Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 16-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
27777	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Stagecoach Merseyside
4481	Chester BS	Shotton, Deeside Retail Park	11	Arriva NW&W
3145	Shotton, Chester Road West	Garden City, Post Office	10	Arriva NW&W
4643	Garden City, Post Office	Wepre, War Memorial	10	Arriva NW&W
2685	Wepre, War Memorial	Queensferry, Station Road Q4	10A	Arriva NW&W
4540	Queensferry, Solar Services	Chester BS	11	Arriva NW&W

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 12:00. 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 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 joined the Northbound A500. On the A500 we saw AJS Passenger Travel AJ54 BUZ, Rothwells RIB 4404 / FJ06 ZKU, Alpine ??23 ?? and grey minibus BP72 VFT. We joined the Northboumnd M6 and we headed up to juncction 20. Travelling up the M6 we saw Eavesway EV62 WAY, silver taxi minibus reg like SM13 KSV, Selwyns BV67 JXY(#540), Bakers Dolphin BD14 GLD, Little Mick's Knights HY67 FCG, Lochs and Glens SJ22 GZG, 33??? E400 ex first and white coach. We joined the Westbound M56 and we passed the site of a new McDonalds. 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 near to the Market. Once out of the car we saw grey minibus CX73 ZKW parked up.

CX73 ZKW in Ellesmere Port

Behind this we saw brown minibus DA22 KWF.

DA22 KWF 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 4640 on a #5 to Mold. We turned right onto Civic Way and we waited for a bus towards Chester. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 on a #6 to Little Sutton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27901 in Ellesmere Port bus station

A short time later we had 2 buses to choose from. The first bus was Stagecoach Merseyside 10882 on a #1 to Chester. As we were considering doing this another bus turned up. We saw it was Stagecoach 27777 on a #2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27777 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus expecting to pay, but the ticket machine was broken and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned right onto Stanney Lane and we turned left onto the A5032 traveling Southwards. We turned right onto Overpoll Road and we weaved through the estate before we came out on the A41. We traveled South before turning right onto the A5116. We passed the Countess of Chester hospital and we ran into town 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. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15567 on a #84 to Crewe.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15567 in Chester bus station

Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards he went into the cafe and had a slice of Victoria sponge and a can of Coke. On layover in between service was M & H Coaches SK18 TKD.

M & H Coaches SK18 TKD in Chester bus station

We had already decided that we were going to do an Arriva bus. Whilst we chose what we were going to catch we saw Arriva NW&W 2665 on a #4 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2665 in Chester bus station

Also seen was Stagecoach Merseyside 44026 on a staff shuttle service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 44026 in Chester bus station

We crossed over the other side of the bus station to wait for a bus towards Wales. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 10573 on layover in between runs on the X1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10573 in Chester bus station

We saw the arrive on the bus station. It went on layover for a short while and then came on stand. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4481 on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Chester bus station

We got on and we bought Arriva Chester Plus Day Saver tickets before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Foregate Street. We went past a new adult gaming centre which appears to being built by the old betting shop. We turned right onto Love Street. We continued onto Lower Bridge Street and we turned left onto Old Dee Bridge into Handbridge. We continued onto Overleigh Road and we crossed the A483. After we had passed the Sealand turning the traffic was better and we went over the dee towards Wrexham. We turned onto the A51054 and we went through Lache and up to Broughton via Saltney. After calling into the busy Broughton Shopping Park we continued onto Hawarden. We turned right and we headed a mile or so down the hill past the garden centre and into Queensferry. We crossed under the A494 and we turned left by Asda. A couple of stops towards Shotton. We passed the leisure centre. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4481 as it continued towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Shotton

Once off the bus we went to the petrol station. Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and some chocolate bars. We crossed over the road to the bus stop opposite. Matthew had his Galaxy Caramel and me and uncle Dave shared a Wispa Duo. We headed towards the centre of Shotton. We went under the railway line and we went into Wetherspoons. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a drink of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and walked to the nearest bus stop. We saw Arriva NW&W 2685 on a #10 to Connah's Quay. Whist we waited for an Arriva bus we saw P & O Lloyd YJ68 FSC on a #1 Deeside Shuttle.

P & O Lloyd YJ68 FSC in Shotton

A short time later we saw a bus apporoaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3145 on a #10 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3145 in Shotton

We got on thebus and we placed the Arriva Chester Plus Day Saver tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the B5129 passed under the railway at Shotton and we continued to Quensferry. We turned left into Station Road and we followed the road around onto Wales Coast Path and we continued to Garden City. Where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3145 as it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3145 in Garden City

We crossed over the road and we can see a double decker in the bus station in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4643 on a #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4643 in Garden City

We got on the bus and we placed the tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off the B5441 past a new housing estate. We carried on to into Queensferry. We crossed under the A494 and we turned left by Asda. A couple of stops towards Shotton. We continued into Wepre and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw grey minibus NK69 DYA. We walked past the site of a new Lidl and Costa Coffee. We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus back towards Chester. A short time later we saw a single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2685 on a #10A to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2685 in Wepre

We got on the bus and we placed the Arriva Chester Plus Day Savers under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the B5129 out of Wepre and we passed under the railway at Shotton and we continued to Quensferry. We turned left into Station Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2685 as it carried on towards Chester

Arriva NW&W 2685 in Queensferry

Once off the bus we walked along B5441 and we crossed over the road and onto the B5129. We walked to the stop near to the A494 roundabout and we waited for a bus towards Chester. We did not have to wait long before a bus appeared. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4540 on a #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4540 in Queensferry

We got on the bus and we flashed the Group day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down upstairs. We set off Southwards down the A550 and we passed under the A494. We ran up the hill into Hawarden and we turned left onto the B5125. We ran Eastwards towards BroughtonWe joined the A5104 and we entered the Bfrought Shopping Park onto the Eastbound A5104 and we passed through Salntey and into Lache. We entered England and Chester and at the big roundabout we turned left onto Grosvenor Road. We crossed over the River Dee and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Nicholas Street. We ran arounf to the North end of town and we turned right onto Upper Northgate Street. We turned left onto Delamere Street and we followed the road around onto George Street and we ran forwards onto Gorse Stacks. We pulled in to the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15585 on a #84 to Crewe.

Stagecoach Merseyside 15585 in Chester bus station

We walked through the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 26061 on a #16 to Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 26061 in Chester bus station

We headed to the car but Matthew needed the toilet so we dropped the bag off at the car and we crossed over Frodsham Street to the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we returned to the car. Wwe set off along Gorse Stacks and we turned left onto Frodsham Street. Something didn't sound right on the car so we turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto the A5116 and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran to a garage and we put some air into one of the tyres. It appeare to take air reasonable well so we decided to return caustiously along the A540 back towards Chester. We turned left onto the ring road and we joined the A51. We ran out of the city the Piper's Ash amd we crossed over the A55 just East of Chester and we continued along the Eastbound A51. We turned right to bypass Tarvin and we continued Eastwards along the A51. We turned right and headed Southwards down the A49. We continued past the A51 junction and we turned left onto School Lane and we ran into Bunbury. We stopped in the villge and we went to the chip shop. Once Matthew got his sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Irn Bru. We ran forwards Vicareage Lane and we stopped at the pub. We went inside and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back to the car and we saw grey minibus PL10 RYO parked up in the car park.

PL10 RYO in Bunbury

We got in the car and we set off along Vicarage Lane. We ran forwards onto Bowe's Gate Road and we ran through Gosland Green. We joined the A51 and we passed the site of a new Shell petrol station where work has statrted. We continued Nantwich by-pass and we ran around the North side of town and we joined the A500. We crossed under the M6 and we continued through Longport and Etruria into Stoke and we forgot to come off the A500 for uncle Dave. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we headed up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and left onto Grove Road and we ran into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave on the main road and we ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 02-01-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3008	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
4642	Chester BS	Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	10A	Arriva NW&W
4644	Shotton, Ash Grove	Queensferry, Station Road Q4	10A	Arriva NW&W
4479	Queensferry, Solar Services (S-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
3141	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	3	Arriva NW&W
672	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Chester BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port & Chester. We had checked the weather, and although rain was forecast throughout our usual area, It appeared to be slightly better to the North West. We gave Matthew a list of place from this area and from the list Matthew chose Ellesmere Port & Chester. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:00 today, as mum had a task to carry out as we went along Magdalen Road we saw First Potteries 53041 on a #23A to Hanley. We joined the A5035 and we then turned right into Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we went Northwards up the A500. We came off the A500 at Etruria and we saw Roseville ML08 ODU coming down from Basford. We turned right onto the A53 and we turned left again onto Forge Lane. We turned left onto Shelton Boulevard and we waited for a few minutes. Mum had promised to help out a charity fundraiser to find which was messiest, cake or trifle. After mum had finised we drove back to the A53 and onto the Northbound A500. As we went towards the motorway we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 520 going the other way. We joined the M6 and the traffic was lighter than usual. As we travel Northwards we passed a Tyrers tri-axle coach going South. There was a bit of a slow down opposite an accident between junctions 19 & 20 and then we left the M6 to go West on the M56. It was probably the quietest we had ever seen the M56 and we got to The M53 quickly. We went North one junction and we came off onto the A5032 for the run into town. We turned into Civic Way and as we passed the bus station we saw GHA R839 PRG on the #36 and T314 UOX on the #7 service. We parked up and we went to the market to use the toilet and to have dinner. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked back to the bus station. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 on a X8 to Liverpool. As we got into the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 3008 on the #2 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3008 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva Deeside Day Savers at £4.50 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Civic Way. At the end we turned left onto the A5032 traveling Southwards. We turned right onto Overpoll Road and we weaved through the estate before we came out on the A41. We traveled South before turning right onto the A5116. We passed the Countess of Chester hospital and we ran into town past the Stagecoach depot where one of the open top double deckers was visible. We crossed the ring road and we entered the bus station via Northgate Street and Hunter Street. When the bus went on stand we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3008.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3008

Behind us in the bus station was required Stagecoach Merseyside 27268 on layover between Liverpool services.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27268 in Chester bus station

We walked down to Matthew's usual perch and we took a few bus pictures whilst we waited to catch the next bus. We saw Arriva NW&W 5008 on a #21 to Halton hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Chester bus station

This was followed by required Townlynx Y72 YSO on a T1 service to Holywell.

Townlynx Y72 YSO in Chester bus station

An unusual sighting was GHA Solo T313 UOX on a #82 to Northwich.

GHA T313 UOX in Chester bus station

This service is usually worked by some large like a full size single decker or even a double decker. We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27779 running out of service after arriving from Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27779 in Chester bus station

On the end stand we saw required double decker Arriva NW&W 4642 on a #10A to Holywell, so we decided to do it.

Arriva NW&W 4642 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. We also purchased another ticket so that Matthew could travel into Wales. We went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the ring road. We turned right into Northgate and then left into Delamere Street. We continued down onto Gorse Stacks and then right into Frodsham Street. We turned left into Foregate Street and then right onto Love Street. This was the first time we had been this way on a #10A service. The #10A goes through the town on the way to Holywell and the #10 goes straight down the ring road to A548. As we went down Pepper Street we saw National Holidays NH11 HTH and Alfa coach 73. We turned right at the Grosvenor roundabout and we turned right onto the ring road again before turning left onto the A548 and getting back onto the normal route. Traffic was nose to tail as we went along Sealand Road past the retail park until we got to the park and ride site we started to go a bit quicker. We crossed into Wales and we ran quickly up to the A494, where we crossed the road and went into Garden City. We crossed the river Dee and we turned right onto the B5129. We had already decided that we were going to get off by the old B&Q stop where there is a petrol station that we visit to pick up supplies. A few stops further up the road we got up and got off the road. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4642 as it carried on towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4642 in Shotton

We saw both the #10 and the #11 going towards Chester so we thought we might have a long wait. We went to use the cash at the petrol station but I balked at the £1.99 charge to use the machine. So we went inside the shop and Matthew chose his pop and chocolate and I paid by card. As we were crossing the road we saw Townlynx Y213 BAW on a Chester bound T1 service. We walked toward Shotton one stop as we would also have a choice of the #12 service as well. The next bus due was a #12 service. Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru and he shared his double Milky Way bar with me and uncle Dave. Unexpectedly, a late running #10A service appeared. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4644.

Arriva NW&W 4644 in Shotton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before going upstairs. We sat down and the bus set off Westwards along the B5129. There were a couple of young folk messing about at the front of the bus and we wanted to be on the Saltney Ferry corridor where there are generally more interesting buses working. So we decided to do the bus only to Queensferry. As we were getting off soon Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4644

The bus turned the corner left onto the B5441 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4644 before it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4644 in Queensferry

We walked back onto the B5129 and we waited at the stop opposite to the Asda superstore. We saw a white Solo turn the corner into the B5441 with Shuttle on the side working the D1 service. A few minutes later we saw the #11 approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4479.

Arriva NW&W 4479 in Queensferry

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver Tickets to the driver before going upstairs. This was a bus that we first had back in June 2012 from Chester to Queensferry. The bus went under the A494 and we climbed the hill up the A550 into Harwarden village. We turned left onto the B5125 and traveled East through the countryside up to Broughton. We entered the Broughton Shopping park and we stopped briefly before joining the A5104. We went fast up to Saltney and we entered England under the railway bridge. We got off the bus in Lache outside the Brewery Arms and we went inside so that Matthew could use the toilet. We brought a can of Pepsi from the bar before we left. We crossed the road so that we could wait for another bus back up the A5104 corridor. We didn't have to wait long before we saw a single decker. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 3141.

Arriva NW&W 3141 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. These buses are usually full at this point and we noticed there were empty seats behind us, so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3141

The bus carried on along the A5104 and out into the open countryside. As we saw the Airbus factory on the right hand side of the road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3141 as it carried on towards Mold.

Arriva NW&W 3141 in Broughton

It was now fully dark and we decided that the next bus was going to be our last one of the day. We crossed the road and we checked the bus stop to see what service was the next one back towards Chester. The next bus back was a #12 which was almost certainly going to be a Solo. We had already seen a couple of different required Solo knocking about today including Arriva NW&W 675 named 'Les Rimmer' with its silver nameplate on the front of the bus. We saw a Solo enter the Broughton Shopping Park from the other end and it called at the mini bus station in the park. Behind it was a double decker on a #11. We watched the bus get closer and we eventually saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 672.

Arriva NW&W 672 in Broughton

We flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets at the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5104 through Saltney Ferry and Saltney and over the border into England. We passed through Lache and we turned left onto the A483 ans we crossed over the river Dee and ran towards town. At the ring road we went left and up a few hundres yards towards the Western entrance of the bus station. On the way we saw Westway coach 27 WT at the side of the ring road. We turned right into Princess Street and we entered the bus station. We left the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 672.

Inside Arriva NW&W 672

Before we walked over to mum we decided to take a few last bus pictures. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21266 on a #31 Sealand park & ride service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21266 in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 which was bout to work a #1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 in Chester bus station

Another sighting was Stagecoach Merseyside 34579 which was on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34579 in Chester bus station

We met up with mum and then Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum got the parking ticket validated (parking in the market car park is free after 15:00). We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and onto the clockwise ring road and we ran around to the A56. As we passed nearby to the railway station we saw Arriva NW&W 4405 on the #1 to Wrexham. We ran up the A56 through Hoole where the Christmas lights were still on and we joined the Northbound M53. It was raining and fully dark. We joined the Eastbound M56 and we ran up to the M6. traffic was quite busy and moving slower due to the spray. At Lymm We went South on the M6. As we traveled Southwards we saw a Waltons coach and Redline BJ63 UHW. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. As we traveled South we saw Z Carz PY08 KDX and Intercity OV58 YJE. At Sideway we turned left onto the A50 which we did up to Longton. At the Z Carz depot we saw Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also on the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Behind this was another Ford minibus, Z Carz GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

There were a couple of new unmarked minibuses there tonight. Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

And they were parked next to each other HK57 LFV.

Z Carz HK57 LFV in Longton

We turned left into Willow row to see what was in the compound tonight. Nearest to the gate was Airport transfer minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned around and we headed back onto the A50. We crossed over the road and we went to fill up with diesel at the petrol station. We then returned onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we went forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 17-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3007	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
673	Chester BS	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	12	Arriva NW&W
2794	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
4481	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	Chester BS	11	Arriva NW&W
4640	Chester BS	Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
4637	Shotton B&Q (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port and Chester. We had checked the weather for the North West and Midlands areas and the weather was predicted for cool cloudy weather with a small chance of some sunshine. We gave Matthew a list of place from the area that we could visit and from the list chose Ellesmere Port and Chester. Research consisted of having a quick look on the Dennis Dart Forum to see if there had been any recent changes and checking the Arriva website to look at the area of the Deeside Day Saver. Matthew got up just before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a few minutes before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we headed up to the A50. As a short run Westbound on the A50 we joined the Northbound A500. Traffic was moving well and we got up to the M6 in no time. Traffic was slow on the Northbound M6 at first. There had been an accident on the Northbound between 17 & 18 and the traffic was just starting to move after the clear up. As we passed Knutsford services I saw a coach join the M6 behind us. A few miles up the road we were caught by SMS X Travel Mercedes midi coach LN15 RYK.

SMS X Travel LN15 RYK on the M6

We carried a further few miles to junction 20 and we left the M6 to travel West on the M56. A few miles up the road we ground to a halt. There had been an accident between junction 10 & 11. After around 5 minutes standing the traffic started to move. We passed junction 11 where a very smashed up car had been moved over to the chevrons out of the way of the once stationary traffic. From there on we made good time... Up to the M53 and then into Ellesmere Port town along the A5032 and then we parked up near to the market. We went into the market and Matthew used the toilet before we went to the food court. We found a table and Matthew sat with uncle Dave and mum ordered the food and I carried the drinks back to the table. Matthew had a breakfast which he washed with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked passed the new Netto store (Netto?... I they had been brought out out by Asda) and into the bus station. The first thing we saw was GHA Solo T789 KNW about to work a #6 to Glenwood Road.

GHA T789 KNW in Ellesmere Port bus station

We walked to the top of the bus station and we took some pictures whilst we waited for the next Arriva bus to Chester. We saw another GHA Solo YM52 TPO on a service to Finney Grange.

GHA YM52 TPO in Ellesmere Port bus station

There was an older Stagecoach Merseyside Volvo B10BLE 21120 on #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21120 in Ellesmere Port

A few minutes later we saw GHA's former Brighton & Hove single decker R226 HCD on a #36 service to Runcorn.

GHA R226 HCD in Ellesmere Port

We then saw another of the Stagecoach Merseyside B10BLE, 21123 on a #2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21123 in Ellesmere Port

We walked down to the board to check the bus times. The #2 bus was every 20 minutes and Stagecoach and Arriva work alternate services. We had another 20 minutes to wait and we must have just missed one. Another former Brighton & Hove GHA single decker R217 HCD arrived on the #36 from Runcorn.

GHA R217 HCD in Ellesmere Port bus station

The time seemed to pass quite quickly and having seen required Arriva NW&W 3126 work a #2 towards Liverpool, we saw another Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva NW&W 3007.

Arriva NW&W 3007 in Ellesmere Port

We got on the bus and we brought Deeside Day Saver tickets at £4.50 each. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out off the bus station onto the Southbound A5032. A quick check of the Buses I have travelled on page revealed this bus to be a dud one. We had been on Arriva NW&W 3007 from New Brighton to Birkenhead back on October 2011. We travelled down the road a short distance to Whitby and we turned into Overpool Road. We turned into Hope Farm Road and we ran through a housing estate before emerging on the A41 out of Holm Oak Way. We then had a fast run along the A41 for around 3 miles before turning onto the A5116 for the run into Chester. As we started down the road we passed GHA coach FJ08 BYG. We ran into town and we passed the Stagecoach depot before we crossed the ring road and entered the town along Northgate. After we passed the old cinema which is now being converted back in to a theatre, we turned right into the narrow entrance of the bus station. Buses often used to drop passengers off at this point, but as the theatre refurbishment had taken over some of the bus station entrance road, it is impossible to stop here without blocking the entrance to the bus station. The bus went onto stand, and even had to reverse into the space as there was little room. Once the bus had stopped, the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3007.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3007

One we got off the bus we walked over to Matthew's usual perch on top of the concrete bunker that covers the stairway to the car park basement. Pretty much as soon as he sat down the buses started to come by as they left the bus station. On the Chester Sightseeing Tours was Stagecoach Merseyside ALX400 double decker 17479.

Stagecoach Merseyside 17479 in Chester bus station

This was followed by one of the new arrivals since Stagecoach took over from First, Stagecoach Merseyside Enviro200 36806 on a #16 to Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36806 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 3144 on a #1 to Blacon.

Arriva NW&W 3144 in Chester bus station

Dud Arriva NW&W arrived and came in on the #11 to Rhyl via Holywell. This was followed shortly by Arriva NW&W Solo 673 on a #12 to Connah's Quay. We decided to do the Solo as we haven't had many runs on the Chester Solo's. We crossed over the bus station and Matthew took a picture of the Solo before we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Chester bus station

We flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver and we purchased an addition piece for Matthew as we were crossing the border into another country... the bus set off out of the bus station and onto the anti-clockwise ring road. A quick check of the page and we discovered this bus was also dud... The bus stood for a while as there was a near gridlock for a short while. The #11 to Holywell which had left the bus station a few minutes before we did was only a few hundred yards ahead of us. As we slowly moved forwards in the traffic we saw a number of buses and coaches going the other way. We saw GHA coaches FJ06 GGU & FJ08 BYT on some kind of shuttle service, as well as GHA bus SN04 EFS. We also passed MacPherson coach BU59 MCL. We passed the only stop on the ring road and we moved over to the right hand lane and we started to move much faster. The bus turned right onto the the A483 and we went South over the river Dee. We turned right onto the A5104 and we passed through Lache before crossing the border into Welsh Wales and the town of Saltney. We trundlec through the town and as we passed Saltney Ferry the route become more rural and the bus was able to barrel along towards Broughton. The bus was now empty in front of and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 673.

Inside Arriva NW&W 673

As we got towards the roundabout near to the Broughton Shopping Park we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 673 as it carried on towards Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Broughton

Behind us at the stop was Arriva NW&W 4485 on the #11 to Holywell, which we had somehow passed as we travelled up to Broughton.

Arriva NW&W 4485 in Broughton

We had been on Arriva NW&W 4485 back in July 2015, as we caught ths bus from Chester to this very stop on the #11 to Holywell. We crossed the road which was surprisingly easy today, and we sat on the wall to wait for a bus towards Chester. We had just missed a #4 service, and there was a #4 due in around 5 minutes, this was to be followed shortly after that by a #11. We saw a single decker turn into the Shopping Park and we assumed this would be the #3. Matthew drank a small bottle of cola and we shared a couple of Milky ways between us. As the single decker came out of the shopping park we saw the following double decker enter it on the #11. The single decker re-joined the A5104 and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2794.

Arriva NW&W 2794 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. Unusually for a bus along this corridor it was nearly empty. As the bus was empty in front of us Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2794.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2794

The bus passed through Saltney and over the border into English England and into Lache, where we got up and got off the bus. We sat at the bus stop and almost immediately we saw the bus trundling down the road towards the border. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4481.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. Unusually the lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4481.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4481

We went upstairs and the rear of the upper saloon was empty too, so he took another picture inside Arriva NW&W 4481.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4481

The bus set off through Lache and left onto the A483. We crossed over the river Dee and we went clockwise around the ring road where we passed Hunters white coach L938 NWW going the other way. We turned into the bus station and we arrived on the stand where the #11 & #12 services depart from. Before we returned to the the perch we saw Stagecoach Merseyside #16 branded Enviro200 36803 on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36803 in Chester bus station

Matthew sat back on his perch and we saw Pygalls blue coach K1 PYG on a feeder coach to Chester & Liverpool operating on behalf of National Holidays.

Pygalls K1 PYG in Chester bus station

Shortly afterwards we saw Stagecoach Merseyside Enviro300 bodied MAN single decker 24125 on a #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 24125 in Chester bus station

Dud Arriva NW&W 689 arrived on the #12 service. Neither of the buses going towards Broughton were required as the #11 was Arriva NW&W 4481 that we had just had into Chester. We decided to wait a few minutes to see what the next #10 or #10A service was going to be. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4640 on the #10 to Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4640 in Chester bus station

We walked over to the bus and we climbed aboard. We flashed the Deeside Day saver tickets to the driver and we went upstairs. These new buses are equipped with leather seats and plug sockets to charge electrical devices such as phones and laptops, they also have 2 + 1 on the top deck, so passengers on the right can sit on their own. Matthew chose to sit on one of these seats and we sat in front and behind him. Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of Arriva NW&W 4640.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4640

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned right onto Sealand Road and we headed out of town Westwards and we left the edge of town into rural Wales. We crossed the A494 and we stopped briefly in Garden City for a driver change. We carried on over the river Dee and into Queensferry. We turned right onto the B5129 and we went a few stops along the road before we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4640 as it carried on towards Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4640 in Shotton

As we were near to the Esso petrol station we went in to stock up the trip bag. Matthew had a can of Coke and and some chocolate as well as a Millionaires Shortbread. We crossed the road and we looked at the stop to see when the next Chester bound Arriva bus was due. There was a #10 due shortly, but before that was a Townlynx T1 service to Chester. We sat down at the stop and we saw the bus in the distabce as it got closer we saw that it was Townlynx Y978 WDM.

Townlynx Y978 WDM in Shotton

Not far behind that was required Arriva NW&W 4637 on a #10 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4637 in Shotton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today. Once again the lower saloon was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4637.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4637

The bus set off Eastwards down the B5129 and we turned left onto the B5441 to cross the river Dee and run through Garden City. We crossed over the A494 and we ran along fast straight rural road the Sealand and into the Western edge of Chester town As we got closer to the centre of town we saw the Halifax team coach coming out of Bumper's lane and going across Sealand Road towards the M56. We went over the railway line and canal and under the ring road. We turned right onto Canal Street and we turned into Northgate before going under the city wall and turning right into the bus station. We pulled onto the end stand and on adjacent stand was a GHA double decker. We got off the bus and we went over to the double decker. It was GHA Alexander double decker K129 DAO on the #82 to Northwich.

GHA K129 DAO in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 28550 on a #1 to Birkenhead.

Stagecoach Merseyside 28550 in Chester bus station

We headec into the car park where mum was waiting for us. We dropped of the bag and we visited the toilet before returning to the car. After validating the parking ticket we drove out of the car park and onto the ring road. We followed the road around town and we left Northwards past the railway station up the A56 and onto the M53. A single junction up we went onto the Eastbound M56. This time the road was relatively clear and we made good time as we went to the M6. We went South and down the M6 to junction 16. It was now dark as we went South down the A500. At Sideway we joined the A50 which we did up to Longton to check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. The minibuses are still parked in two rows and in the first row was the minibus we had seen earlier on the M6, Z Carz BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

The nearest minibus in the front row was Z Carz YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

Closest minibus on the second row was Z Carz Silver minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. The only minibus we could see was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We headed onto the high level A50 road and we went into Tesco to fill up with diesel. We left Tesco and we got onto the Westbound A50, which we come off at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we passed First Potteries 40367 on a #22 to Longton. We went forwards onto Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:30... Mark