Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 02-01-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3008	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
4642	Chester BS	Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	10A	Arriva NW&W
4644	Shotton, Ash Grove	Queensferry, Station Road Q4	10A	Arriva NW&W
4479	Queensferry, Solar Services (S-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
3141	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (SW-bound)	3	Arriva NW&W
672	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Chester BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port & Chester. We had checked the weather, and although rain was forecast throughout our usual area, It appeared to be slightly better to the North West. We gave Matthew a list of place from this area and from the list Matthew chose Ellesmere Port & Chester. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:00 today, as mum had a task to carry out as we went along Magdalen Road we saw First Potteries 53041 on a #23A to Hanley. We joined the A5035 and we then turned right into Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we went Northwards up the A500. We came off the A500 at Etruria and we saw Roseville ML08 ODU coming down from Basford. We turned right onto the A53 and we turned left again onto Forge Lane. We turned left onto Shelton Boulevard and we waited for a few minutes. Mum had promised to help out a charity fundraiser to find which was messiest, cake or trifle. After mum had finised we drove back to the A53 and onto the Northbound A500. As we went towards the motorway we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 520 going the other way. We joined the M6 and the traffic was lighter than usual. As we travel Northwards we passed a Tyrers tri-axle coach going South. There was a bit of a slow down opposite an accident between junctions 19 & 20 and then we left the M6 to go West on the M56. It was probably the quietest we had ever seen the M56 and we got to The M53 quickly. We went North one junction and we came off onto the A5032 for the run into town. We turned into Civic Way and as we passed the bus station we saw GHA R839 PRG on the #36 and T314 UOX on the #7 service. We parked up and we went to the market to use the toilet and to have dinner. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked back to the bus station. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27776 on a X8 to Liverpool. As we got into the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 3008 on the #2 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 3008 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva Deeside Day Savers at £4.50 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Civic Way. At the end we turned left onto the A5032 traveling Southwards. We turned right onto Overpoll Road and we weaved through the estate before we came out on the A41. We traveled South before turning right onto the A5116. We passed the Countess of Chester hospital and we ran into town past the Stagecoach depot where one of the open top double deckers was visible. We crossed the ring road and we entered the bus station via Northgate Street and Hunter Street. When the bus went on stand we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3008.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3008

Behind us in the bus station was required Stagecoach Merseyside 27268 on layover between Liverpool services.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27268 in Chester bus station

We walked down to Matthew's usual perch and we took a few bus pictures whilst we waited to catch the next bus. We saw Arriva NW&W 5008 on a #21 to Halton hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5008 in Chester bus station

This was followed by required Townlynx Y72 YSO on a T1 service to Holywell.

Townlynx Y72 YSO in Chester bus station

An unusual sighting was GHA Solo T313 UOX on a #82 to Northwich.

GHA T313 UOX in Chester bus station

This service is usually worked by some large like a full size single decker or even a double decker. We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27779 running out of service after arriving from Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27779 in Chester bus station

On the end stand we saw required double decker Arriva NW&W 4642 on a #10A to Holywell, so we decided to do it.

Arriva NW&W 4642 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. We also purchased another ticket so that Matthew could travel into Wales. We went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the ring road. We turned right into Northgate and then left into Delamere Street. We continued down onto Gorse Stacks and then right into Frodsham Street. We turned left into Foregate Street and then right onto Love Street. This was the first time we had been this way on a #10A service. The #10A goes through the town on the way to Holywell and the #10 goes straight down the ring road to A548. As we went down Pepper Street we saw National Holidays NH11 HTH and Alfa coach 73. We turned right at the Grosvenor roundabout and we turned right onto the ring road again before turning left onto the A548 and getting back onto the normal route. Traffic was nose to tail as we went along Sealand Road past the retail park until we got to the park and ride site we started to go a bit quicker. We crossed into Wales and we ran quickly up to the A494, where we crossed the road and went into Garden City. We crossed the river Dee and we turned right onto the B5129. We had already decided that we were going to get off by the old B&Q stop where there is a petrol station that we visit to pick up supplies. A few stops further up the road we got up and got off the road. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4642 as it carried on towards Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4642 in Shotton

We saw both the #10 and the #11 going towards Chester so we thought we might have a long wait. We went to use the cash at the petrol station but I balked at the £1.99 charge to use the machine. So we went inside the shop and Matthew chose his pop and chocolate and I paid by card. As we were crossing the road we saw Townlynx Y213 BAW on a Chester bound T1 service. We walked toward Shotton one stop as we would also have a choice of the #12 service as well. The next bus due was a #12 service. Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru and he shared his double Milky Way bar with me and uncle Dave. Unexpectedly, a late running #10A service appeared. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4644.

Arriva NW&W 4644 in Shotton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before going upstairs. We sat down and the bus set off Westwards along the B5129. There were a couple of young folk messing about at the front of the bus and we wanted to be on the Saltney Ferry corridor where there are generally more interesting buses working. So we decided to do the bus only to Queensferry. As we were getting off soon Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4644

The bus turned the corner left onto the B5441 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4644 before it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4644 in Queensferry

We walked back onto the B5129 and we waited at the stop opposite to the Asda superstore. We saw a white Solo turn the corner into the B5441 with Shuttle on the side working the D1 service. A few minutes later we saw the #11 approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4479.

Arriva NW&W 4479 in Queensferry

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver Tickets to the driver before going upstairs. This was a bus that we first had back in June 2012 from Chester to Queensferry. The bus went under the A494 and we climbed the hill up the A550 into Harwarden village. We turned left onto the B5125 and traveled East through the countryside up to Broughton. We entered the Broughton Shopping park and we stopped briefly before joining the A5104. We went fast up to Saltney and we entered England under the railway bridge. We got off the bus in Lache outside the Brewery Arms and we went inside so that Matthew could use the toilet. We brought a can of Pepsi from the bar before we left. We crossed the road so that we could wait for another bus back up the A5104 corridor. We didn't have to wait long before we saw a single decker. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 3141.

Arriva NW&W 3141 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. These buses are usually full at this point and we noticed there were empty seats behind us, so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3141

The bus carried on along the A5104 and out into the open countryside. As we saw the Airbus factory on the right hand side of the road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3141 as it carried on towards Mold.

Arriva NW&W 3141 in Broughton

It was now fully dark and we decided that the next bus was going to be our last one of the day. We crossed the road and we checked the bus stop to see what service was the next one back towards Chester. The next bus back was a #12 which was almost certainly going to be a Solo. We had already seen a couple of different required Solo knocking about today including Arriva NW&W 675 named 'Les Rimmer' with its silver nameplate on the front of the bus. We saw a Solo enter the Broughton Shopping Park from the other end and it called at the mini bus station in the park. Behind it was a double decker on a #11. We watched the bus get closer and we eventually saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 672.

Arriva NW&W 672 in Broughton

We flashed the Arriva Deeside Day Saver tickets at the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5104 through Saltney Ferry and Saltney and over the border into England. We passed through Lache and we turned left onto the A483 ans we crossed over the river Dee and ran towards town. At the ring road we went left and up a few hundres yards towards the Western entrance of the bus station. On the way we saw Westway coach 27 WT at the side of the ring road. We turned right into Princess Street and we entered the bus station. We left the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 672.

Inside Arriva NW&W 672

Before we walked over to mum we decided to take a few last bus pictures. We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21266 on a #31 Sealand park & ride service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21266 in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 which was bout to work a #1 to Liverpool.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 in Chester bus station

Another sighting was Stagecoach Merseyside 34579 which was on a #53 to Kingsway.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34579 in Chester bus station

We met up with mum and then Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum got the parking ticket validated (parking in the market car park is free after 15:00). We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and onto the clockwise ring road and we ran around to the A56. As we passed nearby to the railway station we saw Arriva NW&W 4405 on the #1 to Wrexham. We ran up the A56 through Hoole where the Christmas lights were still on and we joined the Northbound M53. It was raining and fully dark. We joined the Eastbound M56 and we ran up to the M6. traffic was quite busy and moving slower due to the spray. At Lymm We went South on the M6. As we traveled Southwards we saw a Waltons coach and Redline BJ63 UHW. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. As we traveled South we saw Z Carz PY08 KDX and Intercity OV58 YJE. At Sideway we turned left onto the A50 which we did up to Longton. At the Z Carz depot we saw Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also on the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Behind this was another Ford minibus, Z Carz GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

There were a couple of new unmarked minibuses there tonight. Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

And they were parked next to each other HK57 LFV.

Z Carz HK57 LFV in Longton

We turned left into Willow row to see what was in the compound tonight. Nearest to the gate was Airport transfer minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned around and we headed back onto the A50. We crossed over the road and we went to fill up with diesel at the petrol station. We then returned onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we went forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 20-06-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3131	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	2	Arriva NW&W
4641	Chester BS	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
673	Wepre, Wepre War Memorial (SE-bound)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	12	Arriva NW&W
2208	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	4	Arriva NW&W
2796	Lache, St Mark's Road (cnr)	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	4	Arriva NW&W
2620	Broughton, Glynne Arms (NE-bound)	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	3	Arriva NW&W
672	Lache, o/s Brewery Arms PH	Chester BS	12	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to revisit Ellesmere Port & Chester. We checked the weather and the weather appeared to be better in the North West than in the Midlands. We gave Matthew a choice of destinations and from the list Matthew chose Ellesmere Port & Chester. Matthew got up at 09:45 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 12:00 and we headed out onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way before joining the Westbound A50. We got onto the Northbound A500. On the way North we saw Z Carz PY08 KDX & Daw2Door MA59 KME. We realised that we were nearly out of diesel so we diverted to the Asda in Wolstanton. Whilst we waited to fill up we saw First Potteries 41512 & 43875 on the #17 service. We rejoined the Northbound A500 and we carried on until we got onto the Northbound M6. Traffic was slow moving and we crawled along for the first few miles. We saw Selwyns Coaches National Express liveried FJ61 EWL on a #314 coach service and we were overtaken by Britannia Travel AY14 NVM.

Britannia Travel AY14 NVM on the M6

We carried on North to junction 20 before going West on the M56. We Travelled for approximately 15 Miles before going 2 junctions up the M53 and taking the A5032 into Ellesmere Port. On the way to the car park we passed the bus station where we saw Helms WX09 TCK stil in Jim Stones livery, GHA T317 UOX and Stagecoach Merseyside 28543 on a #1 service. We parked up the car and we walked into the market hall. Matthew wanted the toilet so we took him to the toilet which seem to have been refurbished since our last visit. Back in the Market hall we sat in the food court and we ordered food form Kelly's Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coca Cola. Whilst we ate an eight foot tall robot entered the market hall. We couldn't decided if it was being controlled by the man following behind him, or if it was a person in a suit! After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked up to the bus station. There were a few buses parked up there when we arrived. As we rounded the corner we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21236 depart on a #2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21236 in Ellesmere Port bus station

In the bus station on layover and about to work a #6 to Stannet Grange was GHA Solo BA56 GHA.

GHA BA56 GHA in Ellesmere Port bus station

As we were taking pictures of the buses on layover we saw the Arriva #2 to Chester come into the bus station. We saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 3131. I asked Matthew if he wanted to run and try and get it and he said yes. We ran the the top of the bus station crossed over to the end stands and ran down. I booked the tickets and uncle Dave & Matthew photographed the bus and caught up.

Arriva NW&W 3131 in Ellesmere Port bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva Deeside Day Savers £4.50 each. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. As we were leaving required GHA R217 HCD came in on the #36 to Runcorn. On Civic Way there were police cars and an Ambulance attending what looked like an accident involving a mobility scooter. We joined the Southbound A5032 and passed through Whitby. We turned right into the housing estate and we wound our way through until we got to the A41. Went went South on a fast section of road for a mile or two until we got the A5116 and we turned right. We passed the countess of Chester hospital and then the Stagecoach bus depot. At the front was park and ride bus Stagecoach Merseyside 21272. We crossed the ring road and we went into town along Northgate. We passed under the city wall and we turned right into the bus station. Sometime the bus used to empty on the road as the bus pulled into the station, as the cinema is being refurbished and the road has been partially blocked making it a single lane and impossible for buses to stop without blocking the bus station. We pulled onto the stand and the bus emptied out. After the bus had emptied Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3131.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3131

When we got off the bus there were a couple of double deckers in the bus station. On a #84 to Crewe was dud Arriva NW&W 4100.

Arriva NW&W 4100 in Chester bus station

In front of the Arriva double decker was required GHA decker S644 KJU on a #82 to Northwich.

GHA S644 KJU in Chester bus station

On one of the local services was required Stagecoach Merseyside 34596.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34596 in Chester bus station

We sat on our usual perch to see what buses worked next. We let one of the new Sapphire double deckers go. It was raining and a road sweeper was partially blocking out view. Another Sapphire decker came in on the #10 service. It was bound to be required as it was a new bus and had been delivered since our last visit. It was required Arriva NW&W 4641. On the way up to the stop we saw a giant being wheeled along on a pram chassis. As Matthew took a picture it waved back!

A giant in Chester bus station

Matthew then took a picture of required Arriva NW&W 4641.

Arriva NW&W 4641 in Chester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Deeside Day Saver tickets to the driver. as we were going into wales we had to buy an addition Day Saver ticket for Matthew. The lower saloon was empty as we got on the bus so Matthew took a picture there and then.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4641

We sat down at the front of the bus and started to see some strange sights. First we saw a pirate ship on a trailer being dragged around by a bunch of pirates...

A pirate ship in Chester bus station

This was followed by a family of giants dressed in Medaevil clothing that were about 12' tall.

The family of giants Chester bus station

When it was due to depart the bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road we joined the A548 and we left town. We crossed into Wales and we travelled at high speed for a few miles before crossing the A494. In Garden City we stopped to have a driver change. Even the car in which the driver came from the depot had an Arriva fleet number! Driver change over we carried on to into Queensferry. We passed required Arriva NW&W 4487 on an inbound #11 service followed by a number #10, so we decided to go a little further. We decided to go to the war memorial at Wepre, as we had been there before back in October 2011 when both the #10 & #11 services were worked by Dennis Darts. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4641 as it carried on towards Connah's Quay.

Arriva NW&W 4641 in Wepre

This was followed almost immediately by required Arriva NW&W 4485 on a Holywell bound #11 service.

Arriva NW&W 4485 in Wepre

We crossed the road to wait for a bus back towards Chester. A lady came up to Matthew who said she had seen him before. I told her we were from stoke and that we hadn't visited Chester for months! She still said that she remembers him and that he was a lovely lad... After the lady had said goodbye and left we saw a Solo approaching. I sked matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. We knew there was a good chance it was a required bus as we had only been on one Chester Solo before. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 673.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Wepre

We got on the bus and we flashed the Day Saver tickets to the driver. As we went along the bus started to empty out. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us whilst they were empty.

Inside Arriva NW&W 673

The bus carried on along the B5129 before turning right into a housing estate. We past some shops on Central Drive and then we came out on a roundabout adjacent to the A494. We went down a different road into the estate and pat the Deeside Community hospital before returning to the same roundabout as before. This time we travelled on a side road adjacent to the A494 and we did the down to the Asda store. At Asda we dropped everyone else off and picked up another solitary passenger.The bus then went under the A494 on the big roundabout and onto the B5129. We visited the villages on Mancot and Sandycroft before rejoining the B5129. At the end in front of harwarden Airport we turned right to head towards Broughton. We turned into the industrial estate and we passed the Arrive Chester depot. Aftr a short wait we exited the estate down the same road passing the depot again. At the back of the depot were a few withdrawn Darts and a driver trainer. We carried on towards Broughton and we entered the retail park. We saw M&H Coaches FBZ 1473. The bus pulled out of the retail park and onto the A5104. We decided to get off and try and pick up a required dart or two on the #3 and 4 services. We got up and got off the bus. The driver thought if was a strange place to get off, but we knew what we were doing honest...! Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W Solo 673 as it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 673 in Broughton

Looking at the bus stop timetable, we had around 10 minutes to wait for the bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a drink of Irn Bru. On the other side of the road on a mold bound #4 service we saw required Arriva NW&W Cadet 2434.

Arriva NW&W 2434 in Broughton

The cadet had been a very recent arrival at the Chester depot to replace a withdrawn Dart. We also saw required Arriva NW&W 675 on a #12 to Connah's Quay and dud Arriva NW&W 4486 on a #11 to Holywell. In the distance we could see a Dennis Dart... If we were lucky it could be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2208.

Arriva NW&W 2208 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 of the bus. We decided to cover a few #3 and #4's along the long staright section of the A5104 up to the English border. The road was straight... very straight. I wouldn't be surprised if it used to be a Roman Road. When we got to Morrisons in Saltney the bus emptied out a little and matthew photographed the empty seats behind us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2208

The bus carried on and over the border back into England. We crossed under the Chester to Wrexham railway line and we got up and got off the bus. When we got off the bus Matthew sign to me that he wanted to use the toilet. There was a pub right by the bus stop called the Brewery arms, so I took him in the pub. The people there seemed very friendly and they pointed us towards the toilet and we brought a can of pop before we left. We crossed the road to go and catch a bus back towards Broughton. Whilst we waited for the next bus which we believed would be a #4 as we hadn't passed one going the other way, we saw required Arriva Dart 2253 going towards Chester railway station. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching... It had yellow lining between the two shades of turquoise so we thought that it might be one of the batch of buses that were assimilated into the Arriva fleet from KMP Llanberis. We had only been on one of these buses before from this batch, Arriva NW&W 2799. As the bus got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2796.

Arriva NW&W 2796 in Lache

We got on the bus and we flashed our Deeside day Saver tickets to the driver. The bus was quite full and we managed to get a seat at the very back of the bus. It was hot and a little unpleasant. I was glad I'd taken my jumper off on the previous bus. We did the 2 1/2 miles down the A5104 to Broughton and then we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2796 as it carried on towards Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2796 in Broughton

We crossed over the road at the roundabout and we saw Arriva NW&W 2620 going into the retail park.

Arriva NW&W 2620 in Broughton

The bus whizzed around the retail park and it came back onto the A5104. We got on the bus and we flashed our tickets to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along the A5104 again. As the seats behind us were empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2620.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2620

We carried on into England and under the bridge and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 2620 as it carried on towards the railway station.

Arriva NW&W 2620 in Lache

Next to the bus stop is a kebab house so we decided to have a small portion of fries between us. We brought the fries and we sat at the stop and ate them. Whilst we were there we saw Arriva NW&W 2208 going towards Mold on a #4. In hindsight we should have worked out that required Dart 2253 would be on the following #3 to Mold. Instead we waited for the bus back to Chester bus station. We saw a bus approaching and we saw it was a Solo. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 672.

Arriva NW&W 672 in Lache

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets to the bus driver for the final time today. We sat down at the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5104 and we joined the Northbound A483. We crossed over the river Dee passing required Arriva NW&W 2253 going the other way. We joined the ring road and we went clockwise up to the bus station. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 672

Inside Arriva NW&W 672

When we got off the bus we decided to take a few pictures. First we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21256 on a #1A Blacon service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21256 in Chester bus station

This was followed by required Arriva NW&W 3003 on a #2 to Birkenhead.

Arriva NW&W 3003 in Chester bus station

The next #10 arrived on stand and it was required Arriva NW&W 4638.

Arriva NW&W 4638 in Chester bus station

Just before we left we saw required Arriva NW&W 4216 on a #84 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4216 in Chester bus station

We went back into the car park and Matthew used the toilet before we headed back to the car. We drove out of the car park and we went clockwise around the ring road. We turned left onto the A56 and we headed north past the railway station and up towards Hoole. We joined the Northbound M53 and we did this for one junction up to the M56 which we took Eastbound. On the M56 we saw pat's coaches J7 WXM. We went South on the M6 and the road was quiet. We did pass two London Transport ALX400 bodied double decker going North on a trailer around junction 18. We left the M6 at junction 16 and we went South on the A500. We left the A500 at Sideway to join the eastbound A50. At Longton we went to Z carz to see what buses were parked up this evening. First in the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to the Mercedes was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

The third bus in the row was Z carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

Last bus in the row was Mercedes minibus Z Carz CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. There was a single minibus in an awkward position to get a photograph. It was Z Carz blue LDV minibus YN03 HJC.

Z Carz YN03 HJC in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. Lightning Travel T2 DLT was in old usual position having been absent for a few weeks. We stop at the shop in Blurton to drop some stuff off and we carried on through Blurton. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we saw First Potteries 53405. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and went to bed around 00:30... Mark