Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 20-07-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
27901	Ellesmere Port BS	Helsby, Hornsmill PH	2	Stagecoach Merseyside
2921	Helsby, Opp Tesco	Chester BS	X30	Arriva NW&W
27903	Chester BS	Huntington, Rake & Pikel	5	Stagecoach Merseyside
36318	Huntington, Rake & Pikel	Chester railway station	5	Stagecoach Merseyside
11625	Chester railway station	Chester BS	1	Stagecoach Merseyside
27902	Chester BS	Blacon, The Arches School	14A	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port and Chester. We Asked Matthew where he would like to go today and he chose these places. Research consisted at looking at previous Blog entries and looking at which tickets we had previously used. We also checked the weather which was for cloudy weather with the possibility of thunderstorms. We did no research on parking and eating as we knew where we where going to go. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medicine. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:30 we set off to go and pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. 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 ran forwards onto the A500. We continued Ntrhwards throufg Stoke and Etruria and past Longport and Talke. As we ran up the A500 we saw bronze minibus DL69 VFZ, grey minibus PY62 CWO, blue minibus YN55 UEC and white minibus BX66 HGD. At Barthomley Interchange we joined the Northbound M6. Seen on the M6 were blue minibus VJG 903J, AJS Passenger Travel SL17 KWB, S.A.S Travel CV68 TBX, white minibus DY72 NLD, Stagecoach Megabus PR73 KRS, an unidentified Eavesway coach, 2 x red Arriva double deckers on had 2 vauxhall on the display and an unidentified white coach. We ran up to junction 20 and we took the Westbound M56. Seen on the M56 was black minibus SF60 BYD. We came off the M56 and onto the Northbound M53. We came off the M53 at junction 9 and we headed Westwards on the A5032. We turned left onto Cromwell Road and we followed the road to the right onto Wellington Road. We turned left onto Cambrdge Road and we went right onto McGarva Way. We turned right onto Grange Road and we parked up near to the Market. As we parked up we saw Direct Cars KV18 XVL parked up near to the car.

Direct Cars KV18 XVL in Ellesmere Port

We walked into the market and Matthew went to the toilet. We met up with mum and uncle Dave and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked out of the market. We walked along Wellington Road past the site of the old bus station where they have now built an office building. In the distance we saw Arriva NW&W 3144 on a #5 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 3144 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We were considering doing the Arriva bus and we looked at an alternative ticket in case we did catch it. Whilst we waited for time we saw an another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 on a #2 to Palace Fields.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £5.40 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned left onto Stanney Lane and we ran past The Grace Arms, which was a pub we used to eat at back when we first started to visit Ellesmere Port. We continued down the road for around 1/2 mile and then we turned left into the Coliseum Retail Park. We continued into the adjacent Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and we saw PG coaches BJ12 ??? and Abbey Coaches SA63 ASH in the coach park. We got onto the A5117. We crossed the M53 and we went past Stanlow oil refinery. We turned left onto Pool Lane and we turned right onto the link road into Elton vilaage. We ran forwards onto Meadow View and forwards again onto Parkland Drive. We ran past the Wheelright Arms and we turned right onto Ince Lane. We re-joined the A5117 and we crossed over the M56. We ran through Hapsford and we joined the A56 where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 as it continued towards Palace Fields.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 in Helsby

Once off the bus, Matthew had spotted the pub and decided he needed the toilet. We headed into the pub and Matthew used the facilities. We returned to the bar and Matthew had a small Coke. After finishing his drink we went outside and we had spotted that the Southbound X30 to Chester had not been passed. We walked past a new housing development and up to the Tesco and we crossed the road to wait for the bus. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 3032 on a X30 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 3032 in Helsby

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2921 on a X30 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2921 in Helsby

We got on it and we singles to Cheter at £2 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A56 and we ran through Dunham-on-the-Hill past fromer The Wheatsheaf pub. We continued Southwards and we ran under the M56. We crossed the A41 and we ran through Hoole to the edge of Chester. We crossed over the railway and turned right onto The A5268 before veering left into the bus station where e got up and got off the bus. Onc off the bus we had a walk around the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we visited the coffee shp. Matthew had an Almond Slice and a can of Coke. After Matthew had finished eating and drinking we had a walk around the bus station. We saw D&G Bus 577 on a #82 to Northwich.

D&G Bus 577 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 4550 on a #11 to Holywell. We had a walk around to see what we might catch. Matthew spotted a #5 that was being preparred for service. As we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 on a #5 to Huntington.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Merseyside Dayrider Plus ticket to the driver. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 27903

We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Boughton and we ran forwards onto the A5115. We travelled through Boughton Heath. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down Caldy Valley Road and we headed down the hill. We turned right follwing Caldy Valley Road and we turned left onto the B5130. We crossed over the North Wales Expressway and we ran onto the roundabout outside the Rake & Pikel. The was a short turning circle just off the roundabout and we pulled into there. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 as it returned to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 in Huntington

We crossed over Sandy Lane and Highlander Road and we headed into the Co-op. We bought a large galaxy caramel and a bottle of Coke. When we had finished paying for the food we headed back to the bus stop. Matthew had a can of Fanta from the trip bag and afterwards we shared most of the Galaxy Caramel. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36318 on a #5 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36318 in Huntington

We got on the bus and we flashed the Merseyside Dayrider Plus ticket to the driver. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 36318 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 36318

We set off onto the B5130 and we crossed over the North Wales Expressway. We turned right onto Caldy Valley Road and we ran through the Caldy Valley estate. We turned left to follow Caldy Valley Road Northwards. We ran through Boughton Heath past Sainsbury's and we turned left onto the A5115. We ran forwards onto the A51 and we headed around The Bars roundabout onto City Road. We went past the railway station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we spot some coaches so we walked up to see them. We saw Holmeswood YG67 FZN parked up opposite to the railway station.

Holmeswood YG67 FZN in Chester

Further along the road we saw another pair of coaches. The first one was Keane Coaches BX65 WBF.

Keane Coaches BX65 WBF in Chester

The second of the pair of coaches was Keane Coaches BX65 WBU.

Keane Coaches BX65 WBU in Chester

We crossed back over the road and Matthew wanted to go into a music venue, but it was ticket only. Further down the road as we got to the bus stop we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 11625. We asked the driver if the bus was going to the Interchnage. It was but not for another 10 minutes. We went into the pub by the bus stop and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards he ad a glass of Coke. We went outside and sure enough we saw that Stagecoach Merseyside 11625 was still outside on a #1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 11625 in Chester

We got on the bus and we flashed the Merseyside Dayrider Plus ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Station Road and we turned left onto Brook Street. We turned onto the A56 and we turned right at the roundabout onto the A5268. We veered left and into the Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Once up we had a walk around to see what we might catch. We saw M & H Coaches YJ21 FBA on layover in between runs on the T8 to Corwen.

M & H Coaches YJ21 FBA in Chester bus station

Originally we considered doing a #53 to Kingsway to meet up with mum there. But a quick look for the name of the chip shop revealed that the chip shop was temporarily closed for refurbishment. We decided to go to Blacon and meet up with mum there. We had a look at the Blacon stops and there was a Stagecoach bus on stand. AS we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 on a #14A Blacon circular.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks and we ran onto George Street. At the end we turned right onto Northgate Street and we crossed over the ring road onto the A5116. We veered left on the one-way system and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran past Chester University and we hit traffic as we got to the edge of town. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blacon Avenue. We travelled Westwards for around a mile and when we got to the shops we got up to get off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 as it continued towards Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 in Blacon

We crossed over the road and we met up with mum, Matthew went into the car and had a can of Cherry Coke with some ice in a cup. I went to the chip shop and fetched sausage chips and gravy for Matthew. When I had finished eating we set off out of Blacon Parade and we turned right onto Sherwood Road. We turned left onto Blacon Avenue and we ran to the end. We crossed over the roundabout onto the A5480 and briefly joined the Northbound A5116 before turning right onto Mill Lane. We ran forwards onto Heath Road and at the end we turned right onto the A41. We crossed the A56 and we continued round to the Eastern side of Chester. We turned left onto the A51 and we crossed over the A55 and we continued Eastwards. We briefly joined the Southbound A49. At Four Lane Ends we ontinued onto the A51 and we headed through Wardle past Snugbury's. We turned left onto the Nantwich bypass. We ran around the North side of Nantwich and we joined the A500. We ran to the South of Crewe and we crossed under the M6 as we travelled along the A500 we saw Global Travel B13 HTL on a returning day trip to Cardiff. We ran through Talke and Longport into Stoke and we came off the A500. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road. We stopped at uncle Dave's house and Matthew used the toilet. We uodated the calendar and Matthew took a can of Cherry Coke into the house to drink in front of uncle Rob. We got back in the car and we set off for 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 saw beige minibus DS03 UTT parked up. We turned right onto Church Road and we saw blue minibus A16 LEH. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:10. Matthew chilled out on his computer. Matthew had his medication and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Holywell / Rhyl 12-03-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4550	Saltney, Sandy Lane	Holywell BS	11	Arriva NW&W
4549	Holywell BS	Rhyl BS	11M	Arriva NW&W
4480	Rhyl BS	Rhyl, Derwen Hotel	51	Arriva NW&W
2520	Rhyl, Derwen Hotel	Rhyl BS	36	Arriva NW&W
2496	Rhyl BS	Pensarn, Harts Caravan Park	12	Arriva NW&W
4545	Pensarn, Post Office	Rhyl BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Holywell and Rhyl. 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 Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthwe went into the living room and we saw Afford rent-a-car YS21 JVR.

Afford rent-a-car YS21 JVR in Fenton

Matthew got his face mask and bag and got ready to go. We came around 11:30 and Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had no batteries so we returned to the residential unit to pick them up. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road and we saw Travel Express BG61 KTK. We turned right onto Temple Street and we stopped at the residential unit. We collected his batteries and and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hiull into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the the A500. The road were quiet today and we made good time up to the M6. We joined the motorway at Junction 19 and we ran Northwrds through the roadworks section. As we travelled up the M6 we saw Park's of Hamilton LSK 808(#570) & Kier WR17 JFU. We left the M6 at Junction 20 and we went Westwards along the M56. The M56 was a little busier than the M6 but it was still moving well. On the M56 we passed an unidentified Goodsir coach. We joined the Southbound M53 and we ran around the West side of Chester. The M53 became the A55 and after a couple of junctions we jeft the A55 and we headed towards Chester from the South side up the A483. On the A483 we saw Scraggs 1 HVT. We got to the roundabout at Hanbridge and we veered to the left onto the A5104. We ran through Lache out of England and into Wales and we stoipped at Morrisons where we planned to park and have dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went to the cafe. He had a large breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked out onto the A5104. We crossed over the road and we waited at a stop on the Westbound side of the road for a bus towards Holywell. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4550 on a #11 to Holywell. We got on the bus and we booked a Arriva Welsh Area Group Day ticket at £15 for the 3 of us. We sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5104 and we turned left into the 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 2521 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 4549 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 4480 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 2520 on a #36 to Rhyl. We got on and we brought Arriva Day Saver tickets before we 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 4545 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 went upstairs and 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 4542 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 decided to stop at The Chippery tea. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down a bottle of Cherry Coke. We ate the chips in the car and when we had finished we set off onto the A525. 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 and we did some of the Blog. He also had the rest of the cheesecake. 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