Trip to Oswestry / Chirk 15-01-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3693	Oswestry BS	Whittington, Three Trees	X5	Arriva Midlands
3792	Whittington, Three Trees	Oswestry BS	X5	Arriva Midlands
296	Oswestry BS	Llynclys, White Lion Inn	79	Tanat Valley
574	Llynclys, White Lion Inn	Oswestry BS	79	Tanat Valley
3789	Oswestry BS	Chirk, Hand Hotel	2	Arriva Midlands
3787	Chirk, Hand Hotel	Oswestry BS	2	Arriva Midlands

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Oswestry. Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather, which was for rain. Shropshire Council said it has been pleased with the early feedback from drivers using the Mile End Roundabout. 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

Matthwe went into the living room and we saw Afford rent-a-car MK71 WMF.

Afford rent-a-car MK71 WMF in Fenton

He also watched buses out of the window we saw First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Fenton

We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had batteries. We came around 11:30 and Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We set off onto Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. At the end we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and then we got onto the Northbound A34. We turned left onto Whitmore Road and we ran up to Hanchurch. We crossed over the A519 onto the A5182 and we ran the 3 or so mile Westwards to the A53. We turned left and we went South-Westwards to the junction of the A51. After we got to the Swan With Two Neck we continued Westwards along the A51. We ran up to Woore and then we turned left onto the A525. We ran Westwards through Audlem. We continued to Whitchurch and we ran around the Southern by-pass onto the A495. We ran West to Ellesmere and we continued to Whittington. We turned left onto the A5 and we ran Southwards into Oswestry. We came into town up Salop Road and we stopped at the Salop Fish bar. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy and a can of Coke. We had finished in the cafe we walked down Salop Road and and we turned right onto Black Gate Street. We turned right onto Oswestry Road and to the bus station we saw Lloyds Coaches YJ10 MDF on a T12 to Machynlleth. We decided almost straight away we were going to do the X5 service towards Whittington. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva Midlands 3693 on the X5 to Telford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets at £4.70 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579 and past the site of the new McDonald's. We turned left onto College Road and we turned right onto Middleton Road. We turned left onto Unicorn Road and we turned right onto Whittington Road we continued forwards onto the A495 and through Whittington and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked back into the centre of the town and we spotted a convenience store. We went in and we brought a can of Coke and chocolate bars as well as a box of Millionaires shortbread. We sat on some seats by the bus stops in the centre of town and Matthew drank a bottle of Irn Bru. Whilst we waited for a bus back towards Oswestry we saw Arriva Midlands 3792 on a X5 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A495 past the Whittington Senior Citizens Hall which the owners want to re-develop, and we ran through Oswestry. We ran forwards onto Whittington Road and we turned left into Unicorn Road. We turned right onto Middleton Road and we turned left onto College Road. We turned right onto the B4579. We ran around the one-way system and passed the Arriva bus depot and into town along Leg Street. We ran forwards onto Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus. On layover just inside the bus station was Arriva Midlands 4106. As it got closer we saw it was Tanat Valley 296 on a #79 to Pentrefelin. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579. We turned left onto English Walls and we turned right onto the Smithfield Street. We turned left onto Church Street and we went straight onto Upper Church Street and we headed up to Morda. We went forwards onto Morda Road and turned right onto the A483. We travelled through Sweeney and over Llynclys where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the B4396 before we returned back into the B4396 along the A483. We continued to the bus stop and we waited for a bus back towards Oswestry. Whilst we waited we saw Tanat Valley 574 on a #79 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the A483 and we continued up to Sweeney. We turned left onto the B5069 through Morda and Oswestry. We turned left onto the B4580 and right onto Castle Street. We turned left into Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus. We waited for a bus towards Chirk. A short time later we saw Tanat Valley 282 on a T12 to Wrexham. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3789 on a #2 to Wrexham. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street. We turned left onto Gobowen Road and we crossed over Twmpath Lane into Gobowen. We turned left onto Whittington Road and right onto St Martins Road. We continued through Rhewl and through Rhosygadfa and then we ran out into open countryside. We turned left onto onto the B5070 and into Gledrid. We turned right onto Chirk Road and into Chirk. We entered town along Church Street and we got up and got off. We walked down Church Street and we turned right onto Colliery Road and Matthew visited the toilet. Once Matthew had finished we walked back up Colliery Road and onto Church Street. We went to the stop and we waited for a bus back to Oswestry. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3787 on a #2 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Chirk Road. We ran through Gledrid and turned left onto the B5070. We turned left onto St Martins Road and we ran through Rhosygadfa back to Rhewl. We ran through Gobowen and turned left onto Whittington Road. We turned right onto Twmpath Lane and we crossed over Gobowen Road into Oswestry. We turned left Oswald Road and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we met up with mum. We past the former Morrisons which the owners want to be re-developed. Once off the bus we we walked up towards the car. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3761 on X5 to Telford. We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set onto the Beatrice Street. We turned left onto Gobowen Road and we turned right onto onto Whittington Road. We turned left onto the A5 and we ran around the Eastern edge of town up the A495. We ran Eastwards through Ellesmere up to Whitchurchand we ran down the hill to MacDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had beefburger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we got in the car. We set off out of the Southbound A41. We ran around the Southern by-pass and we went Eastwards along the A525 through Audlem. We continued to Woore where we straight on through Madeley. We went through Keele by-pass and we continued Eastwards into Newcastle. We turned left onto the Northbound A34 and then right onto Ryecroft. We joined the one-way system and we ran up the A53 to Etruria. We turned right onto the Southbound A500. We came of the A500 at Stoke and we ran up the A52 under the railway line. We continued up into Fenton up City Road. We turned right into Smithpool Road and left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer and watched music videos on the Television later on he had a slice of Millionaire's Shortbread. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Oswestry 01-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2369	Oswestry BS	College Road, Oswestry	70	Arriva Midlands
2370	College Road, Oswestry	Oswestry BS	70	Arriva Midlands
510	Oswestry BS	Llynclys	71	Tanat Valley
510	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	71	Tanat Valley

Today we decided to re-visit Oswestry. Since our last visit there has been a major timetable change in he area with the #445 and D71 being re-designated #71 & #72. Planning consisted of download the new timetable as well as the #449 for good measure just in case we got a chance to do this service. We set off after 12:00 and we had the head north up the A500 to Longport to get LPG. Afterwards we went straight down the A500 to the A519. Then it was the A5182 A53, A51, A525, A495. we arrived in Oswestry just after 14:00. First thing first we decided to get something to eat! Last time we came mum saw a cafe that was just about to close for the day called Jeanies. This time we decided to give this place a go rather than spending a lot of money in a pub on the way. matthew had a breakfast bap and a portion chips, mum had a sausage egg and mushroom bap and uncle Dave and I had the turkey bap as it was a red hot day. Along with 3 cans this came to around £11.50. This was much cheaper than a pub and just as enjoyable. Whilst we were eating we saw Tanat Valley 251 departing on the 14:22 towards Llynclys. The next departure along this route would be 15:17 so we had some time to kill. With the #70 service to Shrewsbury being every 30 minutes, we decided to do this service on a short out and back in order to fill time before 15:17. The 14:42 Shrewsbury appeared and it was required 2369. We got on this bus and booked to College Road. On the way we passed the Arriva bus garage. We saw a double decker and also preserved dart L116 YVK. we alighted on College Road and Matthew got a picture of our transport.


Arriva Midland 2369 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

We crossed the road and we nloy had around 5 minutes to wait for the return service. It was dud (for Matthew) 2370.


Arriva Midland 2370 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

I required this bus as Matthew had previously been on this one with his mum. We returned back passed the garage and Matthew got a shot of the parked up double decker. By the time we got into town, the bus had emptied out.We had the bus to ourselves as we entered the bus station again in Oswestery. Matthew got his customary empty bus shot here.


Inside 2370 (Matt)

When we got off there were busy scenes at the bus station. As well as 2370, Tanat Valley 259 which I think was doing #449's had come into the station on lay over. Also, Arriva Midlands 2348 was in a on a #2A Wrexham service.


Tanat Valley 259 and Arriva Midlands 2348 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the other side of the bus station. Tanat Valley 510 was waiting time to work the 15:17 #71 service.


Tanat Valley 510 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

After a very short while, 510 moved onto stand to work the #71. We booked to Llynclys and we went upstairs. Matthew then got a shot of the inside of the bus.


Inside 510 (Matt)

We eventually left the bus station, picking passenger along the way as we left town. We appsed another Tanat bus with #79 on the front at the edge of town. A few minutes later we were in Llynclys and we alighted from the bus. Matthew had time to take a picture before it departed.


510 at the White lion, Llynclys (Matt)

We had a bit of time to kill before the return journey so we decided to walk down to Llynclys station to have a look at the preserved railway. We heard a horn in the distance but we couldn't see anything working. We had a quick look around and Matthew had a Bakewell tart and I had a cCornetto from buffet car 1850. We then walked back to the road and waited for the bus. The bus turned up and it was 510 again.


510 returns (Matt)

When we looked at the timetable, I was hoping 251 would run light from Welshpool to pick up this service, But if I had studied it hard it can be seen that the 14:22 runs to Welshpool and lays over except on a shoolday. Otherwise it returns from Welshpool at 15:41. Also the 15:17 departure from Oswestry stops at Four Cross 9 minutes before the return bus departs! anyway we laerned something about the afternoon bus turns in the area. when we arrived back Matthew photographed the downstairs.


Downstairs in 510 (Matt)

When we got back we decided to call it a day. Matthew had time to get a couple more picture on the way back to the car including Tanat Valley 217 in the bus station


Tanat Valley 217 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the way back we made a slight accidental diversion into Whitchurch. We saw Dennis Dart SN05 HDC on the #205 Chemistry circular, a service that we caught back in 2009. We got back home around 17:50... Mark

Trip to Oswestry 20-08-2011

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

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


2295 on a #402 Oswestry town circular (Matt)

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


Inside Tanat Valley 510, top deck (Matt)

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


Tanat Valley 510 in Llynclys (Matt)

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


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

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


Inside 509 (Matt)

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


Tanat Valley 258 between duties (Matt)

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


Arriva Midlands 2737 in Chirk (Matt)

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


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

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


Inside 2740 (Matt)

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


2740 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

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


2347 on a service #576 to Shrewsbury (Matt)

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