Trip to Wigan / Westhoughton 28-03-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
22354	Wigan BS	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Town Hall (Stop F)	540	Stagecoach Manchester
27824	Westhoughton, Market St/Westhoughton Church (Stop E)	Wigan BS	540	Stagecoach Manchester
4583	Wigan BS	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	375	Arriva NW&W
36789	Pemberton, o/s House 563 Ormskirk Road/Enfield Street‎	Wigan BS	628	Stagecoach Manchester
19088	Wigan BS	Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop B)	32	Stagecoach Manchester
19520	Atherton Road/Hindley Green (Stop A)	Wigan BS	32	Stagecoach Manchester

Todays we decided to revisit Wigan and Westhoughton. The weather was forecast for grey and showery weather in most direction. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and from the list he chose Wigan. Since our last visit to Wigan, South Lancs Travel have been taken over by Rotala. Some vehicle have been scrapped and other have been brought in to replace them from around the Rotala group. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. As we turned onto the A5035 we saw D&G 157. The Burnley & Pendle 'Starship' liveried Versa was working the final day of the Blurton Plumline. We carried on Westward on the A5035 before turning North onto Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the Westbound A50 and then went North on the A500. We passed Express Motors coach 8297 ME going South. We joined the Northbound M6 and apart from a short queue forming around the roadworks at junction 17 the traffic was moving well. We were passed by 2 coaches. The first coach to pass us was Reptons Coaches REP 377.

Reptons Coaches REP 377 on the M6

Not far behind this was Greenline Holidays B13 GLC.

Greenline B13 GLC on the M6

We reached the junction for the M56 and we saw the Reptons Coaches vehicle leave the M6 here. Later we saw that a fellow Flickrite had posted a picture of the coach at Prenton Park. It had been taking Wimbledon fans to an away game against Tranmere Rovers. We carried on North up the M6 and we left the motorway at the A49 for the run into Wigan town centre. Traffic was slow moving as it often is going into town. We went under the railway line and past the two railway station before turning left towards the bus station, parking on the street just around the corner. We went for something to eat at the Courtyard Cafe. We had just arrived too late to have a breakfast. Matthew had a sausage and bacon sandwich and some fries washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we waited for the for Matthew watched the people on the opposite table as they ate their breakfasts. All things considered Matthew was very calm about the situation... After we had finished eating we headed into the bus station to go and see what we could catch. First we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2680 on a #362 to Chorley.

Arriva NW&W 2680 in Wigan bus station

We had this bus into Bolton on the #534 on a very wet day in June 2012. Then we saw Rotala South Lancs 20825 on the stand opposite us.

Rotala South Lancs 20825 in Wigan bus station

We decided to walk down to the bottom of the bus station to see what was parked up between duties. Rotala South Lancs 20714 was about to work a #634 to Ince Bar.

Rotala South Lancs 20714 in Wigan bus station

Required Arriva NW&W 2980 was about to work a #352 to Orrell.

Arriva NW&W 2980 in Wigan bus station

We decided to do required Stagecoach Manchester 22354 which was about to work a #540 to Bolton via Westhoughton.

Stagecoach Manchester 22354 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we booked System One bus only tickets at £5.20 each. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of town to the East. We travelled along Darlington Street East and we joined onto Manchester Road for the run into Hindley. We climbed up towards Castle Hill and we headed into the housing estate. We headed towards Hindley Green before turning and going past Greenbank industrial estate. We went North Eastwards towards Daisy Hill. As the back seat was now empty Matthew decided to take a picture.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 22354

We went through another housing estate before coming out on Market Street in Westhougton. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 22354 before it carried on towards Bolton.

Stagecoach Manchester 22354 in Westhoughton

We went into the Co-operative food store and Matthew had 2 cans of pop and two chocolate bars. It had now started to rain... We headed down Market Street to use the toilet. On the way we saw dud Stagecoach Manchester 21243 on the following #540 to Bolton.

Stagecoach Manchester 21243 in Westhoughton

After Matthew had used the toilet we crossed the road to wait for the bus back to Wigan. The next bus was at 15:07... there was a 15:07 #540 service and a #15:07 #715 service. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a fudge that we had purchased from the Co-op. Bang on time, Stagecoach Manchester 27824 appeared on the #540.

Stagecoach Manchester 27824 in Westhoughton

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. It turned out it was dud... We had been on Stagecoach Manchester 27824 up to Pemberton on a #628 back in January 2013. We got on the bus and we flashed our System One tickets to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus. The rain had made the windows all steamy so we didn't see a lot on the return journey. We went back through Daisy Hill, Castle Hill, Hindley and Ince-in-Makerfield before coming into town from the East. It turned out that back n January 2013 Matthew was unable to get a picture inside this bus. When we go back into Wigan bus station Matthew was able to get a picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 27824 on this occasion.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 27824

We got off the bus and we saw Rotala South Lancs 20726 on a #635 to Appley Bridge.

Rotala South Lancs 20726 in Wigan bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 4583 come into the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 4583 in Wigan bus station

As we had never been on one of the new buses on the #375/385 service, we decided to do one up to Pemberton for a guaranteed quick score... We got on the bus and we flashed our System One tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and the bus was not full, but people were sitting scattered around the top deck. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4583

We set off out of the bus station and onto Dorning Street before turning into King Street West. We turned righ by Wigan Wallgate station and we passed wigan North Western station before going under the railway line. We went South down the A49 and past Wigan Pier before joining the A577 just after the large roundabout. As we joined the A577 we passed Warrington Coachways Alexander bodied minibus P180 UFM going into town. We carried on out of town and past the Halfway House. We got up and got off at the next stop just before the traffic lights. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4583 as it carried on towards Southport.

Arriva NW&W 4583 in Pemberton

We crossed the road and we stood at the stop awiating the next return service. There was a gap in the service, and the next bus due was a #352 from Orrell just after 16:00. Whilst we waited we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 22305 on a #621 Kitt Green circular.

Stagecoach Manchester 22305 in Pemberton

This was followed immediately by South Gloucester coach M339 EEC.

South Gloucester M339 EEC in Pemberton

To our surprise a late running #628 came around the corner from Norley Hall Avenue. It was required Stagecoach Manchester 36789...

Stagecoach Manchester 36789 in Pemberton

We got onto the bus and we flashed our System One tickets before sitting down towards the rear of the bus. The bus set off down the A577 and we joined onto the Northbound A49. We passed the West side of Wigan Pier and we turned under the railway line to go past the railway stations. We turned right onto King Street West and we headed up Dorning Street and into the bus station. When we got into the bus station we let Stagecoach Manchester 36789 empty and matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 36789

We decided to take Matthew up to the toilets. On the way we saw Rotala South Lancs 30536 on a #715 service to Bolton.

Rotala South Lancs 30536 in Wigan bus station

We also saw required Stagecoach Manchester 27827 on a #598 to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 27827 in Wigan bus station

Whilst Matthew was in the toilet we saw required Stagecoach Manchester 19088 arrive on the #32 from Manchester. When matthew came out of the toilet was asked him if he wanted to do the E400 double decker and he said yes. As we headed towards the bus we stopped so Matthew could photograph a Ring & Ride minibus... It was Ring & Ride BV57 VGY.

Ring & Ride BV57 VGY in Wigan bus station

Required Stagecoach Manchester 19088 was starting to load up, so Matthew got a quick picture of this bus.

Stagecoach Manchester 19088 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed our System One bus only tickets. We went upstairs and the bus started to move off immediately. The bus took a similar route to the #540 as far as Hindley, along Darlington East Road and Manchester Road. We turned right towards castle Hill and we took a higher route across the housing estate. We crossed over the #540 route before coming out on Atherton road at the West end of Hindley Green. We went passed the T junction with the road to Leigh and we got up to get off the bus. As we stopped at the light Matthew noticed the lower saloon was empty and he took another picture inside Stagecoach Manchester 19088.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19088

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 19088 as it carried on towards Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 19088 in Hindley Green

We crossed the road to wait for the next bus towards Wigan. The was a #598 due just before the hour around 17:00. The was also a #32 due a few minutes before we got to the stop. We couldn't remember passing one going the other way. As the time for the #598 got closer we saw a #32 approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Stagecoach Manchester 19520.

Stagecoach Manchester 19520 in Hindley Green

We got on the bus and we flashed the driver the System One tickets for the final time today. We went upstairs, and as it was nearly empty Matthew took his empty bus picture immediately.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19520

The bus set off Westwards along Atherton Road and we turned into the Castle Hill housing estate We headed North up to Slough Lane before heading back south into Hindley. We turned right onto wigan Road and we passed the park in Higher Ince before entering Ince-in-Makerfield. We went West along Darlington Road east and we entered the East end of Wigan before running through King Street West. We got off the bus and we were supposed to meet up with mum, but we had gotten back a few minutes earlier than I anticipated that we would. We walked down to the bottom end to take a few more bus pictures. We then saw required Stagecoach Manchester 27825 on a #631 Highfield Grange circular service.

Stagecoach Manchester 27825 in Wigan bus station

This was followed by required Arriva NW&W 2690 on a #352 to Orrell.

Arriva NW&W 2690 in Wigan bus station

We set off back to the car the long way around... On layover in hallgate in between #600's was Stagecoach Manchester 19103.

Stagecoach Manchester 19103 in Wigan

We carried onto Dorning Street and we saw required Arriva NW&W 4177, which was on layover from working the #715 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 4177 in Wigan

Having briefly seen mum at the bus station before we wqlked the long way around, mum had walked back to the car the short way around and had driven up behind Arriva NW&W 4177. We got in the car were mum had Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru waiting Matthew. We drove along Frog Lane and under the West Coast main line before under the Southport railway line and the line to Kirkby. We joined the Northbound A49 and we went around Wigan Pier to head South. We carried on South down the A49 and we stopped at the last petrol station before the motorway, the Shell station opposite Taybarns. On the forecourt at the same time was Ava Coach minibus SN03 SCZ. We joined the Southbound M6 and we made good time down to the A500. We did the A500 down to the A50 and we went East to Normacott. We came off the A50 at Normacott and we stopped to drop off some videos to someone Chaplin Road. We carried on down to Lightwood Road and we turned right to head towards Longton. We joined the high level A50 and we turned towards Z Carz to see what was on the spare ground. First in the row was Z Carz M372 NWN which appeared to be having some repair work done on it.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next to that were 3 ford minbuses, the first of which was Z Carz PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

This was followed by Z Carz FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Finally we had Airport Transfers minibus Z Carz MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. In the compound tonight was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We headed into Blurton on Blurton Road and we passed First Potteries 60068 on a Longton bound #22 service. We got home just before 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by an egg custard. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 27-03-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
60205	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going for tea in Trent Vale but not before he spent the day with his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and 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 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. 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. After dinner we went to the pub. We went in a car. We went onto City Road and down to the A52. We went passed the railway station and forward to Joiners Square. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we reached our destination. Matthew went to the toilet and had a glass of Coke. We then saw First Potteries 63171 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63171 in Joiners Square

This was followed by First Potteries 63180 on a #6B to Hanley.

First Potteries 63180 in Joiners Square

When it was time to return we got back in the car. We joined the A52 and went past the railway station and onto City Road. We turned towards Stoke and joined the Southbound A500. We did the A500 to Sideway and then went East along the A50 to Heron Cross. At Heron Cross we joined onto Blurton Road. We continued onto Church Road and then right onto the A5035. We turned into Magdalen Road and we reached our destination, getting back around 15:00. Matthew had some toast and a glass of Cherryade whilst we waited for it to be the right time to set off for the bus. We were catching the 16:07 today, which I had viewed earlier and was booked to be First Potteries 60205. We set off just before 16:00 and we walked all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road. Just after 16:00 we saw School's Out YG58 WFS heading into Blurton. We carried on to the pub and mum was already waiting for us.

School's Out YG58 WFS in Blurton

The bus was around 10 minutes late today... It turned the corner and it was First Potteries 60205 as expected.

First Potteries 60205 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. Just after we turned right we passed First Potteries 60068 on the Dresden bound #22 service. We continued West and into Trentham and we turned into New Inn Lane. We passed First Potteries 60072 on the #22 short near to the man in Space pub and we continued into Hanford. We passed First Potteries 41496 on a #21 service to Pacific Drive followed by First Potteries 53122 on a #21A to the Trentham Hotel. We joined the A34 and we went under the A500 and into Trent Vale. We turned right into Harpfields Road and we got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 60205 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60205 in Trent Vale

We walked onto the A34 and immediately we saw First Potteries 65036 on a Stafford bound #101 service.

First Potteries 65036 in Trent Vale

We carried on walking to the pub and mum was already 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 were Bennetts A7 BNT / A12 BNT and Stanton's of Stoke LG05 BCL. After we had finished eating we went out to the car. We called Uncle Dave and we went to pick him up. We drove along the A34 and onto and A500. We went East on the A50 and going into Heron Cross before we headed into Fenton. After we had picked up uncle Dave, we headed up to Heron Cross and through Blurton. We paused at the doctors on Ripon Road and we saw the evening #22A with First Potteries 53405. We carried on down Finstock Avenue getting home around 17:50. Matthew then chilled out watching bus videos and using his computer before bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Cannock / Bloxwich 21-03-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2376	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3794	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	25	Arriva Midlands
3302	Cannock BS	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	1	Arriva Midlands
3302	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BP)	Cannock BS	1	Arriva Midlands
2735	Cannock BS	Heath Hayes, Opp Five Ways Inn	33	Arriva Midlands
2715	Heath Hayes, Adj Five Ways Inn	Cannock BS	33	Arriva Midlands
2	Cannock BS	Featherstone, Opp South Crescent	1	Select Bus Services
3720	Featherstone, Adj South Crescent	Cannock BS	70	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Cannock. We had checked the weather for the weekend and and it had given out fine cool weather in all directions. We gave Matthew a list of destinations and from the list Matthew chose Cannock. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast an orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 12:00. onto the A5035. We drove Westwards to the A34 and then North and onto Whitmore Road. We joined the A519 and then we went onto the Southbound M6. The road was clear and moving well today... We drove down through the roadworks and as we got near to the A5 we were caught up by KWS Executive Travel UIL 5167 on a day trip.

KWS UIL 5167 on the M6

We carried on down to the A5 and then East for a few miles until we got to Wolverhampton Road. On the way in we passed a new Wright Streetlite on a #1 to Walsall. We weren't aware of these new buses before we came today. We drove North into town and we parked up in the multi-storey car park off Ringway. We walked out of the car park and we walked around to the bus station. As we got to the bus station we saw Arriva Midlands 3308 on a #1 to Huntington.

Arriva Midlands 3308 in Cannock bus station

We then saw Arriva Midlands 3793 on a #25 Pye Green circular.

Arriva Midlands 3793 in Cannock bus station

We walked up the steps of the shopping centre. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3794 on a #26 Pye Green circular.

Arriva Midlands 3794 in Cannock bus station

We walked into the shopping centre and Matthew went to the toilet. We walked back to the front end of the shopping centre and we went into the Copper Kettle cafe. Matthew had a breakfast with extra toast and a glass of Coke to wash it down. When we were done we said goodbye to mum and we walked into the bus station. Whilst we had been eating we had seen a Dart arrive at the top end of the bus station. We saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2376 and it was about to work a #31 to Rugeley.

Arriva Midlands 2376 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this bus. We got on and we booked a Midlands Day Saver ticket at £6.20. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station and towards the hospital and onto Brunswick Road. We turned right onto Old Fallow Road. We went North up Huntington Terrace Road and then right onto Belt Road. As the bus was busy, Matthew took a picture of the empty rear seat of the bus behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2376

At the roundabout we joined onto Cannock Road. We turned right into Market Street and we got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2376 before it carried on to Rugeley.

Arriva Midlands 2376 in Hednesford bus station

We crossed the road to see when the next #31 was due...It wasn't for a while. On the other side of the road we saw required Arriva Midlands 3793 on a #26 Pye Green circular. We didn't have to wait long for an #25 Pye Green circular. When it turned up it was required Arriva Midlands 3794.

Arriva Midlands 3794 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed our Midland Day Saver ticket. We sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off along Market Street and we turned left onto Cannock Road. We turned left into Moss Road and then left again onto Crab Lane. We turned right onto Old Hednesford Road and e came into Cannock from the East. We joined the Ringway and we went around to the bus station. When we got on stand we allowed the bus to empty and then Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3794.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3794

We considered what bus to do next. On the top stand we saw Select Bus Services Dart 4 on a #23 to Hednesford.

Select Bus Services 4 in Cannock bus station

We went to the toilet and when we returned we saw Arriva Midlands 3302 on a #1 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3302 in Cannock bus station

Also seen was Arriva Midlands 4201 which was about to work the #75 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 4201 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do required Arriva Midlands 3302 on the #1 to Walsall as far as Bloxwich. We got on the bus and we flashe our Midland Day saver ticket. Before we sat down Matthew took a picture of the empty rear end of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3302

We headed onto the Ringway and then South Westerly on Mills Street. We turned left onto the A34 and we went down the hill to Bridgetown. We crossed over the M6 toll and e carried on South on the A34. We traveled approximately 5Km South until we got to the centre of Bloxwich. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3302 before it carried on to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3302 in Bloxwich

We headed to the toilet and the disabled toilet was engaged. Matthew used the gents instead and it wasn't the best toilet we ever used... There were a few buses that need photographing that were knocking around. Arriva Midlands 3303 rounded the corner which was on a #2 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3303 in Bloxwich

We saw Arriva Midlands 2159 Between duties.

Arriva Midlands 2159 in Bloxwich

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2705 depart on a #19 service to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2705 in Bloxwich

We also saw Rotala Diamond 30833 on a #302 Walsall - Bloxwich - Walsall circular.

Rotala Diamond 30833 in Bloxwich

We walked up to the stops by the park. We saw NX West Midlands 1774 on a #89 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 1774 in Bloxwich

We cross the road and we went to the newsagents on the corer of High Street and Wolverhampton Road. Matthew had a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We went and sat on a bench adjacent to the stop we required for the bus back to Cannock. Matthew drank a can of Irn Bru and ate a fudge and some Milky Stars.Whilst here we took quite a few bus pictures. We saw NX West Midlands 1758 on a #29 to Walsall

NX West Midlands 1758 in Bloxwich

We also saw NX West Midlands 1769 on a #302 circular.

NX West Midlands 1769 in Bloxwich

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2159 which was now on a #23 to Brownhills. Coming around the corner was NX West Midlands 1777 running out of service.

NX West Midlands 1777 in Bloxwich

On the High Street we then saw NX West Midlands 1776 on a #89 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 1776 in Bloxwich

Coming off the Wolverhampton Road was NX West Midlands 1895.

NX West Midlands 1895 in Bloxwich

We also saw Rotala Diamond 30828 on their #302 service.

Rotala Diamond 30828 in Bloxwich

On a Moseley bound #301 service we saw Rotala Diamond 30950.

Rotala Diamond 30950 in Bloxwich

Also on a #302 Walsall circular was NX West Midlands 1768.

NX West Midlands 1768 in Bloxwich

We also saw NX West Midlands 1766 on a #29 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1766 in Bloxwich

Across the road we saw Arriva Midlands 2112 on a #326 to Bilston.

Arriva Midlands 2112 in Bloxwich

This was followed by Arriva Midlands 3301 on the following #1 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3301 in Bloxwich

We were then surprised to see NX West Midlands Volvo B10B Trainer 1345 emerge from the Wolverhampton Road.

NX West Midlands 1345 in Bloxwich

On a #301 to Mossley we saw NX West Midlands 1781.

NX West Midlands 1781 in Bloxwich

On a #302 service we saw red Rotala Diamond 30862.

Rotala Diamond 30862 in Bloxwich

Going the other way around on the #302 service was Rotala Diamond 30943.

Rotala Diamond 30943 in Bloxwich

We also saw NX West Midlands 1754 on a Walsall bound #301 service.

NX West Midlands 1754 in Bloxwich

On a #70 to Walsall was NX West Midlands 857.

NX West Midlands 857 in Bloxwich

Our bus then appeared to take us back North to Cannock. We ended up catching the same bus back as we caught down... Arriva Midlands 3302.

Arriva Midlands 3302 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the tickets. We sat down near to the back of the bus. Across the road we saw a former Wardle Transport bus... Arriva Midlands 4801 was on a #19 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 4801 in Bloxwich

The bus set off Northwards up the A34 and we crossed over the M6 toll before running into town. We realised that we had missed the #74 & #75 so we would have to do a quick out and back move. We considered doing the X60 towards Lichfield, but the bus in question was dud Arriva Midlands 3703.

Arriva Midlands 3703 in Cannock bus station

On a #33 to Walsall was required Arriva Midlands 2735.

Arriva Midlands 2735 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this up to five ways junction Heath Hayes. We got on the bus and we flashe our Midlands Day Saver ticket. We sat down near the the back of the bus. We headed east out of town along Mills Street and past the railway station. We went around an industrial estate and then pasta Tesco Superstore before going Eastwards along Hayes Way. We turned to go South Eastwards along Hednesford and we climbed to the top of the hill. The bus emptied a little and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2735.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2735

We got to the top of the hill and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2735 before it carried on towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2735 in Heath Hayes

We crossed the road to wait for the return bus. Before I could check the timetable another bus appeared. It was required Arriva Midlands 2715 on a #33 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2715 in Heath Hayes

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off down Hednesford Road. We returned via Hayes Wat Tesco and Mills Street back into Cannock and we got waited for the bus to empty. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2715.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2715

We were considering what to catch next... We walked down to Stand 1 to get a picture of Select Bus Service 2 which was working the #67 to Brinsford.

Select Bus Services 2 in Cannock bus station

Matthew wanted to go on the bus to get a picture inside Select Bus Services 2. We got on and I asked the driver if he could take a picture. Matthew took his picture and then went and Matthew decided he wanted to catch the bus, so we asked the driver where we could go and get an Arriva bus back. After a quick chat we decided we could go to Featherstone.

Inside Select Bus Services 2

We booked to Feathestone and I joined Matthew who was already sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town Southwards an we crossed over the A5 and then M6 toll. We traveled through Shareshill and into Featherstone. We got off the bus in the centre of the estate next to a few shops. Matthew took another picture of Select Bus Services 2 as it carried on towards Brinsford.

Select Bus Services 2 in Featherstone

There was a chip shop opposite so we decided to have a portion of chips between us. They asked if we wanted the chips battered,something which I have never heard of before! They gave Matthew a lolly and we paid and left. The chis were hot and it was a struggle to eat them quickly. We only had 10 minutes before the return #70 service. We got the chip eaten and the paper binned with around a minutes to spare. We saw Arriva Midlands 3721 on a Wolverhampton bound #70 and then almost immediately we saw required Arriva Midlands 3720 on the Cannock bound #70.

Arriva Midlands 3720 in Featherstone

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midland day Saver for the final time today. The bus set off onto the A460 and we went North. We crossed the M6 and we headed into Cheslyn Hayes before coming into Cannock via Bridgetown. We stopped at the Arriva cannock depot for a driver change and we saw a Mercedes Citaro arrive on the depot. I wasn't aware until that point that there were any Mercedes single decker based there. We carried on into town and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3720.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3720

Before we went home we took a couple more pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 4203 about to work a #75 service to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 4203 in Cannock bus station

We started to walk back towards the car park. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3301 on a #1 to Huntington.

Arriva Midlands 3301 in Cannock bus station

We walked up to the car park with mum and we had some sausage roll that she had brought earlier. matthew washed it down with a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and Southwards towards the A5. We stopped at the petrol station to put some diesel in and then we joined the Westbound A5. Three to four miles later we joined the Northbound M6 into the roadworks. Once North of junction 13 we made good time. We came off the M6 at junction 15 and we saw a coach ahead of us going onto the A500. We caught the coach up and it was Marshalls of Sutton VDL coach PM14 JAM. We went East up the A50 and we came off it at Longton so we could go and check out Z Carz. There were 3 buses on the spare ground tonight. First in the row was Z carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

There was another Mercedes minibus, Z Carz CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Finally was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to check out what was in the compound. There was Mercedes minibus Z Carz S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we headed up to Heron Cross.We turned onto Blurton Road and we passed First Potteries 53120 on a #23 service. We went up to Beaconsfield Drive and turned right. At the end of Beaconsfield Drive we caught up with First Potteries 60202 on a #22 to Newcastle. We got home at 18:40. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a custard tart. Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark