Trip to Birkenhead / West Kirby 09-06-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4533	Birkenhead BS	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop B)	437	Arriva NW&W
255	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop B)	Heswall BS	22	Avon
4503	Heswall BS	Prenton, Osmaston Road	472	Arriva NW&W
2958	Prenton, Curzon Road	Woodside BS	413	Arriva NW&W
2601	Woodside BS	Seacombe Ferry	411	Arriva NW&W
2545	Seacombe Ferry	Birkenhead BS	409	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Birkenhead. We gave Matthew a list of place to visit in the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose Birkenhead. Research consisted of checking the weather, which was for warm suuny weather mainly dry and finding the Walrus cards. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 through Blurton and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop off toilet rolls and then we continued up Blurton Road into Heron Cross. We join ed the WEstbound A50 and at Sideway we went Northwards up the A500. Traffic was quite light and we made good time up to the M6. As we travlled up the A500 we saw Sids HK58 ECV & Roseville WF11 WHC. We joined the Northbound M6 and we made good time up to junction 20. Seen on the M6 were TM Travel YJ17 CXW & black minibus KR18 HVZ. We joined the Westbound M56 and as we travelled Westwards we saw silver minibus YL14 MGJ, Atlantic Executive BN08 OOG & an unidentified E Jones and sons coach. We joined the Northbound M53 and we ran upn to junction 3. We came into Birkenhead along the A552 and we saw Arriva NW&W 2582 on a #413 to Seacombe Ferry and Stagecoach Merseyside 10887 on a #472 to Heswall. We veered left onto Woodchurch Road. We ran onto the A5029 and we turned right onto Claughton Road. We ran to the end and we parked up near to Wilko's. We headed up to the Market to go and get something to eat, On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 2545 on #409 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Birkenhead bus station

We headed into the market and the first food van we came to had no sausages! We went further into the market and we found annother food place. Matthew had a full breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we headed out of the market and into the bus station. Whilst I got the Walrus cards Matthew took a few bus pictures. We saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27271 on a #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27271 in Birkenhead bus station

Once we had charge the cards up we spotted dud Arriva NW&W 3007 on a #414 to New Brighton. We considered doing this but we weren't quick enough. We also saw Arriva NW&W 4533 on a #437 to West Kirby.

Arriva NW&W 4533 in Birkenhead bus station

We decided to do this bus so we walked down the bus station and got on the bus. We placed the Walrus passes on the ticket machine and we went upstairs ans sat down. We set off out of the bus station and onto Conway Street. We ran North Westwards out of town and past the end of Dale Street near to Birkenhead Park railway station. We continued onto Laird Street past the Arriva depot and we turned left onto Mallby Street. We turned right onto Park Road North and we ran through Claughton. We continued onto Upton Road and we crossed over the M53 near to Upton railway station. We turnd right onto Ford Road and into Upton town centre. We continued out of the other side onto Old Greasby Road and forwards onto the B5139. We turned left onto Breasby Road and we ran through the village before re-joining the B5139. We continued throgh Frankby and Newtown and we ran forwards onto Greenbank Road. We past West Kirby football club and we turned left onto Anglesey Road before turning tight onto Bridge Road. We crossed over the railway line and we ran into town. We got to the main stop and the bus emptied out. Matthew took a picture inside Inside Arriva NW&W 4533 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4533

Once off the bus we walked across to the librbary. Matthew used the toilet and I picked uo a couple of bus timetables. We walked back to the bus stop and as we arrived we saw required Avon Buses 255 on a #22 to Chester.

Avon Buses 255 in West Kirby

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the Walrus cards on the card reader before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A540 and we turned left onto Orrysdale Road. We ran forwards onto Anglesey Road and we turned sharp right by West Kirby football club. We ran along Greenbank Road and forwards onto the B5139. We passed through Newton and Frankby and we turned right onto Greasby Road. We ran through Greasby Road and forwards onto Arrow Road. We ran forwards onto Arrowe Brook Road before turning right onto the A551. We turnbed right into Arrowe park hospital and we stopped briefly before continuing South through Thingwall. We continued Southwards through Pensby and into Heswall. We turned left onto the A540 and left into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Avon 255 as it continued towards Chester.

Avon Buses 255 in Heswall bus station

Once the bus had left we stood at the end of the bus station whilst we considered what to do next. We spotted a double decker to the South of us in the distance. Eventually it came North. As it got closer we saw that it was required Helms 223 running out of service.

Helms 223 in Heswall bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4503 on a #472 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4503 in Heswall bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the Northbiound A540. We turned right onto the B5138 passing Helms 135 running out of service. We ran through Pensby and up to Arrowe Park Road. We joined the Northbound A551 and by the Arrowe Park pub we followed the A551 to the left. We turned into Arrowe Park hospital and we stooped briefly to pick up passengers. Other vehcile seen in that area include Arriva NW&W on a #418 and Stagecoach 10883 on a #472 to Heswall. We left the hospital and we ran Southwards back down the A551 to a roundabout. We went Westwards along the A552. We passed the Asda near to Woodchurch where they appear to be building a small building in the car park. We crossed over the M53 at junction 3 and we ran up the hill into Prenton. It was a little warm on the bus so we decided to get up and get off the bus in Prenton to have a break from buses. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4503 as it continued up towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4503 in Prenton

We walked into Sainsburys and Matthew used the toilet. After he had finished using the facilities we brought a bottle of Coke and a pack of 4 flakes. After paying for the stuff we went outside and walked towards the next bus stop. Matthew had other ideas and he walked into a coffe shop and sat down. He had a plapjack and a glass of Coke with ice. When he finished that we went outside to meet uncle Dave again. Whilst we waited at the bus stop for a Birkenhead bound bus, we saw Arriva NW&W 4516 on a #471 to Heswall.

Arriva NW&W 4516 in Prenton

A few minutes later we saw n Arriva single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2958 on a #413 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2958 in Prenton

As we got on the bus we were passed by an unidentified Helms double decker bus on the Wirral Ale Trail service. We placed the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A552 into Birkenhead past the Pyramids shopping centre. We stopped at the back of the shopping cente by Clifton Road and we turned left at the roundabout onto Argyle Street. We turned right into Canning Street. We went around the roundabout and we entered the Woodside bus terminal. WE let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2958.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2958

As we were getting off the bus we spotted another bus in the terminal. It was required Arriva NW&W 2601 on a #411 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2601 in Woodside bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the Walrus cards on the card reader before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus terminal and we went around the roundabout onto the A554. We turned left onto Argyle Street and we ran past Hamilton Square. We turned right onto Conway Street and we entered the main bus station. After loading up til the bus was nearly full, we set off onto Claughton Road. We turned right onto Hemmingsford Street and we continued along Conway Street for another 1/2 mile or so. We turned right into Duke Street and we past Birkenhead Park railway station. WE passed Happy Als depot and inthe yard opposite there were lots of other buses, including LJ03 MOV. We crossed over the bridge and we turned right onto Dock Road. At the roundabout we veered left onto the A554 and we ran up to and entered Seacombe Ferry bus terminal. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2601 before it crried on to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2601 in Seacombe Ferry

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2993 on layover. We went into the ferry terminal and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards, we came out to wait for a bus back to Birkenhead. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It was required Arriva NW&W 2545 on a #409 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Seacombe Ferry

We got on the bus and we placed the Walrus passes on the ticket machine for the final time today. As the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2545 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2545

We set off out of the bus station and onto the Southbound A554. We turned right onto Dock Road past the new bridge under construction and left onto Duke Street. After we crossed over the bridge we turned left onto Corporation Street. We turned left onto the A554. We picked up passengers and we ran towards the other side of the bridge. We did a u turn on the roundabout and we went back down the A554 to Woodside bus terminal. After a brief stop we headed back into the centre of Birkenhead. We ran up to Argyle Street and past Hamilton Square. We turned right onto Conway Street and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we crossed over to the car park. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2545 as it carried on to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Birkenhead bus station

We walked back to the car and mum had popped out to Wilko's, so matthew decided he wanted to go to the pub. AS we crossed over Conway Street we saw Arriva NW&W 2909 on a #410 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2909 in Birkenhead

We crossed over the road and we went into The Crown. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back across Conway Street to the car. On the way we saw Arriva NW&W 4534 on a #407 to Moreton.

Arriva NW&W 4534 in Birkenhead

We continued over the road and back to the car. Mum was just getting back to the car as we did. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Cluaghton Road and we turned right onto Hemmingford street. We turned right onto Conway Street and we ran past the bus statio, We turned right onto SArgyle Street and left onto the Borough Road. We joined the Southbound A41 and we ran through Port Sunlight and Bromborough. We joined the M53 at junction 5. Seen on the M53 returning were Longmynd Travel SF56 KDJ & taxi minibus YC66 KWV. We ran down to the M56 and we ran East towards and we saw an unidentified Arvonia coach. We joined the Southbound M6 and we travelled towards junction 16 we saw an unidentified Llew Jones coach, white minibus MX56 AZL, an unidentified Bullock coach, Shearings 515, an unidentified AXA coach & silver minibus CX07 FHW. We joined the Southbound A500 and we saw taxi minibus MD64 FKZ. At Sideway we went Eastwards up the A50 and we came off at Longton. We went to see what was parked up at Z Carz. The spare ground was empty as expected so we turned left into Willow Row. In the compound we saw Z Carz YN11 AHJ parked up near to the top end.

Z Carz YN11 AHJ in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Ford minibus DC12 KNG in the corner of the new yard. We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

Trip to Birkenhead / New Brighton 06-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3009	Birkenhead BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	411	Arriva North West & Wales
3135	King's Parade, New Brighton	Woodside BS	410	Arriva North West & Wales
2906	Woodside BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	410	Arriva North West & Wales
2456	King's Parade, New Brighton	Liscard, Liscard Crescent	414	Arriva North West & Wales
4519	Liscard, Wallasey Road (Stop B)	King's Parade, New Brighton	432	Arriva North West & Wales
822	King's Parade, New Brighton	Liscard, Liscard Crescent	10A	Avon Buses
2465	Liscard, Liscard Crescent	Birkenhead, nr Claughton Road	410	Arriva North West & Wales

Today we decided to re-visit Birkenhead. A check of the weather the night before revealed that Birkenhead was the only place in the North West and Midlands where it wasn't going to be raining much during the afternoon. We gave Matthew a choice of destinations, but thankfully he did choose Birkenhead! Matthew got up around 09:45 and had toast for breakfast. We set off a little after 11:30 and we drove onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we passed D&G 170 o a #14 to Stone. Outside the Britannia Stadium we saw Ashcroft Travel mini coach HIG 5675. We joined the Westbound A50 and a Sideway we took the Northbound A500. Going North up the A500 we passed SS Travel M942 JBO. The A500 was struggling a little and we heard on the radio that the M6 was blocked between junction 17 & 18. The M6 looked almost stationary, so we decided to take the more direct but slower A road rout towards Chester. We crossed under the M6 and we carried on along the A500. It seemed like everyone else had had the same idea as it was sluggish along the single carriageway section. When we got to the dual carriageway we sped up a little bit until we got to the edge of Nantwich. Going around Nantwich we slowed a little. Near to Reeceheath College we saw Routemaster Buses H116 SAO running out of service towards Crewe. Presumably it was going to have a hand in the C84 service or at very least the driver changes. We queued up to junction of the A51 and Cuckoo Lane and once we passed the traffic lights we we got up to speed again. Passing through Calveley we saw required Arriva NW&W 4478 on a #84 to Crewe. Running up to Tarporley we caught up with Routemaster Buses YJ53 VDT on a C84 to Chester. We got to the roundabout were the A54 joins the A51 and the road was busy again. It was busy but moving quite well. On the way up to Littleton we passed GHA Y188 NLK on a #82 to Northwich. At the big roundabout we turned right to join the Northbound M53. We went passed Cheshire Oaks and Ellesmere Port and we came off at junction 5 to join the Northbound A41. We now had a straight-ish run of around 5 miles up into Birkenhead. Goin into town we saw a number of buses. Stagecoach Merseyside 27261/27271 were on #2 services, Stagecoach Merseyside 36806 was on a #38 service, Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 was on a X8 service and Arriva NW&W Streetlite 6002 was on a #487 service. When we got into town we turned off Conway Street into Hemingford Street ans we parked up in the surface car park adjacent to Wilko and the bus station. We headed to the toilet in the market when we got out of the car, but the disabled toilet was in use as was the one working toilet in the gents. when we came our of the market we saw A2B Travel Solo YJ60 KDZ on a #154 to Prenton.

A2B Travel YJ60 KDZ in Birkenhead bus station

It was dinner time so we set off into town. We usual eat at Platters, but it appeared to be shut today. We carried on through the shopping centre and Matthew said hello to someone one in Cash Converters. At the other end of the shopping centre we found a little coffee shop that does food too, called The Coffee Mill. Matthew used the toilet upstairs and when he came back down we ordered him a breakfast and a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked back through the shopping centre back to the bus station. First thing we had to do was to go tot the travel shop and purchase a multi-operator bus ticket for the Wirral. We usually get issued with a scratch card which you have to validate yourself back scratching off today's date and covering the ticket with the security seal. Today we were issued wit a Walrus card. Whilst we were getting the card we saw Arriva NW&W 2453 in the bus station on a #414 to New Brighton. We card the cards charged up and we headed towards the East Lancs bodied DAF. By the time we came out of the travel shop area the bus had set off. Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 2453 as it left the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2453 in Birkenhead bus station

This was followed by Stagecoach Merseyside 28544 which was on the #42 to Woodchurch.

Stagecoach Merseyside 28544 in Birkenhead bus station

There was a required double decker, Stagecoach Merseyside 19040 on the #472 to Heswall. By the time Matthew had taken the picture, that too decided to leave the bus station.

Stagecoach Merseyside 19040 in Birkenhead bus station

We stood at the end of the bus station for a whilst we decided what to do next. Two buses entered the bus station in quick succession, they were dud Arriva NW&W 3008 on the #495 Beechwood circular and Arriva NW&W 3009 on the #411 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 3009 in Birkenhead bus station

We decided to do the New Brighton bus, we walked to the other end of the bus station up to Stand 10 and the bus was still loading. We got on the bus and we presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine, before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Claughton Road and right onto Hemingford Street. We turned left onto Conway Street and we carried on forwards onto Park Road North. In Claughton we turned right into Duke Street and past Birkenhead Park railway station. We headed past happy Al's bus garage with its 10ft high boundary wall where only the tops of double deckers are visible. We crossed the bridge over the West Float docks where there was a large ship Navy berthed there called Black Rover. We turned right into Dock Road and then left into Birkenhead Road. A few hundred yard north we turned right into Victoria Place, which is an interchange between the Seacombe Ferry and bus services. Required Arriva NW&W 2459 was on layover at the terminal between working #413 services. We left Victoria Place and we headed up Brighton Street. It was pretty much a straight road up to New Brighton of a round 2 miles up the A554. We passed Rowson Street were the #410 service forks of towards Liscard and we headed down the hill to the coast. We turned left into King's parade and the bus pulled over into the alighting only bus stop on the South side of the road. Matthew let the bus empty before taking a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3009.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3009

We got off the bus and the bus set off towards the turning circle to work a return service back to Woodside bus station.

Arriva NW&W 3009 in New Brighton

Also on layover was dud Arriva NW&W 2457.

Arriva NW&W 2457 in New Brighton

The last time we had this bus was back in December 2011 from Birkenhead to New Brighton on the #410. We headed back to the crossing and on the way we saw Arriva NW&W 4507 on a #432 from Liverpool to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 4507 in New Brighton

We crossed the road an we went into the Morrisons Supermarket. Matthew used the toilet and then we went around the shop. We picket up Milky Way double bar and two bottle of Coke. As we headed into the self services tills we saw Carvers coach FN52 HRW going past on King's Parade. Once we had paid for the shopping Matthew said hello to a lady at the kiosk and we went outside to see what we could catch. We didn't have to wait long before required before required Arriva NW&W 3135 made an appearance on the #410 to Clatterbridge.

Arriva NW&W 3135 in New Brighton

We got on the bus and we presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine, before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along King's parade and we turned right into the A554. We went to the top of the hill before turning right into Rowson Street. We went forwards onto Rake Lane and we ran into the Northern end of Liscard. The bus went around the one way system and we pulled into Liscard Crescent, a small bus interchange with 3 stops. we carried on around the on way system before we re-joined the A551. We turned left onto Torrington Road and we went forwards onto Gorsy Lane and down towards the Wallasey Tunnel. We crossed over the A59 and we ran towards the dock, going forwards onto Duke Street. We passed happy Als garage, this time we noticed another yard on the opposite side of the road where we saw Solo's (white and yellow ones), red ALX400 double deckers and an Enviro single decker. We passed Birkenhead Park railway station and then we turned left into Park Road North. The back seat of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear seats.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3135

We turned right into Park Road East and we turned left into Claughton Road. The bus didn't go into the bus station, it turned left into Hemingford Street where many people got off. We decided to carry on to Woodside bus station. The bus turned right onto Conway Street and then left onto Atgyle Street. At Hamilton Square we turned right at the far end and then left onto Hamilton Street. We passed Hamilton Square railway station and we went around a large roundbout and into the Woodside bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3135 before it carried on towards Clatterbridge.

Arriva NW&W 3135 in Woodside bus station

We had a look at the timetables. The #410 to New Brighton was due every 10 minutes so we would have to wait long. Whilst we were there we saw a tram arrive from the Wirral Transport museum. It was a green and cream tram that used to be ve part of the Liverpool Corporation fleet. We watch the conductor switch the overhead current collector pole to the opposite end for the return journey back to the museum. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 2906 enter the bus station on the #410 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2906 in Woodside bus station

We got on the bus and we presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine, before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of Woodside bus station and we headed back to the main bus station via Argyle Street and Conway Street. After loading up at stand 10 of the bus station we carried on onto Claughton Road. We turned right onto Park Road East and left onto Park Road North. At Duke Street we turned right and we went past Birkenhead Park railway station. We went past the bus co pound bur we weren't able to identify any of the buses in the yard. We crossed over the bridge over the west Float and we went up the hill crossing over the A59. At the top of the hill we turned right into Wallasey Road and into Liscard. We stopped at the main stop outside Wetherspoons before carrying on Northwards up Rake Lane and then Rowson Street. We joined the A554 and we ran down into New Brighton, turning right onto King's Parade. When the bus stopped we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2906.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2906

When we got off the bus we saw required Arriva NW&W 2456 on layover on a #414 to Birkenhead via Leasowe. We crossed the road at the crossing and the bus went around the turning circle. We managed to get a good shot of Arriva NW&W 2456 as it came onto the main stop.

Arriva NW&W 2456 in New Brighton

We got on the bus and we presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine, before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus was already partially loaded when we got on it, and the passengers were spread out. A quick look at the online timetable revealed that the bus went into Liscard, so we decided to go there. The bus set off out of town and we went up the A554. Instead of turning into Rowson Street we carried on down the main road further southwards. We went Westwards on Mount pleasant Road and we came into Liscard for the North Western side along Seaview Road. The bus stop in Liscard Crescent and we gt up and got of the bus. Before we walked over to Wallasey Road Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2456.

Arriva NW&W 2456 in Liscard

We walked around the corner and we saw required Arriva NW&W 4519 across the way on a #432 to New Brighton. We had to cross over a busy T-junction. Luckily we were able to get across the road and get a picture before we got on Arriva NW&W 4519.

Arriva NW&W 4519 in Liscard

We presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine, and then we went upstairs. It was now starting to turn dark. Like the #414 service, the bus left town up Seaview Road and then Eastwards along Mount Pleasant Road and magazine lane and onto the A554. We turned left onto the main road and we went up and over the hill into New Brighton and Left onto King's Parade. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the top deck of Arriva NW&W 4519.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4519

There were a couple of other buses parked up in the layover spaces in New Brighton. We saw required Arriva NW&W 2988 on a #414 to Woodside bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2988 in New Brighton

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 3127 on a #410 to Clatterbridge.

Arriva NW&W 3127 in New Brighton

We deciedd to head off to Morrisons for a quick toilet stop. On the way to the crossing we saw required Avon Buses pull in after working a #10A service.

Avon Buses 822 in New Brighton

We crossed the road and we went into Morrisons. this time it was a quick toilet stop before we returned outside. There was a #410 to Clatterbridge at 17:25, which we knew operated via Liscard. We also noticed that the #10A went via Liscard, albeit along a different route and it was due at 17:15! We decided we could get a quick ride on the Avon Buses bus before continuing our journey with the #410. The #10A bus as expected was Avon Buses 822 that we had seen on layover earlier. We got on the bus and we presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine, before sitting down towards the back of the bus. There were some seats opposite to us that were empty, and so Matthew took a picture inside Avon Buses 822.

Inside Avon Buses 822

The bus set off along King's Parade and we turned right into Rowson Street, passing required Arriva NW&W 2465 on the #410 to New Brighton. We turned left into Victoria Road and we ran to the turning circle at the ens before running back the way we came and across Rowson Street. We passed nearby to New Brighton Railway station and we turned left onto Atherton Street. We turned right onto Albion Street and at the end we went South down Mount Road. We crossed over Mount Pleasant Road and forwards onto Kirkway. We turned right onto Earlston Road and left onto Seaview Road and we cam into Liscard from the North West. When we got to Liscard Crescent we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Avon Buses 822 before it carried on to Arrowe Park hospital.

Avon Buses 822 in Liscard

This time we didn't have walk through town to catch our next bus. A couple of minutes later as expected, required Arriva NW&W 2465 made an appearance on the #410 to Clatterbridge.

Arriva NW&W 2465 in Liscard

We got on the bus and we presented our Walrus smartcards to the ticket machine for the final time today, before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off around town on the one-way system and back onto Wallasey Road. We left Liscard along Wallasey Road and we turned right into Torington Road. We continued down the road forwards onto the variously name sectioned until we got to Gorsey Lane at the bottom of the hill. We crossed the A59 and we went forwards onto Duke Street. We crossed the West Float and we passed the bus yard. It was now too dark to try and identify the residents in the yards this evening. We passed Birkenhead Park railway station and we turned left into Park Road North and then onto Park Road East. We went towards the bus station along Claughton Road before turning left into Hemingford Street. The bus was emptying so Matthew took a picture of the empty back seat in Arriva NW&W 2465.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2465

We got up and got off the bus, and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2465 as it carried on towards Clatterbridge.

Arriva NW&W 2465 in Birkenhead

We walked back to the car and the car was empty... We assumed mum had gone to the bus station to meet us. We walked around the bus station and we did not see her. We did see required Stagecoach Merseyside 19060 on a #472 to Heswall.

Stagecoach Merseyside 19060 in Birkenhead bus station

By the time we walked back to the car park the car had moved closer to the bus station and mum was in the car ( obvs :) ). We got in the car and Matthew had Greggs sausage roll with a bottle of Irn Bru to wash it down. We set off out of town along Hemingford Street and Conway Street. We went down Argyle Street and we joined the A41. A few miles South we stopped at a BP garage to top up with diesel. The pumps were modern, with an LCD screen and they even speak to you and tell you which type of fuel you have selected, ideal for the blind driver! We got back onto the A41 and we joined the M53 at Junction 5. We traveled South past Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Oaks and we got onto the Eastbound M56. It was now raining hard and we traveled through Cheshire in the dark up the M6. We joined the Southbound M6 and as we traveled South we saw Bliss YX05 AVJ. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we ran South down the A500 to Sideway. We went Eastwards up the A50 to Longton and we came off to go and check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. On the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

At the near end of the front row we saw Z Carz silver minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. Most of the minibuses were packed into the yard and at the front was Z Carz Ford minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we went to Heron Cross. We came off the A50 onto Blurton Road and we went through Blurton. We went forwards onto Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cornflake cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark