Trip to Shrewsbury 23-02-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2223	Harlescott, opp Tesco	Shrewsbury BS	25	Arriva Midlands
2348	Shrewsbury BS	Gains Park, adj Woodcrest Jct	1	Arriva Midlands
2722	Gains Park, adj Woodcrest Jct	Shrewsbury BS	1	Arriva Midlands
2727	Shrewsbury BS	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	27	Arriva Midlands
2708	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	Shrewsbury BS	27	Arriva Midlands
2383	Shrewsbury BS	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	27	Arriva Midlands
2383	Bayston Hill, opp Beeches PH	Shrewsbury BS	27	Arriva Midlands
2345	Shrewsbury BS	Harlescott, opp Tesco	24	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Shrewsbury. We haven't been for just over a year. The last time we went it was to ride on Arriva Midland Darts 2309 & 2310. We didn't do any research for this trip, other than check the weather. The weather was for grey skies and temperatures of 3' C. We got up around 09:00 and Matthew at some of his toast and drank his orange juice. We set off around 11:00 today and we headed North to get some LPG from Etruria, on the way we passed 40145 on the #22 service. After we had got the LPG we headed south down the A500 to it Southern end before joining on the A5182. We did this along to the A53 and then it was one straight road. Just North of market Drayton we encountered roadworks and a very strange phenomenon. The was a short stretch of road where all the tree's were draped in ice, but only 20 yards or so. Everywhere else was ice free. We carried on South. When we reached the A41 we stopped at the Shell garage and put some air in the tyres. We carried on a bit further. When we got to Shawbury we stopped again to have chips and sausage from the chippy here. Arriva Midlands 3732 came past whilst we ate. After eating the food we carried on to the Harlescott park and ride site. Since we last came there has been a new bus depot built here, and we could see a #64 branded Centro parked outside the depot. After visiting visiting the toilet we went to the back of Tesco to catch a bus down. Required Arriva Midlands 2345 made an appearance but it went to stand near the depot. At roughly the same time required 2223 appeared so we decided to catch this bus as it was going straight back. Matthew got a picture and we got on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 2223 in Harlscott

We booked Shrewsbury Daysavers and we sat down at the back. The journey in was pleasant enough and we got into town in no time. as we approached the main rod again we passed a Co-op on our right which mum pointed out to Matthew. Mum downloaded a Greggs app to her ohone so she could find sausage rolls for later. The app didn't work too well as it failed to render a map of where the shop was! At the same time she discovered the was an app for Poundland too! We got to the bus station and Matthew took a picture of the inside of 2223 too.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2223

We came out of the bus station and went across to the stabled buses. There was another bus photographer present but we did not recognise him. We walked past Arriva Midlands 2706 which had been on last February and also Bryn Melym M403 EFD which we had seen in Wrexham last January.

Bryn Melyn M403 EFD between duties in Shrewsbury

There were a group of teenagers sitting where we usually sit with Matthew so we had a bit of a wander round taking bus pictures. I was hoping something useful would turn up quickly and sure enough it did. Arriva Midlands 2348 came in on a #1 gains Park service.

Arriva Midlands 2348 Arrives in Shrewsbury bus station

The bus pulled into stand B and we raced around to get on it. I though we had been in this direction before and I was right. We had done 2308 in this direction back in October 2009! I downloaded the #1 timetable from the Arriva Midlands website to check how long it would take and the service frequency. It took around 20 minutes to get to the end and the frequency was every 15 minutes. As we waited to depart we saw a UVG bodied Dart enter the bus station. It was required Arriva Midlands 2383. We would try and go after this later. We set off over the Welsh Bridge and up toward Copthorne Barracks. We went beyond the point to which we had travelled before back on 2009 and then turned into the Hospital. Air Ambulance G-EEMA was parked on the helipad adjacent to the bus stop. We came back out of the hospital and carried on along to Gains Park Way. Weret sure if the end of this service was circular so when someone was at a stop getting on the bus we decided to get off. Matthew photographed the bus empty as we got off.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2348

We didn't know whether to wait at this stop or the stop opposite for the next bus. We decided to go for a short walk rather than wait 15 minutes in the stop. A few minutes later we saw 2348 return out of Gains Avenue. We had a little bus stop picnic and Matthew drank a can of coke. We thought that we could get a picture of the next bus on the opposite side of the road before catching it back. Arriva Midlands 2722 pulled up opposite an immediately behind it was Tanat Valley 214.

Tanat Valley 214 in Gains Park

After we had taken a picture of 214 we returned to the stop to wait for Arriva Midlands 2722 to return, which it did a few minutes later.

Arriva Midlands 2722 in Gains Park

We got on the bus which was nearly empty and sat down near the back. I looked up if we had been on this bus, and it was one that we had been on from Harlescott to Shrewsbury last February. I had thought that we we had aleady been on 2348 before, but I a had misread 2248 on his list when I hadn't used my glassed. So we had picked up 2 out 3 new buses so far. We got back into town only to see Arriva Midlands 2383 depart on the #27. We also saw the Dart 2345 which we had seen earlier. We now had a plan sort of. We would do the next #27 down towards Bayston Hill and try to intercept it. In the mean time we walked around to the edge of the bus station to take some pictures. Tanat Valley 573 made an appearance on a football shuttle.

Tanat Valley 573 in Shrewsbury

We saw the next #27 arrive and it was required Arriva Midlands 2727. We walked around to the correct stand and Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 2727 which turned out much better than I thought it would.

Arriva Midlands 2727 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on and sat near the back of the bus. This time last year we would have been on a #25 service. The #25 was split in two, with the Southern half becoming a #27. The route around the end has also changed slightly too. The circle at the end has become bigger, crossing the A5 on the A5112/49 and returning North along Pulley Lane. as we passed the end of Pulley Lane we saw Arriva Midlands 2383 heading back North. We did the bus well into the estate and we got off outside The Beeches pub as we turned a corner.

Arriva Midlands 2727 in Bayston Hill

We decided to wait 15 minutes for the next bus. We had worked out that there were either 3 or 4 buses doing this run, but the tiings didn't seem to quite work out. It was 15:00 and we didn't know if we were late or early as buses were due at this stop at 14:53 and 15:08. approximately 10 minutes passed and then we saw another DAF approaching. It was Arriva Midlands 2708.

Arriva Midlands 2708 in Bayston Hill

For some reason I thought we were on 2706, which was dud. Matthew soon corrected me at looking at the picture he was right as we had taken a picture of 2706 in Interurban livery as well as 12 months earlier. We passed 2383 again at the end of Hereford Road and we worked out there were only 3 buses in the circuit and we had been on 2 of them! We would go back to Shrewsbury and wait 15 minutes for 2383 to appear. We got back into Shrewsbury and Matthew took an inside view of Arriva Midlands 2708.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2708

We now had a short wait. We took Matthew to the toilet and walked around the outside of the bus station to wait for 2383. Arriva Midlands 2345 came and went again and we realised it was taking an hour to return and it left at around 35-40 minutes past each hour. Whilst there we saw Bryn Melyn's Icarus bodied bus W235 CDN arrive.

Bryn Melyn W235 CDN in Shrewsbury

We also saw Tanat Valley's plain white Wright Cadet MM02 ZVJ which used to be Arriva NW&W 2559 and is required

Tanat Valley 284 in Shrewsbury

A few minutes later we saw the UVG Dart 2383 arrive and so we got a picture of it as it came in.

Arriva Midlands 2383 arrives in Shrewsbury bus station

We raced around the outside of the bus station and then got on 2383. We sat down near the back and when the bus left the bus station it was nearly empty. that soon changed when we stopped at St Mary's Street as it was now around 16:00 and shoppers were returning home in droves. The bus was due back around 16:32 ish. I had worked out that we could get 2345 in as well as long as mum was ready to go as soon as we got back to Shrewsbury so I texted her to tell her what we planned to do. After a quick phone call we worked out the details. The bus was reasonably well filled and did not empty much until after we crossed the A5. when we reached Bayston Hill I went to the front to flash tickets for the return journey. We got back around 16:32 and Matthew took his empty bus photo of this UVG, only the second one he has been on the other being First 40751 back in May 2011.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2383

Mum was at the bus station and 2345 was already on stand albeit without a driver. Matthew said hello to a cooupe of girls and we waited for the bus. One girl musn't have said hello back to her loud enough, so he dragged me onto an unidentified Versa on the #70 to Oswestry to say hello to her again and this time he was happy with it! A couple of minutes later the driver for 2345 appeared and we got on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 2345 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on and sat near the back of the bus. The journey back was pleasant, although when the bus went over to the East side of the A5112 we did get a bit worried! The bus eventually crossed over to the other side of the Road and we headed around the back of Tesco. We got to the end and Matthew photographed the bus empty.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2345

We went to the toilet before returning the the car. we saw NCB Motors coach C20 NCB arrive, dropping off a few fans or had just left the Shrewsbury match. We left Shrewsbury and headed north up the A53. By the tie we had retuned to the mystery icicles it was nearly dark. We decided to stop at the co-op at Loggerheads for lottery. and Matthew had some pop and Chocolate cake. We carried on North to the A5182 and across to Whitmore road, We joined the A34 and then turned left onto the A5035. We went passed the Hem Heat pub and Matthew wanted to go to Z carz so we carried onto to Longton. As we passed the depot we saw there were 4 buses present. We saw Mercedes minibus T131 SGA.

Z Carz T131 SGA in Longton

This was followed by V690 EBC, currently for sale on E-bay!

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

We then saw LDV minibus R920 WNT.

Z Carz R920 WNT in Longton

A car came up behind us and so we went on to Willow Row and turned around. Matthew then got a picture of W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We went down Longton Hall Road and then to Blurton. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots. Afterward he had some of his cake. Matthew chilled out on his computer and went bed around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Southport 23-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 986	Longton Hall Road	Southport	Charter	Copelands Tours
3084	Southport, opp Duke Street	Crossens, on Rufford Road‎	49A	Arriva NW&W
7673	Crossens, on Rufford Road‎	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	49A	Arriva NW&W
3085	Churchtown, High Park Place (E-bound)	Crossens, on Rufford Road‎	49A	Arriva NW&W
3309	Crossens, on Rufford Road‎	Southport, Market Street (Stop BE)	49A	Arriva NW&W
3083	Southport, opp Duke Street	Scarisbrick, opp Bullens Lane	385	Arriva NW&W
3082	Scarisbrick, adj Bullens Lane	Southport, adj Duke Street	375	Arriva NW&W
3041	Southport, opp Duke Street	Crossens, on Preston New Road‎	47	Arriva NW&W
3079	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	42	Arriva NW&W
MIB 986	Southport	Longton Hall Road	Charter	Copelands Tours

Today it was decided to go to Southport. I'm still nowhere near 100% at the moment and mum thought it would be a good idea to go on a coach trip so I don't have to worry about driving. Choices of trip for today on Copelands website were for Blackpool, Bury and Southport and Matthew chose Southport. Research for today trip was minimal as we have been here a few time before however I did wish I'd taken the Arriva Southport map with me to help with choosing which buses to catch to where. The weather forecast for today in Southport had been for rain all day. The only thing that varied during the week as we checked it for today was how heavy it was going to be abd whether there was going to be any sun. We drove down to Longton Hall Road a little after 08:15 getting there around 08;20 just before the coach was due. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 40146 on a Newcastle service. A few minutes after the booked time we saw a Copelands Tours coach approach. As it got closer we could see it was MIB 986 which we thought was required. A quick check of the page revealed it to be true and so we picked up another new coach. OUr coach was also picking up Bury passenger as there were only a half a coach full going to each destination. We whizzed around the city quite quickly with very few pick-ups. We also saw required MIB 293 going around town and when we passed it we could see it was doing pick-ups for a holiday trip to Weymouth. from this we assumed MIB 293 to be one of the newer vehicles and it therefore mainly does the holiday work. When we reached Newcastle some of the passengers transferred onto MIB 270 on the Bury trip. We then set off towards Southport non stop. The coach took the route that we always take once it had dropped onto the A500 at Wolstanton. The route was via the M6,M58 and then the A570 through Ormskirk. It was much quiter and easier to navigate Ormskirk around 10:30 in the morning! On the way in we passed a couple of the Wigan turns and these were both Pulsars. We turned left onto Lord Street and then we circled around to the prom, setting down outside the pier around 11:00.

Copelands Tours MIB 986 in Southport

First things first we had to get something to eat. We had spotted that the Cleveland cafe was open today. Its a place we had been before, but the last few times we had been it had seemed to be closed. It was a fair walk down to here from the pier. As we walked down we saw required Arriva NW&W 7653 on a #43 service. When we got there we ordered 3 slices of home made meat and potatoes pie and a breakfast for Matthew. Whilst we ate we saw required Arriva NW&W 7673 heading towards Woodvale on a #49A as well as another Pulsar on the Wigan turns. We also saw an unrefurbished Arriva double decker heading North but we did not see what it was on and where it was going to. The food was really nice but the only downside was that there is no toilet in this cafe. So we made a quick trip into Morrison's to use the facilities, and we promised Matthew that we would go back later for a cake and a drink. Back on Lord Street we thought we would head northwards on a #49A. If it wasn't Arriva 7673 next then perhaps it would be on the following service. We waited for the #49A and turned up with a required Pulsar Arriva NW&W 3084.

Arriva NW&W 3084 in Lord Street

As we headed Northwards along Lord Street we passed required Arriva NW&W 3309 on a southbound #49A. It is quite a big working for a step entranced double decker to be out on a Saturday so we had to go after this. We also passed Arriva 2343 on a #43 service which we would try and go after if we could. We decided to go the Crossens on 3084. We had never been that far north on a #49A before, but it meant that Matthew would be able to photograph the bus empty when we reached the end of the run. When we got to Crossens Matthew did just that.

Inside 3084

We got off and decided to wait for the next service with the hope it was required 7673. Mum who doesn't usually go on the buses kept herself occupied by reading. We let 3084 go on the 12:25 and waited at the stop. We also noticed that this was a great stop to see other services such as the X2, 47, 42 and 44. With a 12 minute Saturday frequency we knew we wouldn't have to wait to long. Sure enough after a few minutes we saw a Marshall Dart round the corner in the near distance. We were lucky in that it was 7673 and Matthew got a picture.

Arriva NW&W 7673 in Crossens

We got on a Matthew photographed the inside too.

Inside 7673

The plan was now to go back towards Southport and get off, trying to guess how far to go to pick up 3309. We decied to go back to High Park / Churchtown area to try and intercept the double decker. On the way we passed a Marshall and a Pulsar along the route. We got off and crossed the road to wait for the 12:58 towards crossens. It turned up and was required Pulsar Arriva NW&W 3085.

Arriva NW&W 3085 in Churchtown

Back at Crossens we let 3085 go on the 13:13 service. The Next one turned up and this was required Arriva NW&W SPD 2292. We let this go as we didn't want to miss 3309. As we waited we saw 2722 coming off the #42 about to work to Formby on a #44.

Arriva NW&W 2722 in Crossens

The next one appeared around the corner and it was what we wanted and well worth the wait. Very much required Arriva NW&W 3309...

Arriva NW&W 3309 in Crossens

So off we went on the bus we thought would probably be the highlight of the day. These double deckers are only usually used on schools work, but with a couple of the buses that usually work to Wigan in the refurbishment programme, this has taken Pulsars off local routes and these need to replaced with something. The journey back was OK. It was nice to see thing from a different / elevated angle, but the journey was made less enjoyable by a bunch of rowdy teenagers. Back at Southport Matthew got another picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 3309 in Lord Street

We decided to have a bit of a break from buses at this point. We sat outside the Pound bakery and we had some cream doughnuts and drinks. Doughnuts that are 2 for £1 suddenly become £1.35 each when you put a plate under them... Go figure! As we ate we saw required Arriva 4105 arrive and depart on the #375 to Wigan. We knew that we wouldn't see this bus again today as the round trip takes nearly 4 hours. However, Matthew decided he wanted to do the next #385 out at 14:46. We waited for around 20 minutes and it turned up unrequired Pulsar 3083.

Arriva NW&W 3083 in Lord Street

It's amazing how many times we get unrequired Pulsars considering how few of them we had been on before today. Mum had decided to sit this round trip out in order to do a bit of shopping and to get the sausage rolls in for later. As we left town we passed another Pulsar on inbound #385 service. We decided to get off in Scarisbrick to catch the next one back. When we got off it took us quite a while to cross the busy A570. Once across the road we only had to wait around 2 minutes for the #375 to appear. It was another Pulsar! As it got closer we could see it was required Arriva NW&W 3082. We did the bus back into town. We stopped opposite the Arriva office for two or three minutes where we had a driver change before completing the journey onto Lord street where Matthew got his picture.

Arriva NW&W 3082 in Lord Street

We met up again with mum and this time we decided to go to Morrisons with Matthew like we had promised him earlier. After a visit to the toilets we went into the Cafe and Matthew had a lemon meringue pie and coke before we left for one final out and back trip. We had just over an hour to go out and back and to get back to the coach. We decided to do a #47 to Crossens on the most direct route, and then we would have a choice of buses back. We turned down 3084 again on a #49A and then the slightly late running #47 turned up with required branded Arriva NW&W 3041. We did this to the roundabout at Crossens.

Arriva NW&W 3041 in Crossens

Matthew had gotten his picture and then we crossed over to the toilets. We had a choice of 3088 on the #49A and the next #42, which turned up and was required Arriva NW&W 3079. We got on this and as we set of we passed one of the commanders that was going to do the next #44.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3079

The #42 is one of those service that dont stop on Lord street because they cant stop going the other way when they turn right and right again. We ended up getting off in front of the Arriva offices. We saw another double decker on the incoming Wigan - Southport service as we walked back towards the coach. We stopped to get some pop for the journey back and we also stopped for an ice cream. We nearly died of shock when we were told the price for three ice creams was £9! We wont be going back to that ice cream place that is for sure...Back on the promenade we didn't have to wait for long for the coach to appear. I needed he toilet so as we weren't due to depart for 10 minutes I raced off to the arcade to use the toilet there. Matthew was waiting for me as he wouldn't get on the coach without me. Despite the last minute hitch I still wasn't the last person back on the coach. We set off on time and we saw another double decker on the edge of town on the incoming Wigan service. We also passed 4105 which we had seen around 14:00 on the run back down to Ormskirk. There seemed to be only 3 out of a possible 8 buses that were double deck on the Wigans and we weren't lucky enough to get near any of them. At least it gives us something to do another time at Southport. The journey back was quick and it started to rain as we headed Southwards. Despite it being forecast for rain all day in Southport we only had an odd drop or two. We were back in Newcastle just after 19:00, and with only a few drop offs on the return we were back on Longton Hall Road well before 20:00. As it was late and as we hadn't had any chips today we decided to drive to Smithpool road for a small fish with a few chips for tea. Matthew had a cheeseburger instead. We got home a little after after 20:00 and settled down to eat our food...Mark

Trip to Shrewsbury 11-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2722	Harlescott, opp Tesco	Shrewsbury BS	25	Arriva Midlands
2706	Shrewsbury BS	Bayston Hill, opp Cedar Close Jct	25	Arriva Midlands
2309	Bayston Hill, opp Cedar Close Jct	Shrewsbury BS	25	Arriva Midlands
2310	Shrewsbury BS	Bayston Hill, opp Cedar Close Jct	25	Arriva Midlands
2310	Bayston Hill, opp Cedar Close Jct	Harlescott, opp Tesco	25	Arriva Midlands

After last weeks trip to Stafford, Matthew had indicated to us that he wanted to ride on more buses from the same batch as Arriva Midlands 2307. Matthew found a picture of the inside of 2309 and told us he wanted to go to Shrewsbury! Research consisted of asking on the Staffordshire and Merseyside Yahoo bus group about the likely working of 2309 and the other bus from that batch which Matthew hasn't been on 2310. Somebody answered and told me it would most likely be seen on either services #1,#24 or #25. So as preparation for the trip I printed out the Arriva Shrewsbury map and all the relevant timetables for the trip. We set off around 12:20 today. It was a cold day and the sun was trying to come out, but the temperature was around freezing. We stopped at Jim's butty bar on the A53 just South of the Muller roundabout. We all tucked into Bacon or sausage sandwiches which were very nice. I realised at this point I had come out in my Stoke City coat! I don't usually travel outside of Stoke with my coat just in case someone takes offence. After one last push on, we had no tractors on the road in front of us so we parked up at Harlescott around 13:40. We used the facilities at the park and ride stop, before walking down to the other stop which is the Northern terminus of the #24 & #25 routes. A Required Arriva Midlands 2722 was already parked up nearby, and by the time we walked down to the stop it pulled up and Matthew got a picture.

Arriva Midlands 2722 at Harlescott

As the bus headed South, we picked up more passengers on the way. We passed 2706 near the Arriva garage, and then we caught a bit of a break. As we approached the town centre, we passed target 2309 heading North on a #25. This means that if we got off at Shrewsbury, the bus would be approximately 30 minutes behind us. We also saw a route branded Dart turning right which could be 2310 turning right into Castle Street , but we did not know if this was 2310 or what service it was working. As we got off in Shrewsbury the bus had emptied out so Matthew could get a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside 2722

At this point we knew that all we had to do was wait, and we should get 2309 with a bit of luck. Whilst we were waiting we could take a few bus pictures. Arriva Midlands 2367 came in, a dart on which Matthew has ridden on before out of Oswestry, albeit in a different Livery.

Arriva Midlands 2367 in Shrewsbury bus station

We also saw Tanat 290 for the first time. Last time we were here that majority of the services were being worked by Leyland Lynx's.

Tanat Valley 290 in Shrewsbury bus station

It was getting very cold so we decided to break up the wait by taking a #25 South. The next one that came in was of course required Arriva Midlands 2706. We got on the bus and we headed South. The bus picked up more passengers before we headed down Wyle Cop and over the English Bridge. just passed the pumphouse we passed a branded Dart, but we didn't get a good look at it. Further South near Meole Brace we passed another ex Park and Ride bus 2703. As we headed towards Bayston Hill, Matthew was able to get a picture of the back of the bus as it emptied out.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2706

We got off and Matthew was able to get a picture of 2706.

2706 in Bayston Hill

A few minutes after we got off we heard a bus coming. It was 2706 again. Apparently the bus does a circle of the estate and passes the same stop twice! Within a few minutes, as we predicted and hoped required 2309 appeared and Matthew got a picture.

Arriva Midlands 2309 in Bayston Hill

We got on and booked back into town. In jest the driver said he wasn't sure if he should let us on the bus with me being a Stoke City fan. So target acquired, we headed North on the bus to Shrewsbury. I had wondered if the bus we had seen just after 14:00 in Shrewsbury had been 2310 and it was on a #1, when would it return to the bus station. I calculated that if this was true that it would probably arrive in the bus station about 20 minutes after we arrived on 2309. We arrived in the bus station and the bus had emptied out, so Matthew was able to get a picture of it empty.

Inside 2309

After getting off we walked around the outside of the bus station and then prepared to wait for 2310. As we got to where we were going to wait, 2310 appeared in the bus station and it was on a #25 to Bayston Hill!

Arriva Midlands 2310 in Shrewsbury bus station

After getting a picture, we raced around to Stand E to board the bus. This was a resulting getting both of these buses on he same trip! We then headed south as we had done on 2706. It all made sense at this point. The bus we passed as we arrived in Shrewsbury was 2310 and it was on a Southbound #25. We had also passed it at the Pumphouse when we were on 2706. As we headed South we thought about what to do for the rest of the afternoon. If we did this to Bayston Hill and back to Harlescott it would be near 17:00 by the time we got back into the car. I decided to take a risk and get off at the stop we did before. If 2310 did the same as 2706 did, we could get off, get a picture and get back on the bus to head home. we got off at that stop as planned and Matthew got his picture of 2310.

2310 in Bayston Hill

Sure enough as before, a couple of minutes later 2310 reappeared and much to amusement of the driver we got back on. The bus filled up and then emptied in the town centre. It filled up again at the bus station and mum got on after I arranged with her where to be and at what time to be there. At the Harlescott terminus the bus was empty again and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this fine bus.

Inside 2310

We then got off and matthew got one last picture of "Boy Barrett" 3210.

2310 in Harlescott

We then had a quick toilet stop before we st off North. I caught the last couple of minute of the disappointing 2-1 loss to Fulham. We stopped in Shawbury to have fish and peas (not pickled eggs as it said on the receipt). filling up with LPG at Longport, we arrived home around 18:20. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who gave me information about these buses which made the trip go so smoothly :-) ...Mark