Trip to Mold / Chester 12-05-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2662	Saltney, Sandy Lane	Mold BS	4	Arriva NW&W
CN04 NLL	Mold BS	Flint, Opp The Ship	28X	Townlynx
4637	Flint, Adj The Ship	Queensferry, Station Road	10A	Arriva NW&W
4480	Queensferry, Solar Services	Broughton, adj Glynne Arms	11	Arriva NW&W
3141	Brougton, adj Glynne Arms	Chester, Railway Station	4	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit the Chester area. Since Arriva pulled out of the Chester to Liverpool service, as we usually travel down from Ellesmere Port we have be doing Stagecoach buses in the area recently. We formulated a plan to ride on Arriva buses by start at Saltney. We show this to Matthew on the map and he agreed to the plan. As we were starting in Wales we would also try to go further into Wales in this direction than we had previously travelled. Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather which was forecast for cool, dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we set off onto the A5035 and we passed Scraggs coach S50 EXE heading towards Longton. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we joined the Westbound SA50. At Sideway we joined the Northbound A500. The road were quiet today and we made good time up to the M6. We joined the motorway at Junction 19 and we ran Northwrds through the roadworks section. As we travelled up the M6 we saw Park's of Hamilton LSK 808(#570) & Kier WR17 JFU. We left the M6 at Junction 20 and we went Westwards along the M56. The M56 was a little busier than the M6 but it was still moving well. On the M56 we passed an unidentified Goodsir coach. We joined the Southbound M53 and we ran around the WEst side of Chester. The M53 became the A55 and after a couple of junctions we jeft the A55 and we headed towards Chester from the South side up the A483. On the A483 we saw Scraggs 1 HVT. We got to the roundabout at Hanbridge and we veered to the left onto the A5104. We ran through Lache out of England and into Wales and we stoipped at Morrisons where we planned to park and have dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went to the cafe. He had a large breakfast washed down with a cup of Coke followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. Once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked out onto the A5104. We saw yellow minibus T49 LCA in an adjacent yard. We crossed over the road and we waited at a stop on the Westbound side of the road for a bus towards Mold. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2662 on a #4 to Mold.

Arriva NW&W 2662 in Saltney

We got on the bus and we booked a Arriva Welsh Area Group Day ticket at £15 for the 3 of us. We sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5104 and we turned left into the Broughton Shopping Park. After a brief stop we contined along A5104. We turned right onto the B5125, and we turned right onto Manor Lane. We turned right ointo the industrial estate and we turned around at the roundabout. We stopped outside the garage for a driver change and we saw a couple of driver trainers and a couple of open topped buses. We returned onto Manor Lane and we turned right onto the B5125. We ran through Hawarden and up to Ewloe and we turned left onto Wood Lane. We ran Southwards under the A55 and into Drury. We turned right Drury Lane and then left onto Church Road. At the end of Church Road we turned right onto the A549. We ran into Buckley and we turned left onto Mill Lane. We turned right into Mold Road and we re-joined the A549. At Prenrigog we turned right omnto Park Ave and we ran through the estate and we turned right onto Llewelyn Drive. At the end we turned left onto Bryn Road. We turned right onto Chambers Lane and under the A494. We ran up to New Brighton and we turned left onto the A5119. We ran the last mile or so into town and we went forwards onto the B5444. We turned left and we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2662.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2662

When we got off the bus there were a couple of other buses in the bus station. In front of us was Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 on a #5 to Ellesmere Port.

Stagecoach Merseyside 34812 in Mold bus station

We also saw Townlynx CN04 NLL on layover.

Townlynx CN04 NLL in Mold bus station

We crossed over to the other side of the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. As it was quiet we decided to go and find a shop. we walked around the corner onto A 5119 and we turned right onto a pedestrianised street with market stalls on. We walked up about 100 yards and we found a McColls on the left hand side. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru, as well as a couple of bars of chocolate. We continued up the High Street and we turned right into the B5444. We came into the bus station from the north and we decided to stop for a short while to take a few pictures. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 2620 on a X4 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 2620 in Mold bus station

Matthew didn't want to do this, he was interested in doing P&O LLoyd YJ12 PML on the #14 to Denbigh. We couldn't really do this bus as it wasn't due off for quite a while and it was also going in the wrong direction. We decided to look for something else to catch. We saw required P & O Lloyd YJ60 KFY which going to work the #8 to Sealand Manor.

P & O Lloyd YJ60 KFY in Mold bus station

That was a bus that we could of done but wasn't due off until 16:00! A few minutes later we saw required Townlynx Y72 YSO on a #28 to Wrexham.

Townlynx Y72 YSO in Mold bus station

A few minutes later we saw required Townlynx DK04 NNB which was going to do the #6A to Pantymwyn.

Townlynx DK04 NNB in Mold bus station

That was another bus that we couldn't do due to going in the wrong direction. There was a prmosing bus to Holywell which was due at 15:35. Across he way we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47624 on a #63 to Higher Kinnerton.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47624 in Mold bus station

A few minutes later we saw M&H Coaches BU53 DJS on a #2 to Ruthin.

M&H Coaches BU53 DJS in Mold bus station

As few mnutes later we realised that the Dart that had been on layover all the time we had been in Mold was going to work the #28X to Holywell. When the bus pulled up onstand we decided to do this bus. We booked to Holywell which cost b£2.60 each for a single. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station onto the Northbound A5119. We followed the road to the left and at the roundabout we turned right onto the A5119. We then had a good fast run up towards Flint. We passed through Sychdyn and Northop and under the A55. As we gort closer to Flint we passed Townlynx YX17 NZA on a #28X to Mold. We passed through Flint Mountain and we ran into town. We turned right into Chappel Street and we followed the road around onto Duke Street. We turned left onto the A548 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of Townlynx CN04 NLL as it carried on towards Holywell.

Townlynx CN04 NLL in Flint

We crossed over the road and we checked the timetable. There was a bus due in 5 minutes and it was a #11 to Chester. THere was a #10A due 5 minutes after that. Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet so he took me into the adjacent pub. Matthew used the toilet and then had a bottle of Coke. We missed the #11 bus whilst we were in the pub and we came out to wait for the #10A. A minute or so later we saw the bus approaching in the distance. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4637 on a #10A to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4637 in Flint

We got on the bus and we flashed the Group Day Saver ticket to the driver. The lower salonnwas empty som Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4637 before we went upstairs and sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4637

The bus set off along the A548 and we travelled Eastwards out of Flint town centre. We passed through Oakenholt and we came off the A548 onto the B5129. We continued into Connah's Quay and through Wepre. We passed under the railway at Shotton and we continued to Quensferry. We turned left into Station Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4637 as it carried on towards Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4637 in Queensferry

Once off the bus we crossed over station Road andwe used the cash machine. We set off towards the stop by the A494 so we could catch the following #11 towards Chester. On the way we saw P & O Lloyd YJ56 ATK on the Shuttle 1 service to Garden City.

P & O Lloyd YJ56 ATK in Queensferry

We walked to the bus stop and we saw that we had a round 15 minutes to wait. Matthew had a Flake whilst we waited for the bus to appear. The time passed quickly and eventually we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 4480 on a #11 to Chester.

Arriva NW&W 4480 in Queensferry

We got on the bus and we flashed the Group day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down upstairs. We set off Southwards down the A550 and we passed under the A494. We ran up the hill into Hawarden and we turned left onto the B5125. We ran Eastwards towards BroughtonWe joined the A5104 and we entered the Bfrought Shopping Park. We seemed to stop for a couple of minutes and whilst we were stopped we saw Arriva NW&W 4488 on a #11 to Holywell.

Arriva NW&W 4488 in Broughton

I had already check that the #4 was running right behind us. As we aited to depart it pulled up on the stand behind us. We set off first (thankfully!) and we left Brough Shopping Park onto the Eastbound A5104. We got up and got off the bus and we just had time to take a quick picture before we flagged down the following bus. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 3141 on a #4 to Chester Railway Station. We got on the bus and we flashed the Group Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A5104 and we passed through Salntey and into Lache. We entered Enngland and Chester and at the big roundabout we turned left onto Grosvenor Road. We crossed over the river Dee and we saw that there was a large fairground in town where there are often coaches parked up. We ran forwards onto the ring road and we went past the Roman Amphitheatre. We turned left onto Love Street and right onto Foregate where we saw Arriva 2646 on a #82 to Northwich. We went around The Bars and we ran down City Road to the railway station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3141.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3141

In front of us was required Arriva NW&W 1004 on a #1 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 1004 in Chester

We continued down City Road and we crossed over Station Road where we saw Helns 128 on a the City Rail Link bus service.

Helms 128 in Chester

We also saw Stagecoach Merseyside 17470 on the Chester City Sightseeing Tour service.

Stagecoach Merseyside 17470 in Chester

Also by the railway station was Stagecoach Merseyside 47513 on a #5 to Huntington.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47513 in Chester

We went into the railway station and Matthew used the toilet. Mum was still traveling down from Ellesmrer Port, so we decided to visit the shop on the corner of Brook Street. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a cpuple of the small bottles. We watched buses going past for a short while and we watched a train depart towards North Wales. Mum appeared and we got in the car. matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Coke. We set off onto Station Road and we followed the road around onto Brook Street. At the lights we turned sharp right onto the Northbound A56. We left town and we joined the Northbound M53. At the next junction we went Eastwards on the M56. Travelling back along the M56 we saw an unidentified R&J Travel midicoach, Selwyns SEL 853 and an unidentified AR Travel minibus. We came off the M56 at Junction 9 and we joined the Southbound M6. As we travelled Southwards down the M6 we saw AK private hire K19 AKP, an unidentified Furlongs midicoach, an unidentified Hean Travel coach, Selwyns YN11 AYC, 2 x unidentified Ava Coaches, an unidentified Swans Coaches coach, an unidentified Sole Coaches coach & YY17 GPV(came off the M6 and went towards Crewe). We joined the Southbound A500 and we had to stop at the parking area North of the A527 and Matthew was despearte for the toilet. Seen on the A500 was silver minibus SJ59 OTZ, Amans Coaches YD17 WXU & Lucky Seven SV12 VKD. At Sideway We went Eastwards along the A50 We came off the A50 at Longton where we saw Lightning Travel BX04 VKL going towards Heron Cross. We stoped At Z Carz to see what was parked up in the depot. In Willow Row we saw Z Carz PE10 MJK in the comnpound.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz Ford minibus DC12 KNG in the corner of the new yard. 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 bangers and mash with carrots followed by a millionaire's shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.

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