Trip to St Helens / Liverpool 29-04-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2967	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2939	St Helens BS	Clock Face, Fallow Close	32	Arriva NW&W
3002	Clock Face, Fallow Close	St Helens BS	17	Arriva NW&W
4599	St Helens BS	Liverpool, Queens Square	10	Arriva NW&W
4603	Liverpool, Queens Square	Fincham, Princess Drive	10A	Arriva NW&W
10814	Fincham, Princess Drive	St Helens BS	10A	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to revisited St Helens. I had checked the weather for today and it was for mainky dry weather with some showers, with there being less showers in the North. As such I asked Matthew to pick somewhere in the North West and Matthew chose St Helens. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Mum came back from work and we set off around 12:00. 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 stopped at the petrol station and we filled up with petrol. We headed back onto London Road and we ran into Stoke. We ran forwards onto Campbell Place and we turned left onto Church Street. We ran towards Hartshill and we turned right onto Shelton Old Road. We ran down the hill and we turned left onto the Northbound A500. We ran through Etruria, Longtport and Talke. As we headed up to the motorway we saw blue minibus SF10 LLT. At Borthomley we joined the Northbound M6. Travelling up the M6 we saw an unidentified Johnsons coach, Alfa 141, an unidentified BN Coaches coach and an unidentified Cannon BBT 70 seater coach. We travelled through Cheshire and over Thelwall Viaduct. At junction 21A we joined the Westbound M62. We ran up to the next junctiona dn we came off onto the Northbound A49. As we headed around the raoundabout we saw Holmeswood PO17 EKE coming off the M62. We headed North to Newton-le-Willows and we stopped at the railway station to but Saveaway tickets at £6 each. Once we got the tickets we we carried on Northwards up the A49 through the town cenmtre. We turned left onto the A572 and we headed Westwards around the North side of town. We turned sharp left onto Market Street and we headed into the town centre. We turned right onto Tamworth Street and we stopped at the free town car park. We parked up and we headed towards the town centre. On the way we saw Arriva NW&W 2691 on a #34A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2691 in Earlestown bus station

We headed across to Crumpets, but as we got there they were closing up. So we walked back past the bus station to Wetherspoons. Matthew went to the toilet and mum ordered the food. When he returned to the table Matthew had a burger with a chicken burger with chips washed don with a glass of coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed across the the bus station. We waited for a bus to St Helens. Whilst we waited we saw Network Warrington 238 on a #22 to Vulcan village.

Network Warrington 238 in Earlestown bus station

A few minutes later the bus arrived. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2967 on a #34A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2967 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tcikets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Tamworth Street. We ran out of town along Market Street and at the end we turned left onto the A572. We ran West for a few miles into Parr and we joined the A58 on the eastern edge of town. We ran into the centre of town along Corporation Street and we followed the one way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2967 before it returned on a #34A to Newton-le-WIllows.

Arriva NW&W 2967 in St Helens bus station

We had a look around to see what we could catch. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 24182 on a #10A to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 24182 in St Helens bus station

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 2696 on a #33 to Sutton Heath.

Arriva NW&W 2696 in St Helens bus station

We walked over to the other side of the bus station to see what was on layover. We saw Arriva NW&W 4625 in between runs on the #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4625 in St Helens bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Merseyside 10547 on layover in between runs on the #10A to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10547 in St Helens bus station

A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 3174 depart on a #329 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 3174 in St Helens bus station

We walk over to the middle stands. I assume we were going over to catch something towards Liverpool. On the way over we saw Arriva NW&W 2939 on a #32 to Clock Face and Matthew decided he wanted to do this.

Arriva NW&W 2939 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off through the town and then across the roundabout near to KFC. We went along Peasley Cross Lane and under the railway line. We went South and we turned left onto Robins Lane. We turned right onto New Street and we went over the railway line at over the narrow bridge. We turned left onto Mill Lane and right onto Leach Lane. We turned left onto Clock Face and we turned right onto Garton Lane. We turned right onto Bodden Street and we ran forwards onto Burnage Avenue. We ran to the far end and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2939 as it returned North on the #32 towards Clinkham Wood.

Arriva NW&W 2939 in Clock Face

After getting off the bus we headed towards the shops. We visited the Morrisons Local and we brought a can of Coke and a bag of Starburst. We headed back to the bus stop and we waited for a #17 back to St Helens. Whilst we waited we went into the trip bag and we found a rather squished Milky Way duo in the bag. we had been to this stop before. It turns out that we got off here on our very first visit to St Helens back in January 2012! A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3002 on a #17 to Laffak.

Arriva NW&W 3002 in Clock Face

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tockets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Burnage Avenue and we turned right onto Four Acre Lane and we turned left onto the A569. We ran up to the roundabout and we turned right onto Mill Lane. This was a diverssionary route becasue the A569 past Sherdley Park was shut for the day. We turned left onto New Street and we ran Northwards over the railway line over the narrow bridge. We turned left onto Robins Lane and we turned right onto Marshall Cross Road and we ran past the hospital. We ran forwards onto Peasley Cross Lane and we ran past the Saints rugby stadium. We crossed the Linkway onto Pheonix Brow and we ran forwards onto Corporation Street. We crossed over the railway line and we turned left onto Hall Street and right onto Bickerstaffe Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed to the middle stands to catch something going West. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2904 on a #31 to Parr.

Arriva NW&W 2904 in St Helens bus station

We waited for a bus towards Liverpool. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 4599 on a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4599 in St Helens bus station

The bus set off out of the bus station through town passing Hatton MX59 AWC on a #12 service. We went past the new Nando's and Cinema. We joined the A58. As we went past West Park Rugby club we saw a Selwyns coach. We carried on Westward along the A58 to the edge of Prescot and we turned left onto St Helens Road. We turned right onto the A57 and we crossed over the M57. We continued a further mile or so into Page Moss. We travelled along the dual carriageway for a further mile or so and we entered the Dovecot area and we continued for another mile past Alder Hay hospital and into the bustling region of old Swan. We continued along the A57 through Stanley, Fairfield and Kensington. We crossed the A580 and we passed the hospital. We turned left onto Derdy Stree and right onto Pembroke Place. We continued onto London Road and we turned left onto the A5038. We ran past Liverpool Lime Street railway styation and we followe the road to the right. We turned left onto Hood Street and we entered the Queens Square bus station area where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4599 as it continued towards the Liverpool One bus station.

Arriva NW&W 4599 in Liverpool

Once off the bus we had a look around. Matthew had an ice cream and we took a few bus pictures. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 10539 on a #14A service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10539 in Liverpool

Another vehicle seen was Arriva NW&W 4836 on a #15 to Huyton.

Arriva NW&W 4836 in Liverpool

We crossed over Hood Street and we headed into Queens Square. We were looking for a pub. We walked through the square onto the A5038 and we found a pub called Doctor Duncans. Matthew went down to the basement to use the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we came out of the pub and we walked through Queens Square to stand 2 to wait for a bus back towards St Helens. We considered doing Arriva NW&W 4715 on a #10B to Huyton, but there was a very long queue. Whilst that bus was loading we saw another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4603 on a #10A to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4603 in Liverpool

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the dricer before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus was very full and initially we all hgad to sit seperately. We set off up Hood Street and we turned right on to the A5038. We followed the road to the left and we ran past Liverpool Lime Street railway station. We turned right onto London Road and left onto Anson Street. We turned right onto the A57 and we headed out of Liverpool. We crossed the A580 and we continued into Kensington. We carried on Eastwards through Stanley and into Old Swan and the bus emptied out and we were able to sit together. As we travalled Eastwards we could see black cloads ahaed. We decided to get off at the next stop with a shelter. We came into Fincham and we got up and got off the bus. We knew there was a Stagecoach #10A behind us. We let Arriva NW&W 4802 on a #10B to Huyton. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 10814 on a #10A St Helens.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10814 in Fincham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We headed Eastwards along the A57 and we crossed over the M57 before going into Prescot along the High Street and we went straight onto the A57. We ran South Eastwards out of town past Whiston Hospital and down towards Rainhill railway station. we turned left onto Rainhall Road and we went North towards Thatto heath. We crossed the railway and we went North to the A58. At the junction we turned right and we ran into the Western end of St Helens. After running though the shopping centre of town and we passed the town hall before running in along Bickerstaffe Street and Corporation Street. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4621, on layover in between runs on the #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4621 in St Helens bus station

We walked around the corner into Charles Street and we met up with mum. We got in the car and we set off along Charles Street. We turned right onto Parade Street and right onto Hall Street. We turned left onto Corporation Street and we crossed over the railway line. We ran forwards onto the A58 ans we turned right onto the A572. We ran to the edge of town and we turned right onto Ashtons Green Drive. We stopped at the shop and I went to the chip shop to get food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Irn Bru. When I had finished eating we set off up Ashtons Green Drive and we rejoined the Eastbound A572. We ran around the North Side of Earlestown and we turned right onto the A49. We headed South towards Winwick and we joined the A49 link road up tp the M6. WE got on the Southbound M6 and as we travelled Southwards we passed a number of coaches in both directions. We saw an unidentified white coach, white school minibus YN63 ESO, an unidentified Holmeswood coach, Anderson WH68 LRN, white minibus RE63 UGK, 2 x unidentified Tyrers coaches. We decided to stop at Sandbach Servoce so that Matthew could go toilet. We we stopped we saw 3 coaches. We saw Aziz Coach Service MY17 AZZ.

Aziz Coach Service MY17 AZZ in Sandbach Southbound

Also seen was Plan Ahead Travel BV69 LNM.

Plan Ahead Travel BV69 LNM in Sandbach Southbound

Another coach seen was Boudens YD18 WYL.

Boudens YD18 WYL in Sandbach Southbound

After going to the toilet we got back in the car and we continued Southwards down the M6. At junction 16 we went South down the A500 through Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 and we diverted onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. He also had some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru. We updated uncle daves calendar to show recent activity. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 21:30. 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 01:00... Mark

Trip to St Helens / Huyton 04-09-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YX17 NTM	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	39	Hatton's Travel
4615	St Helens BS	Prescot, Church Street	10A	Arriva NW&W
4435	Prescot, Church Street	Old Swan, Queens Drive	10	Arriva NW&W
4445	Old Swan, Clayford Crescent	Hunts Cross, Stop F	81A	Arriva NW&W
4439	Hunts Cross, Stop A	Huyton BS	89	Arriva NW&W
4675	Huyton BS	Dovecot, Ashover Avenue	10B	Arriva NW&W
10832	Dovecot, Lordens Road	St Helens BS	10A	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to St Helens. We decided to re-visit Widnes. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to Widnes he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Afford rent-a-car MX70 CJF. Around 11:30 we came to pick Matthew up. After getting ready we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we ran down the hill and picked up uncle Dave. under the railway line towards Stoke and we joined the A500. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw blue minibus MX07 NDU and West Midlands Ambulance Service YJ19 HFL. The A500 was quite bus as far as Longport and afterwards it eased off a little. We ran into Cheshire and we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 16. As we went up the M6 we saw red minibus RX70 AVP, . Matthew also lost his hat out of the window as we travelled up through Cheshire. At junction 20 we went Westbound along the M62. Seen on the M62 was taxi minibus YG16 AHB. We came off the M62 and we went Northwards up the A49 into Newton. We past through the town and we turned left onto the A572. We ran for a couple of miles and we turned left onto Market Street by the Texaco petrol station. We turned right onto Tamworth Street and right onto Lord Street and into the car park. We parked up and we walked along Lord Street and around the corner onto Legh street and into the pub. We saw an unidentified Robin Hood coach. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went through the bus station to Tamworth Street to Crumpets, where we used to eat in Earlestown before the pub was opened. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. He also helped mum to eat her sausage and cheese toastie. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we went out and around the corner to the bus station. We only had to wait a few seconds and we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2901 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2901 in Earlestown bus station

No too far away and has a multi operator ticket and lower rates of Covid... We saw Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM on a #39 to St Helens.

Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased System one bus only tickets for £5.20 each. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM before we sat down.

Inside Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM

We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Legh Street. We turned left onto Sankey Street and right onto Earle Street and went onto Wharf Road. We turned left onto the A572 and we ran through Newton Common. We turned left onto Penkford Lane and we crossed over Collins Green. We continued onto Collins Green Lane and we turned left onto Lumber Lane. We ran to Fir Tree Lane and we ran up Burtonwood. We joined Chapel Lane and we veered right onto Gorsey Lane. We ran through Bold and turned right onto Neills Road and left onto the B5204. We turned right onto The Pastures and right onto the B5204. We turned right onto Helena Road and we ran down to St Helens Junction. We ran under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. After stopping briefly outside the railway station we turned right onto Station Road. We turned right Station Road. We ram through East Leake into West Leake and we turned right into the B5204. We ran through Sutton Leach. We turned left onto Leach Lane and we turned left onto Gerards Lane. We continued around onto Waterdale Crescent and we turned left onto Robins Lane. We turned right onto Baxters Lane and we turned right into Sutton Road along Worsley Brow. We turned left onto Baxters Lane and left onto Ellamsbridge Road. We turned left onto Peckers Hill Road and right onto Hoghton Road and up Parr. We turned left into Cecil Street and we continued around onto Watery Lane. We turned right onto Berrys Lane and we turned left onto Concourse Way. We turned left into Fleet Lane and right onto Ashtons Green Drive. We turned left onto the A572. We continued through Broad Oak to Parr. We turned left onto Granville Street and right onto Jackson Street. We turned left onto the A58 just outside of town and we ran into town and over the railway line along Corporation Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Arriva NW&W 2517 on the #33 to Sutton Heath. We walked up to Corporation Street to see what was parked up on layover. We saw Arriva NW&W 2990 about to work a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2990 in St Helens bus station

We walked onto Corporation Street to look at the vehicles on Layover. We saw required Arriva NW&W 4621 on layover in between runs on the #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4621 in St Helens bus station

We walked over to the stands where the #10/10A depart from, and we we walked up we saw Arriva NW&W 4441 on a #320 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 4441 in St Helens bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4615 on a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of town past Nando's and onto the A58. We followed the road left on the roundabout and we ran out of town. The road split into separate carriageways and ran around a short one-way section of road like a giant elongated roundabout. When the two carriageways joined together we carried on past Thatto Heath into Whiston past the Spar shop. At the big roundabout we went along St Helens Road and right onto High Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4615 before it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in Prescot

Once off the bus, we popped into the Sun Inn where Matthew went to the toilet before we had a can of Coke from behind the bar. After Matthew had drank the Coke we went back outside to meet uncle Dave. We decided to go back to the same bus stop and catch another #10A further on towards Liverpool. There was a display at the bus stop and it said that the next #10A would be a Stagecoach one. A few minutes later we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4435 on a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4435 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We ran out of Prescot and we ran forwards onto the A58 and we crossed over the M57. We continued a further mile or so into Page Moss. We travelled along the dual carriageway for a further mile or so and we entered the Dovecot area and we continued for another mile past Alder Hay hospital and into the bustling region of old Swan by the out ring road. We crossed the ring road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4435 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4435 in Old Swan

We walked around the corner and we waited for the next Southbound bus. there was a bit of a gap in the service and we had to wait around 20 minutes. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4445 on a #81A to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4445 in Old Swan

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set of down the ring road and we ran southwards towards Broadgreen. instead of continuing along over the fly over the bus diverts down onto the roundabout below where we saw Arriva NW&W 4661 on a #68 to Aigburth Vale. We rejoined the A5058 and we ran South into Childwall. At Childwall Fiveways we ran onto Childwall Prior Road. We ran forwards onto Childwall Park Avenue and at the roundabout we went left onto Woolton Road. We ran forwards for another 1/2 mile and then we came back into familiar teritory as we passed Gateacre Brow where the #89 turns towards Belle Vale. We continued along the road into Woolton and we ran forwards for a further mile into Hunts Cross. I was hoping the the bus would stopped near the the railway station but the bus turned right onto the A562 and we got up and got off the bus. I reckoned we had 10 minutes before the #89 so we crossed the road and visited the Co-operative Food store on the other side of the road. Mathew had a can of Coke an a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We crossed back over to wait for the next #89 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4439 on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4439 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set of down North up Speke Road into Woolton and we continued forwards the B5171. We followed the road to the right onto Gateacre Brow and we ran down the hill towards Belle Vale. We called at the Belle vale bus station and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road and we ran north under the M62 and forwards onto Wheat Hill Road. at the end we turned left onto the B5080 and we ran North West up to the Crofters Arms. At the roundabout we turned right onto the B5199 before turning right into Huyton bus station and we saw the #89 on stand. We got up and got off the bus but the #89 to Liverpool Airport left before we could get to it. We decided to go outside the bus station and take a few picture whilst we waited for the next #10B. Whilst there we saw Arriva NW&W 3163 on a #8 to Liverpool. We walked into the bus station and we only had to wait for a short while before required Arriva NW&W 4675 on a #10B to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4675 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4675 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4675

Arriva NW&W 4675 in Dovecot

Stagecoach Merseyside 10842 in Dovecot

Kings Travel BX08 UYU in Dovecot

Stagecoach Merseyside 10832 in Dovecot

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 10832

Arriva NW&W 724 in St Helens bus station

Once we had filled up we continued along the A49 to Newton. We turned right onto the A49 and as we travelled Southwards. We continued South to Winwick and we veered left onto the A49 link road. We joined the M6 at junction 22 and we headed Southwards. As we travelled Southwards on the M6 we saw an unidentified Happy Als, Selwyn's BV19 XSB(#550) / BV19 XRZ(#120), an unidentified black coach, The Big Coach Company SV08 DHE and an unidentified white minibus(ex Sheffield City Council). At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. On the A500 we saw silver minibus BG07 XCN and ERS Medical YJ21 FWW. We came off the A500. We turned left onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road, We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his roon to watch TV and chill out. Matthew went up to his room to use his computer and watch buses. We saw Z Carz YJ12 SGV. Matthew listened to music on the computer. He also had a slice of chocolate cake. 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 St Helens / Huyton 11-02-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2729	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
4621	St Helens BS	Prescot, adj Church Street	10A	Arriva NW&W
2696	Prescot BS	Huyton BS	89	Arriva NW&W
2983	Huyton BS	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W
4615	St Helens BS	Prescot, adj Church Street	10	Arriva NW&W
2696	Prescot BS	Prescot, Queens Road	89	Arriva NW&W
27707	Prescot, Eccleston Street	St Helens BS	10A	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cold cloudy weather occasion snow flurries in the North West and Midlands. The weather appeared a little better in the North West as long as we stayed clear of the Pennines. We gave Matthew a list of destinations in the area and from the list Matthew chose St Helens. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we ran down to the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the A50 and we went Westwards to the A500. At Sideway we turned right and we ran up the A500 and we saw Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU. We went North to Wolstatnton where we came off to get diesel at Asda. After we had filled up we got back onto the Northbound A500. We continued up to the M6 and we saw silver taxi minibus P40 CSH. As we joined the M6 we saw Woodstones coach BK15 AZO. As we travelled North we saw The Traveller Choice (National Express) PO12 GWJ, Howards double decker F19 HOW, Holmeswood coaches PO16 HTF, an unidentified Tyrers coach and a couple of unidentified Doig's of Glasgow coaches. We came off the M6 onto the Westbound M62 and we ran one junction to the A49. At Winwick we went North up to Newton-le-Willows. After we ran through town we turned left where we saw Hilton's Travel XIL 1581. We went Westwards to Earlestown. We ran into the centre of Earlestown along Market Street and Tamworth Street and we parked up in the car park. As it was the first time we had been to Earlestown since the opening of the new Wetherspoons, we decided to eat there at The Nine Arches. When we went inside the building Matthew headed straight to the toilet. Afterwards Matthew had a burger and chip which he washed down with a glass of Coke. When it was time to go we said goodbye to mum and we went outside to the bus station. there were two bus about to leave towards St Helens. Arriva NW&W 2580 was about to work a #34 service and Arriva NW&W 2729 was about to do the #20.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in Earlestown bus station

We made a split-second decision on which bus to catch, and we decided to go with the oldest bus Arriva NW&W 2729.We got on the bus and we purchased Arriva NW&W Day Saver tickets at £5.30 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and went onto Market Street. A quick check of the Buses I have Travelled on page revealed that we had made the wrong choice! Arriva NW&W 2580 was a required bus, whereas we had done Arriva NW&W 2729 before from St Helens to New Boston back in October 2013. We turned onto the A572 and we turned onto Vista Road. We ran North for around 3/4's of a mile and then we turned left onto the A599. We ran through new Boston into Haydock and as we passed the Tesco superstore we saw an unidentified white coach parked in the car park on the opposite side of the road. We continued into St helens and we passed an number of buses on outwards bound #320 services to Wigan. Travelling Eastwards were Arriva NW&W 2496/2695/2965/2987. We also saw required Arriva NW&W Volvo B10 on a #20 to Earlestown. We joined the A58 just outside of town and we ran into town and over the railway line along Corporation Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street and into the bus station. We let the bus empty out and then Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2729.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2729

Once we got off the bus we had a quick look around to see what we could catch. Just behind us was Arriva NW&W 719 which had just arrived. It was about to work the next #17 service to Widnes.

Arriva NW&W 719 in St Helens bus station

In front of us was Arriva NW&W 2965 which we had followed into town from Haydock. It was about to work the next #320 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2965 in St Helens bus station

Leaving the bus station was Hatton's Travel MV54 AOC which was on a #12 town circular service.

Hatton's Travel MV54 AOC in St Helens bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to use the toilet so we walked up to the tardis style toilet on the corner of Corporation Street. Once again it was out of order. I suggested to Matthew that we catch a bus quickly to somewhere else where there was a toilet. It was a plan he agreed to. We considered our options... We could go to Earlestown or Prescot. The #34 about to depart was Ex Winsford allocated and very dud Arriva NW&W 2498. There was a double decker coming around on a #10A to Liverpool so we decided to head up to prescot. We hurried down the bus station to get on required Arriva NW&W 4621.

Arriva NW&W 4621 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4621.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4621

The bus set off out of the bus station through town and past the new Nando's and Cinema. We joined the A58 and we ran Westwards before we turned off the main road to head towards Thatto Heath down Lugsmore Lane where we passed Cumfybus YS02 UCC on a #139 to St Helens. We continued South through Nutgrove and over the railway line at Rainhill. Here we joined the A57 for the run towards Prescot. We passed Whiston hospital where we saw silver shuttle buses 1/2/3, We went around the town to the North and we got up and got off the bus just to the North of the bus station. We popped into the Sun Inn where Matthew went to the toilet before we had a can of Coke from behind the bar. We decided to walk into the bus station just off Church Street and as we walked down we saw there was a #89 to Liverpool John Lennon airport. Opposite to that we saw Halton Transport 8 on a #61 to Widnes.

Halton Transport 8 in Prescot bus station

We decided to go for the #89 service, which was required Arriva NW&W 2696.

Arriva NW&W 2696 in Prescot bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Sewell Street. We ran past Tesco and the retail park and past the business park. We turned right onto Carr Lane and at the end we turned left onto Huyton Lane. We crossed over the M57 and we ran into Huyton. We turned left into Lathhom Road running past the shops and police station. We ran around McDonalds and we entered the bus station. When the bus came onto stand we got off the bus and we set off out off the bus station to a position where we could take bus pictures. On the way we spotted HTL buses BF62 JZW on a #245 Huyton circular service.

HTL buses BF62 JZW in Huyton bus station

We stood at the East end of the bus station and we took a few pictures. We saw Cumfybus MX04 VLU on a #139 to Liverpool.

Cumfybus MX04 VLU in Huyton bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Halton Transport 26 on a #61 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 26 in Huyton bus station

Have seen a #89 to St Helens when we arrived we looked up the timetable to see that the buses run every 20 minutes during the daytime. Around 5 minutes before the bus was due, we walked back over to the other side of the bus station to wait for the bus to arrive. The bus was a few minutes late, presumably due to heavy traffic in Liverpool city centre. When it arrived we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2983.

Arriva NW&W 2983 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go to Prescot on this or St Helens and he said St Helens. This was a bus we had been on before From St Helens to New Boston back in July 2012. The bus set off out of town and onto Huyton Lane. We came into Prescot from the South and into Prescot bus station. The bus then set off out of town towards the hospital like a #10A does and then it turns left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58 at the same junction where the #10A deviates from the A58, albeit from a different road. We continues into town along the A58 and we passed through the town before circle around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we cold enter the bus station from the East end. The bus emptied out on the stand and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2983 before we got off it.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2983

When we got off the bus it had just turned 16:00 and on a dull day in early February it was starting to get a little dark. We decided to do one last quick out and back to try and get a couple more new buses in for the day. At the top end of the bus station Arriva NW&W 2729 was about to do another trip on the #20 to Earlestown so we decided against doing that. We saw another double decker coming on stand so we decided to do a quick out and back to Prescot. The bus pulled onto the stand and it was required Arriva NW&W 4615 on the more direct #10 service to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. Once again the top deck of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4615.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4615

We set off into the town centre and we cam out of the other side and we joined the A58. As we left town we saw St Helens welfare bus WX07 UHW. It was now pretty much a straight run along a twisty A road, just to the North of Prescot we took the link road from the A58 to the A57. We turned left onto the A57 and then we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4615 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in Prescot

I asked Matthew if he wanted do a #89 or a #10/10A back to St Helens and he chose a #89, so we walked down Church Street into the bus station. We had around 10 minutes to wait for the next #89 bus. Whilst we waited we saw Halton Transport 70 on a #61 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 70 in Prescot bus station

A few minutes later and we saw the bus approaching... it was dud Arriva NW&W 2696 that we had been on earlier in the day!

Arriva NW&W 2696 in Prescot bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. As we set off up onto Church Street and turned right we decided to only do this a few stops and then get off for a following #10A service, as it would be our last chance to get another we bus in today. We passed St Helen's Road where the #10 service turns, and we got up and got off the bus. It just so happened that the bus stop was right next to a Co-operative Food store. We went into the shop and Matthew had a can of \Coke and a small bottle of Fanta as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We paid for the the shopping and then we went outside. We noticed that there was no #10A times at this bus stop, so we decided that the bus must stop at the other stop we could see about 150yds away. On the way to that bus stop, we stopped to take a picture of Halton Transport 88 which was at the bus stop opposite to us on a #61A to Huyton.

Halton Transport 88 in Prescot

We arrived at the stop and we there was a house with a garden next to it where a sausage dog took exception to Matthew's noise and barked frantically. The owner of the dog rapidly called the dog inside the house... The #10A service is another quality bus partnership bus service where Stagecoach tickets are valid on Arriva buses and vice versa. The next bus to show up was a Stagecoach single decker... We asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes so we flagged the bus down. As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Merseyside 27707.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27707 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up the High Street and we went straight onto the A57. We ran South Eastwards out of town past Whiston Hospital and down towards Rainhill railway station. we turned left onto Rainhill Road and we went North towards Thatto heath. We crossed the railway and we went North to the A58. At the junction we turned right and we ran into the Western end of St Helens. After running though the shopping centre of town and we passed the town hall before running in along Bickerstaffe Street and Corporation Street. We let the bus empty out and matthew tooka picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 27707.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 27707

before we went back to the car we took a few more bus pictures. On layover on Corporation Street was Arriva NW&W 717 which was about to work a #30 service to chain Lane.

Arriva NW&W 717 in St Helens bus station

We walked along Corporation Street to the car which mum had driven up from Earlestown to meet us. We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs Sausage Roll and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We drove along Corporation Street and onto the Eastbound A58. At the next junction we went Eastwards along the A572 through Earlestown and into Newton-le-Willows. We turned right onto the A49 and we went South passing Arriva NW&W 2716 on a #34 to St Helens. We followed the A49 South to Winwick and then Eastwards to the M6. We joined the Southbound M6 and we ran through the nigh towards home. At junction 19 we saw Mullany's Coaches PO12 YLT join the motorway just ahead of us. We continued South down to the A500 and the went South to Sideway. As we joined the A50 we saw an unidentified Steve Aitkin coach. We went Eastwards along the A50 and we came off at Longton so that we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row we saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV10 OTM.

Z Carz LV10 OTM in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

we also saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY with its lights on.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the second row was Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked in the compound. On the road we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

In the compound was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We turned around and we got back onto the Westbound A50. We ran fast to Heron Cross before going onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and right onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:15. 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 00:00... Mark