Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 23-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3131	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
2629	Chester BS	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	10	Arriva NW&W
2635	Chester, opp Sealand Road P&R	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4486	Chester BS	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
2629	Queensferry, Deeside Leisure Centre (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we were going to Ellesmere Port and Chester. The day before it started to snow and snow and snow. It eased off during the day. Matthew didn't go to college as it had been closed for the day. We checked the weather for Saturday and it was going to continue to snow albeit lightly. The night before mum ad been out wit her friend from Barlaston and I dropped her off there. Blurton Road in Wedgwood was quite bad as snow had drifted off the nearby fields and snow was 2 feet deep in places. In the early hours of the morning I dropped off her friend again and the drifts were 3-4 feet deep now and we only just got there. Needless to say we came back the other way over the railway line! Mums friend was coming with us again today so after breakfast we set off just after 11:00 towards Barlaston the roads had cleared a little since the night before so we decided to go along Blurton Road again. Half way along we came across the Wardle Transport support vehicle and we could see a Wardle bus stopped in the distance. Another driver in front of me had turned in the road and come back passed me. I decided to get out and have a look. ardle Transport 2224 was stuck and it was being dug out. I got a picture whilst stood in a 2 foot snowdrift but it wasn't a very good one.

Wardle Transport 2224 on Blurton Road

Even tough the bus was nearly free at this point we decided to turn in the road and go around as it was cutting into Matthew's bus traveling time. We turned and went back onto the A5035 and then along Barlaston Old Road. and then across the level crossing at Wedgwood. We picked up mums friend and then headed back North. Barlaston Old Road, A5035, Stanley Matthews Way and onto the A50. It was now around 12:00. We stopped at Longport off the A500 to top up with LPG and then carried on North. The motorway was quiet. In Cheshire there didn't appear to be any snow! We passed Knutsford services and we saw City Buses and Coaches TJI 3131 from Fenton parked up there but I don't know where it was going to. When we reached the M56 we headed west and the snow appeared on the ground again. We headed North when we reached the M53 and came into Ellesmere Port along the A5032. We parked up at the markets and we had dinner there around 13:30. After a visit to the toilet Matthew ate a breakfast and drank Coke and had a chocolate cake for afters. We then walked to the bus station to wait for a bus to Chester. First bus that we saw was GHA ALX bodied bus SB46 on a #36 to Runcorn.

GHA SB46 in Ellesmere Port bus station

It was around 14:00 and there was a #2 service due at 14:08. band on time, required Arriva NW&W 3131 appeared.

Arriva NW&W 3131 in Ellesmere Port bus station

After getting a picture we trotted down to the stop and booked some Deeside Daysaver tickets. We sat down near the back on the bus which was relatively empty for a Saturday. The bus didn't pick many people up and we made good time down to Chester. I heard a rattling coming from behind me and i thought this vehicle was too new to have such a noise. Further investigation revealed an an empty can of carling had been wedged between the seat and the window cause the the rattle! We passed Stagecoach trainer 52172 which was on a MBC tour and then we passed the depot with stagecoach Dart 34604 at the front. We got to Chester bus station and Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture of the inside of 3131.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3131

We walked into the bus station to see that half of the bus station was closed for refurbishment. Most of the local Stagecoach service were operating from Gorse Stacks with only the Blacon Pointers and Saughall uses and the longer services such as the 1,2,10,11 and 22 operating from the bus station. It was very cold and so we decided to get on a bus as quick as possible. The first #10 to come in was dud Arriva NW&W 2629.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Chester bus station

We decided to do this anyway as it was far to cold to hang around. We first did this bus back in December 2012. We got on and sat near the back. Once again the bus was a lot quieter than you would usually expect on a Saturday. We decided to do this bus to the Welsh border arnd get another #10 back. we got off in snowy Sealand and Matthew got another picture of 2629.

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Sealand

We hadn't passed another #10 which is quite unusual. We crossed over to see that there was one due any minute at 15:00. Oncee again bang on time required Arriva 2635 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 2635 in Sealand

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was nearly empty but that is quite common on a inbound bus at this time of day on a Saturday. Once again the journey was quick and we were back in Chester in just over 10 minutes. We walked over to our usual perch and waited for a bus we could catch. Matthew didn't fancy going back out on 2635 and there wasn't a #11 until 15:30. Whilst we waited we took a few picture. One such picture was of Stagecoach Merseyside 21249 which was First Manchester 66701.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21249 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W Dart 2348 made an appearance on the #10.

Arriva NW&W 2348 in Chester bus station

We got up go and catch this and then required Arriva 4486 came into the bus station on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4486 in Chester bus station

I thought it was best to do the Dart but Matthew wanted to do the 4486. After waiting a short while for the driver to re-appear We got on and went upstairs. There were a few people on this bus compared to some of the loadings we had seen today. The journey was quite pleasant and on the edge of Chester there was a diversion off the A5104. we turned back onto the Chester Road from Sandy Lane by the steel footbridge. As we carried on the snow was deeper on the ground. Hawarden looked like a scene from a Christamas card with snow covered trees and houses. We then headed into Queensferry passing dud 4484 at the stop opposite Asda. We got off at the next stop. Matthew wanted to stay on that side on the road and it soon became apparent why. We crossed over and sat in the stop opposite. We then saw Arriva 2348 on the opposite heading out to Connah's Quay. Matthew must have seen it in the distance as we passed the end of Chester Road East. There was a Chester bound bus due anyway and when it came we saw it was Arriva NW&W 2629 again!

Arriva NW&W 2629 in Queensferry

Not the bested planned move we ave ever done, but when it is this cold you just want to keep on traveling. In Garden City we passed required bus 2641. Back in Chester, Matthew photographed the inside of 2629.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2629

We got back to around 16:20 and the plan was to go toilet and then perhaps catch another bus or two. Matthew however wanted to go on a bit of a wander. We walked out of the bus station onto Northgate. We visited a shop and got Lottery tickets and Matthew had a can of Coke and a Milky Way. we then walked along the bottom of the wall to the Ring Road and back to the bus station. In the bus station we saw Avon 139 on a #22 to West Kirby. We also saw required dart 2352 on a #10. Matthew visited the toilet and when he came out required Arriva NW&W Dart 2341 was on the #10 too.

Arriva NW&W 2341 in Chester bus station

We went back to the car and had sausage rolls and Matthew ad his can of coke. We headed out of town around the ring road and then up the A56. We got onto the northbound M53 and then turned onto the Eastbound M56. Along here we saw Arriva ALX200 2303. Matthew was a little grumpy probably because we missed out on going on the required Darts. At the M6 we headed South and then came off at the A500. We got on the A50 and then we came off and dropped mums friend off near the Britannia Stadium before heading to Longton to go passed Z carz. It was still Light and there was snow on the ground. First in the row was on of the taxi fleet Renault YE52 UZX.

Z carz YE52 UZX in Longton

we then saw coach V690 EBC which still had its contract destination in the window 279.

Z carz V690 EBC in Longton

Next was Iveco minibus HX51 HRU with 'Blackfriars' in the window.

Z carz HX51 HRU in Longton

Next was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Then it was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z carz M420 UEH in Longton

Finally was minicoach W344 WNS.

Z carz W344 WNS in Longton

We then headed down Longton Hall Road stopping at the shop on Naishe Drive. Matthew had a can of Coke and we picked up a Chocolate Gateau for later. When we got home Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash and this was followed later by a slice of the gateau with whipped cream. He then chilled out and used his computer up until bedtime around 23:30...Mark