Showing posts with label Huntington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Huntington. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 July 2024

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 20-07-2024









BusFromToServiceOperator



27901Ellesmere Port BSHelsby, Hornsmill PH2Stagecoach Merseyside
2921Helsby, Opp TescoChester BSX30Arriva NW&W
27903Chester BSHuntington, Rake & Pikel5Stagecoach Merseyside
36318Huntington, Rake & PikelChester railway station5Stagecoach Merseyside
11625Chester railway stationChester BS1Stagecoach Merseyside
27902Chester BSBlacon, The Arches School14AStagecoach Merseyside



Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port and Chester. We Asked Matthew where he would like to go today and he chose these places. Research consisted at looking at previous Blog entries and looking at which tickets we had previously used. We also checked the weather which was for cloudy weather with the possibility of thunderstorms. We did no research on parking and eating as we knew where we where going to go. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medicine. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:30 we set off to go and pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive and 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 ran forwards onto the A500. We continued Ntrhwards throufg Stoke and Etruria and past Longport and Talke. As we ran up the A500 we saw bronze minibus DL69 VFZ, grey minibus PY62 CWO, blue minibus YN55 UEC and white minibus BX66 HGD. At Barthomley Interchange we joined the Northbound M6. Seen on the M6 were blue minibus VJG 903J, AJS Passenger Travel SL17 KWB, S.A.S Travel CV68 TBX, white minibus DY72 NLD, Stagecoach Megabus PR73 KRS, an unidentified Eavesway coach, 2 x red Arriva double deckers on had 2 vauxhall on the display and an unidentified white coach. We ran up to junction 20 and we took the Westbound M56. Seen on the M56 was black minibus SF60 BYD. We came off the M56 and 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. As we parked up we saw Direct Cars KV18 XVL parked up near to the car.


Direct Cars KV18 XVL 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 3144 on a #5 to Mold.


Arriva NW&W 3144 in Ellesmere Port bus station
We were considering doing the Arriva bus and we looked at an alternative ticket in case we did catch it. Whilst we waited for time we saw an another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 on a #2 to Palace Fields.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 in Ellesmere Port bus station
We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £5.40 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. 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 PG coaches BJ12 ??? and Abbey Coaches SA63 ASH in the coach park. We got onto the A5117. We crossed the M53 and we went past Stanlow oil refinery. We turned left onto Pool Lane and we turned right onto the link road into Elton vilaage. We ran forwards onto Meadow View and forwards again onto Parkland Drive. We ran past the Wheelright Arms and we turned right onto Ince Lane. We re-joined the A5117 and we crossed over the M56. We ran through Hapsford and we joined the A56 where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 as it continued towards Palace Fields.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 in Helsby
Once off the bus, Matthew had spotted the pub and decided he needed the toilet. We headed into the pub and Matthew used the facilities. We returned to the bar and Matthew had a small Coke. After finishing his drink we went outside and we had spotted that the Southbound X30 to Chester had not been passed. We walked past a new housing development and up to the Tesco and we crossed the road to wait for the bus. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 3032 on a X30 to Warrington.


Arriva NW&W 3032 in Helsby
A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2921 on a X30 to Chester.


Arriva NW&W 2921 in Helsby
We got on it and we singles to Cheter at £2 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A56 and we ran through Dunham-on-the-Hill past fromer The Wheatsheaf pub. We continued Southwards and we ran under the M56. We crossed the A41 and we ran through Hoole to the edge of Chester. We crossed over the railway and turned right onto The A5268 before veering left into the bus station where e got up and got off the bus. Onc off the bus we had a walk around the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we visited the coffee shp. Matthew had an Almond Slice and a can of Coke. After Matthew had finished eating and drinking we had a walk around the bus station. We saw D&G Bus 577 on a #82 to Northwich.


D&G Bus 577 in Chester bus station
A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 4550 on a #11 to Holywell. We had a walk around to see what we might catch. Matthew spotted a #5 that was being preparred for service. As we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 on a #5 to Huntington.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 in Chester bus station
We got on the bus and we flashed the Merseyside Dayrider Plus ticket to the driver. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.


Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 27903
We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Boughton and we ran forwards onto the A5115. We travelled through Boughton Heath. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down Caldy Valley Road and we headed down the hill. We turned right follwing Caldy Valley Road and we turned left onto the B5130. We crossed over the North Wales Expressway and we ran onto the roundabout outside the Rake & Pikel. The was a short turning circle just off the roundabout and we pulled into there. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 as it returned to Chester.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27903 in Huntington
We crossed over Sandy Lane and Highlander Road and we headed into the Co-op. We bought a large galaxy caramel and a bottle of Coke. When we had finished paying for the food we headed back to the bus stop. Matthew had a can of Fanta from the trip bag and afterwards we shared most of the Galaxy Caramel. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36318 on a #5 to Chester.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36318 in Huntington
We got on the bus and we flashed the Merseyside Dayrider Plus ticket to the driver. The bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 36318 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.


Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 36318
We set off onto the B5130 and we crossed over the North Wales Expressway. We turned right onto Caldy Valley Road and we ran through the Caldy Valley estate. We turned left to follow Caldy Valley Road Northwards. We ran through Boughton Heath past Sainsbury's and we turned left onto the A5115. We ran forwards onto the A51 and we headed around The Bars roundabout onto City Road. We went past the railway station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we spot some coaches so we walked up to see them. We saw Holmeswood YG67 FZN parked up opposite to the railway station.


Holmeswood YG67 FZN in Chester
Further along the road we saw another pair of coaches. The first one was Keane Coaches BX65 WBF.


Keane Coaches BX65 WBF in Chester
The second of the pair of coaches was Keane Coaches BX65 WBU.


Keane Coaches BX65 WBU in Chester
We crossed back over the road and Matthew wanted to go into a music venue, but it was ticket only. Further down the road as we got to the bus stop we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 11625. We asked the driver if the bus was going to the Interchnage. It was but not for another 10 minutes. We went into the pub by the bus stop and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards he ad a glass of Coke. We went outside and sure enough we saw that Stagecoach Merseyside 11625 was still outside on a #1 to Liverpool.


Stagecoach Merseyside 11625 in Chester
We got on the bus and we flashed the Merseyside Dayrider Plus ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Station Road and we turned left onto Brook Street. We turned onto the A56 and we turned right at the roundabout onto the A5268. We veered left and into the Interchange where we got up and got off the bus. Once up we had a walk around to see what we might catch. We saw M & H Coaches YJ21 FBA on layover in between runs on the T8 to Corwen.


M & H Coaches YJ21 FBA in Chester bus station
Originally we considered doing a #53 to Kingsway to meet up with mum there. But a quick look for the name of the chip shop revealed that the chip shop was temporarily closed for refurbishment. We decided to go to Blacon and meet up with mum there. We had a look at the Blacon stops and there was a Stagecoach bus on stand. AS we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 on a #14A Blacon circular.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 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. At the roundabout 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 and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 as it continued towards Chester.


Stagecoach Merseyside 27902 in Blacon
We crossed over the road and we met up with mum, Matthew went into the car and had a can of Cherry Coke with some ice in a cup. I went to the chip shop and fetched sausage chips and gravy for Matthew. When I had finished eating we set off out of Blacon Parade and we turned right onto Sherwood Road. We turned left onto Blacon Avenue and we ran to the end. We crossed over the roundabout onto the A5480 and briefly joined the Northbound A5116 before turning right onto Mill Lane. We ran forwards onto Heath Road and at the end we turned right onto the A41. We crossed the A56 and we continued round to the Eastern side of Chester. We turned left onto the A51 and we crossed over the A55 and we continued Eastwards. We briefly joined the Southbound A49. At Four Lane Ends we ontinued onto the A51 and we headed through Wardle past Snugbury's. We turned left onto the Nantwich bypass. We ran around the North side of Nantwich and we joined the A500. We ran to the South of Crewe and we crossed under the M6 as we travelled along the A500 we saw Global Travel B13 HTL on a returning day trip to Cardiff. We ran through Talke and Longport into Stoke and we came off the A500. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road. We stopped at uncle Dave's house and Matthew used the toilet. We uodated the calendar and Matthew took a can of Cherry Coke into the house to drink in front of uncle Rob. We got back in the car and we set off for Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we saw beige minibus DS03 UTT parked up. We turned right onto Church Road and we saw blue minibus A16 LEH. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:10. Matthew chilled out on his computer. Matthew had his medication and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:30... Mark

Saturday, 11 November 2023

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 11-11-2023









BusFromToServiceOperator



10575Ellesmere Port BSChester BS1Stagecoach Merseyside
26060Chester BSBlacon, The Arches School14AStagecoach Merseyside
3142Blacon, Blacon ParadeChester BS14Arriva NW&W
36316Chester BSHuntington, Rake & Pikel5Stagecoach Merseyside
36317Huntington, Rake & PikelChester BS5Stagecoach Merseyside
36809Chester BSKingsway, Pear Tree Way53Stagecoach Merseyside
36816Plas Newton, Plas Newton LaneChester, Delamere Street (Stop 3)51Stagecoach Merseyside



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 11:20. 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. 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 Tate YN67 VCX. We joined the Northboumnd M6 and we headed up to juncction 20. Travelling up the M6 we saw an unidentified new 73 plate white Mellor minibus, taxi minibus BX63 FGZ, grey minibus DG19 TVW, former Shearing coach BN17 JSV, ABC Supreme YA67 VBD, Frog's YB66 NBF, Selwyn's (NX) BX16 CKA(#540), an undidentified Jones coach and an unidentified Anderson Travel coach. We joined the Westbound M56 and 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 bear tio the Market. Once out of the car we saw white minibus SY58 UAG parked up.


SY58 UAG in Ellesmere Port
Matthew went into the market to use the toilet and I went to find a working parking ticket machine and afterwards we met back up in the foodhall. Matthew had a full English breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we set off on foot to the bus station. We turned right out of the Market and we walked past the shops and the former bus station which is now an office block. We turned right onto Civic Way and we approached the bus station. As we got there we saw a bus approaching. It was Stagecoach Merseyside 10575 on a #1 to Chester railway station.


Stagecoach Merseyside 10575 in Ellesmere Port bus station
We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £5 each before we went sat down towards the back of the bus. 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 , an unidentified Woods coach and Milligan's MIL 1920 in the coach park. 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 M & H Coaches M555 MNH parked up. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down 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. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. We had a look around to see what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 36815 on a #53 to Kingsway.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36815 in Chester bus station
We decided to go on another bus quickly. We saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 26060 on a #14A to Blacon.


Stagecoach Merseyside 26060 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. At the roundabout 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. We started to head back to the shops and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15535 on a #14 to Chester.


Stagecoach Merseyside 15535 in Blacon
We crossed over the road and we headed across the car park to the Parade. We visited Spar and we brought a can of Dr Pepper and some chocolate bars. Afterwards we went to Chatwins. We brought a Millionaires Shortbread and a bottle of Coke. We were heading to the bus stop to eat the millionaire's shortbread when we saw a bus turn the corner lnto Blacon Avenue. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 3142 on a #14 to Chester.


Arriva NW&W 3142 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 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. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet again. We sat down for a short while and Matthew ate the Millionaire's Shortbread. We had a look around to see what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 36319 on a #61 to Higher Kinnerton.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36319 in Chester bus station
We had a walk up the top end of the bus station. We saw Als Coaches CC21 ALS on a #22 to West Kirby.


Happy Als CC21 ALS in Chester bus station
We decided to catch something else fairly quick. We stood in the bus station and a short time later we saw a #5 bus. As it got onto the stop we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36316 on a #5 to Wrexham.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36316 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 along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Boughton and we ran forwards onto the A5115. We travelled through Boughton Heath. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down Caldy Valley Road and we headed down the hill. We turned right follwing Caldy Valley Road and we turned left onto the B5130. We crossed over the North Wales Expressway and we ran onto the roundabout outside the Rake & Pikel. The was a short turning circle just off the roundabout and we pulled into there. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36316 as it continued towards Wrexham.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36316 in Huntington
Once off the bus we walked across to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and I got the drinks in. Matthew had a glass of Coke. We sat in the corner and Matthew had his drink. When we had finished we went outside and we headed across to the stop on the turning circle.After quite a wait, we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36317 on a #5 to Chester.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36317 in Huntington
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 onto the B5130 and we crossed over the North Wales Expressway. We turned right onto Caldy Valley Road and we ran through the Caldy Valley estate. We turned left to follow Caldy Valley Road Northwards. We ran through Boughton Heath past Sainsbury's and we turned left onto the A5115. We ran forwards onto the A51 and we headed around The Bars roundabout onto City Road. We went past the railway station and we heded along Hoole Road to the roundabout. We crossed the roundabout onto 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. In the bus station was M&H Coaches YJ71 GTU, on layover in between runs on the T8 service.


M&H Coaches YJ71 GTU in Chester bus station
We decided to do another quck out and back, so we waited for a #53. A short time later the bus appeared. It was Stagecoach Merseyside 36809 on a #53 to Kingsway.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36809 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 along Gorse Stacks and we turned left onto the A56. We ran North through Hoole and we turned left onto Newton Lane. We crossed over the bridge of an old disused railway line and then we turned right onto Kingsway. Just before the shops we turned left onto Coniston Road and we went to the end where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36809 as it continued around Kingsway.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36809 in Kingsway
Whilst travelling up I worked out we could get off and walk a couple of hundred yards and catc a #51 back to Chester. We continued along Coniston Road and we turned left onto Plas Newton Lane. We turned right onto Newhall Road and we stopped at the bus stop on the corner. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew had a Crunchie. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 36816 on a #51 to Chester.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36816 in Plas Newton
We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver for the final time today before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Newhall Road and we turned right onto Plas Newton Lane. We turned right onto Wealstone Lane and left onto Nestton Drive. We continued onto Thornton Drive and we turned right onto Ellesmere Avenue. Opposite to The Bear's Paw we turned left onto Dicksons Drive. We turned right onto Brook Lane and we crossed over the line to Birkenhead. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down to St Oswald's Way. We headed Eastwards to the roundabout and we turned around 180' and entered the bus stion from the North Side before running onto Gorse Stacks. The bus stopped and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we took a few more bus pictures. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 36816 before it departed on a #53 to Kingsway.


Stagecoach Merseyside 36816 in Chester bus station
Another vehicle seen was Arrva NW&W 4545 on layover in between runs.


Arriva NW&W 4545 in Chester bus station
Mum had found a short term parking space on Gorse Stacks so we crossed over the road and walked to the car. Once at the car Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off along gorse Stacks and we turned left onto Frodsham Street. We turned left onto St Oswald's Way and at the roundabout we turned right onto the A5116. We turned right onto Brook Lane and we crossed over the railway line. We turned right onto Kingsway West and we ran forwards onto Kingsway. We turned left onto Coniston Road and we turned right onto the car park. We parked up and I went to the chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. When we had finished we set off out of the car park onto Coniston Road. We turned left on to Kingsway and right onto Essex Road. We turned left onto Thirlmere Road and right onto Mannings Lane South. We turned left on to the A56 and we headed Northwards. We crossed the A41 got onto the Northbound M53. At the next junction we got onto the eastbound M56. Near to Warrington we joined the Southbound M6 and we didn't see anything as we travelled Southwards in the dark. We stopped at Sandbach Services and we got out to use the toilet. We got back in the car and continued Southwards along the M6. At junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500 through Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 and we diverted onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out and went inside. He also had some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru. We updated uncle daves calendar to show recent activity. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Saturday, 16 August 2008

Trip to Chester 08-16-2008 (Day two)
































































BusFromToServiceOperator

40100Chester BSHuntington5First Potteries
40100HuntingtonChester BS5First Potteries
40128Chester BSEllesmere Port BS3First Potteries
60107Ellesmere Port BSChester BS1First Potteries
50055Chester BSDorset place, Kingsway53First Potteries
50023Dorset Place, KingswayBSChester BS53First Potteries
50047Chester BSGorse Stacks53First Potteries




We started the day in the bed and breakfast. We all had a full cooked breakfast except Uncle dave who had a sausage sandwich. As often is the case Matthew photographed his breakfast.


Breakfast...Looks nice doesn't it? (Matt)

After breakfast we walked the short distance to the bus station to see what was working. Almost immediately 40100 appeared in the bus station and sat at the top waiting to work it's next turn.


40100 in Chester Bus station (Matt)

Eventually, the blind was set for #5 and Huntington. We booked First day rover tickets and boarded the bus. The inside was in really good condition considering the buses age, and it had all the original high back, well upholstered seats. The bus travelled fairly lightly load to it's destination, but it was quite early on a Saturday morning. At destination end we booked Matthews return ticket and Matthew took a picture of the interior of this nice bus.


Inside 40100 (Matt)

Sometimes drivers like it when you have an interested in the vehicles that they drive on a day to day basis and this was one such occasion, As we had a few minutes before we were due to travel back to Chester, we talked about this bus, Chesterbus, high Floor buses coming to an end and Pensions. Matthew also got out to take a good picture of the bus.


40100 standing at the end point in Huntington (Matt)

Eventually we set off back taking a slightly different route until we met back up with the road we ran along on the outward journey. When we got back to Chester bus station Matthew spotted another high floor dart in the form of 40128 on the #3 Rivacre. So off we went again...


40128 in Ellesmere Port bus station (Matt)

When we arrived at Ellesmere Port, I can't remember if the wasn't much out or Matthew just fancied a ride on 60107. either way that was the bus we returned to Chester on. At Chester we stood a while and took some more bus pictures. One such bus photographed was 41068 working a service #26


41068 in Chester bus station (Matt)

We decided that we would go shortly, but before we went I thought it would be a good idea for Matthew to catch a couple of Mercedes minibuses. We got timetables for the #53 to Kingsway and we decide to do a bus out and then wait for the next bus to return as the buses were fairly frequent. First bus to make an appearance on the #53 was 50055 which we did to the end of the route.


50055 returning to Chester along Kingsway (Matt)

We got off the bus and did it to the end. for some reason on the return we walked to the next stop which is only about 100 Yds away. Matthew then photographed the next bus running up to the end, before it turned and then picked us up.


50023 on Kingsway heading to the terminus (Matt)

After we returned to Chester, to end the day we did one last bus to gorse Stacks where we met up with mum before driving home.


50047 on Gorse Stacks (Matt)

All in all a very successful trip, with the only regret that we didn't travel on a Ikarus bodied DAF when we had the chance... Mark