Trip to Wigan / Appley Bridge 02-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4102	Wigan BS	Appley Bridge, Stockley Drive	635	Go North West
4022	Appley Bridge, Stockley Drive	Wigan BS	635	Go North West
4133	Wigan BS	Horwich, (Stop D)	575	Go North West
15295	Horwich, (Stop A	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
3500	Bolton BS	Westhoughton, Stop D	7	Go North West
3498	Westhoughton, Stop D	Wigan BS	7	Go North West

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. I had checked the weather for the day and it said there would be sunshine and showers, with the better weather being in the North West. I asked Matthew where he wanted to go and he chose Wigan. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medicatiom. He got up around 10:00 and toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set of just before 12:00 to go and pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto 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. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. As we went uo the A500 we saw JKT GT19 JKT and blue minibus YR64 LRJ. We ran to the Barthomley Interchange and we got on the Northbound M6. Going up the M6 were an unidentified white tri-axle coach, an unidentified blue coach, an unidentified Centurian coach, An unidentified Traveller's Choice coach, silver minibus MK10 WGF and taxi minibus HA61 HHH. We came off the M6 at junction 24 and we ran along the A49 link road until we got to the A49. Just South of the town we jan forwards onto the B5386 which used to be the A49 before it was diverted around the town centre. We ran under the railway line to Kirkby and at the big roundabout we joined the A577. We crossed over the Leeds and Liverpool canal and we turned left onto Wilcock Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Prescott Street. We turned right onto Frog Lane and we went under the West Coast main line we turned right into Dorning Street and we parked up in the Mona Street car park. We walked up to the Post Office sorting office and we saw Go North West L4566 parked up on layover.

Go North West L4566 in Wigan

We continued onto Hallgate and we walked through the bus station and through onto Market Street. We went to The New Chippery and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew sat down with us and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we headed back past the shopping centre which has now been demolished. We went into the bus station and went went down to the bottom end to take pictures whilst we decided what to catch. We saw Go North West 4114 on a #3 Kitt Green circular service.

Go North West 4114 in Wigan bus station

Also seen was Go North West 5101 on a #630 to Platt Bridge,

Go North West 5101 in Wigan bus station

A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2929 on a #360 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2929 in Wigan bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4570 on a #385 to Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4570 in Wigan bus station

At this point we headed into the bus station. I thought Matthew wanted to catch the Arriva double decker, but he continued to the top end of the bus station and decided to catch Go North West 4102 on a #635 to Apply Bridge.

Go North West 4102 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we brought System one bus at only tickets at £5 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto New Market Street and we turned right onto the B5375. We ran through Springfield, Standish Lower and Standish. As we travelled through we saw Go North West 4030 on a #635 to Wigan. We ran through Crooke to Shevington and we turned left onto the B5206. We turned right onto the B5375 under the M6 and into Shevington Vale. We turned right onto Back Lane and we turned right onto Woodnook Road and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4102 at it continued towards the end of the run.

Go North West 4102 in Appley Bridge

Once off the bus we headed to the nearby Spar shop. Matthew had a can of Dr Pepper and a couple of chocolate bars and a millionaires shortbread. We stayed under the canopy and Matthew ate the millionaires shortbread and drank the Dr Pepper. We walked back to the stop and we waited for the next bus. It wasn't showing up on the map so we kept our fingers crossed that it was run but without the transponder on. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 4022 on a #635 to Wigan.

Go North West 4022 in Appley Bridge

We got on the bus and we placed the System One bus only day ticket under the scanner. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Go North West 4022 before we sat down.

Inside Go North West 4022

We set of along Woodnook Road and we turned right onto the B5375. We turned onto left the B5206 and we continued through Shevington and we turned right onto Old Lane. We turned onto left the B5375 and we ran through Standish, Standish Lower and Springfield. We turned left onto New Market Street and we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off and Matthew went to the toilet. When he came out I asked Matthew if he wanted to go towards Horwich and he said yes. We saw Arriva NW&W 2971 on a #320 to St Helens. We looked on Stand and we saw it was Go North West 4133 on a #575 to Bolton.

Go North West 4133 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the System One Bus Only ticket on the scanner before we sat down towards the back of this well filled bus. The bus set off out of the bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Markert Street We ran around the town clockwise and we went via Greenhough Street onto Scholes. As we ran out of town Scholes became Whelley. They don't have have some strange street names in these here parts... We continued North Eastwards through New Springs and we went forwards onto Wigan Road. On the Eastern Edge of Aspull we turned left onto Holly Road and left again onto St David's Crescent. At the end we turned right onto the B5239 and we ran ran Southwards into the centre of Aspull. We turned left onto Scot lane and we ran Eastwards out of town. We came to T junction and we turned left onto the B5408. To the left of us we could see a large transmitter on top of a hill. A little research revealed it is Winter Hill, the main TV transmitter for the North West. We travelled North through the village of Blackrod, and then when we got to the other side of the village we went South down the A6. At the next big crossroads we turned left onto Station Road and we passed Blackrod railway station and then went under the M61. We climbed the hill into Horwich and when the bus turned right into Chorley New Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4133 as it continued Northwards towards Bolton.

Go North West 4133 in Horwich

Once off the bus we crossed the road and we visited The Crown. Matthew used the toilet and then we went to the bar to get a drink. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat at a table for a few minutes whilst Mathew had his drink. Highlights of the bus sightings included Stagecoach Lancashire 11633 on the #125 to Sharoe Green. When we had finished we went outside and we crossed over the road to wait for a Stagecoach bus towards Bolton. Whilst we waied we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15249 on a #125 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15249 in Horwich

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Lancashire 15295 on a #125 Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15295 in Horwich

We got on the bus and we placed the System One bus only ticket before we sat downstairs towards the back of the bus. We set off along Lee Lane and we went through the centre of Horwich. We continued Eastwards through Bottom O' Th' Moor and down the hill through Monserrat and Doffcocker. We crossed the ring road and continued along St George's Street and we turned right onto Knowsley Street going past the Market Place Shopping Centre. We turned right onto Deansgate and and we ran to the end where we turned left onto Moor Lane past the old bus station. We turned left onto Ormrod Street and we turned left onto Great Moor Street. We turned right onto Newport Street and we entered the bus station. Once off the bus we headed to the toilet. Afterwards we went outside to take a few pictures. We saw Go North West 4129 on a #501 to Farnworth.

Go North West 4129 in Bolton Interchange

We headed in the bus station to wait for a bus heading towards Westhoughton. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Cadburys Snack. We saw Rotala Diamond 30675 on a #574 to Middlebrook. A sort time later we saw a bus approaching the stand. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 3500 on a #7 to Wigan.

Go North West 3500 in Bolton Interchange

We flashed the System One Bus Day ticktets to the driver we went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned right onto Newport Street. We turned left onto Great Moor Lane and we went forwards onto Deane Road. We past the site where there used to be an old double decker bus. This was now part of an aeroplane fuselage and call Steaks on a Plane. We ran about 3 miles out of town and we crossed under the M61. Chequerbent roundabout we saw an unidentified Grayways coach parked up at the side of the road. At the Chequerbent roundabout we turned right onto the A6 and we turned left onto Bolton Road and we ran down towards Westhoughton. We turned right onto Market Street and we ran through the town centre of Westhoughton. At the Western end we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took anothr picture of Go North West 3500 as it continued towards Wigan.

Go North West 3500 in Westhoughton

Once off the bus we crossed the road and we went into the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we fought our way to the bar in a very busy and noisey pub and Matthew had a glass of coke. When we had finished we came out of the pub and crossed the road to the bus stop. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw Rotala Diamond 30156 on a #559 to Ashton-in-Makerfield. A short time later we saw our bus approaching. We saw it was Go North West 3498 on a #7 to Wigan.

Go North West 3498 in Westhoughton

We got on the bus and we placed the System One Bus Only ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we sat downstairs towards the back of the bus. We set off along Market Street and we passed through the town centre of Westhoughton. We turned left and we joined the Southbound A58. At the corner in the road we turned left into Southfield Drive and we worked our way across to the B5235. We went South past daisy Hill railway station and we turned right into Lower Leigh Road. We turned left onto Hindley Road and we ran through to Hindley via Swan Lane. We turned right onto Green Lane and we headed through the estate between Hindley Green and Hindley and we joined the A58 and we ran down int Hindley centre where we turned right onto the A577. We crossed under the railway line and past Walmesley park and we continued into Ince. We followed the road to the left and we ran the last 1/2 mile to the eastern edge of Wigan town centre. We crossed the A49 onto King street and we ran into the town centre. We crossed Wallgate onto King Street West and we ran into the bus station up Dorning Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked around the bus station and we saw Go North West 4111 on layover. We walked onto Hallgate and we met up with mum who had driven up to Hallgate to meet us. Matthew had a can of Fanta Orange and a sausage roll for tea. Whilst we were parked up preserved North West LDB 796 and GM Buses 3253 appeared on the Wigan Beer Festival shuttle service. We set off along Hallgate and we followed the one-way system onto Dorning Street. We followed the road around to the right past the old Uncle Joe's Mintball factory and we ran forwards onto Deanery Street. We turned left onto Frog Lane and went under the railway bridge before turning left onto Prescott Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Herbert Street. We turned left onto the A577 and we ran around the one-way system and around Wigan Pier. We crossed under the Liverpool line and we past the big roundabout. We continued Southwards to the A49 and we turned right into Shell and stopped at the petrol station. After filling up we re-joined the Southbound A49 and we ran the last few miles down to the motorway. Travelling back along the M6 we saw ABC coach hire BA19 ???. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Talke, Longport, Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew ate some carrot cake and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Northwich / Chester 17-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
708	Northwich Interchange	Barnton, Broomsfield Lane (cnr)	4	Arriva NW&W
708	Barnton, Broomsfield Lane (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	4	Arriva NW&W
4645	Northwich Interchange	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	82	Arriva NW&W
4102	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	Chester, Railway Station (S4)	84	Arriva NW&W
2950	Chester, Argos Stop B (Stop B)	Northwich Interchange	82	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Northwich. As it is mid December and the days are short, we gave Matthew a list of places nearby in the North West and the Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Northwich. Research consisted of looking up the weather, which was forecast for cloudy cold weather and looking at the timetables in the Northwich area. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we drove through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive and left onto Church Road. We followed the road to the left onto Blurton Road and we stop at the One Stop Shop for mum to drop something off at the Post Office. We continued down Blurton Road and up and over the hill into Heron Cross. We got onto the Westbound A50 and we ran to Sideway where we joined the Northbound A500. Just before we got to the M6 we passed Springfield double decker Y22 HOW plus another red Enviro400 double decker LJ09 OKD. We came off the A500 and we joined the M6. The road was quiet and we made good progress two junctions up the motorway. We passed an unidentified Eiflon's coach and a blue and cream half cab single decker with a covered load on it's roof. We came off the M6 at the A54 and we ran West to Middlewich. We saw an unidentified white Ford minibus and St Luke's Routemaster RM1590. We stopped at the Country Kitchen food wagon for dinner where Matthew had a sausage & egg bap washed down with a small bottle of diet Coke. when we had finished we continued North to Nothwich via the A54 and the A533. We crossed under the A556 and in Leftwich we saw Arriva NW&W 4104 on a #31 to Crewe. We pulled into the town centre and we turned right on Watling Street before turning left into Crum Hill. We parked up and we said goodbye to mum. As we walked onto Watling Street there we a couple of buses on stand. Required Arriva NW&W 708 was on the #2 service and required Arriva NW&W 2950 was on the #82 to Chester. Matthew wanted to go to the toilet so we walked across to the market and Matthew used the disabled toilet at the top end. By the time Matthew had finished Arriva NW&W 2950 had already departed to Chester. Matthew came out of the toilet and we saw Club Class minibus ET02 UCN. There was a crowd at stand G so we went over to see what they were waiting for. There was a #37A to Sandbach due at 13:48. Whilst we waited at that stop we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2618 which was on a #1 Weaverham circular service.

Arriva NW&W 2618 in Northwich Interchange

A few minutes later we saw a Network Warrington bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Network Warrington 71 on a #45 service to Warrington.

Network Warrington 71 in Northwich Interchange

The #37 turned up eventually and it was dud Arriva NW&W 2608. Matthew didn't fancy doing this and whilst we considered what to do next we saw Arriva NW&W 2612 on a #1 Weaverham circular service.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Northwich Interchange

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 708 on the #4 to Barnston so we decided to do this.

Arriva NW&W 708 in Northwich Interchange

We got on the bus and we we booked Arriva NW&W Daysaver ticket at £5.30 each before we sat down. Matthew resisted the temptation to honk the horn and was very well behaved! The bus set off along Watling Street and we turned right onto Chester Way. We crossed over the Weaver and we turned right onto Castle Street. At the end we turned left onto the A533 and we climbed the hill past the hospital and over the railway line. We ran to the end of the road and then we turned left onto Runcorn Road. We ran up the hill and we turned right into Manor Road and into the estate. We ran around the estate and we got up and flashed the tickets to the driver aso we could return back into town on the bus. We got back onto the A533 and we ran down the hill, following the road to the right over the Weaver. We ran past the Tat chemical works and back over the railway line before we dropped down into town. At the bottom of the hill we continued onto the one way system and over the Weaver into the town centre. When we got to the Interchange we saw required Arriva NW&W double decker 4645 was waiting on the #82 to Chester. We had around 2 minutes to get off the bus and get on the double decker if we were going to catch it, we we decided to do. We got off Arriva NW&W 708 and we walked briskly back a couple of stands and we got a picture of Arriva NW&W 4645 before we jumped on it.

Arriva NW&W 4645 in Northwich Interchange

We flashed the Arriva NW&W Daysaver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Watling Street and then turned right into Chester Way. We crossed over the weaver and we turned left onto the A559. We ran West out of town and as we passed some minibuses parked up off Milner Road adjacent to Greenbank railway station. We continued out past Hartford station and we joined the Westbound A556. As we continued towards Chester we were now in thick fog. We turned right onto Weaverham Road and we ran through the Cuddington housing estate before we joined the Southbound A49. We turned right by the petrol station to re-join the A556 and we carried on Westwards. We then continued on along one of the fast parts of the route through Oakmere until we joined the Westbound A54. We continued for a further 500m and then we turned left into Kelsall village. The fog was now clearing and it was sunny! After running through the village we re-joined the A54 about a mile further West. Another short run along the A54 and we turned left to go into Tarvin Village. When we got off the bus we decided to get up and get off the bus here. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4645 before it continued on to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4645 in Tarvin

Once off the bus we walked down Forge way and we went to the Co-operative Food store where Matthew had a can of Coke as well as a couple of small bottles of pop and a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had purchase the stuff we went back to the same bus stop as the #84 to Chester was due 18 minutes after the #82. Matthew had a bottle of Sprite and ate a Bounty. The bus was a few minutes late which was not too surprising with heavy traffic in Chester and Crewe town centres. The bus turned up and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4102.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Tarvin

We got on the bus flashed the Arriva NW&W Daysaver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set of Westwards down the High Street and we re-joined the A54. A few hundred yards down the road the at the next roundabout we joined the Westbound A51 and we ran through Littleton and over the A55 and A41 into Vicars Cross. We crossed the Shropshire Union Canal and we went around the one way system onto Christleton Road. We continued West along the A51 into Broughton and we could see the mist over the River Dee to the left of us. We went around the Square roundabout and we turned sharp right onto City Road and up towards the railway station. At the end of the road the bus terminated and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4102.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4102

When we got off the bus we had around 35 minutes to get 1/4 of a mile across town to foregate Street so that we could catch the #82 back to Northwich. In the meantime we decided it was best to visit the toilet so we set off across the road to the railway station. On the way we stopped to get a picture of Helms Dennis Dart 114 which was on a City Rail Link service.

Helms 114 in Chester

There were also a couple of other buses parked opposite the railway station. The nearest one was Helms Enviro200 121 on layover

Helms 121 in Chester

Also on layover we saw Helms Wright bodied VDL bus 115.

Helms 115 in Chester

We went into the forecourt of the railway station and we located the toilet which was to our delight on the near side of the barrier! Once Matthew had finished using the facilities we set off on foot along City Road and we saw Arriva NW&W 4406/4407 on the #1 to Wrexham and Stagecoach Merseyside 21262 on a a X8 to Liverpool. We went around the big square roundabout and we went under a couple of subways and then we were on the right side of Foregate for us to catch the bus back with around 12 minutes to spare. It was quite busy with both people and buses. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47515 on a #9 to Piper's Ash.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47515 in Chester

There were plenty of different buses coming and going on the 2 park and ride services that pick up at this stop. To cope with demand extra seemed to have been put on and these were usually older double deckers. Once such example was Stagecoach Merseyside 17272 on a PR2 service to Broughton Heath.

Stagecoach Merseyside 17272 in Chester

In the next few minutes we saw Kee Travel 0008 KEE and National Holidays NH13 DWH as well as Stagecoach Merseyside double decker 18002 on a PR1 service to Wrexham Road. A few minutes later as expected we saw required Arriva NW&W on the #82 to Northwich.

Arriva NW&W 2950 in Chester

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Daysaver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went sat down at the back of the bus. We set off across the bi square roundabout onto the A51 and we travlled eastwards out through Broughton. Where the Road splits away from the A5115, we veered left and we ran up through Vicars Cross and over the A55 & A41. We continued through Littleton and down the hill and then we turned left onto the A54. It was now quite foggy and we couldn't really see where we were going! We turned right into Tarvin High Street before we rejoined the A54 a little further East. After a short run along the A54 we turned right again to run through Kelsall. We rejoined the A54 and we ran through Oakmere before we veered left onto the A556. At the crossed roads we turned left onto the A49 and we entered the estate in Cuddington along Ash Road. We ran through the estate and we rejoined the A556 and ran East to Harford where we came off and went onto the A559. We ran past Hartford and Greenbank railway stations and we entered Northwich from the West end crossing over the Weaver before coming into the interchange on Watling Street. Once we got off the bus we spotted mum parked in the car park, but as it was foggy we decided to take a couple of pictures of the buses in the strange orange fog lit up by the streetlights. We saw Arriva NW&W 2618 on a #29 to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2618 in Northwich Interchange

We got in the car and mum was waiting in the car with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle or Irn Bru. We set off along Watling Street and we travelled east out of town. At the first big roundabout I accidentally took the wrong turn as it was foggy so acfter a quick turn we resumed East on the A559 out of town until we reached the A556. We continued East to the M6 and we saw AAA Travel YLZ 1348 as we went around the roundabout. We went South for a couple of junctions and the fog lifted as we got onto the Southbound A500. As we got to Stoke it was foggy again and at Sideway we went east along the A50 to Longton where we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz today. There wasn't many on the spare ground, or at least at the near end. In the first row was Z Carz minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

In the two closer buses in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Nearest minibus in the first row was Z Carz minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound, and there were one or two parked on the road. The first one we saw was new arrival Z Carz minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Also on the road was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

Also in the road was another new arrival, Z Carz minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

In the compound was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

Also on the road was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

From the taxi fleet was Z Carz Renault minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

The final bus we saw was Z Carz Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we left at the next roundabout onto Baths Road so that we could visit Tesco to put some petrol in the car. After filling up we re-joined the westbound A50 which we did up to Heron Cross. We went through Blurton along Blurton road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:00. For a let tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrot followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Northwich / Chester 05-12-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
GA04 GHA	Northwich Interchange	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	82	GHA
G760 UYT	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	Chester BS	82	GHA
N8 GHA	Chester BS	Kelsall, o/s Sable Cottage	X20	GHA
S644 KJU	Kelsall, o/s Sable Cottage	Northwich Interchange	82	GHA

Today we decided to re-visit Northwich to try and ride on some of the older GHA double deckers in their fleet. I had the idea when we saw required GHA double decker K129 DAO on the #82 to Northwich back in October 2015. the buses in chester at present are dreadful the new bus station is a big white elephant. The council in chester dont care about the public. We checked the weather for today and it was for cloudy weather with high winds. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we drove onto Beaconsfield Drive and through Blurton. At the end of Beaconsfield we turned right onto Church Road and right again onto the A5035. We dropped something off on the main road and we continued into Trentham over the railway line. In trentham we passed required First Potteries Dart 42356 teasing us as we were missing it again. We turned right at New Inn Lane and right onto Pacific Drive. We dropped some more stuff of and we got back onto New Inn Lane and we cut across to the A34 via Trentley Road and Allerton Road. We turned Northwards onto the A34 and at hanford we saw MT Travel MK08 OUU. When we got to the A500 we turned Northwards. North of Sideway we started to see vehicle heading to the Britannia Stadium as Stoke City had an early kick off today. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 229, First Potteries 32079,Scraggs 79 & 1 HVT, Barratt's T9 BCL, Challinor BU03 LYV. We also saw a couple of Belle Vue coaches & I Buses Y773 TNC. We turned Northwards onto the M6 and we came of the motorway at the A54. We went west to Middlewich and we parked up at The Country Kitchen food van to have dinner. Matthew had a breakfast with a butter bap, washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we were parked up eating Stoke City went two goals up against Manchester City! Once we had finished Eating we carried on Westwards along the A54 for a short distance before joining the A533 for the last 4 miles or so into Northwich. As we entered town we passed the new Waitrose store which has been completed since our last visit. We turned left onto the A559 and we parked up in the car park behind the Seafarer. We said goodbye to mum and we walked onto the A559 were the Interchange is. On stand C was Arriva NW&W 2616 on the #1 circular to Weaverham.

Arriva NW&W 2616 in Northwich Interchange

We then saw GHA single decker 1151 running past out of service.

GHA 1151 in Northwich Interchange

The next service towards Chester looked likely to the dud GHA single decker GA04 GHA.

GHA GA04 GHA in Northwich Interchange

Matthew decided he wanted to go toilet so we walked across the car par in front of the market to the facilities. When he was done I went to the cash machine whilst Matthew and uncle Dave walked over to get a picture of Network Warrington 48 on the #46 service to Warrington.

Network Warrington 48 in Northwich

Also in the Interchange was Arriva NW&W 2502 on a #29 to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2502 in Northwich Interchange

We walked back up to stand D and the GHA bus had now been readied for service. We booked GHA Day tickets at £5 each. The driver asked if we were going to Tarvin as the market and festival had been cancelled due the high winds. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we saw dud GHA double decker W465 WGH arrive on the #82. The bus set off right onto Chester Way and then over the river Weaver. We turned left onto the A559 and we headed out of town and past Greenbank railway station in Hartford we saw former London Transport RM1590 which is now a mobile charity shop. We passed Hartford railway station and we joined the A556 for a short high speed run. As we approached the turned we passed required GHA double decker G760 UYT. We turned right into Sandiway and we weaved through the estate and joined the A54. At the petrol station we joined the A556 and we went West until we joined back up with the A54. The road became a dual carriageway an we turned left onto Chester Road to run though Kelsall. In the village we passed required Dart GHA FJ06 URR. We rejoined the A54 and we carried on further West and then we turned left onto Tarvin High Street. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of GHA single decker GA04 GHA before it carried on towards Chester.

GHA GA04 GHA in Tarvin

In theory we now had 15 minutes before the bus was due back towards Northwich. We went to the Co-operative Food store where Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru. He also had a twin Milky Way and a pack of Curly Wurlies. When we had finished shopping we headed back to the stop at the end of the alley to wait for the bus. 14:30 came and went and no bus appeared. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2619 going towards Crewe and double decker 4102 going towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Tarvin

We saw a notice in the bin by the bus stop and it was a notice of closure for the High Street today between 12:00 and 23:00 for the festival. It would appeared that the event being cancelled means the closure was lift. It occurred to us that maybe not everyone knew the event had been cancelled and drivers were missing the village! We crossed the road to try and get the next Chester bus. Time past and 14:45 came and went... I decided to look on the GHA website to contact them to let them know about the situation, afterall the depot was only around the corner. I rang the number and spoke to someone who said they were going to out me through to the Tarvin depot. The phone rang for around 3 minutes and no one answered. The other people at the bus stop had got off the #84 to catch the #82 because the #84 no longer serves Chester bus station. They had a connecting bus they needed to catch... The X30 to Warrington which was due of Chester at 15:35. I thought the the driver of the next #82 to Northwich was the driver we had earlier, maybe he could flash the driver of the next bus at Kelsall to make sure he come through the village... So that was exactly what I did. I saw GA04 GHA coming the other way and I flagged him down to tell him that 2 other buses had missed the village. The Arriva bus was due at 15:05 and it appeared around 10 late. When it came it was dud Arriva NW&W 2501.

Arriva NW&W 2501 in Tarvin

As Matthew took the picture of the Arriva bus, We saw a GHA double decker approaching. We jogged to the other end of the stop and we flagged down required GHA Northern Counties double decker G760 UYT.

GHA G760 UYT in Tarvin

We got on the bus and we flashed the GHA day ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside G760 UYT.

Inside GHA G760 UYT

We went upstairs in this bus that is still going strong despite being older than Matthew! The top decker was empty too so Matthew took another picture inside GHA decker G760 UYT.

Inside GHA G760 UYT

We sat down and the party for Warrington had seen us rush backwards for the GHA bus and had decided to do it aswell on the off chance that they made the X30 at Chester. We set off along the high Street and we went back onto the A54. A short journey up the road and we joined onto the A51 for the run into Chester. On the run towards Littleton we passed GHA double decker W465 WGH going the other way. It definitely by-passed the village going the other way... We crossed the A55 and the A41 and we ran into Chester through Vicars Cross. On the left we saw the Dee which looked almost as if it was going to burst its banks. We went around the one way system and onto the ring road. We passed Gorse Stack and the site of the new bus station before going into town under the wall along Northgate. We turned into the bus station after the old cinema and in the distance at the bottom of the road we could see the X30 leaving the bus station down Princess Street. We got up and got off the bus ans we took another picture of the very fine GHA double decker G760 UYT.

GHA G760 UYT in Chester bus station

The plan now was to have 30 minutes in the bus station and then head back towards Northwich. In the mean time we would take a few bus pictures. In the bus station was Stagecoach Merseyside 27261 on the #1 to Liverpool. Adjacent to the GHA double decker was Arriva NW&W 4640 on the #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4640 in Chester bus station

As we had some time we went to the toilets in the Market Street car park. The disabled toilet was still broke and so was one of the stall in the gent so Matthew had to wait until one was free. After he used the facilities Matthew queued up to wash his hands... Ironic as there is a locked room full of functioning sinks adjacent to the janitor room. We walked back out into the bus station and Matthew sat on his usual perch. As we got there we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 34809 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34809 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47034 on a #51 to Plas Newton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47034 in Chester bus station

At the top of the bus station we saw a step-entranced GHA single decker come into the bus station. It was dud GHA Volvo N8 GHA on the X20 to Middlewich.

GHA N8 GHA in Chester bus station

We had forgotten about that service. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the single decker or wait for the next service on the #82 and he chose to do the X20. This was a bus that we first had back in January 2015 on the X81 from Hanley to Talke. We got on the bus and we weren't exactly sure of the route so we booked to Middlewich. I looked up the timetable and we saw that it was going through Kelsall. So we decided to do it to the and catch the #82 forwards. We set off out of the bus station down Princess Street and as we were leaving the bus station we saw a coach in Johnson Bother livery that was under new ownership. We joined the ring road. We passed TK Travel coach KT64 TKT and we headed back into town down Northgate. On Delamere Street we saw another 2 coaches... The rear of the two coaches was LL Travel YN13 GFV. As the bus in front was empty Matthew took a picture inside GHA Volvo N8 GHA.

Inside GHA N8 GHA

At the bottom of Gorse Stacks we turned left into Frodsham Street and then left again into Foregate Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Vicars Cross and then we crossed the A41 and the A55 and went into Littleton. We passed GHA Dart FJ06 URR which was going into Chester on the #82. We assumed that this would be our bus back to Northwich. We carried on along the A51 until we got to the split and then we went left up the A54. We by-passed Tarvin and we went up to Chester Road were we turned right and entered the village of Kelsall. We passed the Co-operative food store and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of GHA Volvo N8 GHA as it carried on towards Middlewich.

GHA N8 GHA in Kelsall

Once we got off the bus we had a look at the timetable board. The bus to Northwich was due in 15 minutes. We wouldn't have time to visit to Co-op, so we raided the trip bag and Matthew had a Milky way and a bottle of Cherryade. We thought the bus was going to be the required Dart, and we also thought it may be late as we passed it on the A51 near to Littleton. When we saw a double decker approaching and it was on time we were surprised. As if got closer we saw it was required GHA Northern Counties double decker S644 KJU!

GHA S644 KJU in Kelsall

We got on the bus and we flashed the GHA Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs and sat down and the bus set off along the Chester Road Eastwards towards the A54. We joined the main road and then we ran up to the petrol station were the road forks. We took the A556 and we went towards Sandiway. We turned left onto the got Northbound Road before going through the housing estate. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside GHA double decker S644 KJU.

Inside GHA S644 KJU

We passed G760 UYT going the other way. When we got to the A556 we went left and ran fast up to the A559. We went past Hartford railway station and we could see a white Mercedes minibus Y556 KSC parked on the other side of the railway. We continued Eastwards past Greenbank railway station and we the saw Arriva NW&W 2616 on the #1 to Weaverham again. We went into town past the back of the Waitrose store and we pulled up outside stand D to see mum waiting for us. We got off the bus and Matthew got another better picture of GHA double decker S644 KJU.

GHA S644 KJU in Northwich Interchange

Once we met up with mum we walked over to the car park and mumhad Greggs sausage rolls and Irn Bru waiting for Matthew. Once we settled in the car we left town eastwards along the A559. we passed GHA 1151 on a #45A to Northwich and Network Warrington 42 on a #46 to Warrington. We went forwards off the A559 onto the A556 and we ran the last 4 or 5 miles to the M6 junction 19. At the M6 we went South and we caught up with coach Middleton HX07 TYF.

Middleton HX07 TYF on the M6

We carried on South and came of the motorway at junction 16. We went down the A500 through Stoke and we went Eastwards onto the A50 at Sideway. We came off the A50 at Longton to go and check out what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. In the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW. .

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW was Z Carz Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. In the compound tonight was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 so that we could go to the Tesco petrol station. On the way we saw First Potteries 60171 on a Longton bound #22 service. We filled up at the petrol station and then we got back onto the Eastbound A50 and we saw Crystal Shandelles former PMT double decker G759 XRE. We joined the A5035 and we ran through Dresden to Blurton. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:45... Mark