Trip to Birkenhead 31-05-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
706	Birkenhead BS	Houghton Road	216	Ace Travel
701	Houghton Road	Birkenhead BS	217	Ace Travel
4416	Birkenhead BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	411	Arriva North West & Wales
3011	King's Parade, New Brighton	Birkenhead BS	410	Arriva North West & Wales

Today we went to Birkenhead to try and travel on a couple of Ace travel buses. Matthew had seen these in Birkenhead bus station and he had expressed a wish to travel on them. So we printed up a couple of relevant timetables and headed off! We arrived around dinner time and then had dinner somewhere as per usual. mum went off shopping and we headed to the bus station. the #216/217 services are circular which run in opposite directions. The first to turn up was Ace travel 706 on the #216 service. Matthew got a picture and then we boarded the bus.


Ace travel 706 in Birkenhead bus station (Matthew)

We worked out we could go to Houghton Road for a short wait and then we could catch the #217 back to Birkenhead in the opposite direction. When we got off the bus we thought we might have miscalculated and so we ran onto Arrowe park road. whilst we were there we spotted Pulsar 3010.


Arriva North West & Wales 3010 near Arrow Park Hospital (Matthew)

having figured out where we went wrong we walked back to Houghton Road and waited for the return bus. After a short wait Ace travel Solo 701 went up Houghton Road before turning around at which point we got on the bus.


Ace travel 701 in Houghton Road, Woodchurch. (Matthew)

We did the bus back to Birkenhead at which point we decided to do a trip out to New Brighton and back. the bus out was Enviro 400 4416 which Matthew was able to get a picture of at New Brighton.


4416 in King's Parade New Brighton after arriving from Birkenhead (Matthew)

After a short wait we did out first Pulsar 3011 which we did back to Birkenhead bus station


3011 in King's Parade, New Brighton (Matthew)

back at birkenhead, Matthew got a few more picture including 61142 in Birkenhead bus station.


61142 in Birkenhead bus station (Matthew)

We then met up with mum and returned home to Stoke...Mark

Trip to the POPS rally 09-05-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
JBF 169N	Wedgwood	Stone, Crown Street	10	Ex Turner's
A506 FSS	Stone, Crown Street	Wedgwood	10	Ex Glovers
C221 WAJ	Wedgwood	Stone, Crown Street	10	Stanways
H801 GRE	Stone, Crown Street	Wedgwood	10	Ex First PMT

It's the main local bus rally of the year, so it stands to reason Matthew wants to be here. After a quick car journey to the site, we proceed to look at the program to see which buses he wants to catch, and work out how we can fit them in. A quick look at the program reveals the Glovers Dennis Lancet was leaving for Stone at 13:00. We do the stalls, and then sit and have dinner on a grass bank were Matthew could photograph the buses as they did the shuttle services.


Beresford's bus at Wedgwood (Matthew)

We went down to the bus stops at around 12:40, but Matthew was getting restless with regard to going on the next bus (PMT 801 due off at 14:00). As a filler, we did Turner's 10 to Stone, and waited for the Glovers bus on it's return.


Turners bus 10 (JBF 169N) leaves Stone for Wedgwood. (Matthew)


After a short lay-over at stone, the Glovers Lancet appeared and we did this back to Wedgwood.


Glover Dennis Lancet A506 FSS at Stone (Matthew)

When we returned to Wedgwood, it was looking like PMT 801 would not start! Due off at the same time was a bus provided by Reliance Bus Works. This was a Dennis Dominator (C221 WAJ). We boarded this bus as we need to distract Matthew so he didn't get too upset. As we sat on the top deck awaiting time to leave, it appeared they had started 801. Since we were now settled on the double decker, the plan was to get off at stone and swap onto 801 for the return. We got off at stone and let the double decker go.


C221 WAJ at Stone (Matthew).

The next bus that turned up was a half cab single decker which we contemplated catching due to 801's non appearance. Just as we were about to give up, 801 appeared much to everybodies relief! Also on board was Matthews favourite DVD producer Dave Spencer of PMP videos fame.


First PMT 801 (H801GRE) at Stone (Matthew)

So Matthew had a short ride on 801 back to Wedgwood. After this there was just time for him to buy £22.50's worth of photographs before returning to the car...

Also of note which I guess he will want to catch next time is this Ex Northern Ireland Leyland Tiger


NXI 4619 at Wedgwood (Matthew).


Mark

Trip to Newcastle-under-Lyme 05-05-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65036	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
66850	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	29	First Potteries

Matthew was taken out today by two workers from his potential new respite place. They took him for a teatime visit to the respite house, and then on 2 bus journey's. Matthew told me which buses he travelled on and which places he had them between by typing them into the Google search box, and I worked out which services they must have been on. Had we know he was going out on the bus he would have had his camera with him! It' seems like a good start at this new place...fingers crossed for the future...

Mark

Trip to Birkenhead 03-05-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2460	Birkenhead BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	410	Arriva North West & Wales
2460	King's Parade, New Brighton	Birkenhead BS	410	Arriva North West & Wales
2461	Birkenhead BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	410	Arriva North West & Wales
4412	King's Parade, New Brighton	Woodside BS	411	Arriva North West & Wales
4412	Woodside BS‎	Birkenhead BS	411	Arriva North West & Wales

A bank holiday Monday trip... Didn't know quite what to expect today with it being a Sunday service, so we thought we would play thing by ear. When we got to Birkenhead, first order of the day was to find somewhere to get something to eat! The usual burger van in the corner of the market was closed, as was the rest of the market. Just around the corner we found a cafe that was open called Platters. We all ate here, it wasn't to bad... Next on to the bus station. Whilst mum went shopping, we stood with Matthew whilst he took some pictures.


First PMT 60172 in Birkenhead bus station. (Matthew)



Avon 107 approaches Birkenhead bus station. (Matthew)

We also had a look to see what was working. There only seemed to be 3 different types of Arriva bus out today. Enviro Trdent 2 double deckers,VDL's and Goldfish bowls. So we decide to ride on the older buses. We worked out that an easy out and back trip would be to catch the 410 to New Brighton. Sure enough 2460 appeared on the next New Brighton service, so we purchased our day rovers and off we went...


2460 approached birkenhead bus station (Matthew)

The bus was surprisingly full for a bank holiday, fuller than buses we are used to catching anyway. We made our way to the back of the bus, it was hot and crowded indeed....


2460 in New Brighton (Matthew)

On arrival we asked Matthew which bus he wanted to catch back. He opted to get straight back on 2460 back to Birkenhead. The was another child on the bus who appeared to be autistic with his mother on this bus. She asked us if Matthew went to the same school as her son and we explained that we were not from round here. Matthew and the boy seem to make an instant connection as if they knew of each other shared interest in transport! at Birkenhead bus station we said our goodbye's and went our separate ways...
We had already decided that we would go back to New Brighton on the next service. Whilst waiting we also noticed service 411 New Brighton went past the bus station in one direction and appeared back 10 minutes later. We surmised correctly that bus was going to the Woodhead ferry terminal. Next bus to New Brighton in was 2461. So once again we got on, and once again it was crowded!


2461 in New Brighton (Matthew)

This time we persuaded Matthew not to get straight back on the bus. I looked up the move on the 411, taking in Woodhead bus station for the first time. After Matthew gave us the run around in the nearby park / tennis courts, we caught back a double decker 4412.


4412 heads a Liverpool bound bus in New Brighton (Matthew)

4412 took us down the East coast of the Wirral, via Seacombe and then into Woodhead bus terminal. We didn't get up very quickly, and the bus didn't stop...So we decided to go back to the main bus station! When we got back in we retired back to the car to a waiting supply of sausage rolls...


Mark

Trip to Birkenhead 13-02-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1330	Birkenhead BS	Second Ave, Fender way	492	Arriva North West & Wales
2114	Second Ave, Fender way	Birkenhead, Borough Rd/The Pyramids (E-bound)	495	Arriva North West & Wales
2285	Birkenhead BS	Bidston, Hoylake Rd, opp Mercer Rd‎	495	Arriva North West & Wales
1330	Bidston, Hoylake Rd, opp Callis St‎	Birkenhead, Borough Rd/The Pyramids (E-bound)	492	Arriva North West & Wales

Matthew had been given a choices of destinations for the first Saturday of half term. Matthew had this time chosen Birkenhead. Having had a couple of days notice, I decide to do some research into which buses we should catch. Since the disappearance of First PMT's step entrance darts in this area, Matthew has been catching Arriva North West & Wales buses. I had previous seen this site by Mark Haldon, so I decided to take a look at which bus services would be best to catch, in order for Matthew to sample more step-entranced goodness. Services #409,#411,#418 & #419 could be step-entranced buses, as well as last time we noticed a step-entranced bus on the #492/495 services. So timetables downloaded from the Merseytravel website, we set off to Birkenhead.

We set off at around 11:30, and the weather was sunny but chilly (5' C). We gave Matthew a choice of having something to eat from the Grace Arms in Ellesmere Port or the burger van in Birkenhead Market. Matthew chose the burger van! We think this was down to Matthew associating eating at the Grace Arms with trips to Chester, and because the burger van and seats at Birkenhead Market overlook the West exit of the bus station.

We arrived at Birkenhead just before 13:00, and whilst Matthew dragged me off to the toilet, mum ordered food for all of us. Mum chose Matthew sausage, egg and chips with a bap (batch as they called it here) and a bottle of pop, a sausage batch for uncle Dave, and bacon and mushroom batches with a cup of tea for me and herself. As she handed the pop over to Matthew, he decided to drag it over the top of my cup of tea knocking it over my lap! I spent most of the afternoon with a dark wet patch on my right leg from knee to groin...

After dinner, mum went shopping whilst the rest of us stood at the eastern entrance of the bus station whilst we decide on what bus to catch. First step-entranced bus to come into the bus station was 1330 on the #492. A very quick consult of the timetable, and we decide to to the anticlockwise circular bus to Fender way. With the bus running about 5 late, we calculated we should have around a 5 minute wait at the southern end of fender way. We got off adjacent to Second Avenue and awaited the return service.



1330 on Fender way (Matthew)

After about a 5 minutes wait 2114 turned up on the #495, which we did to the stop outside the Glades shopping arcade. The bus tends to wait here for 5 minute until time for the next circuit, so we get off here to take the picture and walk up to the bus station.



2114 on Fender way (Matthew)



Inside 2114 (matthew)

At the bus station Matthew took a few photographs whilst we waited for the next step to turn up, the best of which was probably Eazibus Optare Solo MX56 AAJ




Eazibus MX56 AAJ 213 to Arrowe park (Matthew)

Whilst having dinner, I thought I had noticed a step on the #409. I work out that then next #409 was at 15:00, so about 14:55 we walked down to stand #10 to catch this bus. Whilst in the queue, I started to search for my North West day rover, and Matthews travel card. I searched everywhere in the bag and in my pockets and could not find neither pass nor ticket! After the bus had departed I found them mixed in with all the other old tickets in the wrong compartment. Note to self....EMPTY THE BAG!!!

Whilst we regrouped to work out the next move Matthew photographed a double decker through the window of the glass sausage...



3302 in the glass sausage bus station (Matthew)

We noticed that the next #495 was due off at 15:12 so we went back to stand #2 to catch this. Arriva North West and Wales 2285 promptly turned up on this service so we got on it. We worked we could do this to Holylake Road for the #495 back.



Inside 2285 (Matthew)

Whilst on this bus we passed 2439 on the other #492 bus (displaying 492 Beechwood), meaning that the bus back would be 1330. At least we got to ride on another step entranced bus albeit the same one we had earlier. We got off on Holylake Road near the American car wash and crossed the road. As predicted 1330 turned up on the #492



1330 in Hoylake Road (Matthew)

After we got off outside the Glades shopping centre, Matthew took a couple more pictures of this beast..



1330 Outside the Glades Shopping Centre (Matthew)



1330 Outside the Glades Shopping Centre (Matthew)

We walked back up to the bus station, met with mum and went back to the car for sausage rolls...

(Mark)

Trip the Shrewsbury 23-01-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2705	Harlescott Park & Ride	Castle St, Shrewsbury	Orange	Arriva Midlands
6008	Shrewsbury BS	Radbrook, Crowmeole Lane Jct (opp)	20	Arriva Midlands
6002	Radbrook, Radbrook College (opp)	Shrewsbury BS	12	Arriva Midlands
2723	Shrewsbury BS	Whitchurch Road, Rosedale Jct (opp)	24	Arriva Midlands

Matthew had indicated in the week that he wanted to go to Shrewsbury. Mum had been to college on the Thursday to see Matthew using an iPod Touch and software as a communication aid. When asked where Matthew would like to go, he typed "pub" into the iPod. Mum said he go go the a pub on saturday, and he typed "Sat town". Mum reeled off a list of some of the places he usually goes to and when mum said "Shrewsbury", Matthew repeated it back to her. Having made that decision on Thursday, I did some research on buses and times and also to see if Shrewsbury Town were playing at home. Shrewsbury were at home to Dagenham & Redridge, so I knew there would be few extra buses around on the Prostar Stadium park & ride services. Setting off a fraction before 12:00, first stop was to be a pub in order for us all to have lunch. We choose the Elephant and castle pub in Shawbury, just a few Miles north of Shrewsbury.



Elephant & castle (Matthew)

We all chose Breakfast, except Uncle Dave who had a sausage sandwich. The meals were around £5 and were OK. Unusually, Matthew did not photograph his meal or the sink in the toilets! After we had finished, we made the short trip to the Harlescott park and ride car park. Immediately as we got there, there were 2 buses on the Prostar park and ride service. They were Tanat Valley double decker 510, and coach E131 PLJ



Tanat valley 510 (Matthew)

Shortly after this, weed travelled on the park and ride for the first time. Arriva Midlands 2705 was the bus that we caught and, it was painted in the blue Park & ride livery. When we reached Shrewsbury, we discovered that this bus did not go into the bus station, so we alighted and castle street and walk through an alleyway and down some steps to the bus station. The alleyway passes behind the back of the bus parking area, and you can photograph buses quite well of this raised area. Eventually, when in the bus station we spent half an hour just looking at and photographing buses, the best of which was Tanat Valley 509, another double decker on a Prostar Stadium park & Ride.



Tanat valley 509 (Matthew)

Mum was getting bored and wanted to go to do some shopping so we decide to go on a quick out and back bus journey. Bus timetables consulted, we decided to do a #20 to Radbrook College for a #12 back. 6008 turned up on the #20 and we did this to the stop after Radbrook college.



Arriva Midlands 6008 pulls away from Radbrook, Crowmeole Lane Jct (opp) stop (Matthew)

Now, we were using the tiny little maps that are provided on Arriva timetables, which are really useful to see which services travel along which roads. What we did not anticipate is the scale of the map! We crossed the road, and waited at the bus stop, only to see the #12 appear from the next street closer to Shrewsbury...Drat! As we walked back up the hill towards the next stop, the #20 that we had caught out of Shrewsbury passed us on it's return...Double drat! There ensued a best part of 30 minutes wait for the next #12...Still, whilst we were waiting, we did see a coach and saw a Minsterley motors services which we may be able to catch next time we visit Shrewsbury...Eventually 6002 arrived on the #12.




Arriva Midlands 6002 arrives at Radbrook, Radbrook College (opp) stop (Matthew)

Eventually, we get back to Shrewsbury bus station and we passed the reason why that traffic around town has been so bad today. On 3rd January, there had been a gas explosion that I remember seeing on the local news. The demolition work being carried out because of this meant that all southbound traffic towards the Welsh Bridge had been diverted around town. When we got back in the bus station we told Matthew he could catch 1 more bus in the direction of Harlescott. he spent a further 20 minutes taking bus photos, the best of which were Tanat Valley 230 and Arriva Midlands 2359.



Tanat valley 230 in Shrewsbury bus station (Matthew)



Arriva Midlands 2359 Leaves Shrewsbury bus station on an #8 service (Matthew)


He chose to catch a #24 to Moston Road. Once again, I used the Arriva map to try and work out which stop to get off at, before the bus turned into a housing estate off the main road north out of Shrewsbury. Once again I got off at the wrong stop (one stop too short!). Mum said she was going to kick me every time we passed a bus stop between where we got off and the car, for making her walk too far. We passed 3, though strictly speaking, only the one stop was on the #24 route...
Mattthew photographed a plastic sheep, a few buses and then barged his way into the bus drivers crew hut at the park & ride. Thankfully they took it in good spirits! :-)



Plastic Sheep, corner of Harlescott Tesco (Matthew)



Arriva Midlands Park & ride 2707 at Harlescott (Matthew)

All that was left was the drive back home... (Mark)

Trip to Ellesmere Port & Chester 02-01-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2435	Ellesmere Port BS	Chester BS	401	Arriva NW&W
50025	Chester BS	Plas Newton Lane	51	First Potteries
50025	Plas Newton Lane	Chester BS	51	First Potteries

Matthew started the Christmas holidays with Flu, and was in bed for most of the first week. After the Christmas itself, I was working and the weather was awful, so we were only able to take Matthew to some nearby shop where he took a few bus pictures. In order to make sure Matthew got at least one good trip out, mum arrange to have the weekly shop delivered between 18:00 - 20:00, which should give us plenty of time to take Matthew to Ellesmere port & Chester.

Setting off at around 12, the sky was a little bit dark, although the forecast for the Chester area was suppose to sunshine and snow showers. By the time we got onto the M6 it was black skies, heavy snow and poor visibility due to spray! Having fought our way through the storm, it was sunny by the time we reached Ellesmere. Even though it was sunny, the wet floors and the only just above freezing temperatures made dining al fresco at the Grace Arms a non starter today. Instead we opted for the Cafe on the high street, which we have been once before. Matthew chose a brunch (Breakfast and chips) with extra hash browns...



Brunch... (Matthew)

Matthew also checked out the toilets at the cafe, as he often does and found a different sink that he had not seen before.



Fordham Sink... (Matthew)

After dinner we drove to Asda, so mum could go shopping, and Matthew could go to the bus station. We spent about 3/4 here in the cold awaiting a 401 to Chester, in which time Matthew took a few bus pictures. During this time we saw a doudle decker on a #401, but it was heading in the opposite direction...:-(



Arriva North West & Wales 3308 on a Liverpool bound #401. (Matthew)

Eventually 2435 turned up on #401 ,a little more crowded than usual, probably because it was late!



2435 at Chester on the #401 back to Liverpool (Mark)

Once we got to Chester at around 15:00 Matthew stood in his usual spot and took pictures. The highlights of this trip were GHA bus N9_GHA, and GHA bus Dennis dart M166 XMA



N9 GHA on the #82 at Chester bus station. (Mark)



M166 XMA on the #H4 at Chester bus station. (Mark)

Mum got to Chester at around 16:00, and the plan was to let Matthew choose a bus to catch and I was going to pick them up from a convenient point. Having just missed being able to catch M166 XMA, Matthew chose to catch First PMT bus 50025. the bus was displaying Kingsway on the roller blind and had a Plas Newton board in the front window. Assuming it was a #53 Kingsway, I had told mum to take him to Gorse Stacks where I would pick them up. Unfortunately after I had left them they found out that the bus was a #51 Plas Newton, which did not stop at gorse Stacks! Mum decide to do the full circuit, and I said I would get the lottery and met them back at the bus station...



50025 on the #51 Plas Newton at Chester bus station. (Mark)

Matthew and mum got back just before 17:00 and we set off home via a petrol station. Back on the M6 we encountered heavy traffic due to an accident! We eventually got back home at 18:50 to find out that Asda had tried to deliver the shopping at 18:35...Drat!