Trip to Widnes / Speke 06-01-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5007	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	82A	Arriva NW&W
5018	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea, opp Hospital	79C	Arriva NW&W
3136	Halton Lea, adj Hospital	Speke, Western Avenue	X1	Arriva NW&W
4813	Speke, Tarbock Road	Speke, Morrisons	82	Arriva NW&W
4563	Speke, Morrisons	Woolton, Allerton Road	81	Arriva NW&W
4618	Woolton, Kings Drive	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	89	Arriva NW&W
5007	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Widnes, Chesnut Lodge	82A	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We gave Matthew a list of places in the Midlands and North-West and from the list Matthew chose Widnes. We checked the weather for today and it was for cool dry weather turning colder later on. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we stopped outside the Co-operative Food store on Finstock Avenue so mum could post a parcel. Once she had completeed the task we continued up to Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and we continued to the mini roundabout where we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran down the hill past the petrol station and and we climbed up the other side into Heron Cross where we saw BX04 VKL at the Lightning house. At Heron Croiss we joined the Westbound A50 and we ran down the hill to Sideway where we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We made good time up to the M6 and we passed white minibus OU55 GFZ. We got on the M6 at junction 16 and today the motorway was relatively clear. As we travelled North we saw an unidentified Aston Manor Coaches coach, an unidentified white yellow & blue minibus, an unidentified Belle Vue coach, an unidentified Minsterley Motors coach, Grey Gull Inn EU54 TTE, Eavesway YJ12 CKA and an unidentified Aziz coach. As we left the M6 onto the Westbound M62 we were passed by Holmeswood VIP coach PO12 EOC. We travlled westwards for a few miles until we came off the M62 and went Southwards down the A557 to the edge of town. We turned right onto Ashley Way and and at the roundabout we went right onto Green Oaks Way. We parked up in the car park near to the market and bus station and we walked over to the market to have dinner. Matthew used the toilet and then we sat down and mum went to order the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked out of the market to the bus station. It seemed very busy today and there were plenty of buses passing through. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 2532 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2532 in Widnes

We also saw Link Network MX12 CFU on a #110 to Warrington.

Link Network MX12 CFU in Widnes

On the opposite side of the road was required Halton Transport 27 on a #27 service to the town centre.

Halton Transport 27 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva NW&W 5008 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Widnes

We considered doing Halton Transport 26 which was on the #27 to Weates Close. We queued up to get on but the people who we though were in the queue weren't so the bus pulled off. Whilst we considered our options we saw required Arriva NW&W 714 on a #17 to the town centre.

Arriva NW&W 714 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5007 on a #82A to Halton Lea which we decided to do.

Arriva NW&W 5007 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we brought Arriva NW&W Day Saver tickets at £5.50 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station 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 where we saw required Arriva NW&W 5017 on a #79 to Hough Green. We got onto the new A533 and we crossed over the new Mersey Gateway Bridge. We then headed back Westwards and then joined Leiria way to run into Runcorn town centre. 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 Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5007 as it continued towards Halton Lea.

Arriva NW&W 5007 in Runcorn bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 709 on a #3A to Halton Lea.

Arriva NW&W 709 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5018 on a #79C to Murdishaw which we decided to catch.

Arriva NW&W 5018 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the rear of the bus. We set off out of town along the B5155 and we followed the road to the right and over the canal. We went under the A533 towards the town hall and we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We decided to go a bit further East to Hospital so continued along the busway for a further 1/2 mile or so. When we got to the hospital we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5018 as it carried on towards Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5018 in Halton Lea

Directly behind us was Arriva NW&W 5007 which had come a different route and had now caught back up with us. We crossed the road and we decided to walk up to the turning circle to get pictures as there were buses parked up there. We walked up the path and we saw Halton Transport 42 on a #62 to Halebank.

Halton Transport 42 in Halton Lea

Once we had looked at the buses at the turning circle we walked back to the Westbound side of the road. We deciced to do the next X1 towards Speke and we saw Arriva NW&W 5004 & 5015 on X30 services. We also saw Ashcroft's Solo YX04 KWJ turn the corner towards the shopping centre on the #52 Beechwood circular service. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 3136 on the X1 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3136 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the rear of the bus. We set off along the busway towards the Halton Lea shopping centre and we just beyond the shopping centre we stopped for a driver change. We ran through Castlefields and we turned right onto Tyrrell Way. We turned left onto Castlefields Avenue East and we joined the Westbound A558. We ran fast onto the A533 and we turned right over the canal onto Leiria Way and into Runcorn town centre. After stopping the bus station and then we headed back to the A533. We ran fast over the river Mersey on the new bridge and we joined the Westbound A562. We ran at speed for around 2 miles and the we veered left to join the A561. We ran the last mile or so into Speke and we could see a small bus terminal outside of Morrison as we went past. After crossing over Western Avenue we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture picture of Arriva NW&W 3136 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3136 in Speke

Once we had let the bus go we set off towards Western Avenue to catch a bus to either the Aiport or to Morrisons in Speke. As we walked back towards the road we saw Arriva NW&W 4820 on a #82 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4820 in Speke

We cut the corner along a path and we walked to the first bus stop on the Southbound side of the road. We didn't have to waiy for more than a couple of minutes when we saw an Arriva hybrid double decker coming around the corner off the A561. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4813 on a #82 to Speke Morrisons.

Arriva NW&W 4813 in Speke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off down Western Avenue and past Paul McCartney's first home. We turned left onto Central Avenue and we ran Eastwards through the estate. We ran clockwise around the South Parade and we continued Eastwards onto Central Way. We turned left onto Eastern Avenue and we ran Northwards for around 1/4 of a mile. We turned left onto Millwards Road and we ran Westwards to Morrisons and the end of the run. We got up to get off and Matthew took a picture inside the top deck of Arriva NW&W 4813.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4813

We got off the bus and we headed into Morrisons. Matthew visited the toilet and then we went into the shop. Matthew brough a cpolpe of small bottles of Coke, a double Milky Way and a Drumstick lolly. We paied for the things and we headed back outside to the small 3 stand bus terminal. We went outside and Arriva NW&W 4813 was still on layover.

Arriva NW&W 4813 in Speke

We saw Arriva NW&W 4563 arrive into the terminal. It went on layover before working the next #81 to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4563 in Speke

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Arriva NW&W 4853 on the #80 to Liverpool and Arriva NW&W 4817 & 4824 on the #82 Liverpool. Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied Matthew ate his Drumstick Lolly. When the driver was ready we got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver. The downstairs saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4563.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4563

We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture of the upper saloon in Arriva NW&W 4563.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4563

We set off out of the bus terminal onto Millwood Road and we headed Eastwards. We turned right onto Eastern Avenue and we ran Southwards before turning right onto Central Way. We ran anti-clockwise around South Parade and we joined Central Avenue. We turned right onto Western Avenue and we ran Northwards up to the main road. We turned left onto the A561 and we ran Westwards towards LIverpool. We turned right onto Speak Hall Road. We ran Northwards towards Woolton and as we crossed over the railway line we saw 2 class 08 shunters and 4 old coaches parked adjacent to them. We turned right onto the A562 and we saw HTL Buses YJ16 DYG on a #166 to Garston and YJ11 EKP on a #188 to Halewood. We ran Eastwards to Hunts Cross and we turned left onto Speke Road. We ran Northwards for around 3/4 of a mile and we crossed over the B5171. We ran into Woolton and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4563 as it continued on towards Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4563 in Woolton

We over the road and we walked over to the Southbound stop to wait for an airport bound service. We had a few minutes before the next #89 service so Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars. A few minutes later as expected we saw a double decker approaching, As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4618 on a #89 to Liverpool Airport.

Arriva NW&W 4618 in Woolton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off down Speke Road and we went past Hunts Cross railway station and over the A562. We continued along Woodend Avenue and we travlled around 1/3 of a mile before we crossed over the A561. We continued onto Western Avenue and we turned left onto Central Avenue and we ran anti-clockwise around the South Parade. We ran forwards onto Central Way and we turned right onto Eastern Avenue. We ran Southwards to Hale Road and we turned right to head towards the airport. We entered the airport through the 2 barriers and then we pulled on on the end stop and we got up and got off the bus. Once Matthew had taken a couple of pictures we headed into the airport terminal and Matthew used the toilet. We had around 20 minutes to wait for a #82A back to Widnes so Matthew had a double Milky Way and a can of Fanta orange whilst we waited. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw required Arriva NW&W 4477 on the #500 to Liverpool, required Arriva NW&W 4564 on a #86A to Liverpool and Selwyn's 265 on a #3A to Huyton. A few minutes later we saw a gas bus approaching and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 5007 rthat we had been on earlier in the day on a #82A to Halton Lea.

Arriva NW&W 5007 in Liverpool Airport

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the airport onto Speke Hall Avenue and we turned right onto Dunlop Road where we saw silver taxi minibus W11 RTU. We turned left onto Western Avenue and we saw taxi minibuses NX59 TTZ, MK15 KTT & BL56 UUR. We ran Northwards for a short distance and then we turned right onto Central Avenue. We ran anti-clockwise around South Parade and forwards onto Central Way. We turned right onto Eastern Avenue and we ran down to Hale Road. We headed Eastwards into Hale passing Arriva NW&W 2540 on a #82A to Liverpool Airport. We ran out of Hale along Town Lane and into Halebank. At the turning circle we saw Halton Transport 44 on a #62 to Halton Lea. We contin ued North up Hale Road and we crossed over the railway line and under the A672 that we flew over when we went towards Speke. We continued up to the B5178 and we continued East into Widnes town centre. We ran past the North end of the town and we turned right into the Green Oaks bus station. Matthew wanted to travel further towards Runcorn but as it was already dark and getting cold we persuaded him it wuld be in his best interest to call it a day at this point. Reluctantly Matthew got off the bus and took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5007 as it carried on towards Halton Lea.

Arriva NW&W 5007 in Widnes

Mum had moved the car to an adjacent space and was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park onto the Northbound Green Oaks way and we did a u-turn at the roundabout so we could headec back to the A557. We got onto the Northbound A557 and we ran Northwards for around 3 miles up to the M62. We went Eastwards along the M62 and as we travelled towards the M6 we saw an unidentified Ashcroft's coach. We joined the Southbound M6 and as we travelled through the night we saw taxi minibus OU17 AUV and an unidentified Abbot Travel coach. At junction 16 we left the M6 to get onto the Southbound A500 which we did to Sideway. We got onto the Eastbound A50 and we climbed the hill we were passed by Ausden Clark white coach CNZ 1541. We stopped at Tesco to fill up with petrol where we saw grey taxi minibus SB66 FZW. When we were at the petrol station Matthew decided he needed the toilet. We drove as close as we could to the main shop and Matthew used the facilites. Once we had finished we walked back to the car and we saw Lucky Seven PO11 CGG. We drove back onto Baths Road and we saw Warrington's of Ilam SCZ 9652 which was returning from Coventry with fans from thr Stoke City FA Cup game. We headed over to the other side of the A50 to see what was on the spare ground Z Carz this evening. It was empty as expected so we turned left into Willow Row where we saw Z Carz minibus SFZ 7846.

Z Carz SFZ 7846 in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We set off onto the Westbound A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and as we ran through Blurton we saw Roseville EX57 HKT. We continued onto Church Road and we turned right onto beaconsfield Drive where we saw Lucky Seven SM12 HGX. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:30. Mum went bed a little ealier as she had to go to work tomorrow... Mark