The bus station seemed different, and there was an exit at the Southern end that we didn't see previously. As we went to the toilet we realised what was going on. There seems to be a 2nd bus station built in front of the other one. We passed what was left of the old bus station and we visited the shopping centre toilets as we remebred them previously. When we returned to the bus station we had a look around to see what we could catch. Displaying "Sorry, not in service" was Arriva Midlands 3733.

Arriva Midlands 3733 in Telford bus station

We walked down to the bottom end of the bus station and we saw Arriva Midlands 2146 on layover.

Arriva Midlands 2146 in Telford bus station

On one of the bottom stands was Arriva Midlands 2142 on a #11 to Lawley village.

Arriva Midlands 2142 in Telford bus station

We also saw required Arriva Midlands 2731 on a #10 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 2731 in Telford bus station

Most of the buses in the bus station were modern Streetlites. We spotted an older bus at the top end of the bus statio and we did not know what it was at the time but we decided we could do it to Madeley. It was dud Arriva Midlands 3701 on a #2 to Sutton Hill.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Telford bus station

e got on the bus and flashed the Telford Day Saver Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Malinsgate and we rounded The Severn Gorge onto Brunel Road. We headed South towards Dawley. At the end of the road we turned left onto Mount Road and we headed through the estate onto King Street. We ran South along the High Street and onto New Street and we crossed over Finger Road (B4373) onto New Road. We headed around the estate onto Trinity Road and we re-joined B4373 further South. We turned right onto Majestic Way and we ran to the roundabout and crossed over the A4169. We re-joined the B4373 and we turned right onto Woodside Avenue. We ran around the Woodside estate and at the end we turned left onto Ironbridge Road. We ran into the centre of Madeley along Park Street and Park Avenue and as we got to the town centre we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3701 before it carried on back to Telford via Sutton Hill.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Madeley

When we got off the bus we spotted a toilet opposite so Matthew visited the toilet. Whilst in the toilet I checked the bus stop outside to see when the next #1 to Telford was due and it was in around 5 minutes. Matthew came out of the toilet and we let go Arriva Midlands 33 on a #4 to Leegomery. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way from the trip bag. A few minutes later a bus appeared and it was required Arriva Midlands 3704 on a #1 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3704 in Madeley

We got on the bus and flashed the Telford Day Saver Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Park Avenue past Tesco and we continued over the roundabout onto Park Street. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto the B4373 before running around the housing estate on Woodside Avenue. We re-joined the Northbound B4373 and we crossed the A4169 ponto Majestic Way. At the end of the road we re-joined the Northbound B4373 before turning left onto The Old Vicarage. We turned right onto Trinity Road and we followed the road around onto Deepfield Road. We turned left onto Manor Road and right onto Webb Crescent. We crossed over Finger Road onto New Street and we continued onto King Street. We turned right onto Johnston Road and left onto Eyton Road. We turned left onto Mount Road and right onto Brunel Road. We ran to the edge of town and we turned right at the roundabout onto Malinsgate wehere we saw an unidentified Minsterley Motors PLaxton Cheetah parked up at the Severn Gorge pub. We ran onto Northfield Stre and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to catch something quite quickly. We spotted required Arriva Midlands 2702 on a #4 to Madeley.

Arriva Midlands 2702 in Telford bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the Telford Day Saver Plus tickets to the driver. The bus was full and standing as we left the bus station. Matthew got a seat but me and uncle Dave had to stand for quite a while. We ran down Northfield Street and Near to the ice rink we saw an unidentified Creamline coach. We ran forwards onto St Quintins Gate where we saw NT Exec YR02 ZZT and Tyrer's coach TYR 16R. We crossed the roundabout onto Stirchley Avenue and we ran down to the A442. We ran fast for 2/3rd of a mile and then forwards onto the A4169. We travelled Westwards for a further mile and we got to the large roundabout with the pit winding gear in the centre that we had crossed over twice already earlier in the day! We turned onto the Southbound B4373 and then right onto Woodside Avenue. We ran around the woodside housing estate and then forwards onto Eastbound B4373. At the roundabout we went onto Mound Way and we ran to the edge of Madeley. At the next roundabout we went onto Parkway and we past an Aldi and Lidle as well as a new shop under construction. We bypassed Madeley town centre and we came in from the other end up High Street. When we got to the top we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2702 before it returned empty to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2702 in Madeley

We went to the shop and we saw Arriva Midlands 3329 the # on a #4 to Leegomery. In the shop matthew had a couple of cans and a couple of choclate bars as well as a packet of biscuit to take round uncle Dave's and a wriggly worm. We walked back to #4 stop to wait for the next departure back to Telford. Whilst we waited we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3732 on a #96 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 3732 in Madeley

A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was required Arriva Midlands 3331 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3331 in Madeley

We got on the bus and flashed the Telford Day Saver Plus tickets to the driver for what turned out to be the final time today. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3331.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3331

We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus waited time before setting of back to Telford. We ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Mound Way. At the roundabout we went West along the B4373 before turning ritgh into Woodside Avenue. We ran around the Woodside estate before turning left onto the Northbound B4373. We ran up the the big roundabout and we turned right onto the A4169. We ran forwards onto the A442 and at the next junction we came off onto Stirchley Avenue. At the next roundabout we ran forwards onto St Quentins Gate and then forwards agin onto Northfield Street and into the bus station. When we got of the bus Matthew spotted Arriva Midlands 3698 on the X5 to Shrewsbury. Matthew wanted to do this bus but it was too late in the day to do a bus going in the opposite direction from home. We went into the shopping centre so that Matthew could use the toilet and then we returned ton the bus station to take a few pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 3698 about to depart on the X5 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 3698 in Telford bus station

We had suggested to Matthew that we did a #5 or #5A to either Newport of Muxton repectivley and mum could pick us up on the way home. We saw required Arriva Midlands 3755 on a #5A to Muxton, but Matthew didn't want to to do that bus. Whilst we saw if it was possible to do the next #5 we saw Arriva Midlands 2997 on a #96 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2997 in Telford bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2748 on a #15 to Arleston.

Arriva Midlands 2748 in Telford bus station

In the end mum ran out time on the car park so she came to pick us up outside the bus station. We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Northfield Street and we turned left onto Grange Central wher we saw Black's of Brechin BN17 JFF. We joined the Northbound A442 and we ran northwards to the edge of town. We turned righ onto the Eastbound A518 and we ran northwards up to Newport. At the Southern end of town we joined the Northbound A41 which by-passes the town centre to the East. At Forton we got onto the Northbound A519 and we did this through Eccleshall up to the edge of Stoke-on-Trent. Near to the A500 we turned right onto Whitmore Road. We turned right onto the A34 and by Trentham Gardens we turned left onto the A5035. We ran over the railway into Blurton and forwards into Dresden. We went to Longton to check out what was parked at Z Carz this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground again and we turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We also saw new to Z Carz minibus VK13 RGV. We returned onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and through the roadworks onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got back around 19:15. When we got back we downloaded photos off camera, wrote e-mails and worked on the Blog. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a Bakewell Tart. Later on we chilled out and watched television. I took uncle Dave home and Matthew chilled out on the sofa. later on Matthew went to bed around 00:30... 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 Conkers / Nantwich 05-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
GN60 GZM	Packmoor	Conkers	Charter	Middlehurst
GN60 GZM	Conkers	Packmoor	Charter	Middlehurst
3348	Sandbach o/s Common	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W
4040	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL17	Nantwich BS	Nantwich, o/s Sainsbury's	52	GHA
SL17	Nantwich, o/s Sainsbury's	Nantwich BS	52	GHA
26	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	45	D&G
3331	Crewe BS	Sandbach o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Todays was going to be a trip to Wigan. Also today was a trip for Matthew to Conkers with Aiming High. Research for the Wigan trip consisted of downloading timetables from the transport for greater Manchester site. Matthew was due to leave Packmoor at 09:30, so we set of a fraction after 09:00. After we dropped Matthew off we went home to mow the lawn and make final preparation for the Wigan trip. In the meantime Matthew found out he was going to be going on a different minibus than usual, Middlehurst minbus GN60 GZM. Matthew got a good picture of the bus before it loaded up.

Middlehurst GN60 GZM about to set off for Conkers

Conkers is an activity centre near Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Matthew reportedly had a great time and took a few pictures inside the visitor centre.

Beetle in the Indoor Activity Centre at Conkers

Whilst out he saw Arriva Midlands 2242 in Burton-on-Trent. They also stopped somewhere for chips and Coca Cola. The called into a garage near Uttoxeter and saw saw Arriva Midlands 2200. He also had cake. The plan was now to pick up Matthew after his outing and to get to Wigan around 14:30. We set off a little after 13:00 to pick Matthew up from Packmoor. As we approached the A527 turning on the A500 we noticed the traffic had started to build up. we go stuck in slow moving traffic and had to move over for emergency vehicle several times so we guessed there had been a serious crash up ahead. We passed the crash site just before we got to our turnoff, and it appeared a car a crossed the central reservation and landed on it's roof. We got to Packmoor around 13:40 and Matthew had not yet got back on the minibus. They eventually turned up just before 14:00. the road had been closed behind us and the bus had been diverted via Tunstall and had taken a extra. 20 minutes to get there. Matthew went to use the toilet and then we got into the car to North and saw Wigan Coachways N551 VDC. As we wanted Matthew to have a good long trip to Wigan we made the decision to go to Sandbach instead. We would put off going to Wigan for a short while. We got to Sandbach around 14:20 and Matthew was a little disappointed at not going further today. At the stop on the common, Matthew pointed at the 14:55 GHA 319 service to Goostrey and Homes Chapel. i downloaded the timetable and saw that this circular service didn't return back to Sandbach so doing this probably wasn't going to be an option today. There was a 14:40 to Crewe which might be something good, so we decided to wait and see what this was. just before 14:40, Arriva NW&W 3348 appeared and Matthew had a big smile on his face so we knew this was going to be the first bus that we did today. We brought NW day rovers and went upstairs. Matthew got a picture of the empty upstairs as we got on.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3348

As we left Sandbach, we passed the previous #37 to Crewe returning, which was Arriva NW&W 3331. The plan had been to go Haslington and come back on the #38 which would probably be required as we have only been on one of the three new Gemini's that usually work on the #38 service. Matthew had other ideas though, and he didn't want to get off. We ended up doing 3348 all the way to Crewe. As we went into Crewe station we could see another double decker along side us on the adjacent stand. It was required 4040. we got off 3348, and as we waited to see where 4040 was going Matthew got a picture of 3348.

3348 in Crewe bus station

4040 was going to Nantwich, which wasn't what I planned to do, but at least it was a required bus and so we waited for the driver to return. When the driver got on, we booked to Nantwich and we went upstairs. Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck on this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4040

the ride down to Nantwich via Willaston was very pleasant. On the way down we passed a few different Plaxton Centro's returning from Nantwich and chester. One of the Centro's we saw was our bogie machine 2619 ,so it was good to know this bus was out of the way! When we got to Nantwich Matthew was able to get a good shot of 4040 in the bus station.

4040 in Nantwich bus station

As Matthew didn't want to go back on 4040 we had an approximately 15 minute wait for the next service. We saw GHA Solo SL14 on a #73 service which Matthew wanted to do,but i wasn't sure how we could get back. When the next Solo came in on a Sainburys circular, he got a picture of it, Solo SL17.

GHA SL17 in Nantwich bus station

After taking the picture Matthew decided to get on the bus. I asked the driver how long it took to do the circle and he said 15 minutes. So we decided to do a quick trip down to Sainsbury's and back leaving uncle Dave behind. When we reached Sainsbury I got up to pay for the return journey. When we got back we just missed a Cadet heading to Crewe. Matthew must have seen something or someone when we were out on the circular, because then he took us on a walk around town. we stopped and sat on a bench on an island in the road where he had a bottle of Coke from the emergency rations. When we got back to the bus station 2619 was on stand to return to Crewe and Matthew walked straight passed to find a toilet. We found one next to the market, and on the way back we had to stop at a sweet stall he noticed on the way to the toilet. Needless to say 2619 had now departed. I made an executive decision that in order to get back to Sandbach we would catch the next bus back whoever operated it. the next bus back happened to be required D&G 26 and so after Matthew had got picture we got on.

D&G 26 in Nantwich bus station

We paid the fare £2.50 each for an adult single and sat down. It was now 16:20 and we worked out how to get back to Sandbach. Mum couldn't come to meet us anywhere as she wasn't feeling well enough to drive so we had to get back on our own. As we traveled back towards Crewe we passed D&G 42. There was a 16:35 #38 and the next bus was a 17:17 #37. We got into Crewe at 16:37 and must have just missed the #38. Before we got off Matthew to a picture of the inside of D&G 26.

Inside D&G 26

We now had a fair wait for our bus and we saw and photographed quite a few others whilst we waited. D&G 41 which we saw at Nantwich made an appearance at Crewe. Arriva 2619 arrived from Nantwich on the #84 we had missed half an hour previously. we saw 4040 again working another turn to Nantwich. Of the 2 Arriva buses that had been parked up, 2615 worked off empty presumably back to Winsford, and 2502 went on to work an #84

Arriva NW&W 2502 on a #84

We turned down returning to Sandbach via Winsford on 2612 which as on a the 17:01 #31A. At around 17:05 our bus arrived in the bus station and it was the dud but interesting Arriva 3331.

Arriva NW&W 3331 in Crewe bus station

After taking a few more pictures and waiting until time, we boarded the bus. the bus filled up due to the fact that the Crewe game had just let out. Crewe had just managed a 2-2 draw and this meant that had made the division 2 play-offs! at the railway station even more people got on and needless to say the journey was a lively one. considering the bus was quite full, 3331 moved really quickly. As we stopped in Haslington near to the Co-op, a car decide to overtake us and subsequently flattened a bollard on the central reservation. the bus did empty out a little. As we approached sandbach we passed 3330 again going towards Crewe. eventually we got to Sandbach where Matthew got another picture of this beast.

3331 on Sandbach Common

When we got to the car, Matthew had a sausage roll waiting for him. We headed back along the A534 to the M6 and we came off at junction 16 for the A500. Matthew decided he wanted a slight detour around the city as we traveled home. we came off at the A34 and went north to Talke. We then traveled home past Tesco and then via Kidsgrove, Whitehill, Newchapel, Packmoor, High Lane, Smallthorne, Hanley and Fenton. We got home around 18:20...Mark