Trip to Widnes / Liverpool Airport 28-10-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5009	Widnes, Green Oaks	Belle Vale Interchange (Stop A)	79C	Arriva NW&W
4436	Belle Vale BS	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	89	Arriva NW&W
4556	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Liverpool South Parkway	86A	Arriva NW&W
4568	Liverpool South Parkway	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	86A	Arriva NW&W
5010	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Runcorn BS	82A	Arriva NW&W
2532	Runcorn BS	Widnes, Green Oaks	79C	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We had checked the weather for today and it was forecast a grey day with mild temperatures for the time of year, even if it was a little windy! A such 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 12:00 onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and then turned right onto the A500. As we ran Northwards we saw Merediths YN63 BYS, white minibus WX56 AEZ & Millers Travel HV06 LZN. We got onto the Northbound M6 and the traffic was running quite slow. We crawled up to junction 17 and eventually we started to move at the roadworks speed. On the M6 we saw an unidentified Gate! Travel coach, civil engineering crew minibus NX16 VHA, Stewart's PO15 AZG, Reay's YJ15 EOW, an unidentified Hartley's coach, an unidentified Leek Link minibus, D Hurst Travel coach N12 RFL and Bruce's Coaches (National Express) FN63 PWO (#539). High winds on GThelwall Viaduct and more roadwork onto the M62 slowed our progress again. As we travelled towards the Widnes exit we were passed by Star Coaches minibus YX56 DJK. At junction 7 we came off the M6a and we headed Southwards down the A557 into widnes. We turned right into the town and we ran up Green Oaks Way up to the car park. After we parked up we headed over to the market. We spotted a minibus outside Morrisons so we wandered over to investigate. As we got closer we saw that it was Halton Community Transport MX58 EHU.

Halton Community Transport MX58 EHU 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 5009 on a #79C to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 5009 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 Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5009 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 5009 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 155 on a #165 Bell Vale circular service.

Avon Buses 155 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 Arriva NW&W 4608 on a #89 to St Helens

Arriva NW&W 4608 in Belle Vale bus station

We also saw Selwyns OU08 AYG on a #3 service to Halewood Shopping Centre.

Selwyns OU08 AYG in Belle Vale bus station

few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4436 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4436 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. 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. 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. The streets if not the houses would not look out of place in a Spanish holiday town. Even though this is a social housing estate there were some unusual features... As well as the ultra wide roads there were brick arch between the houses that were almost the full height of the houses and big enough for a lorry to pass between them! 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 When we got off Once off the bus we had a look around and we took a few bus pictures. We saw required Selwyns PN07 KSE to a #3A to Huyton.

Selwyns PN07 KSE in Liverpool Airport

As we headed back to check out where the busback departted we saw another bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 4817 on layover.

Arriva NW&W 4817 in Liverpool Airport

We also saw Arriva NW&W 4556 on a #86A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4556 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before The lower saloon was empty as we got on the bus so Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4556.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4556

We went upstairs and we sat down. 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. In the bus station was Cambraco Travel coach PIJ 667 on rail replacement work.

Cambraco Travel PIJ 667 in Liverpool South Parkway

Matthew went to the toilet and after we had done there we walked back to the shop where Matthew brought a bottle of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We sat down briefly to wait for a bus back to the Airport and a few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 4568 on a #86A to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4568 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 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 and we saw an unidentified Woods(Leicester) coach by a building adjacent to the road. 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 4444 on a #500 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4444 in Liverpool Airport

We saw required Arriva NW&W 4858 about to work a #86A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4858 in Liverpool Airport

Matthew decided he needed the toilet so we went inside the airport to us the facilities. When we came back it was starting to get late so we went to wait for a bus back towards Widnes. We saw Arriva NW&W 4461 on #81A service to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4461 in Liverpool Airport

We saw required Arriva NW&W 5015 on a #82A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 5015 in Liverpool Airport

A coach arrived outside the Hotel and on closer inspection we saw that it was Browns Coaches BC15 EBC.

Browns Coaches BC15 EBC 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 Timewells P20 TWL.

Timewells P20 TWL in Liverpool Airport

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5010 on a #82A to Halton Lea Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5010 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 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 and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We got onto the new A533 and we crossed over the new Mersey Gateway Bridge for the time. We then headed back Westwards and then joined Leiria way to run into Runcorn town centre and we saw Grey Volvo coach FHZ 9593. We ran onto the High Street we ran past the bus station before turning right into the bus station so we were pointing the right way to go towards Halton Lea. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Arriva NW&W 2532 on a 79 to Hough Green.

Arriva NW&W 2532 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus for what was actually the final time today, and we flashed the Arriva NW Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along the bus station, we set off up the High Street We turned right to go onto the Leiria Way.joined the A533. We crossed over the Mersey on the new bridge. we ran into the old town of Widnes up Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran through a bus lane into the Asda car park. We joined onto Gerrard Street past Marks & Spencers and we turned left onto Green Oaks we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2532 before it carried on towards Hough Green.

Arriva NW&W 2532 in Widnes

We crossed over the road and we walked over to the car. Mum was waiting with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off onto Green Oaks way and we ran South to the roundabout. We got on the Northbound A557 we we ran the 2 miles up to the M62. We continued East for around another 5 miles an then we joined the Southbound M6. As we travelled South we saw an unidentified Dan Wilson minibus & an unidentified Lambs Coaches coach. We made good progress going South apart from a small section where the motorway went down to two lanes through the roadworks. We continued down to junction 16 and then we got onto the Southbound A500. As we travelled South we saw ABC Supreme DV63 FTN. At Sideway we went East up the A50 where we saw Steve Aitkens OU57 CWO. We continued to Longton to see what was parked up Z Carz this evening. Tonight the spare ground had no buses on it all. At Lucky Seven We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the Also in the compound was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Peugeot minibus YJ62 RCO. We set off onto the A50 and we ran up to Longton Hall Road. turned left onto Blurton Road and the old railway bridge at Critlow's corner was being removed so we turned left onto Drubbery Lane. At the end we turned right onto the A5035. we turned right onto the Ripon Road. we turned right onto the Finstock Ave. we turned left onto the Beaconsfield Drive. and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrot followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We chilled out on the computer and I went to take uncle Dave home. We watched telly and wrote the blog and Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark