Trip to Northwich 08-06-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N769 EWG	Chell Heath	Northwich Interchange	Charter	Tomlinsons Travel
867	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, Iron Bridge (SW-bound)	1	Arriva NW&W
2612	Northwich, Iron Bridge (NE-bound)	Northwich Interchange	1	Arriva NW&W
2498	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
2498	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
SL10	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, opp Tesco	289	GHA
878	Northwich, opp Tesco	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	2	Arriva NW&W
878	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	2	Arriva NW&W
2499	Northwich, opp Tesco	Barnton, Broomsfield Lane (cnr)	4	Arriva NW&W
2499	Barnton, Broomsfield Lane (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	4	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was visiting Heathfield, and we Northwich instead. Matthew got up around 08:45 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. As we set off we saw First 40145 on a #22 and 40003 on a #23. We got onto the A5035 and then e traveled down Stanley Matthews Way. We then went onto the a50 and then the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at the A527 and we did this road over to High lane. We then headed down Spring Bank Road and then to Heathfield. Matthew had a cooking class in which he made Chicken Pie and a fruit smoothie. H attempted to eat the pie but he wold not drink the smoothie as he didn't like the fruit they used! We picked him up around 12:30 and he went to the toilet before we set off. We then was required Tomlinson Travel N769 EWG. We got on and sat down. We headed back onto High Lane and and onto The A527. we did this down to the A500 and then we headed North. Wen we got to the M6 we could see that the Northbound carriageway was virtually stationary so we took the road up to Radway Green. We stopped at the level crossing to let a Crewe bound train go past and then we carried on to the then end of the road. we turned right towards Alsager and went past a Spar shop. We then turned left towards Hassall and then we headed onto the A533. We decided we would go to Middlewich on the A road rather than get back on the M6 and back into Middlewich along the A54. As we went through Sandbach we saw DAF double decker Arriva NW&W 4096 on the #38 service. We stopped at the country kitchen food van by the golden Lion pub and Matthew had a bacon and Egg bap and a bottle of Coke. As we ate we saw required Arriva NW&W 2498 heading North to Northwich. We carried on along the A533 and we parked up in Nortwich around 14:00. As we walked down to the stops we missed dud Arriva NW&W 2497 on a #37 service. We decided to do the Dennis MPD on the #1 which was 867.

Arriva NW&W 867 in Northwich

We got on the bus and booked our tickets. After sitting down we looked 867 up and surprisingly it was required! We got off as we always do by the iron Bridge and Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 867 by the Iron Bridge

We Crossed the road and we waited for the inbound service. We didn't have to wait long before before required Arriva NW&W 2612 appeared from around the corner.

Arriva NW&W 2612 by the Iron Bridge

We sat down near the back of this bus which was reasonably well filled for an inbound service. The journey was swift, passing the site of the Waitrose in town. When we got back to Northwich and the bus emptied out, Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

When we got back there were the #37 and #29A to look at. First we saw required Arriva NW&W 2609 on the #37.

Arriva NW&W 2609 in Northwich

Matthew didn't fancy doing this so we decided to do required Arriva 2498 on the #29A Leftwich circular.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2498

We got on and sat down near the back. We set off out of town on the A533 and then turned onto London Road. We went around the Leftwich estate and stopped for minute or so at the shops before returning back into town along the A533. When we got back Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2498 in Northwich

We didn't fancy doing 2498 forward towards sandbach, and we had missed dud 2515 on the #31A to Crewe. Dud 2617 was on the next #29A turn. We decided to wait around for a few minutes. Matthew went to the toilet and then we saw Network Warrington 75 turn up about to work the #46.

Network Warrington 75 in Northwich

We decided to check out the #289, and we were rewarded with required GHA Solo SL10 with it's 'Into the Port' green livery.

GHA SL10 in Northwich

We booked our tickets and sat down. Matthew was well behaved and he didn't try to beep the horn today. After a short wait the bus set off past GHA S16 which had appeared to work the #48 Frodsham service. We headed East out of town and we got off the adjacent to the Tesco store.

GHA SL10 by Northwich Tesco

We decided to do the #2 back the long way as we had done before. We walked back past Tesco and the railway station and turned right onto Station Road. There was someone waiting at the stop and there was a bus due. A few minutes later we saw an Deenis MPD approaching and it turned right off the adjacent roundabout. It was required Arriva NW&W 878.

Arriva NW&W 878 near Northwich station

We sat down at the back of the bus and the bus went out off town down Middlewich road and then into the Rudheath estate. The bus pretty much emptied out at one stop and then we headed back into town. When we arrived back and the bus emptied matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 878

required Arriva 2618 was on the #31A and he didn't fancy that. The #37 was dud 2611 and the #29A was dud 2619. There ddn't seem to be any option left for getting in new Arriva buses. Network Warrington 68 was on the #45 to Warrington so he got a picture of this.

Network Warrington 68 in Northwich

Just as we thought we had run out of Arriva options, required cadet 2499 appeared on the #4 to Branton.

Arriva NW&W 2499 in Northwich

We decided to do a circuit on this bus, so we got on and sat down near the back. The bus was quit well filled and it emptied as it headed out of town. As we passed the hospital the bus came to a brief stop as there was a little dog running straight down the road! We went passed the salt works and into Branton going around the estate. As we headed back into town the driver thought we had accidentally got on the wrong bus! Only a couple of people got on the inbound service an it took a little over 30 minutes to do the round trip. When we got back Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2499

The driver asked if we considered doing the #37's and #31's, but when I told him that they had all been Cadets and Centros we both thought that there must have been an event somewhere and that all the deckers were on the #84's. We decided to call it an evening at this point as we were all a little hot and bothered anyhow. We walked bck to the car park were we met mum who had got us some sausage rolls and Matthew had a cold Dandelion and Burdock. We headed out of town on the A559 which we did up the A556. We did the A556 eastbound to the M6 and then we headed South to the A500. We did the A500 to the A50 and then we went East to Longton to check out the Z carz depot. As we left the A50 we saw First potteries 40150 on a #22 service. Today there were only 2 vehicle parked up. One of the new arrivals to the fleet, W221 CDN was parked on the end of the row.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

The other bus was DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We turned to look at the willow Row compound but this was empty. We headed down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton passing 40018 on the other #22 turn. We got home around 17:40. Matthew used is computer and I cooked tea. For tea this evening we had bangers and mash with carrots. Matthew then used his computer, not quite as chilled out as he usually is until bedtime around 00:30...Mark.

Trip to Sandbach 02-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N472 XRC	Chell Heath	Sandbach, o/s Common	Charter	Winsford Taxis
3330	Sandbach, o/s Common	Wharton, nr Wharton Road	37	Arriva NW&W
7628	Wharton, Wharton Road (cnr)	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)	37	Arriva NW&W
4156	Middlewich, Queen's Drive (cnr)	Wharton, opp Wharton Gardens	37	Arriva NW&W
3349	Wharton, nr Wharton Gardens	Winsford, Town Bridge (W-bound)	31	Arriva NW&W
3330	Winsford, Town Bridge (W-bound)	Sandbach, o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we went on another relatively short trip. Matthew had something on at Heathfield and so we weren't going to set off until after 12:00, so we chose to go to Sandbach. Matthew got up around 08:30 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We left home at 09:40 ans we went past the Hem Heath pub and along Stanley Matthews Way. We joined thee westbound A50 and then went along the A500. We passed City buses & coaches TJI 3131 as we went along. We then did the Tunstall bypass the High Lane and then we cut down to Heatfield School. We got there just after 10:00. Matthew went to the toilet and did some cooking before we returned to pick him up at 12:30. After saying goodbye to his friends we saw Mercedes Minibus N472 XRC which we got on to Winsford.

N472 XRC in Chell Heath

we sat down near the back and the bus set off the 25 coach seat bus back on to the Tunstall bypass and then onto the A500 and though the roadworks. Just before we reached the motorway we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 236 heading South. We did the M6 up to the A54 and we did this through Middlewich past the new Morrison to Winsford Morrisons, as this one has a cafe! We visited the toilet before going into the cafe. In the cafe Matthew had a breakfast and 2 cakes. It was quite busy so the meal took a while. He had the Bakewll slice first as a starter as he was a little impatient. after the breakfast he ate his favourite lemon meringue pie. We then moved on to Sandbach. We headed back to middlewich and then down the A533 to Sandbach. i made a slight error and we ended up going through Middlewich town centre and through some backstreet to The Cheshire Cheese pub. As we went South alongside the Trent and Mersey canal we saw a southbound bus and it was a double decker. We also saw a Northbound bus and it was a Centro. We got off headed into Sandbach and got another picture of this bus. The double decker we saw arrived and it was Arriva NW&W 4156.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Sandbach

We decided not to do 4156 and Matthew went to the toilet by the market. Matthew saw the #319 and it was GHA S280 AOX. When we got back to the stop the Northwich bound #37 was there and it was Arriva NW&W 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Sandbach

We decided to do this and we got on and booked Arriva NW&W Daysavers and went upstairs. It was empty so Matthew photographed the empty up stair of 3330.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

Whilst we waited for time we saw D&G 64 on a #78 service.

D&G 64 in Sandbach

Time passed and we set of towards Northwich. We passed the first Southbound #37 in the estate South of Middlewich and it was 2613. When we got to Middlewich we diverted around town due to roadworks. We passed the new Morrisons and then set off towards Winsford. We passed the next bus just before Road One and it was another Centro 2614. In Winsford we saw a Crewe bound #31A and it was 2610. We decided to get of in Wharton so we could get back for 4156. We rounded the corner into Crook Lane and got off. Matthew got another picture of 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Crook Lane

We crossed the road and immediately spotted this Gailsway Travel LDV minibus T834 JVR come around the corner.

Gailsway Travel T834 JVR in Crook Lane

We only had to wait 2 minutes and then we saw a bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 7628 and Matthew got his picture.

Arriva NW&W 7628 in Crook Lane

We decided to do this 2 buses back through the rota to get another ride on 4156. We went down into Winsford around town and back down the hill. Whilst we were at the bottom stop on the high Street we saw Arriva NW&W 4042 heading towards Crewe running out of service. Almost immediately we saw Arriva NW&W 4040 going in the opposite direction. We passed the Northbound Centro on the #37 on Station Road and then we continued East to Middlewich. As we passed back through Warmingham Lane we decided to get off for 4156. We cut it a bit fine as we didn't have time to get a picture of 7628 as it went or 4156 as it approached. We ran across the road and flagged down 4156 an got. As the upstairs was empty behind us Matthew got a picture of the top deck.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4156

We passed the New Morrisons and I managed to get a picture of the Blimp. We carried on North and passed the next bus which was Arriva NW&W 3334. We went through Winsford and back towards Wharton. We were going to get off on Crook Lane again but as we climbed the bank out of Winsford we passed a Centro on the #37. We decided to stop on he bus and go to Wharton Gardens and wait for the next #31. We got off at Wharton Gardens and crossed the road. There was a #31 in 5 minutes and a #37 15 minutes later. The #31 appeared and it was Arriva 3349.

Arriva NW&W 3349 in Wharton

This was only our second trip on this bus as we scored it last week on the #29A. We only had a short trip on this bus today. It did go via the morrisons store which we had eaten at earlier. At the roundabout at the bottom we passed GHA SB38 on the X20 service. We got off at the bottom of Winsford High Street and he got another picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 3349 in Winsford

We now had around 12 minutes to wait for the next bus which we worked out should be Arriva NW&W 3330 again. As we waited we saw 7628 return North on a #37. We also saw 2613 on a #31. Eventually we saw a double decker approach from across the roundabout and it was as predicted Arriva NW&W 3330.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Winsford

We got on and sat upstairs for our last journey. We went past The Red Lion and we saw the De Bees Music Bar N469 AWB Mercedes minibus that parks at the back. I called mum to let her know when to meet up. The bus emptied out so Matthew got another picture of the top deck.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

It was now going dark as we approached Sandbach. When we got to Sandbach we got of and got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Sandbach

We went to the chip shop and Matthew pick a can of Ben Shaws dandelion and burdock and a can of Coke for later. The toilet was out of order so we went to the toilet by the market. We then met up with mum at the car to eat chips. Whilst we sat there we saw D&G 66 on a #78 service and Arriva NW&W 3334 returning north on a #37. After we had finished eating we set off back home. We headed out of town on the A534 to the M6. We did the M6 down to the A500. As we went down the A500 we passed D&G 26 running empty back to Crewe. We also saw Mercedes minibus N769 EWG. We got on the A50 and headed to Longton. We then went past Z Carz to see what was on. First in the row was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The we saw DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We then saw Mercedes minibus T131 SGA.

Z Carz T131 SGA in Longton

Finally we saw LDV minibus T408 JUX.

Z Carz T408 JUX in Longton

We then passed Z carz minibus CE02 LYX from the taxi fleet before going down Longton Hall Road. we passed 40151 on a 22 and 40030 on a #23A. We got hoe around 18:30. For a late tea tonight had sausages potatoes and carrots. He washed this down with a glass Shandy Bass. He went to bed just before midnight...Mark.