Thursday 31 December 2015

Trip to Apedale / Trent Vale 31-12-2015
















BusFromToServiceOperator



DV10 JCUBlurtonFentonCharterShelton Care Group
DV10 JCUFentonApedaleCharterShelton Care Group
DV10 JCUApedaleFentonCharterShelton Care Group
DV10 JCUFentonBlurtonCharterShelton Care Group
67632Magdalen Road, BlurtonTrent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)22First Potteries


Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.


Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton
We got on to the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went through Dresden and into Longton before crossing the A50. We went past the Gladstone Pottery Museum and across Uttoxeter Road and under the railway line before going left down a side street and onto Anchor Road. As we travelled up Anchor Road we saw 60175 running empty. In Adderley Green we turned right and went past the First Bus garage. We carried on to Bentilee and we picked up another service user. After we had picked them up we headed back to Adderley Green and back down Anchor Road. At the bottom Anchor Road we zigged and zagged through side streets and we came out on King Street. We headed out of Longton and into Fenton, forwards onto City Road. We then turned left into Glebedale road and to our destination. In the morning Matthew spent time in the sensory room s using computers. For dinner Matthew had an omelette followed by a piece of Batternburg cake. After dinner they went for a drive out to Apedale Park. Transport for the trip was aboard Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. At the bottom we joined the A52 and we went under the railway before joining the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 onto Shelton New Road and we saw first Potteries 32081 on a #10 to Hanley. We headed up the hill before re-joining the A52 at George Street for the run down towards Newcastle. We carried on along the A52 around the top end of Newcastle and we joined the Northbound A34. At the old Newcastle bus garage we saw first Potteries 42354 as well as 60175 which must have run up to be stored until sold or scrapped. We continued up the A34 before turning left onto London Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we continued around the corner until we got to the destination. Matthew got off the bus and went toilet and had a drink of Coke. After he finished his drink they got back aboard the bus for the journey back to Fenton. We got back onto Loomer Road and we headed down London Road back onto the A34. We went onto the A52 and we went around the North end of Newcastle. We joined the Eastbound A53 to go around the one way system to re-join the A52. At the end of George Street we joined Shelton New Road for the run back to the A500. We came off the A500 at the Stoke Road junction and we ran along the top level of the A500 so that we could come off at City Road. We went under the railway line and up the hill and we turned into Glebedale Road and to our destination. After a short stop we got back aboard Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU for the journey back home. We joined Glebedale road and we turned right onto City Road. We went to Heron Cross via the A50 link Road past Duke Street, before joining Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and onto church road before turning right onto Beaconsfield Drive. we turned left onto Finstock Avenue and Matthew got home just before 15:00. At home Matthew had some toast washed down with dandelion & burdock whilst we waited for time to go out and catch the bus. Around 15:40 we set off to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw dud First Potteries 53119 on a #23A to Hanley.


First Potteries 53119 in Blurton
Going the other way we saw dud First Potteries 67636 on a #22 to Longton.


First Potteries 67636 in Blurton
This is a bus that we first had when it was with First Worcester from Catshill to Bromsgrove back in February 2015. A few minutes later, bang on time another First Potteries Enviro300 came around the corner. as it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 67632.


First Potteries 67632 in Blurton
We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. the bus was nearly empty except for two people right at the front of the bus, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67632.


Inside First Potteries 67632
We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We headed over the railway and into Trentham. Free Spirits MK52 PXH was parked up at the Trentham Hotel and we turned right into New Inn Lane. At the man in Space we briefly caught up with First Potteries 43875 on the #21A. We carried on up New Inn Lane and we turned right into Wilson Road. further along we passed First Potteries 53063 on a Trentham bound #21 service. We went down Church Lane and we joined the A34 where we passed First Potteries 41496 on a Longton bound #22 service. We turned right onto Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67632 as it carried on towards Newcastle.


First Potteries 67632 in Trent Vale
We walked back onto the A34 and we saw The Redeemed Church of God minibus VN05 CKK.


Redeemed Church of God VN05 CKK in Trent Vale
We also saw a brown Volkswagen minibus YT15 APU going Northwards. When we got to the pub mum was already parked up in the car park. We met up with mum and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses was ABC Supreme minibus N806 CRJ. Service buses seen included First Potteries 32081 & 65033 on the #10 to Stafford. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and we went onto the Northbound A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50. We headed though Heron Cross and into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross and over the A50 into Blurton. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and Church Road. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just after 17:30. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around early in 2016...! Mark

Saturday 19 December 2015

Trip to Tamworth / Sutton Coldfield 19-12-2015












































BusFromToServiceOperator



4412Tamworth bus interchangeSutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SD)110Arriva Midlands
4411Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SH)Tamworth bus interchange110Arriva Midlands
3510Tamworth bus interchangeLichfield BS786Arriva Midlands
3723Lichfield BSTamworth bus interchangeX60Arriva Midlands


Today we decided to revisit Tamworth. We had checked the weather for the midlands and North West and the better weather seemed to be to the South, It was still going to be wet and mild, but not as wet as the North West. We gave Matthew a choice of Midlands destinations and from the list he chose Tamworth. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we headed on to the A5035. We went West to the A34 and then we went South towards Stone. As we passed by Stone we saw D&G 170 on a #14 to Hanley and First Potteries 65027 on a #10 to Hanley. South of Stone we turned left onto the Eastbound A51. We passed through Weston & Colwich and we saw Arriva Midlands 3758 on a #825 to Stafford. Further South as we approached Lichfield we passed Arriva Midlands 3765 on another #825 to Stafford. We drove into the centre of Lichfield and as we followed the A51 around town we saw Arriva Midlands 2209 leaving Lichfield bus station on a #15 service. We carried on towards Tamworth and Hopwas and we followed Arriva Midlands 3509 out of Lichfield as it turned towards Whittington. Further down the road we passed Central buses YX63 ZYK on a X55 service. We got into town and we tried to park in the usual car park but it was full today. The council had made it a free car park for the day. We parked on Church Street and we walked up Corporation Street alongside the bus interchange as we headed to the cafe. On the corner we saw required Arriva Midlands 3017 on the #3A to Coton Green.


Arriva Midlands 3017 in Tamworth bus interchange
Matthew went to use the toilet in the tourist information office and then we headed over to the cafe where mum was ordering the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked back over to the bus interchange on Corporation Street. We decided to do the first bus that we saw which happened to be dud Arriva Midlands 4412 which was on the #110 to Birmingham.


Arriva Midlands 4412 in Tamworth bus interchange
We got on the bus and we booked an Arriva Midlands Day Saver at £6.20 before going upstairs. The back of the top deckk was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4412.


Inside Arriva Midlands 4412
At 14:00 the bus set off out of the interchange and right into Church Street. The car had gone! Just then mum text to say she had found a space in the car park and moved it! We carried on Westwards along Lichfield Street before turning left onto Tamedrive. We crossed the rivers Anker and Tame and we turned left onto Riverdrive. In the distance you can see holiday Inn Express which looks a bit like a giant dustbin lorry. We turned right onto the A4091 and we went past the end of Ventura Park shopping complex. We continued South to Fazeley before turning right onto The B5404 and we headed up to Mile Oak. Just before we got to the crossroad we were passed by Arriva Midlands 4409 running out of service. We turned left onto A453 for a fast run down to the Bassetts Pole roundabout. The weather was awful.. It was dull and gloomy and there was lots of rain! We crossed the A38 and the M6 toll road and we turned left onto the B4148. As we approached Rectory Road we saw National Express West Midlands single decker 2247 emerge from the turning. We turned right onto Rectory Road and we passed the Good Hope hospital and the adjacent cemetery. We crossed under a railway bridge and we turned right onto Coleshill Road. We turned left onto the A5127 and we went straight across onto the Lower Parade were we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4412 before it carried on towards Birmingham.


Arriva Midlands 4412 in Sutton Coldfield
When we got in to Sutton Coldfield I decided to take Matthew to the pub we had been to last time to use the toilet. I don't usually wear my Stoke City coat outside of Staffordshire, so on the bus down I had swapped my coat over for a fleece that was in the bag. On the way to the pub we saw National Express West Midlands 2235 on a #71 to Solihull Station.


NX West Midlands 2235 in Sutton Coldfield
We went into the pub and Matthew headed straight to the toilet. After he had used the facilities we headed to the bar to get a glass of Coke for Matthew. I ordered Matthew a drink and my cover was blown immediately when the barmaid said 'Is that a Stoke Accent I hear?' Damn! We finished the drink and then we headed back onto the street. As we got back onto the Lower Parade we saw National Express West Midlands 4327 on a #6 to Walsall.


NX West Midlands 4327 in Sutton Coldfield
We found a bus shelter near to where we needed to be for the return bus and Matthew sat down for a while. Whilst there Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars. We then saw Arriva Midlands 4200 on a #110 to Birmingham.


Arriva Midlands 4200 in Sutton Coldfield
This was followed by National Express West Midlands 6756 on a #77 to Walsall.


NX West Midlands 6756 in Sutton Coldfield
We also saw National Express West Midlands 4057 on a #5 to West Bromwich.


NX West Midlands 4057 in Sutton Coldfield
A few minutes later we saw the #110 service approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva Midlands 4411.


Arriva Midlands 4411 in Sutton Coldfield
We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before going upstairs. We set off up the lower parade and we turned right onto the A5127. We turned left onto Coleshill Road and we turned left again onto Riland Road. At the end of Riland Road we turned right onto rectory Road and we passed iGo Enviro200 126 on the #168 service. We passed the cemetery and he hospital and at the end of Rectory Road we turned left onto the B4148. We traveled North for a few hundred yards and we then we turned right onto the A453. We crossed over the M6 toll and the A38 and we ran fast up to Mile Oak. We turned right onto Watling Street and we ran East to Fazeley. St Fazeley Square we turned left and we stop for a minute or so to wait time. Whilst we were were there we were passed by Arriva Midlands 3500 on a #115 service. We carried on North up the A4091 ans we passed Ventura Park before turning left onto the A51. We turned right and crossed over the rivers before going right again onto Lichfield Street. We turned left at Aldergate and we turned right into corporation Street and into the bus interchange. As we were getting off the bus Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4411.


Inside Arriva Midlands 4411
When we came into the bus station we saw a bus on the stop behind us. It was dud Arriva Midlands 3504 on a #785 to Polesworth.


Arriva Midlands 3504 in Tamworth bus interchange
We turned it down because we have never been to Polesworth and we weren't sure of the frequency of the bus service. Matthew wanted the toilet so we visited the tourist information so that he could use the facilities. When we came out we saw required Arriva Midlands 3501 on a #65 to Nuneaton.


Arriva Midlands 3501 in Tamworth bus interchange
We considered doing Arriva Midlands 3017 which was on the #3A to coton Green but by the time we walked to the other end of the interchange it had already departed. We walked back to the other end of the interchange and we saw required Arriva Midlands 3510 arrive on a #786 to Lichfield.


Arriva Midlands 3510 in Tamworth bus interchange
We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver. Nobody else got on the bus and it seemed a little odd... I told the driver 'I always feel suspicious when I get on a bus and nobody else does'. It felt like I was pushing in... Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus before we sat down.


Inside Arriva Midlands 3510
We seemed to wait for ages and then we drew forwards a little. A bus pulled up behind us and it was an X60 service to Lichfield. That bus went in front of us and then we had a driver change! We waited for a further 10 minutes before we set off out of town. We turned right onto Church Street and forwards onto Lichfield street. we turned left and went over the rivers and we went into the Ventura Park. We whizzed around the shopping park and we returned back over the river before turning left onto the A51. We traveled west through Hopwas and past the pigs in space at the Packington free range pig farm, not that we could see them as it was now properly dark! We turned right at Whittington and we went through the barracks and into the village. We traveled back down country roads and we rejoined the A51. We ran into town and under the railway line before we turned right onto Birmingham Road. We got off the bus and we saw Arriva Midlands 3757 which was on a #825 to Stafford.


Arriva Midlands 3757 in Lichfield bus station
Matthew went to the toilet and then we had a walk around the bus station to take a few picture before we caught a bus back to Tamworth. Whilst Matthew was in the toilet Midland Classic 3 departed on a #21 town service. We saw required Central Buses AE06 ZBT On a Route66 service.


Central Buses AE06 ZBT in Lichfield bus station
A few seconds later required Arriva Midlands 3740 came in on a X60 to Cannock.


Arriva Midlands 3740 in Lichfield bus station
An Arriva Midlands Dart come in and leave out of service. It was required Arriva Midlands 2276. We then saw a Midland Classic bus come in stop on the opposite side of the bus station. We walked over to it and we saw that it was dud Midland Classic 81.


Midland Classic 81 in Lichfield bus station
We walked back over to the Tamworth stop and we saw Central Buses YX63 ZXL. The next Arriva bus to Tamworth was due in a few minutes. Eventually it turned up and it was required Arriva Midlands 3723.


Arriva Midlands 3723 in Lichfield bus station
We went to the rear of the bus to get a picture and the central buses left and the Arriva Bus moved up the stop making us think it was leaving for a minute! The bus stopped and we walked up to it and got on. We flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver for the last the time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus sat for a couple of minutes and then we left the bus station and turned right onto Birmingham Road. At the crossroads we turned left onto the A51 and we went under the railway line and out of town. At the Shell petrol station we turned left to follow the A51 and we ran up to the Staffordshire Regiment museum. As it was the X60 the journey back took half the time that the #786 journey did going the other way! We flew down the hill through Hopwas and we hit the west end of Tamworth in around 15 minutes! We ran into town along Lichfield street and Aldergate before entering the interchange on Corporation Street. Matthew waited for the bus to empty and he took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3723.


Inside Arriva Midlands 3723
We headed back to the car and mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru. We left town via Aldergate and Lichfield street and we got onto the Westbound A51. We traveled back via lLichfield, weskirted North of Rugeley and came into Stone via Colwich and Weston. As we passed west of Stone we saw City Cabs minibus BX07 KXB, as well as First Potteries 65042 on the #10. At Trentham we turned Right onto the a503 and we ran through Trentham, Blurton and Dresden up to Longton. At Longton we went past Z carz to see what was parked up there tonight. part way along the front row was Z Carz BN03 OVS.


Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton
next to that was Z Carz taxi minibus PN06 ONM.


Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton
At the front of the second row was another vehicle out of the taxi fleet, Z Carz NA06 SUO.


Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton
Behind that was Z carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.


Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton
We turned onto Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound. There were a couple of minibus here... First we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.


Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton
We also saw Z carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.


Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton
We got back on the A50 upper level following D&G 174 and we crossed over the A50 so that we could visit the petrol station at Tesco. We topped up with diesel and we saw Copelands tours Bova coach MIB 520 go past whilst we were there. We crossed the A50 to join onto it, and we passed Scraggs VT 9389 and First Potteries 32079 going the other way. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We carried on up to Church Road and we turned right onto Beaconsfied Drive. We got home around 19:00. 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 01:00... Mark

Friday 18 December 2015

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 18-12-2015
















BusFromToServiceOperator



DV10 JCUBlurtonFentonCharterShelton Care Group
DY08 FFXFentonJoiners SquareCharterShelton Care Group
DY08 FFXJoiners SquareBlurtonCharterShelton Care Group
42552Magdalen Road, BlurtonTrent Vale, opp Alder Walk22First Potteries


Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.


Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton
We set off onto the A5035 and headed towards Trentham. We turned into New Inn Lane and then into Pacific Drive. Once we had picked up another service user we headed back onto New Inn Lane and the A5035. We headed along into Blurton and we turned into church Road. We carried on into Blurton Road and across the A50. We went through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. Having crossed the railway line we turned left onto Christchurch Street and to our destination. When Matthew got to Fenton, he went upstairs around the back of the building. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. In the afternoon we went to the pub on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.


Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton
We set off onto Glebedale Road and right onto City Road were we saw CG Travel minibus DX07 OJT. We turned sharp left onto Victoria Road and we continued down to the bottom. At Joiners Square we crossed over the roundabout and onto Lichfield Street and to our destination. When we got there Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards he had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sighting include First Potteries 63175 on a #6 to Meir.


First Potteries 63175 in Joiners Square
A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 63178 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.


First Potteries 63178 in Joiners Square
We also saw First Potteries 63100 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.


First Potteries 63100 in Joiners Square
When it was time to return to Fenton we were picked up by Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We went down Palmerston Street and onto the A52. We turned left onto Victoria Road and went to the top turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. When it was time to home home we climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Glebedale Road and right onto City Road. We went up City Road and forwards onto King Street before turning left onto Clarence Stree. We zigged through the side street and we came out on Anchor Road, turned left. At the end of Anchor Road we turned left past the bus depot where we saw First Potteries 40009, a Caetano Dart and a Volvo double decker. We continued along Dividy Road and we dropped a service user off at the respite place. We then got back onto Dividy Road and we headed back to Adderley Green. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran down to the bottom onto the one way system in Longton. We followed the road around and we crossed over the A50 and onto the A5035. We went through Dresden into Blurton, getting back just before 15:00. Matthew had some toast washed down with dandelion & burdock whilst we waited for time to go out and catch the bus. Around 16:16 we set off to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. 16:21 came and went and the bus didn't turn up. We had to wait until nearly 26:40 before the bus turned the corner. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 42552.


First Potteries 42552 in Blurton
We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road before we sat down towards the middle of the bus. It was quite full this evening, probably because it was only around 10 minutes in front of the next bus. We set off onto the A5035 and we crossed the railway line and went into Trentham. As we turned into new Inn Lane we saw First Potteries 53042 on the #21 to the Trentham Hotel. We carried onto the top and we turned right into Wilson Road. In Wilson Road we passed First Potteries 53064 on a #21A service, 41501 on a #21 and new arrival 67632 on a #22 to Longton. We turned left onto Church Lane and at the bottom we joined onto the A34. We crossed under the A500 into trent Vale and we turned right into Harpfields Road. The driver missed the 'opposite' in the dark and we alighted further up at the Alder Walk stop. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42552 as it carried on towards Newcastle.


First Potteries 42552 in Trent Vale
We walked back to the main road and when we got to the pub mum was already inside waiting for us. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included ABC Supreme minibus P881 RND. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and we went onto the Northbound A500. The run up to Sideway look busy so we left the A500 to go towards Campbell Road. We saw that the road wasn't too bad ahead, so we got back onto the A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50. We headed though Heron Cross and into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross and over the A50 into Blurton. We traveled through Blurton along Blurton Road. We stopped at mum's friend shop for a short while and we got back onto Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Monday 14 December 2015

Trip to Fenton / Joiners Square 14-12-2015


























































BusFromToServiceOperator



DV10 JCUBlurtonFentonCharterShelton Care Group
DY08 FFXFentonYMCA HanleyCharterShelton Care Group
PK08 CGEYMCA HanleyFentonCharterLucky Seven
DY08 FFXFentonCentral Forest ParkCharterShelton Care Group
DY08 FFXCentral Forest ParkFentonCharterShelton Care Group
DV10 JCUFentonBentileeCharterShelton Care Group


Today Matthew was going in respite and we attending a Christmas party, but he was going into his day service. It was also the day that D&G were taking over the service #40 today. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. The bus turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.


Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton
We set off onto the A5035 and We headed along into Blurton and we turned into church Road. We carried on into Blurton Road and across the A50. We went through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. Having crossed the railway line we turned left onto Christchurch Street and to our destination. In the morning Matthew went to the YMCA to play football. To get there they went on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.


Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton
We set off onto Glebedale Road and left onto City Road. At the bottom Just before the railway line we joined the Northbound A52. We went past the railway station and the University and we turned left onto Cauldon Road. We then went via Boughey Road and Ridgeway Road over the canal and we turned right to get to the YMCA. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards played football with his peers and members of staff. When it was time to go back to Fenton we called for a taxi. When it arrived it was Lucky Seven PK08 GGE.


Lucky Seven PK08 GGE in Hanley
We got into the minibus and the bus truned around and went back onto Ridgeway Road. We crossed the canal and turned left onto Boughet Road. We did this to the end and joined onto the A52. We went past the railway station and when we got by the railway line we turned left onto City Road. We climbed the hill and we turned right into Chrictchurch Street and to our destination. For dinner Matthew had Pizza followed by cake. In the afternoon Matthew went to Central Forest park on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Glebedale Road and right onto City Road. We turned sharp left onto Victoria and we stopped at Aldi to pick up Matthew's weekly shopping. After a quick run around the supermarket, We got back on the bus and we went down Victoria Road to Joiners Square. We turned left onto the A52 and we turned right into Station Road. We turned right again onto Cauldon Road and we carried on up through Shelton and forwards onto Regent Road. We joined Lichfield Street and then went onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We came off the ring road onto Town Road and we crossed over the ring road into Townsend. We continued along the A5272 and we saw First Potteries 65003 on a #18 to Hanley. We turned into Central Forest Park and once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Whilst we were there we saw Paul's of Stoke coach HIL 2375.


Paul's of Stoke HIL 2375 in Central Forest Park
Matthew had a can of Coke and then they got back onto Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX for the journey back to Fenton. We went back towards Hanley on the A5272 ans we joined the clockwise ring road. We went around to Bethesda Street and we turned left. At the end of Bethesda Street we turned right onto Regent Road. We went forwards onto College Road and turned left by the railway station. We joined the A52 and then went left onto City Road. We turned right into Glebedale Road and to our destination. After a quick stop we climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU for the journey to respite. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we saw D&G 189 on the #40 service. We went through Heron Cross onto Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we went into Trentham, before turning right into New Inn Lane where we saw Intercity ND58 EDJ. We dropped off a service user and we continued along New Inn Lane and down Mayne street onto the A34 where we saw First Potteries 32057 on the #10 to Hanley. We Joined the Northbound A500 and we came off the low level road as we entered Stoke. We continued parallel to the main road before turning right onto Stoke Road. We went up to Cauldon Road and we turned right and we went part way around Hanley Park before joining the A52. We went through Joiners Square and up to Limekiln Bank before following the A52 around to the right. In Bucknall we turned Right onto Dividy Road and we continued up to Bentilee and to the respite centre. Matthew went upstairs so that he could watch the buses come and go. One such bus was Meadows minibus DK65 XSW.


Meadows DK65 XSW in Bentilee
We also saw Z Carz S973 OVP. For tea Matthew had chips followed by pink blancmange with cream and chocolate sprinkles. After tea Matthew was going to his day service Christmas party. He put on some smart jeans and a shirt and jacket and he went in car. We set off onto Dividy Road and we followed it around onto the A52. At Limekiln bank we followed the A52 around to the left and we continued until we got to the community centre. At the community centre we saw Shelton Care Group DN60 UKL.


Shelton Care Group DN60 UKL in Joiners Square
This was followed by another minibus, Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX.


Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX in Joiners Square
At the party Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink of Coke. He also ate some sausages and chocolate cake. He spent the night partying with service users and staff alike and had a really good time. Matthew said goodbye to his friends and we left some time after 21:00. We got back into car for the journey back to respite. We got onto the A52 and we followed the road around Limekiln and towards Bucknall. We turned right onto Dividy Road and back to respite. Matthew chilled out in the lounge and watch some television before going to bed around 23:40... Mark

Saturday 12 December 2015

Trip to Longton / Hanley 12-12-2015
















BusFromToServiceOperator



53209Blurton, opp Ladybank GroveLongton Interchange22First Potteries
MIB 797Longton InterchangeFenton, opp Albert Square40Copeland's Tours
53041Fenton, adj Travers CourtStoke-upon-Trent, adj stop P23First Potteries
67604Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop QNewcastle BS2First Potteries
37157Newcastle BSBurslem, Town Hall (stop G)98First Potteries
66849Burslem, Wedgwood Street (Stop A)Tunstall, adj stop M3First Potteries
66841Tunstall, adj stop BHanley BS3First Potteries
32077Hanley BSBiddulph BS7AFirst Potteries
41500Biddulph BSHanley BS7AFirst Potteries
65005Hanley BSNewcastle BS4AFirst Potteries


Today we decided to go on a local trip. The weather forecast for today was awful... Rain, rain and more rain! At least if we stay local we know where the bus stops have shelters. Also it was brought to our attention that it was the last running of the #40 with Copeland's Tours, Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off to the bus stop around 11:45. Instead of going to Stoke via Trentham, today we were going to Longton to Have a ride on the #40 service, before continuing dpwn to Stoke from City Road. We set off to the stop on Beaconsfield Drive, and on the way we saw required First Potteries 41498 on the #23A to Hanley.


First Potteries 41498 in Blurton
Around the corner on Beaconsfield Drive we waited for the next #22 to Longton. The bus turned the corner out of Finstock Avenue and it was unusually a Solo. It was dud First Potteries 53209.


First Potteries 53209 in Blurton
We got on the bus and we tried to book a Smart Day ticket, but the driver didn't have any sleeves. We would have to get the ticket off the next bus. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off through Blurton. We passed dud First Potteries 41497 and at the end of Beaconsfield Drive we turned left onto Church Road. We passed under the old railway bridge and we continued onto Blurton Road. At the bottom of the hill we turned right onto Longton Hall Road. We climbed up the hill and we continued to the end before turning left onto the A50 high level. We went down to the roundabout and we crossed over the A50 and we ran into Longton Interchange along Baths Road. When we got into the Interchange we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53209.


First Potteries 53209 in Longton Interchange
We had around 10 minutes to wait for the next run of the #40 service. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Solo 137 on the #31 service and First Potteries 63098 on the #6A service. We bumped into a neighbour and we discussed the fact that it was Copeland's Tours final day on the #40. If she hadn't got things to take home she would have joined us in traveling on the bus. We saw the bus approaching from the West and it came into the interchange... It was required Copeland's Tours MIB 797.


Copeland's Tours MIB 797 in Longton Interchange
We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We could have traveled for free on the bus today, because as a gesture of good will Copeland's Tours weren't charging as a thank you to the customers over the years that they have been running this service. We wanted an Smart Day anyway, and it would be nice to think that we might have been issued the last one ever sold by Copeland's Tours. Before we sat down Matthew took a photo of the inside of Copeland's Tours MIB 797.


Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 797
The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto Baths Road. We crossed over the A50 and we went straight onto Foley Road. At the end of the Road we turned right on Longton Hall Road. We climbed the hill and then went down into Blurton. we turned right onto Blurton Road and we climbed up the hill into Heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and at the traffic Light we turned left onto Grove Road. We continued into Mount Pleasant and onto Wheildon Road. We turned right by The Regent onto Smithpool Road and we crossed over the railway line. At City Road we turned right and we turned right again into Christchurch Street. We got up and got of the bus by Albert Square knowing it was unlikely that we would ever travel on another Copeland's Tours service bus. We took pictures of Copeland's Tours MIB 797 before it carried onto back towards Longton.


Copeland's Tours MIB 797 in Fenton
It was raining a little, so we decided to walk onto City Road to a bus stop with a shelter. We also had a greater choice of buses that we could catch down towards Stoke. We walked Along Christchurch Street passed the co-operative Food store and the laundrette, and we went passed the now closed Royal Oak pub. As we walked down City Road we saw dud D&G 195 on The Orange One service to Meir.


D&G 195 in Fenton
We sat down at the bus stop and almost immediately we saw a Solo turning the corner out of Christchurch Street. As we got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 53041.


First Potteries 53041 in Fenton
We got on the bus and we flashed the strange looking Smart day ticket to the driver... He did raise an eyebrow, I think he thought we had printed off ourselves! At the same time we wrestle with Matthew who wanted to beep the horn. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off down City Road We continued onto the A52 and we went under the railway line. Crossing over the A500 we entered Stoke town centre along Church Street. We got up to get off the bus and Matthew managed to beep the horn as we got off. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53041 before it carried on towards Hanley.


First Potteries 53041 in Stoke
Once off the bus we walked a few yard up Church Street to the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went downstairs to the toilet with uncle Dave and I ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. Whilst we ate we saw new arrival required First Potteries 67602 on the #3 service towards Keele as well as required First Potteries double decker 32633 on a #3 towards Talke. Once we had finished eating we went onto Church Street and we considered catching dud D&G 184 which was unusually on the #9 to Clayton.


D&G 184 in Stoke
We walked to the main stop for Newcastle buses and we missed dud D&G 111 which was on The Orange One towards Newcastle. We also saw required First Potteries 41521 which was on a #23A to Hanley.


First Potteries 41521 in Stoke
There was a #2 service due in a few minutes. As the bus cam under the railway bridge we could see that it was an Enviro300 and we knew it was almost certainly going to be a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 67604.


First Potteries 67604 in Stoke
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver who didn't seemed as surprised as the last one at the orange ticket produced on the Copeland's Tours bus. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along Church Street. As we climbed Hartshill Bank it was apparent at the power of these Enviro300 buses. If they all perform like this one, I can imagine these buses will be popular with the drivers as they seem much more equipped to take on the hills of North Staffordshire than the Volvo B7RLE's. We paused for a short while at the roadworks in Hartshill which seems to be having an effect all over North Staffordshire due to the inter-working of bus services. We carried on onto George Street and then down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left onto Barrack Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. We the bus pulled up onto the Stand we got waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67604.


Inside First Potteries 67604
Once off the bus we had a look around to see what we could catch. The first bus we saw was required First Potteries 32077 which was on a #99 service to Bradeley.


First Potteries 32077 in Newcastle bus station
We went over to possibly catch the double decker, but it pulled off before we got there. We then saw dud First Potteries 53120 on the #97 to the Wolstanton Retail park.


First Potteries 53120 in Newcastle bus station
A few minute later we saw dud First Potteries 37157 on the #98 to Ball Green.


First Potteries 37157 in Newcastle bus station
We decided to do this bus up to Burslem and to catch something else forwards to Tunstall so that Matthew could have some cheesecake! We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The upstairs was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37157.


Inside First Potteries 37157
We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We went over the roundabout onto the A527 and we we towards Wolstanton. As we traveled up we saw First Potteries 37156 on the #99 service and First Potteries 41540 on the #98 service both heading towards Newcastle. We turned right onto Porthill Bank and at the bottom we crossed over the A500. We went past the new Texaco garage and we headed up to Trubshaw Cross. We turned right onto Newcastle Street and we climbed the last 1/2 a mile or so into Burslem town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37157 before it carried on towards Ball Green.


First Potteries 37157 in Burslem
We just missed a bus on the #3 towards Tunstall, and so as we walked across to the stop we knew we had a 10 minute wait. We stood in the shelter out of the rain and we waited patiently for the bus to appear in the distance a mile or so away in Cobridge. The bus appeared in the distance and it took a few minutes before it got us. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 66849.


First Potteries 66849 in Burslem
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Scotia Road and down the hill past the old bus depot before we turned left onto Williamson Street. We past the Asda store and we turned right into Tunstall High Street. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew to a picture of First Potteries 66849 before it carried on towards Talke Pits.


First Potteries 66849 in Tunstall
We walked down to the Tunstall Cafe and uncle Dave took Matthew to the toilet and I ordered Matthews food. When he got back he had a slice of toffee cheesecake washed down with a glass of Coke. Once we had finished we said goodbye and we headed across the road to the bus stop outside Cool Trader. A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 41500 on a #99 to Newcastle.


First Potteries 41500 in Tunstall
We were considering catching this bus, put the driver was having some trouble opening and closing the doors. Whilst we waited for him to test the door, dud First Potteries 66841 pulled up behind on a #3 to Keele.


First Potteries 66841 in Tunstall
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. We sat down in the middle of the bus as there was some kid sat on one seats her there legs over the seat in front looking very menacing, playing urban music from some kind of music playing device. We set off down the High Street and then left onto Williamson Street. The kid and the kids mother spent moist of the time shouting backwards and forwards to each other as the mother was sat down at the front of the bus. We went up Scotia Road and into Burslem before continuing into Cobridge along Waterloo Road. We passed through Cobridge light and and we entered Hanley up Hope Street. I felt like tell the mother that she must be soooo proud of her daughter, but I kept my mouth shut as they both looked rough as ~*!#. Thankfully they got off on Stafford Street by the shopping centre. We continued towards the town Hall and we entered the bus station via Bagnall Street and Lidice Way. Once in the bus station Matthew visited the toilet before we set off on foot up the the John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. Once in the car park we saw required First Potteries 42552 on layover in the bus station between #21 services.


First Potteries 42552 in Hanley bus station
The weather was really poor and the light was fading even though it was only just gone 15:00... We decided not to stop in the car park park for too long. Running out of service was one of the last half a dozen or so early Scanias left in the fleet, First Potteries 60174.


First Potteries 60174 in Hanley bus station
Matthew ate a galaxy caramel and then we set off back to the bus station. as we got back to the bus station we noticed a double decker on the stand outside the bus station. It was dud First Potteries 32053 on a #1 to Longton.


First Potteries 32053 in Hanley bus station
We visited the shop and as we entered we saw First Potteries 32080 on a #32 to Uttoxeter. Inside the shop Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We paid for the goods and Matthew said hello to the cashier and we went outside into the bus station. We considered doing First Potteries 32080 and then we looked it up on the 'buses I have traveled on' page and realised it was a dud one. We had been on it two weeks ago from Hanley to Longton on the #6A service. We let the dud double decker go and Matthew sat and ate a Toffee Crisps bar. We then saw required First Potteries 32077 come into the bus station on a #7A to Biddulph. It left immediately and went over to one of the layover spaces. We checked when the next #7A was due and it was in around 10 minutes. We walked down to the appropriate stand and we waited for the bus to return to us. As the time came for the bus to depart, First Potteries 32077 came forwards to load up.


First Potteries 32077 in Hanley bus station
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32077.


Inside First Potteries 32077
Along side us was First Potteries #18 branded Scania 65005 on the #3 to Talke. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went down John Street onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over Broad Street onto Marsh Street and we turned right onto Tontime Street before turning left onto Stafford Street. We loaded up with a few more passengers and we went under the Intu Potteries bridge up Quadrant Road before crossing the ring road and heading out of Hanley through Townsend. We traveled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts onto high Lane. At the end of High lane we turned right onto the A527. We ran down past Fegg Hayes and we climbed the hill through Brindley Ford. We turned left near to the Bakers Coaches garage and we went through Brown Lees. At Knypersley we crossed over the A527 and we went thtough the housing estate, passing the Barley Mow pub. We come into Biddulph town centre along Princess Street and Well Street and we turn right into High Street. To get to the bus station we turned left onto South View and right onto Wharf Road. We got off the bus and it was now fully dark and raining hard. We walk past the main shelter and around the corner to the toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walk up to the shelter at the top, but the rain was coming sideways up Wharf Road and it didn't offer much shelter. Matthew took us around the corner and we spotted a cash machine which was handy as I needed one. It was also more sheltered than the stop around the corner. After we got some money out we saw required D&G 157 on a 'Nines' service to Newcastle.


D&G 157 in Biddulph bus station
Matthew didn't want to do this bus, he wanted to wait for the next #7A service. The D&G bus was one we had seen but not traveled on in Accrington back in April 2014, when it used to be 263 in the Transdev Lancashire United fleet. There was a #7A due a few minutes after the Nines service had departed, sow e stood in the shelter and Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars and drank a bottle of Irn Bru. A few minutes later we saw a Caetano Dart turn the corner out of South View. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 41500.


First Potteries 41500 in Biddulph bus station
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back and the bus set off out of Wharf Road onto the High Street. This was a bus that used to be allocated to Newcastle, and we first had it before that on a snowy day in January 2013 from Birches Head to Hanley. We turned left into Well Street and we headed through the housing estates of Biddulph and Knypersley. Having crossed the A527 we traveled through Brown Lees only to join the A527 a mile or so further South. When we got to the bottom of the hill near to Fegg Hayes the bus emptied out in front of us and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41500.


Inside First Potteries 41500
the bus carried on up the hill to and we turned left onto High Lane. As we approached Smallthorne we got caught in some traffic. We saw two white unidentified coaches going the other way. It was traffic from the Port vale vs Scunthorpe match which had finished around 30 minutes previously. Once past the Smallthorne roundabout we moved quite quickly into Hanley. We went into town down Quadrant Road and Stafford Street. We passed the town hall and we entered the bus station via Bagnall Street and Lidice Way. When we got to the bus station we wanted to get the first bus that we could to Newcastle. There was a #17 to Newcastle via Bradwell but that service take close to an hour. We wanted a #4. #4A or #10 to get to Newcastle in less than 30 minutes. The was and #4A due, and when it pulled on stand we saw that it was required First Potteries 65005.


First Potteries 65005 in Hanley bus station
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the last time today. we sat down towards the back of the bus which was quite full by the time we got on it. The bus set off down John Street and onto Bethesda Street. We crossed Broad Street onto marsh Street and we turned left onto Etruria Road. After crossing under the A53 we went forwards onto Festival way. We turned left onto forge lane and we headed back under the A53 and came up on the Westbound side. At Etruria roundabout we saw an unidentified Steve Aikens coach coming off the A500. We climbed up the hill through Basford and then we went down into Newcastle via the one way system. We turned left onto Barracks Road and we went into the bus station. The bus didn't empty out as it was a through bus and Matthew didn't get a picture inside First Potteries 65005. It was still raining when we got off the bus so we didn't want to hang around too much tonight. Across the way we saw First Potteries 41501.


First Potteries 41501 in Newcastle bus station
Matthew visited the toilet and we walked around the corner to where mum usually picks us up. We didn't have to wait long before mum turned up. We got in the car and Matthew ate his sausage roll washed down with a can of Vimto. We did a U turn on the Jubilee roundabout and we went South on the A34 down past the hospital and into Trent Vale. We stopped at the Riverside Chippy for some chips and we continued down to the A500. We went North up to Sideway and then Eastwards on the A50. We came off the A50 at Longton so that we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. There were a couple of car park in front of the buses this evening. The nearest bus on the front row was Z Carz minibus BU04 GYW.


Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton
Closest bus on the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.


Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton
At the back of the site we could see Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.


Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton
We turned into Willow Row to see if there were any buses in the compound. The only buses there were parked at the very back and not photograph-able. we got back onto the A50 and we went West to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right into 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 shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark