Trip to Birkenhead / West Kirby 09-06-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4533	Birkenhead BS	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop B)	437	Arriva NW&W
255	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop B)	Heswall BS	22	Avon
4503	Heswall BS	Prenton, Osmaston Road	472	Arriva NW&W
2958	Prenton, Curzon Road	Woodside BS	413	Arriva NW&W
2601	Woodside BS	Seacombe Ferry	411	Arriva NW&W
2545	Seacombe Ferry	Birkenhead BS	409	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Birkenhead. We gave Matthew a list of place to visit in the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose Birkenhead. Research consisted of checking the weather, which was for warm suuny weather mainly dry and finding the Walrus cards. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 through Blurton and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop off toilet rolls and then we continued up Blurton Road into Heron Cross. We join ed the WEstbound A50 and at Sideway we went Northwards up the A500. Traffic was quite light and we made good time up to the M6. As we travlled up the A500 we saw Sids HK58 ECV & Roseville WF11 WHC. We joined the Northbound M6 and we made good time up to junction 20. Seen on the M6 were TM Travel YJ17 CXW & black minibus KR18 HVZ. We joined the Westbound M56 and as we travelled Westwards we saw silver minibus YL14 MGJ, Atlantic Executive BN08 OOG & an unidentified E Jones and sons coach. We joined the Northbound M53 and we ran upn to junction 3. We came into Birkenhead along the A552 and we saw Arriva NW&W 2582 on a #413 to Seacombe Ferry and Stagecoach Merseyside 10887 on a #472 to Heswall. We veered left onto Woodchurch Road. We ran onto the A5029 and we turned right onto Claughton Road. We ran to the end and we parked up near to Wilko's. We headed up to the Market to go and get something to eat, On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 2545 on #409 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Birkenhead bus station

We headed into the market and the first food van we came to had no sausages! We went further into the market and we found annother food place. Matthew had a full breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we headed out of the market and into the bus station. Whilst I got the Walrus cards Matthew took a few bus pictures. We saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27271 on a #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27271 in Birkenhead bus station

Once we had charge the cards up we spotted dud Arriva NW&W 3007 on a #414 to New Brighton. We considered doing this but we weren't quick enough. We also saw Arriva NW&W 4533 on a #437 to West Kirby.

Arriva NW&W 4533 in Birkenhead bus station

We decided to do this bus so we walked down the bus station and got on the bus. We placed the Walrus passes on the ticket machine and we went upstairs ans sat down. We set off out of the bus station and onto Conway Street. We ran North Westwards out of town and past the end of Dale Street near to Birkenhead Park railway station. We continued onto Laird Street past the Arriva depot and we turned left onto Mallby Street. We turned right onto Park Road North and we ran through Claughton. We continued onto Upton Road and we crossed over the M53 near to Upton railway station. We turnd right onto Ford Road and into Upton town centre. We continued out of the other side onto Old Greasby Road and forwards onto the B5139. We turned left onto Breasby Road and we ran through the village before re-joining the B5139. We continued throgh Frankby and Newtown and we ran forwards onto Greenbank Road. We past West Kirby football club and we turned left onto Anglesey Road before turning tight onto Bridge Road. We crossed over the railway line and we ran into town. We got to the main stop and the bus emptied out. Matthew took a picture inside Inside Arriva NW&W 4533 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4533

Once off the bus we walked across to the librbary. Matthew used the toilet and I picked uo a couple of bus timetables. We walked back to the bus stop and as we arrived we saw required Avon Buses 255 on a #22 to Chester.

Avon Buses 255 in West Kirby

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the Walrus cards on the card reader before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A540 and we turned left onto Orrysdale Road. We ran forwards onto Anglesey Road and we turned sharp right by West Kirby football club. We ran along Greenbank Road and forwards onto the B5139. We passed through Newton and Frankby and we turned right onto Greasby Road. We ran through Greasby Road and forwards onto Arrow Road. We ran forwards onto Arrowe Brook Road before turning right onto the A551. We turnbed right into Arrowe park hospital and we stopped briefly before continuing South through Thingwall. We continued Southwards through Pensby and into Heswall. We turned left onto the A540 and left into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Avon 255 as it continued towards Chester.

Avon Buses 255 in Heswall bus station

Once the bus had left we stood at the end of the bus station whilst we considered what to do next. We spotted a double decker to the South of us in the distance. Eventually it came North. As it got closer we saw that it was required Helms 223 running out of service.

Helms 223 in Heswall bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4503 on a #472 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4503 in Heswall bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the Northbiound A540. We turned right onto the B5138 passing Helms 135 running out of service. We ran through Pensby and up to Arrowe Park Road. We joined the Northbound A551 and by the Arrowe Park pub we followed the A551 to the left. We turned into Arrowe Park hospital and we stooped briefly to pick up passengers. Other vehcile seen in that area include Arriva NW&W on a #418 and Stagecoach 10883 on a #472 to Heswall. We left the hospital and we ran Southwards back down the A551 to a roundabout. We went Westwards along the A552. We passed the Asda near to Woodchurch where they appear to be building a small building in the car park. We crossed over the M53 at junction 3 and we ran up the hill into Prenton. It was a little warm on the bus so we decided to get up and get off the bus in Prenton to have a break from buses. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4503 as it continued up towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4503 in Prenton

We walked into Sainsburys and Matthew used the toilet. After he had finished using the facilities we brought a bottle of Coke and a pack of 4 flakes. After paying for the stuff we went outside and walked towards the next bus stop. Matthew had other ideas and he walked into a coffe shop and sat down. He had a plapjack and a glass of Coke with ice. When he finished that we went outside to meet uncle Dave again. Whilst we waited at the bus stop for a Birkenhead bound bus, we saw Arriva NW&W 4516 on a #471 to Heswall.

Arriva NW&W 4516 in Prenton

A few minutes later we saw n Arriva single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2958 on a #413 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2958 in Prenton

As we got on the bus we were passed by an unidentified Helms double decker bus on the Wirral Ale Trail service. We placed the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A552 into Birkenhead past the Pyramids shopping centre. We stopped at the back of the shopping cente by Clifton Road and we turned left at the roundabout onto Argyle Street. We turned right into Canning Street. We went around the roundabout and we entered the Woodside bus terminal. WE let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2958.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2958

As we were getting off the bus we spotted another bus in the terminal. It was required Arriva NW&W 2601 on a #411 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2601 in Woodside bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the Walrus cards on the card reader before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus terminal and we went around the roundabout onto the A554. We turned left onto Argyle Street and we ran past Hamilton Square. We turned right onto Conway Street and we entered the main bus station. After loading up til the bus was nearly full, we set off onto Claughton Road. We turned right onto Hemmingsford Street and we continued along Conway Street for another 1/2 mile or so. We turned right into Duke Street and we past Birkenhead Park railway station. WE passed Happy Als depot and inthe yard opposite there were lots of other buses, including LJ03 MOV. We crossed over the bridge and we turned right onto Dock Road. At the roundabout we veered left onto the A554 and we ran up to and entered Seacombe Ferry bus terminal. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2601 before it crried on to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2601 in Seacombe Ferry

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2993 on layover. We went into the ferry terminal and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards, we came out to wait for a bus back to Birkenhead. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It was required Arriva NW&W 2545 on a #409 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Seacombe Ferry

We got on the bus and we placed the Walrus passes on the ticket machine for the final time today. As the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2545 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2545

We set off out of the bus station and onto the Southbound A554. We turned right onto Dock Road past the new bridge under construction and left onto Duke Street. After we crossed over the bridge we turned left onto Corporation Street. We turned left onto the A554. We picked up passengers and we ran towards the other side of the bridge. We did a u turn on the roundabout and we went back down the A554 to Woodside bus terminal. After a brief stop we headed back into the centre of Birkenhead. We ran up to Argyle Street and past Hamilton Square. We turned right onto Conway Street and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we crossed over to the car park. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2545 as it carried on to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Birkenhead bus station

We walked back to the car and mum had popped out to Wilko's, so matthew decided he wanted to go to the pub. AS we crossed over Conway Street we saw Arriva NW&W 2909 on a #410 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2909 in Birkenhead

We crossed over the road and we went into The Crown. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back across Conway Street to the car. On the way we saw Arriva NW&W 4534 on a #407 to Moreton.

Arriva NW&W 4534 in Birkenhead

We continued over the road and back to the car. Mum was just getting back to the car as we did. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Cluaghton Road and we turned right onto Hemmingford street. We turned right onto Conway Street and we ran past the bus statio, We turned right onto SArgyle Street and left onto the Borough Road. We joined the Southbound A41 and we ran through Port Sunlight and Bromborough. We joined the M53 at junction 5. Seen on the M53 returning were Longmynd Travel SF56 KDJ & taxi minibus YC66 KWV. We ran down to the M56 and we ran East towards and we saw an unidentified Arvonia coach. We joined the Southbound M6 and we travelled towards junction 16 we saw an unidentified Llew Jones coach, white minibus MX56 AZL, an unidentified Bullock coach, Shearings 515, an unidentified AXA coach & silver minibus CX07 FHW. We joined the Southbound A500 and we saw taxi minibus MD64 FKZ. At Sideway we went Eastwards up the A50 and we came off at Longton. We went to see what was parked up at Z Carz. The spare ground was empty as expected so we turned left into Willow Row. In the compound we saw Z Carz YN11 AHJ parked up near to the top end.

Z Carz YN11 AHJ in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Ford minibus DC12 KNG in the corner of the new yard. We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

Trip to St Helens / Old Swan 20-01-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2981	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2962	St Helens BS	Eccleston, Broadway	37	Arriva NW&W
2939	Eccleston, Bleak Hill Road	St Helens BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4614	St Helens BS	Old Swan, Belfast Road	10A	Arriva NW&W
4690	Old Swan, Chilcott Road	Hunts Cross station, Stop F	81	Arriva NW&W
4608	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We checked the weather for today and it was for cold snowy weather clearing up in the afternoon. The weather seemed to be better in the North West. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from the North Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose St Helens. Matthew got up around 10:00 and got ready to go out. We set off around 11:30 and we realised that we had forgotten to give Matthew his toast and orange juice. We ran onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthew Way. We passed D&G Bus 33 on a #14 to Stafford. Outside the BET365 stadium we passed Linburg coach IIG 7842. We joined the Westbound A50 which we did down to Sideway and then we joined the Northbound A500. We ran up to Wolstanton and then we came off to get petrol at Asda. After topping up with petrol we re-joined the Northbound A500. AS we headed up towards the motorway we saw Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU. We joined the Northbound M6 at junction 16 and today the road was relative clear. It was probably the poor weather that was keeping many from venturing out. As we travelled Northwards we saw an unidentified City Circle coach, red minibus reg like PN60 TWN, an unidentified JAK Travel coach, 7 unidentified Stott's coaches (presumably on the way to the BET365 with Huddersfield fans) and unidentified Redline coach. We came off the M6 onto the Westbound M62 and we ran to the next junction. We came off the M62 and we went Northwards up the A49 to Newton-le-Willows. We stopped the the railway station to buy Saveaway tickets and then we continued into Earlestown. At the mini roundabout we turned left onto the A572 and we ran for a couple of miles before we turned shap left onto Market Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto Tamworth Street and we went past the bus station on Lord Street. We turned right onto Leigh Street and after turning the car around we parked outside The Nine Arches pub. We went into the pub and Matthew used the toilets. Once we had been to the facilities mum went to the bar to order the food. Matthew had a chicken fillet on a bap with fries washed down with a glass of Coke. He also helped to eat 1/2 of my chicken burger. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum. We went outside to the bus station and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2900 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2900 in Earlestown bus station

As there wasn't a st helens bound bus we returned briefly to the car to drop something off and pick up a pack of tissues. We went into the bus station to wait for the next bus to St Helens. Whilst we waited we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2972 on a #34A to Acorn Street. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2981 on a #34 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2981 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto St John Street. We went through the housing estate to the West of the bus station before coming out on the A572. We ran West and into to St Helens through Parr and past the community fire station. Just outside of town we joined the A58. We turned right onto Corporation Street and we ran over the railway line by St Helens Central before entering the bus station along Bickerstaffe Street. Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2981 before it returned to Acorn Street on a #34A service.

Arriva NW&W 2981 in St Helens bus station

Once we let the bus go we had a look around to see what we could catch next. It was raining lightly and we wanted to catch another bus quickly to get out of the weather. As we went to loo at was was going of the middle stands we saw Halton Transport 10 departing on a #17 to Widnes.

Halton Transport 10 in St Helens bus station

On the middle stands we saw dud Arriva NW&W 4603 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport and dud Arriva NW&W 4612 on a #10A to LIverpool. As we were considering catching one of these buses Matthew spotted required Arriva NW&W 2962 on a #37 to Eccleston.

Arriva NW&W 2962 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station along Bickerstaffe Street and forwards onto Cotham Street. We turned right onto Baldwin Street and we stopped to pick up more passengers. We crossed over The Landings and we continued onto Duke Street. We continued out of town for around 1/4 of a mile and we joined the westbound A570. As we travelled towards Dentons Green the road split into two creating a small one-way system. At the top end of the one-way system we turned left into Kiln Lane. As we turned the corner we saw Arriva NW&W 2493 on a #38 to St Helens. We ran for around 1/2 mile and we turned left onto Millbrook Lane into the centre of the village. We crossed over Broadway onto Springfield Lane and we turned right onto Walmesley Road. At the end of the road it seemed like a good place to get up and get off the bus. The bus was now empty so Matthew to a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2962.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2962

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2962 before it returned to St Helens on the #37 service.

Arriva NW&W 2962 in Eccleston

I had checked the time table so I knew the next #37 wasn't for nearly 30 minutes. We went into the one stop shop and Matthew had a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars and some Digestives biscuits. Once we had finished shopping we went outside and we tried to work out if the #38 service was in walking distance so we could get back into town a little quicker. Using nextbuses.mobi we were able to work out the #38 passed around the corner of Bleak Hill Road and Kiln Lane. Using the map we set off onto Broadway and we turned right onto Gunning Avenue. At the end we crossed over and we got a little disoriented. We stood at the wrong stop and the timetable said the next bus was a #37. A quick check of the map and we needed to be on the stop around the corner on Kiln Lane. We also saw Arriva NW&W 2493 going to other way around the corner towards Rainford. A few minutes later the bus came around the corner and it was required Arriva NW&W 2939 on a #38 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2939 in Eccleston

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Kiln Lane and we ran to the end where we turned right onto the A570. We ran around the one-way system before the two carriageways joined up further South. As we ran towards town we passed a single decker on the following #37 service to Eccleston. We continued onto Duke Street and we crossed over The Landings onto Baldwin Street. We turned left onto Cotham Street and we ran forwards onto Bickerstaffe Street. As we ran towards the bus station we passed pink Arriva NW&W 4438 on a #10 to Liverpool. we turned onto Corporation Street and we ran past the buses on layover where we saw Arriva NW&W 3014 on a #31 to Parr Stocks. We turned right onto hall Street and we turned right into the middle stands of the bus station. We got off the bus and we had a look a round to see what we could catch. On Bickerstaffe Street was Halton Transport 14 on a #17 to Widnes.

Halton Transport 14 in St Helens bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 2580 on a #329 to Warrington. In the middle stands we saw required Arriva NW&W 4614 on a #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4614 in St Helens bus station

We decided to do the double decker so we got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4614.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4614

The bus set off out of the bus station through town following Hatton's Dart N60 RFL. We went past the new Nando's and Cinema. We joined the A58 and we ran Westwards. We followed a black minibus with reg like YY63 KYT going out of town. before we turned off the main road to head towards Thatto Heath down Lugsmore Lane. 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 and we went around the town to the North. We decided to go further East on the service that we had ever done before in order to explore a new section of Merseyside. 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 4614 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4614 in Old Swan

As we hadn't research this area I had quickly looked up where we could intersect with other bus service that we were familiar with. A quick look on the map revealed that we could go onto the ring road and catch either a #81 or #81A down towards Hunts Cross. We walked back to the ring road and then we preceded to cross over which was quite a mammoth task. As we crossed over we saw Avon Buses 354 come off the ring road and go eastwards along the A57 towards Page Moss. Eventually we crossed over the road and we saw a Southbound #81A. We ran down the road to try and catch it but we were able to get to the bus stop quick enough which was around 200 yards down the road! We checked the bus stop and there was another Hunts Cross bound bus due in just over 10 minutes. Whilst we waited for that bus we saw Avon Buses 354 return Southwards on a #204 to Dingle Mount.

Avon Buses 354 in Old Swan

Around 5 minutes later as expected we saw another bus approaching from across the other side of the A57. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4690 on a #81 to Speke Morrisons.

Arriva NW&W 4690 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. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4690 as it carried on towards Speke Morrisons.

Arriva NW&W 4690 in Hunts Cross

Once of the bus we crossed over Woodend Avenue and the the A562 and we saw village taxi minibus MJ65 VUB. We went to the shell petrol station and Matthew used the toilet. Once Matthew came out after around 10 minutes we brought a can of Coke and a Bounty. Once we had finished in the garage we walked across to the main road and we crossed over Speke Road. Wewaited at the bus stop for a #89 back to St Helens. We didn't have to wait long before we saw an #89 service approaching in the distance. As it came closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4608 on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4608 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day tickets to the driver for the final time before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4608.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4608

We ran 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 where we saw EU08 FHD on a #3 to Huyton. We left the bus station 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. We sat outside for a brief moment near to the bingo hall before continuing onto the stand. After loading up we ran north up Lathom Road and onto Huyton Lane. We crossed under the M57 and we turned right onto Carr Lane. We ran into Prescot from the South and into the bus station. The bus set off out of town along the A57 down to the hospital where we turned left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58. We continued along the A58 and we passed through the town before circling around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we could enter the bus station from the East end. When we got onto corporation Street we straight through onto Hall Street and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We walked back onto hall Street and we turned left onto Corporation Street up to the line of buses on layover. We saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27714 in between runs on the #10A to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27714 in St Helens bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 4596 about to work a #10A back to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4596 in St Helens bus station

We walked along Corporation Street and we met up with mum. Once we got in the car Matthew had a small sausage roll from the Pound Bakery and a bottle of irn Bru. Mum wasn't able to get the usual sausage rolls from Greggs as they had run out. The small Pound Bakery sausage roll came with a carton of juice and a cake for a £1. We set off along Corporation Street and we joined the Eastbound A58. On the edge of town we turned right onto the A572 we continued through Parr and out of the Western edge of St Helens and we ran into Earlestown. We continued to the North of the town centre and we turned right onto the A49. Just South of Newton village before newton-le-Willows railway station we passed Network Warrington 104 on a #22 to Vulcan. We continued Southwards to Winwick and we turned left onto the dual carriageway. We had a sligh issue in the back seat so we stopped at a lay-by to sort this out. Uncle Dave though some rubbish in the bin in the layby and whilst we were there we saw BSS coaches C17 BSS go past. Once we had sorted the problem out we continued along the A49 to the M6. We got onto the South M6 and we ran down to junction 16. As we travelled South we saw an unidentified NPC Coaches coach. We came off the M6 onto the Southbound A500 and we ran down to Sideway. We went Eastwards along the A50 as far as Longton and then we came off it. We went over to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground but we saw Lucky Seven minibus PE61 HHL parked in their yard. We turned left into Willow Row. The only thing visible in the compound this evening was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran up the Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home around 19:30. When we got back we downloaded photos off camera, wrote e-mails and worked on the Blog. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a few Cornflake cakes. Later on we chilled out and watched television. I took uncle Dave home and Matthew chilled out on the sofa. later on Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark.

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 11-11-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
19572	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	X8	Stagecoach Merseyside
21257	Chester BS	Blacon, The Arches School	1A	Stagecoach Merseyside
21258	Blacon, Blacon Parade	Chester BS	1	Stagecoach Merseyside
34812	Chester BS	Saltney, Sandy Lane Terminus	16	Stagecoach Merseyside
27776	Saltney, Sandy Lane Terminus	Chester BS	16	Stagecoach Merseyside
10831	Chester BS	Chester, Zoo main entrance	53	Stagecoach Merseyside
27256	Chester, Zoo main entrance	Chester, Delamere Street (Stop 3)	1	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port and Chester. It would be the first time that we had visited Chester since the bus station moved down to the new site on Gorse Stacks. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather. We gave Matthew a list of places in the North-West and Midlands and from the list he chose Chester and Ellesmrere Port. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off through Blurton around 11:45 and we saw Adams Morey minibus HD17 DDU parked outside the Lambourne.

Adams Morey HD17 DDU in Blurton

We continued up onto Kearsley Way and we turned left onto Beaconsfield Drive. At the end of the road we turned left onto Church Street and past the site of the former Florence Colliery line railway bridge. We turned left at the roundabout onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. t Heron Cross we got onto the WEstbound A50 to Sideway. At the next roundabout we turned right and joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled North up to the M6 we saw Hollinsheads DH11 HOL & Malbank OU14 SVA. At junction 15 we got onto the Northbound M6. Traffic was relatively quiet today, perhaps because there was no Premier League football being played today. As we travelled North we saw an undentified ABC Coach Hire coach, Hollinshead J10 BUS, and unidentified Ffoshelig coach, an unidentified Kingsley Travel coach and an unidentified Festival travel coach. At junction 20 we got onto the Westbound M56. Traveling towards the M53 we saw Easycoach 217 and an unidentified Longmynd Travel coach. We got onto the North M53 and we came of after 2 junctions onto the A5032. We ran trough Ellesmere Port and we turned left into Civic Way, passing Stagecoach Merseyside 19571 on the X8 to Chester. We turned left onto Wellington Road. We parked up near to the market and we went into the building. This time we tried a different tactic to get a table in the market food hall. Mum and uncle Dave found a table whilst I took Matthew to the toilet. When we got back to the food court mum and uncle Dave had found a table. Mum went to order the food and we guarded the chair. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked past the shops up to the bus station. As we walked up we remembered that last time we came in February we realised that Arriva NW&W had pulled out of the quality bus partnership on the #1/2 services. That means we we would be doing Stagecoach buses and therefore buying a Stagecoach ticket. We walked around the corner to see Stagecoach Merseyside 27260 on a #2 to Liverpool. We started to walk up towards the Chester bus stop and we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 19572 on a X8 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 19572 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £4 each before we went upstairs and sat down. 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 Attain YN14 PLZ, Grayways YR10 HOL, Worleys FC04 LDA, an unidentified Woodcocks coach and an unidentified Slacks coach. We got onto the A5117 and we ran Westwards to the A41. We ran South and where we would normally turn right we went straight on towards Chester Zoo. We turned into the zoo and we saw Maxfield Coaches MXI 3319. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down the A41. We travelled along the northern by-pass and then we turned right onto the A56 for the run into town. We turned into Station Road and we saw Helms 121 and 128 outside the station on City Rail Link Shuttle services. We turned right onto City Road and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47326 on a X1 to Ruthin, Arriva NW&W 1004 on a #1 to Wrexham and 2648 on a X4 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2648 in Chester

At the end of City Road we went around The Bars and onto Forgate Street where we saw Arriva NW&W 4216 parked up between services. We continued onto St Oswald's Way and we ran past the end of Frodsham Street before going into the new bus station straight off St Oswald's way. Once we pulled up on a stand we got up and got off the bus. The new bus station was light and airy if a little basic. We went to use the toilets and we were disapointed that the disabled toilets don't use the stand RADAR key so I had to escort Matthew to the Gents. Once we had used the facilities we walked onto the Gorse stacks road side and where the bus stops used to be the bus station had been left open on that side to add to the number of stands in the bus station. On the Gorse Stacks side we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47712 on a #5 to Huntington.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47712 in Chester bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 3142 on a #3 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 3142 in Chester bus station

As there was nothing else Stagecoach around that we wanted to catch we decided to do a #1 or #1A to Blacon. A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 on a #1A Blacon circular service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 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. Coming the other way we saw white minibus D5 DJJ. At the roundabout after seeing a near miss between two cars 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. We turned left onto Saughall Road where we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 as it carried on back towards Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 in Blacon

Once we got off the bus we walked across to the shops. We went into the Spar shop and Matthew brought a can of Cherry Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had finished shopping we walked over to the stop on Blacon Avenue to wait for a bus back to Chester. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 on a #1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Blacon

We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Blacon Avenue and we had a long run of around 2/3 of a mile down to a roundabout. This part of the run was peppered with quite severe speed bumps which was doing us and the bus no good at all! We crossed the roundabout onto the A540 and we had another run of around 1/2 mile up to Liverpool Road. We ran around the one-way system and passed the Stagecoach bus depot 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. Matthew went to the toilet again and then we had a look around at what bus we could catch next. We saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 on a #16 to Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 in Chester bus station

We got on and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. The road is now a mainly pedestrian street and the bus travels along the stone we pass very close to benches. We turned left into Foregate Street and we saw an unidentified Byley's coach. We turned right onto Love Street and onto Pepper Street. As we went down Pepper Street we saw National Holidays NH10 RSH / NH15 GDH. 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 where we saw Voel coach FJ08 FYL. We continued along Hough Green and then we turned left onto Cliveden Road where we passed Stagecoach Merseyside 19062 on a #16 to Chester. We turned right onto Circular Drive and we continued onto Green Lane and into Saltney. We turned left Boundary Lane and right onto Victoria Road. We re-joined the High Street and we turned left into Sandy Lane where we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 as it carried on back towards Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 in Saltney

Once we has seen the bus disappear into the distance we walked onto the A5104 to watch buses on the main road. We stood on an overbridge which looked a good place to get bus pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 4487 on a #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4487 in Saltney

We also saw Arriva NW&W 3146 on a #3 to Mold. We also saw Arriva NW&W 2620 on a #4 to Chester. We walked back to the stop on Sandy lane to wait for the next bus back to Chester. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 on a #16 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 in Saltney

We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Sandy. At the end we turned left onto Lane Boundary Lane. We turned right onto Green Lane and then continued onto Circular Drive. We turned left onto Cliveden Road and at the end we turned right onto Hough Green. We crossed the A483 and we continued onto Overleigh Road. We crossed over the Dee along Handbridge and we ran onto Lower Bridge Street. We turned left Grosvenor Street and at the roundabout we turned Nicholas Street. We continued around the ring road along St Martin's Way and we saw National Holidays NH16 FEH. At the old bus station we saw a number of coaches including an unidentified Hollinshead coach.At the roundabout we turned right onto Northgate Street and left onto Roundabout Delamere Street. We continued onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks before stopping outside the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 as it carried on back towards Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 in Chester bus station

We had a walk around the bus station whilst we decided what to catch next. We saw Avon 108 on a #22 to West Kirby.

Avon 108 in Chester bus station

around the other side of the bus station we saw National Express liveried Selwyns coach FJ13 DZZ on a #381 to Leeds.

Selwyns FJ13 DZZ in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 10831 on the X8 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10831 in Chester bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 19045 on the X2 to Runcorn. A few minutes later we we got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 10831.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 10831

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw required Arriva NW&W 3143 on a #1 to Blacon. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks. We crossed the ring road onto the A56 and we ran past the railway station. We ran North through Hoole and. We turned left onto the A41. We ran North and where we turned right into Chester Zoo where we got up and got off the bus. We waited at the stop and a few minutes later a bus to Chester appeared. It was required Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 on a #1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 in Chester Zoo

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver for the last time before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Matthew ate the chocolate bar we had given him just before the bus turned up. We set off up the Chester Zoo We ran South along the A41 and we turned right onto Heath Road. We continued onto Mill Street and we joined the Southbound A5116. We ran into Chester and over the ring road onto Northgate. We turned left into Delamere Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 as it carried on towards the bus station.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 in Chester

Once off the bus we walked up Delamere Street and we turned left onto Upper Northgate Street. We turned right on Hunter Street and we walked back up to the old bus station and we met up with mum. By the time we got to the old bus station the coaches that we had seen earlier had all gone. There was a large crowd waiting by the bike racks. We went to the toilet in the car park and then we went back to the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Fanta orange. We set off out of the car park and onto the clockwise ring road and we passed the sight of the new bus station. We went up the We ran up the A56 through Hoole. A41 got onto the Northbound M53. At the next junction we got onto the eastbound M56. It was now properly dark as we ran through the Cheshire countryside. We overtook LDV minibus AE06 NSU somewhere South of Runcorn. Near to Warrington we joined the Southbound M6. As we traveled Southwards we saw Carvers RIL 9162. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. As we travelled South we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 279. At Sideway we turned left onto the A50 and we came off at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. The spare ground was empty and there was a minibus in Lucky Seven. We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. In the compound was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We turned around and we saw new Lucky Seven Mercedes minibus VX63 WYK.

Lucky Seven VX63 WYK in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and We ran Westwards and we came off at Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton before turning right onto Church Road we saw Lucky Seven LT63 CXN. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some more of the Blog and out our bus pictures online. Matthew went to bed around 01:00... Mark.