Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 16-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
27777	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Stagecoach Merseyside
4481	Chester BS	Shotton, Deeside Retail Park	11	Arriva NW&W
3145	Shotton, Chester Road West	Garden City, Post Office	10	Arriva NW&W
4643	Garden City, Post Office	Wepre, War Memorial	10	Arriva NW&W
2685	Wepre, War Memorial	Queensferry, Station Road Q4	10A	Arriva NW&W
4540	Queensferry, Solar Services	Chester BS	11	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port and Chester for the first time in a long time. Research consisted of checking what ticket we needed, Checking the car parking in Chester and checking the Weather, which was for dry cool weather with some sunshne. Matthew wokw up at 08:00 to have his medication and then got up around 09:30. We had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off around 12:00. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. 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 joined the Northbound A500. On the A500 we saw AJS Passenger Travel AJ54 BUZ, Rothwells RIB 4404 / FJ06 ZKU, Alpine ??23 ?? and grey minibus BP72 VFT. We joined the Northboumnd M6 and we headed up to juncction 20. Travelling up the M6 we saw Eavesway EV62 WAY, silver taxi minibus reg like SM13 KSV, Selwyns BV67 JXY(#540), Bakers Dolphin BD14 GLD, Little Mick's Knights HY67 FCG, Lochs and Glens SJ22 GZG, 33??? E400 ex first and white coach. We joined the Westbound M56 and we passed the site of a new McDonalds. We got 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. Once out of the car we saw grey minibus CX73 ZKW parked up.

CX73 ZKW in Ellesmere Port

Behind this we saw brown minibus DA22 KWF.

DA22 KWF 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 4640 on a #5 to Mold. We turned right onto Civic Way and we waited for a bus towards Chester. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 on a #6 to Little Sutton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 in Ellesmere Port bus station

A short time later we had 2 buses to choose from. The first bus was Stagecoach Merseyside 10882 on a #1 to Chester. As we were considering doing this another bus turned up. We saw it was Stagecoach 27777 on a #2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27777 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus expecting to pay, but the ticket machine was broken and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned right onto Stanney Lane and we turned left onto the A5032 traveling Southwards. We turned right onto Overpoll Road and we weaved through the estate before we came out on the A41. We traveled South before turning right onto the A5116. We passed the Countess of Chester hospital and we ran into town passed the former Stagecoach bus depot which is now student accomodation. We continued and into town along Northgate. We crossed over the ring road on Northgate and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15567 on a #84 to Crewe.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15567 in Chester bus station

Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards he went into the cafe and had a slice of Victoria sponge and a can of Coke. On layover in between service was M & H Coaches SK18 TKD.

M & H Coaches SK18 TKD in Chester bus station

We had already decided that we were going to do an Arriva bus. Whilst we chose what we were going to catch we saw Arriva NW&W 2665 on a #4 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2665 in Chester bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Merseyside 44026 on a staff shuttle service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 44026 in Chester bus station

We crossed over the other side of the bus station to wait for a bus towards Wales. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 10573 on layover in between runs on the X1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10573 in Chester bus station

We saw the arrive on the bus station. It went on layover for a short while and then came on stand. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4481 on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Chester bus station

We got on and we bought Arriva Chester Plus 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 passed the leisure centre. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4481 as it continued towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Shotton

Once off the bus we went to the petrol station. Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and some chocolate bars. We crossed over the road to the bus stop opposite. Matthew had his Galaxy Caramel and me and uncle Dave shared a Wispa Duo. We headed towards the centre of Shotton. We went under the railway line and we went into Wetherspoons. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a drink of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and walked to the nearest bus stop. We saw Arriva NW&W 2685 on a #10 to Connah's Quay. Whist we waited for an Arriva bus we saw P & O Lloyd YJ68 FSC on a #1 Deeside Shuttle.

P & O Lloyd YJ68 FSC in Shotton

A short time later we saw a bus apporoaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3145 on a #10 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3145 in Shotton

We got on thebus and we placed the Arriva Chester Plus Day Saver tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the B5129 passed under the railway at Shotton and we continued to Quensferry. We turned left into Station Road and we followed the road around onto Wales Coast Path and we continued to Garden City. Where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3145 as it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3145 in Garden City

We crossed over the road and we can see a double decker in the bus station in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4643 on a #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4643 in Garden City

We got on the bus and we placed the tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off the B5441 past a new housing estate. We carried on to into Queensferry. We crossed under the A494 and we turned left by Asda. A couple of stops towards Shotton. We continued into Wepre and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw grey minibus NK69 DYA. We walked past the site of a new Lidl and Costa Coffee. We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus back towards Chester. A short time later we saw a single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2685 on a #10A to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2685 in Wepre

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Chester Plus Day Savers under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the B5129 out of Wepre and we passed under the railway at Shotton and we continued to Quensferry. We turned left into Station Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2685 as it carried on towards Chester

Arriva NW&W 2685 in Queensferry

Once off the bus we walked along B5441 and we crossed over the road and onto the B5129. We walked to the stop near to the A494 roundabout and we waited for a bus towards Chester. We did not have to wait long before a bus appeared. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4540 on a #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4540 in Queensferry

We got on the bus and we flashed the Group day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down upstairs. We set off Southwards down the A550 and we passed under the A494. We ran up the hill into Hawarden and we turned left onto the B5125. We ran Eastwards towards BroughtonWe joined the A5104 and we entered the Bfrought Shopping Park onto the Eastbound A5104 and we passed through Salntey and into Lache. We entered England and Chester and at the big roundabout we turned left onto Grosvenor Road. We crossed over the River Dee and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Nicholas Street. We ran arounf to the North end of town and we turned right onto Upper Northgate Street. We turned left onto Delamere Street and we followed the road around onto George Street and we ran forwards onto Gorse Stacks. We pulled in to the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15585 on a #84 to Crewe.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15585 in Chester bus station

We walked through the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 26061 on a #16 to Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 26061 in Chester bus station

We headed to the car but Matthew needed the toilet so we dropped the bag off at the car and we crossed over Frodsham Street to the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we returned to the car. Wwe set off along Gorse Stacks and we turned left onto Frodsham Street. Something didn't sound right on the car so we turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto the A5116 and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran to a garage and we put some air into one of the tyres. It appeare to take air reasonable well so we decided to return caustiously along the A540 back towards Chester. We turned left onto the ring road and we joined the A51. We ran out of the city the Piper's Ash amd we crossed over the A55 just East of Chester and we continued along the Eastbound A51. We turned right to bypass Tarvin and we continued Eastwards along the A51. We turned right and headed Southwards down the A49. We continued past the A51 junction and we turned left onto School Lane and we ran into Bunbury. We stopped in the villge and we went to the chip shop. Once Matthew got his sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Irn Bru. We ran forwards Vicareage Lane and we stopped at the pub. We went inside and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back to the car and we saw grey minibus PL10 RYO parked up in the car park.

PL10 RYO in Bunbury

We got in the car and we set off along Vicarage Lane. We ran forwards onto Bowe's Gate Road and we ran through Gosland Green. We joined the A51 and we passed the site of a new Shell petrol station where work has statrted. We continued Nantwich by-pass and we ran around the North side of town and we joined the A500. We crossed under the M6 and we continued through Longport and Etruria into Stoke and we forgot to come off the A500 for uncle Dave. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we headed up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and left onto Grove Road and we ran into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave on the main road and we ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 17-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3007	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
673	Chester BS	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	12	Arriva NW&W
2794	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
4481	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	Chester BS	11	Arriva NW&W
4640	Chester BS	Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
4637	Shotton B&Q (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port and Chester. We had checked the weather for the North West and Midlands areas and the weather was predicted for cool cloudy weather with a small chance of some sunshine. We gave Matthew a list of place from the area that we could visit and from the list chose Ellesmere Port and Chester. Research consisted of having a quick look on the Dennis Dart Forum to see if there had been any recent changes and checking the Arriva website to look at the area of the Deeside Day Saver. Matthew got up just before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a few minutes before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we headed up to the A50. As a short run Westbound on the A50 we joined the Northbound A500. Traffic was moving well and we got up to the M6 in no time. Traffic was slow on the Northbound M6 at first. There had been an accident on the Northbound between 17 & 18 and the traffic was just starting to move after the clear up. As we passed Knutsford services I saw a coach join the M6 behind us. A few miles up the road we were caught by SMS X Travel Mercedes midi coach LN15 RYK.

SMS X Travel LN15 RYK on the M6

We carried a further few miles to junction 20 and we left the M6 to travel West on the M56. A few miles up the road we ground to a halt. There had been an accident between junction 10 & 11. After around 5 minutes standing the traffic started to move. We passed junction 11 where a very smashed up car had been moved over to the chevrons out of the way of the once stationary traffic. From there on we made good time... Up to the M53 and then into Ellesmere Port town along the A5032 and then we parked up near to the market. We went into the market and Matthew used the toilet before we went to the food court. We found a table and Matthew sat with uncle Dave and mum ordered the food and I carried the drinks back to the table. Matthew had a breakfast which he washed with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked passed the new Netto store (Netto?... I they had been brought out out by Asda) and into the bus station. The first thing we saw was GHA Solo T789 KNW about to work a #6 to Glenwood Road.

GHA T789 KNW in Ellesmere Port bus station

We walked to the top of the bus station and we took some pictures whilst we waited for the next Arriva bus to Chester. We saw another GHA Solo YM52 TPO on a service to Finney Grange.

GHA YM52 TPO in Ellesmere Port bus station

There was an older Stagecoach Merseyside Volvo B10BLE 21120 on #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21120 in Ellesmere Port

A few minutes later we saw GHA's former Brighton & Hove single decker R226 HCD on a #36 service to Runcorn.

GHA R226 HCD in Ellesmere Port

We then saw another of the Stagecoach Merseyside B10BLE, 21123 on a #2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21123 in Ellesmere Port

We walked down to the board to check the bus times. The #2 bus was every 20 minutes and Stagecoach and Arriva work alternate services. We had another 20 minutes to wait and we must have just missed one. Another former Brighton & Hove GHA single decker R217 HCD arrived on the #36 from Runcorn.

GHA R217 HCD in Ellesmere Port bus station

The time seemed to pass quite quickly and having seen required Arriva NW&W 3126 work a #2 towards Liverpool, we saw another Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva NW&W 3007.

Arriva NW&W 3007 in Ellesmere Port

We got on the bus and we brought Deeside Day Saver tickets at £4.50 each. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out off the bus station onto the Southbound A5032. A quick check of the Buses I have travelled on page revealed this bus to be a dud one. We had been on Arriva NW&W 3007 from New Brighton to Birkenhead back on October 2011. We travelled down the road a short distance to Whitby and we turned into Overpool Road. We turned into Hope Farm Road and we ran through a housing estate before emerging on the A41 out of Holm Oak Way. We then had a fast run along the A41 for around 3 miles before turning onto the A5116 for the run into Chester. As we started down the road we passed GHA coach FJ08 BYG. We ran into town and we passed the Stagecoach depot before we crossed the ring road and entered the town along Northgate. After we passed the old cinema which is now being converted back in to a theatre, we turned right into the narrow entrance of the bus station. Buses often used to drop passengers off at this point, but as the theatre refurbishment had taken over some of the bus station entrance road, it is impossible to stop here without blocking the entrance to the bus station. The bus went onto stand, and even had to reverse into the space as there was little room. Once the bus had stopped, the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3007.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3007

One we got off the bus we walked over to Matthew's usual perch on top of the concrete bunker that covers the stairway to the car park basement. Pretty much as soon as he sat down the buses started to come by as they left the bus station. On the Chester Sightseeing Tours was Stagecoach Merseyside ALX400 double decker 17479.

Stagecoach Merseyside 17479 in Chester bus station

This was followed by one of the new arrivals since Stagecoach took over from First, Stagecoach Merseyside Enviro200 36806 on a #16 to Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36806 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 3144 on a #1 to Blacon.

Arriva NW&W 3144 in Chester bus station

Dud Arriva NW&W arrived and came in on the #11 to Rhyl via Holywell. This was followed shortly by Arriva NW&W Solo 673 on a #12 to Connah's Quay. We decided to do the Solo as we haven't had many runs on the Chester Solo's. We crossed over the bus station and Matthew took a picture of the Solo before we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Chester bus station

We flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver and we purchased an addition piece for Matthew as we were crossing the border into another country... the bus set off out of the bus station and onto the anti-clockwise ring road. A quick check of the page and we discovered this bus was also dud... The bus stood for a while as there was a near gridlock for a short while. The #11 to Holywell which had left the bus station a few minutes before we did was only a few hundred yards ahead of us. As we slowly moved forwards in the traffic we saw a number of buses and coaches going the other way. We saw GHA coaches FJ06 GGU & FJ08 BYT on some kind of shuttle service, as well as GHA bus SN04 EFS. We also passed MacPherson coach BU59 MCL. We passed the only stop on the ring road and we moved over to the right hand lane and we started to move much faster. The bus turned right onto the the A483 and we went South over the river Dee. We turned right onto the A5104 and we passed through Lache before crossing the border into Welsh Wales and the town of Saltney. We trundlec through the town and as we passed Saltney Ferry the route become more rural and the bus was able to barrel along towards Broughton. The bus was now empty in front of and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 673.

Inside Arriva NW&W 673

As we got towards the roundabout near to the Broughton Shopping Park we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 673 as it carried on towards Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Broughton

Behind us at the stop was Arriva NW&W 4485 on the #11 to Holywell, which we had somehow passed as we travelled up to Broughton.

Arriva NW&W 4485 in Broughton

We had been on Arriva NW&W 4485 back in July 2015, as we caught ths bus from Chester to this very stop on the #11 to Holywell. We crossed the road which was surprisingly easy today, and we sat on the wall to wait for a bus towards Chester. We had just missed a #4 service, and there was a #4 due in around 5 minutes, this was to be followed shortly after that by a #11. We saw a single decker turn into the Shopping Park and we assumed this would be the #3. Matthew drank a small bottle of cola and we shared a couple of Milky ways between us. As the single decker came out of the shopping park we saw the following double decker enter it on the #11. The single decker re-joined the A5104 and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2794.

Arriva NW&W 2794 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. Unusually for a bus along this corridor it was nearly empty. As the bus was empty in front of us Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2794.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2794

The bus passed through Saltney and over the border into English England and into Lache, where we got up and got off the bus. We sat at the bus stop and almost immediately we saw the bus trundling down the road towards the border. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4481.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. Unusually the lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4481.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4481

We went upstairs and the rear of the upper saloon was empty too, so he took another picture inside Arriva NW&W 4481.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4481

The bus set off through Lache and left onto the A483. We crossed over the river Dee and we went clockwise around the ring road where we passed Hunters white coach L938 NWW going the other way. We turned into the bus station and we arrived on the stand where the #11 & #12 services depart from. Before we returned to the the perch we saw Stagecoach Merseyside #16 branded Enviro200 36803 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36803 in Chester bus station

Matthew sat back on his perch and we saw Pygalls blue coach K1 PYG on a feeder coach to Chester & Liverpool operating on behalf of National Holidays.

Pygalls K1 PYG in Chester bus station

Shortly afterwards we saw Stagecoach Merseyside Enviro300 bodied MAN single decker 24125 on a #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 24125 in Chester bus station

Dud Arriva NW&W 689 arrived on the #12 service. Neither of the buses going towards Broughton were required as the #11 was Arriva NW&W 4481 that we had just had into Chester. We decided to wait a few minutes to see what the next #10 or #10A service was going to be. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4640 on the #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4640 in Chester bus station

We walked over to the bus and we climbed aboard. We flashed the Deeside Day saver tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. These new buses are equipped with leather seats and plug sockets to charge electrical devices such as phones and laptops, they also have 2 + 1 on the top deck, so passengers on the right can sit on their own. Matthew chose to sit on one of these seats and we sat in front and behind him. Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of Arriva NW&W 4640.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4640

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned right onto Sealand Road and we headed out of town Westwards and we left the edge of town into rural Wales. We crossed the A494 and we stopped briefly in Garden City for a driver change. We carried on over the river Dee and into Queensferry. We turned right onto the B5129 and we went a few stops along the road before we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4640 as it carried on towards Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4640 in Shotton

As we were near to the Esso petrol station we went in to stock up the trip bag. Matthew had a can of Coke and and some chocolate as well as a Millionaires Shortbread. We crossed the road and we looked at the stop to see when the next Chester bound Arriva bus was due. There was a #10 due shortly, but before that was a Townlynx T1 service to Chester. We sat down at the stop and we saw the bus in the distabce as it got closer we saw that it was Townlynx Y978 WDM.

Townlynx Y978 WDM in Shotton

Not far behind that was required Arriva NW&W 4637 on a #10 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4637 in Shotton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today. Once again the lower saloon was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4637.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4637

The bus set off Eastwards down the B5129 and we turned left onto the B5441 to cross the river Dee and run through Garden City. We crossed over the A494 and we ran along fast straight rural road the Sealand and into the Western edge of Chester town As we got closer to the centre of town we saw the Halifax team coach coming out of Bumper's lane and going across Sealand Road towards the M56. We went over the railway line and canal and under the ring road. We turned right onto Canal Street and we turned into Northgate before going under the city wall and turning right into the bus station. We pulled onto the end stand and on adjacent stand was a GHA double decker. We got off the bus and we went over to the double decker. It was GHA Alexander double decker K129 DAO on the #82 to Northwich.

GHA K129 DAO in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 28550 on a #1 to Birkenhead.

Stagecoach Merseyside 28550 in Chester bus station

We headec into the car park where mum was waiting for us. We dropped of the bag and we visited the toilet before returning to the car. After validating the parking ticket we drove out of the car park and onto the ring road. We followed the road around town and we left Northwards past the railway station up the A56 and onto the M53. A single junction up we went onto the Eastbound M56. This time the road was relatively clear and we made good time as we went to the M6. We went South and down the M6 to junction 16. It was now dark as we went South down the A500. At Sideway we joined the A50 which we did up to Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. The minibuses are still parked in two rows and in the first row was the minibus we had seen earlier on the M6, Z Carz BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

The nearest minibus in the front row was Z Carz YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

Closest minibus on the second row was Z Carz Silver minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. The only minibus we could see was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We headed onto the high level A50 road and we went into Tesco to fill up with diesel. We left Tesco and we got onto the Westbound A50, which we come off at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we passed First Potteries 40367 on a #22 to Longton. We went forwards onto Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:20. 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 01:30... Mark