Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 14-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3011	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
2658	Chester BS	Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
4481	Shotton B&Q (SE-bound)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
2798	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
4481	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
2645	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Chester, Grosvenor Street (Stop W)	4	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Ellesmere Port & Chester. We had checked the weather for today and it was heavy rain for most of the afternoon for all of the North West & Midlands. We gave Matthew a choice of places to go and from the list he chose Ellesmere Port and Chester. Matthew got up around 09:45 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set out just after 12:00 onto the A5035. At Stanley Matthews Way we turned right and we went up to the A50 were we West. At the A500 we went North up to the M6. Traffic was a little slow as we went Northwards but after we got North of the A556 things quicken up. Going Morthwards we saw Daw2Door MA59 KME. We went West along the M56 and the weather was atrocious! The traffic was quite and we got to Ellsemere Port in good time. As we passed he bus station we saw GHA's former Go North East single decker R838 PRG on the #36 to Runcorn. We parked up near to the market and we visited the toilet there. We went to the food court area to get something to eat. It took a few minutes to get a table and when we did we went to order the food and Matthew and uncle Dave saved the table. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished of eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked though the rain to the bus station. When we got there we were surprised the see a Stagecoach Gold bus on the #1 to Chester. On closer inspection we saw that it was Stagecoach Merseyside 27264.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27264 in Ellesmere Port bus station

A few minutes later we saw the #2 to Chester approaching ... It was dud Arriva NW&W 3011.

Arriva NW&W 3011 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we brought Deeside Day Saver tickets at £4.50 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. Arriva NW&W 3011 was our first every Pulsar, which we had from New Brighton to Birkenhead back in May 2010. We travelled down the road a short distance to Whitby and we turned into Overpool Road. We turned into Hope Farm Road and we ran through a housing estate before emerging on the A41 out of Holm Oak Way. We then had a fast run along the A41 for around 3 miles before turning onto the A5116 for the run into Chester. We ran into town and we passed the Stagecoach depot before we crossed the ring road and entered the town along Northgate. After we passed the old cinema which is now being converted back in to a theatre, we turned right into the narrow entrance of the bus station. Buses often used to drop passengers off at this point, but as the theatre refurbishment had taken over some of the bus station entrance road, it is impossible to stop here without blocking the entrance to the bus station. Once the bus had stopped, the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3011.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3011

When we got off the bus we walked over to our usual perk near to the bike lockers. Almost immediately we saw required GHA double decker V220 MEV on a #82 to Northwich.

GHA V220 MEV in Chester bus station

We also saw a Stagecoach Merseyside Solo for the first time in Chester. Stagecoach Merseyside 47034 was working a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47034 in Chester bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W gas powered bus 5003 on a #21 service to Runcorn.

Arriva NW&W 5003 in Chester bus station

We let dud Arriva NW&W 4479 on the #11 to Holywell go. Whilst we waited for another bus we saw a coach arrive... It was James Travel RG52 JAM all the way from South Wales.

James Travel RG52 JAM in Chester bus station

We had now been in the bus station for around 30 minutes now. GHA single decker GA04 GHA was on the following #82 to Northwich and there was still no sign of a #10 or #10A...

GHA GA04 GHA in Chester bus station

The second #11 came in and it was unusually single decker. We crossed over to the adjacent stand to catch it. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2658 on the Holywell bound service.

Arriva NW&W 2658 in Chester bus station

The driver had a very quick comfort brake and whilst we waited for the Arriva bus to be readied for service, Townlynx single decker Y213 BAW made an appearance on the T1 to Greenfield.

Townlynx Y213 BAW in Chester bus station

When the Arriva bus was ready for service we got on the bus booked another Deeside day Saver for the journey into Wales. The first time we had this bus was basically up the main street and around the corner in Llandudno on a Llandudno to Bangor service back in April 2011. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station onto the ring road. After we had passed the Sealand turning the traffic was better and we went over the dee towards Wrexham. We turned onto the A51054 and we went through Lache and up to Broughton via Saltney. After calling into the busy Broughton Shopping Park we continued onto Hawarden. We turned right and we headed a mile or so down the hill past the garden centre and into Queensferry. We crossed under the A494 and we turned left by Asda. A couple of stops towards Shotton we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2658 before the bus carried on towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 2658 in Queensferry

We walked over to the petrol station and we went into the shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru for later... We also brought some chocolate. After we had finished shopping we crossed over the road which was quite busy in both directions, and sat at the stop. Almost immediately we saw GHA gold single decker BA58 GHA on a #9 service to Chester. Whilst we waited for a Chester bound Arriva bus we saw Townlynx Y72 YSO on a T1 service to Chester.

Townlynx Y72 YSO in Queensferry

A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4481 on a #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Queensferry

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver and then we went upstairs. We set off along the B5129 and we were stuck in traffic for a short while. We turned right up past Asda and we climbed the hill up to Hawarden. in the village we went left and we headed east towards Broughton Shopping Park. As it had stopped raining we decided to get off the bus on the the A5104 and wait for a following bus to Lache so that we could get an extra journey in. We turned onto the A5104 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took nother picture of Arriva NW&W 4481 as it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Broughton

We had a look at the timetable and there was a #12 due, although the timetable had probably gone totally to pot due to the traffic. A few minutes later we saw a single decker going into the Shopping Park so we knew there was a #3 or #4 approaching. It came out of the Shopping Park and as it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2798 on a #3 to Chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2798 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down near to the back. The bus set off along the A5104 and we noticed the bus behind us was empty. When the bus topped Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2798

At the Morrison's petrol station we saw a couple of mini buses filling up. They were ABC Travel PO11 LNA & JC Executive Travel BD57 EZO. We carried on back into England and we went under the railway and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2798 as it carried on towards Chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2798 in Lache

We had a quick toilet break here... Matthew went into the Brewery Arms pub and used the toilet. We purchased a Coke which was conveniently in a can so we took it with us. When we came out of the pub we crossed the road and we walked towards Chester to the adjacent bus stop. As soon as we got there we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva NW&W 4481.

Arriva NW&W 4481 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and we sat down. I thought the bus sounded very familiar and I realised that it was the bus we did from Queensferry to Broughton earlier in the day! We travelled through the darkness through Saltney and Saltney ferry and we saw the Airbus factory looming in the background. As soon as we saw buildings close to the road on the right hand side we got up and got off the bus. We crossed the road and we stood at the stop outside the Vets. We saw a single decker going into the Broughton Shopping Park and we realised that it was probably a #3 or #4 service. The bus ran round the car parks and then came back out onto the main road. as it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2645.

Arriva NW&W 2645 in Broughton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver for the last time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off Eastwards towards Chester. It was now close to 17:30 so we decided to do the bus back to the western edge of town and walk around the corner to the bus station to meet mum. We travelled through Saltney Ferry and when the the bus stopped near to the centre of Saltney Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2645

The bus carried on back into England and through Lache. We crossed over the river Dee and we went straight across the roundabout into Grosvenor Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2645 as it carried on towards Chester railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2645 in Chester

Right behind us was Arriva NW&W 4407 on a #1 to Chester railway station. We walked back to the Grosvenor roundabout and we saw Stotts coach YN12 BVD.

Stotts YN12 BVD in Chester

We carried on up the ring road A5268 and when we passed the pub on the corner of Watergate, Matthew said hello to someone in the beer garden through the glass screen. The lady in question proceeded to tap the glass with the end of her umbrella. We carried on up to Princess Street and we turned the corner up to the bus station and we saw GHA Dart FJ06 URR on a #82 to Northwich. We walked back up to the bus station and we met up with mum. 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. As we came out of the car park we saw what the crowd were waiting for. It was Stanley Coaches Plaxton coach OO12 STX.

Stanley Coaches OO12 STX in Chester bus station

We joined the Northbound ring road and we passed the sight of the new bus station on Gorse Stacks which should be completed in 2017. We went up the A56 and we noticed it was a little busier than usual. It was the Hoole Christmas lights switch on festival, or Notting Hoole as it is also known. We joined the M53 for on junction and then we got onto the eastbound M56. We made good time up to the M6 and then we went South. Once again we made good time despite the bad weather and we came off the motorway at junction 16 onto the A500. We went South to Sideway and then East up the A50 to Longton. At Z Carz this evening in the first row we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Next to the Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX was Z Carz LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

On the end of the row was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

Closest bus on the second row we saw Z Carz Airport Division Ford minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned the corner into Willow Row and we saw 3 minibuses in the compound. Closest to the gate was Z Carz Ford minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

We turned left today onto Endsor Road and the left again onto Spring garden Road. At the end we went left to the roundabout to do a u-turn, as there is no left turn out of Spring Garden Road. We went down through Dresden and through Blurton into trentham so we could fill up with diesel at the BP petrol station. When we had finished we went back down the A5035 to Blurton and we got home at 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and went to bed around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Llandudno 25-04-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 246	Longton Hall Road	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Charter	Copelands Tours
817	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	Junction, New Road (Stand Z)	14	Arriva NW&W
2276	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	Llandudno, Trinity Square (SW) (SW-bound)	13	Arriva NW&W
818	North West Gardens, (E bound)	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	19	Arriva NW&W
2277	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	13	Arriva NW&W
2658	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	Llandudno Palladium (Stand Y)	5	Arriva NW&W
911	Llandudno Palladium (Stand B)	North West Gardens, (E bound)	84	Arriva NW&W
MIB 246	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Longton Hall Road	Charter	Copelands Tours

Today we took Matthew out on his first coach trip of the year. We had a choice of Blackpool or Llandudno with Copeland's (the operater which Matthew chose) and he chose to go to Llandudno. Matthew has only been to Llandudno once in recent years, and that was last summer when we did a coach trip to Rhyl and traveled on. In ancient times Matthew has done a pair of class 20's when he was around 2 on a coal day, and also a trip here on Easter Monday in the later 90's with Bakers when buses were still just something that made him lift his head and get excited when in his pram. Planning consisted of downloading all the Sunday timetables for he Llandudno area. As I was getting the car ready to go to meet the coach, I noticed my near neighbours setting off up the road. As we left home we saw them at the local bus stop. When we arrived on longton Hall road we didn't have to wait long for the coach to turn up MIB 246 was power for the day. Matthew loaded onto the coach quickly, and whilst we were waiting for a couple of passengers
I got off to check the car was locked. Behind our coach arrived the Blackpool coach, which was required MIB 236. As it pulled off Matthew's face dropped in disappointment at not getting the coach he wanted. It didn't take him long to forget anout that. Eventually the passengers we were waiting for arrived off a slightly late running PMT bus. It was our near neighbours! We set off around town picking up the other passengers, including a lad the Matthew used to go to school with Anthony Goodrum. After about an hour and a half we pulled into knutsford services for a quick toilet break. Already in the service was MIB 236 on the Blackpool and Matthew spotted this straight away! As soon as he got off our coach he ran and jumped on the other! after taking a picture inside and out, we persuaded him to come off and promised we would get this coach sometime in the future!


The elusive (to us) MIB 236 in knutsford services (matt)

A toilet break later we were back on the coach. A fairly some journey then followed and the driver pointed out a few sights and facts along the way. When in llandudno we parked on the Mostyn coach park and walked into town. Mum unusually had some company in our near neighbours, so she left us to our own devices! We found some toilets and then found a good vantage point for Matthew to take pictures. I then left him with uncle Dave whilst I fought may way to the front of a very busy chip shop queue! by about 12:40 we were ready to start catching buses... The first bus Matthew wanted was the Alexander bodied dart 2277 that was parked up in trinity square. "what's it on?"..."13"..."Where's it going?"..."Prestatyn".."What time is it due off?"..."oh....now!". So we missed that one. Out came the netbook. The 13 goes via Llandudno junction so if we catch somthing to there we'll probably get a similar bus back. The 14 goes to the junction area before going west. "whens the next 14?"..."12:54"..."Where does it go from?"..."Mostyn Street (NW bound)!". So we walked briskly around the corner to the stop and whithin a couple of minutes Arriva NW&W 817 appears from around the corner. We book our NW&W day rovers and sit down. The 14 takes a weird winding route through countryside and eventually as we approach the Conway area we start to see familiar sights we have seen off the train. Getting close to the tunnel and not wanting end up on the other side, we get off near the road and river area.


Arriva NW&W 817 in Llandudno (matt)

We got off at the new road stop and the bus disappeared around the corner. We decided to follow the bus and then we realised that we were only one stop away from the railway station. We walked across to the station where we saw that there was a 13:30 to llandudno on a service 13.Aafter a few minutes the 13 turned up with another ALX200 in the form of Arriva NW&W 2276 in interurban livery.


Arriva NW&W 2276 in Llandudno (Matt)

We did this back to the square in llandudno and watched it go. We realised that there was not another 14 as this service is every 2 hours on a Sunday service. the next Conway bound bus was a service 19 from the main stop on Mostyn Street just after the hour. off this bus there was a return 19 and another 13. we waited for 15 or so minutes and Arriva NW&W 818 turned up on the 19.


Arriva NW&W 818 in Llandudno (matt)

We set off with the intention of getting off on New road and hopefully we would be able to catch one or the of the buses back. As we approached the New Road stop we passed the 19 with a Plaxton bodied Dart. Decided not to get off and carried on to the stop opposite the station. as we approached the railway station we passed the other bus which was another Plaxton bodied Dennis dart. At this point I realised that we were stuck at Llandudno Junction for an hour! to pass the time we took Matthew to Iceland, where he photographed cakes in the store and chose some cans of Vimto. we drank some of the said cans and also visited the toilet in Llandudno junction station. All things considered the time went passed really quickly. We guessed that the bus back would be 2277 and sure enough it was.


Arriva NW&W 2277 in Llandudno (matt)

by the time we got back we realised that Matthew didn't have much time to get in some more buses. We decided to get in a couple of buses really quickly by catching something from Mostyn Street further into town and than catching something out again. the first bus that turned up was 2658 on a number 5.


Arriva NW&W 2658 in Llandudno (matt)

We did this 2 stops up to the Palladium and got off. Virtually straight away there was a bus opposite on a #84. This was ex London 911. A strange short Plaxton bodied Dart with very few seat in it. We did this back to the main stop in Mostyn Street.


Arriva NW&W 911 in Llandudno (matt)

With about an hour to go before the coach left we decided to et some more chips and eat them on the front. Matthew took a few more pictures and then we went back around to Mostyn Street to take more pictures and meet up with mum. Ona #12 Rhyl, we saw our first glimpse of one of the Ex London ALX400 that are being deployed all across the Arriva NW&W Wales area. This was 4041 and it looked very smart in the interurban livery.


Arriva NW&W 4041 in Llandudno (matt)

After meeting up with mum, it was back to the coach to wait for the 17:15 departure. There was a slight delay in departing as our neighbours couldn't find a toilet in the area as the one on the gardens shut just before we got there. Matthew took some more pictures in the coach park before departure.


Happy Days Coaches 214 in Llandudno (matt)

On departure we made good time until we hit the M56. We had a short stop at Chester services and then we slowly progressed along the M56 until we passed the M53 and we managed to travel a little quicker. We reached newcastle just as it started to go dark and we then had another hour around town dropping of passengers. We hit Longton Hall road just after 21:00.


MIB 246 in Longton Hall Road (matt)

After dropping off uncle Dave I came back and we gave our neighbours a lift. It was a tight squeeze getting 5 and a chair into the car considering the boot was full already. Matthew seemed to enjoy the challenge. Quite a good day, but the coach trip wa a bit of an epic. We will be choosing the trip a little more carefully in future (Mark)