Trip to Barton upon Humber / Hull 09-11-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
27196	Barton upon Humber, railway station	Hull Interchange	350	Stagecoach East Midlands
390	Hull Interchange	Hull, Meadowbank Road	153	East Yorkshire
26259	Hull, Kempton Road	Bradley, Morrisons	250	Stagecoach East Midlands
21262	Bradley, Morrisons	Grimsby, stop A	4	Stagecoach East Midlands
21258	Grimsby, stop F	North Sea Lane, Riverside Drive	10	Stagecoach East Midlands

Today was the first day of a short break in LIncolnshire. We had origianlly planned to go to SCarborough, but we could not find a decent price on a caravan for this weekend. Research consisted of checking on the Stagecoach Site for tickets and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for mainly dry and overcast. Matthe woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. As we were going further afield than normal, we decided to set of early than usual. We set off around 10:45 and we got in the car. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued back up Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir. We turned right to continued along the Blythe Bridge bypass and we were passed Copeland's Tours MIB 537. We went near to uttoxeter and we continued along the A50 for a few more miles. We came off the A50 and we and we headed towards Hatton on the A511. We deciedd to try something new today. We stopped at a cafe called Rascals for dinner. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. He also used the toilet which was in a barn. When we had finished we headed back along the A511 and we re-joined the A50. We continued Eastwards for a few miles before joining the Northbound A516. We continued onto the A38 and we came off to headed into Derby. We continued North through towards Pinxton and we joined the Northboind M1. We ran North for around 20 miles and we joined the M18. We continued to the junction of the M180 and we stopped at the service station. Matthew visisted the service station and went to the toilet. Afterwards we came back to the car and we saw blue minibus FM07 FPK. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke. We joined the Eastbound M180 and we joined the Northbound A15. We continued up to the HUmber and we turned right onto the A1077. We ran into town and we turned left onto Holydyke an right onto the B1218. We turned left onto West Acridge and right onto Castledyke West. We rejoined the B1218 and turned right onto Maltkiln Road. We turned left into Tesco and we parked up. We said goodbye to mum and Matthew went to the toilet and we bought a twirl and some motor oil! We walked back onto the B1218 and we went to the bus stop outside the railway station. We waited for a bus towards Hull. We saw Stagecoach East Midlands 26174 on a #350 to Scunthorpe. A short time later we saw another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach East Midlands 27196 on a #350 to Hull.

Stagecoach East Midlands 27196 in Barton upon Humber

We got on the bus and we attempted to buy an East Midkands Day Out ticket, but the driver was unable to sell us one. We bought singles at £2 each to Hull before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards down the B1218. We joined the A1077 and we headed out of town. We joined the Northbound A15 and we crossed over the Humber on the Humber Bridge. We turned right onto the A1105 and we headed Eastwards towards Hull. We past the Hull City ground and we crossed over the roundabout and headed inti the city. We past the East Yorkshire depot and double decker 97 was parked outside. We turned left onto Park Street and right onto Margarete Moxon Way. We passed a very large bus layover area before we entered the Interchange from the Western end. We pulled onto stand and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked through the intervhange and outside to the sizeable layover area. We walked down the row and we took pictures. We saw East Yorkshire 714 parked up.

East Yorkshire 714 in Hull Interchange

Also seen was Stagecoach East Midlands 24203 parked up.

Stagecoach East Midlands 24203 in Hull Interchange

Another seen was Stagecoach East Midlands 24192.

Stagecoach East Midlands 24192 in Hull Interchange

Afterwards we saw East Yorkshre 728 parked up.

East Yorkshire 728 in Hull Interchange

Further along the row was East Yorkshire 376 parked up.

East Yorkshire 376 in Hull Interchange

We headed back into the Interchange and Matthew indicated he wanted the toilet. After visiting the toilet Matthew wanted a drink. In order to get back as quick as possible I suggest Matthew had a drink out of the trip bag. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. When he had finished we decided to do a bus in the direction of the Humber Bridge. We saw a bus come on stand. We saw it was East Yorkshire 390 on a #153 to Swanland.

East Yorkshire 390 in Hull Interchange

We got on the bus and we booked singles to Swanland at £2 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the interchange and we headed Eastwards. We turned left onto the A1079 and right onto Spencer Street. We continued onto Prospect Street and we turned left onto Albion Street. We turned right onto Bond Street and forwards onto Vernon Street. We continued onto Queens Dock Avenue and we turned right onto Carr Lane. We ran forwards onto the A1105 and we ran past the South side of the Interchange We continued out of town past the MKM stadium and as the road forked right onto Anlaby Road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of East Yorkshire 390 as it continued towards Swanland.

East Yorkshire 390 in Hull

Once off the bus we walked around the corner and crossed the road. As we approached the bus stop we turned to see the bus approaching. It was Stagecoach East Midlands 26259 on a #250 to Grimsby. We got on the bus and we booked sigles to Grimsby at £2 each. The bus was very full and Matthew sat down towards the back of the bus and me and uncle Dave had to stand up. We set off along the A1105 and we headed towards the Humber Bridge one guy decided to ask the driver if he could stop the bus so he could go to the toilet. We turned left onto the A15 and the driver pulled over before we reached the bridge. The guy go off the bus and got back on a couple of minutes later to a big cheer! We caried on over the humber bridge and we weaved our way through Barton-ipon -Humber and to the railway station. We ran into Barrow upon Humber and we turned left onto Barton Lane. We turned left onto High Street and we continued onto Churchside. We turned right onto B1206 and left onto the A1077. We headed through Wootton were a few people got up and got off the bus so I was able to sit down and work out if we could get another bus or 2 in before the day was out. I worked out that if we got off at Bradlkey Morrisons there was an apporximate 10 minute frequency service into Grimsby. We continued into Ukceby and we joined the Southbound B1211. We ran through Brocklesby and we joined the A18. We joined ran through Riby Crossroads and we ran fast to the A46. We turned left onto the A46 and we veered leaft onto Caistor Road. After runing through Laceby we rejoined the A46. We ran for around 1/2 mile and after the roundabout we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Stagecoach East Midlands 26259 as it continued towards Grimsby.

Stagecoach East Midlands 26259 in Bradley

Once off the bus we walked a few yards in McDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered some food. When the food arrived we went outside to the bus stop. We shared a chicken nugget meal with Matthew having most of the fries and chicken nuggets. He washed it down with a cup of Coke. When we had finished we waited for a bus towards Grimsby. Whilst we ate the food we saw Stagecoach East Midlands 26255 on a #3 to Cleethorpes.

Stagecoach East Midlands 26255 in Bradley

As short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach East Midlands 21262 on a #4 to Cleethorpes.

Stagecoach East Midlands 21262 in Bradley

We got on the bus and we booked singles to Grimsby at £1 each. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach East Midlands 21262 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach East Midlands 21262

We set off along the A46 and we turned left onto Broadway. We turned right onto Pershore Avenue and left onto St Michael's Road. We turned left onto the B1444 and we headed Northwards. We crossed the roundabout and we continued Northwards. At the next roundabout we turned right onto the A1136. We turned right at the roundabout and we followed the A1136 into town. We crossed the level crossing and we turned right onto Church Lane. We continued onto Bethlemhem St and forwards onto Osbourne Street. We turbed left onto George Street and right onto Victoria Street West where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach East Midlands 21262 before it continued towards Cleethorpes.

Stagecoach East Midlands 21262 in Grimsby

Also seen was Stagecoach East Midlands 19197 on a #5 to Immingham.

Stagecoach East Midlands 19197 in Grimsby

We set off on foot along Victoria Street West and we turned right onto Town Hall Street. We turned right onto Town Hall Square and we continued onto Osbourne Street and we stopped at a pub in town. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a drink. We sat down and Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished and we headed back along Osbourne Street onto Town Halll Square. We turned left and we stood at Stand K. As short time later we saw a bus approaching. It was Stagecoach East Midlands 21222 on a #10 to Waltham.

Stagecoach East Midlands 21222 in Grimsby

We got on a bus but we found out it was going in the wrong direction! We got off the bus and we walkd up Town Hall Street and left onto Victoria Street West. We waited at the bus stop for a few minutes and we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Stagecoach East Midlands 21258 on a #10 to New Clee.

Stagecoach East Midlands 21258 in Grimsby

We got on the bus and we booked singles to the holiday park at £1 each before we sat down at the back of the bus for the final time today. We set off along Victoria Street West and we joined the Northbound A16. We turned right onto the A180 and we headed Eastwards into Cleethorpes. We ran forwards onto the A1098 and into the town centre. We continued onto Kingsway and we turned right onto Cromwell Road. We turned left onto Hardys Road and left onto Chichester Road. We turned right onto Kings Road and we continued South Eastwards. We turned right onto North Sea Lane and we got up and got off at the next stop. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Stagecoach East Midlands 21258 as in continued towards New Clee.

Stagecoach East Midlands 21258 in North Sea Lane

Once we got off the bus we walked to the chip shop where we had arranged to meet mum. Me and Matthew went to order the food. A few minutes later mum arrived and Matthew got in the car whilst I waited in the chip shop for the food order to be ready. We got in the car and we set off along North Sea Lane. We turned right onto Anthony's Bank Road and we ran into the camp site. We parked up and went inside the caravan. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy and a can of dandelion and Burdock. Later on we did some of the Blog and uploaded pictures. We also wrote an e-mail. We chilled out in the caravan and watch TV. Later on Matthew had a glass of Fanta Orange. Matthew went to bed around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 10-10-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15739	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	X1	Stagecoach Merseyside
21259	Chester BS	Blacon, The Arches School	1A	Stagecoach Merseyside
19570	Blacon, Blacon Parade	Chester BS	1	Stagecoach Merseyside
47655	Chester BS	Wrexham BS	5	Stagecoach Merseyside
21258	Wrexham BS	Chester BS	5	Stagecoach Merseyside
10884	Chester BS	Chester, Zoo main entrance	X1	Stagecoach Merseyside
27263	Chester, Zoo main entrance	Chester, Delamere Street (Stop 3)	1	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to re-visit Ellesmere Port and Chester. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather. We gave Matthew a list of places in the North-West and Midlands and from the list he chose Chester and Ellesmrere Port. Matthew got up just after 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew went into the living room and we saw white minibus SV59 ZRT.

SV59 ZRT in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time to go to the day centre. we saw red minibus BJ12 OAN.

BJ12 OAN in Fenton

We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street where we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We turned right and went past Fenton Manor Sport Centre before turning onto Victoria Road and we crossed over the A52 at Joiners Square. We ran up Lichfield Street past the site of the new housoing development. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned left onto Etruria Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto the Westbound along the Westbound A53. In Etruria we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We travelled North to the M6 and we hit a little bit of traffic. As we got on the M6 As we travelled North. At junction 20 we got onto the Westbound M56. Traveling towards the M53 we saw Easycoach 217 and an unidentified Longmynd Travel coach. We got onto the North M53 and we came of after 2 junctions onto the A5032. We ran trough Ellesmere Port and we turned left into Civic Way, passing Stagecoach Merseyside 19571 on the X8 to Chester. We turned left onto Wellington Road. We parked up near to the market and we went into the building. This time we tried a different tactic to get a table in the market food hall. I took Matthew to the toilet. When we got back to the food court we found a table. We went to order the food and we guarded the chair. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating and we walked past the shops up to the bus station. As we walked up we remembered that Arriva NW&W had pulled out of the quality bus partnership on the #1/2 services. We started to walk up towards the Chester bus stop and we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 15739 on a X8 to Chester. We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £4 each before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned left onto Stanney Lane and we ran past The Grace Arms, which was a pub we used to eat at back when we first started to visit Ellesmere Port. We continued down the road for around 1/2 mile and then we turned left into the Coliseum Retail Park. We continued into the adjacent Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and we saw Attain YN14 PLZ, Grayways YR10 HOL, Worleys FC04 LDA, an unidentified Woodcocks coach and an unidentified Slacks coach. We got onto the A5117 and we ran Westwards to the A41. We ran South and where we would normally turn right we went straight on towards Chester Zoo. We turned into the zoo and we saw Maxfield Coaches MXI 3319. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down the A41. We travelled along the northern by-pass and then we turned right onto the A56 for the run into town. We turned into Station Road and we saw Helms 121 and 128 outside the station on City Rail Link Shuttle services. We turned right onto City Road and we saw Arriva NW&W 4639 on a X4 to Mold. At the end of City Road we went around The Bars and onto Forgate Street. We continued onto St Oswald's Way and we ran past the end of Frodsham Street before going into the new bus station straight off St Oswald's way. Once we pulled up on a stand we got up and got off the bus. The new bus station was light and airy if a little basic. We went to use the toilets and we were disapointed that the disabled toilets don't use the stand RADAR key so I had to escort Matthew to the Gents. Once we had used the facilities we walked onto the Gorse stacks road side and where the bus stops used to be the bus station had been left open on that side to add to the number of stands in the bus station. On the Gorse Stacks side we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47712 on a #5 to Huntington. As there was nothing else Stagecoach around that we wanted to catch we decided to do a #1 or #1A to Blacon. A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 21259 on a #1A Blacon circular service. We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks and we ran onto George Street. At the end we turned right onto Northgate Street and we crossed over the ring road onto the A5116. We veered left on the one-way system and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran past Chester University and we hit traffic as we got to the edge of town. Coming the other way we saw white minibus D5 DJJ. At the roundabout after seeing a near miss between two cars we turned left onto Blacon Avenue. We travelled Westwards for around a mile and when we got to the shops we got up to get off the bus. We turned left onto Saughall Road where we got off the bus. Once we got off the bus we walked across to the shops. We went into the Spar shop and Matthew brought a can of Cherry Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had finished shopping we walked over to the stop on Blacon Avenue to wait for a bus back to Chester. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 19570 on a #1 to Chester. We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Blacon Avenue and we had a long run of around 2/3 of a mile down to a roundabout. This part of the run was peppered with quite severe speed bumps which was doing us and the bus no good at all! We crossed the roundabout onto the A540 and we had another run of around 1/2 mile up to Liverpool Road. We ran around the one-way system and passed The former Stagecoach bus depot which is new a student housing consent. We into town along Northgate. We crossed over the ring road on Northgate and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet again and then we had a look around at what bus we could catch next. We saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 47655 on a #5 to Wrexham. We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. We stopped to take on more passengers and then we went forwards onto the A51. We travelled through Boughton and we crossed the A115. We travelled through Boughton Heath. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down the A41. We turned right onto Caldy Valley Road and we headed down the hill towards Boughton Heath. We ran through Huntington and we turned left onto the B5130. We turned left onto Sandy Lane through Saighton. We turned right onto Chapel Lane and we headed Southwards through Alford. We continued through Churton and we ran along Chester Road through Holt. We headed South Westwards along the A534 and we ran Forwards onto Holt New Road. We ran forwards onto A534 and we ran into Wrexham. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew decided he wanted to go to Sainsbury for cake. We set off on foot out of the bus station onto Regent Street. We crossed over the railway by Wrexham General railway station and we continued Northwards. We continued onto Mold Road and we walked past the university and turned right onto the B5101. We entered the retail park and we walked over to the site of the new McDonald's. We continued to Sainsbury's and Matthew used the toilet. We went to the cafe and Matthew had a slice of cake and a cup of Coke. When we had finished we returned to the bus station on foot. We set off onto the B5101 and we turned left onto Mold Road andn we continued onto Regent Street. Once at the bus station we waited for a bus back towards Chester. A short time later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 on a #5 to Chester. We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Regent Street and we ran around the one way system onto Powell Road. We turned right onto Chester Road and we turned left onto Holt Street. We turned right on to Market Street and we ran around the roundabout. We re-joined Holt Road anbd we headed Easrwards out of town. We ran forwards onto A534 and we saw Arriva NW&W 2145 on a #7 to Wrexham. We ran through Holt and we continued Northwards up Chester Road through Aldford. We continued along Chapel Lane and we ran through Saighton. We ran Northwards up Sany Lane and into Huntington. We turned right into the Caldy Valley estate and we ran around Caldy Valley Road. We ran through Boughton Heath past Sainsbury's and we turned left onto the A5115. We ran forwards onto the A51 and we headed around THe Bars roundabout onto City Road. We went past the railway station and we heded along Hoole Road to the roundabout. We crossed the roundabout onto Gorse Stacks and we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 10884 on the X1 to Liverpool. A few minutes later we we got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. Whilst we waited for departure time we saw required Arriva NW&W 3143 on a #1 to Blacon. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks. We crossed the ring road onto the A56 and we ran past the railway station. We ran North through Hoole and. We turned left onto the A41. We ran North and where we turned right into Chester Zoo where we got up and got off the bus. We waited at the stop and a few minutes later a bus to Chester appeared. It was required Stagecoach Merseyside 27263 on a #1 to Chester. We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver for the last time before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Matthew ate the chocolate bar we had given him just before the bus turned up. We set off up the Chester Zoo We ran South along the A41 and we turned right onto Heath Road. We continued onto Mill Street and we joined the Southbound A5116. We ran into Chester and over the ring road onto Northgate. We turned left into Delamere Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up Delamere Street and we turned left onto Upper Northgate Street. We turned right on Hunter Street and we walked back up to the old bus station and we met up with mum. By the time we got to the old bus station the coaches that we had seen earlier had all gone. There was a large crowd waiting by the bike racks. We went to the toilet in the car park and then we went back to the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Fanta orange. We set off out of the car park and onto the clockwise ring road and we passed the sight of the new bus station. We went up the We ran up the A56 through Hoole. A41 got onto the Northbound M53. At the next junction we got onto the eastbound M56. It was now properly dark as we ran through the Cheshire countryside. We overtook LDV minibus AE06 NSU somewhere South of Runcorn. Near to Warrington we joined the Southbound M6. We got onto the A556 and then we went down to the A50. We travelled South through Knutsford. We continued to Holmes Chapel and down into Kidsgrove. We carried on South towards Tunstall and we turned left onto the A527. In Fegg Hayes we turned right onto Oxford Street and we ran through Chell Heath past Matthew's old school. In Smallthorne we turned right onto Ford Green Road and at the roundabouts we turned left onto the A5272. We followed the road through Sneyd Green and Northwood and down to Bucknall. We turned right onto the A52 and at Joiners Square roundabout we turned left onto Victoria Road. At the top of the hill we turned right onto City Road and we ran down the hill to Smithpool Road. We turned left and left again onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to use his computer and watch buses. For a late tea Matthew had a chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw Temple Street church RX18 GZW. We walked onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We continued walking to the day centre. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group SF59 JCY parked up at the day centre. We went to the day centre and after spending some time baking. We made a cake and afterwards Matthew used the facilities. We returned to the residential uinit. We walked along Baker Street past the of the new housing development. We turned right onto Christchurch Street. We returned onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. When Matthew got back we went upstairs and went up to his room. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 11-11-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
19572	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	X8	Stagecoach Merseyside
21257	Chester BS	Blacon, The Arches School	1A	Stagecoach Merseyside
21258	Blacon, Blacon Parade	Chester BS	1	Stagecoach Merseyside
34812	Chester BS	Saltney, Sandy Lane Terminus	16	Stagecoach Merseyside
27776	Saltney, Sandy Lane Terminus	Chester BS	16	Stagecoach Merseyside
10831	Chester BS	Chester, Zoo main entrance	53	Stagecoach Merseyside
27256	Chester, Zoo main entrance	Chester, Delamere Street (Stop 3)	1	Stagecoach Merseyside

Today we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port and Chester. It would be the first time that we had visited Chester since the bus station moved down to the new site on Gorse Stacks. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather. We gave Matthew a list of places in the North-West and Midlands and from the list he chose Chester and Ellesmrere Port. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off through Blurton around 11:45 and we saw Adams Morey minibus HD17 DDU parked outside the Lambourne.

Adams Morey HD17 DDU in Blurton

We continued up onto Kearsley Way and we turned left onto Beaconsfield Drive. At the end of the road we turned left onto Church Street and past the site of the former Florence Colliery line railway bridge. We turned left at the roundabout onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. t Heron Cross we got onto the WEstbound A50 to Sideway. At the next roundabout we turned right and joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled North up to the M6 we saw Hollinsheads DH11 HOL & Malbank OU14 SVA. At junction 15 we got onto the Northbound M6. Traffic was relatively quiet today, perhaps because there was no Premier League football being played today. As we travelled North we saw an undentified ABC Coach Hire coach, Hollinshead J10 BUS, and unidentified Ffoshelig coach, an unidentified Kingsley Travel coach and an unidentified Festival travel coach. At junction 20 we got onto the Westbound M56. Traveling towards the M53 we saw Easycoach 217 and an unidentified Longmynd Travel coach. We got onto the North M53 and we came of after 2 junctions onto the A5032. We ran trough Ellesmere Port and we turned left into Civic Way, passing Stagecoach Merseyside 19571 on the X8 to Chester. We turned left onto Wellington Road. We parked up near to the market and we went into the building. This time we tried a different tactic to get a table in the market food hall. Mum and uncle Dave found a table whilst I took Matthew to the toilet. When we got back to the food court mum and uncle Dave had found a table. Mum went to order the food and we guarded the chair. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked past the shops up to the bus station. As we walked up we remembered that last time we came in February we realised that Arriva NW&W had pulled out of the quality bus partnership on the #1/2 services. That means we we would be doing Stagecoach buses and therefore buying a Stagecoach ticket. We walked around the corner to see Stagecoach Merseyside 27260 on a #2 to Liverpool. We started to walk up towards the Chester bus stop and we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 19572 on a X8 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 19572 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets at £4 each before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Wellington Road and we turned left onto Stanney Lane and we ran past The Grace Arms, which was a pub we used to eat at back when we first started to visit Ellesmere Port. We continued down the road for around 1/2 mile and then we turned left into the Coliseum Retail Park. We continued into the adjacent Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and we saw Attain YN14 PLZ, Grayways YR10 HOL, Worleys FC04 LDA, an unidentified Woodcocks coach and an unidentified Slacks coach. We got onto the A5117 and we ran Westwards to the A41. We ran South and where we would normally turn right we went straight on towards Chester Zoo. We turned into the zoo and we saw Maxfield Coaches MXI 3319. We came back out of the Zoo and continued South down the A41. We travelled along the northern by-pass and then we turned right onto the A56 for the run into town. We turned into Station Road and we saw Helms 121 and 128 outside the station on City Rail Link Shuttle services. We turned right onto City Road and we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47326 on a X1 to Ruthin, Arriva NW&W 1004 on a #1 to Wrexham and 2648 on a X4 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2648 in Chester

At the end of City Road we went around The Bars and onto Forgate Street where we saw Arriva NW&W 4216 parked up between services. We continued onto St Oswald's Way and we ran past the end of Frodsham Street before going into the new bus station straight off St Oswald's way. Once we pulled up on a stand we got up and got off the bus. The new bus station was light and airy if a little basic. We went to use the toilets and we were disapointed that the disabled toilets don't use the stand RADAR key so I had to escort Matthew to the Gents. Once we had used the facilities we walked onto the Gorse stacks road side and where the bus stops used to be the bus station had been left open on that side to add to the number of stands in the bus station. On the Gorse Stacks side we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47712 on a #5 to Huntington.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47712 in Chester bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 3142 on a #3 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 3142 in Chester bus station

As there was nothing else Stagecoach around that we wanted to catch we decided to do a #1 or #1A to Blacon. A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 on a #1A Blacon circular service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus to the driver before we saw down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks and we ran onto George Street. At the end we turned right onto Northgate Street and we crossed over the ring road onto the A5116. We veered left on the one-way system and we ran forwards onto the A540. We ran past Chester University and we hit traffic as we got to the edge of town. Coming the other way we saw white minibus D5 DJJ. At the roundabout after seeing a near miss between two cars we turned left onto Blacon Avenue. We travelled Westwards for around a mile and when we got to the shops we got up to get off the bus. We turned left onto Saughall Road where we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 as it carried on back towards Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21257 in Blacon

Once we got off the bus we walked across to the shops. We went into the Spar shop and Matthew brought a can of Cherry Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. Once we had finished shopping we walked over to the stop on Blacon Avenue to wait for a bus back to Chester. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 on a #1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Blacon

We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Blacon Avenue and we had a long run of around 2/3 of a mile down to a roundabout. This part of the run was peppered with quite severe speed bumps which was doing us and the bus no good at all! We crossed the roundabout onto the A540 and we had another run of around 1/2 mile up to Liverpool Road. We ran around the one-way system and passed the Stagecoach bus depot and into town along Northgate. We crossed over the ring road on Northgate and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We continued down onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks and into the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet again and then we had a look around at what bus we could catch next. We saw it was Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 on a #16 to Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 in Chester bus station

We got on and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Gorse Stacks and turned right into Frodsham Street. The road is now a mainly pedestrian street and the bus travels along the stone we pass very close to benches. We turned left into Foregate Street and we saw an unidentified Byley's coach. We turned right onto Love Street and onto Pepper Street. As we went down Pepper Street we saw National Holidays NH10 RSH / NH15 GDH. We continued onto Lower Bridge Street and we turned left onto Old Dee Bridge into Handbridge. We continued onto Overleigh Road and we crossed the A483 where we saw Voel coach FJ08 FYL. We continued along Hough Green and then we turned left onto Cliveden Road where we passed Stagecoach Merseyside 19062 on a #16 to Chester. We turned right onto Circular Drive and we continued onto Green Lane and into Saltney. We turned left Boundary Lane and right onto Victoria Road. We re-joined the High Street and we turned left into Sandy Lane where we got up to get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 as it carried on back towards Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 in Saltney

Once we has seen the bus disappear into the distance we walked onto the A5104 to watch buses on the main road. We stood on an overbridge which looked a good place to get bus pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 4487 on a #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4487 in Saltney

We also saw Arriva NW&W 3146 on a #3 to Mold. We also saw Arriva NW&W 2620 on a #4 to Chester. We walked back to the stop on Sandy lane to wait for the next bus back to Chester. A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 on a #16 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 in Saltney

We got on it and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Sandy. At the end we turned left onto Lane Boundary Lane. We turned right onto Green Lane and then continued onto Circular Drive. We turned left onto Cliveden Road and at the end we turned right onto Hough Green. We crossed the A483 and we continued onto Overleigh Road. We crossed over the Dee along Handbridge and we ran onto Lower Bridge Street. We turned left Grosvenor Street and at the roundabout we turned Nicholas Street. We continued around the ring road along St Martin's Way and we saw National Holidays NH16 FEH. At the old bus station we saw a number of coaches including an unidentified Hollinshead coach.At the roundabout we turned right onto Northgate Street and left onto Roundabout Delamere Street. We continued onto George Street and onto Gorse Stacks before stopping outside the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 as it carried on back towards Saltney.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 in Chester bus station

We had a walk around the bus station whilst we decided what to catch next. We saw Avon 108 on a #22 to West Kirby.

Avon 108 in Chester bus station

around the other side of the bus station we saw National Express liveried Selwyns coach FJ13 DZZ on a #381 to Leeds.

Selwyns FJ13 DZZ in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 10831 on the X8 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 10831 in Chester bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 19045 on the X2 to Runcorn. A few minutes later we we got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 10831.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 10831

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw required Arriva NW&W 3143 on a #1 to Blacon. We set off out of the bus station onto Gorse Stacks. We crossed the ring road onto the A56 and we ran past the railway station. We ran North through Hoole and. We turned left onto the A41. We ran North and where we turned right into Chester Zoo where we got up and got off the bus. We waited at the stop and a few minutes later a bus to Chester appeared. It was required Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 on a #1 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 in Chester Zoo

We got on the bus and we flashed the Stagecoach Merseyside Dayrider Plus tickets to the driver for the last time before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Matthew ate the chocolate bar we had given him just before the bus turned up. We set off up the Chester Zoo We ran South along the A41 and we turned right onto Heath Road. We continued onto Mill Street and we joined the Southbound A5116. We ran into Chester and over the ring road onto Northgate. We turned left into Delamere Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 as it carried on towards the bus station.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27256 in Chester

Once off the bus we walked up Delamere Street and we turned left onto Upper Northgate Street. We turned right on Hunter Street and we walked back up to the old bus station and we met up with mum. By the time we got to the old bus station the coaches that we had seen earlier had all gone. There was a large crowd waiting by the bike racks. We went to the toilet in the car park and then we went back to the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Fanta orange. We set off out of the car park and onto the clockwise ring road and we passed the sight of the new bus station. We went up the We ran up the A56 through Hoole. A41 got onto the Northbound M53. At the next junction we got onto the eastbound M56. It was now properly dark as we ran through the Cheshire countryside. We overtook LDV minibus AE06 NSU somewhere South of Runcorn. Near to Warrington we joined the Southbound M6. As we traveled Southwards we saw Carvers RIL 9162. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. As we travelled South we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 279. At Sideway we turned left onto the A50 and we came off at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. The spare ground was empty and there was a minibus in Lucky Seven. We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. In the compound was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We turned around and we saw new Lucky Seven Mercedes minibus VX63 WYK.

Lucky Seven VX63 WYK in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and We ran Westwards and we came off at Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton before turning right onto Church Road we saw Lucky Seven LT63 CXN. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots 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.