One Sunday last summer, I had the privilege of driving to Conway and Beaumaris in one of our luxury coaches. This was a public excursion and was very well attended. Most of the passengers were regular Sunday Travellers, with a few new faces, all excited to get out for the day, on a Bullocks Coach Trip, in the sunshine.
I signed on at 8.15am and prepared the coach, ready for a full day out, checking the engine oil, water, fuel level etc. I then headed off to my first pick up point, at Wythenshaw Forum, for 9.15am. Twelve passengers got on there and settled into their reserved seats, before I returned to the Cheadle Garage for my second pick up at 9.30am. Twenty passengers boarded at Cheadle. I then waved goodbye and headed to my third and final pick up point at Stockport Town Centre for 9.45am. Fourteen passengers got on there and we were then on our way to North Wales.
The motorway was clear that day, as it was a Sunday, so I entered Wales along the M56, in no time at all and continued onto the A55 in the sunshine. Soon after, we could see the sea at Abergele, then Colwyn Bay and we followed the coastal road all the way to Conway.
We had a scheduled stop in Conway, so I dropped everyone off by the Castle, for them to have 2 hours free time, exploring the lovely coastal town, harbour, castle, smallest house in Great Britain, shops and cafes etc. I couldn’t park there, so I took the coach out of town to Llandudno Junction, where there is a small coach park next to McDonald's. (Yes, a Big Mac and a coffee for me!)
After my lunch, I took the coach back into Conway and collected all my passengers at the agreed time by the Castle. It was very tricky getting out of Conway on this route, as the main road goes through a very narrow arch, under the town wall. With only an inch to spare, I squeezed the coach through and continue on to Beaumaris for the afternoon.
We follow the scenic coastal route, via Llanfairfechan and Penmaenma to Bangor and then over the Brittania Bridge onto the isle of Anglesey. It is a lovely scenic drive with the Irish sea to our right and the Snowdonia mountains to our left.
Once in Anglesey, we turn right and follow the Menai Straights to the village of Menai and get a stunning view of the famous Menai Suspension Bridge. We then drive carefully through Menai along the narrow coastal road to Beaumaris. We stop here until 5pm, which gave everyone lots of time to explore this beautiful Welsh town, with its Castle, Pier, main shopping street and pubs. There was a local craft market going on as well to add to the visitor experience. I had an ice cream here and then some fish & chips before making the return journey back home.
We made a comfort stop at Chester Services on the way back and we got back to Stockport around 7.40pm. I finish my shift at 8.35pm and drive home.