Trip to St Helens / Liverpool Airport 24-06-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2500	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2979	St Helens BS	Hunts Cross Station, (Stop B)	89	Arriva NW&W
4114	Hunts Cross Station, (Stop B)	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	81A	Arriva NW&W
4825	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Liverpool South Parkway	86A	Arriva NW&W
4565	Hunts Cross Station, (Stop B)	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	86A	Arriva NW&W
4462	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	81A	Arriva NW&W
2977	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We had checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with the possibility of some rain. Matthew also found out that First Dart 41521 had moved from the Potteries fleet down to Essex. Matthew got up around around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off onto the A5035 and we passed First Potteries 41493 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran past the Bet365 Stadium. We joined the Westbound A500 and then we went North up the A500 passing Spacebus P246 UCW. We ran up the A500 and as we travelled North we passed an unidentified Malbank Coaches coach. As we got onto the Northbound M6 traffic was a little slow until we passed a broken down vehicle that was blocking lane one. After that traffic was flowing well. As we went North we saw Ogdens BX62 BYC, Woodgrove Community Transport BU02 OTV & an unidentified Safeguard Coaches coach. At junction 21A we got onto the Westbound M62 and we ran to the next junction. Once off the M62 at Winwick we ran Northwards up the A49 into Newton before going West along the A572 into earlestown. We parked up in the free car park near to Market Street and we walked past the bus station to the pub where we had dinner. As we passed the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 2714 on a #20 service to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2714 in Earlestown bus station

We went into the pub and went to the toilet. When we sat down mum ordered the food and Matthew had a class of Coke. Matthew'd dinner arrived and it was a chicken burger and chips. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we went outside. As we got to the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2500 arrive on the #34 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2500 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased Arriva Day Saver tickets at £5.50 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Tamworth Street. We ran out of town along Market Street and at the end we turned left onto the A572. We ran West for a few miles into Parr and we joined the A58 on the eastern edge of town. We ran into the centre of town along Corporation Street and we followed the one way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2500 before it returned to Newton-le -Willows on the next #34A service.

Arriva NW&W 2500 in St Helens bus station

Once off the bus we decided to have a walk around to see what we could see in the bus station that we could catch. We walked onto Corporation Street to see what was on layover. By the time we got there most of the buses had departed. We saw Arriva NW&W 2973 on stand about to depart with the #329 to Warrington, complete with all-over Viola Beach tribute. We walked back into the bus station to try and walk across to the Liverpool bound stands but we noticed that the walkway that we want to cross on had been removed. On the way over to the other side we saw Arriva NW&W 4604 on a #10 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4604 in St Helens bus station

We also saw Hatton's Travel dart EU04 BVD on a #12 town circular service.

Hatton's Travel EU04 BVD in St Helens bus station

We saw required Arriva NW&W 2979 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport so we decided to do it. We raced over to the stand and we got on the bus. We flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Bickerstaffe Street. We ran forwards onto Cotham Street and we turned left onto Ormskirk Road. We followed the road around onto Bridge Street and we stopped at the the bottom of the hill to pick up more passengers. We joined the A58 and we ran out of town as far as Grange park and we turned left into the estate. As we ran up the hill the bus seem to struggle a little with only a few people on board. We ran onto Scholes Lane and we went past the Portico Rugby Club. We turned left onto portico Lane and we crossed over the railway line by Eccleston Park railway station. At the end of the lane we turned left at the roundabout onto the B5201. We came out on the A57 opposite to Whiston hospital and we ran into Prescot. We ran onto the High Street and we turned left into Prescot bus station. We set off out of the bus station and onto Sewell Street. We ran past Tesco and the retail park and past the business park. We turned right onto Carr Lane and at the end we turned left onto Huyton Lane. We crossed over the M57 and we ran into Huyton. We turned left into Lathhom Road running past the shops and police station. We ran around McDonalds and we entered the bus station. We set off out of the bus station and onto Lathom Road. We turned left onto the B5199 and we ran Westwards out of town. At the next roundabout we went left onto the B5080. After around 1/2 milw we turned right onto Wheat Hill Road. We crossed under the M62 and we ran forwards onto Naylor's Road. At the end we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road and then left into Hedgefield Road. We went past Belle Vale shopping centre as well as a small bus interchnage and we continued down onto The B5171. We ran through a small village called Gateacre and then up a steep hill to Gateacre Brow. At the top of the hill we turned left into Acrefiled Road and we ran into the village of Woolton. We were now deep into new territory and almost all the buses we passed were unfamiliar. We went across a crossroad onto Speke Road and we followed it down into Hunts Cross where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2979 as it carried on towards the airport.

Arriva NW&W 2979 in Hunts Cross

We had a few minutes before the next #81A to the airport so we decided to visit the shops. Matthew indicated that he wanted the toilet so we went past the Co-operative Food store and went around the corner. We spotted a Shell petrol station and fortunately it had a toilet. Matthew went to the toilet and then afterwards we brought a can of Coke and a couple of Chocolate bars. We walked back to the bus stop and a few minutes later we saw a double decker bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4114 on a #81A to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4114 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Mathew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4114.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4114

We set off along Speke Road and we crossed over the A562 onto Woodend Avenue. We continued South for around 1/2 mile and then we stopped at the traffic lights to cross over the A561. Whilst there we saw Critchley's minibus RJ02 AYM turn into the road in front of us. As we continued down Western Avenue we passed Arriva minibus YD64 JVK coming the other way. At the end of the road we turned left onto hale Road before we entered the airport grounds. Once we stopped we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around and we took a few bus pictures. We saw required Arriva NW&W 4574 about to work a #86A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4574 in Liverpool Airport

We walked to the west end of the area to have a look at the yellow submarine before we returned to the front of the airport to decide what bus to catch next. We saw required Arriva NW&W 2534 on a #82A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 2534 in Liverpool Airport

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 4829, which came into the airport on a #80A and then went out of service.

Arriva NW&W 4829 in Liverpool Airport

After looking at the bus maps in the bus stops and consulting timetables, we decided to catch a bus up towards Liverpool South Parkway. The next bus in that direction was going to be a #86A. A few minutes later required Arriva NW&W 4825 pulled up on stand.

Arriva NW&W 4825 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4825.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4825

We set off out of the airport and we ran onto Speke Hall Avenue. We followed the road to the end and we turned left onto the A561. We ran Westwards for around a mile before we turned right onto Hoorocks Avenue. At the next traffic lights the road veered to the right and then we went into the entrance to the Liverpool South Parkway bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4825 before it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4825 in Liverpool South Parkway

Once off the bus Matthew wanted to go to the toilet. We saw a toilet that was out of order so we went into the travel shop which you had to walk through a shop to get in... Whilst I was asking where we could take Matthew to the toilet he decided to do some shopping! After getting the information an paying for Matthews pop an chocolate we went around the corner towards the Northern Line to use the silver tardis style toilet. We got back to the bus station just in time to see required Arriva NW&W 4809 departing back to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4809 in Liverpool South Parkway

Seeing as we had around 15 minutes for the next bus back we had a bit of a wander round. At the North end of the bus station we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 10570 on a #86 to Hanover Street.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10570 in Liverpool South Parkway

we walked back into the bus station and we sat down to wait for the next bus.Whilst waiting we saw required Arriva NW&W 4477 which had followed us down from the airport on a #500 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4477 in Liverpool South Parkway

Whilst we sat down Matthew ate a chocolate bar. A cat wandered pat us and no-one seem to bat an eyelid. We can only assume that the cat is resident in the bus station... A few minutes later the bus appeared an it was required Arriva NW&W 4565 on a #86A to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4565 in Liverpool South Parkway

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4565.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4565

The bus set off out of the interchange and onto the B5171. We ran forwards onto Woolton Road and forwards again onto Church Road. We turned left onto the A561 and we ran back Eastwards towards the airport. We turned right onto Speke Hall Avenue and we ran down the road before turning left onto Dunlop Road. We ran forwards onto Hale Road and then we turned right to enter into the airport. Once we got back into the airport we saw Arriva NW&W 4462 which was on layover and about to work a #81A to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4462 in Liverpool Airport

We knew that the #81A was due to depart any minute. Across the way we spotted Roy McCarthy coach YX65 ZKM parked up so we went over to get a picture.

Roy McCarthy YX65 ZKM in Liverpool Airport

Whilst we were getting the picture of the coach, Arriva NW&W 4462 pulled on stand so we quickly crossed over the road and got on the bus. We flashed the Arriva day saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4462.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4462

We set off out of the airport past the yellow submarine and we turned right onto Speke Hall Avenue. We turned right onto Dunlop Road and then left onto Western Avenue. At the light we saw and unidentified Pulhams coach go past going Eastwards along the A561. We travelled North across the A561 onto Woodend Avenue and we saw an unidentified York Sightseeing Tours open topped double decker in a compound to the East. We crossed over the A562 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4462 before it carried on North to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4462 in Hunts Cross

We waited at the bus stop for the next #89 which we knew would be required Arriva NW&W 2977 as we had seen it at the airport. Whilst we waited for the bus we shared a Bounty between the 3 of us and we also saw required Arriva NW&W 4571 on a #81 to Bootle. A few minutes later we saw a Pulsar II approaching and as it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2977 as expected.

Arriva NW&W 2977 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today. It was almost 17:30 and we knew we had a 59 minute journey time from this stop according to the information board opposite to us. We ran North up Speke Road into Woolton and we continued forwards the B5171. We followed the road to the right onto Gateacre Brow and we ran down the hill towards Belle Vale. We called at the Belle vale bus station and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road and we ran north under the M62 and forwards onto Wheat Hill Road. at the end we turned left onto the B5080 and we ran North West up to the Crofters Arms. At the roundabout we turned right onto the B5199 before turning right into Huyton Bus station. We sat outside for a brief moment near to the bingo hall before continuing onto the stand. After loading up we ran north up Lathom Road and onto Huyton Lane. We crossed under the M57 and we turned right onto Carr Lane. We ran into Prescot from the South and into the bus station. The bus set off out of town along the A57 down to the hospital where we turned left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58 at the same junction where saw an unidentified Watkins Coaches coach at the Parkview Hotel. We continued along the A58 and we passed through the town before circling around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we could enter the bus station from the East end. When we got onto corporation Street we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2977.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2977

Also on layover on Corporations Street was required Arriva NW&W 2984.

Arriva NW&W 2984 St Helens bus station

We walked along the street to the church where mum had parked the car. Mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We ran out of town onto the A58 passing Arriva NW&W 2705 on a #20 to St Helens. At the next junction we turned right onto the A572 and we ran out of town. We continued out of town along the A572 and to the North of Earlstown. We turned right onto the A49 and we ran through newton-le-Willows and down to Winwick. We ran fast along the Eastbound section of the A49 across to the M6 at junction 22. Once on the M6 we ran South towards junction 16. Travelling back down the M6 we passed an unidentified Holmeswood tri-axle coach and an unidentified Bullocks coach. We came off the motorway onto the A500 and we ran Southwards to Sideway. We then went Eastwards on the A50 to Longton. We crossed over the A50 to check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the front row we saw Z Carz LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

At the front of the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus MJ03 DPUY.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row a too what was parked up in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

We turned around and we turned left onto Edensor Road. We turned left onto Spring Garden Road and at the end we turned right onto the A5035. We turmed right onto Lightwood Road and we ran down to Florence. We stopped at the chip shop and we picked up some chips for tea. Once we had the food We ran back onto Lightwood Road and we turned left onto Belgrave Road. At the end we went left onto the Westbound A5035. We ran through Dresden into Blurton and we got home around 20:00. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy for tea and then chilled out on his computer. Later on we had a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew went to bed around 00:00... Mark