Trip to Warrington / Penketh 04-12-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
233	Warrington Interchange	Penketh, Red Lion	32	Network Warrington
H2	Penketh, Red Lion	Widnes, Green Oaks	32	Network Warrington
3045	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	61	Arriva NW&W
2698	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea North	110	Arriva NW&W
5006	Halton Lea South	Frodsham, o/s Lloyds Bank	X30	Arriva NW&W
5000	Frodsham, Bears Paw	Halton Lea, Hospital	X30	Arriva NW&W
2644	Halton Lea, Hospital	Widnes, Green Oaks	110	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Warrington. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

After a few minutes we saw First Potteries 69154 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 69154 in Fenton

So we decided to go to Warrington. After get ready we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Glebedale Road. We turned left onto City Road. We ran over the railway line and then we turned went Forwards onto the A52. We went under the railway line and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 at junction 20 and we headed Northwards up the A50. We ran Northwards through Grappenhall and Latchford and we ran into Warrington. After crossing over the Mersey we turned left into Bridgefoot. We turned right into Winmarleigh Street and at the end we turned right into Sankey Street. We turned left into Leigh Street and we missed the entrance of the car park so we went around again. We turned left onto the A57, left onto Crosfield Street and back onto Sankey Street. Once we got back to the Golden Square shopping centre car park we parked up and afterwards walked through the shopping centre past the bowling alley. We carried on through the shopping centre into Old Market Place. We through into the pedestrianised centre of the town and We carried on to the cafe where we had planned to eat, the Hideaway Cafe. Matthew used the toilet whilst mum ordered his food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we set off onto Buttermarket and we turned left onto Scotland Road. We continued onto Winwick Street and we decided to do a lap of the bus station and take a few pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 2161 on layover. At the West end of the bus station we saw Network Warrington H9 on a #20 to Orford. We walked into the bus station and we had a look around to see what we could catch. Almost immediately we saw Network Warrington 233 on a #32 to Widnes. We got on the bus and we booked Halton Hopper Day tickets at £5.95 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we went under the bus station before turning left onto Leigh Street. We turned right onto Sankey Street and we ran forwards onto Liverpool Road. We crossed over the railway line and at the roundabout we turned left onto Old Liverpool Road. We ran for around 1/2 mile through Sankey Bridges and we turned left onto the A562. We ran for around 1/2 mile into Penketh and we turned right into Greystone Road. As we travelled North we passed Network Warrington on a #14 to Warrington. We turned left onto Meeting Lane and at the end we turned left into Stocks Lane. We turned right onto Farnworth Road and at the roundabout we continued Westwards along the A562. where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew we waited for a #32 to Widnes. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Network Warrington H2 on a #32 to Widnes. We got on the bus and we booked to Halton Hopper Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A562. We ran up the hill into Doe Green and then forwards into Cuerdley Cross. At the roundabout we turned right onto Warrington Road and we turned right onto Halton View Road. We ran through Albert Road and we ran into Widnes. We turned left onto Marzahn Way and we turned left onto Bradley Way and we turned right onto Green Oaks Way. We we got to the bus stops by Green Oaks we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over to the other side of the bus station to catch a bus back towards Runcorn. Almost immediately a bus came around the corner and it was Arriva NW&W 3045 on a #61 to Palacefields. We got on the bus and we flashed the Halton Hopper Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Green Oaks Way and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went near to the site where are currently developing a new leisure centre on Moor Lane. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Hutchinson Road and we joined the the A533. We crossed over the Jubilee Bridge. We crossed the bridge into Runcorn and we wheeled around onto Station Road and into the old town. We crossed over the canal and past 'The Archers' pub and onto the High Street. We turned into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We decided to catch the next Arriva bus towards Halton Lea. Whilst we waited we saw MP Travel TX21 ONE on a X1 to Halton Hospital. A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2698 on a #110 to Murdishaw. We got on the bus and we flashed the Halton Hopper Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Church Street. We ran forwards onto Leiria Way and at the first roundabout we ran forwards onto the busway. We ran the industrial areas around Astmoor and under the Mersey Gateway bridge. We joined Castlefield Avenue East and we got onto the busway at the corner of Tyrrel Way by the McColls Store. We ran through the Castlefields area and we stopped at the library side of the Halton Lea shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. After taking a few bus pictures we set off to go into the shopping centre. There was an old lady who was struggling to get to the shopping centre due to there being an elevated walkway and her being quite afraid of heights. I helped her to the lift and I also guided he out of the lift into the shopping centre after I had walked down the stairs. We walked through the shopping centre and we went to the toilets. After we had used the toilets we headed over to the South side of the shopping centre where the Frodsham bound buses stop. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5006 on the X30 to Chester. We got on the bus and we flashed the Halton Hopper Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus stattion onto Busway. We carried on West onto Grangeway. We ran through Higher Runcorn and we turned left onto Clifton Road. We ran through onto Beechwood Ave and we joined Beechwood. We turned right onto the A533 and we turned right onto the A56. We ran through Sutton Weaver and Frodsham. We got up and got off the bus by the Lloyds Bank. Once off the bus we started to walk towards Morrisons. We crossed over the A56 and we walked along the path into Morrisons. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we picked up a bottle of Coke and a kitkat and we paid for them at the kiosk. We went outside to uncle Dave and we crossed over A56 past the old HSBC which moved to the new restaurant. We turned right onto the B5152. We crossed over the road and we went into The Golden Lion. Matthew went to the toilet and had a glass of Coke. We walked along the B5152 and we turned right onto the A56 to wait a bus to Halton Lea. We continued to the bus stop and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15579 on a #2 to Ellesmere Port. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 5000 on a X30 to Warrington. We got on the bus and we flashed the Halton Hopper Day tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the rear of the bus. We set off out of town along the A56 and we ran up to Sutton Weaver. We turned left onto the A533 and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2161 on the X30 to Chester. We continued through Beechwood and we turned left onto Beechwood Ave and we continued forwards onto Clifton Road. We turned right onto one of the busways and we ran under the A533 before stopping outside the library on an elevated road. After a brief stop we continued to the hospital where the bus terminated. We got off the bus and crossed over the road to stop B and we waited for the next bus back. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2644 on a #110 to Warrington. We got on the bus and we flashed the Halton Hopper Day tickets to the driver for the final fine today. The bus set off along the busway Westwards and we stopped on the Southside of the Halton Lea shopping centre. We carried on West onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station. After a brief stop we set off up the High Street and we passed close to the Waterloo pub as was and we joined the A533. We crossed over the Mersey and we ran into the old town of Widnes up Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran through a bus lane into the Asda car park. We joined onto Gerrard Street past Marks & Spencers and we turned left onto Green Oaks Way. We we got to the bus stops by Green Oaks we got up and got off the bus. A few minutes later mum turned up and we got in the car. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off onto Green Oaks Way and we did a u-turn and we turned right onto Lugsdale Road and we spotted a chip shop. After getting some food we drove for another mile or so to a parking space and we ate our food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. When we had finished eating we continued Westwards along Lugsdale Road and we turned right onto Vine Street after dropping off a few gifts we went down Lugsdale Road and at the roundabout and headed back to the A557. We travelled North for around 3 mile before we turned right onto the Eastbound M62 and we got onto the Eastbound M62. We ran for around 8 miles to junction 10 and we joined the Southbound M6. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500 and we turned left onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road, We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his roon to watch TV and chill out. Matthew went up to his room to use his computer and watch buses out of the window. He also ate the a bottle of Coke and a toffee Crisp. Later on Matthew had a bath and had toast for supper. Matthew went on his computer until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 02-11-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
SB09	Ellesmere Port BS	Frodsham, nr Bears Paw	36	GHA
5008	Frodsham, o/s Lloyds TSB Bank	Chester BS	X30	Arriva NW&W
SB23	Chester BS	Littleton, opp Littleton Lane	82	GHA
4078	Littleton, Littleton Lane (cnr)‎	Chester BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4141	Chester BS	Littleton, opp Littleton Lane	84	Arriva NW&W
4061	Littleton, Littleton Lane (cnr)‎	Chester BS	84	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Ellesmere Port. We didn't make a decision on where we were going until Friday so we didn't do much research. He had however expressed an interest in doing some GHA buses today. There weather was forecast for rain showers. Matthew got up just after 10:00 today and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 today and we went onto the A5035 and then along Stanley Matthews Way. We went West on the A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Shelton to go pick up some LPG. We got onto the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. The weather was poor and we made slow progress in the driving rain up to The M56. When we got on the Westbound M56 the weather cleared up and we had sunshine again. We then made good progress to Ellesmere Port and we parked up near the market around 13:15. As there was a table free in the market food court we went and sat down straight away. mum went to order the food and I took Matthew to the toilet whilst uncle Dave looked after the table. For dinner Matthew had a breakfast which was follow by a large piece of Victoria Sponge. When we had finished eating we walked to the bus station via the car so we could pick up the trip bag out of the car. At the bus station was GHA Solo YM52 TPX parked up on mess duty and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 28542 on a #1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 28542 in Ellesmere Port bus station

The next #36 to Runcorn was due, but it looked like it hadn't yet arrived as there were people waiting at the stand. We decided to go to the end of the bus station and take some pictures of buses as the buses arrived into the bus station. The first bus that we saw was GHA T789 KNW on a #6 to Stanney Grange.

GHA T789 KNW in Ellesmere Port

This was immediately followed by required GHA SB09 on the #36 to Runcorn.

GHA SB09 in Ellesmere Port

The bus arrived on stand and after a driver change we boarded the bus and booked our Cheshire Day tickets for £5. The bus was empty at the back so Matthew got a picture as we got on.

Inside GHA SB09

We sat down and the bus set off out of town. The bus went down the A5032 and then we did a quick run down to the railway station before continuing down to the M53. We got on the motorway and went down one junction before we came of and did a circuit of Cheshire Oaks. We then headed east along the A5117. We went past Stanlow oil refinery and did a quick spin around the village of Thornton-le-Moors before carrying on Eastwards down the A5117. We turned North onto Pool Lane and then headed into Elton. Here we passed GHA T510 APS on a Ellesmere port bound #36. We headed past Ince & Elton railway station. before doing a turn in the centre of Ince village. We headed back South through Elton and back onto A5117. We crossed the M56 by Chester services and the we joined onto the eastbound A56. We then had the straight run through Helsby and into Frodsham, passing Arriva NW&W 5006 on a #21 and SB15 on a #36. We decided to get off in Frodsham and do the next #21 or X30 into Chester. We looked at the timetable and we had around 10 minutes to wait for the X30 to Chester. Whilst we waited we shared a galaxy caramel. We saw an Arriva gas bus in the distance coming down the hill so we stood and waited to get a picture. Just in front of this however was Timewells Mercedes minibus SF55 GYA.

Timewells SF55 GYA in Frodsham

We then got a picture of required Arriva NW&W 5008 on the X30.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Frodsham

We booked out Arriva Daysaver and sat down near the back. This was our first run on one of these gas powered buses. It seemed to be quiet and had lightning fast acceleration. The bus headed South West down the A56 and we passed GHA R504 JFE on the final #36 turn. We headed across the M53 and into Chester down the Hoole Road. When we got into Chester bus station the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 5008.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5008

He also decided to get another picture of the outside of 5008 too.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Chester bus station

At the stop behind 5008 was Arriva NW&W pulsar II 3143 on the next #15 service to Saughill.

Arriva NW&W 3143 in Chester bus station

We walked down to our usual perch in the bus station so we could take a few pictures and work out what we were going to catch next. Required Arriva NW&W 4481 was on the next #11 to Holywell and there was a Cadet on the #10 and a Solo on the #12. Surprisingly the open top tour was still running and Stagecoach Merseyside 17455 was in charge.

Stagecoach Merseyside 17455 in Chester bus station

We then saw a GHA bus appear on the #82 so we decided to do this. Closer inspection revealed it was GHA SB23.

GHA SB23 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The seats behind us were empty so Matthew got a picture there.

Inside GHA SB23

After we set off we realised that this was the 3rd run on this bus, the first being back in October 2011 on our first trip to Northwich. The bus went around the ring road and then we came back into the city and down Gorse Stacks and into the city centre. The bus filled up in Foregate Street and then we headed out of town along the A51. It was raining so we decided to go a bit further out than we had done before along this road. We passed the bridge in and then crossed over the A41 & A55. just the other side of the A55 we spotted bus shelters on both sides of the road so we decided to get off the bus here. We got off in Littleton and we crossed the very busy A51 eventually. However the bus stop at which we waited for the return bus was a little bit on the rickety and every time the wind blew or a large vehicle passed the stop it moved in the ground! As it was raining we took our chances. We would 100% get wet if we stood outside the bus shelter...There was only a small chance of the shelter falling down on us whilst we waited for the bus! There was a #84 due in around 10 minutes and sure enough the bus appeared. It was required Arriva NW&W DAF decker 4078.

Arriva NW&W 4078 in Littleton

We got on the bus and went upstairs. The bus headed back into Chester along the A51 passing GHA SB38 on the X20 and then we went onto the ring road. As we passed the bottom end of Foregate Street we saw Arriva NW&W 2357 on a #3 service to Mold. The bus turned into Frodsham Street and then onto Gorse Stacks. The top deck had emptied out at this point so Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4078 here.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4078

The bus pulled straight onto stand and we got off the bus. Next to us was Stagecoach Merseyside 21254 on the #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21254 in Chester bus station

We went back to the perch and took a few more pictures. A couple of Darts made appearances on the #10 to Connah's Quay. First Arriva NW&W 2356 appeared and this was followed by Arriva NW&W 2355 on the following turn. We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 34603 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34603 in Chester bus station

We had seen Arriva NW&W 4078 leave on the 16:30 to Crewe We had also seen dud Arriva NW&W on the #11 to Holywell. Just after 16:45 another double dcker made an appearance on the #84 and it was required Arriva NW&W 4141.

Arriva NW&W 4141 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. As we knew it would fill up as we left town Matthew got a picture inside the bus whilst he could before we set off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4141

We had to wait around 10 minutes for the bus to depart 17:00, and in the meanwhile we contact mum to say that this would be out last out and back trip. The bus set off and once again it loop around the Northern Eastern corner of the city before heading in along Gorse Stacks and Frodsham Street. The bus filled up a little in Foregate Street and we left town along the A51. We had hoped to get off the bus before we reached Littleton, but the rain was now coming down. So we decided to risk injury again at "the bus stop of doom"... We got off the bus and watched Arriva NW&W 4141 disappear into the night towards Crewe. We hoped that it would be easier to cross the A51 now it was nearly 17:30, but the road was still very busy. We eventually crossed the road and I used my pocket torch to read the stop timetable. There was an #84 to Chester due at 17:33. The time 17:33 came and went and the bus eventually turned up around 17:46. It was required Arriva NW&W 4061 and it was a sight for sore eyes after being under that shelter in the wind!

Arriva NW&W 4061 in Littleton

This was the first time in a while that a bus has turned up this late and most of the buses we catch generally run on time. We got on the bus and went upstairs. the bus went back into town along the A51 and onto the ring road. When we reached the bollards at Frodsham Street the bollards failed to go. The transponder either didn't work or the buses wasn't fitted with one. We couldn't go the normal route and so we diverted around the ring road and entered the bus station through Northgate. The bus stopped and emptied out and Matthew got a picture upstairs.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4061

The poor quality was probably down to us trying to rush him off the bus! We got off and he got another picture of 4061 at rest in a more well lit location than Littelton.

Arriva NW&W 4061 in Chester bus station

After a quick toilet stop in the market car park toilets We headed back to the car. Matthew spotted that mum had had cone of chips earlier because she had left the cone in the car, so he insisted we got him some chips too. The only chip shop we could think of that was on or near our route out Chester was the one on Kingsway we had used when we stopped at the Dene Hotel back in June 2011. We went onto the ring road and around to the A56. We headed North to newton Lane and then we turned onto Kingsway just after the bridge. After picking up some chips we headed back onto the A56 and then turned left. We went north up to the M53 which we did up to the junction of the M56. We then headed eastwards up to The M6. Back on the M6 we headed South onto the A500 and then onto the A50 which we did to Longton. At Z Carz today there were quite a few vehicles, but most of then were at the back of the site and not visible in the dark. Front of the row was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

Next to this was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

That was followed by another Mercedes with a different body style, W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Last in the row was VW minibus OV05 WSW which wasn't very well lit. We checked out the Willow row compound and then headed down Longton Hall Road back to Blurton. First Potteries 40025 was seen on a #23 and First Potteries 43876 was seen on a Longton bound #22. We got back in the house around 19:45. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark