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 24-04-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15745	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	X1	Stagecoach Merseyside
S808 BTT	Chester BS	Christleton, Old Trooper Inn	41	Helms
47341	Boughton Heath, Belgrave Road	Chester, Hoole Way	5	Stagecoach Merseyside
4553	Chester BS	Wepre War Memorial	11	Arriva NW&W
2664	Wepre War Memorial	Chester BS	5	Arriva NW&W
36803	Chester BS	Boughton Heath, Belgrave Road	5	Stagecoach Merseyside
47341	Boughton Heath, Belgrave Road	Chester, Hoole Way	5	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port and Chester. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather. We gave Matthew a list of places in the North-West and Midlands and from the list he chose Chester and Ellesmrere Port. Matthew got up just after 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to Ellesmere Port we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew went into the living room and we saw Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF.

Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time to go to the day centre. we saw red minibus BJ12 OAN.

BJ12 OAN in Fenton

We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We turned right and went past Fenton Manor Sport Centre before turning onto Victoria Road and we crossed over the A52 at Joiners Square. We ran up Lichfield Street past the site of the new housoing development. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned left onto Etruria Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto the Westbound along the Westbound A53. In Etruria we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We travelled North to the M6 and we hit a little bit of traffic. As we got on the M6 As we travelled North. At junction 20 we got onto the Westbound M56. Traveling towards the M53 we saw Easycoach 217 and an unidentified Longmynd Travel coach. We got onto the North M53 and we came of after 2 junctions onto the A5032. We ran trough Ellesmere Port and we turned left into Civic Way, passing Stagecoach Merseyside 19571 on the X8 to Chester. We turned left onto Wellington Road. We parked up near to the market and we went into the building. This time we tried a different tactic to get a table in the market food hall. I took Matthew to the toilet. When we got back to the food court we found a table. We went to order the food and we guarded the chair. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating and we walked past the shops up to the bus station. As we walked up we remembered that Arriva NW&W had pulled out of the quality bus partnership on the #1/2 services. We started to walk up towards the Chester bus stop and we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 15745 on a X1 to Chester. We got on the bus and we booked Simply scan your ticket at £4 each before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned left onto Stanney Lane and we ran past The Grace Arms, which was a pub we used to eat at back when we first started to visit Ellesmere Port. We continued down the road for around 1/2 mile and then we turned left into the Coliseum Retail Park. We continued into the adjacent Cheshire Oaks designer outlet. We got onto the A5117 and we ran Westwards to the A41. We ran South and where we would normally turn right we went straight on towards Chester Zoo. We turned into the zoo and we saw Maxfield Coaches MXI 3319. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down the A41. We travelled along the northern by-pass and then we turned right onto the A56 for the run into town. We turned into Station Road and we saw Helms 121 and 128 outside the station on City Rail Link Shuttle services. We turned right onto City Road and we saw Arriva NW&W 4639 on a X4 to Mold. At the end of City Road we went around The Bars and onto Forgate Street. We continued onto St Oswald's Way and we ran past the end of Frodsham Street before going into the new bus station straight off St Oswald's way. Once we pulled up on a stand we got up and got off the bus. The bus station. We went to use the toilet. Once we had used the facilities we walked onto the Gorse stacks road side and where the bus stops used to be the bus station had been left open on that side to add to the number of stands in the bus station. On the Gorse Stacks side we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 36803 on a #5 to Wrexham. As expected it was required Helms S808 BTT on a #41 to Whitchurch. We got on the coach and we booked Simply scan your ticket and we sat down towards the front of the coach. We set off onto Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Boughton and then we crossed the A115. We travelled through Boughton Heath we continued forwards onto A41. We ran up the hill and into Christleton where we got up and got off the bus by the former the Old Trooper site which is going to be a new Costa Coffee. We walked around the corner onto A41. We spotted a petrol station across the way so we went over there. Matthew spotted the customer toilet so he used that. We brought a couple of cans of pop and a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had paid for the goods. We set off onto A41 We crossed over the A55 and went into Great Boughton. We waited for a bus back towards Chester. After a short while we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47341 on a #5 to Chester. We got on the bus and we flashed the Simply scan your ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A115. We ran up the hill and into Boughton. We ran forwards onto the A51 and we ran down the hill into Chester and we could see the mist over the River Dee to the left of us. We went around the Square roundabout and we turned sharp right onto City Road and up towards the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned left onto the A56 where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up A56 and back to the bus station. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 4553 on a #11 to Holywell. We got on and we flashed the Simply scan your ticket 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 continued into Wepre and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off around the corner and into the pub. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and met up with uncle Dave. We walked down A548. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2551 on a #12 to Connah's Quay. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2664 on a #10 to Chester. The bus set off along the A548. We passed under the railway at Shotton and we continued to Quensferry. We turned left into Station Road 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 and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Stagecoach Merseyside 36803 on a #5 to Wrexham. We got on and we flashed the Simply scan your ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Boughton and then we crossed the A115. We travelled through Boughton Heath where we got up to get off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road to the stop opposite to wait for the next #5 towards Chester. Whilst we waited we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47517 on a #5 to Chester. A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 47341 on a #5 to Chester. We got on the bus and we Simply scan your ticket under the scanner for the final time for today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto A41 We crossed over the A55 and went into Great Boughton. We waited for a bus back towards Chester. After a short while we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47341 on a #5 to Chester. We got on the bus and we flashed the Simply scan your ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A115. We ran up the hill and into Boughton. We ran forwards onto the A51 and we ran down the hill into Chester and we could see the mist over the River Dee to the left of us. We went around the Square roundabout and we turned sharp right onto City Road and up towards the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned left onto the A56 where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up A56 we continued along Frodsham Street and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47517 on a #5 to Wrexham. We turned right onto Foregate Street and we walked forwards onto Eastgate Street and we turned left onto Bridge Street and we went to Chester Desserts Ltd. He had a slice of red velvet cheesecake to take away. When we had finished we walked down Bridge Street and we walked forwards onto Eastgate Street. We turned right onto Northgate Street and we went to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. For tea Matthew had a chicken burger and fries followed by a chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. After we had finished we set off onto Northgate Street and we turned right onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and we met up with mum. We got in the car and Matthew had a can of Coke. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned left into Frodsham Street. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down A56 through Hoole. A41 got onto the Northbound M53. At the next junction we got onto the eastbound M56. It was now properly dark as we ran through the Cheshire countryside. Near to Warrington we joined the Southbound M6. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500 to Etruria and we cam off the A500. We turned left onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. When we got back to the residential unit we saw Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF. We went upstairs and we said goodbye to Matthew until tomorrow. Matthew chilled out in his room and used his computer. He also drank a can of Fanta orange. For tea Matthew had a chicken and potatoes. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. 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 Ellesmere Port / Chester 20-06-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3131	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
4641	Chester BS	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
673	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (SE-bound)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	12	Arriva NW&W
2208	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	4	Arriva NW&W
2796	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	4	Arriva NW&W
2620	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
672	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	Chester BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port & Chester. We checked the weather and the weather appeared to be better in the North West than in the Midlands. We gave Matthew a choice of destinations and from the list Matthew chose Ellesmere Port & Chester. Matthew got up at 09:45 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 12:00 and we headed out onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way before joining the Westbound A50. We got onto the Northbound A500. On the way North we saw Z Carz PY08 KDX & Daw2Door MA59 KME. We realised that we were nearly out of diesel so we diverted to the Asda in Wolstanton. Whilst we waited to fill up we saw First Potteries 41512 & 43875 on the #17 service. We rejoined the Northbound A500 and we carried on until we got onto the Northbound M6. Traffic was slow moving and we crawled along for the first few miles. We saw Selwyns Coaches National Express liveried FJ61 EWL on a #314 coach service and we were overtaken by Britannia Travel AY14 NVM.

Britannia Travel AY14 NVM on the M6

We carried on North to junction 20 before going West on the M56. We Travelled for approximately 15 Miles before going 2 junctions up the M53 and taking the A5032 into Ellesmere Port. On the way to the car park we passed the bus station where we saw Helms WX09 TCK stil in Jim Stones livery, GHA T317 UOX and Stagecoach Merseyside 28543 on a #1 service. We parked up the car and we walked into the market hall. Matthew wanted the toilet so we took him to the toilet which seem to have been refurbished since our last visit. Back in the Market hall we sat in the food court and we ordered food form Kelly's Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coca Cola. Whilst we ate an eight foot tall robot entered the market hall. We couldn't decided if it was being controlled by the man following behind him, or if it was a person in a suit! After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked up to the bus station. There were a few buses parked up there when we arrived. As we rounded the corner we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21236 depart on a #2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21236 in Ellesmere Port bus station

In the bus station on layover and about to work a #6 to Stannet Grange was GHA Solo BA56 GHA.

GHA BA56 GHA in Ellesmere Port bus station

As we were taking pictures of the buses on layover we saw the Arriva #2 to Chester come into the bus station. We saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 3131. I asked Matthew if he wanted to run and try and get it and he said yes. We ran the the top of the bus station crossed over to the end stands and ran down. I booked the tickets and uncle Dave & Matthew photographed the bus and caught up.

Arriva NW&W 3131 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva Deeside Day Savers £4.50 each. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. As we were leaving required GHA R217 HCD came in on the #36 to Runcorn. On Civic Way there were police cars and an Ambulance attending what looked like an accident involving a mobility scooter. We joined the Southbound A5032 and passed through Whitby. We turned right into the housing estate and we wound our way through until we got to the A41. Went went South on a fast section of road for a mile or two until we got the A5116 and we turned right. We passed the countess of Chester hospital and then the Stagecoach bus depot. At the front was park and ride bus Stagecoach Merseyside 21272. We crossed the ring road and we went into town along Northgate. We passed under the city wall and we turned right into the bus station. Sometime the bus used to empty on the road as the bus pulled into the station, as the cinema is being refurbished and the road has been partially blocked making it a single lane and impossible for buses to stop without blocking the bus station. We pulled onto the stand and the bus emptied out. After the bus had emptied Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3131.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3131

When we got off the bus there were a couple of double deckers in the bus station. On a #84 to Crewe was dud Arriva NW&W 4100.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Chester bus station

In front of the Arriva double decker was required GHA decker S644 KJU on a #82 to Northwich.

GHA S644 KJU in Chester bus station

On one of the local services was required Stagecoach Merseyside 34596.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34596 in Chester bus station

We sat on our usual perch to see what buses worked next. We let one of the new Sapphire double deckers go. It was raining and a road sweeper was partially blocking out view. Another Sapphire decker came in on the #10 service. It was bound to be required as it was a new bus and had been delivered since our last visit. It was required Arriva NW&W 4641. On the way up to the stop we saw a giant being wheeled along on a pram chassis. As Matthew took a picture it waved back!

A giant in Chester bus station

Matthew then took a picture of required Arriva NW&W 4641.

Arriva NW&W 4641 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. as we were going into wales we had to buy an addition Day Saver ticket for Matthew. The lower saloon was empty as we got on the bus so Matthew took a picture there and then.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4641

We sat down at the front of the bus and started to see some strange sights. First we saw a pirate ship on a trailer being dragged around by a bunch of pirates...

A pirate ship in Chester bus station

This was followed by a family of giants dressed in Medaevil clothing that were about 12' tall.

The family of giants Chester bus station

When it was due to depart the bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road we joined the A548 and we left town. We crossed into Wales and we travelled at high speed for a few miles before crossing the A494. In Garden City we stopped to have a driver change. Even the car in which the driver came from the depot had an Arriva fleet number! Driver change over we carried on to into Queensferry. We passed required Arriva NW&W 4487 on an inbound #11 service followed by a number #10, so we decided to go a little further. We decided to go to the war memorial at Wepre, as we had been there before back in October 2011 when both the #10 & #11 services were worked by Dennis Darts. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4641 as it carried on towards Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4641 in Wepre

This was followed almost immediately by required Arriva NW&W 4485 on a Holywell bound #11 service.

Arriva NW&W 4485 in Wepre

We crossed the road to wait for a bus back towards Chester. A lady came up to Matthew who said she had seen him before. I told her we were from stoke and that we hadn't visited Chester for months! She still said that she remembers him and that he was a lovely lad... After the lady had said goodbye and left we saw a Solo approaching. I sked matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. We knew there was a good chance it was a required bus as we had only been on one Chester Solo before. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 673.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Wepre

We got on the bus and we flashed the Day Saver tickets to the driver. As we went along the bus started to empty out. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us whilst they were empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 673

The bus carried on along the B5129 before turning right into a housing estate. We past some shops on Central Drive and then we came out on a roundabout adjacent to the A494. We went down a different road into the estate and pat the Deeside Community hospital before returning to the same roundabout as before. This time we travelled on a side road adjacent to the A494 and we did the down to the Asda store. At Asda we dropped everyone else off and picked up another solitary passenger.The bus then went under the A494 on the big roundabout and onto the B5129. We visited the villages on Mancot and Sandycroft before rejoining the B5129. At the end in front of harwarden Airport we turned right to head towards Broughton. We turned into the industrial estate and we passed the Arrive Chester depot. Aftr a short wait we exited the estate down the same road passing the depot again. At the back of the depot were a few withdrawn Darts and a driver trainer. We carried on towards Broughton and we entered the retail park. We saw M&H Coaches FBZ 1473. The bus pulled out of the retail park and onto the A5104. We decided to get off and try and pick up a required dart or two on the #3 and 4 services. We got up and got off the bus. The driver thought if was a strange place to get off, but we knew what we were doing honest...! Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W Solo 673 as it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Broughton

Looking at the bus stop timetable, we had around 10 minutes to wait for the bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru. On the other side of the road on a mold bound #4 service we saw required Arriva NW&W Cadet 2434.

Arriva NW&W 2434 in Broughton

The cadet had been a very recent arrival at the Chester depot to replace a withdrawn Dart. We also saw required Arriva NW&W 675 on a #12 to Connah's Quay and dud Arriva NW&W 4486 on a #11 to Holywell. In the distance we could see a Dennis Dart... If we were lucky it could be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2208.

Arriva NW&W 2208 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down near to the back of the bus. We decided to cover a few #3 and #4's along the long staright section of the A5104 up to the English border. The road was straight... very straight. I wouldn't be surprised if it used to be a Roman Road. When we got to Morrisons in Saltney the bus emptied out a little and matthew photographed the empty seats behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2208

The bus carried on and over the border back into England. We crossed under the Chester to Wrexham railway line and we got up and got off the bus. When we got off the bus Matthew sign to me that he wanted to use the toilet. There was a pub right by the bus stop called the Brewery arms, so I took him in the pub. The people there seemed very friendly and they pointed us towards the toilet and we brought a can of pop before we left. We crossed the road to go and catch a bus back towards Broughton. Whilst we waited for the next bus which we believed would be a #4 as we hadn't passed one going the other way, we saw required Arriva Dart 2253 going towards Chester railway station. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching... It had yellow lining between the two shades of turquoise so we thought that it might be one of the batch of buses that were assimilated into the Arriva fleet from KMP Llanberis. We had only been on one of these buses before from this batch, Arriva NW&W 2799. As the bus got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2796.

Arriva NW&W 2796 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed our Deeside day Saver tickets to the driver. The bus was quite full and we managed to get a seat at the very back of the bus. It was hot and a little unpleasant. I was glad I'd taken my jumper off on the previous bus. We did the 2 1/2 miles down the A5104 to Broughton and then we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2796 as it carried on towards Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2796 in Broughton

We crossed over the road at the roundabout and we saw Arriva NW&W 2620 going into the retail park.

Arriva NW&W 2620 in Broughton

The bus whizzed around the retail park and it came back onto the A5104. We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along the A5104 again. As the seats behind us were empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2620.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2620

We carried on into England and under the bridge and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2620 as it carried on towards the railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2620 in Lache

Next to the bus stop is a kebab house so we decided to have a small portion of fries between us. We brought the fries and we sat at the stop and ate them. Whilst we were there we saw Arriva NW&W 2208 going towards Mold on a #4. In hindsight we should have worked out that required Dart 2253 would be on the following #3 to Mold. Instead we waited for the bus back to Chester bus station. We saw a bus approaching and we saw it was a Solo. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 672.

Arriva NW&W 672 in Lache

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets to the bus driver for the final time today. We sat down at the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5104 and we joined the Northbound A483. We crossed over the river Dee passing required Arriva NW&W 2253 going the other way. We joined the ring road and we went clockwise up to the bus station. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 672

Inside Arriva NW&W 672

When we got off the bus we decided to take a few pictures. First we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21256 on a #1A Blacon service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21256 in Chester bus station

This was followed by required Arriva NW&W 3003 on a #2 to Birkenhead.

Arriva NW&W 3003 in Chester bus station

The next #10 arrived on stand and it was required Arriva NW&W 4638.

Arriva NW&W 4638 in Chester bus station

Just before we left we saw required Arriva NW&W 4216 on a #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4216 in Chester bus station

We went back into the car park and Matthew used the toilet before we headed back to the car. We drove out of the car park and we went clockwise around the ring road. We turned left onto the A56 and we headed north past the railway station and up towards Hoole. We joined the Northbound M53 and we did this for one junction up to the M56 which we took Eastbound. On the M56 we saw pat's coaches J7 WXM. We went South on the M6 and the road was quiet. We did pass two London Transport ALX400 bodied double decker going North on a trailer around junction 18. We left the M6 at junction 16 and we went South on the A500. We left the A500 at Sideway to join the eastbound A50. At Longton we went to Z carz to see what buses were parked up this evening. First in the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to the Mercedes was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

The third bus in the row was Z carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

Last bus in the row was Mercedes minibus Z Carz CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. There was a single minibus in an awkward position to get a photograph. It was Z Carz blue LDV minibus YN03 HJC.

Z Carz YN03 HJC in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. Lightning Travel T2 DLT was in old usual position having been absent for a few weeks. We stop at the shop in Blurton to drop some stuff off and we carried on through Blurton. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we saw First Potteries 53405. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and went to bed around 00:30... Mark