Trip to Birkenhead 04-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
61563	Birkenhead BS	Woodchurch, Home Farm Road (N-bound)	41	First Manchester
61563	Woodchurch, Home Farm Road (N-bound	Birkenhead BS	41	First Manchester
208	Birkenhead BS	Bromborough, Spital Road (W-bound)	40	Avon Buses
60076	Bromborough, Spital Road (E-bound)	Birkenhead BS	42	First Manchester
4420	Birkenhead BS	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop A)	437	Arriva NW&W
509	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop A)	Birkenhead, nr Claughton Road	293	Avon Buses

Today we deiced to go out towards Birkenhead to do a few more buses. After breakfast at the B&B we sat in the room for a short while and Matthew took some picture from the window. One such picture was Jones minibus R429 UCH which parked up for a while on the corner of Delamere Street.

Jones R429 UCH in Delamere Street, Chester

Shortly afterwards we set off North up the A56 and then on to the M53. We got into Birkenhead around 10:00 and parked in the small car park between Wilko and the bus station. First thing to do was to get a Saveaway ticket. we walked across to Conway Street railway station to pick up a ticket. whilst we were there Matthew used the facilities. We saw z carz BV51 BNO and then we saw and photographed a National Express coach parked up opposite the station. We walked back across to the bus station and almost immediately we saw First Manchester 61563 on a Woodchurch service.

First Manchester 61563 in Birkenhead bus station

We did the service out and back, mainly because we had never been in this direction before and didn't know the area. Had we had known we we could have gotten off and caught the #90 service operated by Avon buses which we passed as we went around the estate. When we got back Matthew got another picture of this bus.

61563 leaving Birkenhead bus station

We then we had to make a decision on what to do next. There was an Arriva Enviro 400 on the #41 to Clatterbridge. When we went to catch it it pulled off. We then saw Avon 208 on a #40 Mill Park. As we have never done a Avon bus before it was required. As we got on the bus we grabbed a timetable from the timetable display case adjacent to the stop. As we travelled down I worked out that we could go to Bromborough Cross for a First bus back. We got off and crossed of the road to wait for the return service. When it appeared we saw it was First Manchester 60076.

First Manchester 60076 in Bromborough

It was disappointingly not required! We have had so few bus from Rock Ferry the chances of not getting a required one were very slim. The last time we had been on this bus it was operated by First Potteries back in 2008. When we got back we decided to do one last out and back before dinner. We used the facilities in the bus station before spotting an Arriva Enviro 400 on a #437 to West Kirby. We got on Arriva NW&W 4420 and I checked to see if this bus was required. luckily it was so off we went. As we left birkenhead we passed Arriva 4202 on an opposite working. It was a fine sunny day and along the route there were many pubs decorated ready for Jubilee celebrations. When we got to West Kirby Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4420

Before he could get a picture of the outside of the bus, it went off empty. Just behind that was Avon buses 509. It was a required bus and also it was one of their older vehicle so we decided to do this back to Birkenhead.

Avon Buses 509 in West Kirby

This also shaved a bit of time of the expected return time that I had texted to mum despite a longer route. We passed Arriva 4200 on a #437, making 2 wright bodied buses on the route today. We got off on the road behind the bus station and Matthew got a picture of the inside as it emptied out.

Inside 509

We then returned to the car. We had planned on having dinner at a sizzling pub on the A552 near the motorway. As it was a nice day we wanted to eat outside. Unfortunately the only tables you could eat at were well away from the road and so would be any good for Matthew to see buses. we drove on and found another sizzling pub near to Arrowe Park hospital. On the route of the #293 and #423. Matthew had Gammon and egg, and for after the biggest slice of chocoloate fudge cake i have ever seen! By the time we had eaten it was around 15:00 so we decided to go back to Chester. We had a chill out in the room for a couple of hours, and as a change from going on buses we decided to go for a drive. Setting off around 18:00, we went up the Wirral. We travelled through Neston, Parkgate and then Heswall. We had a brief stop in the Wirral country park at a place called Thurstaston. We stopped briefly had a quick walk around and Matthew decided he need the toilet. We were able to use the one in the cafe despite it being closed! we then looked for something to eat. we tried to find a pub it didn't seem to be suitable for our needs. We decided to abandon the plan to go to a pub and instead we decided to drive towards Chester and then find a chip shop to get some chip and go back to the room. Mum used an App on her phone find one in the village of Little Neston. We found the chippy and the chips were that hot and fresh we were able to get back to the room and they were still hot! After we had eaten we settled down for the night, getting ready for the drive home tomorrow..Mark