Trip to Hinckley / Earl Shilton 27-10-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1008	Hinckley, The Cresent BS	Earl Shilton, Almeys Lane	1	Arriva Midlands
3807	Earl Shilton, Almeys Lane	Hinckley, The Cresent BS	158	Arriva Midlands
1005	Hinckley, The Cresent BS	Barwell, Willowdene Way	2	Arriva Midlands
3808	Barwell, The Square	Hinckley, The Cresent BS	158	Arriva Midlands
3799	Hinckley, The Cresent BS	Nuneaton BS	158	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley. We discussed the possibility of going to Hinckley and Matthew said yes. Research consisted of checking the weather, which was for cold weather with light rain showers brightening up later in the afternoon. We also checked AA roadwatch to see if the roads were clear and we downloaded a map of the Arriva services around Hinckley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden up to Longton. We got onto the high Level A500 and we turned right at the next roundabout onto baths Road and into the Tesco petrol station. Once we had filled up we got onto the Westbound A50 and we ran up to Sideway. We got onto the Southbound A500 and we ran down to the motorway. We got onto the Southbound M6 and we ran down to junction 12. As we travelled South we passed Shearing Holidays 140, Abbey Coaches CE02 YRZ and an unidentified BBC East Lancs Myllenium single decker bus. We came of the M6 onto the eastbound A5 and we saw Linburg BF16 XPJ. Just before we reached Cannock we stopped at the Trucker Rest cafe. As soon as we got inside Matthew visited the toilet. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we continued Eastwards along the A5 we saw B&N coaches A20 BXN. Passing close to Lichfield and Tamworth, we came off the A5 near to Nuneaton and we went Eastwards up the B4666. We came into the town centre and we turned right into Rigby Road and we parked up in the Trinity Lane East car park. We said goodbye to mum, and we set off towards the new bus station. This is the first time we have visited Hinckley since the completion of The Crescent Bus Station. AS we walked into the bus station we saw Stagecoach Midlands 36752 on a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Midlands 36752 in Hinckley bus station

A short while later we saw Arriva Midlands 2570 on a #7 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 2570 in Hinckley bus station

Also seen was Arriva Midlands 2410 on a #7 to Burbage.

Arriva Midlands 2410 in Hinckley bus station

We decided to do something Northbound so we waited at the end stop for a #1 or #158. Whilst we waited we were surprised to see Arriva Midlands 1005 on a #2 to Burbage.

Arriva Midlands 1005 in Hinckley bus station

A few minutes later we saw another another approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 1008 on a #1 to Earl Shilton.

Arriva Midlands 1008 in Hinckley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva Zone two tickets at £4.20 each before we sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Regent Street, stopping at the stop from where the services used to start. We ran forwards onto the B590 and we headed out of town. We crossed the A47 and we turned right Elmesthorpe Lane. We then ran through the estates to the East of town after travelling for over a mile we came into the North end of Earl Shilton. We travelled in along Mill Lane, Church Street and onto the High Street. A couple of stops down we got up and got off the bus. As we had got off the bus we had spotted a shop so we walked up the road to the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a can of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We returned to the stop from where we had got off in order to wait for a bus back to Hinckley. Whilst we were waiting there was a flurry of activity. We saw Arriva Midlands 3808 going towards Leicester. We also saw Stagecoach Midlands 26220 going towards Coventry.

Stagecoach Midlands 26220 in Earl Shilton

Right behind the Stagecoach Midlands bus was dud Arriva Midlands 3807 on a #158 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3807 in Earl Shilton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Zone two tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran through the centre of Earl Shilton and we continued on down to Hinckley Road and we turned right onto Shilton Road. A couple of minutes later we were in the centre of Barwell. We ran onto High Street and we continued onto Mill Street. We ran forwards onto Hinckley Road and at the junction we turned left onto Ashby Road and we ran Southwards. Due to an incident on the junction of Ashby Road and he A47, We got about 1/4 mile down the road and we had to turn around. We headed back North up Ashby Road and by now a police car had turned up to stop traffic going Southwards. We turned left onto Rogue Lane and it was quite difficult for the large bus to pass cars coming the other way. At the end of the lane we turned left onto Stoke Road. We crossed the A47 by Morrison's and the road here had been blocked off by police too. We continued into town and we ran forwards onto Hollycroft. We ran onto the B4667 and we ran into town. We turned left onto Coventry Road and we turned right into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3807 before it continued towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3807 in Hinckley bus station

As we came into the bus station we spotted required Arriva Midlands 1005 on a #2 to Barwell. We headed up to the top end of the bus station and Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 1005.

Arriva Midlands 1005 in Hinckley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Zone two tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Regent Street. We stopped on the bus top were the service used to start and we continued Northwards out of town. We veered left onto Hollycroft and we turned right into Stanley Road. At the end of the road we turned right onto Tudor Road and we passed Arriva Midlands 1008 coming the other way. We continued onto Netherley Road and we crossed over Ashby Road onto Barwell Lane. We turned right onto Stoneygate Drive and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Leicester Road and we crossed over the A47 onto The Common. We ran into Barwell and we got up to get off. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 1005 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 1005

When we got off the bus we crossed over the road and we visited the toilets. When we had finished we waited at the stop for the next Southbound bus. Even though in theory there was one due in 15 minutes, the display at the bus stop said the next bus wasn't for 30 minutes. We waited for the bus to appear and things were delayed due to the incident on Ashby Road. Going the other way we saw required Arriva Midlands 3803 on a #158 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3803 in Barwell

Around 16:40 the bus came around the corner and it was dud Arriva Midlands 3808. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Zone two tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the High Street and we ran forwards onto Mill Street. We continued onto Hinckley Road and at the end we turned left onto Ashby Road. We crossed over the A47 and we ran into town. Whatever had happened on the road had now been cleared up. We ran into town from the North along the B4667. We turned left onto Coventry Road and right into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 3808 before it continued on towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Hinckley bus station

Mum had messaged us to say that there was a cafe at Nuneaton bus station and there was cake waiting with Matthews name on it! Parked up in the bus station was required Arriva Midlands 2002 on layover in between working on the #66 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 2002 in Hinckley bus station

We decided to catch the next bus to Nuneaton to meet up with mum, which in theory was a #7. A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 3799 on a #158 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3799 in Hinckley bus station

We decided to do this bus so we could get back to Nuneaton quicker. We got on the bus and we flashed the Zone two Day Saver tickets to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. After a short wait the bus set off out of the bus station and we turned B4666. We ran the two or so miles down to the A5 and after a short run along the A5 we continued down the A47 into Nuneaton. As we approached the town centre we passed required Arriva Midlands 2403 on a #7A to Sketchley Brook. We crossed over the railway line and we joined the ring road before entering the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3799 before it continued towards Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3799 in Nuneaton bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and then we met up with mum in Jenny's Cafe. We all had burgers and fries and Matthew washed his down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished Matthew went to the toilet in the cafe and we brought Matthew some cake as promised. We decided to have a walk around the bus station to take a few pictures before we return to the car. On layover was Stagecoach Midlands 36167 between working on the #18 to Ansley.

Stagecoach Midlands 36167 in Nuneaton bus station

Around the other side of the bus station we saw Stagecoach Midlands 36746 on layover.

Stagecoach Midlands 36746 in Nuneaton bus station

We walked over to the multi-storey car park and we got in the car. Mum arrived at the car shortly afterwards and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and we crossed over the ring road into Asda where we filled up with petrol. We got back onto the ring road and we ran around the one-way system near to the railway station. We turned left onto the A444 and we ran over the railway and out of town. A few miles out of town we got onto the Westbound A5. We ran North near to Tamworth and Lichfield and we ran through Brownhills to the Eastern end of Cannock. We joined the Westbound A460 and we ran up to the motorway. At junction 11 we got onto the Northbound M6. It was now fully dark. As we travelled Northwards vehicles that we passed were an unidentified New Adventure Travel coach, an unidentified Edwards coach and an unidentified Gwyn Jones coach. We came off the M6 at junction 15 and we got onto the Northbound A500. At Sideway we came off the A500 and we got onto the Eastbound A50. As we climbed up the hill we passed unidentified red Pats Coaches tri-axle coach. We came off the A50 at Longton and we went to Z carz to see if there was anything we could see. There was nothing on the spare ground and unusually there was nothing visible at the entrance of the compound on Willow Row either. We ran Westwards along the A50 and we cam of at Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Avenue and back home at 19:30. We had already had tea at Nuneaton, so later on as a snack we had the Greggs sausage rolls. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

Trip to Tamworth / Sutton Coldfield 18-04-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4409	Tamworth bus interchange	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SD)	110	Arriva Midlands
4408	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SH)	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands
3001	Tamworth bus interchange	Coton Green, Opp Helingham	3A	Arriva Midlands
3808	Coton Green, opp Fox Inn	Lichfield BS	X60	Arriva Midlands
3807	Lichfield BS	Tamworth bus interchange	X60	Arriva Midlands
4410	Tamworth bus interchange	Fazeley, Adj The Square	110	Arriva Midlands
4412	Fazeley, Nr The Square	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Tamworth. Matthew had also said that he wanted to visit Lichfield too. We had checked the weather and it was for fine and sunny weather all over the Midlands and North West. We gave him a list of places to go and from the list he chose Tamworth. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off at 12:00 and we went down to the A5035 and turned right towards Trentham. At the A34 we turned left and headed South. Near to Stone we passed ABC Supreme VK06 LTV going North towards the hospital. We carried on passed the edge of Stone and we turned left onto the A34 to head towards Rugeley. We passed along through Staffordshire passing Arriva Midlands 3763 on the #825 to Stafford. Instead of heading through Lichfield we decided to drive around it. We went around town on the A5192 and we saw Rotala Diamond 20854 on the #21 service. We headed South on the A38 and we went down A5148 as the A38 route towards Tamworth wasn't signpost until we had already committed to the other road! We joined the Eastbound A5 and we headed East until we got to the Junction by Ventura Park. We came off and headed North up to the A51 and we turned east again to come into town. We parked up in the car park adjacent to Corporation Street and Aldergate. We headed to Cafe Rio and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and Matthew used the toilet in the Tourist information office. The old toilet block had now closed down. We went back on to Corporation Street to the interchange and we saw required Arriva Midlands 3017 on a #3 to Coton Green.

Arriva Midlands 3017 in Tamworth bus interchange

We headed down the row and we took a few more pictures... In between #82 services was Solus Coaches MX12 CGE.

Solus Coaches MX12 CGE in Tamworth bus interchange

On a #2 to Gillway was required Arriva Midlands 3016.

Arriva Midlands 3016 in Tamworth bus interchange

We decided we were going to do a double decker on the #110 service. We had a few minutes to wait for the next bus on this quarter hourly service. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva Midlands 3511 on a #785 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3511 in Tamworth bus interchange

A few minutes later the double decker on the #110 appeared. It was dud Arriva Midlands 4409.

Arriva Midlands 4409 in Tamworth bus interchange

Whilst we were waiting to get on the bus, Matthew pointed to Sutton Coldfield on the side of the bus. This meant that we need an Arriva Midlands Day Saver in stead of a Tamworth and Lichfield one. We got on the bus and we booked the Day Saver tickets at £6.20. We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4409 too.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4409

The bus set off towards the A51 before turning South towards Ventura Park. The bus announced each stop as we approached it and also displayed this information on a screen. We headed South to Fazeley and then we headed West to Mile Oak. At Mile Oak we headed south again through a ore rural part of the route. We passed Bassetts Pole round about and continued South to Sutton Coldfield. We circumnavigated the one way system into town and we turned into the Grazechurch shopping centre area. We got off the bus and we photographed the Scania Onicity double decker behind us. It was required National Express West Midlands 4780.

NX West Midlands 4780 in Sutton Coldfield

We also saw National Express West Midlands 4299 on a #77 to walsall.

NX West Midlands 4299 in Sutton Coldfield

We crossed over victoria Road and we saw Arriva Midlands 3006 on the next #110 back to Tamworth. We crossed back over the road onto the other side of the shopping centre street ready to return towards Tamworth, and in the mean time we took a few more bus and coach pictures. we then saw Alfa coach 44 dropping off passengers.

Alfa 44 in Sutton Coldfield

Matthew had a Milky Way whilst we were waiting to take more pictures. We then saw National Express West Midlands 4916 on a #902 service to Hill Hook.

NX West Midlands 4916 in Sutton Coldfield

This was followed by National Express West Midlands 4329 on a #6 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4329 in Sutton Coldfield

We also saw National Express West Midlands 4799 on a #914 to Birmingham via the Aston Expressway.

NX West Midlands 4799 in Sutton Coldfield

Next was National Express West Midlands 2111 on a #71 to Solihull.

NX West Midlands 2111 in Sutton Coldfield

Across the road we saw another Scania Omnicity double decker, National Express West Midlands 4778 which arrived and went out of service.

NX West Midlands 4778 in Sutton Coldfield

On a #904 to falcon Lodge was National Express West Midlands 4918.

NX West Midlands 4918 in Sutton Coldfield

Eventually our bus back to Tamworth arrived, and it was required Arriva Midlands 4408.

Arriva Midlands 4408 in Sutton Coldfield

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. We went upstairs and sat down near to the back of the bus. We set off Northwards around the towns one way system and we passed the graveyard and adjacent Good Hope hospital... We carried on north and into rural Staffordshire. We raced north to Bassetts Pole and up to mile Oak before heading Eastwards towards Fazeley. At Fazeley square we went North and passed Ventura Park. We continued North up to the A51 and then turned by the Fire station and onto Aldergate. We turned into Corporation Street and into the interchange. We got off the bus and we saw a bus going towards Lichfield. Matthew went to the toilet in the Tourist Information office and by the time he had finished the bus to Lichfield had departed. We decided to look what else was working. At the other end of the interchange we saw required Arriva Midlands 3001 on a #3A to Coton Green.

Arriva Midlands 3001 in Tamworth bus interchange

We asked Matthew if he wanted to do Arriva Midlands 3001 and he said yes. Behind us we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3509 on a #115 to Coleshill.

Arriva Midlands 3509 in Tamworth bus interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus. There was a few minutes to wait for departure time and the bus started to fill up. The bus was still empty behind us so Matthew took a picture of the inside of Arriva Midlands 3001 behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3001

I couldn't remember which way around the loop the #3A went... The bus set off and I saw we were going along the A51 towards Lichfield. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off the bus at Coton Green and to catch something forwards towards Lichfield and he said yes. A couple of miles out of town we turned of the A51 near to the fox Inn and we decided to get up and get off the bus. As to bus carried on on it's loop towards Lichfield, Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3001.

Arriva Midlands 3001 in Coton

We walked back to the A51 and at the stop we saw there was an X60 bus due at that very moment! A minute or so later we saw a VDL Pulsar II approaching. It was dud Arriva Midlands 3808.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Coton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. The bus carried on Westward along the A51 right to the edge of town. We turned right and we headed under the Lichfield City railway line before turning right again to get to the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3808.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Lichfield bus station

We decide to take Matthew to the toilet. on the way there we took a picture of National Holidays NH06 NEH which was terminating.

National Holidays NH06 NEH in Lichfield bus station

After he had been we went to the shop around the corner. Matthew had a couple of cans and a chocolate bar to re-stock the bag. Next we saw Midland Classic 87 on a X12 to Burton-on-Trent.

Midland Classic 87 in Lichfield bus station

We decided to walk down the bus station to photographs of the buses and coaches we had seen on the way in to the bus station. On a #23 town service was Rotala Diamond 20840.

Rotala Diamond 20840 in Lichfield bus station

parked up in the bus station was Pulham's Travels brand new coach PU15 HAM.

Pulham's Travel PU15 HAM in Lichfield bus station

We walked to the end of the bus station to see the other coach parked up. It was Garfield Travel Van Hool bodied coach YJ12 KFK which was on a Mystery excursion that end up at Lichfield.

Garfield Travel YJ12 KFK in Lichfield bus station

We then saw Arriva Midlands 2938 on the X25 to Stafford service.

Arriva Midlands 2938 in Lichfield bus station

We then saw required Arriva Midlands 3807 on a X60 to Tamworth. We walked back down and it was still in the bus station so we decided to catch it.

Arriva Midlands 3807 in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and then required Arriva Midlands 4217 made an appearance on the #7 to Burton-on-Trent.

Arriva Midlands 4217 in Lichfield bus station

The bus set out and we turned left under the City railway line we traveled a further 1/2 a mile or so southwards and then we turned left onto the A51. We then had a long straight run through Whittington and passed the barracks. We passed Parkington free range Pork Farm or 'Pigs in Space', and through the village of Hopwas. We entered town and we got to the bus interchange. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3807.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3807

Matthew went to the toilet again before it shut for the evening and when we came back out we saw Stagecoach Midlands 36176 parked up between duties on it's service to Nuneaton.

Stagecoach Midlands 36176 in Tamworth bus interchange

We decided to do one more short out and back on the #110 service. Whilst we waited Matthew sat on the wall and ate some Milky Stars and drank a can of Barr limeade. We also saw Arriva Midlands 3007 on the #6 to Ventura Park whilst we waited too.

Arriva Midlands 3007 in Tamworth bus interchange

The next #110 to Birmingham arrived and it was required Arriva Midlands 4410.

Arriva Midlands 4410 in Lichfield bus station

We queued up to get on the bus and the bus started to load. We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Day saver ticket at the driver. We went upstairs as there were people front and back on the bus Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4410

The bus set off West out of town until we got to the first big roundabout and then we went South. We crossed over the rivers Anker and Tame and we headed East for a short while before continuing South past Ventura Park. At Fazeley Square the bus went westwards and we got up and got off the bus.

Arriva Midlands 4410 in Fazeley

We had just missed one bus going back to Tamworth, so we decided to get some chips from the chip shop on Coleshill Road. We headed back to the square and we sat on a bench and we ate the chips quickly. Matthew also had a can of Vimto. We just finished and went around the corner and then the bus made and appearance. It was required Arriva Midlands 4412.

Arriva Midlands 4412 in Fazeley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Day saver ticket at the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took his picture inside the bus immediately.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4412

The bus paused for a short while until it was time to carry on North. We passed Ventura Park and we crossed the rivers Tame and Anker before turning Eastwards past the Fire station on onto Aldergtate. We turned into Corporation Street and into the interchange. We took a couple more pictures before we headed back to the car... We saw dud Arriva Midlands 3509 running out of service, which was passing required Arriva Midlands 3511 which was on the #765 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3509 in Tamworth bus interchange

We headed back to the car and mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. I got some Irn Bru out of the boot of the car ans we set off out of town. This time we went back along the A51 to Lichfield. We passed through Lichfield town and we carried on westward along the A51 through Rugeley, Colwich and Weston. Near to Salt we passed Coach Leasing Setra 581 AET. We joined the A34 and we went north past the edge of Stone. North of Stone we saw First Potteries 53405 on a #23 service. We carried on Northwards up the A34 and we turned right onto the A5035. We stopped for diesel at the BP garage and then we continued on to Longton to see what was on Z Carz. On the spare ground there were 3 buses. First we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Last in the row was another Mercedes minibus, Z Carz S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned into Willow Row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we came off it at Heron Cross. We headed through Blurton and we saw First Potteries 60068 on a #22 to Longton. The previous service had been the last #22 to serve Dresden. We got home around 18:50. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by mini doughnuts. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark