Trip to Oswestry / Chirk 15-01-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3693	Oswestry BS	Whittington, Three Trees	X5	Arriva Midlands
3792	Whittington, Three Trees	Oswestry BS	X5	Arriva Midlands
296	Oswestry BS	Llynclys, White Lion Inn	79	Tanat Valley
574	Llynclys, White Lion Inn	Oswestry BS	79	Tanat Valley
3789	Oswestry BS	Chirk, Hand Hotel	2	Arriva Midlands
3787	Chirk, Hand Hotel	Oswestry BS	2	Arriva Midlands

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Oswestry. Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather, which was for rain. Shropshire Council said it has been pleased with the early feedback from drivers using the Mile End Roundabout. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast 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

Matthwe went into the living room and we saw Afford rent-a-car MK71 WMF.

Afford rent-a-car MK71 WMF in Fenton

He also watched buses out of the window we saw First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Fenton

We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had batteries. We came around 11:30 and Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We set off onto Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. At the end we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and then we got onto the Northbound A34. We turned left onto Whitmore Road and we ran up to Hanchurch. We crossed over the A519 onto the A5182 and we ran the 3 or so mile Westwards to the A53. We turned left and we went South-Westwards to the junction of the A51. After we got to the Swan With Two Neck we continued Westwards along the A51. We ran up to Woore and then we turned left onto the A525. We ran Westwards through Audlem. We continued to Whitchurch and we ran around the Southern by-pass onto the A495. We ran West to Ellesmere and we continued to Whittington. We turned left onto the A5 and we ran Southwards into Oswestry. We came into town up Salop Road and we stopped at the Salop Fish bar. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy and a can of Coke. We had finished in the cafe we walked down Salop Road and and we turned right onto Black Gate Street. We turned right onto Oswestry Road and to the bus station we saw Lloyds Coaches YJ10 MDF on a T12 to Machynlleth. We decided almost straight away we were going to do the X5 service towards Whittington. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva Midlands 3693 on the X5 to Telford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets at £4.70 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579 and past the site of the new McDonald's. We turned left onto College Road and we turned right onto Middleton Road. We turned left onto Unicorn Road and we turned right onto Whittington Road we continued forwards onto the A495 and through Whittington and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked back into the centre of the town and we spotted a convenience store. We went in and we brought a can of Coke and chocolate bars as well as a box of Millionaires shortbread. We sat on some seats by the bus stops in the centre of town and Matthew drank a bottle of Irn Bru. Whilst we waited for a bus back towards Oswestry we saw Arriva Midlands 3792 on a X5 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A495 past the Whittington Senior Citizens Hall which the owners want to re-develop, and we ran through Oswestry. We ran forwards onto Whittington Road and we turned left into Unicorn Road. We turned right onto Middleton Road and we turned left onto College Road. We turned right onto the B4579. We ran around the one-way system and passed the Arriva bus depot and into town along Leg Street. We ran forwards onto Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus. On layover just inside the bus station was Arriva Midlands 4106. As it got closer we saw it was Tanat Valley 296 on a #79 to Pentrefelin. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579. We turned left onto English Walls and we turned right onto the Smithfield Street. We turned left onto Church Street and we went straight onto Upper Church Street and we headed up to Morda. We went forwards onto Morda Road and turned right onto the A483. We travelled through Sweeney and over Llynclys where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the B4396 before we returned back into the B4396 along the A483. We continued to the bus stop and we waited for a bus back towards Oswestry. Whilst we waited we saw Tanat Valley 574 on a #79 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the A483 and we continued up to Sweeney. We turned left onto the B5069 through Morda and Oswestry. We turned left onto the B4580 and right onto Castle Street. We turned left into Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus. We waited for a bus towards Chirk. A short time later we saw Tanat Valley 282 on a T12 to Wrexham. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3789 on a #2 to Wrexham. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street. We turned left onto Gobowen Road and we crossed over Twmpath Lane into Gobowen. We turned left onto Whittington Road and right onto St Martins Road. We continued through Rhewl and through Rhosygadfa and then we ran out into open countryside. We turned left onto onto the B5070 and into Gledrid. We turned right onto Chirk Road and into Chirk. We entered town along Church Street and we got up and got off. We walked down Church Street and we turned right onto Colliery Road and Matthew visited the toilet. Once Matthew had finished we walked back up Colliery Road and onto Church Street. We went to the stop and we waited for a bus back to Oswestry. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3787 on a #2 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Chirk Road. We ran through Gledrid and turned left onto the B5070. We turned left onto St Martins Road and we ran through Rhosygadfa back to Rhewl. We ran through Gobowen and turned left onto Whittington Road. We turned right onto Twmpath Lane and we crossed over Gobowen Road into Oswestry. We turned left Oswald Road and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we met up with mum. We past the former Morrisons which the owners want to be re-developed. Once off the bus we we walked up towards the car. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3761 on X5 to Telford. We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set onto the Beatrice Street. We turned left onto Gobowen Road and we turned right onto onto Whittington Road. We turned left onto the A5 and we ran around the Eastern edge of town up the A495. We ran Eastwards through Ellesmere up to Whitchurchand we ran down the hill to MacDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had beefburger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we got in the car. We set off out of the Southbound A41. We ran around the Southern by-pass and we went Eastwards along the A525 through Audlem. We continued to Woore where we straight on through Madeley. We went through Keele by-pass and we continued Eastwards into Newcastle. We turned left onto the Northbound A34 and then right onto Ryecroft. We joined the one-way system and we ran up the A53 to Etruria. We turned right onto the Southbound A500. We came of the A500 at Stoke and we ran up the A52 under the railway line. We continued up into Fenton up City Road. We turned right into Smithpool Road and left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer and watched music videos on the Television later on he had a slice of Millionaire's Shortbread. 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 Wrexham / Ruabon 16-03-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
692	Wrexham BS	Caia Park, Arenig Road	7	Arriva NW&W
2147	Caia Park, Coed Abon	Wrexham BS	8	Arriva NW&W
SN15 ETF	Wrexham BS	Raubon, Railway Station	T3	Lloyds Coaches
3787	Raubon, Station Road	Wrexham BS	2C	Arriva Midlands
MV66 KJF	Wrexham BS	Raubon, Railway Station	T3	Lloyds Coaches
SN15 ETE	Raubon, Railway Station	Wrexham BS	T3	Lloyds Coaches

Today we decided to re-visit Wrexham. Matthew and mum had been talking as far back as Monday and Matthew had decided that he was going to Wrexham for this coming today trip. Research consisted of downloading a few timetables and the Arriva Wrexham Day Saver Map Area pdf. We also checked the weather which was for rain all afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. mum got home around 10:30 and it was the first time Matthew had seen the new car. After getting ready we set off just before 12:00 onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We turned left onto the Westbound A50 and at Sideway roundabout we turned right onto the Northbound A500. As we travelled Northwards we saw Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU, Together Travel GO54 BCL & Bullocks YN17 ONU. We went under the M6 and we travelled to the South of Crewe towards Nantwich. We decided to eat on the way so mum found a truckstop in Crewe. We turned left onto the B5071 and we turned right onto Crewe Road and over the A500. At the end of Crewe Road we turned left onto Jack Mills Way. We ran to the end of the B5071 and we waited at the lights. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 4701 on a #6 to Leighton. We turned right onto the A534 and we ran past the railway station. We turned right onto the A532 and we turned right into the truckstop. We parked up and we went inside. Matthew wanted the toilet so was walked across the way to the toilet block. Mum had ordered the food whilst we were over there Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we continued towards Wrexham. We set off onto the Southbound A532. We turned right onto David Whitby Way and we joined the Westbound A500. We continued for a further 3 miles or so and we turned right onto the Nantwich bypass, we ran around the North side of Nantwich before joining the Westbound A534. We travelled west for around 4 miles and we crossed over the A49. We crossed over the A41 at Croxton and we continued to the eastern edge of Wrexham. We joined the Northbound A5156 and we turned left onto the Southbound A483. At junction 5 we headed into the town and past the football club. We crossed over the railway line by Wrexham General railway station and we veered left onto the A5152. At the roundabout we turned right onto Rhosddu Road and left into King Street. There were no space on King Street so we turned left onto Lord Street and left onto Trinity Street. There we no spaces there too. so we looped back around to King Street and we squeezed on the end of the row. We got out of the car and we said goodbye to mum, who drove off to a nearby supermarket. We had a look around to see what we might catch. On the King Street stops of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 664 on a #11 to Minera.

Arriva NW&W 664 in Wrexham bus station

We went into the bus station and we took a few pictures on the Trinity Street side of the bus station. On one of the layover bays we saw Townlynx W603 CWX waiting to work a #28 to Mold.

Townlynx W603 CWX in Wrexham bus station

Also in the layover bays was Lloyds Coaches C22 BUS.

Lloyds Coaches C22 BUS in Wrexham bus station

A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3790 on a the #2 to Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 3790 in Wrexham bus station

Matthew spotted a Arriva Solo coming on stand and he decided to do this. It was Arriva NW&W 692 on a #7 to Caia Park.

Arriva NW&W 692 in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Wrexham Day Saver tickets at £4.50 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Lord Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and left onto Rhosddu Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto A5152. We turned right onto the A5152 and we headed back into the town centre on Chester Road. We continued forwards onto Chester Street. We turned left onto Holt Street and at the roundabout we continued Eastwards along Stryt Holt. We passed the retail park and we headed out of town. We turned right onto Hill Crest and right onto Trevenna Way. We followed the road around 2 bends and we turned right onto Moorlands Avenue. We turned right onto garner Road and left onto Wynnstay Avenue. We turned left onto Deva Way and clockwise around the loop at the end. We turned left onto Hullah Lane. We turned right onto Fenwick Drive and right onto Sutton Drive. We turned right onto Cefn Road and we passed the schools which appears to be being rebuilt. We travelled down Cefn Road for a short while and we turned right back onto Hullah Lane. We turned left onto Sycamore Road and we veered right onto Eaton Drive. We ran around the roundabout and turned sharp left onto Churchill Drive. We turned right onto Conway Drive and left onto Ceiriog Road. We ran forwards onto Vyrnwy Way and left onto Arenig Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took an other picture of Arriva NW&W 692 as it continued towards Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 692 in Caia

We checked the timetable for the #8 and there was one due in 10 minutes. We could see there was a main road around the corner so we suspected there might be a bus stop with a shelter. We walked to the corner and we did spot a another stop with a shelter. The rain was coming sideways and the shelter was open on 3 sides. We found the shelter was better on the road side of the structure! A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2147 on a #8 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 2147 in Caia

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Wrexham Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up Cefn Road and we turned left into Arenig Road. We turned right onto Vyrnwy Way and forwards onto Ceiriog Road. We turned left onto Conway Drive and left into Churchill Drive. At the roundabout we turned sharp right onto Eaton Drive and left onto Sycamore Road. We turned right onto Hullah lane and we re-joined Cefn Road. After a short run we turned left onto Sutton Drive and left onto Fenwick Drive. We re-joined Hullah lane and we turned left onto Deva Way. We turned right onto Wynnstay Avenue and right onto Garner Road. We carried on winding through the estate, left onto Moorland Avenue and left onto trevenna Way. We rounded the 2 bends and left onto Hill Crest. We turned left onto Stryt Holt and we headed into town. We ran forwards onto Holt Street and we turned right onto Chester Street. As we ran North we saw Wrexham Police Station with it's concrete tower built in a brutalist style. We ran forwards onto Chester Road and we turned left onto the A5152. We turned left onto Rhosddu Road and left into King Street. We went around the corner into Lord Street and the bus set down at the set down stand by the old Fat Cats Cafe. Once off the bus we walked into the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we took a few bus pictures. We spotted Tanat Valley 271 which was on layover in between runs on what we think was the T12 to Newtown.

Tanat Valley 271 in Wrexham bus station

We spotted that the T3 was due off at 15:15 and it was one of the free weekend bus service. We had a short while to wait so Matthew ate a Milky way and drank a can of Irn Bru. Just before 15:15 Lloyds Coaches double decker SN15 ETF pulled on stand to work the next Barmouth bound service.

Lloyds Coaches SN15 ETF in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we were waived on board as the service is currently free at weekends. We went upstairs and sat down somewhere in the middle of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station along Trinity Street and we turned left onto Rhosddu Road. We turned left onto King Street and left onto Lord Street. We turned right onto Trinity Street and we turned right onto Regent Street. At the main junction we turned left onto the Southbound A5152 and we crossed over the railway line at Wrexham Central. We turned right into Watery Road and we ran over a level crossing and past the hospital. At the next bid roundabout we turned right onto Rhyd Broughton Lane passing PTS Coaches T30 CCH in a hotel car park. We ran forwards onto Berse Road and we turned left and joined the Southbound A483. We ran fast down the A483 to junction 3 and we joined the Southbound B5605. We ran through Johnstown and into Ruabon from the North. Just after the main crossroads we turned right into Station Road and we ran around the turning circle to the bus stop. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Lloyds Coaches SN15 ETF as it continued towards Barmouth.

Lloyds Coaches SN15 ETF in Ruabon

Once off the bus we inspected the timetable. There wasn't a Northbound T3 or #5 for at least 15 minutes, so we decided to walk onto the main road to wait for a #2 or #2C. Whilst waiting for the bus we saw Arriva NW&W 1011 on a #5 to Llangollen and Arriva Midlands 3756 on a #2C to Oswestry. A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3787.

Arriva Midlands 3787 in Ruabon

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Wrexham Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the car. We set off Northwards up the B5605 and through Johnstown and under the A483. We continued forwards onto the A5152 and we ran through Felin Puleston into Wrexham. At the edge of town we followed the A5152 to the left and we past Wrexham General railway station. We turned left onto the A541 and right onto Regents Street. We turned left onto King Street and right onto Lord Street where to bus topped to unload. Once off the bus we visited the shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We then had a look at the bus on the Trinity Street side of the bus station. We gave Matthew a choice of going to Lavister on a #1 or doing another T3 to Ruabon. We saw required Arriva NW&W 1007 on a #1 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 1007 in Wrexham bus station

Also on Layover was Lloyds Coaches MV66 KJF about to work the next T3 to Barmouth.

Lloyds Coaches MV66 KJF in Wrexham bus station

Another vehicle on layover was Arriva NW&W 1012 on the #41A to the Wrexham industrial estate.

Arriva NW&W 1012 in Wrexham bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do the Lloyds Coaches single decker on the T3 to Barmouth. We waited for the bus to come onto stand and then we boarded the bus. It was another free service and we were waived onto the bus before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station along Trinity Street and we turned left onto Rhosddu Road. We turned left onto King Street and left onto Lord Street. We turned right onto Trinity Street and we turned right onto Regent Street. As we waited at the lights we saw Arriva NW&W 4486 arrive on a X51 from Rhyl. At the main junction we turned left onto the Southbound A5152 and we crossed over the railway line at Wrexham Central. We turned right into Watery Road and we ran over a level crossing and past the hospital. At the next bid roundabout we turned right onto Rhyd Broughton Lane passing PTS Coaches T30 CCH in a hotel car park. We ran forwards onto Berse Road and we turned left and joined the Southbound A483. We ran fast down the A483 to junction 3 and we joined the Southbound B5605. We ran through Johnstown and into Ruabon from the North. Just after the main crossroads we turned right into Station Road and we ran around the turning circle to the bus stop. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Lloyds Coaches MV66 KJF as it continued towards Barmouth.

Lloyds Coaches MV66 KJF in Ruabon

We had already seen that there was a Northbound T3 due soon, so this time we decided to wait for the bus bye the station. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 1003 on a #5 to Llangollen. A few minutes we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Lloyds Coaches SN15 ETE on the T3 to Wrexham.

Lloyds Coaches SN15 ETE in Ruabon

We got on the bus and we were waived on the bus again, another free weekend service for the final time today. We went upstairs and we sat down. We set off Northwards up the B5605 and through Johnstown and up to the A483. We joined the Northbound A483 and we ran fast up to junction 5. We turned right onto Mold Road and right onto Berse Road. We turned left onto Rhyd Broughton Lane and left onto Coesnewydd Road. We ran forwards onto Watery Road and left onto A5152. We turned onto the A541 and right onto Regent Street. We turned left onto King Street and right onto Lord Street where the bus unloaded. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked along Trinity Street to take a few more bus pictures whilst we waited for mum to come and pick us up. We saw Valentines Travel J66 VTS on layover in between runs on the TL1 service to Borras.

Valentines Travel J66 VTS in Wrexham bus station

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 660 on a #33 to Llay.

Arriva NW&W 660 in Wrexham bus station

Mum was coming to pick us up, but the sat-nav was playing up and had sent mum somewhere else. I called her up to help her get back into town. In the mean while Matthew decided he wanted the toilet and we went back into the bus station to use the facilities. We headed back onto King Street to wait for mum to arrive and we saw Arriva NW&W 661 on a #3 to Afonietha.

Arriva NW&W 661 in Wrexham bus station

We nipped back into the bus station for shelter and we saw Arriva NW&W 4488 on layover presumably between runs on the X51 to Rhyl.

Arriva NW&W 4488 in Wrexham bus station

We walked back out onto King Street and mum came to pick us up. Today Matthew just had a can of Irn Bru. We set off along King Street and we turned left onto Lord Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and left onto Rhosddu Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A5152 around the outside of town. I accidentally turned into Asda but after I turned around I continued along the A5152 before turning left onto the A534. We ran out of town through Rhosnesni and we joined the main A534 and ran Eastwards out of town. We ran up to Nantwich crossing the A41 and A49. It was now raining quite heavily and the roads were covered in surface water. We joined the A51 Nantwich by-pass and we ran around the North side of town. We turned right onto barony Road and we ran into town. We turned right into Beam Street and we passed the bus station and turned left onto Market Street. We turned the car around and we parked up near to the chip shop. As we were running a bit late we had chips for tea. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. Once we had finished eating we ran up Market Street. At the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2933 on a #84 to Chester, branded for the #130 Manchester to Macclesfield service. We turned right onto Beam Street and we turned right onto the B5074. We followed the B5074 to the left and we ran up to the A500. We joined the Eastbound A500 and we ran fast into Staffordshire. We passed to the South of Crewe and under the M6. As we headed towards Stoke we caught up with Lucky Seven P400 CSH. We ran through Longport and Etruria and through Stoke. At Sideway we joined the Eastbound A50. We cam off the A50 at Longton so we could check out what was at Z Carz this evening. The spare ground was empty and we turned left into Willow Row. In the enclosure was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

Also in the enclosure was Z Carz Mercedes minibus SFZ 7846.

Z Carz SFZ 7846 in Longton

Another vehicle seen was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Afterwards we saw withdrawn Z Carz YE52 UZX. We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just after 19:00. As we had already had chips we didn't eat when we got home. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.