Trip to Crewe / Chester 15-04-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4409	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4410	Nantwich BS	Chester BS	84	Arriva NW&W
2666	Chester BS	Mold BS	4	Arriva NW&W
2663	Mold BS	Chester, Lakewood	X4	Arriva NW&W
1007	Chester, Lakewood	Chester railway station	1	Arriva NW&W
4410	Chester BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. With Arriva pulling out of Winsford & Macclesfield in just over a week this would be our last chance to do an Arriva bus in the area. Research consisted of checking the Arriva app for tickets (the web site is uselesss) and checking the weather, which was for mainly dry with some sunshine. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. mum arrive home from work and we set off around 11:30. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. 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 came off at Stoke and we turned left onto Church Street. We ran around the one-way system and we turned left at Sainsbury's onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We past the retail park where they are building something new. We turned left onto Clayton Lane and we ran forwards onto Stafford Avenue. We turned right onto the Northbound A519 and we turned left onto Abbots Way. We turned left onto Edwards Avenue and we ran forwards onto The Plaisaunce. We stopped to pick up a friend and we crossed over the square onto Pilkington Avenue. We turned right onto the A53 and we ran towards Newcastle. We joined the northbound A34 and we ran through Milehouse and Chesterton up to Talke. We turned left and joined the A500 and we ran up to Barthomley. We crossed under the M6 and we ran for a further 2 miles. We turned right onto the B5472 and left to stay on the B5472. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto the A532. We turned left onto Cowlet Way and we stopped at Crewe Truck Stop for dinner. As we parked up we saw Chiltern Travel T19 HWT in the car park in Shearings Holiday livery.

Chiltern Travel T19 HWT in Crewe

After taking a picture and then going to the toilet we went into the truck stop. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we got back in the car and we set off along Cowley Way. We turned left on to the A532 and we ran past the railway station and continued Northwards. We turned left to follow the A532 into the town centre and we crossed over the railway line. We turned right onto Vernon Way and left onto West Street. We stopped at Asda and we parked up. We said goodbye to mum and we walked over to the temporary bus station. Rhis is situated to the West of the site of the old bus station between Victoria Street and Delamere Street. As we walked into the bus station area we saw D&G Bus 54 on layover.

D&G Bus 54 in Crewe bus station

We continued into the temporary bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 2160 arrive on a #6 service.

Arriva NW&W 2160 in Crewe bus station

We saw a double decker whizz along Delamere Street so we assumed it would shortly appear on Victoria Street and enter the bus station from the Northern end. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 4409 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 4409 in Crewe bus station

We decided to do thia bus so we got on and we booked a Arriva NW&W duo ticket at £11.50. The electronic payment was not working and I didn't have all the money. I gave the driver everything I had which amounted to about maybe £8 and the driver had that. I hope that the driver didn't have to pay the shortfall because Arriva can't be bothered to fix the equipment or send out a bus with working equipment. We went upstairs and the rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside of Arriva NW&W 4409.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4409

The bus set off out of the bus station and we went along Delamere Street and around the corner onto Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edleston Road and we passed D&G 4410 on an inbound #84. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A534 and we headed West. After traveling a couple of miles we turned left onto Wistaston Road and just before he level crossing we turned right onto Coppice Road. At the end of the road we re-joined the westbound A534 and we crossed over A51 at the Peacock Roundabout. Just before town we turned right onto Millstone Lane passing Arriva NW&W 4405 on a #84 to Crewe. By the tractor shop, we turned left onto Beam Street. We passed Marks & Spencer's and the library and we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4409 before it returned on a #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4409 in Nantwich bus station

The bus had been running a few minutes late, presumably becasue of the faulty payment machine. We rushed to the market and Matthew used the toilet. On the may back we stopped at the sweet shop and we brought some mint toffees, paid for electronically! We headed out onto the street and we could see the bus to Chester already on stand. As we got closer we saw as expected Arriva NW&W 4410 on a #84 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4410 in Nantwich bus station

We got on and we placed the Arriva Day Saver Duo tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Beam Street We crossed the river Weaver and we went forwards onto Welsh Row. We carried on under the Shropdhire Union canal and through Acton. We joined the A51 and we passed Snugbury's Ice Cream. We crossed over a branch of the canal. We carried on along the A51 through Wardle, Caveley and Alpraham. We joined the A49 and then we diverted right onto High Street into the village. We joined the A49 and we then we went through Tarporley where we saw Arriva NW&W 4406 on a #84 to Crewe. we left Tarporley and we got back onto the A51. We ran around another 5 miles along the A51 before turning off to go into Tarvin village. We went up Tarporley Road and we turned into 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 saw an unidentified white midi coach in a car park set back from the road on the right hand side. We went around the one way system onto Christleton Road. We continued West along the A51 into Chester and we went around The Bars before turning right onto St Oswald's Way. We veered off the road and into the new Interchange. We got up and got off the bus and we had a walk around to see what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 26055 on a PR2 park and ride service to Broughton Heath.

Stagecoach Merseyside 26055 in Chester bus station

We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27903

Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 in Chester bus station

We were considering doing a #11 towards Rhyl when we saw Arriva NW&W 2666 on a #4 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2666 in Chester bus station

We got on and we placed the Arriva Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Foregate Street. We went past the Admiral Casino. We turned right onto Love Street. We continued onto Lower Bridge Street and we turned left onto Old Dee Bridge into Handbridge. We continued onto Overleigh Road and we crossed the A483. After we had passed the Sealand turning the traffic was better and we went over the dee towards Wrexham. We turned onto the A51054 and we went through Lache and up to Broughton via Saltney. After calling into the busy Broughton Shopping Park. After a brief stop we contined along A5104. We turned right onto the B5125, and we turned right onto Manor Lane. We turned right ointo the industrial estate and we turned around at the roundabout. We stopped outside the garage for a driver change and we saw Arriva NW&W 2665 parked up at the garage. We returned onto Manor Lane and we turned right onto the B5125. We ran through Hawarden and into Ewloe. We turned left onto Wood Lane and we headed South and crossed over the A55. We ran forwards onto Burntwood Road and we ran into Burntwood. We turned right onto Drury Lane and at the crossroad we turned left onto Church Road. We turned left onto the A549 and we ran towards Buckley. We turned left onto Mill Lane and we turned right onto Mold Road. After pausing briefly in the centre of Buckley we rand forwards onto the A549 and we ran out of town. We turned right onto Murcia Drive and right onto Ellesmere Road. We turned left onto Park Avenue and we ran Northwards. We turned right onto Llewellyn Drive and left onto Bryn Road. We turned right onto Chambers Lane and we ran forwards onto Byrn Y Baal Road. We crossed over the A494 and we ran into New Brighton. We turned left onto the A5119 and we ran for about a mile and a 1/2 into Mold. We crossed over a roundabout onto the B5444 and we turned left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Townlynx YX17 NZB on a #6 to Pantymwyn.

Townlynx YX17 NZB in Mold bus station

We walked onto Chester Street and we turned right onto Chester Street. We went to HSBC to draw out some cash and we somehow missed seeing Lloyds bank on the corner of the Street. Afterwards we walked back down High Street and we turned left onto Chester Street. We stopped at The Fat Boar and we went upstairs to use the toilet. We came back downstairs and we had a glass of Coke. Whilst we drank our drinks we had a look at the bustimes.org site to see when the next bus to Chester was due. We saw that there was a X4 service to Chester railway station due right now. We finished our drinks and we went outside to uncle Dave. The bus hadn't been whilst we were in the pub, kit was running a few minutes late. We walked up to the top end of the bus station and we saw the bus approaching. As it came into the bus station we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2663 on a X4 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2663 in Mold bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A5119 past the site of the former Checkpoint car service centre which is soon to be a new KFC & Greggs. We turned right onto the Southbound A541 and we headed Eastwards out of town. We crossed the A494 and we ran forwards onto the A549. We turned right onto High Street and we entered the centre of Buckley. We turned left onto Mill Lane and we crossed over the A549 onto the Northbound A5127. We crossed over the A55 and we ran through Ewloe Green. We crossed under the A494 and we ran forwards onto the B5125 into Ewloe. We continued through Hawarden and we turned left onto Manor Lane. We turned right into Hawarden Industrial Park and we ran to the end of the industrial estate past the Arriva garage. We did a u-turn on the roundabout at the end and we turned left onto Manor Lane and we continued South towards Broughton. We veered left onto the A5104 and at the next roundabout we turned right into Broughton Shopping Park. We stopped outside of Tesco and we and after running around the retail park we ran forwards onto Beeby Way. We did a u-turn at the roundabout and we turned right onto the A55. We ran fast for about 3 mile and we came off the A55 onto the Northbound A483. I checked the timetable for other buses and there was a #1 to Chester due about the same time. We turned right onto Heronsway and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2663 before it continued towards Chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2663 in Chester

Almost as soon as we got off the bus we saw the next bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 1007 on a #1 to Chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 1007 in Chester

We got on and we placed the Arriva Day Saver Duo tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs we sat down. The bus set off along Heronsway and we ran around the estate before turning right onto the Northbound A483. We ran the last few miles into town and we crossed over the river Dee. We ran forwards onto Grosvenor Street and we continue donto Pepper Street past the Roman Amphitheatre. We ran forwards onto Vicars Lane and we turned left onto Love Street. We turned right onto Foregate Street and we went around around The Bars and forwards onto City Road. We ran to the end of City Road and at the end the bus stopped where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 1007 before it returned on a #1 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1007 in Chester

We had a look around to see if there was anything we could catch back to the Interchange. We looked at the stop for the #40 and we saw that it had finished for the day. We decided to walk back to the Interchange and on the way we saw Helms 122 on a #41 to Whitchurch.

Helms 122 in Chester

We walked along City Road and onto The Bars. We turned right onto St Oswald's Way and and we walked down to the roundabout. We went into the roundabout and when we realised that we could not get through to the interchange. We walked back from under the the roundabout and onto Frodsham Street. We walked into the Interchange and we saw that the toilets were closed. We had about 15 minutes before the #84 was due. We decided to do the bus back to Nantwich and go to a pub there. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 36808 on layover.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36808 in Chester bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4642 on a #11 to Rhyl.

Arriva NW&W 4642 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later the bus appeared. As it came on stand we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4410 on the #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4410 in Chester bus station

We got on and we placed the Arriva Day Saver Duo tickets under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs we sat down. The bus set off out of the Interchnage and onto Gorse Stacks. We turned right onto Frodsham Street and we turned left onto Foregate Street. We ran around The Bars and we went forwards onto the A51. We headed Eastwards out of town and we crossed the Shropshire Union Canal and the railway line. We crossed over the A41 and A55. As we ran out of town we were passed by Pauls of Stoke Y18 POS on a returning day trip from Rhyl. We turned left onto the A54 and we turned right onto High Street. We ran through Tarvin and we ran forwards onto Church Street. We continued onto Tarporley Road and we turned left onto the A51. We ran through Duddon and Clotton and we crossed over the A49 to Rode Street. We continued onto High Street and we ran through Tarporley. We turned left onto the A49 and we ran forwards onto the A51. We ran through Barretts Green and Wardle and at the edge of town we ran fowards onto the B5341. We ran forwards onto Welsh Row and we crossed over the crossroad onto High Street. We veered left onto Swine Market and we continued onto Beam Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4410 as it continued towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4410 in Nantwich bus station

we crossed over Beam Street to go to The Red Cow, but the was a private event there. We walked back along Beam Street and we went to Malbank. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we walked back along Beam Street and left onto Market Street. We visited The Market Plaice and we brought food. We headed to the car on the Civic car park and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Dandelion & Burdock. We set off onto Beam Street and we turned right onto the B5074. We crossed over the railway line and we ran forwards onto the A51. We ran forwards onto Cheerbrook Road and forwards onto Green Lane. We turned right onto Eastern Road and right onto Rope Hall Lane. We turned left onto Main Road and we ran into Shavington. We turned left onto the B5071 and we ran Northwards. We turned right onto the A500 and we to the South of Crewe. We continued to the M6 and we crossed over the roundabout and contnued towards Stoke-on-Trent. We turned right at Talke and we joined the Southbound A34. We ran through Chesterton and Milehouse and around Newcastle. We turned right and we joined the Southbound A53 and we ran up the hill. We turned left onto Pilkington Avenue. We crossed over the square onto The Plaisaunce and we dropped of our friend. We returned onto Abbots Way and we turned left onto the A519. We crossed over the roundabout and we joined the Southbound A34. We joined the Northbound A500 and we ran up to Stoke. We turned right onto City Road and right onto Whieldon Road. We went under the railway line and we stopped at uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru. He also updated uncle Dave's calendar with the details of today's trip. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 we got back to Blurton around 20:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Hanley / Crewe 14-04-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67159	Fenton, Royal Oak	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
63179	Hanley BS	Crewe BS	3	First Potteries
63174	Crewe BS	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left at the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we ran up the hill towards Hanley. We ran anti-clockwise around the ring road and we went Northwards out of town along Town Road. We joined the Northbound A5272 and we ran through Sneyd Green and Smallthorne. We crossed over the roundabout and we continued up to Chell. We turned right onto the A527 and we ran north through Brindley Ford and Brown Lees up towards Biddulph. We went West of Biddulph on the by-pass and we continued North towards Congleton. We joined the A34 and we went West to the roundabout before taking the A534 out of town. We turned left down Padgbury Lane and we went to pub. When in the pub Matthew used the disabled toilet and then had an All Day Breakfast and a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had a chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. When it was time to go we got back in car. We set off back onto Padgbury Lane and right onto the A534 Sandbach Road. At the roundabout we joined the A34 and we ran up to the junction near Tesco Before going left onto the A54. We went forwards onto the A527 and we left Congleton through Hightown and past Congleton railway station. We ran back down through Gillow Heath and around Biddulph before going South through Knypersley and Brindley Ford. At Turnhurst we went left onto the A5272 High Lane. We ran through Smallthorne and we saw First Potteries 69172 on a #7A to Biddulph. We went through Sneyd Green to townsend and we turned left and down through Northwood to Limekiln Bank. At the light we went straight across before turning left onto Dividy Road and we headed Eastwards to Adderley Green. We turned right at the round about onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill and down into Longton. We joined the one-way systam and we turned right onto Commerce Street. We crossed over the A50 and we joined the Westbound carriageway. We came off at Heron Cross onto Heron Street and we followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left onto Christchurch street and left again onto Masterson Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew chilled out in his room to chill out. We used his computer and watched buses out of the window. Later on Matthew went out for tea by bus. We went downstairs and we walked onto Temple street. We walked around the corner onto Christchurch Street to wait for a bus to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67159 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67159 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road. and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station and and turned right. We ran up Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street before we turned right onto John Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around the bus station we saw First Potteries 65728 on a #7A to Biddulph. We waited for a bus towards Crewe. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63179 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 63179 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Crewe before we sat down. We set off out of the bus station and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we went straight across onto Marsh Street. We turned right up onto Trinity Street and we went past the former RBS now a new shop. We turned left onto Stafford Street. After picking up more passenger outside of Debenhams we followed the road around to the left and then back onto marsh Street. At the roundabout we went straight on onto Waterloo Road and we ran up the hill into Cobridge. We continued into Burslem and through the traffic lights onto Scotia Road. We went past the old Burslem PMT garage and we followed the road around to the left onto Williamson Street. At the corner we turned right onto Tunstall High Street and we continued North onto the A50. We ran through Goldenhill and down the bank into Kidsgrove. We ran under the railway line into Cheshire and we crossed over the A34. We continued into Church Lawton and then into Alsager. We continued Westwards along the B5077 under the M6 and into Radway Green. We followed the road to the right up Slaughter hill and we continued straight up into Haslington. We turned left onto Crewe Road and we re-joined the B5077 towards Crewe Green. We crossed over the roundabout onto the Westbound A534 and we ran towards Crewe railway station. We past the railway station and we continued for around 1/2 mile before turning right into Edlestone Road. We ran into town crossing over the railway line and forwards onto Chester Bridge. We followed the road around onto Delamere Street and we turned right into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Arriva NW&W 3161 on a #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 3161 in Crewe bus station

We set off onto foot onto Charles Street and we went past the former Wetherspoons pub, which will soon be demolished to make way for the Royal Arcades shopping centre development. We turned right onto Victoria Street and we turned right onto Queensway. We turned right onto Market Street and we turned right onto Earle Street and back Southwards down onto Earle Street. We walked northwards into Market Street and we stopped at Subway opposite to the town square. we saw Arriva NW&W 4409 on a #84 to Chester. For tea Matthew had a turkey sub washed down with a cup of Coke. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards headed back to Market Street. We turned left onto Victoria Street we turned left onto Charles Street and we returned to the bus station. We saw Arriva NW&W 2534 on a #6 to Leighton Hospital. We waited for the next bus back to Hanley. A short time later we saw First Potteries 63174 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Crewe bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley, and as the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63174 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 63174

We set off out of the bus station onto Delamere Street and we followed the road around onto Chester Bridge. We ran forwards onto Edleston Road and we turned left onto the A534. We ran past the railway station and we continued up towards Haslington along the B5077. We turned right onto Slaughter Hill and we ran back through Radway Green and into Alsager. We continued over the A34 and into Staffordshire and we ran under the railway line into Kidsgrove. We ran up the hill into Goldenhill and we continued into Sandyford. We joined Tunstall High Street where we saw City Centre Central PO14 OKZ in the depot. We continued down the High Street and we ran through the town centre and joined Scotia Road near to Asda. We ran up into Burslem and we continued along the A50 into Cobridge. We ran down the hill to the edge of Hanley and we went around the ring road to Town Road and we ran into Hanley. We ran down Quadrant Road and forwards onto Stafford Street. We ran across the shared space past the town hall and onto Bagnall Street. We ran forwards into the bus station. We got off the bus and we waited for a bus back to Fenton. As we walked through the bus station we saw First Potteries 67143 on a #6 to Meir.

First Potteries 67143 in Hanley bus station

We crossed over Lichfield Street. We called for a Lucky Seven taxi. We got in the taxi and we set off down Lichfield Street and over the ring road. We ran down to joiners Square and we went over the roundabout onto Victoria Road past Adsa and the B&M. We turned right onto Manor Street and we saw blue minibus P879 PMB. We turned left onto City Road and we turned right Glebedale Road. We turned right Baker Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We ran to the end of the road and we got out. We walked around the corner onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew also drank a can of Cherry Coke. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Queensferry / Biddulph 18-12-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
LT21 UVM	Fenton	Queensferry	Charter	Shelton Care Group
LT21 UVM	Queensferry	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. He was also going to a new leisure centre. It's a brand new inflatable park of it's kind in Wales and today was it's first day.. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to Belper he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to Queensferry and we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room before going out. We saw red minibus BJ12 OAN.

BJ12 OAN in Fenton

Later on when it was time to go Matthew went downstairs to get on a bus. Transport for the journey to Queensferry was Shelton Care Group LT21 UVM. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and we ran down the hill onto the A52. We ran under the railway line towards Stoke. we crossed over the A500 before we turned right onto the Northbound carriageway. We ran North for a few miles and then we continued Westwards as we crossed under the M6. We continued along the A500 before we turned right onto the Northbound carriageway. We ran North for a few miles and then we continued Westwards as we crossed under the M6. We continued along the A500 to the South of Crewe until we reached the end before going onto the Nantwich by-pass. At the end of the by-pass we turned right following the A51 for another 1/2 mile and we saw Arriva NW&W 4409 on a #84 to Crewe. We ran up to Tarven and we joined the Westbound A54. At the edge of Chester we crossed the Westbound A55. We ran to the end of the A494 and at the roundabout we ran through Queensferry and we saw saw Arriva NW&W 4549 on a #11M to Rhyl. We crossed under the B5129 and we stopped at the leisure centre. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards used the play equipment. Matthew visited the cafe and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a glass of Coke followed by a cake. Afterwards Matthew went to use the inflatable park. When they had finished the session we went outside to the minibus. Transport for the returned journey was Shelton Care Group LT21 UVM. We got on the bus and we sat down and we set off the B5129 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4643 on a #10 to Wepre. We ran forwards onto the A494 at Garden City. We got onto the Eastbound M56. At junction 9 we joined the Southbound M6 and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A500 and we ran down to the A527 and we continued into Sandyford past the sight of the new petrol station. We crossed over the top of Tunstall past the new Costa Coffee and we headed down the hill towards Fegg Hayes. We turned right onto Oxford Road and we ran forwards into Chell Heath. We passed Matthew's old school site which is going to be a new sheltered housing site. We ran through Bradeley to the traffic lights. We turned right and we ran up the hill through Smallthorne. At the top of the hill we turned left onto the A5272. We ran through Sneyd Green and we saw First Potteries 63103 on a #7A to Biddulph. We continued into Birches Head. We ran forwards onto Town Road and we joined the Clockwise ring road. We ran past the bus station and we turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street. We turned right onto Cleveland Road and we ran forwards onto College Road where we saw First Potteries 67157 on a #21 to Hanley. We turned left onto Station Road and we ran past the railway station. We ran forwards onto the A52 and we ran alkongside the railway line. We turned left onto City Road and right into Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street past the new building under construction and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew chilled out in his room. He used his computer and watched buses out of the window. We saw First Potteries 65729 on a #11 to Newcastle. For tea Matthew had MacDonalds, which was a cheesebuger, fries and chicken nuggets washed down with a Coke. followed by a slice of cheesecake. In the evening Matthew went downstairs and we got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street We set of onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street and we crossed over City Road onto Manor Street. and at the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill to joiners Squre and we went straight across the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We joined the anti-clockwise ring road and we ran around to the the A50. We went North to Cobridge and we turned right onto the A53. In Sneyd Green we joined the A5272. We went through Smallthorne Roundabout and Northwards up High Lane up to Turnhurst. We turned right onto the A527 and we ran down to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill into Brindley Ford and we continued through Brown Lees to the Southern edge of Biddulph. We turned right onto St John's Road and we turned right at the roundabout onto Church Street. We stopped at the youth centre and Matthew went in. Matthew went to the toilet and spent the evening patying away. Matthew had several glasses of Coke. When it was time to go home he returned to Fenton. We got in the car and we set off onto Church Road and we turned right onto Mayfield Road. We turned left onto Woodland Street and right onto Park Lane. We turned left onto the A527 and we ran through Brown Lees and into Brindley Ford. We followed the road down to Fegg Hayes and we ran up the hill to Turnhurst. We turned left onto the A5272 and we ran along High Lane through Smallthorne Roundabouts. We continued into Sneyd Green and Birches Head and we ran into Hanley along Town Road. We ranaround the clockwise ring road and we turned left onto Lichfield Street. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we we straight up Victoria Road into Fenton. We turned right onto Manor Street and right onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room and chilled out on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

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