Trip to Scarborough / Talke 27-08-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
EGZ 1850	Fenton	Scarborough	Charter	Stanways
EGZ 1850	Scarborough	Fenton	Charter	Stanways

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going to Scarborough. He was also going to out for tea later. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew went to Scarborough. We went downstairs and out of the residential unit. We set off on foot onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We waited for the coach to appear. When the coach came it was Stanways Coaches coach EGZ 1850. We got on the coach and we sat down. We set off onto Glebdale Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill onto the A52. We crossed over the A500 and we got onto the Northbound A500. We ran North up the the motorway and we joined the Northbound M6. We ran Northwards to junction 21A and we got onto the Eastbound M62. After passing around North manchester on the M60 we continued along the M62. We stopped at the Birch services and Matthew went to the toilet. We continued along the M62 to the South end of Leeds and we joined the Northbound M1. We ran to the end and we joined the Northbound A1(M). We ran Northwards for a junction and we joined the Eastbound A64. We ran around the South side of York and around Malton. We continued through Seamer and into Scarborough. We ran into town and we parked at the Williams Street coach park. We got off the coach and we walked across Castle Road onto Aberdeen Walk. We went into the shopping centre Matthew went to KFC. He went to the toilet and we ordered the food. Matthew had a chicken burger and fries washed down with a cup of Pepsi. When we had finished eating we went down onto Falconers Road and we saw EYMS 509 on a #165 Park and ride service. We walked down Vernon Road and onto the seafront. We saw EYMS 380 on a #8 to Throxenby. We stopped at the Olympia and Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew had a go on the penny falls machines. He played a game of pool. We walked back down the seafront. We walked back up Vernon FRoad and towards the coach park and the return journey was on Stanways Coaches EGZ 1850. We got on the coach and we ran down to the A64. We ran out of town through Seamer and around the Malton by-pass. We ran to the South of York and we joined the A1(M). We ran Southwards for a junction and we joined the Southbound M1. Near to the Southern side of Leeds we joined the Westbound M62. We stopped at Birch service and Matthew went to the toilet. We continued westwards along the M62 and we rounded the North side of Manchester on the M60. We continued onto the Westbound M62 and we joined the Southbound M6. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. We travelled South through Longport and Etruria and we cam off the A500 at Stoke. We turned left onto the A52 and we ran forwards up City Road into Fenton. We stooped on Christchurch Street and we got off the coach. Matthew returned to the residential unit. We turned left onto Temple Street. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room. Matthew chilled out on his computer and watched buses out of the window whilst he waited for me to pick him up. We saw First Potteries 63173 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63173 in Fenton

Also see was Afford rent-a car HN16 CMY going towards Hanley.

Afford rent-a car HN16 CMY in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw white minibus NV07 GVN going towards Longton.

NV07 GVN in Fenton

A few minutes later I turned up with uncle Dave. We went downstairs and we got into the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and we saw Afford rent-a-car YT18 GYJ at the garage. We ran down the hill and under the railway line into Stoke. We crossed over the A500 and we went around the one-way system. We ran up the hill into Hartshill and we continued to the edge of Newcastle. We ran forwards onto the One-way systen and we turned right onto Ryecroft. We turned right onto the A34 and we saw First Potteries 67661 at the depot. We ran North up the A34 through Crackley and over the A500 into Talke. At the junction we followed the A34 to the right and we stopped at the pub. Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards he had a glass of Coke. For tea Matthew had a carvery. After having a re-fill of Coke, Matthew had choclate fudge cake and custard for afters. When we had finished we returned to Fenton in the car. We set off down the A34 and we followed it to the left. We ran through Talke and over the A500 into Crackley. We continued down through Bradwell and Cross Heath and into Newcastle. As we passed the depot where we saw First Potteries 67637 parked up at the garage. We turned left onto Ryecroft and at the roundabout we turned right onto Barracks Road. We saw D&G Bus 35 on a #25 to Crewe. We continued onto the Southbound A34 and we turned left onto The Avenue. Travelling up towards Hartshill. At the end we turned right onto Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. We turned right onto Elenora Street and we followed the road around onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 onto City Road and we went under the railway line. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went up to Matthew's room and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew also drank a can of Irn Bru. After doing a couple of entries I left and Matthew chilled out in his room watching television and using his computer. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Birkenhead 04-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
61563	Birkenhead BS	Woodchurch, Home Farm Road (N-bound)	41	First Manchester
61563	Woodchurch, Home Farm Road (N-bound	Birkenhead BS	41	First Manchester
208	Birkenhead BS	Bromborough, Spital Road (W-bound)	40	Avon Buses
60076	Bromborough, Spital Road (E-bound)	Birkenhead BS	42	First Manchester
4420	Birkenhead BS	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop A)	437	Arriva NW&W
509	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop A)	Birkenhead, nr Claughton Road	293	Avon Buses

Today we deiced to go out towards Birkenhead to do a few more buses. After breakfast at the B&B we sat in the room for a short while and Matthew took some picture from the window. One such picture was Jones minibus R429 UCH which parked up for a while on the corner of Delamere Street.

Jones R429 UCH in Delamere Street, Chester

Shortly afterwards we set off North up the A56 and then on to the M53. We got into Birkenhead around 10:00 and parked in the small car park between Wilko and the bus station. First thing to do was to get a Saveaway ticket. we walked across to Conway Street railway station to pick up a ticket. whilst we were there Matthew used the facilities. We saw z carz BV51 BNO and then we saw and photographed a National Express coach parked up opposite the station. We walked back across to the bus station and almost immediately we saw First Manchester 61563 on a Woodchurch service.

First Manchester 61563 in Birkenhead bus station

We did the service out and back, mainly because we had never been in this direction before and didn't know the area. Had we had known we we could have gotten off and caught the #90 service operated by Avon buses which we passed as we went around the estate. When we got back Matthew got another picture of this bus.

61563 leaving Birkenhead bus station

We then we had to make a decision on what to do next. There was an Arriva Enviro 400 on the #41 to Clatterbridge. When we went to catch it it pulled off. We then saw Avon 208 on a #40 Mill Park. As we have never done a Avon bus before it was required. As we got on the bus we grabbed a timetable from the timetable display case adjacent to the stop. As we travelled down I worked out that we could go to Bromborough Cross for a First bus back. We got off and crossed of the road to wait for the return service. When it appeared we saw it was First Manchester 60076.

First Manchester 60076 in Bromborough

It was disappointingly not required! We have had so few bus from Rock Ferry the chances of not getting a required one were very slim. The last time we had been on this bus it was operated by First Potteries back in 2008. When we got back we decided to do one last out and back before dinner. We used the facilities in the bus station before spotting an Arriva Enviro 400 on a #437 to West Kirby. We got on Arriva NW&W 4420 and I checked to see if this bus was required. luckily it was so off we went. As we left birkenhead we passed Arriva 4202 on an opposite working. It was a fine sunny day and along the route there were many pubs decorated ready for Jubilee celebrations. When we got to West Kirby Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4420

Before he could get a picture of the outside of the bus, it went off empty. Just behind that was Avon buses 509. It was a required bus and also it was one of their older vehicle so we decided to do this back to Birkenhead.

Avon Buses 509 in West Kirby

This also shaved a bit of time of the expected return time that I had texted to mum despite a longer route. We passed Arriva 4200 on a #437, making 2 wright bodied buses on the route today. We got off on the road behind the bus station and Matthew got a picture of the inside as it emptied out.

Inside 509

We then returned to the car. We had planned on having dinner at a sizzling pub on the A552 near the motorway. As it was a nice day we wanted to eat outside. Unfortunately the only tables you could eat at were well away from the road and so would be any good for Matthew to see buses. we drove on and found another sizzling pub near to Arrowe Park hospital. On the route of the #293 and #423. Matthew had Gammon and egg, and for after the biggest slice of chocoloate fudge cake i have ever seen! By the time we had eaten it was around 15:00 so we decided to go back to Chester. We had a chill out in the room for a couple of hours, and as a change from going on buses we decided to go for a drive. Setting off around 18:00, we went up the Wirral. We travelled through Neston, Parkgate and then Heswall. We had a brief stop in the Wirral country park at a place called Thurstaston. We stopped briefly had a quick walk around and Matthew decided he need the toilet. We were able to use the one in the cafe despite it being closed! we then looked for something to eat. we tried to find a pub it didn't seem to be suitable for our needs. We decided to abandon the plan to go to a pub and instead we decided to drive towards Chester and then find a chip shop to get some chip and go back to the room. Mum used an App on her phone find one in the village of Little Neston. We found the chippy and the chips were that hot and fresh we were able to get back to the room and they were still hot! After we had eaten we settled down for the night, getting ready for the drive home tomorrow..Mark

Trip to Oswestry 20-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
R794 WOY	Blurton	Oswestry	Charter	Lightning Travel
510	Oswestry BS	Llynclys	445	Tanat Valley
509	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	445	Tanat Valley
2737	Oswestry BS	Chirk	2A	Arriva Midlands
2740	Chirk	Oswestry BS	2	Arriva Midlands
R794 WOY	Oswestry	Blurton	Charter	Lightning Travel

Today we decided not to follow he crowds to Chester for the official farewell of 30069/30077 as we have already been on these and there was also a busy race meeting in town to contend with. So we gave Matthew a few choices of places he could go today and he chose Oswestry. Reseach consisted of printing an Arriva Oswestry route map out, and also the Tanat Valley timetables for D71 445 and 449. We set off on R794 WOY at around 12:00 picking some sausage rolls up from Hanford Wrights Pies on the way. The route was via the A53, A51 and then A525 and A495. In Ellesmere we passed a Challinor coach and also Tanat Valley 258 on the #449 service. We stopped for dinner on the way this time in a pub called 'Ye olde boote' in Whittington. We had baguettes and chips which from £5 to £6 depending on the filling. we all ate for just over £22 pound. The food was nice and plentiful, but it wasn't the type of food we would normally order when out with Matthew and we had to change things around to find a meal he would eat. After the meal we continues on to Oswestry and we parked up around 14:30. We saw Tanat Valley 214 depart on the d71 service, and we also saw Arriva Midlands 2295 on a #402 town circular service.


2295 on a #402 Oswestry town circular (Matt)

Remembering how thing work I realised that we only had a few minutes before the #445 service was due to depart. We saw the required double decker 510 about to go onto stand so we raced up to the stop. I don't think Matthew was quite on plan, but he eventually got on the bus and we sat upstairs. Last time we did this service it was a lynx! Matthew got a picture of the inside the top deck of the bus as we rode out to Llynclys


Inside Tanat Valley 510, top deck (Matt)

Last time we had done this and the D71 buses, both left Oswestry packed. Today the #445 was lightly loaded with a double decker.


Tanat Valley 510 in Llynclys (Matt)

We alighted outside the white Lyon and then crossed the road. It took a couple of minutes to get across because of traffic. as we had made good time we had around 5 minutes to wait for the return to Oswestry. It was a great surprise to see another double decker, 509 on the inbound service.


Tanat Valley 509 on a Oswestry bound #445 service (Matt)

The return was also lightly loaded but this comes as no surprise on a service which is basically a shoppers bus heading towards the shops in the late afternoon. before we got off matthew of course photographed the inside of this bus too...


Inside 509 (Matt)

When we got back after such a fast-paced move I hoped to have a few minutes to re-group and work out what we were going to catch. Matthew spotted 258 now parked up between duties.


Tanat Valley 258 between duties (Matt)

Matthew made a quick decision that he wanted to do the bus that was in the bus station. It was Arriva Midlands 2737 which was on a #2A to Wrexham. I decided that with an approx 30 minute frequency on the 2/2A to Wrexham, we could do this to Chirk and could get back easily. I think Matthew want to go to Wrexham in the future, but today that wasn't going to be able to do that. we got on the bus and it was quite well filled by the time it left town. and when we got off the bus was still quite full.


Arriva Midlands 2737 in Chirk (Matt)

In Chirk we the Spar shop. Matthew helped me take some money out of the cash machine and the we got lottery tickets and he chose some Coke from the shop fridge. we crossed the road and then had an approx 10 minute wait for a return bus, this time a #2. The bus appeared and it was 2740.


Arriva Midlands 2740 on a Oswestry bound #2 service (Matt)

We did this bus back into time and like the other inbound service it was nearly empty. The return service was via Gobowen and a hospital. I did briefly consider getting off at Gobowen for a #53 bus. At Oswestry, Matthew photographed the empty inside of the bus.


Inside 2740 (Matt)

We then got off and he got another picture of the outside for good measure...


2740 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

Matthew wanted to go to Morrison's to do some shopping with mum and he brought a sizable amount of pop! We walked back via the bus station and we saw Shrewsbury's 2347 on a service 576.


2347 on a service #576 to Shrewsbury (Matt)

We then returned to the car to eat sausages rolls before driving back around 16:30. as we got in the car a #576 appeared so we could have gotten off at Gobowen and we wouldn't have had to wait too long. The return journey on R794 WOY was quite uneventful, and we got back home around 17:50...Mark

Trip the Shrewsbury 23-01-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2705	Harlescott Park & Ride	Castle St, Shrewsbury	Orange	Arriva Midlands
6008	Shrewsbury BS	Radbrook, Crowmeole Lane Jct (opp)	20	Arriva Midlands
6002	Radbrook, Radbrook College (opp)	Shrewsbury BS	12	Arriva Midlands
2723	Shrewsbury BS	Whitchurch Road, Rosedale Jct (opp)	24	Arriva Midlands

Matthew had indicated in the week that he wanted to go to Shrewsbury. Mum had been to college on the Thursday to see Matthew using an iPod Touch and software as a communication aid. When asked where Matthew would like to go, he typed "pub" into the iPod. Mum said he go go the a pub on saturday, and he typed "Sat town". Mum reeled off a list of some of the places he usually goes to and when mum said "Shrewsbury", Matthew repeated it back to her. Having made that decision on Thursday, I did some research on buses and times and also to see if Shrewsbury Town were playing at home. Shrewsbury were at home to Dagenham & Redridge, so I knew there would be few extra buses around on the Prostar Stadium park & ride services. Setting off a fraction before 12:00, first stop was to be a pub in order for us all to have lunch. We choose the Elephant and castle pub in Shawbury, just a few Miles north of Shrewsbury.



Elephant & castle (Matthew)

We all chose Breakfast, except Uncle Dave who had a sausage sandwich. The meals were around £5 and were OK. Unusually, Matthew did not photograph his meal or the sink in the toilets! After we had finished, we made the short trip to the Harlescott park and ride car park. Immediately as we got there, there were 2 buses on the Prostar park and ride service. They were Tanat Valley double decker 510, and coach E131 PLJ



Tanat valley 510 (Matthew)

Shortly after this, weed travelled on the park and ride for the first time. Arriva Midlands 2705 was the bus that we caught and, it was painted in the blue Park & ride livery. When we reached Shrewsbury, we discovered that this bus did not go into the bus station, so we alighted and castle street and walk through an alleyway and down some steps to the bus station. The alleyway passes behind the back of the bus parking area, and you can photograph buses quite well of this raised area. Eventually, when in the bus station we spent half an hour just looking at and photographing buses, the best of which was Tanat Valley 509, another double decker on a Prostar Stadium park & Ride.



Tanat valley 509 (Matthew)

Mum was getting bored and wanted to go to do some shopping so we decide to go on a quick out and back bus journey. Bus timetables consulted, we decided to do a #20 to Radbrook College for a #12 back. 6008 turned up on the #20 and we did this to the stop after Radbrook college.



Arriva Midlands 6008 pulls away from Radbrook, Crowmeole Lane Jct (opp) stop (Matthew)

Now, we were using the tiny little maps that are provided on Arriva timetables, which are really useful to see which services travel along which roads. What we did not anticipate is the scale of the map! We crossed the road, and waited at the bus stop, only to see the #12 appear from the next street closer to Shrewsbury...Drat! As we walked back up the hill towards the next stop, the #20 that we had caught out of Shrewsbury passed us on it's return...Double drat! There ensued a best part of 30 minutes wait for the next #12...Still, whilst we were waiting, we did see a coach and saw a Minsterley motors services which we may be able to catch next time we visit Shrewsbury...Eventually 6002 arrived on the #12.




Arriva Midlands 6002 arrives at Radbrook, Radbrook College (opp) stop (Matthew)

Eventually, we get back to Shrewsbury bus station and we passed the reason why that traffic around town has been so bad today. On 3rd January, there had been a gas explosion that I remember seeing on the local news. The demolition work being carried out because of this meant that all southbound traffic towards the Welsh Bridge had been diverted around town. When we got back in the bus station we told Matthew he could catch 1 more bus in the direction of Harlescott. he spent a further 20 minutes taking bus photos, the best of which were Tanat Valley 230 and Arriva Midlands 2359.



Tanat valley 230 in Shrewsbury bus station (Matthew)



Arriva Midlands 2359 Leaves Shrewsbury bus station on an #8 service (Matthew)


He chose to catch a #24 to Moston Road. Once again, I used the Arriva map to try and work out which stop to get off at, before the bus turned into a housing estate off the main road north out of Shrewsbury. Once again I got off at the wrong stop (one stop too short!). Mum said she was going to kick me every time we passed a bus stop between where we got off and the car, for making her walk too far. We passed 3, though strictly speaking, only the one stop was on the #24 route...
Mattthew photographed a plastic sheep, a few buses and then barged his way into the bus drivers crew hut at the park & ride. Thankfully they took it in good spirits! :-)



Plastic Sheep, corner of Harlescott Tesco (Matthew)



Arriva Midlands Park & ride 2707 at Harlescott (Matthew)

All that was left was the drive back home... (Mark)