Trip to Longton / Biddulph 22-12-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63099	Blurton adj Ladybank Grove	Longton TI	22	First Potteries
63179	Longton, stop C	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
121	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop B	94	D&G Bus
41498	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
63100	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
67640	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
207	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	Santa Bus

Today we decided to do a local trip. With it being very close to Christmas and mum agreeing to work on a Saturday when Matthew was home for the first time ever, We thought we'd do some local buses for a change. We did no research for this trip. We didn't even check out the weather. We did no that First Potteries were running a free Santa Bus with donations being excepted for the Donna Louise charity. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just after 12:00 we set of to the bus stop all the way down at the bottom of Beaconsfield Drive. As Stoke City were laying at home to Millwall we decided to avoid Stoke town centre today and go to Longton for dinner. We waited for the bus for a few minutes and we heard the whiny engine of a Streetlight approaching. It turned the corner and we saw it was First Potteries 63099 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 63099 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day at £5.30 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Beaconsfield Drive and at the end we turned right onto Church Road. We followed the road around to the left onto Blurton Road and at the bottom of the hill we turned right onto Longton Hall Lane. We climbed the hill into Longton and onto the A50. We crossed the roundabout onto Baths Road and we entered Longton Transport Interchange. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 63099.

First Potteries 63099 in Longton Interchange

We set off along the path better Wrights Pies and Barclays bank onto The Strand and we spotted First Potteries 67635 on a #6A to Hanley.

First Potteries 67635 in Longton

We continued up The Strand to the Britannia cafe where we decided to have dinner today. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards he had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we walked back down The Strand to the bus stop where we spotted First Potteries 63179 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63179 in Longton

We got on the bus and we bbut the Smart Day ticket on the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down The Strand and we ran under the railway line onto King Street. As we travelled down King Street through Foley some bloke suddenly jumped up and got off the bus once he realised that the bus wasn't going to Bentilee! We continued through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500. As we entered Stoke we saw First Potteries 32649 and 32635 coming back from the BET365 stadium. WE continued into into Stoke town centre along Church Street and we saw First Potteries 32647 on a BET365 shuttle and First Potteries 32648 selling tickets for the shuttle bus (Queue Buster). After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed down towards the bottom end of the bus station and we saw Arriva Midlands 2965 on a #164 to Market Drayton.

Arriva Midlands 2965 in Newcastle bus station

Also seen on Stubbs Street was First Potteries 32650 which was about to work the 14:00 service to the BET365 stadium.

First Potteries 32650 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the top end of the bus station to see what we could catch. We spotted D&G Bus 121 on a #94 to Congleton.

D&G 121 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus, so we got on the bus and we go on the bus and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set of out of the bus station onto Barracks Road and at the roundabout we turned left onto Ryecroft. We veered left onto Merrial Street and we turned right onto High Street. We ran forwards onto Liverpool Road and we ran turned left onto Ryecroft. At the roundabout we did a u-turn back onto Ryecroft and we turned left onto Liverpool Road. We turned right onto Enderley Street and at the end we turned left onto Hempstalls Lane. We continued onto Hoon Avenue and forwards again onto Hassam Parade. We turned left onto the B5369 and right onto Oldcastle Avenue. We turned left onto Hanbridge Avenue and we turned left onto Bradwell Lane. We turned right onto Bursley Way and at the roundabout we went forwards onto Arnold Grove. We turned left onto Bradwell Lane and we went past the Potters Wheel pub. We continued left to the roundabout and we ran down Porthill Bank and crossed over the A500. As we crossed over the A500 we saw various coaches include unidentified Hollinshead Coaches coaches and an unidentified white and gold 70 seater coach. Emerging from Chemical Lane we saw Hollinshead Coaches DH13 HOL. We ran forwards onto the A5271 and at the Wayne Walker roundabout (formerly known as Trubshaw Cross), we veered left onto Brownhills Road. We went to the top of the hill and we ran forwards onto Tunstall High Street. At the top end of the high Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 121 as it continued towards Congleton.

D&G 121 in Tunstall

We walked a few paces down the High Street and we entered the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered his toffee cheesecake and a can of Coke. Once Matthew had finished eating we said goodbye and we crossed the road. We wanted to go back towards either Hanley or Newcastle. We turned down First Potteries 67643 on a #3A to Hanley and we decided to wait for the next Newcastle bus. Whilst we waited we saw Stanton's of Stoke BU54 ALL on a #90 to Tunstall Asda.

Stanton's of Stoke BU54 ALL in Tunstall

A few minutes later we saw a Newcastle bus round the corner. It was First Potteries 41498 on a #99 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 41498 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the High Street and we stopped at the bottom before joining Brownhills Road. We ran down the hill to Trubshsaw Cross and we continued straight through Longport and over the A500. We went up Porthill Bank and we followed the A527 through Wolstanton & May Bank and into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station. As we got off the bus we spotted First Potteries 63100 on a #4 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63100 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we placed our Smart Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A53. We ran into Basford and over the A500. We ran down into Etruria and over the A500. We continued along the A53 and we turned left onto Forge Lane. We ran out along the Lane and we crossed over the canal before we returned back into Etruria along festival Way. We crossed under the A53 onto Etruria Road where we saw Alfa coach 68 parked up behind the hotel. We ran into Hanley and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63100.

Inside First Potteries 63100

Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet and we decided to go up to the John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. We saw First Potteries 67649 going onto one of the layover spaces.

First Potteries 67649 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3697 departing on a #164 to Market Drayton.

Arriva Midlands 3697 in Hanley bus station

Another bus seen was First Potteries 32627 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32627 in Hanley bus station

After a few minutes we headed back towards the bus station. On the way we saw First Potteries 67648 which was on layover in between runs on the #3A to Butt Lane.

First Potteries 67648 in Hanley bus station

We crossed the road and turned to see First Potteries 65001 on a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 65001 in Hanley bus station

Back inside the bus station we stopped at the Spar shop and we brought a couple of cans of Coke and chocolate to stock up supplies in the trip bag. As was usual we went down to the middle stands to wait for a bus to Biddulph. Matthew ate a Toffee Crips and we noticed on the monitor that about 40 minutes behind the next #7A was a duplicate service 'Santa bus' which was going to be operating collecting donations for the Donna Louise charity. We realised that this gave us time to get some food before being able to catch it back to Hanley. A few minutes later and slightly late due to the traffic, First Potteries 67640 appeared on stand on the #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 67640 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we placed our Smart Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus waited for time before setting off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and onto Bethesda Street before we went across onto Marsh Street and then we turned right into Trinity Street. We turned left into Stafford Street and we continued forwards to Quadrant Road and we left Hanley along Town Road. We travelled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts to Chell. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down the A527 through Brindley Ford. We turned left to run through Brown Lees. We crossed over the A527 at Knypersley and we ran around through the housing estates of Biddulph before running into town via St John's Road, Colliers Way and up Wharf Road to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67640 before it carried on back to Hanley.

First Potteries 67640 in Biddulph bus station

Once off the bus we turned the corner onto the High Street and we walked down to the kebab shop. We picked up a couple of portions of fries and a can of orange tango and we returned onto Wharf Road. We used the toilet and we returned to the benches to eat the fries where we saw D&G latest acquisition 27 about to work a #9 to Newcastle.

D&G 27 in Biddulph bus station

We returned to the benches to finish eating the food and we saw A Bristol RE approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required PMT 207 now owned by the Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society.

PMT 207 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we placed a donation in the bucket before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto High Street and we turned left at the roundabout onto St John's Road. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran through Brown Lees via the diversion route and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green passing various Hollinshead coaches and Global Travel BIG 9854. We continued into Hanley we saw Stanton's of Stoke 8701 VT on the edge of town. When we got back to Hanley we got up and got off the bus. when we got back to the bus station we noticed that the next #23 wasn't until 19:30 so we decided to do a taxi. We called for a Lucky Seven taxi and we sat outside the bus station until kit arrived a few minutes later. We got in the taxi and we set off down Lichfield Street and over the ring road. We ran down to joiners Square and we went over the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We turned right onto the A50 link road and we joined the A50 as far as Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home a little after 18:00 and we got straight in the car to go and visit Z Carz. We set off onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden up to Longton. We joined the high level Westbound A50 and we turned into Edensor Road. The spare ground was empty so we went into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Peugeot minibus SJ61 OPK parked up in their yard.

Z Carz SJ61 OPK in Longton

Once we had finished there we had a few things to drop off. We continued along the High Level A50 and we turned left into Heathcote Road. We continued onto Longton Hall Road and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line and into Trentham before we turned right into New Inn Lane. We turned right into Pacific Drive and we dropped a few things off. We continued forwards onto Constance Avenue, dropping off a few more things. We rejoined Pacific Drive and we turned right onto New Inn Lane. We ran up the hill into Hanford and we ran down Mayne Street to the A34. We went under the A500 into Trent Vale and we stopped at the Riverside Chip Shop to pick up tea. Once we had the food we went Southwards down the A34 into Hanford & Trentham. We turned left onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line and back into Blurton. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. We uploaded the latest pictures and we wrote an e-mail. Later on we went to drop uncle Dave off at home. We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we cam off at Heron Cross. We dropped down into Fenton and we dropped off uncle Dave. Once we had dropped him off we returned to Heron Cross an onto Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right onto the A5035 and back home. We finished doing some stuff on the Blog and Matthew chilled out watching television and using his computer until bedtime around 01:00.... Mark

Trip to Warrington / Grappenhall 26-05-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
89	Warrington Interchange	Orford, Winwick Road College	21	Network Warrington
68	Orford, Winwick Road College	Warrington Interchange	19	Network Warrington
201	Warrington Interchange	Grappenhall, Albert Road	Cat6	Network Warrington
206	Grappenhall, Albert Road	Warrington Interchange	Cat5	Network Warrington
73	Warrington Interchange	Hulme, Chiltern Road	21	Network Warrington
211	Hulme, Chiltern Road	Warrington Interchange	21	Network Warrington

Today we decided to re-visit Warrington. We asked Matthew where he wanted to go within around 50 miles and Matthew chose to go to Warrington. Matthew did his own research, visiting the Network Warrington website and downloading the map and sending to a phone by e-mail. We also checked the price of a day ticket. And we looked to see what Fairbrothers had in their current fleet. We checked the weather and it was for warm weather with sunny intervals with the chnace of an odd shower. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 onto the A5035 and we saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus NXJ 321 in a layby. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and at the end we joined the Westbound A50. When we got to Sideway we joined the Northbound A500 which was very busy. There had been an accident on the Northbound M6 and traffic had diverted onto the A500. We needed petrol so we headed up the Wolstanton to go to the petrol statipon at Adsa. On the way to the petrol station we saw Glovers AIG 7450 & Club Travel CT04 BUS. We came off the A500 and we ran up to the petrol station. After filling up we returned to the Northbound A500. We came to a stand about 1 1.2 mils South of the M6. It took us around 20 minutes to get to the motorway. As we queues we saw Intercity OU59 EFH, Stanton's of Stoke TPY 245, Rosevile EJ61 VGZ, Edwards BX65 WCZ (#375), Yourbus 4028 (#550), Park's of Hamilton BV67 JYW( #570), Ausden Clark CRZ 6381, Selwyn's BX16 CKA(#323), Bruce's Coaches FN63 PWK(#532), Travel De Courcey FJ13 EAK, blue minibus BV67 KVW & white minibus GN60 EFZ. Eventually we got onto the Northbound M6 and it was busy but mving Well. As we travelled up to Junction 20A we saw an unidentified Weardale coach, Park's of Hamilton HSK 656(#540) & D Hurst N12 RFL. We came off the M6 onto the Northbound A50. As we travelled into town we saw Roseville BG07 XCN. After we crossed over the ship canal we turned left onto Station Road. We followed the road around onto Wash Lane and we joined the Westbound A5061. As we travelled through Latchford we noticed large crowds of people. We had decided to come to Warrintgon on the same day as a music festival. We continued into town and at the big roundabout that straddles the river Mersey we went Northwards onto Mersey Street. We turned left onto Midland Way and then we went past the bus station and into the car park for the Golden Square shopping centre. Once we had parked up we made our war through the shopping centre to the bus station. We stopped at the toilets and Matthew used the facilities. We decided to go and have dinner at Wetherspoons so we crossed over Winwick Street onto Scotland Road. As we approached Cockhedge Way we saw Network Warrington 194 on a shuttle service to the music festival.

Network Warrington 194 in Warrington

Park up on layover in between runs on the shuttle service was Network Warrington 155.

Network Warrington 155 in Warrington

We continued along the road the pub abd we got a table outside. It was extremely busy as people had come to get drinks before continuing to the festival. Mum placed an order using the Wetherspoons app and we waited outside for the food. Whilst we waited we saw quite a few buses go past. Highlights of the bus sightings included JM Travel coach P522 NMA gping Northwards.

JM Travel P522 NMA in Warrington

We also saw Orion Travel coach YJ13 HTX going South.

Orion Travel YJ13 HTX in Warrington

For dinner Matthew had a chicked and beefburger in a bun with fries washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we set off up Scotland Road back to the bus station. We enetered the bus station and we quickly looked for something we could catch. We spotted Network Warrington 89 on #21 Orford circular.

Network Warrington 89 in Warrington Interchange

We decided to do this bus so we got on and bought Day tickets at £5.95 each before we sat down towards the rear of the bus. A quick consultation of the buses I travelled on revealed the bus to be dud. We had been on this bus into Leigh on the #19 back in August 2016. The bus set off along the bus station and turned around to head back onto Winwick Street. We went under the railway line past Warrington Central station and we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 293 on Rail Replacement work. At the roundabout we veered right onto Pinners Brow. We crossed over the A49 onto Orford Lane and we followed the road around a right hand bend. We turned left onto Orford Avenue and we followed the road to the right onto Norris Street. We turned left onto Hallifelds Road and we turned rihght onto Smiths Drive. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A50 and right onto Poplars Avenue. We ran the entire length of the Avenue which is about a mile long and we followed the road around a left hand bend onto Cotswold Road. We stopped outside some shops before continuing Southwards. We decided to stay on the bus until we reached the A49. We ran forwards onto Sandy Lane and at the next roundabout we turned right onto Northway. At the end of Northwards we turned right onto the A50 and then left onto the A49. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Network Warrington 89 as it continued back towards Warrington.

Network Warrington 89 in Orford

Once off the bus we consulted the electronic display which said that the next bus was due in around 3 minutes. Whilst we waited we spotted D Hurst N12 RFL going North towards Winwick.

D Hurst N12 RFL in Orford

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. It was required Network Warrington 68 on a #19 to Warrington.

Network Warrington 68 in Orford

We got on the bus and we flashed the day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards back of the bus. The bus was quite full as people were travelling down to the festival. It was quite lively journey as we travlled down thw A49 to the edge of town. We turned left onto PInners Brow and Left onto Winwick Street. Most of the revellers got off by the railway station as that is where one of the shuttles departed from. We ran under the railway line and we turned right into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Network Warrington 68 before we got off.

Inside Network Warrington 68

Once off the bus we decided to walk around the other side of the bus station to get a few bus pictures. We set off onto Winwick Street and we crossed over. We crossed over Crown Street and we crossed back over Winwick Street under the railway bridge to get to the bus station. We walked along the walkway and we looked at the buses on layover. We saw Network Warrington 207 on layover in between Cat services.

Network Warrington 207 in Warrington Interchange

At the roundabout at the other end we saw Network Warrington 93 on a #21 to Orford.

Network Warrington 93 in Warrington Interchange

We saw that you could get back into the bus station at the other end by the car park. We entered the bus station and we went to look for something to catch. The was a Cat service about to go so we went over to have look. It was required Network Warrington 201 on a Cat6 service to Grappenhall via Stockton Heath.

Network Warrington 201 in Warrington Interchange

We decided to do this bus. We got on and we flashed the day tickets to the driver before we sat down near to the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and under the car park. We turnd left onto Leigh Street and right onto Sankey Street. We turned left onto Parker Street and past Warrintgon Bank Quay railway station where we saw Paul's of Stoke Y12 POS on a rail replacement service. We turned right onto Sluchers Lane and left onto Centre park Square. We continued onto a roundabout and forwards onto the A49. We headed Southwards into Stockton Heath and we crossed over the A56. We turned left onto Dingleway and at the end we turned left onto Bridge Lane. We turned left onto Lumb Brook Lane. We turned right onto the A56 and we ran Eastwards. We had a brief stop at a bus stop and we saw that the bus in front was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Network Warrington 201.

Inside Network Warrington 201

We continued Eastwards for a short while and we turned left onto East View. We turned left onto the A50 and at the next stop we got up and got off the bus. We sat at the bus stop and waited for the next cat5 back to Warrington. Whilst we waited we saw Robinsons FN04 JZV on a Holiday trip returning from Tenby.

Robinsons FN04 JZV in Grappenhall

The bus was running a ltiile late. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a packet of Milky Stars whilst we waited for the bus. The Cat5 appeared running just in front of the following Cay6 service. As it got closer we saw that it was required Network Warrington 206.

Network Warrington 206 in Grappenhall

We got on the bus and we flashed the day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A50 and we ran forwards onto Hunts Lane. We ran forwards onto Ackers Road and we turned right onto the A56. We turned left onto Lumb Brook Road and right onto Bridge lane. We turned right onto Dingleway and at the end we turned right onto the A49. We ran Northwards into Stockon Heath and up to the edge of town. We past the Nework Warrington bus depot and the adjacent coach depot and we ran forwards onto park Boulevard. We crossed over Centre Park Square and we turned right onto Slutchers Lane. We turned right onto Parker Street and we saw D Hurst N12 RFL outside the railway station. We turned right onto Sankey Street and left onto Leigh Street. We turned right and we ran under the car park and into the bus station from the West end. We ran to the roundabout on Winwick Street and we turned around and cam back into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet. We saw required Network Warrington 155 on layover and we hoped that it might work, but it was in between runs on the shuttle. It had gone 17:00 so we needed to catch another bus quickly. We walked to the other end of the bus station and we saw required Network Warrington 73 on a #21 to Orford.

Network Warrington 73 in Warrington Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the bus station and turned around to head back onto Winwick Street. We went under the railway line past Warrington Central station. At the roundabout we veered right onto Pinners Brow. We crossed over the A49 onto Orford Lane and we followed the road around a right hand bend. We turned left onto Orford Avenue and we followed the road to the right onto Norris Street. We turned left onto Hallifelds Road and we turned rihght onto Smiths Drive. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A50 and right onto Poplars Avenue. We ran the entire length of the Avenue which is about a mile long and we followed the road around a left hand bend onto Cotswold Road. We decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Network Warrington 73 as it continued back towards Warrington.

Network Warrington 73 in Hulme

Once off the bus we decided to visit the Co-operative food store and do some shopping. Matthew had a couple of small bottle of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We went out to the stop and a few minute later we saw a required bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Network Warrington 211 on a #21 to Warrington.

Network Warrington 211 in Hulme

We got on the bus and we flashed the ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran forwards onto Sandy Lane and at the next roundabout we turned right onto Northway. At the end of Northwards we turned right onto the A50 and then left onto the A49. We continued Southwards to Jubilee Way and we ran down to The Orford Centre. After passing the bus stop we returned to the A49. We turned left onto PInners Brow and Left onto Winwick Street. We ran under the railway line and we turned right into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet and we decided to take a few picture before meeting uo with mum. We walked clockwise around the bus station to the layover lane and we saw Network Warrington 195 which had been working on shuttle services earlier in the day.

Network Warrington 195 in Warrington Interchange

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 3047 on layover in between #7's to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in Warrington Interchange

We crossed over Winwick Street and Crown Street and we turned left onto Scotland Road. We walked towards the pub and we waited on the wall for mum to come and pick us up. Whilst we waited we saw First Manchester 37442 on a #100 to Manchester.

First Manchester 37442 in Warrington

Due to road layout mum was unable to get to us easily, so we ended up walk down Scotland and around the corner onto Buttermarket. We got in the car and mum was waiting with some doghnuts and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off onto Academy Street and the sat-nav sent us down Bridge Street. This was not a through road for car so we returned onto Friars gate and left onto Barbauld Street. We crossed over the big roundabout and we exited town along the A5061. We past the festiavl site and we continued through Latchford. We crossed over the ship canal and we ran forwards onto the A50. We joined the M6 at Junction 20A and we ran Sluthwards into Staffordshire. Travelling home along the M6 we saw Coastal Coaches BF67 WKG, Copeland's Tours MIB 293, Springfields F13 HOW, Alfa 80 & Rotala Hallmark 11524. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and as we travelled Southwards we saw Ace Travel SF11 HZE parked in the first layby. We ran into Stoke-on-Trent and at Sideway we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we turned left onto Baths Road. We turned right into tesco and we filled up with petrol. Once we had filled up we ran along the hight level of the A50 and around past the site of the new Lidl. We came off the A50 and we went to check out what was at Z carz this evening. There was nothing on the spare ground so we turned left into Willow Row. The only bus we could see was Z Carz blue minibusn BN61 RWK parked up behind a car.

Z Carz BN61 RWK in Longton

We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. By the BP garage we saw Alfa 64. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a hortbread snack biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 02:00.... Mark.

Trip to Northwich 08-06-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N769 EWG	Chell Heath	Northwich Interchange	Charter	Tomlinsons Travel
867	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, Iron Bridge (SW-bound)	1	Arriva NW&W
2612	Northwich, Iron Bridge (NE-bound)	Northwich Interchange	1	Arriva NW&W
2498	Northwich Interchange	Leftwich, opp Shops	29A	Arriva NW&W
2498	Leftwich, opp Shops	Northwich Interchange	29A	Arriva NW&W
SL10	Northwich Interchange	Northwich, opp Tesco	289	GHA
878	Northwich, opp Tesco	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	2	Arriva NW&W
878	Rudheath, Wright Avenue (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	2	Arriva NW&W
2499	Northwich, opp Tesco	Barnton, Broomsfield Lane (cnr)	4	Arriva NW&W
2499	Barnton, Broomsfield Lane (cnr)	Northwich Interchange	4	Arriva NW&W

Today Matthew was visiting Heathfield, and we Northwich instead. Matthew got up around 08:45 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. As we set off we saw First 40145 on a #22 and 40003 on a #23. We got onto the A5035 and then e traveled down Stanley Matthews Way. We then went onto the a50 and then the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at the A527 and we did this road over to High lane. We then headed down Spring Bank Road and then to Heathfield. Matthew had a cooking class in which he made Chicken Pie and a fruit smoothie. H attempted to eat the pie but he wold not drink the smoothie as he didn't like the fruit they used! We picked him up around 12:30 and he went to the toilet before we set off. We then was required Tomlinson Travel N769 EWG. We got on and sat down. We headed back onto High Lane and and onto The A527. we did this down to the A500 and then we headed North. Wen we got to the M6 we could see that the Northbound carriageway was virtually stationary so we took the road up to Radway Green. We stopped at the level crossing to let a Crewe bound train go past and then we carried on to the then end of the road. we turned right towards Alsager and went past a Spar shop. We then turned left towards Hassall and then we headed onto the A533. We decided we would go to Middlewich on the A road rather than get back on the M6 and back into Middlewich along the A54. As we went through Sandbach we saw DAF double decker Arriva NW&W 4096 on the #38 service. We stopped at the country kitchen food van by the golden Lion pub and Matthew had a bacon and Egg bap and a bottle of Coke. As we ate we saw required Arriva NW&W 2498 heading North to Northwich. We carried on along the A533 and we parked up in Nortwich around 14:00. As we walked down to the stops we missed dud Arriva NW&W 2497 on a #37 service. We decided to do the Dennis MPD on the #1 which was 867.

Arriva NW&W 867 in Northwich

We got on the bus and booked our tickets. After sitting down we looked 867 up and surprisingly it was required! We got off as we always do by the iron Bridge and Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 867 by the Iron Bridge

We Crossed the road and we waited for the inbound service. We didn't have to wait long before before required Arriva NW&W 2612 appeared from around the corner.

Arriva NW&W 2612 by the Iron Bridge

We sat down near the back of this bus which was reasonably well filled for an inbound service. The journey was swift, passing the site of the Waitrose in town. When we got back to Northwich and the bus emptied out, Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2612

When we got back there were the #37 and #29A to look at. First we saw required Arriva NW&W 2609 on the #37.

Arriva NW&W 2609 in Northwich

Matthew didn't fancy doing this so we decided to do required Arriva 2498 on the #29A Leftwich circular.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2498

We got on and sat down near the back. We set off out of town on the A533 and then turned onto London Road. We went around the Leftwich estate and stopped for minute or so at the shops before returning back into town along the A533. When we got back Matthew got a picture inside this bus.

Arriva NW&W 2498 in Northwich

We didn't fancy doing 2498 forward towards sandbach, and we had missed dud 2515 on the #31A to Crewe. Dud 2617 was on the next #29A turn. We decided to wait around for a few minutes. Matthew went to the toilet and then we saw Network Warrington 75 turn up about to work the #46.

Network Warrington 75 in Northwich

We decided to check out the #289, and we were rewarded with required GHA Solo SL10 with it's 'Into the Port' green livery.

GHA SL10 in Northwich

We booked our tickets and sat down. Matthew was well behaved and he didn't try to beep the horn today. After a short wait the bus set off past GHA S16 which had appeared to work the #48 Frodsham service. We headed East out of town and we got off the adjacent to the Tesco store.

GHA SL10 by Northwich Tesco

We decided to do the #2 back the long way as we had done before. We walked back past Tesco and the railway station and turned right onto Station Road. There was someone waiting at the stop and there was a bus due. A few minutes later we saw an Deenis MPD approaching and it turned right off the adjacent roundabout. It was required Arriva NW&W 878.

Arriva NW&W 878 near Northwich station

We sat down at the back of the bus and the bus went out off town down Middlewich road and then into the Rudheath estate. The bus pretty much emptied out at one stop and then we headed back into town. When we arrived back and the bus emptied matthew took a picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 878

required Arriva 2618 was on the #31A and he didn't fancy that. The #37 was dud 2611 and the #29A was dud 2619. There ddn't seem to be any option left for getting in new Arriva buses. Network Warrington 68 was on the #45 to Warrington so he got a picture of this.

Network Warrington 68 in Northwich

Just as we thought we had run out of Arriva options, required cadet 2499 appeared on the #4 to Branton.

Arriva NW&W 2499 in Northwich

We decided to do a circuit on this bus, so we got on and sat down near the back. The bus was quit well filled and it emptied as it headed out of town. As we passed the hospital the bus came to a brief stop as there was a little dog running straight down the road! We went passed the salt works and into Branton going around the estate. As we headed back into town the driver thought we had accidentally got on the wrong bus! Only a couple of people got on the inbound service an it took a little over 30 minutes to do the round trip. When we got back Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2499

The driver asked if we considered doing the #37's and #31's, but when I told him that they had all been Cadets and Centros we both thought that there must have been an event somewhere and that all the deckers were on the #84's. We decided to call it an evening at this point as we were all a little hot and bothered anyhow. We walked bck to the car park were we met mum who had got us some sausage rolls and Matthew had a cold Dandelion and Burdock. We headed out of town on the A559 which we did up the A556. We did the A556 eastbound to the M6 and then we headed South to the A500. We did the A500 to the A50 and then we went East to Longton to check out the Z carz depot. As we left the A50 we saw First potteries 40150 on a #22 service. Today there were only 2 vehicle parked up. One of the new arrivals to the fleet, W221 CDN was parked on the end of the row.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

The other bus was DAF minicoach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We turned to look at the willow Row compound but this was empty. We headed down Longton Hall Road and into Blurton passing 40018 on the other #22 turn. We got home around 17:40. Matthew used is computer and I cooked tea. For tea this evening we had bangers and mash with carrots. Matthew then used his computer, not quite as chilled out as he usually is until bedtime around 00:30...Mark.