Trip to Chester / Holywell 20-03-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BL69 RFF	Fenton	Hurleston	Charter	Shelton Care Group
4404	Tarporley, Community Centre	Chester Interchange	84	Arriva NW&W
4551	Chester Interchange	Holywell BS	11	Arriva NW&W
4490	Holywell BS	Rhyl BS	11M	Arriva NW&W
4485	Rhyl BS	Rhyl, Derwen Hotel	51	Arriva NW&W
4483	Rhyl, Derwen Hotel	Rhyl BS	36	Arriva NW&W
2521	Rhyl BS	Pensarn, Harts Caravan Park	12	Arriva NW&W
2636	Pensarn, Post Office	Rhyl BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going on the bus to re-visit to Chester. 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. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Staffs Border Cars ND59 XAC.

Staffs Border Cars ND59 XAC in Fenton

He spent time in the living room and took a picture of Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF out of the window.

Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF in Fenton

Later on when it was time to go Matthew went downstairs to get on a bus. Transport for the journey to Hurleston was Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF. 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. Today we decided to stop on the end of the A500 to eat food from the van there. He had a bacon and egg sandwich with tomato sauce washed down wit a can of Coke. 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. We turned left into Snugbury's drive-thru for someone else. Once we got off the bus we had some ice cream. Matthew had a vanilla flavoured cone. He also went to see the giant bee made out of hay. Matthew walked down to Stoke. We set off onto A51 passing through Wardle, Caveley and Alpraham. We joined the A49 and then we diverted right onto High Street into the village. We waited for a bus towards Chester. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was unusually Arriva NW&W 4404 on a #84 to Chester. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out High Street into the village. We joined the A49 and we then we went through Tarporley where we saw Arriva NW&W 4407 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 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 and and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. On the Gorse Stacks side we saw Stagecoach Merseyside on a #5 to Wrexham. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 4551 on a #11 to Holywell. We got on and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Foregate Street. We went past a new adult gaming centre which appears to being built by the old betting shop. 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 we continued onto Hawarden. We turned right and we headed a mile or so down the hill past the garden centre and into Queensferry. We crossed under the A494 and we turned left by Asda. A couple of stops towards Shotton. We continued into Wepre and through Connah's Quay. We passed through Oakenholt and we came off the B5129 onto the A548. We then had run up towards Flint town centre and Bagillt. We headed up through Bedol and up over Whelston. As we travelled up we saw Arriva NW&W 4480 on a #11 to Chester. We ran Northwards up the We turned left onto High Street. We turned left onto the A5026 through Whelston. We ran Northwards into the More and we continued up towards Holywell. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up A5026 and into the bus station. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked through the shopping arcade onto the A5026. We turned left onto High Street and We went into pub and Matthew used the facilities upstairs. We came back down and Matthew had a small Coke. Once had finished the drink we went back outside and met up with uncle Dave. we set off down High Street. When we had finished we returned to the bus station to wait for the next bus to Rhyl. We saw we saw Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #11M to Rhyl. We got on and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off the bus station and onto the A5026. We turned right onto the B5121. We ran through Bryn Celyn. We turned left onto the A5048 we ran through Greenfield and Llannerch-Y-Mor. We turned left onto Hafod-Y-Ddol Road and Glan-y-don. we forwards onto Ffordd Pennant. We turned left onto Mostyn. We continued through Rhewl-Mostyn and left onto Wirral View. We turned left onto the A5048 and we crossed over the Mostyn up Ffynnongroyw. We turned left onto Main Road. We turned left onto the A5048 into Glasdir. We continued through to Tanlan Banks and we we headed up past Talacre and Prestatyn. We turned left onto Bastion Road and we continued right onto into the bus station and onto Bastion Road. We turned left onto Bridge Road and we crossed over the railway line into Sandy Lane. We turned left onto the A5048 into Y-Ffrith and we headed through Rhyl and we ran into town. We ran into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4485 on a #51 to Denbigh. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and we sat down. We set off out of the bus station along Elwy Street. We turned right Wellington Road and we turned right onto High Street. We ran forwards onto Vale Road Bridge. We crossed over the A525 and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up to A525 past former pub site which is going to be a a new McDonalds. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As expected it was Arriva NW&W 4483 on a #36 to Rhyl. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and sat down. the back of the bus. The bus set off out up the A525. We continued onto Vale Road Bridge and we ran into town. We ran into the bus station We got up and got off the bus. Afterwards, we had a look around to see what we could catch next. we spotted Arriva NW&W 2521 on a #12 to Llandudno. We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW&W Day Savers before The bus set off out of the bus station along Elwy Street. We turned left onto Kinmel Street. We followed the road around onto Elwy Street. We turned left onto the A548 and we went through Kinmel into Bay Towyn. We continued into Belgrano and into Pensarn and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up to A548. We crossed the road and walked to the and Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a bottle of Cherry Coke as well as some chocolate and a box of millionaire shortbread squares. We crossed over the road and we headed to the bus stop. We waited for a bus towards Rhyl. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2636 on a #12 to Rhyl. We got on the bus and we flashed Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A548 and we passed through Belgrano and into Bay Towyn. We entered Rhyl and we turned right onto High Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Whilst we decided what to catch next we saw Arriva NW&W 4487 on a #12 to Llandudno. We visited the toilet and afterwards we left the bus station and we crossed along Elwy Street. We walked along Bodfor Street and we met up with mum. We got in the car and Matthew had a can of Coke. We set off along Bodfor Street and we turned right Wellington Road and we turned right onto High Street. We ran forwards onto Vale Road Bridge. We crossed over the A525. We ran down through Rhuddlan and to Pengwern. We got onto the A55 at junction 19. We continued Eastwards thriugh Noerh Wales and we ran forwards onto the A494 at Queensferry. We got onto the Eastbound M56. At junction 9 we joined the Southbound M6. We went Southwards down the A500 and we ran down to the A527 and we continued into Sandyford. We joined Tunstall High Street and then we ran around the town centre and joined the roundabout and straight onto the A5271. We stopped by the police station and we continued down to Scotia Road. We continued to 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. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we turned onto Manor Street. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street past the new building under construction and back to the residential unit. we went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. chilled out in his room and used his computer. Later on Matthew had a KFC. He had a chicken burger and fries washed down with a cup of 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 Fenton / Crewe 06-06-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
LV59 DZC	Fenton	Crewe	Charter	Z Carz
LV59 DZC	Crewe	Fenton	Charter	Z Carz

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw white minibus YM02 URH.

YM02 URH in Fenton

Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew went to Crewe on Z Carz LV59 DZC. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill onto the A52 and we ran under the railway line. We joined the Northbound A500 and we continued past the M6 and to the Southern edge of Crewe. We turned right onto David Whitby Way and then left onto the A532. Before we got to the railway station we stopped at the new pub Brocklebank. Matthew went to the toilet and then Matthew had a Mixed Grill washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had Lemon Meringue Pie. when we had finished eating we returned to Fenton in Z Carz minibus LV59 DZC. We set off onto the A532 towards the railway station. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A534 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #38 to Crewe. We continued East along the A534 past Wheelock and Sandbach and over the M6. We continued for another few miles into Congleton. We ran Forwards onto West Road and at the roundabout we turned left onto the A34. We turned right onto A54 and we ran into the town centre past the end of the bus station and onto the A527. We ran past Congleton railway station and we continued South down the A527 past Biddulph. We continued South through the estate and past the barley Mow pub. We crossed the A527 at Knypersley and Forwards onto Newpool Road. At the end we turned left onto Tower Hill Road and we ran forwards onto Brown Lees Road. We rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate and we continued South through Brindley Ford. We then ran through Chell and Pitts Hill before crossing over the A50 to the North of Tunstall. We we continued down the hill and over the canal and railway before we joined the Southbound A500. We ran Southwards for around 4 miles and we came off the A500 at Stoke. We went A52 under the railway and up City Road into Fenton. We turned right Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. Back at the residential unit Matthew went up to his room to chill out and watch buses. We saw Autocabs WJ12 GNY going towards Stoke.

Autocabs WJ12 GNY in Fenton

We also saw First Potteries 65004 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65004 in Fenton

For tea Matthew had chicken nugget and chips followed by a slice of chocolate roll. After tea Matthew went back to his room to chill out and watch buses. Later we went in a car on a ride around. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Clifton Street and we ran down to Crawford Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and left onto Welby Street. At the end of Welby Street we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We ran up to Whieldon Road and we turned right. We continued onto Grove Road and we turned right at Heron Cross onto Blurton Road. We crossed over the A50 and we ran through Blurton before going right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and then left onto Finstock Avenue and we saw blue minibus HG15 ELC. At the end we turned left onto Magdalen Road and we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and we turned right into new Inn Lane. We ran up the hill into Hanford and then we turned right onto Wilson Road. We turned left into Church Lane and we ran to the bottom before stopping at the BP garage shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke. We got onto the A34 and we went northwards up the A500 to Stoke. We turned right onto the A52 and we ran under the railway line and up City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. back at the unit Matthew went upstairs and we saw Z Carz YJ61 GYZ going towards Hanley.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Fenton

later on Matthew had a plain scone with jam and cream. Matthew went to his room and watched Keeping up with the kardashians on TV. Matthew also spent some time 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 Crewe / Congleton 02-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2623	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4476	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4491	Crewe BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4490	Congleton BS	Sandbach, o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
2608	Sandbach, o/s Common	Elworth nr railway station	37A	Arriva NW&W
2614	Elworth adj railway station	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine & showers, with the weather being better to the South and West. Other research involved checking the GHA & Cheshire East sites to see if the GHA #84 service still ran. We gave Matthew a list of places to visit and from the list Matthew surprisingly chose Crewe. Matthew got up around 10:00 and I forgot to give him breakfast! We set off around 11:40 and we ran onto the A5035. As we turned into Stanley Matthew Way we saw D&G 170 on a #14 service. We traveled North up to the A50 and we went West to Sideway. We then turned right onto the A500 and we headed North. We passed an unidentified AC Williams coach and we crossed under the M6 and we carried on Westwards. On the single lane section of the A500 we passed Routemaster Buses RML2515 going the other way. We turned right onto David Whitby Way and then left onto the A532. We followed the road around to left past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. As we traveled up the road we past required Arriva NW&W 4106 on a #37 to Northwich. We also past a shop called Total Tile & Bathrooms where there was a lady mannequin sitting on a toilet! We followed the road into town and left onto Delamere Street past the bus station. We whizzed around the street to Asda and we parked up. We walked around the corner to Vernon's Fish Bar and after Matthew had used the toilet he had sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished we left mum to pay the bill and we walked around the corner into the bus station and we saw D&G Solo SR 103 on a #12 to Shavington.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We turned the corner and we saw Arriva NW&W 4477 which had broken down and was about to get towed away, and GHA Solo CN06 BXS which was about to work a #44 to Nantwich.

GHA CN06 BXS in Crewe bus station

We walked down to the other end of the bus station and we saw First Potteries 67633 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67633 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station were Arriva NW&W 4100 on a #37 service and 2617 was on layover by the old garage. We were hoping to see the 13:03 #84 service to Chester, but it appeared not be running today. On stand was required Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Crewe bus station

In the absence of the GHA bus, we decided to do Arriva buses instead. We got on the bus and we booked an Arriva Day Saver ticket at £5.30 and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. 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 required Arriva NW&W 894 on the #6 service. 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 3159 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. Matthew didn't take a picture inside the Arriva bus... For some reason a few of the passenger though it was a through bus to Chester and just sat there and didn't move! We got of the bus and we spotted an interesting looking GHA minibus. We walked over to the other side of the bus station and we saw GHA Mercedes minibus X996 AHT.

GHA X996 AHT in Nantwich bus station

We saw GHA Solo SR 1201 on the #52 to Sainsbury's, and then we headed into town. We walked down Market Street and into the market and we went to the toilet. After we used the toilet we stopped at the stall where Matthew usually has a few sweets from, but it was now a workwear and safety equipment stall. We asked if there was a sweet still in the market and it turned out it had moved next door! Talk about having tunnel vision! We brought a few spearmint chews and then we walked back to the bus station. We considered what to do next. We had planned on going forwards to Chester, but there was a large crowd at stand C waiting for the bus, presumably because the GHA bus hadn't run. The bus was due at 14:02 and when it turned up it was dud Arriva NW&W single decker 2617. We decided to turn it down and do the next bus back to Crewe which was an #84 from Chester. A few minutes later the bus rolls in and it was required Arriva NW&W 4476.

Arriva NW&W 4476 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus pulled out of the bus station just as dud Arriva NW&W 2613 came in which would work the next #84 back to Crewe. We went East along Beam Street and we turned right onto Millstone Lane and the left onto the A534. We ran out of Nantwich and we crossed the Peacock Roundabout carrying on Eastwards. We turned into Willaston along Coppice Road and at the end we turned left onto Wistaston Road. We rejoined the A534 and we ran a couple of miles into Crewe before we turned left into Edleston Road. We ran along the long straight road and we went over the Chester railway line onto Chester Bridge before the bus followed the road around onto Delamere Street. We turned right into the bus station and we let the bus empty out before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4476.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4476

We got off the bus and immediately we saw required Arriva NW&W 4491 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Crewe bus station

We decided to do this bus, and Matthew wanted to do it to Congleton, so we got on and we flashed the Arriva Day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. This was the last required bus of the batch of three 'Sapphire' buses that work on the #38 service. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We followed the road aroundto the right onto Chester Bridge and we crossed the railway line and onto Edleston Road. At the end of the long straight road we turned left onto the A534 and we ran past the railway station ans past B&Q. We traveled Eastwards along Crewe Road. We went through Haslington and Winterley and further North through Wheelock Heath. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock where we saw Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Crewe. We ran over the canal and into Sandbach town center past Sandbach School. When we got to the Common we stopped for a short while and we saw Arriva NW&W 2618 on a #37A to Sandbach. Around 15:10 we set off out of the Common onto Congleton Road. We joined the A534 and we crossed over the M6 and into open countryside. I had now got the phone to work downloading the Arriva mobile App and we worked out that we could go to Congleton and have around 10 minutes before returning on the next #38 towards Crewe (or wait another hour!). We carried on through open countryside and we crossed over the Arclid crossroads. On the edge of Congleton we joined the A34 and we ran East along the road for a short while before going onto West Street. We entered town along Antrobus Street, Mill Street and Mountbatten Way. We turned right into Market Street, past the Bear Grills cafe and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4491 before it carried on towards Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Congleton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet and I asked someone if there was a public toilet nearby. There was one just around the corner and then I remembered when we used to come to Congleton regularly we used it all the time! We used the toilet and the couple of minutes we were in there uncle Dave got slightly wet as it had started to rain. By the time we had both come out it had stopped raining! we started to walked down to stand 1 where the Arriva Bus App instructed u to go to, and on the way we saw GHA Enviro200 1407 on a #42 to Crewe.

GHA 1407 in Congleton bus station

We also saw GHA 'Beartown' branded 1471 on a #90 town circular service. As we walked down to stand 1 we saw the bus approaching of Mountbatten Way. It was another 'Sapphire' branded bus so we knew that it wouldn't be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4490.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Congleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. As we had passed the #38 just the other side of Sandbach, and we had also seen the #37A to Northwich which connect into the #38 in both directions, we decided to got to Sandbach to get the #37A north to the railway station, before coming back South on the following #37 to Crewe. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned left onto Mill Street and we climbed the hill, turning right onto West Street. At the roundabout we went straight onto the A34 and at the following junction we went straight ahead onto the A534. We went out of town through West Heath and then out into open countryside. We crossed the A50 at the Arclid crossroads and we passed a large lake. It was now bright sunshine as we crossed the M6, where we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach going North. On the west side of the m6 we left the A534 and turned right onto Congleton Road and we ran into Sandbach Common. As we were getting up the bus behind us emptied out so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4490.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4490

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4490 before it carried on towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Sandbach

As we had run around, had seen the bus that was going to be the #37A... It was dud Arriva NW&W 2608. It wasn't due off for another 10 minutes so we visited McColls to do a bit of shopping for Matthew. We brought a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a a pack of Milky Ways. We paid for the good and we walked down to our bus to get a picture, Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Sandbach

We sat down at the bus stop and Matthew ate cadbury's Snack, sharing some of it with me but not with uncle Dave for some reason. Whilst we were there we saw A&A minibuses transit YLZ 1348. A few minutes later the bus pulled on stand and we got on Arriva NW&W 2608. We flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver, and as the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2608.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2608

Sandbach railway station is a round a mile out of the town centre in the Elworth area. The bus set off out of the Common. We passed the town hall and we joined the A533 and we went West. A mile or so along the road just before the railway station, we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Elworth

We crossed the road and we stood at the bus stop to wait for the next bus to Crewe. We were hoping that it was going to be required Arriva NW&W 4106, which we had seen on the #37 earlier in the day. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was another Centro single decker, there was only a 1 in 6 chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2614.

Arriva NW&W 2614 in Elworth

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A533 and we went into Sandbach town centre and around the Common. After a brief stop we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and Crewe Green and forwards onto the A534. We ran past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. We entered Crewe town centre and we followed the road around onto Delamere Street. When we got into the bus station we got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the few uses that were still in the bus station. On an adjacent stand we saw D&G 121.

D&G 121 in Crewe bus station

We headed back through the bus station and onto Victoria Street and into Adsa car park where mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew also had the bottle of Irn Bru from the bag which we had purchased earlier. We set off out off the car park and around town via Flag lane, Alton Street and Derrington Avenue. As we approached Edleston Road we saw an unidentified Burland Coach heading into town. We turned right onto Edleston Road and at the end we turned left onto the A534. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto the A532 past the Brocklebank pub. At the next roundabout we turned right onto David Whitby Way and across the roundabout and at the end we turned left onto the A500. We ran onto the single lane section of the road and then we crossed under the M6. As we traveled down we passed an unidentified silver Happy Als coach and an unidentified Waltons coach. At Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. In the first row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest minibus was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound tonight. Closest to the gate was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we ran up to heron Cross before turning left onto Blurton Road. We stopped in Blurton by the shops for a short while and then we continued along Blurton Road and then right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just before 18:00. For a late tea a had chicken, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Crewe / Nantwich 09-01-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
W806 PNL	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	C84	Routemaster Buses
YJ53 VDT	Nantwich BS	Tarporley, o/s Rising Sun PH	C84	Routemaster Buses
W806 PNL	Tarporley, o/s Shops	Acton, opp St Mary's Church	C84	Routemaster Buses
YJ07 JWD	Acton, o/s St Mary's Church	Tarporley, o/s Rising Sun PH	C84	Routemaster Buses
YJ53 VDT	Tarporley, o/s Shops	Crewe BS	C84	Routemaster Buses

Today we decided to go to Crewe to ride on the new C84 service from Crewe to Chester which started up on Monday. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cloudy with rain moving in during the afternoon. We asked Matthew if this was an acceptable plan for today and he said yes. Research other than checking the weather consisted of downloading the C84 service. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 as we were trying to time the run as to get the 13:05 after having dinner. We drover onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We passed D&G 170 on the #14 service and we also saw white minibus LX03 MKM. We went west on the A50 and as we joined the A500 at Sideway we saw City Cabs LL09 SSV. We headed North up the A500 and we saw Magnum LT03 RXZ. We passed under the M6 went into Crewe via the new link road (David Whitby Way) and into Crewe along the A532. We turned left onto the A534 and we crossed over the railway line and we turned right onto Edleston Road were we saw dud Routemaster Buses on the 12:05 C84 departure to Chester. We crossed over the Chester line and we ran into town and we turned left into Delamere Street. We jigged our way through the streets and we saw Routemaster Buses PL05 PLN on a #9A service. We parked up in Asda And we set off towards the chip shop. On the way we saw 3D's minibus ML58 FWU.

3D's ML58 FWU in Crewe

We walked onto Victoria Street to Vernon's Fish Bar. Matthew went to the toilet and when he came back we ordered him sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter which he washed down with a glass of Coke. We didn't see much go past the end of the road to the bus station... Already in the bus station we could see a red double decker on layover as well as a DeeBee liveried GHA Solo. First no longer run the #3 to Leighton hospital. Whilst we ate we saw Arriva NW&W 4101 go into the bus station. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked across to the bus station. The red double decker turned out to be Routemaster Buses W806 PNL.

Routemaster Buses W806 PNL in Crewe bus station

We had a few minutes before the 13:05 C84 departure, so we decided to take a few pictures. Arriving on a #84 service was required Arriva NW&W 2625.

Arriva NW&W 2625 in Crewe bus station

We then saw required Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT come into the bus station on a C84 from Chester.

Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT in Crewe bus station

Thinking that we may get the single decker, we waited for it to unload... The bus then immediately reversed off the stand and went on layover. Then Routemaster Buses red double decker W806 PNL came on stand with 'C84 Chester' on it's electronic display... We got on the bus and we purchased Routemaster Buses day tickets at £5 each. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Routemaster Buses W806 PNL.

Inside Routemaster Buses W806 PNL

We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of Routemaster Buses W806 PNL too.

Inside Routemaster Buses W806 PNL

At 13:05 the bus departed the bus station onto Delamere Street. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go all the way to Chester on the bus or to go to Nantwich and he chose Nantwich. We followed the Road around onto Chester bridge and forwards onto Edleston Road. Coming the other way we saw First Potteries 66964 on a #3 and D&G 131 on a #85. At the end of edleston we turned right onto the A534. We traveled Southwards for a couple of miles passing Arriva NW&W 2626 and 4478 on #84's and GHA minibus YJ59 GHD on the #78 to Rode Heath. We turned left onto Willaston Road and then right onto Coppice Road before we rejoined the A534. We crossed the roundabout onto the B5338 and we carried on to the edge of town. We turned right onto the B5074 and we passed Arriva Sapphire double decker 4490 which is branded for the #38 Crewe to Macclesfield service. We turned left into Beam Street and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses W806 PNL.

Routemaster Buses W806 PNL in Nantwich bus station

There was approximatly six minutes before the next C84 towards Crewe. We decided to rush to the toilet in the market and see if we could get back in time to catch the bus. We headed down Market Street and into the market. Matthew went to the toilet and I brought some of his Favourite Spearmint Chews from the sweet store. We rushed back to the bus station only to see the the bus, Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD leaving the bus station... Drat! We had best pat of an hour to kill now. We decided to take a few picture before we did something else for a short while. On layover at the East end of the bus station was GHA Solo SR 1202.

GHA 1202 in Nantwich bus station

Back at the West end we saw GHA 1203 on a #51 town service.

GHA 1203 in Nantwich bus station

Another bus came into the bus station to go on layover off a #78 from Rode Heath. It was GHA Solo YJ59 GHF.

GHA YJ59 GHF in Nantwich bus station

I needed some cash so we walked back into town along Market Street and onto the pedestrianised area by Nantwich Church. I got some cash out of the TSB cash machine before we walked down to the Post Office. We brought a couple of lottery tickets of which Matthew helped to pick the numbers and then we went to the till and paid for them as well as a Cadbury's Twirl. We walked back to the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 4478 departing on a #84 to Chester. We sat down for a while and Matthew shared his Cadbury's Twirl with us and he washed it down with a can of Orange Fanta. The next #84 to Crewe came in and it was required Arriva NW&W 2623.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Nantwich bus station

We hung around for a further 15 minutes and the next #84 to Crewe was dud Arriva NW&W 4490.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Nantwich bus station

The next C84 to Chester was due and we were expecting it to be required Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT. What we weren't expecting is the Routemaster Buses East Lancs bodied Dart PL05 PLN, which came in to work the 14:25 #68 departure to Lea Green.

Routemaster Buses PL05 PLN in Nantwich bus station

A couple of minutes later we saw required Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT come into the bus station as expected.

Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Routemaster Buses day ticket before sitting down towards the back of the bus. 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 and the bus emptied out a little. Matthew then took a picture inside Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT.

Inside Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT

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 decided to go one stop further than we had before. There was a slight blockage on the street and we waited for it to clear. Arriva NW&W 4477 was coming the other way and then we moved forwards. We stopped right opposite to a Co-operative Food store which was convenient. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT as it carried on towards Chester.

Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT in Tarporley

We had just under 20 minutes to get to the bus stop. We crossed the road and we went into the Co-op where Matthew picked up some drinks and chocolate to fill up the trip bag. Once we had paid for the stuff we walked down the High Street to the return stop. On the way Matthew spotted someone he wanted to say hello to someone in a restaurant. We carried on down the street to the stop and Matthew just had time to eat a Flake bus the bus appeared. Bang on time we saw the expected bus approaching, Routemaster Buses W806 PNL.

Routemaster Buses W806 PNL in Tarporley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Routemaster Buses day ticket to the driver before we headed upstairs. The bus set off down the High Street and we joined the Eastbound A49. We carried on the forwards onto the A51 and we went through Alpraham, Caveley and Wardle and past Snugburys. We left We went forwards onto the B5341 and we decided to get up and off the bus before we passed the return service. We got up and got off the bus in rainy Acton and Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses W806 PNL as it carried on towards Crewe.

Routemaster Buses W806 PNL in Acton

We crossed the road to the opposite stop and we saw from the timetable board we had around six minutes to wait. The time passed quickly and we didn't get too wet! As expected, required Routemaster Buses Plaxton Centro YJ07 JWD turned the corner.

Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD in Acton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Routemaster Buses day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the rear of the bus. The bus set off up the B5341 and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear seat of the bus.

Inside Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD

We joined the A51 passing through Wardle, Caveley and Alpraham. We joined the A49 and then we diverted right onto High Street into the village. We gut up and got off the bus in Tarporley again outside the Rising Sun pub. Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD as it carried on towards Chester.

Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD in Tarporley

We nipped into the Rising Sun pub and Matthew used the toilet. After using the facilities me and Matthew had a quick drink of Coke before we went outside to Meet uncle Dave again. We crossed over the road and we went to the stop opposite to the old fire station. A few minutes later we saw Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT approaching from the North.

Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT in Tarporley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Routemaster Buses day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off down the High Street onto the Eastbound A49. We carried on the forwards onto the A51 and we went through Alpraham, Caveley and Wardle and past Snugburys. We left We went forwards onto the B5341 through Acton and under the canal into Nantwich. We crossed the river Weaver and we passed dud Routemaster Buses H116 SAO on the 16:05 Crewe to Chester C84 service. We went forwards onto Beam Street and into the bus station. In Nantwich bus station we saw D&G 102 on a #1A service, GHA 1201 on the #72 service and required Arriva NW&W 2625 on the #84 service to Crewe. We followed Arriva NW&W 2625 out of the bus station and through the town B5338. At the big roundabout we saw Jayjays Travel PO58 XFX emerge from the Nantwich by-pass. We joined the Westbound A534 and we went through Willaston via Coppice Road and Willaston Road. It was now fully dark and we traveled along the A534 into Crewe before turning left into Edleston Road. We followed the road right into the centre of town and we turned left into Delamere Street and we entered the bus station. We decided to take a few more pictures before we headed back to the car, which mum had moved onto Victoria Street. On a #3 to Hanley was required First Potteries 66964.

First Potteries 66964 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station was required D&G 103 on a #6 service.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We left the bus station and we went around the corner into Victoria Street to meet mum. At the car mum as waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off through town and we went onto Flag lane and left onto Wistaston Road. We went forwards and under the railway line and right onto Mill Street. At the end of Mill Stree we joined the A534 and we saw First Potteries 66303 on a #3 and dud Arriva 4489 on a #38 both heading to Crewe bus station. We went South on the A532 and we went down to the A500 via David Whitby Way. We joined the Westbound A500 at the weston Gate roundabout and we went under the M6 and down to sideway. We went Eastwards up to Longton on the A50 so we could check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. First on the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

At the front of the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

At the back of the site was Z Carz maroon coloured Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

By the wall we saw a newer decal free minibus, Z Carz HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. At the very back was Z carz white & green minibus Y569 DSF.

Z Carz Y569 DSF in Longton

We turned around and we headed back onto the A50. We crossed over the road and we went to fill up with diesel at the petrol station. We then returned onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road where we saw silver minibus T55 MLG. We went forwards onto Church Road and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:10. 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 00:30... Mark