Trip to St Helens / Huyton 04-09-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YX17 NTM	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	39	Hatton's Travel
4615	St Helens BS	Prescot, Church Street	10A	Arriva NW&W
4435	Prescot, Church Street	Old Swan, Queens Drive	10	Arriva NW&W
4445	Old Swan, Clayford Crescent	Hunts Cross, Stop F	81A	Arriva NW&W
4439	Hunts Cross, Stop A	Huyton BS	89	Arriva NW&W
4675	Huyton BS	Dovecot, Ashover Avenue	10B	Arriva NW&W
10832	Dovecot, Lordens Road	St Helens BS	10A	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to St Helens. We decided to re-visit Widnes. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to Widnes he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Afford rent-a-car MX70 CJF. Around 11:30 we came to pick Matthew up. After getting ready we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we ran down the hill and picked up uncle Dave. under the railway line towards Stoke and we joined the A500. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw blue minibus MX07 NDU and West Midlands Ambulance Service YJ19 HFL. The A500 was quite bus as far as Longport and afterwards it eased off a little. We ran into Cheshire and we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 16. As we went up the M6 we saw red minibus RX70 AVP, . Matthew also lost his hat out of the window as we travelled up through Cheshire. At junction 20 we went Westbound along the M62. Seen on the M62 was taxi minibus YG16 AHB. We came off the M62 and we went Northwards up the A49 into Newton. We past through the town and we turned left onto the A572. We ran for a couple of miles and we turned left onto Market Street by the Texaco petrol station. We turned right onto Tamworth Street and right onto Lord Street and into the car park. We parked up and we walked along Lord Street and around the corner onto Legh street and into the pub. We saw an unidentified Robin Hood coach. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went through the bus station to Tamworth Street to Crumpets, where we used to eat in Earlestown before the pub was opened. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. He also helped mum to eat her sausage and cheese toastie. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we went out and around the corner to the bus station. We only had to wait a few seconds and we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2901 on a #34 to Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2901 in Earlestown bus station

No too far away and has a multi operator ticket and lower rates of Covid... We saw Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM on a #39 to St Helens.

Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased System one bus only tickets for £5.20 each. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM before we sat down.

Inside Hatton's Travel YX17 NTM

We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Legh Street. We turned left onto Sankey Street and right onto Earle Street and went onto Wharf Road. We turned left onto the A572 and we ran through Newton Common. We turned left onto Penkford Lane and we crossed over Collins Green. We continued onto Collins Green Lane and we turned left onto Lumber Lane. We ran to Fir Tree Lane and we ran up Burtonwood. We joined Chapel Lane and we veered right onto Gorsey Lane. We ran through Bold and turned right onto Neills Road and left onto the B5204. We turned right onto The Pastures and right onto the B5204. We turned right onto Helena Road and we ran down to St Helens Junction. We ran under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. After stopping briefly outside the railway station we turned right onto Station Road. We turned right Station Road. We ram through East Leake into West Leake and we turned right into the B5204. We ran through Sutton Leach. We turned left onto Leach Lane and we turned left onto Gerards Lane. We continued around onto Waterdale Crescent and we turned left onto Robins Lane. We turned right onto Baxters Lane and we turned right into Sutton Road along Worsley Brow. We turned left onto Baxters Lane and left onto Ellamsbridge Road. We turned left onto Peckers Hill Road and right onto Hoghton Road and up Parr. We turned left into Cecil Street and we continued around onto Watery Lane. We turned right onto Berrys Lane and we turned left onto Concourse Way. We turned left into Fleet Lane and right onto Ashtons Green Drive. We turned left onto the A572. We continued through Broad Oak to Parr. We turned left onto Granville Street and right onto Jackson Street. We turned left onto the A58 just outside of town and we ran into town and over the railway line along Corporation Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Arriva NW&W 2517 on the #33 to Sutton Heath. We walked up to Corporation Street to see what was parked up on layover. We saw Arriva NW&W 2990 about to work a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2990 in St Helens bus station

We walked onto Corporation Street to look at the vehicles on Layover. We saw required Arriva NW&W 4621 on layover in between runs on the #10A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4621 in St Helens bus station

We walked over to the stands where the #10/10A depart from, and we we walked up we saw Arriva NW&W 4441 on a #320 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 4441 in St Helens bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4615 on a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of town past Nando's and onto the A58. We followed the road left on the roundabout and we ran out of town. The road split into separate carriageways and ran around a short one-way section of road like a giant elongated roundabout. When the two carriageways joined together we carried on past Thatto Heath into Whiston past the Spar shop. At the big roundabout we went along St Helens Road and right onto High Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4615 before it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4615 in Prescot

Once off the bus, we popped into the Sun Inn where Matthew went to the toilet before we had a can of Coke from behind the bar. After Matthew had drank the Coke we went back outside to meet uncle Dave. We decided to go back to the same bus stop and catch another #10A further on towards Liverpool. There was a display at the bus stop and it said that the next #10A would be a Stagecoach one. A few minutes later we saw a Stagecoach double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4435 on a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4435 in Prescot

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We ran out of Prescot and 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 4435 as it continued towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4435 in Old Swan

We walked around the corner and we waited for the next Southbound bus. there was a bit of a gap in the service and we had to wait around 20 minutes. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4445 on a #81A to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4445 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. I reckoned we had 10 minutes before the #89 so we crossed the road and visited the Co-operative Food store on the other side of the road. Mathew had a can of Coke an a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We crossed back over to wait for the next #89 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4439 on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4439 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set of down 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 and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road 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 and we saw the #89 on stand. We got up and got off the bus but the #89 to Liverpool Airport left before we could get to it. We decided to go outside the bus station and take a few picture whilst we waited for the next #10B. Whilst there we saw Arriva NW&W 3163 on a #8 to Liverpool. We walked into the bus station and we only had to wait for a short while before required Arriva NW&W 4675 on a #10B to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4675 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4675 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4675

Arriva NW&W 4675 in Dovecot

Stagecoach Merseyside 10842 in Dovecot

Kings Travel BX08 UYU in Dovecot

Stagecoach Merseyside 10832 in Dovecot

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 10832

Arriva NW&W 724 in St Helens bus station

Once we had filled up we continued along the A49 to Newton. We turned right onto the A49 and as we travelled Southwards. We continued South to Winwick and we veered left onto the A49 link road. We joined the M6 at junction 22 and we headed Southwards. As we travelled Southwards on the M6 we saw an unidentified Happy Als, Selwyn's BV19 XSB(#550) / BV19 XRZ(#120), an unidentified black coach, The Big Coach Company SV08 DHE and an unidentified white minibus(ex Sheffield City Council). At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. On the A500 we saw silver minibus BG07 XCN and ERS Medical YJ21 FWW. We came off the A500. 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. We saw Z Carz YJ12 SGV. Matthew listened to music on the computer. He also had a slice of chocolate cake. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to 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 Widnes / Liverpool Airport 16-09-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5011	Widnes, Green Oaks	Belle Vale Interchange (Stop A)	79C	Arriva NW&W
4602	Belle Vale BS	Hunts Cross Station (Stop B)	89	Arriva NW&W
4435	Hunts Cross Station (Stop B)	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	89	Arriva NW&W
7011	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Liverpool South Parkway	80A	Arriva NW&W
4478	Liverpool South Parkway	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	500	Arriva NW&W
5015	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Widnes, Chesnut Lodge	82A	Arriva NW&W
5003	Widnes, Chesnut Lodge	Widnes, Green Oaks	82A	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather with a few showers. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Widnes. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran down to the A50. As we got to Sideway we hit traffic on the A500. We saw an unidentified Go Goodwins tri-axle coach going onto the Eastbound A50. Mum realised that she had forgotten her phone so we had to return home. We got onto City Road and we ran up to Heron Cross along the A50 link road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we went back home. After picking up the phone we got onto the A5035 and we ran into Trentham. We went North up the A34 and we got onto the Northbound A500 again. Traffic was still slow up to Longport and then we started to make better time. As we travelled North we passed Maroon WN55 PXX, Nova Tour YJ10 JYY, Barratt's M1 BCL & white minibus CX15 HDG. We got onto the Northbound M6 and there was more traffic problems. As we travelled Northwards we saw silver minibus LN08 TSY, Hollinshead 0057 BOY, , an unidentified ABC Coach Hire coach, an unidentified Mainline coach, Bennett's FY52 GOP, Park's LSK 830 on a #570 service and 3 unidentified Stagecoach Enviro200's heading South. At junction 21A we went Westwards along the M62 for a few junctions passing D Hurst travel P310 PYA. We ran Southwards down the A557 and we turned right onto Green Oaks Way and then parked up near to the market hall. We got out of the car and headed towards the market to go and have dinner. On the way we saw Halton Transport 27 on the #27 service.

Halton Transport 27 in Widnes

We walked into the market and we went over to the far corner. Matthew used the toilet and then we went into the market cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked back through the market to the bus stands. We took up our usual position on the North side of the road to catch a bus towards Runcorn and we saw required Arriva NW&W 5011 on a #79C to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 5011 in Widnes

We decided to go in a different direction, so we crossed over the road to catch the gas powered bus. We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW day Saver tickets at £5.50 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards to the roundabout and we joined the Westbound B5178. We travelled around 2 miles and we crossed over the railway line near to Hough Green railway station. We were now out in open countryside and we ran fast along the B5178 into the village of Tarbock Green. We continued West for around another mile into Netherley and we continued along the B5178 North Westwards for around another mile to Belle Vale. When we got into familiar surroundings and we saw the shopping centre we got up and got of off the bus. In front of us at the same stop was required Arriva NW&W 4458 on a #79 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4458 in Belle Vale

We decided that we would catch a bus towards Liverpool Airport and we knew the bus went from around the corner in the small bus station outside the shopping centre. We walked to the crossroads on the corner and we saw Avon Buses 702 on a #165 Bell Vale circular service.

Avon Buses 702 in Belle Vale

The shopping centre bus station was a little further on than we thought it was, but when we got there we saw required Selwyns PN07 KSE on a #3A service to Huyton.

Selwyns PN07 KSE in Belle Vale bus station

We saw Arriva NW&W 4609 on a #89 to St Helens and a few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4602 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in Belle Vale bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4602.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4602

We continued down onto The B5171 and we ran through a small village called Gateacre and then up a steep hill to Gateacre Brow. At the top of the hill we turned left into Acrefiled Road and we ran into the village of Woolton. We went across a crossroad onto Speke Road and we followed it down into Hunts Cross where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4602 as it carried on towards the airport.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in Hunts Cross

We decided to got to the toilet in the garage around the corner. Matthew used the facilities and then we brought a small bottle of Coke, a small bottle of Irn Bru and a Crunchie. We walked back to the same stop that we had got off the bus thinking we might get another bus on the #81A service. We saw a bus approaching and it was required Arriva NW&W 4435 on the following #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4435 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4435.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4435

We continued onto Woodend Avenue and we travelled South along a wide boulevard style road. We crossed the A561 and we travelled further South. We ran Eastwards along Central Avenue which was another Boulevard. We travelled South down Eastern Avenue and then we turned right onto Hale Road. We ran West for around about 1/2 mile and then we entered into the Airport grounds. We passed through two sets of barriers and then the bus pulled up outside the main departure lounge of the Airport. When we got off the bus it was the only bus around. A coach arrived outside the Hotel and on closer inspection we saw that it was Bradshaws Coaches FJ17 PVZ.

Bradshaws Coaches FJ17 PVZ in Liverpool Airport

A bus pulled up in the distance and went into one of the layover bays. Whilst we waited to see what it was we saw Carmel Travel N13 FLN pull up outside the hotel.

Carmel Travel N13 FLN in Liverpool Airport

A few minutes later a bus pulled off the layover bays and onto stand 4 for Liverpool South Parkway bound services. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 7011.

Arriva NW&W 7011 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the airport onto Speke hall Avenue. At the roundabout we went straight across onto Estuary Banks. We turned left into Estuary Boulevard and we ran into an industrial estate with some very large warehouses. We turned right onto De Havilland Drive and we followed the road around to the left onto Dakota Drive. We ran to the end past B&M and we turned right onto Garston Shore Road. We ran along the Mersey for a short while and we turned right onto Blackburne Street. We turned left onto Banks Road and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Church Road. and we crossed over the A561 onto past the steel clad health centre. We continued onto Woolton Road and the joined he Northbound B5171 before turning right into Liverpool South Parkway the Bus/Rail Interchange. We got up and got off the bus and we walked over to stand 4 to catch something back towards the airport. Almost immediately required Arriva NW&W 4478 pulled into the interchange on a #500 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4478 in Liverpool South Parkway

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off onto the Southbound B5171 and we turned left onto the A561. We ran along the dual carriageway before turning right onto Estuary Boulevard. We turned left onto Estuary Banks and we ran forwards onto Speke Hall Avenue. We turned left onto Dunlop Road and entered the airport through the barriers. We got up and got off the bus and we waited for something back Eastwards. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 7010 on a 80A to Liverpool One.

Arriva NW&W 7010 in Liverpool Airport

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5015 on a #82A to Halton Lea Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the airport onto Speke Hall Avenue and we turned right onto Dunlop Road. This service runs around the Speke estate before going Eastwards to wards Hale. We turned left onto Western Avenue and we turned right onto Central Avenue.We ran onto South Parade and forwards onto Central Way. At the end we turned right onto Eastern Avenue and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Hale Road and we headed out into a grassy area adjacent to the banks of the Mersey. We ran into Hale village onto the High Street. We turned left onto Town Lane and we ran up to Hale Bank. We crossed over the main Liverpool to London railway line and we turned left onto Hale Road. We crossed over the A562 and we ran the 1/2 mile or so onto the B5178. We decided to get up and get of the bus here so that we could catch a different bus into Widnes town centre. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5015 before it carried on towards Halton Lea Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw another LNG powered bus approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 5003 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5003 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We continued Eastwards along the B5178 for the last mile into town. We crossed over the B5419 and we ran into the North end of town. We turned left at the roundabout and we ran around the left hand bend into the Green Oaks bus station area outside the market hall where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5003 before it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5003 in Widnes

Across the road we saw Halton Transport 54 on a #14A to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 54 in Widnes

We crossed over the road back into the car park and we got in the car where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out the car park onto the Northbound Green Oaks Way. We did a u-turn at the roundabout and we went Southwards and stopped at the Morrisons petrol station to fill up before continuing down Green Oaks Way and onto the Northbound A557. We ran the 3 or so miles North to the motorway and then we got onto the Eastbound M62. At the Croft Interchange we got onto the Southbound M6. Travelling back home down the M6 we saw ? Travel (Manchester) SH59 CZJ, Copeland's Tours MIB 520 & silver minibus SV08 WFY. At junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500. On the A500 we saw Stanton's of Stoke 82 HBC, A1 Embassy LK13 BRU & Malbank OU66 XBX. We came off the A500 at Sideway and we got onto the Eastbound A50. We came off at Longton and we went to Z Carz to see what was there this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground so we turned left into Willow Row. In the yard was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 WPE.

Z Carz LG09 WPE in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Fiat minibus YN11 AHJ in the yard. We ran along Willow Row and through the car park onto Spring bank Road. After doing a u-turn on the roundabout we ran along the A5035. The car parking spaces were full so we turned left onto to Rosslyn Road and we ran through to Farmer Street. We parked up and went to the chip shop. On the way Matthew went into Coral Bookmakers to use the toilet. After picking up the food we walked back across the road to the car. We returned onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden into Blurton. We got home around 19:30. Once we got home Matthew had sausage chips and gravy 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.