Trip to Birkenhead / West Kirby 09-06-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4533	Birkenhead BS	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop B)	437	Arriva NW&W
255	West Kirby, West Kirby Station (Stop B)	Heswall BS	22	Avon
4503	Heswall BS	Prenton, Osmaston Road	472	Arriva NW&W
2958	Prenton, Curzon Road	Woodside BS	413	Arriva NW&W
2601	Woodside BS	Seacombe Ferry	411	Arriva NW&W
2545	Seacombe Ferry	Birkenhead BS	409	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Birkenhead. We gave Matthew a list of place to visit in the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose Birkenhead. Research consisted of checking the weather, which was for warm suuny weather mainly dry and finding the Walrus cards. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 through Blurton and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop off toilet rolls and then we continued up Blurton Road into Heron Cross. We join ed the WEstbound A50 and at Sideway we went Northwards up the A500. Traffic was quite light and we made good time up to the M6. As we travlled up the A500 we saw Sids HK58 ECV & Roseville WF11 WHC. We joined the Northbound M6 and we made good time up to junction 20. Seen on the M6 were TM Travel YJ17 CXW & black minibus KR18 HVZ. We joined the Westbound M56 and as we travelled Westwards we saw silver minibus YL14 MGJ, Atlantic Executive BN08 OOG & an unidentified E Jones and sons coach. We joined the Northbound M53 and we ran upn to junction 3. We came into Birkenhead along the A552 and we saw Arriva NW&W 2582 on a #413 to Seacombe Ferry and Stagecoach Merseyside 10887 on a #472 to Heswall. We veered left onto Woodchurch Road. We ran onto the A5029 and we turned right onto Claughton Road. We ran to the end and we parked up near to Wilko's. We headed up to the Market to go and get something to eat, On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 2545 on #409 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Birkenhead bus station

We headed into the market and the first food van we came to had no sausages! We went further into the market and we found annother food place. Matthew had a full breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we headed out of the market and into the bus station. Whilst I got the Walrus cards Matthew took a few bus pictures. We saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27271 on a #2 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27271 in Birkenhead bus station

Once we had charge the cards up we spotted dud Arriva NW&W 3007 on a #414 to New Brighton. We considered doing this but we weren't quick enough. We also saw Arriva NW&W 4533 on a #437 to West Kirby.

Arriva NW&W 4533 in Birkenhead bus station

We decided to do this bus so we walked down the bus station and got on the bus. We placed the Walrus passes on the ticket machine and we went upstairs ans sat down. We set off out of the bus station and onto Conway Street. We ran North Westwards out of town and past the end of Dale Street near to Birkenhead Park railway station. We continued onto Laird Street past the Arriva depot and we turned left onto Mallby Street. We turned right onto Park Road North and we ran through Claughton. We continued onto Upton Road and we crossed over the M53 near to Upton railway station. We turnd right onto Ford Road and into Upton town centre. We continued out of the other side onto Old Greasby Road and forwards onto the B5139. We turned left onto Breasby Road and we ran through the village before re-joining the B5139. We continued throgh Frankby and Newtown and we ran forwards onto Greenbank Road. We past West Kirby football club and we turned left onto Anglesey Road before turning tight onto Bridge Road. We crossed over the railway line and we ran into town. We got to the main stop and the bus emptied out. Matthew took a picture inside Inside Arriva NW&W 4533 before we got off the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4533

Once off the bus we walked across to the librbary. Matthew used the toilet and I picked uo a couple of bus timetables. We walked back to the bus stop and as we arrived we saw required Avon Buses 255 on a #22 to Chester.

Avon Buses 255 in West Kirby

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the Walrus cards on the card reader before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A540 and we turned left onto Orrysdale Road. We ran forwards onto Anglesey Road and we turned sharp right by West Kirby football club. We ran along Greenbank Road and forwards onto the B5139. We passed through Newton and Frankby and we turned right onto Greasby Road. We ran through Greasby Road and forwards onto Arrow Road. We ran forwards onto Arrowe Brook Road before turning right onto the A551. We turnbed right into Arrowe park hospital and we stopped briefly before continuing South through Thingwall. We continued Southwards through Pensby and into Heswall. We turned left onto the A540 and left into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Avon 255 as it continued towards Chester.

Avon Buses 255 in Heswall bus station

Once the bus had left we stood at the end of the bus station whilst we considered what to do next. We spotted a double decker to the South of us in the distance. Eventually it came North. As it got closer we saw that it was required Helms 223 running out of service.

Helms 223 in Heswall bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4503 on a #472 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4503 in Heswall bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the Northbiound A540. We turned right onto the B5138 passing Helms 135 running out of service. We ran through Pensby and up to Arrowe Park Road. We joined the Northbound A551 and by the Arrowe Park pub we followed the A551 to the left. We turned into Arrowe Park hospital and we stooped briefly to pick up passengers. Other vehcile seen in that area include Arriva NW&W on a #418 and Stagecoach 10883 on a #472 to Heswall. We left the hospital and we ran Southwards back down the A551 to a roundabout. We went Westwards along the A552. We passed the Asda near to Woodchurch where they appear to be building a small building in the car park. We crossed over the M53 at junction 3 and we ran up the hill into Prenton. It was a little warm on the bus so we decided to get up and get off the bus in Prenton to have a break from buses. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4503 as it continued up towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4503 in Prenton

We walked into Sainsburys and Matthew used the toilet. After he had finished using the facilities we brought a bottle of Coke and a pack of 4 flakes. After paying for the stuff we went outside and walked towards the next bus stop. Matthew had other ideas and he walked into a coffe shop and sat down. He had a plapjack and a glass of Coke with ice. When he finished that we went outside to meet uncle Dave again. Whilst we waited at the bus stop for a Birkenhead bound bus, we saw Arriva NW&W 4516 on a #471 to Heswall.

Arriva NW&W 4516 in Prenton

A few minutes later we saw n Arriva single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2958 on a #413 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2958 in Prenton

As we got on the bus we were passed by an unidentified Helms double decker bus on the Wirral Ale Trail service. We placed the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A552 into Birkenhead past the Pyramids shopping centre. We stopped at the back of the shopping cente by Clifton Road and we turned left at the roundabout onto Argyle Street. We turned right into Canning Street. We went around the roundabout and we entered the Woodside bus terminal. WE let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2958.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2958

As we were getting off the bus we spotted another bus in the terminal. It was required Arriva NW&W 2601 on a #411 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2601 in Woodside bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the Walrus cards on the card reader before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus terminal and we went around the roundabout onto the A554. We turned left onto Argyle Street and we ran past Hamilton Square. We turned right onto Conway Street and we entered the main bus station. After loading up til the bus was nearly full, we set off onto Claughton Road. We turned right onto Hemmingsford Street and we continued along Conway Street for another 1/2 mile or so. We turned right into Duke Street and we past Birkenhead Park railway station. WE passed Happy Als depot and inthe yard opposite there were lots of other buses, including LJ03 MOV. We crossed over the bridge and we turned right onto Dock Road. At the roundabout we veered left onto the A554 and we ran up to and entered Seacombe Ferry bus terminal. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2601 before it crried on to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2601 in Seacombe Ferry

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2993 on layover. We went into the ferry terminal and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards, we came out to wait for a bus back to Birkenhead. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It was required Arriva NW&W 2545 on a #409 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Seacombe Ferry

We got on the bus and we placed the Walrus passes on the ticket machine for the final time today. As the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2545 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2545

We set off out of the bus station and onto the Southbound A554. We turned right onto Dock Road past the new bridge under construction and left onto Duke Street. After we crossed over the bridge we turned left onto Corporation Street. We turned left onto the A554. We picked up passengers and we ran towards the other side of the bridge. We did a u turn on the roundabout and we went back down the A554 to Woodside bus terminal. After a brief stop we headed back into the centre of Birkenhead. We ran up to Argyle Street and past Hamilton Square. We turned right onto Conway Street and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we crossed over to the car park. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2545 as it carried on to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2545 in Birkenhead bus station

We walked back to the car and mum had popped out to Wilko's, so matthew decided he wanted to go to the pub. AS we crossed over Conway Street we saw Arriva NW&W 2909 on a #410 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2909 in Birkenhead

We crossed over the road and we went into The Crown. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back across Conway Street to the car. On the way we saw Arriva NW&W 4534 on a #407 to Moreton.

Arriva NW&W 4534 in Birkenhead

We continued over the road and back to the car. Mum was just getting back to the car as we did. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Cluaghton Road and we turned right onto Hemmingford street. We turned right onto Conway Street and we ran past the bus statio, We turned right onto SArgyle Street and left onto the Borough Road. We joined the Southbound A41 and we ran through Port Sunlight and Bromborough. We joined the M53 at junction 5. Seen on the M53 returning were Longmynd Travel SF56 KDJ & taxi minibus YC66 KWV. We ran down to the M56 and we ran East towards and we saw an unidentified Arvonia coach. We joined the Southbound M6 and we travelled towards junction 16 we saw an unidentified Llew Jones coach, white minibus MX56 AZL, an unidentified Bullock coach, Shearings 515, an unidentified AXA coach & silver minibus CX07 FHW. We joined the Southbound A500 and we saw taxi minibus MD64 FKZ. At Sideway we went Eastwards up the A50 and we came off at Longton. We went to see what was parked up at Z Carz. The spare ground was empty as expected so we turned left into Willow Row. In the compound we saw Z Carz YN11 AHJ parked up near to the top end.

Z Carz YN11 AHJ in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Ford minibus DC12 KNG in the corner of the new yard. We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots and gravy followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.