Trip to Crewe / Congleton 02-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2623	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4476	Nantwich BS	Crewe BS	84	Arriva NW&W
4491	Crewe BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
4490	Congleton BS	Sandbach, o/s Common	38	Arriva NW&W
2608	Sandbach, o/s Common	Elworth nr railway station	37A	Arriva NW&W
2614	Elworth adj railway station	Crewe BS	37	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine & showers, with the weather being better to the South and West. Other research involved checking the GHA & Cheshire East sites to see if the GHA #84 service still ran. We gave Matthew a list of places to visit and from the list Matthew surprisingly chose Crewe. Matthew got up around 10:00 and I forgot to give him breakfast! We set off around 11:40 and we ran onto the A5035. As we turned into Stanley Matthew Way we saw D&G 170 on a #14 service. We traveled North up to the A50 and we went West to Sideway. We then turned right onto the A500 and we headed North. We passed an unidentified AC Williams coach and we crossed under the M6 and we carried on Westwards. On the single lane section of the A500 we passed Routemaster Buses RML2515 going the other way. We turned right onto David Whitby Way and then left onto the A532. We followed the road around to left past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. As we traveled up the road we past required Arriva NW&W 4106 on a #37 to Northwich. We also past a shop called Total Tile & Bathrooms where there was a lady mannequin sitting on a toilet! We followed the road into town and left onto Delamere Street past the bus station. We whizzed around the street to Asda and we parked up. We walked around the corner to Vernon's Fish Bar and after Matthew had used the toilet he had sausage chips and gravy with bread and butter washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished we left mum to pay the bill and we walked around the corner into the bus station and we saw D&G Solo SR 103 on a #12 to Shavington.

D&G 103 in Crewe bus station

We turned the corner and we saw Arriva NW&W 4477 which had broken down and was about to get towed away, and GHA Solo CN06 BXS which was about to work a #44 to Nantwich.

GHA CN06 BXS in Crewe bus station

We walked down to the other end of the bus station and we saw First Potteries 67633 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67633 in Crewe bus station

Also in the bus station were Arriva NW&W 4100 on a #37 service and 2617 was on layover by the old garage. We were hoping to see the 13:03 #84 service to Chester, but it appeared not be running today. On stand was required Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 to Nantwich.

Arriva NW&W 2623 in Crewe bus station

In the absence of the GHA bus, we decided to do Arriva buses instead. We got on the bus and we booked an Arriva Day Saver ticket at £5.30 and then we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went along Delamere Street and around the corner onto Chester Bridge. We went forwards onto Edleston Road and we passed required Arriva NW&W 894 on the #6 service. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A534 and we headed West. After traveling a couple of miles we turned left onto Wistaston Road and just before he level crossing we turned right onto Coppice Road. At the end of the road we re-joined the westbound A534 and we crossed over A51 at the Peacock Roundabout. Just before town we turned right onto Millstone Lane passing Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #84 to Crewe. By the tractor shop, we turned left onto Beam Street. We passed Marks & Spencer's and the library and we entered the bus station. Matthew didn't take a picture inside the Arriva bus... For some reason a few of the passenger though it was a through bus to Chester and just sat there and didn't move! We got of the bus and we spotted an interesting looking GHA minibus. We walked over to the other side of the bus station and we saw GHA Mercedes minibus X996 AHT.

GHA X996 AHT in Nantwich bus station

We saw GHA Solo SR 1201 on the #52 to Sainsbury's, and then we headed into town. We walked down Market Street and into the market and we went to the toilet. After we used the toilet we stopped at the stall where Matthew usually has a few sweets from, but it was now a workwear and safety equipment stall. We asked if there was a sweet still in the market and it turned out it had moved next door! Talk about having tunnel vision! We brought a few spearmint chews and then we walked back to the bus station. We considered what to do next. We had planned on going forwards to Chester, but there was a large crowd at stand C waiting for the bus, presumably because the GHA bus hadn't run. The bus was due at 14:02 and when it turned up it was dud Arriva NW&W single decker 2617. We decided to turn it down and do the next bus back to Crewe which was an #84 from Chester. A few minutes later the bus rolls in and it was required Arriva NW&W 4476.

Arriva NW&W 4476 in Nantwich bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus pulled out of the bus station just as dud Arriva NW&W 2613 came in which would work the next #84 back to Crewe. We went East along Beam Street and we turned right onto Millstone Lane and the left onto the A534. We ran out of Nantwich and we crossed the Peacock Roundabout carrying on Eastwards. We turned into Willaston along Coppice Road and at the end we turned left onto Wistaston Road. We rejoined the A534 and we ran a couple of miles into Crewe before we turned left into Edleston Road. We ran along the long straight road and we went over the Chester railway line onto Chester Bridge before the bus followed the road around onto Delamere Street. We turned right into the bus station and we let the bus empty out before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4476.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4476

We got off the bus and immediately we saw required Arriva NW&W 4491 on the #38 to Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Crewe bus station

We decided to do this bus, and Matthew wanted to do it to Congleton, so we got on and we flashed the Arriva Day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. This was the last required bus of the batch of three 'Sapphire' buses that work on the #38 service. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Delamere Street. We followed the road aroundto the right onto Chester Bridge and we crossed the railway line and onto Edleston Road. At the end of the long straight road we turned left onto the A534 and we ran past the railway station ans past B&Q. We traveled Eastwards along Crewe Road. We went through Haslington and Winterley and further North through Wheelock Heath. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock where we saw Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Crewe. We ran over the canal and into Sandbach town center past Sandbach School. When we got to the Common we stopped for a short while and we saw Arriva NW&W 2618 on a #37A to Sandbach. Around 15:10 we set off out of the Common onto Congleton Road. We joined the A534 and we crossed over the M6 and into open countryside. I had now got the phone to work downloading the Arriva mobile App and we worked out that we could go to Congleton and have around 10 minutes before returning on the next #38 towards Crewe (or wait another hour!). We carried on through open countryside and we crossed over the Arclid crossroads. On the edge of Congleton we joined the A34 and we ran East along the road for a short while before going onto West Street. We entered town along Antrobus Street, Mill Street and Mountbatten Way. We turned right into Market Street, past the Bear Grills cafe and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4491 before it carried on towards Macclesfield.

Arriva NW&W 4491 in Congleton bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet and I asked someone if there was a public toilet nearby. There was one just around the corner and then I remembered when we used to come to Congleton regularly we used it all the time! We used the toilet and the couple of minutes we were in there uncle Dave got slightly wet as it had started to rain. By the time we had both come out it had stopped raining! we started to walked down to stand 1 where the Arriva Bus App instructed u to go to, and on the way we saw GHA Enviro200 1407 on a #42 to Crewe.

GHA 1407 in Congleton bus station

We also saw GHA 'Beartown' branded 1471 on a #90 town circular service. As we walked down to stand 1 we saw the bus approaching of Mountbatten Way. It was another 'Sapphire' branded bus so we knew that it wouldn't be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4490.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Congleton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva day saver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. As we had passed the #38 just the other side of Sandbach, and we had also seen the #37A to Northwich which connect into the #38 in both directions, we decided to got to Sandbach to get the #37A north to the railway station, before coming back South on the following #37 to Crewe. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned left onto Mill Street and we climbed the hill, turning right onto West Street. At the roundabout we went straight onto the A34 and at the following junction we went straight ahead onto the A534. We went out of town through West Heath and then out into open countryside. We crossed the A50 at the Arclid crossroads and we passed a large lake. It was now bright sunshine as we crossed the M6, where we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach going North. On the west side of the m6 we left the A534 and turned right onto Congleton Road and we ran into Sandbach Common. As we were getting up the bus behind us emptied out so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4490.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4490

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4490 before it carried on towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Sandbach

As we had run around, had seen the bus that was going to be the #37A... It was dud Arriva NW&W 2608. It wasn't due off for another 10 minutes so we visited McColls to do a bit of shopping for Matthew. We brought a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a a pack of Milky Ways. We paid for the good and we walked down to our bus to get a picture, Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Sandbach

We sat down at the bus stop and Matthew ate cadbury's Snack, sharing some of it with me but not with uncle Dave for some reason. Whilst we were there we saw A&A minibuses transit YLZ 1348. A few minutes later the bus pulled on stand and we got on Arriva NW&W 2608. We flashed the Arriva day Saver ticket to the driver, and as the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2608.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2608

Sandbach railway station is a round a mile out of the town centre in the Elworth area. The bus set off out of the Common. We passed the town hall and we joined the A533 and we went West. A mile or so along the road just before the railway station, we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2608.

Arriva NW&W 2608 in Elworth

We crossed the road and we stood at the bus stop to wait for the next bus to Crewe. We were hoping that it was going to be required Arriva NW&W 4106, which we had seen on the #37 earlier in the day. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was another Centro single decker, there was only a 1 in 6 chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2614.

Arriva NW&W 2614 in Elworth

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A533 and we went into Sandbach town centre and around the Common. After a brief stop we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and Crewe Green and forwards onto the A534. We ran past the railway station and we turned right onto Edleston Road. We entered Crewe town centre and we followed the road around onto Delamere Street. When we got into the bus station we got off the bus and we had a quick walk around the few uses that were still in the bus station. On an adjacent stand we saw D&G 121.

D&G 121 in Crewe bus station

We headed back through the bus station and onto Victoria Street and into Adsa car park where mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. Matthew also had the bottle of Irn Bru from the bag which we had purchased earlier. We set off out off the car park and around town via Flag lane, Alton Street and Derrington Avenue. As we approached Edleston Road we saw an unidentified Burland Coach heading into town. We turned right onto Edleston Road and at the end we turned left onto the A534. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto the A532 past the Brocklebank pub. At the next roundabout we turned right onto David Whitby Way and across the roundabout and at the end we turned left onto the A500. We ran onto the single lane section of the road and then we crossed under the M6. As we traveled down we passed an unidentified silver Happy Als coach and an unidentified Waltons coach. At Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz tonight. In the first row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest minibus was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound tonight. Closest to the gate was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we ran up to heron Cross before turning left onto Blurton Road. We stopped in Blurton by the shops for a short while and then we continued along Blurton Road and then right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just before 18:00. For a late tea a had chicken, potatoes and carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Crewe / Chester 27-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1202	Crewe BS	Nantwich BS	39	GHA
H119 SAO	Nantwich BS	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	C84	Routemaster Buses
S644 KJU	Tarvin, o/s Londis Store	Chester BS	82	GHA
34810	Chester BS	Chester, opp Northgate Avenue	51	Stagecoach Merseyside
5000	Chester BS	Chester, after Newton Lane	X30	Arriva NW&W
5001	Chester, by Hamilton Street	Chester BS	21	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Crewe. With GHA starting a #84 service on Monday, we decided to go to Crewe to check it out. Research consisted of checking the weather (which was for cool cloudy weather with sunny intervals) and going on the GHA website to download the timetable and check bus times. We gave Matthew a choice of destination from the North West to visit, but Matthew picked Crewe from the list. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we passed the Britannia stadium where there was already activity ahead of todays clash against Aston Villa. We went West onto the A50 and then North onto the A500. As we joined the A500 we saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus YX53 CYZ. As we continued North we saw Tyrers YN65 AXR, City Centre Central SA08 ONW, SS Travel PN57 CUY & SO Coaches T431 KLE. The A500 was blocked West of the M6 so we had to divert around. We went North up the A5078 and we turned left to go towards Barthomley. We went West along a road designated R70 and we went through the villages of Englesea Brook & Weston. We turned right onto Main Road and we joined the old route to Crewe opposite to Crewe Hall. We turned left and we ran up to the A534 where we turned right towards the railway station. Outside Crewe station was Eavesway YJ14 BYG & silver taxi minibus EK60 KMG. We ran along the A534 before turning right onto Edleston Road. As we travelled up into Crewe town centre, we saw a number of buses. Coming the other way we Routemaster Buses H116 SAO on a C84 to Chester, Arriva NW&W 4104 on a #37 to Winsford, D&G 130 on a #85 to Newcastle, Arriva NW&W 2623 on a #84 and First Potteries 66305 on a #3 to Hanley. We went past and around the bus station and we parked up in Asda. For dinner we visited Vernon's Fish Bar. After visiting the toilet, Matthew had sausage chips and beans with a round of bread and butter and a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating, we said goodbye to mum and we walked over to the bus station. On the way in we saw D&G 154 which had developed a fault whilst working a #12 service.

D&G 154 in Crewe bus station

When we got in the bus station we had around 5 minutes before the 13:03 GHA #84 to Chester was due. The plan was to do this as far as Tarvin before doing a #82 forwards to Chester. Whilst there we had a look around to see what was in service in Crewe today. Parked up in the bus station, presumably for driver comfort breaks was GHA Mercedes minibus OEZ 2159.

GHA OEZ 2159 in Crewe bus station

Formerly 1421 in the Wardle Transport welfare fleet, this is one of the few buses in the fleet that Matthew hadn't been on around the time of the sale to Stanton's of Stoke. Also parked up on layover was Routemaster Buses East Lancs bodied Dart PL05 PLO.

Routemaster Buses PL05 PLO in Crewe bus station

We also saw Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD, which was about to work their 13:00 C84 service.

Routemaster Buses YJ07 JWD in Crewe bus station

There was a bit of activity around the hour... Required Arriva NW&W 894 was on a #6 service, required Arriva NW&W 2615 was on a #31A and required Routemaster Buses PL05 PLN was about to work a #9 service.

Routemaster Buses PL05 PLN in Crewe bus station

13:03 came and went and the GHA #84 bus come in. We had noticed the Routemaster Buses 12:00 C84 was running a little late, so we thought it might have been caught in traffic. Across the other end of the bus station we saw required GHA 1202 come in, which was going to work the 13:25 #39 departure to Nantwich.

GHA 1202 in Crewe bus station

The driver had a quick comfort break and then returned to the bus. When the driver got the bus ready for service we boarded the bus and we booked GHA day tickets at £5 each. Matthew honked the horn before he sat down... :( At 13:25 the bu set off out of the bus station and we headed up to the A534 via Delamere Street, Chester Bridge, High Street and Mill Street. After turning left we turned right onto Gresty Road and we were followed by a maroon Gordon's coach. We past the Alexandria Stadium and we went through the housing estate to the North of the Crewe Shrewsbury railway line. We crossed over the railway line on Rope Lane and we turned left onto Gresty Lane. After going eastwards for a while we crossed the A500 and we travelled through Basford before crossing over the West Coast main line. We passed through the villages of Weston, Hough and Shavington before coming into Wybunbury from the North. We traveled down to Walgherton and we joined the A51. We then headed North up the A51. we came into town along the B5074 and we crossed over the Crewe Shrewsbury line for a third time before going around the town centre to the East and into the bus station along Beam Street. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside GHA 1202 before we got off.

Inside GHA 1202

Having taken a very circuitous route from Crewe to Nantwich, the next bus towards Chester was due soon. The Routemaster Buses bus was due at 14:24 and the GHA bus was due at 14:27. Mum had now committed to pick us up from Chester, so we decided to catch the next bus going towards Chester whichever one turned up first. In the meanwhile we had a few minutes to take bus pictures. On layover in the bus station was GHA Solo YJ59 GHB.

GHA YJ59 GHB in Nantwich bus station

We walked over to stand E to wait for the bus and as we got there Routemaster Buses Olympian H119 SAO came into the bus station into the wrong stand!

Routemaster Buses H119 SAO in Nantwich bus station

We walked over to the bus and a few passengers came off the bus. We got on the bus and we found out why the bus came into the wrong side. It was because there was a diversion around town and we had to turn right out of the bus station which isn't possible from stand E. We booked to Tarvin and whilst we were sorting the tickets Matthew took a picture of the empty lower saloon.

Inside Routemaster Buses H119 SAO

After we got the tickets we went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the upper saloon too.

Inside Routemaster Buses H119 SAO

We set off out of the bus station onto Beam Street and then we turned left onto Barony Road. We passed silver minibus FN13 EWF. We joined the A51 and we passed Routemaster Buses X616 JCS on the #56A service. We continued West along the A51 and we passed Snugbury's Ice cream and through Wardle. Further West we passed required Routemaster Buses G706 TCD on a Crewe bound C84 service. We joined the A49 and we then we went through Tarporley where we saw Arriva NW&W 4216 on a Crewe bound #84 service. we left Tarporley and we got back onto the A51. We ran around another 5 miles along the A51 before turning off to go into Tarvin village. We went up Tarporley Road and we turned into High Street. When the bus got to Londis we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Routemaster Buses H119 SAO before it carried on towards Chester.

Routemaster Buses H119 SAO in Tarvin

Once off the bus we headed to the Co-operative Food store just off the High Street. In the shop Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of Milky Way twin bars and a pack of Curly Wurlies. Once we finished shopping we paid for the goods and we headed back to the stop where we got off. Going the other way we saw GHA Centro CN57 EFD going towards Northwich on a #82 service. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew share one of his Milky Way twin bars with me and uncle Dave. A few minutes later we saw the Chester bound #82 round the corner on the High Street. As it got closer we saw that it was dud GHA Northern Counties bodied Volvo S644 KJU.

GHA S644 KJU in Tarvin

We got on the bus and we flashed the GHA day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The bus set of down the High Street and we joined onto the Westbound A54. A few hundred yards down the road we joined the A51. We climbed the hill through Littleton and to the M53 where we passed another GHA 57 reg Centro on the #82 to Northwich. We crossed the A41 and we ran into the East end of Chester through Vicars Cross. At thr bottom of foregate Street as we joined the ring road we saw Gold coloured Stagecoach Merseyside 47515 on a #7 service. We went around the northern end of town and we came into the bus station down Northgate and under the City Wall. We turned by the theatre which is in the middle of a major refurbishment and into the bus station. When we got off the bus we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 on a #1 to Blacon.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Chester bus station

As we walked down to our usual perch we saw required Arriva NW&W 2649, which has been refurbished up to Sapphire Bus standard on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 2649 in Chester bus station

Matthew went to the toilet under the market by the car park, which has now been fixed albeit the sink is still not working. We then perched in our usual spot to watch the buses go by. Whilst there we saw a couple of lorries coming and going in relation to the theatre refurbishment. The first one we saw was leaving with a large section of We saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21273 on a #31 Sealand Road park and ride service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21273 in Chester bus station

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

Stagecoach Merseyside 27258 in Chester bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Arriva NW&W 5002 on a #21 to Runcorn Hospital.

Arriva NW&W 5002 in Chester bus station

The gold coloured 'Investors in People' bus also made an appearance. Required Arriva NW&W 3047 was on the #2 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in Chester bus station

When then next #82 was due we went over to the stops. Whilst we were waiting we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 34810 on a #51 to Plas Newton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34810 in Chester bus station

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 again, this time on a #1A to Blacon.

Stagecoach Merseyside 21258 in Chester bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to go and say hello to someone on the Plas Newton bus. When we got on after saying hello he decided he going to do the bus. Required GHA double decker W469 BCW came into the bus station and Matthew still refused to get off the bus! We let uncle Dave know we were going and we booked to the back of the bus depot. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went down to the ring road and we turned right. We crossed the Liverpool Road and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Merseyside 34810.

Inside Stagecoach Merseyside 34810

We turned left onto Victoria Road and we got up and got off the bus. We set off back to the bus station on foot. We walked back onto the ring road and we went under the roundabout onto Northgate Street. On the way back to the bus station we saw required Arriva NW&W 5000 on the X30 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 5000 in Chester

After we went under the City Wall Matthew went to say hello to someone in a cafe before we carried on past the theatre and into the bus station. We got within about 20 yards of uncle Dave and Matthew decided to jump on another bus! We booked to Hoole Road and we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and Matthew waved at uncle Dave as we went past him. We went down to the ring road and we went around to the A56. As we passed the railway station we were along side JAK Travel YN05 VTE. We went over the railway line and we continued North for a short while and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5000 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 5000 in Chester

We saw a coach up the road and we went up to see it. It was a French coach Maury AP 784 TS. We crossed the road and we looked at the timetable on the bus stop. There was a bus to Chester due in a couple of minutes. I thought it would be better to catch a bus back even though it would coast more money, as we might stand a better chance of getting back to uncle Dave without Matthew jumping on another bus. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 5001.

Arriva NW&W 5001 in Chester

We got on the bus and we booked to Chester before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the A56 and we crossed the railway line and went past the railway station. After going around the ring road anti-clockwise we entered the city down Northgate and we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 5001.

Inside Arriva NW&W 5001

Once off the bus we met up with uncle Dave again and went over to the toilet. After using the facilities Matthew went to the gent to wash his hands. We then went back to our usual spot to take a few pictures. We saw a white coach enter the bus station. It was Arrowebrook P209 RWR.

Arrowebrook P209 RWR in Chester bus station

We considered doing the 17:20 #82 towards Tarvin. We went over to check it out and it was required GHA Solo YM52 TPX. Matthew didn't fancy doing it for some reason. We went back to the spot and we watched it depart.

GHA YM52 TPX in Chester bus station

A few minutes later Matthew jumped up and dragged us over to the other side of the bus station. Required Routemaster Buses Leyland Olympian G706 TCD had returned from Crewe on the C84 service.

Routemaster Buses G706 TCD in Chester bus station

We did consider doing this bus, and if we had done W469 over to Tarvin, we would have almost certainly come back on this bus. Mum arrived from Ellesmere Port and we decided to call it a day. We went back to the via the shopping centre. Mum hadn't been able to get Greggs from Ellesmere Port as it had closed early. The Greggs in Chester appeared to have shut too. We decided to go back to the car and get some chips on the way home instead. Matthew had a small bottle of Irn Bru. We left the car park and we went around the ring road to the A56. We went North for a round 1/2 mile and we cut through the housing estate to the Kingsway Shopping Centre where we knew there was a chip shop. Mum brought a couple of portions of chips between us to keep us going until we got home and cooked tea. We went back to the A56 and then we joined the Northbound M53. We went up one junction and then we joined the Eastbound M56. It was now dark as we went through Cheshire. We continued over to Lymm and we joined the Southbound M6. We rolled through the roadworks on the M6 and then we came off at junction 16. The westbound A500 was shut and I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the accident earlier. As we went Southdown the A500 we caught up with First Potteries 66838 running out of service. At sideway we went east up the A50 to Longton. We came off the A50 and we went to Z carz to see what was parked up there tonight. There wasn't much on the spare ground this evening. At the front was Z Carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

Towards the back of the site was Z Carz maroon Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. has it been often recently the compound was packed with minibuses, the closest to the gate being Z Carz minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We left the A50 and went through Blurton along Blurton Road. We carried on forwards to Church Road and then we turned right onto Beaconsfield Road. As we travelled along we passed First Potteries 67601 on the final Longton bound #22 of the day. We got home shortly after 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a Caramac Breakaway. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark