Trip to Oswestry / Chirk 01-04-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
B10	Oswestry BS	Pant, Tregarthen Lane Junction	T12	Lloyds Coaches
292	Pant, Cross Guns Inn	Oswestry BS	T12	Tanat Valley
3791	Oswestry BS	Ruabon, Station Road	2A	Arriva Midlands
2945	Ruabon, Station Road	Cefn Mawr, o/s Tesco	2C	Arriva Midlands
3786	Cefn Mawr, opp Tesco	Chirk, Chappel Lane	2	Arriva Midlands
3762	Chirk, St Mary's Church	Oswestry BS	2C	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Oswestry. Matthew had been wanting to visit here for the last month or so, but this is the first time we were able to organise this. Research consisted of looking at the Arriva Midlands site, looking for places to eat and places to park and checking the weather. The weather was forecast to be mainly dry with some sunshine. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orabge juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. The road was closed so we turned around and we turned left onto Heron Street. We continued onto Station Bridge Road and left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Masterson Street and we ran to the end before turning left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right 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 headed towards Stoke we saw B&N Coaches BN18 BXN. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned right onto City Road. We turned right to join the Southbound A500 and we ran through Sideway and Hanford down to the A519, passing Country Lion T99 JSF. We headed Southwards for a few hundred yards before turning right onto the A5182. We headed Westwards for a few miles and at the end of the road we turned left onto the Southbound A53 We ran through Whitmore and Balwins gate and we crossed over the A51 by The Swan With Two Necks. We continued through Loggerheads and to the North of Market Drayton and on the other side of town we stopped in a layby. Matthew had a sausage sandwich from Jim's Butty Van and washed it down with a can of Cherry Coke from the boot. When we had finished eating we continued down the A53 to Tern Hill. We turned right onto the A41 and we headed Northwards towards Whitchurch. We followed the road around the Western side of town and we turned left onto the A525. After a few mile we turned left onto the A495. As we travelled Westwards we saw Siesta Holidays YJ12 KFV. We passed Ellesmere and we ran into Whittington. We followed the road around the castle and over the level crossing and to the edge of town. We ran forwards onto the B5490 and into town. We ran under the bridge and we turned left onto the road into town. We ran straight on to the one way system amd we turned right into the car park of the old Morrisons supermarket and we parked up. As we parked up we saw Tanat Valley 290 on a T12 to Wrexham. We walked into the bus station and there wasn't anything about. So we walked down to The Cambrian Railway to have a look at their Sprinters. We walked back into the bus station and we saw Arriva Midlands 3756 come in on a service from Wrexham.

Arriva Midlands 3756 in Oswestry bus station

The bus went off out of service. It appeared that the bus ran back to the depot or somewhere for a driver change, so there wasn't anything around for a while. We walked along Beatrice Street and we turned left onto King Street. We turned right onto the B5069 and we turned left onto Black Gate Street. We visit Sainsburys and Matthew used the toilet. When we came out of the shop we saw Tanat Valley 373 on a #400 town circular service.

Tanat Valley 373 in Oswestry

We walked back along Black Gate Street and we turned right onto the B5069. We walked into the bus station and we just missed an Arriva Wrexham service. As short time later we saw Lloyds Coaches B10 on a T12 service to Machynlleth.

Lloyds Coaches B10 in Oswestry bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on the bus and we booked to Pant before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579. We turned left onto English Walls and we turned right onto the Smithfield Street. We turned left onto Church Street and we went straight onto Upper Church Street and we headed up to Morda. We went forwards onto Morda Road and turned right onto the A483. We travelled through Sweeney and though Llynclys. We carried on for another mile or so into Pant where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Lloyds Coaches B10 as ito Continued towards Machynlleth.

Lloyds Coaches B10 in Pant

We had quite a bit of time to kill so we decided to look for and walk to the nearest pub. A quick check of the tri-corder and we could see there was a pub to the South of us down the road. We set off Southwards and we saw Tanat Valley 376 on a #74 to Oswestry. We continued around the corner to the pub and we crossed over the road. We went into the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and we ordered a couple of glasses of Coke and we sat in the window. After we had finished our drink we went outside and we met up with uncle Dave again. We continued a little further South to the bus stop and we waited for the bus. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Tanat Valley 292 on a T12 to Wrexham.

Tanat Valley 292 in Pant

We got on the bus and we booked single tickets to Oswestry at £2.20 each before we sat down toward the back of the bus. We set off along the A483 through Llynclys and we continued up to Sweeney. We turned left onto the B5069 through Morda and Oswestry. We turned left onto the B4580 and right onto Castle Street. We turned left into Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus we saw an Arriva bus to Wrexham depart. We watched the T12 depart towards Wreham and this left a clear view of Tanat Valley 241 which was on layover in the bus station.

Tanat Valley 241 in Oswestry bus station

We saw Tanat Valley 374 depart on a town circular service and a short time later we saw Tanat Valley 374 on a #402 town circular service.

Tanat Valley 374 in Oswestry bus station

We had a bit of a wait for the next service towards Wrexham. After what seemed like quite a long time we saw the bus eneter the bus station. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3791 on a #2A to Wrexham.

Arriva Midlands 3791 in Oswestry bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva Midlands Day Saver Duo at £12.50 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto the B5069. weturned left onto Balck Gate Street and we ran past Sainsbury's. We turned right onto the B5479 and left onto English Walls. We followed the road to the right through the Square past the Borderland Farmer Sculpture and we turned right onto Cross Street. We turned left onto the B5480 and we headed Northwards out of town. We veered rght onto the B5479 and we headed through Pentre Pant into Selattyn. We turned right onto Station Road and we ran through Weston Rhyn. We continued to the A5 roundabout and we turned sharp left onto Chirk Road. We crossed the river Ceiriog and we entered Chirk from the South. We passed through the town and we turned right onto Colliery Road. We follwed Colliery Road to the left and we ran through the housing estate before rejoining the Northbound B5070. We turned right onto the A5 and we ran to the A483 where we turned left. We ran fast Northwards over the Dee and we turned left onto the A539. We veered left onto the B5605 and we ran into Rhosymedre. We turned right onto High Street and we ran into Cefn Mawr. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we ran past Tesco. We joined the B5096 and we ran up the hill to the main road. As we approached Ruabon we turned right onto Wynnstay Lane. We turned right onto Hampden Way and we ran Westwards alongside the A539 in to opposite direction that we had just travelled along. We ran forwards onto Oak Road and we turned right onto the A539 and we headed back Eastwards. We ran up to the roundabout and we turned left onto the B5605. We got up and got off the bus outside of the railway station. The driver of the bus was very friendly and realised Matthew was interested in buses. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3791 as it continued towards Wrexham.

Arriva Midlands 3791 in Ruabon

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we waited for bus back Westward. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 1008 on a #5 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1008 in Ruabon

Whilst we waited Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2945 on a #2C to Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 2945 in Ruabon

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver Duo under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards along the B5605 and we turned right onto the A539. We turned left onto Wynnstay Lane. We turned right onto Hampden Way and we ran Westwards alongside the A539. A regular passenger pointed out that we wre on a 2C and we were going the wrong way. So the driver turned the bus around and we headed Eastwards along Hampden Way. We followed the road around the estate and we headed Westwards. We turned left onto Whalley's Way and we ran forwards onto Rock Road. We turned right onto Well Street and we turned left onto Oxford Street we saw Tesco so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2945 as it continued towards Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 2945 in Cefn Mawr

We went down the steps to Tesco and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we had a walk around the shop and we brought a meal deal. Afterpaying for the food we went outside and we went to the Wrexham bound stop. We had a look at the buses and we decided that the best thing to do would be to cross over and wait for the Oswestry bound bus. The map was showing Arriva Midlands 3755 on the next Wrexham bound bus and Arriva Midlands 3786 on the next bus towards Oswestry. The following Oswestry bus was initially showing up as Arriva Midlands 2978. Whilst we waited for the Oswestry bus we saw Arriva Midlands 3755 on a the #2A to Wrexham.

Arriva Midlands 3755 in Cefn Mawr

A few minutes later the bus appeared. As expected we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3786 on a #2 to Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 3786 in Cefn Mawr

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver Duo under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Oxford Street and we turned right onto Well Street and we ran forwards onto High Street. We turned left onto Park Road and we ran up to the main roundabout at the South end of Ruabon. We joined the Southbound A483 and we ran fast down to the A5 and we turned right. We turned left onto the B5070 we ran ran Southwards into Chirk. As we have never been into Chirk from the direction before we got up and got off a little to soon. Once off the bus we walked Southwards into town. We stopped at The Stanton and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave again. We carried on down the Road and we saw Arriva Midlands 3791 coming out of a street. We saw the bus pull up at the bus stop but as we had been on the bus earlier we decided to turn this down. We sat at the stop and Matthew had some cocktail sausages with a tomato sauce dip. He also had a chicken and bacon mayo sandwich. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3762 on a #2C to Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 3762 in Chirk

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver Duo under the scanner for the final time today. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3762 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3762

We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Chirk Road. We ran through Gledrid and turned left onto the B5070. We turned left onto St Martins Road and we ran through Rhosygadfa back to Rhewl. We ran through Gobowen and turned left onto Whittington Road. We turned right onto Twmpath Lane and we crossed over Gobowen Road into Oswestry. We turned left Oswald Road and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 3762 before it continued back to the depot.

Arriva Midlands 3762 in Oswestry bus station

We walked across to the car park and we met up with mum. We got in the car and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. Afterwards we set off out nof the car park onto Beatrice Street and we joined the Eastbound B5069. We turned righ onto the B5480 and we ran out of town. We crossed the A5 and we ran forwards onto the A495. We crossed over the level crossing and we ran into Whittington. Just after the chip shop we pulled over at the side of the road where we could and I went to fetch food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke Zero. When I had finished eatng we carried on along the A495. We went around the castle and continued around Ellesmere. We continued towards Whitchurch and we turned right onto the A525. At the edge of Ton we joined the A41 and we headed Southwards bypassing the town. As we headed South Matthew indicated that he neede the toilet. As we were near to Tern Hill we carried on for another couopke of miles and we stopped at Tern Hill service. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we brought a small bottle of Dr Pepper. We left the services and we joined the Eastbound A53 and we headed towards Market Drayton. We ran along the Market Drayton by-pass and we continued Northwards towards Loggerheads. we crossed over the A51 and up through Whitmore. We ran Northwards towards Newcastle and we turned right onto Trentham Road. We turned left onto the A519. We joined the Northbound A500. As we headed Northwards we saw black minibus YX15 YLW. We ran through Hanford up to Stoke and we came off the A500. We turned right onto City Road and right again to go Southwards onto the A500. We veered left onto Wheildon Road and we went to uncle Dave's. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. Uncle Rob wasn't there tonight. He aslo had some Irn Bru and updated the calendar. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. Due to Grove Road being closed we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Alma Street and left onto Watkins Street. We turned right onto Masterson Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Station Bridge Road and we crossed over the railway line. We continuednonto Heron Street and we crossed the lights 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 20:00. 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 TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to Scarborough 16-07-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 978	Hanley, Birch Terrace	Scarborough, Sandside	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 978	Scarborough, Sandside	Hanley, Birch Terrace	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day Scarborough. Matthew got up around 04:55 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. In the morning Matthew went to Trentham Gardens. We went downstairs and we got in a car. We set off onto Temple Street and left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road and we ran along Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill through Fenton and at Joiners Square. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we saw First Potteries 65041 on a #6 to Coalville. We ran towards Hanley and we got out of the taxi and we walked up Lichfield Street and onto Birch Terrace. We got pout to wait for the coach. We saw a Copeland's Tour coach approaching. A few minutes later we saw another coach approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Copeland's Tours MIB 978 on the day trip to Scarborough.

Copeland's Tours MIB 978 in Fenton

We got on the coach and we sat down in our seats. We set off down Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road and at Limekiln lights we went straight onto the A52. We turned right onto the A5272 and we ran up to Bentilee. We ran through Bentilee to Adderley Green and we turned right onto Anchor Road. We ran down the hill to Longton and we joined the one-way system. We turned left onto Market Street and we followed the one-way system onto Commerce Street. We went around the roundabout onto The Strand and we stopped outside The Donna Louise. We turned left onto Edensor Road and we turned left onto the Eastbound A50. We ran through Meir and we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 615 at the depot. We ran towards Blythe Bridge and we continued towards Uttoxeter. We turned right onto Ashbourne Road and we turned left onto the A522 and at the main roundabout we entered the bus station. After a brief stop we re-joined the A522 and we turned left onto the A518. We turned right onto Derby Road and we turned right onto the A50. We ran Eastwards the A38 to the motorway and we got onto the North bound M1 which we did down to Woodall services where we had a quick break. We visited the toilet and then we went to WH Smiths where we picked up some Irn Bru and sweet as well as a truck magazine. The coach carried on South along the M1 which we did down the Northbound M18. We came off the A1(M). We ran Northwards for a junction and we joined the Eastbound A64. We ran around the South side of York and around Malton. We continued through Seamer and into Scarborough. As we travelled up we saw East Yorkshire 283 on a #7A to Eastfield. We turned left onto St James Road and we turned left onto Valley Road. We turned left onto Foreshore Road onto New Sandside where we got up and got off the coach. Once we had parked up we headed along Sandside and we saw East Yorkshire 373 on a #8 to Barrowcliff. We spotted a pub across the road and Matthew indicated that he needed to toilet so we crossed the road and we went to the Newcastle Packet. After using the toilet Matthew sat at the bar and had a glass of Coke. Once we had finished we set off onto Sandside and forwards onto Marine Drive. We saw East Yorkshire 895 on a RED to North Bay.

East Yorkshire 895 in Scarborough

Right behind that coach was Shoreline Suncruiser L444 SSB on a #109 to North Bay.

Shoreline Suncruiser L444 SSB in Scarborough

We walked arounf the corner onto Royal Albert Drive and we saw Shoreline Suncruiser L900 SSB on a #109 to North Bay.

Shoreline Suncruiser L900 SSB in Scarborough

A few minutes later we saw East Yorkshire 893 on a RED to North Bay.

East Yorkshire 893 in Scarborough

We continued onto North Bay promenade and into Cleveland Way and we stopped at the benches at the end to eat the Bounty. When we had finished we returned to Cleveland Way and he went to the One Stop shop. At the shop Matthew brought a bottle of Coke. We ran to North Bay promenade and we went across onto Royal Albert Drive. We walked onto Sandside and we saw Ausden Clarke BIG 9834. We went up to the pub and Matthew used the toilet. We came back out and through the arcade onto High Street and we saw Shoreline Suncruiser 160 on a #109 to North Bay. We stopped at the chip shop. Matthew had sausage,chips and gravy. We walked to the churchyard and we sat on a bench to eat the sausage, chips and gravy. We afterwards had a ice cream. When we had finished we walked back along Sandside. We went onto the Foreshore Road and we spent some time on the beach. We carried on and we saw East Yorkshire 891 on a RED to North Bay. We walked into the centre of town and stopped at a toilet. We decided to go for a drink whilst we waited for time before the coach was due. We walked over to cafe and Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a slice of cake. We went to the other end of the street and we brought some rock from a gift shop. We cut through an alleyway onto Foreshore Road and we walked back towards Sandside. For tea Matthew had a burger followed byhad a doughnut. We crossed over the prome and we sat eating the burger and doughnuts and watching buses. We saw East Yorkshire 286 on a #8 to Barrowcliff.

East Yorkshire 286 in Scarborough

We crossed over the road and we saw Garnetts CN10 HFU. The return journey back to Hanley was on Copelan'd Tours MIB 978. We got on the coach and we sat down in our allocated seats. The coach set off along Sandside. We ran forwards onto Foreshore Road and we turned right onto Valley Road. We turned right onto the A64. We ran out of town through Seamer and around the Malton by-pass. We ran to the South of York and we joined the A1(M). We ran Southwards for a junction and we joined the Southbound M1 and as we approached Tibshelf Services Matthew signed he wanted the toilet. After visiting the toilet we went to the shop and brought a bottle of Coke. There were a few coaches outside so we went to investigate. We saw Megabus 54289 parked outside.

Megabus 54289 in Tibshelf Southbound

We re-joined the M1 and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A38. We continued Southwards through Derby and we saw an unidentified Slacks coach. We veered left onto the A516 and a few miles down the road we joined the Westbound A50. We turned left onto Derby Road and we turned left onto the A518 and ran past the fromer Frankie and Benny's and the site of a new Costa Coffee. We turned right onto the A522 and we saw Shelton Care Group YS70 KWG. We stopped at the bus station briefly before heading out of town along the A522. We turned right onto the Ashbourne Road and we turned left onto the A50 we saw an Harpur's coach. We carried on passed Blythe Bridge and Meir before turning back towards the depot. Once we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 104. We headed off the A50 by going around B&Q and the Co-op warehouse along Whittle Road. We headed to the centre of Meir the A50. We ran fast down to Normacot and we came off the A50 at Longton and down The Strand and we followed the one way system around onto Market Street. We turned left onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill to Adderley Green. We turned left onto the A5272 and and we ran through Bentilee and we ran down the hill to Bucknall. We turned left onto the A52 and we ran to limekiln lights and we went across onto Bucknall New Road. We climbed the hill up to Hanley and we joined the clockwise ring road. We turned right onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We pulled up at the club and we got off the coach. Once of the coach we returned to Fenton in an Autocabs taxi. We got in the taxi and we set off up Lichfield Street and over the ring road. We ran down to joiners Square and we went over the roundabout onto Victoria Road past Adsa and the B&M. We turned right onto Manor Street and we saw blue minibus P879 PMB. We turned left onto City Road and we ran through the private road on which the swimming baths are situated. At the end we turned left onto City Road and right into Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew also drank a can of Cherry Coke. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. 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.