Trip to Wigan / Standish 26-10-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4107	Wigan BS	Beech Hill, Dawson Avenue	605	Go North West
4020	Beech Hill, Dawson Avenue	Wigan BS	606	Go North West
4109	Wigan BS	Standish Police Station	632	Go North West
4105	Standish Police Station	Wigan BS	632	Go North West
40761	Wigan BS	Hindley Green, Lincroft Road	132	Rotala Diamond
40728	Hindley Green, Lincroft Road	Hindley, Waverley Road	132	Rotala Diamond
3408	Hindley, Council Offices	Wigan BS	607	Go North West

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go on Friday night and he chose to go to Wigan. Research for the trip was looking at the weather, which was for dry weather with some sunshine and we also researched a new place to eat. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast for breakfast. Later on he had a can of Irn Bru. We got ready to go out and we went out around 11:45. 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. We saw a S.A,S Travel CV68 TBX, blue minibus FG73 YBR, Z Carz YT17 GXA, taxi minibus SF67 BNV and Roseville KR16 SOA. Traffic was moving quite slowly as we headed up to the M6. As we got on the M6 we saw Excelsior 14 carrying Southampton fans to their away fixture at Man City.

Excelsior 14 on the M6

Continug up the M6 we saw an unidentified Keepings midicoach, an unidentified Chandlers coach, an unidentified Masons coach, an unidentified Whittle coach, an unidentified Just Go! coach, unidentified National Express liveried coaches on #121 and #540 and an unidentified Stagecoach Megabus on a M82 service. We came off the M6 at junction and we joined the A49. We followed the road to the edge of town and we ran forwards onto the A577. We crossed the big roundabout and we crossed ovrt the Leeds and LIverpool canal before turning left onto Wilcock Street. We stopped for dinner and we headed into a cafe. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had an English Breakfast washed down with a can of Cherry Coke. When we had finished we went to the counter and Matthew had a slice of Bakewell cake to take away. We got in the car and Matthew started to eat his cake. We set off along Wilcocks Streetand we turned left onto Miry Lane and right onto Prescott Street. We turned right onto Frog Lane and we went under the railway bridge. We turned right into Deanery Court and left into Richmond Street. We turned left into the car park and we could not find a space. We came out of the car park and we turned left onto Dorning Street. We turned left onto Ricmond Street and right onto Hallgate. We parked up and we put an hour on the car. We said goodbye to mum and we saw Go North West 4030 on layover.

Go North West 4030 in Wigan

We walked into the bus station and we took a few pictures, We saw Go North West 4107 on a #605 Beech Hill circular.

Go North West 4107 in Wigan bus station

We headed into the bus station and Matthew went to the toilet. When he had finished he came out and we decided to do Go North West 4107 on the #605 Beech Hillcircular service. We got on the bus and we purchased Bee Network any bus day tickets at £5.00 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Northern end of the bus station and we turned left onto Frog Lane and we turned left onto the B5375. We travelled Northwards for a while and turned left onto Springfield Road. We turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue and we turned right onto Shaftesbury Street we ran forwards onto Acacia Crescent and we turned right onto Gidlow Lane and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed into The Shop. Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a flake. We went outside and we crossed over the road to wait for the bus. Matthew ate his flake whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Go North West 4020 on a #606 Beech Circular.

Go North West 4020 in Beech Hill

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This was a bus that we last had on the #53 from Ordsall to Salford back in March 2023. The bus set off along Gillow Lane and we turned left onto Acacia Crescent. We ran forwards onto Shaftsbury Street and we turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue. We turned right onto Springfield Road past new school. We turned left onto Woodhouse Lane and we crossed over Frog Lane. We turned right and entered the bus station from the Northern end and got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up to the end to take a few pictures whilst we decided what to catch next. We saw Arriva NW&W 4587 on a #320 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4587 in Wigan bus station

Also seen was Rotala Diamond 30673 on a #132 to The Trafford Centre

Rotala Diamond 30673 in Wigan bus station

Another vehicle seen was Go North West 4109 on a #632 to Chorley.

Go North West 4109 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do this bus so we headed ibnto the bus station. We got on the bus and we flashed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Market Street and we ran forwards onto the B5375. We turned right onto Mesnes Street and we ran forwards onto Crompton Street. We turned left onto the A49. We ran down through Swinley and into Marylebone. We continued down through to Lower Standish. We ran through Standish and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 4109 as it continued towards Chorley.

Go North West 4109 in Standish

There were a couple of pubs near to where we got off, we decided to cross over the road and visit The Globe. We went into the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and we had a 1/2 of Coke each and Matthew made friends with the bar staff. We sat at a table and had our drinks. When we had finished we said goodbye and we headed outside to uncle Dave. The bus stpop was a short walk away so we headed to the bus stop. There were a few people waiting so we knew there was a bus due. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Go North West 4105 on a #632 to Wigan.

Go North West 4105 in Standish

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back down the A49 we ran through Lower Standish and down the hill towards Marylebone. We ran up the hill into Swinley and we continued up to Wigan. We turned right into Crompton Street and we ran forwards onto Mesnes Street. We turned left onto the B5375 ans we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off the bus. We headed outside again to take a few more pictures. We saw Go North West 3435 on a #610 to Leigh.

Go North West 3435 in Wigan bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4600 on a #320 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4600 in Wigan bus station

We headed into the bus station whilst we decided what to catch. We saw a bus on stand on the #132. As we got closer we saw it was required Rotala Diamond 40761 on a #132 to The Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 40761 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the bus station onto Hallgate and we continued onto Dorning Street. We turned left out of King Street. We turned left into Wallgate and then right into Library Street. We turned Left onto Millgate and we crossed over the A49 before turning left onto Warrington Lane. We passed Lidl and we turned left onto Darlington Street East. We headed through Ince and we carried on into Hindley. We paused at the main stop for a minute or so before we along Atherton Road. We headed into Hindley Green where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40761 before it continued on towards The Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 40761 in Hindley Green

We crossed over the road and we got to Tesco and Matthew sat down on the wall. He wanted to go inside so we headed into the shop and Matthew bought a bottle of Dr Pepper and a twirl duo. We walked along the road to the bus stop and Matthew ate the Twirl. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Rotala Diamond 40728 on a #132 to Wigan.

Rotala Diamond 40728 in Hindley Green

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and we sat down. This was a bus we first had on a #8 from Bolton to Salford back in september 2021. We set and the bus went West along Atherton Road and through Hindley. We decided to break the journey to get another bus in so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Rotala Diamond 40728 before it continued on towards Wigan.

Rotala Diamond 40728 in Hindley

Once off the bus we walked back a stop to the centre of Hindley. We waited for a bus back to Wigan. A short time later we saw a bua approaching from around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was Go North West 3408 on a #607 to Wigan.

Go North West 3408 in Hindley

We got on the bus and we placed the Bee Network anybus day ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs and we sat down. We set off along the A577 and 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. Afterwards we took a few pictures whilst we waited for mum to appear. We saw Arriva NW&W 4585 on a #320 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4585 in Wigan bus station

We walked onto Hallgate and we met up with mum who had driven up to Hallgate to meet us. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off along Hallgate and we followed the one-way system onto Dorning Street. I accidentally turned left onto King Street West so I followed the one-way system onto Crawford Street and back around 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 stopped at a chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with can of Cherry Coke. After we had eaten our food we set off along the Southbound A49 and we ran the last few miles down to the motorway. Travelling back along the M6 we saw an unidentified Malbank minibus, an unidentified Brethertons coach and an unidentified Just Go! coach. 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. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Northwich / Knutsford 23-12-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4705	Northwich Interchange	Greenbank, adj Greenbank Lane	1	Arriva NW&W
2611	Greenbank, adj Greenbank Lane	Northwich Interchange	1	Arriva NW&W
4703	Northwich Interchange	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	2	Arriva NW&W
4703	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	2	Arriva NW&W
F14 HOW	Northwich Interchange	Knutsford BS	289	Springfield's

Today we decided to re-visit Northwich. As one of the shortest days of the year, we decided to stay fairly local. We gave Matthew a choice of doing preserved PMT RE Bristol 207 or going to Northwich to get in a few of the new minibuses, and from the choices he chose to go to Northwich. We checked the weather for today and it was for a mild dry day with some sunshine. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:40 on the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews way. Near to the BET365 Stadium we saw D&G Bus 170 on a #14 to Stafford. We joined the Westbound A50 and at Sideway we turned right onto the Northbound A500. As we travelled North we passed Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU. We ran up to Junction 16 on the M6 and we got onto the Northbound side where we saw Omega Travel Group KX15 GFE go past us. It was busy on the M6 so we only went up one juction. On the M6 we saw an unidentified JP Coaches coach and Alfa 78. We came off the M6 onto the Westbound A534 and we turned right onto Congleton Road where we passed Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #38 to Macclesfield. We ran through the town centre and we joined the Northbound A533. We ran out of town past the railway station and up towards Middlewich passing Arriva NW&W 704 going towards Sandbach. Near to the town we saw FWL 781Y in a yard opposite the canal. In Middlewich we joined the Westbound A54 and we ran up to the Golden Lion where we stopped. In the car park is The Country Kitchen food van. Matthew had a bacon, egg and sausage barm washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Once we had finished eating we ran Northwards up the A54 and we turned right onto the A533. We followed the road right into Northwich town Centre and we turned turned right onto Watling Street. We passed the bus Interchange and we saw Arriva NW&W 4702 on a #29B to Leftwich and network Warrington 66 on a #45 to Warrington. We turned left onto Crum Hill and we parked up in the car park behind the Seafarer. We said goobye to mum and we walked onto Watlin Street. Across the road work is being carried out on the civic buildings. We stopped at the market and Matthew used the toilet. In the Interchange we saw required Arriva NW&W 4705 on a #1 to Weaverham.

Arriva NW&W 4705 in Northwich Interchange

We decided to do the Mellor bodied minibus, and whilst we waited for it to be readied for service we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2620 on a #82 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2620 in Northwich Interchange

When it was ready for service we got on Arriva NW&W 4705 and we brought Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket at £5.50. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along Watkin Street. We turned right onto Chester Way and we continued around the one-way system over the river Dane. We turned left onto Castle Street. We continued onto Chester Road and we went under the railway line and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4705 as it continued towards Waeverham.

Arriva NW&W 4705 in Greenbank

It took a couple of minutes to cross the road as the road was very busy. Once we got across the road we waited for the bus back to Northwich. A few minutes later we saw a Plaxton Centro approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2611.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Greenbank

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Chester Road and under the railway line. We continued onto Castle Street and forwards onto the one-way system. We followed the A533 to the right and we crossed over the river Weaver and we ran forwards onto Watlin Street and into the Interchange. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2611.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2611

We got off the bus and we had a look around for something else to catch. We saw Arriva NW&W 4703 on a #2 to Rudheath.

Arriva NW&W 4703 in Northwich Interchange

We decided to do required Arriva NW&W 4703 so we got on and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Watling Street and we turned left onto Meadow Street. We followed the road around onto Witton Street and we crossed over Venables Road and we continued along Witton Street and onto Chester Way. We crossed over the roundabout onto Station Road and we continued Southwards out of town onto Middlewich Road. We turned right onto East Avenue and we ran around the estate. We ran onto Belmont Road and across the roundabout onto Malpas Road. We turned left onto Middlewich Road and we ran up to the railway station,. We crossed over Victoria Road onto Station Road and at the roundabout we turned left onto Chester Way. We followed Chester way around the one-way system and we crossed over the Weaver and came back into town onto Watling Street and into the bus interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet and then we waited for another bus to catch. After we waited for a while we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4105 on a #31 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4105 in Northwich Interchange

A few minutes later we saw Network Warrington 51 on a #45 to Warrington.

Network Warrington 51 in Northwich Interchange

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4701 on a #4 to Barnton.

Arriva NW&W 4701 in Northwich Interchange

Matthew turned doing doing the required minibus and I suspected that he wanted to do something different. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 3161 on a #37 to Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 3161 in Northwich Interchange

We also saw Springfield F14 HOW which was on the #289 to Altrincham.

Springfield F14 HOW in Northwich Interchange

Matthew decide he wanted to do this bus even though we didn't have a ticket for it. I thought we could do it to the station and then catch an Arriva bus back. We got on the bus and we booked to the railway station before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Watling Street and we went forwards onto Chester Way. We turned left onto Meadow Street jsu as the #2 bus had done. We followed the same route out of town along Witton Street and onto Chester Way. We crossed over the big roundabout onto Station Road and we turned left onto Manchester Road where we should have got up and got off the bus, but Matthew refused to get off. As such we ended up going to Knutsford. We travelled for around a mile to Lostock Gralam and ran around the village on Fryer Road and Townshend Road. We turned right onto Hall Lane and we ran North up to the B5391 where we turned right. We ran fast up the road in a North Western direct for around 3 miles before we got to the A556. The bus stopped and there was a driver change. We turned left onto the A556 and we did a u-turn on the roundabout over junction 19 of the M6, where we saw an unidentified Hamilton's coach and an unidentified Springfield coach which had tottenham Hotspur FC on the display. We Headed South down the A556 and we turned left onto the A5033. We crossed over the M6 and we ran into Knutsford. As we came into town we saw PC Coaches EC14 PCC. We turned right onto King Edward Road and we ran forwards onto Toft Road past the railway station. We turned right onto Stanley Road and right into Bexton Road before entering the bus station. We got up and got off the bus an Matthew got another picture of Springfield F14 HOW.

Springfield F14 HOW in Knutsford bus station

We saw D&G Bus 156 on a #88 to Wilmslow. Once of the bus we went to find a toilet. The original disabled toilet was out of use and we screwed shut. There was a new toilet at the other end of the block but this didn't have a RADAR lock fitted. Matthew used the toilet and then we returned to the bus station. There wasn't another bus back to Northwich for nearly 2 hours! We decided to go and walk to the railway station to see if there was a train back to Northwich. We walked onto Toft Road and we turned right. After crossing over the crossing we walked over to the railway station to see if the was a train to Northwich due. There was a train at 17:01 in around 15 minutes but Matthew made it clear that he wouldn't do a train. We walked around the corner to the Shell petrol station and Matthew brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We retruned to the bus station and we saw D&G 150 which was about to work a #88 to Wilmslow.

D&G 150 in Knutsford bus station

We also saw D&G Bus 152 on a #300 town circular service.

D&G 152 in Knutsford bus station

As there wasn't a way back to Northwich we contacted mum to come and pick us up. We sat in the bus station and Matthew ate a Crunchie. A short while later mum arrived in the car park of Booth's and we got in the car. Mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park onto Bexton Road and we turned left onto King Edwards Road. We turned left into Gaskell Avenue and right into Stanley Road. We ran West along the A5033 and we crossed over the M6. We joined the Northbound A556 and we joined the Southbound M6 at junction 19. We travelled southwards through the roadworks and we were passed by The Traveller Choice PO15 KTL.

The Travellers Choice PO15 KTL on the M6

We also saw silver minibus DX13 YWC, taxi minibus KS17 JWC, an unidentified Parks of Hamilton coach / HSK 655 (#540) and an unidentified Go Travel coach. We came off the M6 at junction 16. We stopped briefly at the lay-by on the A500 so we could swao drivers and we ran Southwards down the A500. We heard on the football on the radio had just finished with a 3-1 win for Stoke City over West Bromwich Albion. As we travlled South we passed a few of the buses & coaches coming out of the BET365 stadium. We saw John Musso YK05 LFA, Stanton's of Stoke 614 WEH and First Potteries 32634(BS1) / 37158(BS1). We came off the A500 at Sideway and we went Eastwards up the A50 to Longton. We came off the A50 and we stopped at Tesco for Petrol. We crossed over the A50 and we headed to the spare ground where the Z Carz minibuses used to park. There were no buses there so we turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the depot. We saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 WMJ. Afterwards we saw Z Carz Ford minibus DC12 KNG.

Z Carz DC12 KNG in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We joined the A50 and we turned left onto Heathcote Street. We continued onto Longton Hall Road and at the bottom we turned right onto Blurton Road. We stopped at St Mary's chip shop and we brought chips for tea and a couple of small bottle of pop for Matthew. We set off onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton before turning right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:00. When we got home Matthew had 2 small sausage s with chips and gravy followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some more of the Blog and out our bus pictures online. Matthew went to bed around 01:00... Mark.

Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 01-08-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4216	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2618	Nantwich BS	Willaston, nr Jacksons Corner	84	Arriva NW&W
4179	Willaston, opp Nags Head PH	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4105	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2447	Crewe BS	Wistaston Green, Wood End (S-bound)	8	Arriva NW&W
2447	Wistaston Green, Wood End (S-bound)	Crewe BS	8	Arriva NW&W
2608	Crewe BS	Leighton, o/s Leighton Hospital	31A	Arriva NW&W
679	Leighton, o/s Leighton Hospital	Crewe BS	6	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe, this was partly due to the sighting of Arriva NW&W 4179 on the #84 service in Chester last week. We had checked the weather the day before and it was for fine sunny weather all over the Midlands and North West. We gave Matthew a list of place which were waited towards a choice of Crewe, and from the he due obliged and chose Crewe. A quick check of the weather again and the weather had now change to cloudy with showers. Matthew got up and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off through Blurton and we saw First Potteries 60205 on the Longton bound #22 and First Potteries 41497 on the #22 to Newcastle. We joined the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way passing Lucky Seven SJ55 LSK. At the other end we joined the Westbound A50 before going North on the A500. Seen going up the A500 were Mencap EK03 GXH, City Cabs EF05 OLX, Routemaster buses RML 2400 & Sheldon Executive Travel T85 BUB. I thought I had heard on the radio that the new link road from the A500 to the A532 / A5020, but I had heard correctly. I think the new road was linking the A500 to Gresty Road. We ended up going North on the other new road, which seem to pass close to the rail freight yard at Basford. We past the football ground and we queue up to join the A534 at the lights. As we waited we saw two coach pass then end of the road, one of which was Elcock Reisen A2 EXC. We joined the A534 before turning right into Eddleston Road. We were followed into town by dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a Crewe bound #37 service. We passed the bus station and we headed through the back streets to Asda. One we had sorted out a ticket for the car, we walked over to town to Vernon's fish bar and Matthew used the toilet before having sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished eating we pad up and we said goodbye to mum before walking over to the bus station. When we got there were two Solo SR's from 2 different operators on stand. Arriva NW&W 702 was on a #6 to Broad House and D&G 105 was on a #8A to Beech Grove.

D&G 105 in Crewe bus station

On layover on the other side of the bus station was Arriva NW&W Dart 894 along with GHA coach DA04 GHA. The first bus to come into the bus station was required Arriva NW&W 4216 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4216 in Crewe bus station

Whilst the driver of Arriva NW&W 4216 readied the bus for service, Matthew took a picture of the GHA coach DA04 GHA which was an unusual sighting.

GHA DA04 GHA in Crewe bus station

As the objective of today trip was to try and ride on Arriva NW&W 4179 and we considered it most likely to be out on the #84 service, we though we would do required Arriva NW&W 4216 and kill two birds with one stone. When the driver readied the bus for service, we got on a booked Arriva North West Day Saver tickets at £5.20 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty, and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4216.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4216

We sat down in the middle of the offside of the bus, and we looked over and saw dud First Potteries 66307 in a favourable position to take a photograph.

First Potteries 66307 in Crewe bus station

When it was time to leave the bus left the bus station ans went onto Delamere Street. We turned right into Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edlestone Road and we passed dud Arriva NW&W 4106 on the inbound #84 from Chester. At the end of Edleston Road we turned right onto the A534 and we headed out of Crewe. About 1/2 way between Crewe and the willaston turned we passed required Arriva NW&W 4106 broken down at the side of the road on what was presumably the #84 to Nantwich. We turned left into Wistaston Road and then right into Coppice Road before rejoining the A534. We crossed over the A51 Nantwich Bypass and we carried onto towards Nantwich town centre. As we came close to the town we passed the bus that we had come for, Arriva NW&W 4179. We turned left onto the B5074 and then right onto the A530 before we entered the bus station from the East. We got off the bus and then Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 4216.

Arriva NW&W 4216 in Nantwich bus station

There was a hive of activity at the bus station in Nantwich when we got off. There were a couple of GHA buses on layover on the lane closest to the main road. GHA Solo YM52 TPY was at the front and new GHA Solo SR 1203 was at the rear.

GHA 1203 in Nantwich bus station

On layover by the library was GHA YJ54 UBD. This pulled onto a stand and was about to work a local service.

GHA YJ54 UBD in Nantwich bus station

We walked into town and we went to the toilet. On the way back we stopped at the sweet stall in the market to by a couple of once of taverners mint toffee chews, before returning back to the bus station. Whilst we waited for the next bus towards Crewe to intercept Arriva NW&W 4179, we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4100 on a #84 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Nantwich bus station

This was followed by required D&G 125 which was on the #6 to Leighton Hospital.

D&G 125 in Nantwich bus station

As everything we had seen recently had been a double decker we had be expecting another one to turn up on the Crewe bound #84. When a Centro turned up we were a little surprised by it. As it pulled up we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2618.

Arriva NW&W 2618 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the Arriva NW&W 2618 and we flashed our Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus was quite well filled probably down to the fact that it was a single decker. We started to leave the bus station and we noticed and opportunity to get a picture of GHA Solo YM52 TPY at the front of the layover lane.

GHA YM52 TPY in Nantwich bus station

We went around the town before going East along the B5338. We crossed the Nantwich by-pass ans we saw Malbank coach SN55 OUF going the other way. We joined the A534 before turning right into Coppice Road and then left onto Wistaston Road. When we re-joined the A534 we got up to get off the bus. AS we were getting off I asked the driver where the nearest nantwich bound stop was and he told us it was on the end of Wistaston Road. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2618 as it carried on towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2618 in Willaston

We crossed the A534 and we turned to see Happy Days coach 181 going towards Crewe.

Happy Days 181 in Willaston

We walked onto Wistaston Road but we couldn't see the bus stop. We ended up walking down a few hundred yard to the next bus stop. We saw GHA Solo YJ59 GHB on a #78 to Nantwich.

GHA YJ59 GHB in Willaston

Matthew wanted to sit down whilst we waited for Arriva NW&W 4179. At this point we noticed that Matthew had a 6" split in his trousers! We considered what to do whilst we waited for the bus. Just as I found the emergency roll of tape in the bag we turned and saw Arriva NW&W 4179 approaching so we had no time to fix his trousers here.

Arriva NW&W 4179 in Willaston

We flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. We set off down Wistaston Road and the right onto Coppice Road. We joined the A534 and crossed over the Nantwich by-pass onto the B5338. The bus was quite well filled Matthew took a picture of the bus seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4179

Whilst we ran into town we hatched a plan to deal with Matthews trouser situation... I called mum to let her know what we were going to do so that we could meet her, and hopefully she would be able to find and buy Matthew a replacement pair of trousers. There was a dead time onto a bus back to Crewe, and if we made it we would be able to meet mum in around 30 minutes. As we pulled into the bus station we saw the Crewe bound bus already in the bus station. We got off Arriva NW&W 4179 and Matthew took a picture of dud Arriva NW&W 4105 before we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 4105 in Nantwich bus station

We flashed the Arriva North West Day saver tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. The bus set off out of nantwich town and across the nantwich by-pass and onto the A534. We headed into Willaston along Coppice road and back onto the A534 via wistaston Road. Arriva NW&W 4106 was still broken down by the side of the road and we still hadn't passed another bus working the other #84 to Nantwich. Mum texted us to say that she had successfully got trousers for Matthew and that she was waiting at stand 9 in the bus station. We turned left into Edleston Road and we crossed over the railway line and into town. We turned left into Delamere Street and we entered the bus station. Before we got off the bus we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4105.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4105

We met up mum and we considered how we were going to change Matthew's trousers... We tried the disabled toilets in the bus station and there were screwed shut so we gathered around Matthew in a doorway to give him some privacy and Matthew successfully swapped into his new beige coloured Chinos. Now that Matthews trousers were split free, we went back to the main part of the bus station to consider what we might catch next. We saw D&G 144, the former Bakerbus Cadet about to work a #6 to Leighton Hospital.

D&G 144 in Crewe bus station

We also saw First Potteries 60069 on a #3 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60069 in Crewe bus station

There were a few interesting Arriva buses in the bus station. Required Arriva NW&W 4460 was on a #38 to Macclesfield, dud Arriva NW&W 2267 was on a #31 to Winsford, and Arriva NW&W 2447 was on a #8 to Beech Drive, Wistaston Green.

Arriva NW&W 2447 in Crewe bus station

With it being an older buses, we decided to do the Cadet 2447 on the #8, which is a service that we have never done before. We got on the bus first and as such Matthew was able to get a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2447.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2447

We flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver and we sat down. Thinking that it must be a required bus we check the page buses I have travelled on and it turned out to be dud! It was a bus that we had been on from Ellesmere Port to Chester almost five years ago back in December 2010. As we sat down we noticed what an awful smell there was... It was also commented on by other passengers. We had decided to do a complete circle and than head back to the bus station so that we could do another couple more buses. The bus left the bus station onto Delamere Street and we turned right onto Chester Bridge. We crossed the railway line and we turned right into Electricity Street. We went forwards onto Alton Street and down to Queens Park we then entered the circular end of the service turning left onto Moreton Road and right onto Capesthorn Road. It was here that I think we passed Leyland swift F30 TMP which was parked at the side of the road. We turned onto Wistaston Green Road and Valley Road before starting to head back towards Crewe on Aldersey Road. We rejoined Moreton Road and we went back past Queens Park and onto Alton Street. We went back into town and into the bus station. When we got up and got off the bus there were once again a few Arriva buses in the bus station. Dud Arriva NW&W 2501 was about to work a #37 to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2501 in Crewe bus station

On an adjacent stand was required Arriva NW&W 2608 on a #31A to Winsford.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Crewe bus station

We also saw dud Arriva NW&W 4102 on the #84 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4102 in Crewe bus station

We decided to required 2608 on the #31A up to Leighton Hospital. We could do another #31 back or even one of the required Arriva Solo's working the #6 service. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of this well filled bus and the bus set off Northwards out of the bus station. We turned onto West Street we turned North onto Underwood Lane. We turned left onto the B5076 and then we turned Northwards again onto Mablins Lane. We turned left onto Parkers Road before rejoining the B5076. We crossed a roundabout and then we took the next left into Leighton Hospital grounds. We got off the bus and in front of us was required Arriva NW&W 2614.

Arriva NW&W 2614 in Leighton

We decided not to this as Matthew had done buses continuously without a break so we decided to wait for the next Arriva bus. Also in this small bus station was First Potteries 65733 on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 65733 in Leighton

The next Arriva bus was due off at 16:34. As there was a small gap in the service Matthew had packet of Milky Stars and a small bottle of Irn Bru. The next bus into the bus station was GHA Solo SR 1204 on a #78 to Scholar Green.

GHA 1204 in Leighton

We saw an Arriva bus approaching and as it got closer we that it was required Arriva NW&W 679 on the #6 to Broad House.

Arriva NW&W 679 in Leighton

We got on the bus and we were the first on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 679.

Inside Arriva NW&W 679

We sat down and we also saw GHA enviro200 1407 come into the bus station on a #42 to Crewe and First Potteries Volvo 66845. We set off back towards Crewe at 16:34 and we rejoined the B5076 and headed back to Crewe via Underwood Lane and West Street. We passed the Fung Lung Chinese takeaway, which I always thought sounded like some kind of medical condition and we turned onto Hightown to run into the bus station. when we got back into the bus station we took a few more bus pictures. Matthew ran onto Arriva NW&W to say hello to someone and then we headed towards the car. On the way we saw First Potteries 66845 again heading towards Newastle.

First Potteries 66845 in Crewe bus station

We meet up with mum at the car and she was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of Victoria street and down Flag Lane and onto Wistatston Road. We crossed over Edleston Street onto Vernon Way before turning right onto Mill Street. At the end of Mill Street we turned left onto the A534 and we went past the railway station. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A532 and we saw coaches Merediths 684 DYX and Furlongs Travel Y312 KBN parked together adjacent to the road in the industrial estate. We left Crewe along the A5020 and we joined the A500. As we got to the M6 we caught up with Britannia Travel AY14 NVM. We also saw ABC Supreme SB56 SKV. When we got to Sideway we turned left onto the A50 which we did up to Longton so that we could check out the Z Carz depot. There were quite a few minibuses on the spare ground this evening. Closest to the A50 was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

The next bus we saw was Z Carz Airport division minibus MJ03 DPU

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Further back just in sight were Z Carz DL03 HHU and M372 NWN. At the front was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

The last bus in the row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Mercedes minibus S952 VMY as well as Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off it at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton and we stopped briefly at mums friends shop before we continued along Blurton Road passing First Potteries 53123. We went forwards onto Church Road and We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 17:45. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots by a toffee cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark