Trip to Widnes / Liverpool Airport 16-09-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5011	Widnes, Green Oaks	Belle Vale Interchange (Stop A)	79C	Arriva NW&W
4602	Belle Vale BS	Hunts Cross Station (Stop B)	89	Arriva NW&W
4435	Hunts Cross Station (Stop B)	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	89	Arriva NW&W
7011	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Liverpool South Parkway	80A	Arriva NW&W
4478	Liverpool South Parkway	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	500	Arriva NW&W
5015	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Widnes, Chesnut Lodge	82A	Arriva NW&W
5003	Widnes, Chesnut Lodge	Widnes, Green Oaks	82A	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather with a few showers. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Widnes. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran down to the A50. As we got to Sideway we hit traffic on the A500. We saw an unidentified Go Goodwins tri-axle coach going onto the Eastbound A50. Mum realised that she had forgotten her phone so we had to return home. We got onto City Road and we ran up to Heron Cross along the A50 link road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we went back home. After picking up the phone we got onto the A5035 and we ran into Trentham. We went North up the A34 and we got onto the Northbound A500 again. Traffic was still slow up to Longport and then we started to make better time. As we travelled North we passed Maroon WN55 PXX, Nova Tour YJ10 JYY, Barratt's M1 BCL & white minibus CX15 HDG. We got onto the Northbound M6 and there was more traffic problems. As we travelled Northwards we saw silver minibus LN08 TSY, Hollinshead 0057 BOY, , an unidentified ABC Coach Hire coach, an unidentified Mainline coach, Bennett's FY52 GOP, Park's LSK 830 on a #570 service and 3 unidentified Stagecoach Enviro200's heading South. At junction 21A we went Westwards along the M62 for a few junctions passing D Hurst travel P310 PYA. We ran Southwards down the A557 and we turned right onto Green Oaks Way and then parked up near to the market hall. We got out of the car and headed towards the market to go and have dinner. On the way we saw Halton Transport 27 on the #27 service.

Halton Transport 27 in Widnes

We walked into the market and we went over to the far corner. Matthew used the toilet and then we went into the market cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked back through the market to the bus stands. We took up our usual position on the North side of the road to catch a bus towards Runcorn and we saw required Arriva NW&W 5011 on a #79C to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 5011 in Widnes

We decided to go in a different direction, so we crossed over the road to catch the gas powered bus. We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW day Saver tickets at £5.50 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards to the roundabout and we joined the Westbound B5178. We travelled around 2 miles and we crossed over the railway line near to Hough Green railway station. We were now out in open countryside and we ran fast along the B5178 into the village of Tarbock Green. We continued West for around another mile into Netherley and we continued along the B5178 North Westwards for around another mile to Belle Vale. When we got into familiar surroundings and we saw the shopping centre we got up and got of off the bus. In front of us at the same stop was required Arriva NW&W 4458 on a #79 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4458 in Belle Vale

We decided that we would catch a bus towards Liverpool Airport and we knew the bus went from around the corner in the small bus station outside the shopping centre. We walked to the crossroads on the corner and we saw Avon Buses 702 on a #165 Bell Vale circular service.

Avon Buses 702 in Belle Vale

The shopping centre bus station was a little further on than we thought it was, but when we got there we saw required Selwyns PN07 KSE on a #3A service to Huyton.

Selwyns PN07 KSE in Belle Vale bus station

We saw Arriva NW&W 4609 on a #89 to St Helens and a few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4602 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in Belle Vale bus station

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 4602.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4602

We continued down onto The B5171 and 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 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 4602 as it carried on towards the airport.

Arriva NW&W 4602 in Hunts Cross

We decided to got to the toilet in the garage around the corner. Matthew used the facilities and then we brought a small bottle of Coke, a small bottle of Irn Bru and a Crunchie. We walked back to the same stop that we had got off the bus thinking we might get another bus on the #81A service. We saw a bus approaching and it was required Arriva NW&W 4435 on the following #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4435 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 Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4435.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4435

We continued onto Woodend Avenue and we travelled South along a wide boulevard style road. We crossed the A561 and we travelled further South. We ran Eastwards along Central Avenue which was another Boulevard. We travelled South down Eastern Avenue and then we turned right onto Hale Road. We ran West for around about 1/2 mile and then we entered into the Airport grounds. We passed through two sets of barriers and then the bus pulled up outside the main departure lounge of the Airport. When we got off the bus it was the only bus around. A coach arrived outside the Hotel and on closer inspection we saw that it was Bradshaws Coaches FJ17 PVZ.

Bradshaws Coaches FJ17 PVZ in Liverpool Airport

A bus pulled up in the distance and went into one of the layover bays. Whilst we waited to see what it was we saw Carmel Travel N13 FLN pull up outside the hotel.

Carmel Travel N13 FLN in Liverpool Airport

A few minutes later a bus pulled off the layover bays and onto stand 4 for Liverpool South Parkway bound services. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 7011.

Arriva NW&W 7011 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the airport onto Speke hall Avenue. At the roundabout we went straight across onto Estuary Banks. We turned left into Estuary Boulevard and we ran into an industrial estate with some very large warehouses. We turned right onto De Havilland Drive and we followed the road around to the left onto Dakota Drive. We ran to the end past B&M and we turned right onto Garston Shore Road. We ran along the Mersey for a short while and we turned right onto Blackburne Street. We turned left onto Banks Road and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Church Road. and we crossed over the A561 onto past the steel clad health centre. We continued onto Woolton Road and the joined he Northbound B5171 before turning right into Liverpool South Parkway the Bus/Rail Interchange. We got up and got off the bus and we walked over to stand 4 to catch something back towards the airport. Almost immediately required Arriva NW&W 4478 pulled into the interchange on a #500 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4478 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 bus set off onto the Southbound B5171 and we turned left onto the A561. We ran along the dual carriageway before turning right onto Estuary Boulevard. We turned left onto Estuary Banks and we ran forwards onto Speke Hall Avenue. We turned left onto Dunlop Road and entered the airport through the barriers. We got up and got off the bus and we waited for something back Eastwards. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 7010 on a 80A to Liverpool One.

Arriva NW&W 7010 in Liverpool Airport

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5015 on a #82A to Halton Lea Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the airport onto Speke Hall Avenue and we turned right onto Dunlop Road. This service runs around the Speke estate before going Eastwards to wards Hale. We turned left onto Western Avenue and we turned right onto Central Avenue.We ran onto South Parade and forwards onto Central Way. At the end we turned right onto Eastern Avenue and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Hale Road and we headed out into a grassy area adjacent to the banks of the Mersey. We ran into Hale village onto the High Street. We turned left onto Town Lane and we ran up to Hale Bank. We crossed over the main Liverpool to London railway line and we turned left onto Hale Road. We crossed over the A562 and we ran the 1/2 mile or so onto the B5178. We decided to get up and get of the bus here so that we could catch a different bus into Widnes town centre. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5015 before it carried on towards Halton Lea Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw another LNG powered bus approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 5003 on a #79C to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5003 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We continued Eastwards along the B5178 for the last mile into town. We crossed over the B5419 and we ran into the North end of town. We turned left at the roundabout and we ran around the left hand bend into the Green Oaks bus station area outside the market hall where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5003 before it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5003 in Widnes

Across the road we saw Halton Transport 54 on a #14A to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 54 in Widnes

We crossed over the road back into the car park and we got in the car where mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out the car park onto the Northbound Green Oaks Way. We did a u-turn at the roundabout and we went Southwards and stopped at the Morrisons petrol station to fill up before continuing down Green Oaks Way and onto the Northbound A557. We ran the 3 or so miles North to the motorway and then we got onto the Eastbound M62. At the Croft Interchange we got onto the Southbound M6. Travelling back home down the M6 we saw ? Travel (Manchester) SH59 CZJ, Copeland's Tours MIB 520 & silver minibus SV08 WFY. At junction 16 we got onto the Southbound A500. On the A500 we saw Stanton's of Stoke 82 HBC, A1 Embassy LK13 BRU & Malbank OU66 XBX. We came off the A500 at Sideway and we got onto the Eastbound A50. We came off at Longton and we went to Z Carz to see what was there this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground so we turned left into Willow Row. In the yard was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 WPE.

Z Carz LG09 WPE in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Fiat minibus YN11 AHJ in the yard. We ran along Willow Row and through the car park onto Spring bank Road. After doing a u-turn on the roundabout we ran along the A5035. The car parking spaces were full so we turned left onto to Rosslyn Road and we ran through to Farmer Street. We parked up and went to the chip shop. On the way Matthew went into Coral Bookmakers to use the toilet. After picking up the food we walked back across the road to the car. We returned onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden into Blurton. We got home around 19:30. Once we got home Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some more of the Blog and out our bus pictures online. Matthew went to bed around 01:00... Mark.