Trip to Tamworth / Whittington 23-08-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4206	Tamworth bus interchange	Mile Oak, adj French Avenue	110	Arriva Midlands
4205	Mile Oak, opp French Avenue	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands
KV03 ZFD	Tamworth bus interchange	Elford (Staffs), Adj Social Club	82	Solus Coaches
KV03 ZFD	Elford (Staffs), Adj Social Club	Tamworth bus interchange	82	Solus Coaches
2617	Tamworth bus interchange	Coton Green, adj Roman Way	3	Arriva Midlands
2614	Coton Green, adj Shopping Precinct	Tamworth bus interchange	3A	Arriva Midlands
3809	Tamworth bus interchange	Whittington, adj Barracks Museum	765	Arriva Midlands
3805	Whittington, opp Barracks Museum	Tamworth bus interchange	765	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Tamworth. Once again the weather was very changeable so we left the decision until Saturday morning. Matthew got up at around 09:45 and had toast and juice for breakfast. Research consisted of checking we had the Tamworth timetables on the phone, and looking for a place to eat. The weather was forecast for Tamorth that afternoon was for mainly overcast with sunny intervals. Uncle Dave hadn't stopped over so we set off to pick him up around 11:30. Today was our first trip out in the new diesel 'Support vehicle'. We set off through Blurton and headed towards Heron Cross. On Blurton Road we saw a rare outing for step entranced Dart Copeland's Tours MIB 797 on the #40 Longton - Fenton - Longton circular. We headed through Fenton and stopped to pick up uncle Dave and then headed bac up to Heron Cross. We joined the A50 and went West to the A500. Here we headed South to the A34. As the weather was poor we decided to take it easy and go the most direct slower route along A roads. As we passed near to Stone we saw Bennetts Solo MX52 FDJ on a #1 town service. We carried on South until we reached the A51. We then went South East along the A51. When we got to Colwich the diesel light came on and we needed to find a garage. We passed an expensive looking garage near Rugeley, we carried on South-East along the A51 and we reached Lichfield. Just on the other side of town we came a cross a Shell garage on the junction of the A51 & A5206 and put in some diesel for the trip. We got back onto the A51 and carried on East towards Tamworth. We got to the edge of town and went straight in, before turning into Aldergate. The car parking spaces by the Assembly Rooms off Corporaion Street were full so we went back around the small one way system and parked in the car park off Aldergate. Last time we came to Tamworth we hadn't researched to eating situation, so we ate at the truck stop off the A5. This time we had researched a cafe called Cafe Rio which is situated in the car park off Aldergate. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating we collected the trip bag from the support vehicle and said goodbye to mum. We walked across the car park and into Corporation Street, which with it's five bus stops it is know collectively as Tamworth bus interchange... As we crossed the street we saw a double decker arriving on the #110 from Birmingham. It was required Arriva Midlands 4206.

Arriva Midlands 4206 in Tamworth bus interchange

We waited for the driver change to take place and then we got on the bus. As it was empty, Matthew took a picture of the lower saloon.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4206

We booked a Midland DaySaver at £6.20, as we intended to try and go a little further today. We went upstairs and sat down, waiting a few minutes before the bus departed. At 14:00 the bus set off onto Church Street and as we waited at the traffic lights we saw dud Arriva Midlands 4200 coming in to form the next #110 departure at 14:15. We had been on this bus on our previous visit to Tamworth back in June this year. This bus has now been covered in an all over advert for the new Sapphire buses coming to Tamworth to work the #110 in September. We carried on West until we got to the roundabout and then we went South onto Tamedrive. At the big roundabout we turned left onto Riverdrive, before heading South past the Ventura shopping park along the A4091. We crossed under the A5 and past the previous further point on this service in Fazeley. We crossed over the canal and we turned right onto the old A5 which has now been renumbered to the B5404. The road isn't very wide by modern standards but then Romans knew how to build a road straight... We passed required Arriva Midlands Mercedes Citaro 3008 on the next Tamworth bound #110, so we knew we had about 7 minutes before we passed the next bus. We passed a lumber yard with a big crane that can lift whole tree trunks, and then carried on West for around a mile before we reached Mile Oak. We turned South onto the A453 and we decided to get off as there was a bus due back the other way any minutes now. We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 4206.

Arriva Midlands 4206 in Mile Oak

There was a bus stop opposite, but it took over a minutes to get across this busy road. Once at the stop there wasn't much of a view down the road because a a big hedge. I had to stand on the road to see the bus and retreat back onto the pavement when I saw it approaching. Even then Matthew didn't quite get enough notice to get good picture of this bus, dud Arriva Midlands 4205.

Arriva Midlands 4205 in Mile Oak

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets and the we went upstairs and sat down. The bus was quite well filled. We set of North on the A453 and then East to Fazeley. We turned North onto the A4091 and we passed Arriva Midlands 4200 again, this time going towards Birmingham. As we passed Ventura Park we saw Arriva Midlands Volvo B6 2613 turning into the out of town shopping complex. The bus was branded and working the #6 service. We got back onto the A51 Riverdrive and then onto Tamedrive before running into town along Church Street and Aldergate. On Church Street we passed Arriva Midlands 3008 on the next #110 to Birmingham as expected. We pulled into Tamworth bus interchange and we waited for the bus to empty so Matthew could take a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4205.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4205

We got off the bus and there were a couple of services in the bus station. There were a couple of buses in the interchange and of course we hadn't taken a decent picture of Arriva Midlands 4205 yet today. I asked Matthew what he wanted to do and he pointed to a anonymous looking white minibus parked up. It was required Solus Coaches KV03 ZFD.

Solus Coaches KV03 ZFD in Tamworth bus interchange

We walked up to the driver and asked if it was a service bus and he told us yes. It was the #82 Clifton Campville circular service. which went out via Ashby Road and and No Man's Heath and back via Harlaston, Elford and Wigginton. The bus set off at 14:35 and went around the one way system and onto Aldergate. We passed the Arriva bus garage with the only bus visible being their trainer vehicle. We turned right into Albert Road and back passed the railway station along Offadrive. We crossed the railway line and then we sat at the temporary lights on Upper Gungate for a short while. Once the lights had changed we went North East onto Ashby Road. Once out of town it was quite a fast run. We were slowed a little by an elderley Land Rover which turned off before we got to No Man's Heath. At No Man's Heath we turn West towards Clifton Campville. Another spirited run along Clifton Road and we arrived in the village of Clifton Campville. Most passengers alighted opposite the Green Man pub, just leaving ourselves and one lady with here dog. We carried on West To Harlaston and the lady and her dog alighted here. As often is the case on rural runs, the driver knew most of his passengers and was a friendly and talkative chap. As we carried on we talked about buses and bus travel and then he told us about the Scarecrow Festival in the next village. Apparently the festival is held every year in this village over the August bank holiday weekend and resident along the route make scarecrows and place them in their garden in the designated streets. All the scarecrows have a number and you pick up forms from the village hall so that you can pick the best ones. People who want to enter the competition who don't live on the route display the scarecrows in the village hall. One garden with large ornate gates made a pair of matching Beefeater guard scarecrows that looked like they were guarding the gate of Buckingham Palace! Details of the festival can be found here... Once out of Elford we went back South down the A513 until we reached Whittington Lane. This was a single lane track into the village. As you would expect we saw a vehicle coming the other way! There was a passing place about half way along the lane and once the car had passed we carried on into the village. We turned South and picked up a couple of folk before heading South down to the A513. We passed Arriva Midlands double decker 4201 on the #2 service and then we came into town and inter the interchange via Aldergate. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside this fine example of a Mercedes minibus.

Inside Solus Coaches KV03 ZFD

Once off the bus we bumped into mum and as it was warm she persuaded Matthew to give up his hoodie. We saw a few buses whilst we decided what to do next. Arriva Midlands 3804 was about to work the next #110 to Birmingham

Arriva Midlands 3804 in Tamworth bus interchange

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36174 was also in the interchange on a #766 to Atherstone.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36174 in Tamworth bus interchange

Matthew wanted the toilet so we walked up to the public toliet block at the top end of the interchange. Whilst he was in there Happy Al's coach AA10 ALS made an appearance. Once hew was finished we walked back into the interchange and Matthew took a picture of this coach.

Happy Al's AA10 ALS in Tamworth bus interchange

At this point we decided to do required Arriva Midlands Volvo B6 2617 which was on the #3 to Coton Green.

Arriva Midlands 2617 in Tamworth bus interchange

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. We sat down near to the back and the bus waited until it's departure time. The bus set off onto Church Road and back onto Aldergate. We went passed the end of the railway station and crossed the railway line before turning left into Salter Lane. The bus followed Salter Lane around and into the estate. The bus seemed to take a different route to what remembered because it did! There seems to be a #3 and a #3A, with unusually the #3A service going clockwise and the #3 going anti-clockwise. As such we came down Fontenaye Road the opposite way from what had done before. When we passed the shops we got up to get off the bus. Before we got off Matthew took a picture inside empty Arriva Midlands 2617.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2617

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2617 as it went off into the distance.

Arriva Midlands 2617 in Coton Green

We headed across to the shops and we went into the Co-op food store. In here Matthew picked a can of Coke and a few chocolate bars and we headed to the till. He said hello to the cashier and we paid for the thing and left the shop to walk to the bus stop. From this side of the road the #3A departed. There was one due in a few minutes. Matthew had time to eat the Toffee Crisp that he had just brought, and then the bus turned up. It was another Volvo B6, and as it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2614. We got on the bus and sat down near to the back. The bus set off back through the estate in the opposite direction from earlier and people were getting off the bus and it was emptying out. Matthew took a picture facing forwards into the bus as it was empty in front of us. We went back over the railway line and into Aldergate before entering the bus interchange. When we got there, Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking another picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2614

We got off and Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 2614 from the outside too.

Arriva Midlands 2614 in Tamworth bus interchange

There was time for on quick out and back trip before we went home. On the #6 service again, Arriva Midlands branded volvo B6 2613 made an appearance in the interchange.

Arriva Midlands 2613 in Tamworth bus interchange

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said no. Behind this was required Arriva Midlands 3809 on the next #765 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Tamworth bus interchange

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service, We saw all over advertisement bus Arriva Midlands 4200 re-appear from Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 4200 in Tamworth bus interchange

Matthew decided to go toilet. Instead of going to the toilet block he decided to use the toilet in the Tourist Office opposite. We came out of the toilet and the bus had started to load. We flashed our tickets and sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town along church Street and carried straight on along the A51. On the edge of town we passed the road that goes into the other end of Coton Green and we carried on over the Coventry Canal and the river Tame. We climbed the hill through Hopwas before passing Packington free-range pork farm and the Staffordshire Regiment museum. We had worked out that the bus passed the one coming the other way somewhere between the museum and Whittington village. After we turned off the A51 we got up to get off at the next stop.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Whittington

We crossed the road to wait for the bus back. Matthew ate the chocolate of a Kinder Egg and we made up the ball that came inside it in six interlocking pieces. He also had a small bottle of cherryade. We heard the bus and it came around the corner. It was required Arriva Midlands 3805.

Arriva Midlands 3805 in Whittington

We flashed our tickets and sat down near to the back. A couple of people got off in Hopwas and Matthew took a picture inside of the empty bus in front of us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3805

The bus carried on into town and over the Coventry Canal and the river Tame. We carried on into town along the A51 and we entered the interchange of Aldergate. When we got off the bus we took a few more picture before we left. Arriva Midlands 4205 made a re-appearance so matthew took a picture of it.

Arriva Midlands 4205 in Tamworth bus interchange

We walked to the toilet block as the tourist office had now closed. After Matthew had used the toilet we walked back to the new 'support vehicle' after another successful afternoons bus travel. Mum was waiting back at he car for us and we had Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew had a 500ml bottle of Irn Bru. As we had fuel I decided to go back a slightly different way. We set off back along the A51 and into Lichfield. Once we had crossed through the small city we came to a roundabout with a junction for the A515 to Ashbourne. I knew this road crossed the A50 East of Uttoxeter, and we wanted to visit Z Carz anyway... We turned onto the A515 and a couple of miles North we passed Arriva Midlands 3758 on a #825 Stafford - Lichfield service. We carried on North and we passed through the villages of King's Bromley, Yoxall and Draycott in the Clay. Eventually we reached the A50 ans we went West towards Uttoxter. Near to Doveridge we passed Gold Star minibus PUI 5768 parked in a layby. We carried on passed Uttoxter and onto the long stretch of the A50 up to Draycott in the Moors. We carried on passed Blythe Bridge and Meir and we came of the A50 at Longton to check out what was on the depot at Z Carz tonight. First in the Row was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN the driver was just coming off and the door was open.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Next was Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Behind this was Volvo coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Behind the coach was Airport Transfer bus DL03 HHU. At the back of the site was silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We also saw Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO which also had the door open as the driver was getting off.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row where we saw Ford minibus BN03 OVS and long term SORN minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and through heron Cross. We saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT before continuing through Blurton. At the Ladybank Road stop we saw First Potteries 43876 on the #22 to Dresden. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a lemon cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark

Trip to Northwich / Nantwich 31-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2612	Northwich Interchange	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W
2617	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
SL15	Nantwich BS	Bishop Wood	51	GHA
SL15	Bishop Wood	Nantwich BS	51	GHA
SL07	Nantwich BS‎	Crewe BS	K39	GHA

Today we decided to go on a shorter trip as mum had a night out planned. I gave Matthew the choice of going to Leek to cover the Clowes Coaches #108 and #234, or to go Northwich to try and get some of the more recent ALX400 DAF arrivals at Arriva. Matthew chose Northwich. We didn't do any research for this trip other than to check the weather which was for sunny intervals. In hindsight we should have done some as will be revealed Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 today, heading onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews Way. We headed onto the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. There was a short delay on the A500 due to a crash near Talke which must have only just happened. At the end of the A500 just before we got onto the Northbound M6 we saw Z Carz BV51 BNO going South. We got onto the M6 and went one junction up to the A534. I decided to drive through Sandbach up to Middlewich to try and see some of the the #37 turns as we traveled North. In Sandbach itself we saw Arriva NW&W 2616 going towards Crewe. On the edge of town we passed Arriva NW&W Cadet 2497 going the other way. We carried on North up the A533 into Middlewich, where we stopped at the country Kitchen for dinner. Matthew had a bacon and egg bap washed down with a bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw required Arriva NW&W 2618 heading North. We then carried on into Northwich parking up around 13:20. We walked down to the interchange and there were 3 buses on stand. Dud Arriva NW&W 2516 was on the #1 service, required Arriva NW&W 2502 was on the #29A circular and dud 2612 was on the #37 to Crewe. Matthew went to use the toilet and then we made a decision. As we hadn't seen any double deckers on the 5 #37 turns we had seen so far, that there probably weren't any out on the #37 so we would head to Crewe to see if there were any double deckers on the #84's. Matthew got a picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 and then we got on it.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Northwich Interchange

We sat down somewhere in the middle on the drivers side. The bus was about 1/3 full. As we left Northwich we saw Arriva Dart 866 and 867 on the #2 and #4 service. This was our second run on Arriva NW&W Centro. The first run had been back in June on the short run into Northwich from the iron bridge. We headed South through Davenham and Moulton and through Wharton. At Wharton we saw Arriva NW&W 2497 on the #37 having crew change. We carried on South to Middlewich and then towards Sandbach. We passed Arriva NW&W 2503 on the A533 between Middlewich and Elworth. As we headed towards Sandbach the bus had emptied and we were the only ones on the bus. We arrived in Sandbach around 14:35 and the bus took on a few more passengers. We left towards Wheelock passing the remaining #37 turn which was dud Arriva NW&W 2610. We went through Haslington passing Arriva NW&W 4490 on the #38 to Macclesfield. We passed the railway station. and headed towards town passing required Arriva NW&W 4143 on the #84 to Chester. When we got into Crewe Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

There was a few inutes befre the next #84 turn, which appeared to be dud Arriva NW&W 2617. Also parked up in the bus station was dud Arriva NW&W 4156 on layover.

Arriva NW&W 4156 in Crewe bus station

A few minutes later Arriva NW&W pulled onto stand and Matthew got a picture of it.

Arriva NW&W 2617 in Crewe bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. The last time we got on this bus was back in December 2012 on a #29A circular. The bus headed out of town and onto Nantwich Road. It was a while before we passed the first Northbound #84 and it was required Arriva NW&W 4017. Very close behind was dud Arriva NW&W 4096. Just before we reached Nantwich we passed another DAF, required Arriva NW&W 4078. when we got to Nantwich we waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2617

When we got to nantwich we decided to visit the toilet and the market. As we approached the toilet we noticed this Routemaster being used as a mobile shop. After using the toilet we got a picture of this bus.

RM1590 in Nantwich Market

We had a few Mint Toffees from a market stall and then walked back to the bus station. We were waiting to see the next Chester and Crewe buses on the #84, and whist we waited we took a few pictures. GHA Solo SL07 was parked up n the bus station in between turns.

GHA SL07 in Nantwich bus station

Dud GHA SL17 was parked up with Explorica Tours on its display. GHA SL15 was working the Nantwich town circular services.

GHA SL15 in Nantwich bus station

When the next Chester service came in and it was dud Arriva NW&W 4156 Matthew decided he wanted to do something different. GHA SL15 arrived off one of the town circulars and we got on it leaving uncle Dave behind. We sat down and off we went. The buses crossed the railway a couple of times and went around the housing estates to the South of the railway line. A short time later we headed back into the town centre. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 4042 on a Crewe service. When we got back to the bus station matthew photographed the inside of the now empty GHA SL15.

Inside GHA SL15

When we got off SL15 he ran straight onto SL07. We caught up with him after we got on and got a picture inside the empty SL07.

Inside GHA SL07

Uncle Dave joined us and we saw it was on the K39 service to Crewe so we decided to do this. We sat down and the bus set off. We called mum to ask her to meet us at Crewe. The bus headed out of town on the A51 and then we went around a big housing estate off Peter Destapleigh Way. We got back on the A51 and then we headed through Walgherton & Wybunbury. We then went through Hough and Shavington and then crossed the A500. We wound our way from Rope Lane to Gresty Road through the houses and then we crossed straight over Nantwich road going into town via Tesco. When we arrived into Crewe bus station Matthew got a picture of GHA SL07 on stand.

GHA SL07 in Crewe bus station

We decided to spend 5 minutes taking pictures in and around the bus station before we returned to the car. First thing photographed was dud Arriva NW&W 876.

Arriva NW&W 876 in Crewe bus station

Then we got a picture of dud Arriva NW&W 4489 which had just arrived into the bus station on a #84 from Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4489 in Crewe bus station

The next #84 short to Nantwich was required Arriva 4078 which we could have done up if we had waited for it.

Arriva NW&W 4078 in Crewe bus station

We walked out of the bus station towards the car on the Delamere Street car park. As we crossed the road we saw D&G 5 was about to leave on a #8A service so Matthew got a picture.

D&G 5 in Crewe bus station

We turned to see D&G 3 on a #1 service too.

D&G 3 near Crewe bus station

We got in the car and Matthew had his Greggs sausage roll. He also had a burger which supposed to be mums tea and a few f her fries. This was washed down with the Coke from the MacDonalds meal. We set off ut of town and onto the Nantwich Road. We went passed the railway station and onto the A5020 passed Crewe Hall and onto the Southbound A500. We did this past the M6 and down to the A50 which we did to Longton. At Z Carz today were the following. The Mercedes minibus which we had seen earlier BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Newest coach ALZ 8539 was also there.

Z Carz ALZ 8539 in Longton

We also saw Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next we saw decal-less DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

Lastly n the spare ground was W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

In the Willow Row compound parked at the back was LDV minibus T408 JUX. We carried on hoe heading down Longton Hall Road passing First Potteries Dart 40144 n the #22 to Longton. We got home just after 18:00. Mum went out and we had a late tea of bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Northwich 15-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
869	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, Iron Bridge (SW-bound)	1	Arriva NW&W
868	Northwich, Iron Bridge (NE-bound)	Northwich Interchange	1	Arriva NW&W
3330	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
3330	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
2617	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
2617	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
SB16	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, opp Tesco	289	GHA
877	Northwich, opp Tesco	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	2	Arriva NW&W
877	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	2	Arriva NW&W
7628	Northwich Interchange	Sandbach, o/s Common	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Northwich. As we are near the middle o winter we once again gave him to nearby destinations to chose from and he chose Northwich. Like last week we had been to Northwich on the equivalent weekend last year. We didn't do any research for this trip, and we checked the weather on the night before. The weather was forecast for cloudy with sunny intervals, with a positively tropical temperate of 9' C. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 today and mum drove as dad had been out the night before. We asked Matthew where he wanted to eat and he chose the Country Kitchen in Middlewich, a place we have visited before. We headed along Stanley Matthews Way and onto the Westbound A50. We then did the A500 Northwards to the M6. We did the M6 2 junctions North and came off at the A54 and went into Middlewich and onto the car park for The Country Kitchen. It was very busy today as there were workmen having there dinner from across the road, working on the new Morrisons Store. We had thought it was going to be ready but the opening has been delayed. We ordered our food and after a short while we were eating it. Matthew got a picture of the trailer just before he tucked into his breakfast.

The Country Kitchen in Middlewich

We saw Arriva NW&W 3330 heading North. After we had finished eating mum carried on driving We headed North up the A533 to Northwich and headed to the car park. We saw Arriva 7628 on a #37 Sandbach short and Arriva NW&W 3334 on a #29A service. We parked up and then walked back to the bus interchange. 7628 & 3330 had gone and it was just after 13:00. We had a quick toilet stop and then walked back to the stops. First thing that we saw was GHA Solo SL16 on a #48 to Frodsham.

GHA SL16 in Northwich Interchange

We saw Arriva NW&W 869 on a #1 service. I remembered doing this move last year, and I thought it would be a good thing to do before the next #37 service. Matthew got a picture and we got on the bus.

Arriva NW&W 869 in Northwich Interchange

We brought some Arriva NW&W Daysavers and sat down near the back. I checked to see if we had been on this bus before and we had. It was in fact the first Arriva bus we had done in Northwich on our first visit back in October 2011. We did this service as we had done before to the Iron Bridge and got off. Matthew tried to take a picture but his batteries were flat. Fortunately the driver stayed put whilst he changed his batteries for which we would like to say thank you if he ever reads this Blog!

Arriva NW&W 869 by the Iron Bridge

We crossed the road to wait or the return #1. We didn't have to wait or more than a couple of minutes and required Arriva NW&W 868 made an appearance.

Arriva NW&W 868 by the Iron Bridge

We got on the bus and sat down. On the equivalent weekend last year the bus was full. This year it was virtually empty. The journey in was swift and when we got back Matthew got a picture of the empty inside.

Inside Arriva NW&W 868

When we got off we could see Arriva NW&W 3330, which had finally caught us up. It was about to do the 29A to Leftwich. Behind it pulled in Arriva NW&W 3334 which was going to do the next #37 to Crewe. We asked Matthew which bus he wanted to catch and he chose 3330 on the #29A. We got a picture of this bus before boarding and going upstairs.

Arriva NW&W 3330 in Northwich Interchange

As soon as we got upstairs Matthew took his empty bus photo.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3330

We sat down and relaxed ready for the journey ahead.We set of and headed South under the railway arch. by the time we reached the letwich road junction 3334 had caught us up and the 2 palatine II double deckers stood side by side. If I had been quicker perhaps I could have got some kind of picture. We carried on around the estate and then we headed back into town on the bus. i had thought that we might carry on on this bus when it did the #37 so we could go after Arriva NW&W Marshall Dart 7628. When we spied a Network Warrington Dart 31 on the #45.

Network Warrington 31 in Northwich Interchange

We had followed Arriva NW&W 2617 into town on the #37 so we knew it was going out to Leftwhich on the #29A. when I gave Matthew the choice of 2617 or 3330 he chose 2617. He got a picture and then we got on and sat near the back.

Arriva NW&W 2617 in Northwich Interchange

Doing this bus did surprise me a little. it was a required bus, but Matthew has often turned down these Plaxton Centros and we have been waiting around other than catching one of these buses. We did the bus around the estate again and at his point it started to rain a little. We headed back into town and hen the bus arrived back and emptied out he got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2617

Arriva NW&W 2611 came in to work the next #29A and Matthew decided he wanted to do this too. This bus was a dud one, having done it before on a Sandbach trp back in March this year. We did the bus around the estate again and then when we got Back Matthew took a picture of the inside of that bus too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2611

When we spied GHA SB16 on a #289 service. He got a picture of this bus.

GHA SB16 in Northwich Interchange

Matthew wanted to do this but I told him he couldn't as we didn't know what we could do back if we caught it. Required Arriva NW&W 2608 had arrived to do the next #29A and Matthew didn't seem interested in catching it. I went back to the stop and saw that the #45/46 also went off the same stop and at least on of the service seem to go in the same direction.i went back onto the bus and asked the driver if he went past the station and he said yes. So i went to fetch Matthew and told him we could do the bus but only for a short distance. We got on a and sat near the back.The bus took a slightly different route to the station from what we could remember on doing the Warrington Bus last October, but we got to Tesco and we got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of this bus before it pulled off into the distance.

GHA SB16 by Northwich Tesco

When we did the Warrington bus last time we did a #2 back to Northwich, We walked back past Tesco and then we looked up and down the road. we couldnt remeber the route of the #2 from last time, and we decided to turn right as that was the most likely route. The stop on the Northwich side of the road had no timetable and no text information. There was a phone number to ring for bus time but the stop wasn''t marked! We went to the shop and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and a twin Milky way. We decided to cross the road as that stop was marked. It also had a timetable and we saw there was a bus due 10 minutes ago and 20 minutes later.There was someone waiting so we assumed the bus was late. Almost immediately we spied an Arriva MPD Dart approaching. Matthew got a picture and it as required Arriva NW&W 877.

Arruva NW&W 877 on Station Road Northwich

We sat down near the back on this bus which was reasonably well filled. We headed put of town first and then around the end before heading back in. We knew that we had missed Arriva 7628 on the #29A, but we knew we should be back in plenty of time to see it do the #37 service. We got back and Matthew got a picture o the inside of this bus.

Inside Arruva NW&W 877

GHA wright bodied single decker YJ04 BVB made an appearance on the #82 service and Matthew got a picture.

GHA YJ04 BVB in Northwich Interchange

Matthew then revisited the toilet and we formulated a plan to get a decent run on required Arriva NW&W 7628. It arrived and then we got on.we then realised that it wasn't due o until 16:00 so we had 10 minutes. We were also going to be in darkness by the time we reached Sandbach. So we got off and got a picture and then got back on again.

Arriva NW&W 7628 in Northwich Interchange

We sat back down and waited for time. I arranged with mum to drive down to Sandbach and meet us there. When the bus pulled of I texted mum to let her know we were on our way. we headed south to Winsford and then through Middlewich. I thought that mum knew the way to Sandbach and so did she! She got a little lost and was going to head back towards Stoke-on-Trent when she saw a sign for Sandbach. It took her nearly an hour to do what should have been a 30 minute journey, but that was OK because the bus was scheduled to take longer. We got into Sandbach and we saw Arriva NW&W 4491 on a #38 Macclesfield service. On the Common Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7628

We met up with mum who was a little bit annoyed with her journey down, and she went to get some chips. Matthew went to the toilet supervised by Uncle Dave and I went to get lottery ticket from McColls. As Matthew walked back towards mum he got a picture o D&G 66 on the #78 service.

D&G 66 on Sandbach Common

We all met up back at the car and we ate chips and Matthew had a spam fritter and a sausage roll too. We set off around 17:15 and we headed back to the M6 along the A534 to the M6. On the radio we heard the stoke had drawn with Everton following an unfortunate Ryan Shawcross own goal and then a Kenwyne Jones header. We got of the M6 at junction 16 and headed southwards down the A500. at Sideway we headed east along the A50 to Longton and then we passed he Z Carz depot. On the depot was coach D104 XAN, Mercedes minibus T131 SGA, LDV breadvan M420 UEH and airport transfer bus DL03 HHU. We then headed down Longton Hall road and then home. We got back around 18:15. Matthew had sausage, carrots and mash for a late tea before spending time on his computer before bedtime...Mark