Trip to Birkenhead 15-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4099	Birkenhead BS	Moreton, nr Bermuda Road	407	Arriva North West & Wales
30243	Moreton, nr Bermuda Road	Birkenhead BS	38	First Manchester
3123	Birkenhead BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	410	Arriva North West & Wales
3129	King's Parade, New Brighton	Birkenhead, nr Hamilton Square	410	Arriva North West & Wales

Today we finally got to take a trip to Birkenhead. We had planned to go on the 1st of September, but we decided to cover the last day of Bakerbus operation on the #350 service and we put down Birkenhead on Matthew's planner for today instead. In the 2 weeks that had passed, quite a few changes had taken place in the Wirral. First Manchester had had some step entranced Olympians from South Yorkshire which seem to be for the #38 service, and Arriva had received a new batch of Pulsar 2's which were being loaned out to cover the Olympics. We checked the weather for today and the weather was going to be dry with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:20 and we had planned on leaving around 11:30. It took a little longer than anticipated to get ready and we left home around 12:20. We stopped at Longtport for LPG and then we continued North on the A500. As we travelled North we passed MIB 246 going South presumably on football duties. We got to the top of the A500 and then onto the M6. Traffic was heavy and we made relatively slow progress up to the M56 and then it was plain sailing. We did the M56 west to the M53 and then we did this to Junction 3 and came into Birkenhead from the West side of town. As we went along the A552 we saw Arriva 4097 heading into Liverpool on a #471 service. We saw 4050 going in the opposite direction. We got into town and parked by the bus station a little after 14:00. For dinner we went to the burger van inside the Market by the carousel. After we consumed 2 bacon baps and 1 sausage bap between us we headed off to the bus station. As we approached we saw a First Manchester double decker on stand 1 on a #38 service. As we approached it pulled off and it was one of then new arrivals at Rock Ferry 30243. Matthew said he wanted to do that bus and so we hatched a plan. I went to get the #38 timetable, and Matthew took a few pictures whilst we waited. One such bus was Arriva Gemini 4202.

Arriva NW&W 4202 in Birkenhead bus station

I looked at the Saturday timetable and I saw it was a 30 minute frequency and so it would be quite a wait to follow it up. Arriva Daf 2409 appeared in the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2409 in Birkenhead bus station

Whilst we were still wondering what we could do about following 30243, required Arriva 4097 appeared on a #407 service To Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4097 in Birkenhead bus station

This was followed by required Arriva 4099 on a Moreton bound #407 service. We decided to do this bus, and if we were lucky, we might make 30243 coming back out of West Kirby. We used our Saveaway scratch cards and boarded the bus. We went upstairs and settled down for the run to Morteon. We had never been on this service before so we didn't know the route so we just had to look out where we were going. The route was familiar for the most part, Straight along A553. As we travelled toward Moreton we passed First Manchester 30839 going towards new Ferry. The bus then does a circle around Moreton. Turning right at the big roundabout, it travels through a housing estate before getting back on the Hoylake Road West of Moreton, now running as a Liverpool service. Matthew got a picture of the near empty top deck of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4099

When the bus stopped on the Hoylake Road we decided to get off as we should now be on the #38 route.

Arriva NW&W 4099 in Moreton

It was around 15:10 and there was a #38 due at 15:18. There should have been an Avon Mill Park service and also a #423 to Seacombe Ferry. We didn't see either of those whilst we waited, but we did see an Impera Dart 2511 on the #39 New Brighton to West Kirby service, and First Manchester 30246 going the other way on a #38.

First Manchester 30246 in Moreton

Eventually, our bus arrived and it was 30243 that we had missed earlier.

First Manchester 30243 in Moreton

We went upstairs on this bus ans after we sat down we saw a few buses coming the other way. We passed 4038 on a #407 service. And we saw First Manchester 30837 coming the other way. The bus empties out a little as we approached the bus station and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside First Manchester 30243

We eventually got back to Birkenhead and we had about 5 minutes before the next #38 to West Kirby. Matthew considered catching some other buses such as Arriva 2460 on a Clatterbridge service, and 4421 on a Liverpool service. He also got a picture on First Manchester 60005 on a #41 to Mill Park.

First Manchester 60005 in Birkenhead bus station

The #38 was a Scania and Matthew didn't fancy doing that today. We then saw a new Pulsar on a #410 and he decided he wanted to do that.

Arriva NW&W 3123 approaches Birkenhead bus station

We got on and settled down for the journey. It wasn't very full and it was quite a nice journey on this nearly new bus. We Arrived at New Brighton and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus. We then got a picture of the outside too before crossing the road to go and visit Morrisons. Weused the facilities and then Matthew had his favourite lemon merringue pie and a cup of Coke in the cafe. After having this quick snack matthew took us a round the supermarket to buy a few things too. We then went outside and sat on a rock whilst we waited for a bus back. Arriva 4421 arrived from Liverpool on a #433 service.

Arriva NW&W 4421 in New Brighton

Arriva 'Golfish bowl' 2451 came in from Birkenhead and then went out of service. Also coming in Liverpool was Arriva 4000, which was on a #432 service.

Arriva NW&W 4000 in New Brighton

Eventually another new Pulsar 2 appeared on a #410 service, which was required 3129.

Arriva NW&W 3129 in New Brighton

We decided to do this bus, and because it was around 17:05 we assumed it was a Clatterbridge service. We stopped at the side of Wilkinson's and then carried on past the bus station as it was on a Woodside service. We got off around the corner near to Hamilton Square.

Arriva NW&W 3129 in Birkenhead

As we walked back we saw Arriva 2453 and then Avon 923.

Avon 923 in Birkenhead

We me back up with mum and then headed to the car. Matthew decided he wanted to got to the toilet, but as the green 'tardis' by the bus station was closed I drove to Conway park station to use the toilets there. We flashed our saveaway tickets to the lady on the barrier and then used the toilet before retuning to the car. We then had our customary sausage rolls in the car. It was now nearly 18:00 as we set off home.We travelled home down the A41, and we we passed Eastham we saw a Helms of Eastham Volvo going the other way and I realised this was 'the' Eastham where Helms are based! We got onto the M53 and then onto the Eastbound M56. As we joined the M6 we soon caught up with a couple of coaches. One of the coaches Bowens XTJ 802 and Matthew got a picture out of the window. The other one was which was a white coach was possible XTJ 817. We got onto the A500 and this time we went straight home as we were a little later than usual returning. We got back in the house around 19:20. After having fish finger sandwiches for supper, we settled down in front of the telly before bedtime...Mark