Trip to Rhyl / Chester 03-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4098	Rhyl BS	Pensarn, Abergele & Pensarn Stn (SW-bound)	1	Arriva NW&W
4484	Pensarn, Abergele & Pensarn Stn (NE-bound)	Rhyl BS	12	Arriva NW&W
2355	Chester BS	Golftyn, o/s Quay Shopping Centre	10	Arriva NW&W
2355	Golftyn, o/s Quay Shopping Centre	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
4479	Chester BS	Queensferry, Solar Services (N-bound)	11	Arriva NW&W
2361	Queensferry, Station Road Q3 (SW-bound)	Golftyn, o/s Quay Shopping Centre	10	Arriva NW&W
2361	Golftyn, o/s Quay Shopping Centre	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to North Wales. We got up around 08:00 and went downstairs for breakfast. It was an awful day as regards the weather. It was pouring down with rain and very chilly. We set off around 10:00. The plan was to start the day at Prestatyn, and so we drove out of Chester towards Saltney, and then head onto the A55. We got into Prestatyn Before 11:00 but when we got there we found that the bus station was a building site! Not only that, the outdoor market where mum wanted to visit was dead. This was presumably washed out due to the weather. So we decided to drive onto Rhyl and park up there instead. As we came into rhyl we saw an open topped bus disappearing into the distance. After a bit of driving around we found a parking space on street a block or so away from the bus station. The minor downside was we were limited to 2 hours where we were. We walked back and arrived in the bus station. Most service in Rhyl on a Sunday are quite sparse, the only exception being the # Talacre - Pensarn and the #12 Rhyl to Llandudno service. With that information we decided to do a #1 towards Pensarn. The #1 Pensarn turned up first and this was required Arriva NW&W 4098.

Arriva NW&W 4098 in Rhyl bus station

At almost exactly the same time, required Arriva NW&W 4142 appeared on the #1 to Talacre

Arriva NW&W 4142 in Rhyl bus station

After a few minutes the driver reappeared from a quick break. We got on a booked 3 Arriva NW&W day savers at £6.50 each. When we got on we went upstairs. After a quick loop around to the Seaquarium. We set off westward towards Pensarn. As we reached the other side of the bridge over the river Clwyd we hit a little traffic. After the traffic had died down we could see the traffic was queuing in the other direction for a considerable distance. In the traffic was required Arriva NW&W opened topped double decker 3997. The traffic had started moving by the time we reached the edge of Pensarn and the a couple of minutes later we were at the end of the run. As we got off Matthew got a picture of the top deck.

Inside 4098

We got off and Matthew got another picture of these fine beast.

4098 near Abergele & Pensarn Station

We crossed the road and went to the bus stop for the return bus. The rain was still pouring down and it was lucky that we had a shelter at this stop. As we didn't know how long we had to wait we at a little picnic at the bus stop. We broke out a double Milky Way and had a couple of bottles of pop between us. After around a 15 minute wait we saw a #12 to Rhyl approaching. As it got closer we could see it was 4484. There was no need to look up if this bus was required or not as we had been on it last night! We set off through Pensarn and within about half a mile of leaving town we hit the back end of the traffic. We had approximately 50 minutes to get back to Rhyl. The windows were partially steamed up and you couldn't see that much going on. One amusing thing that we did see was the donkey rides that were taking place in a large gazebo that couldn't of been much bigger that 15x30 feet! We also passed Arriva NW&W 4160 going the other way. After passing through Towyn we reached a crossroads and then the traffic started to move. We got back into Rhyl bus station with about about 5 minutes to spare. Matthew photographed the inside of this bus before we got off.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4484

We then decided to go to dinner. I had seen a pub in Pensarn called the Yacht which looked like it did nice meals. So off we went in the car. We passed the traffic jam again and this time it seemed to go further towards Colwyn Bay. When we got to the pub I had seen it was full and we could not get a seat. We decide to walk just up the street and go into a pub called the Park Hotel. We had 3 Sunday meals as uncle Dave was feeling a little unwell, and they were £6.95 each. the meal wee very nice if a little expensive. Matthew decided he wanted to have a pudding too. He had chocolate fudge cake and custard which we really enjoyed. By the time we had eaten it was 15:00. The plan was now for us all to go back to Rhyl, with mum to do some shopping in Morrisons and the rest of us to do a few more buses. When we got to Rhyl, Matthew decided he wanted to go shopping instead. by the time we had finished it was getting quite late and so we decided to drive back to Chester. We took a slightly scenic route back, taking in Holywell, just missing a Chester bound 11 service. We went back through Connah's Quay and back along the route of the #10 service. on Sealand Road we passed dud Arriva NW&W 689. We even followed the route under past the canal locks and under ring road. We appeared in the town centre opposite the Bull and Stirrup before driving back to the B&B. Back at the room we had some sandwich made with the stuff we had brought in Rhyl. We worked out on what service 689 was likely to reappear on and then worked out a way to avoid it. The bus we decided to catch seemed to work well in getting a #11 service back in to chester and so we formulated a plan. we walked up to the bus station around 18:00 and within a few minutes required Arriva NW&W appeared on a #10 service.

Arriva NW&W 2355 in Chester bus station

The plan at this point was to travel out to Connah's Quay before the #10 left the main road and then do the #11 back. Im not sure if it was because of the awful weather, but Matthew didn't want to get off. we ended up going to the end of the route. I looked up an alternative move. It seemed, although it was hard to tell because the 2 routes had different timing points, that we could probably get off the #10 along the main road and catch the #11 shortly behind. When we turned onto the main road we could see the double decker on the #11 behind us by a few hundred yards. We asked Matthew again if he wanted to get off and do the double decker behind us and he said no! So we did 2354 back into Chester. When we got back Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.

Inside 2355

Arriva 2361 was already at the stop for the next #10. There must be a vehicle and driver change for the last few trips. We decided not to do this at this point, instead we waited for the double decker on the #11. When it arrived it was required 4479. At the same time another bus came in. It was on a service we had never seen before a #13 to Mold. It was dud 2570, so we decided to stay on the #11. This might be something we catch in the future though. Matthew got a picture of 4479 before we got on.

Arriva NW&W 4479 in Chester bus station

On board we set off towards Queensferry. Once again there weren't any adequate timing point to work out how close we would be in catching the #10 return service. The journey seemed to be quite quick and as we got to Queensferry Asda I though we would have a couple of minutes to cross the road and get to the stop. just as get got off we saw 2361 go sailing by on the other side of the road towards Chester. The next return service wasn't for another hour. we decided to cross over and do the service to Connah's Quay again, at least we would only have 30 minutes to wait. firstly, we decided to have some chips between to help us keep warm on this rainy evening. we then had a drink before crossing over 5 minutes before the Connah's Quay service was due. pretty much bang on time, as predicted Arriva NW&W 2361 appeared.

Arriva NW&W 2361 in Quensferry

We did the bus to the Quay shopping centre and then flashed the ticket again for return journey. As we returned the sun started to poke out from behind the clouds making it a little lighter. we decided to get of just before the bus station on the way back so we didn't have as far to walk. We got off at the stop near the Bull and Stirrup and Matthew got a picture of the bus as we drove away.

2361 near Chester bus station

We then walked back to the B&B for the evening. We uploaded a few more pictures on Flickr and settled down for the night...Mark

Trip to Ellesmere Port / Chester 10-12-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2438	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
2342	Chester BS	Sealand, Western Avenue (NW-bound)	10	Arriva NW&W
2277	Blacon, Western Avenue (cnr)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W
2298	Chester BS	Higher Shotton, Shotton B&Q (NW-bound)	X11	Arriva NW&W
689	Higher Shotton, Shotton B&Q (SE-bound)	Chester BS	10	Arriva NW&W

After a weekend away, Matthew was ready to go out again and for this trip he chose Chester. No research required for this trip we only have to pack our Chester timetables. We set off just before 12:00 stopping at Longport to top up with LPG. Despite heavy traffic on the M6, we got to Ellesmere port by 13:15. We went to eat in the market as usual put we could get a table. After waiting or over 5 minutes with no table looking like it was going to open up, we decided to eat elsewhere. We walked onto the main street and found a chip shop that had a couple of tables, called the Port chip shop or something similar. We ordered the food and as I was rushing backwards and forwards with trays of chip to the table the bag that was on my shoulder fell and swung onto my chips sausage peas and gravy! I cleaned the bag and then we ate our meals. As we ate we could see buses on the main road turn into towards the bus station. Heading into Chester in front of our bus was Arriva NW&W 2404 (dud). After we had finished eating and we had split up from mum, we headed to the bus station to take a few picture before going to Chester. GHA double decker DD05 was parked up and acting as the drivers mess today. After around 10 minutes our bus , which was the 14:17 to Chester approached. It was the same bus we had last time...2438!



Starting to become a mileage machine...Arriva NW&W 2438 o the #401 to Chester (Matt)

The bus was only half full and we had a unremarkable journey down to Chester. The bus was warm compared to the 5'C outside and was very welcome. When we got to the bus station Matthew photographed the inside of the empty bus.


Inside 2438 (Matt)

The first thing we noticed on arrival at Chester was a great big wheel that had been erected adjacent to the bus station. With light fading fast at this time of year, the plan was to catch a bus quite quickly. This also prevented us from freezing in the cold. 2258 was on a #10 which Matthew required, but it was a relatively new Dart. Rhyl allocated 2350 also made an appearance on an X11 which Matthew also turned down.


Rhyl's 2350 in front of Chester's wheel (Matt)

When the next #10 appeared it was 2342 which Matthew decided he wanted to catch. This was a refurbished V reg Dart which was also required. We did this bus which filled up quickly and was pretty much full as it left town. We decided to do this to the Welsh border so we could get back and possibly catch something else before it went dark. It was the first time we had bailed here and as we got off Matthew was able to get a picture of our bus just inside Wales.


2342 just inside Wales (Matt)

It was quite difficult to cross the road here as it was really busy with Xmas shopper leaving Chester. We eventually crossed and Walk all the way back into England...All of 75 yards! We had around a 10 minute wait for a return bus, and the pavement was narrow. Matthew was bouncing with excitement as he waited for the return bus. In the distance we could see the bus on this very long straight stretch of road. We could see it had Alexander ALX style bodywork, something that we have not seen on a Chester allocated Arriva bus. As it closer we saw it was dud Dart 2277, a vehicle which we had traveled on earlier this year into Llandudno!


After the long walk back into England, Ex Welsh Dart 2277 approaches (Matt)

The bus was nearly empty as most inbound services are at this time of day. Once again Matthew photographed the empty bus at Chester.


Inside 2277 (Matt)

When we got back we saw Optare Solo 689 on a #10. It was unusual to see a smaller vehicle on this service and Matthew didn't fancy it. We also saw 2358 which Matthew required and he didn't fancy this either! As we waited for our next ride we saw that First Manchester's 61527 had been painted into Park & Ride colours presumably for extra cover.


Now in Park & Ride colours... First Manchester 61527 (Matt)

whilst we waited for 2358 to depart, I rushed of to Somerfield to get some lottery tickets. The next bus of interest to appear was Dart 2298 on the X11, which we decided to do. We crossed the bus station and got a picture before we boarded.


2298 about to do the X11 to Holywell (Matt)

The bus filled up and was full and standing as we left town. as we boarded GHA's Aleander bodied bus SB27 was seen on the X20 to Winsford. We decided to do this bus just past Queensferry and just before Shotton, so as to give us a choice of service back to Chester. We got off at the stop know as Higher 'Shotton, B&Q' even though the B&Q is no longer there. by now it was properly dark and so we weren't able to get good pictures of moving buses. We decided to do the next bus regardless as it was getting quite cold now. The Next bus turned out to be the Solo we'd seen earlier 689. It was nearly empty. Matthew got on and honked the horn....Beep. I don't know why but he likes to do this on Solo's, and sometimes it get him into trouble! Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus as we arrived in Chester.


Inside 689 (Matt)

As we got off the bus, with the aid of street furniture and his camera timer, he was able to get a picture of the outside of 689 too...


Arriva 689 in Chester bus station...unusual on a #10... (Matt)

As we were about to leave we saw 7553. It was then back to the car for sausage rolls before setting off home around 17:20. The journey home was non-stop and we pulled up outside the house around 18:20. Not a bad day considering the cold weather and the time of year. 3 out of 5 buses were new for Matthew...Mark