Trip to Bromsgrove / Rubery 25-04-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67654	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	144	First Worcester
67656	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
30943	Bromsgrove BS	Rubery, adj Beverley Road	202	Rotala Diamond
67643	Rubery, adj St. Chads Church	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
67658	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	147	First Worcester
67652	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	147	First Worcester

Today we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We had checked the weather for the North west and Midlands and there were showers forecast for all areas except for the region South of Birmingham. We gave Matthew a choice of destinations and we steered him towards picking Bromsgrove. Matthew got up around 11:00 today. I think he was feeling a little under the weather. He got up and had orange juice and toast and by 12:00 he was raring to go. Today was the first trip out in the new family car. It's a year older than the previous one, but its in much better condition and in comparison it goes like a train! We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right towards Trentham. We joined the Northbound A34 and onto Whitmore Road. We joined the Southbound M6 and it was nice to be able to get up to speed more quickly! We encounter a rain shower just North of Stafford and and we through the roadworks with a small delay due to a broken down van. It was a little busy from junction 10 through to 8, and we were caught up by Ogdens Van Hool coach K60 JDO.

Ogdens K60 JDO on the M6

We continued South onto the M5 and we carried on to Junction 4 for the A38. We drove the last few miles into town and we passes Leons Coaches 73 seats 216 going North. Just North of Bromsgove we turned off the A38 onto Birmingham Road for the last mile into town. We parked up at Asda. We set off on foot into town and as we crossed over the A448 to got to the bus station we saw First Worcester 67637 running out of service.

First Worcester 67637 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and when he came out we saw Euro Liners DK55 NLF leaving the bus station.

Euro Liners DK55 NLF in Bromsgrove bus station

We at at the chip shop cafe that we always eat at when we visit Bromsgrove, Market Plaice Fish Bar. As it wasn't a bad day and the inside was full, we sat outside to eat our chips. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy and a bap washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eat Matthew said goodbye to the staff at the chips shop and said goodbye to mum too. We headed into the bus station and there was a lull in the buses when we got there. After a short wait we saw dud iGo 2002 on the #145 to Longbridge.

iGo 2002 in Bromsgrove bus station

To the South we saw in the distance a Copeland's Tours coach at Bromsgrove School. We also saw Bakers FB54 MTB arrive from the North and head towards the school too. A few minutes later we saw a First Worcester Enviro 300 approaching from the North. as it got closer we saw that it was required First Worcester 67654 on a #144 to Worcester.

First Worcester 67654 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to do this down to Droitwich, and then we could visit the Spar shop there for more supplies. We got on the bus and we purchased Worcestershire Connecta tickets at £7 each. We sat down near to the back of the bus. We set off Southwards out of town on the A448 and we passed saw a First Worcester Solo in Bromsgrove for the first time. It was First Worcester 53050 running out of service. We passed Bromsgrove School but we couldn't see any of the coaches in the grounds. We joined the B4091 and we passed a church were preserved Birmingham Corporation half cab 2976 was being used as a wedding vehicle. Further South we joined the A38 and we ran down past Webbs of Wychbold before crossing under the M5 at junction 5. We carried on along the A38 until we were just North of town. We crossed under the railway line and we went around the town centre along the Saltway. We came into town from the West along Priory Lane and we got off the bus at the stop outside the Spar shop.

First Worcester 67654 in Droitwich Spa

As we got off the bus we saw a Rotala Diamond Dart approaching. It was Rotala Diamond 20113 on a #19A town circular service.

Rotala Diamond 20113 in Droitwich Spa

The last time that we had seen Rotala Diamond 20113 was in Kidderminster back in August 2014. We went into the Spar shop and we got some supplies for later. When we came out we saw a bus from an operator that we had never seen before... It was LMS Dennis Dart Y833 TGH.

LMS Travel Y833 TGH in Droitwich Spa

We walked into Victoria Square and Matthew had a Milky Way and a can of Irn Bru. Whilst we were waiting for the next Bromsgrove bound bus we saw required First Worcester 67661 on a Worcester bound service.

First Worcester 67661 in Droitwich Spa

A few minutes later we saw a bus come around the near corner. It was required First Worcester 67656 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 67656 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off through town. We turned onto Queen Street and we headed back onto Bromsgrove Road and then back onto the A38. We passed under the M5 and past Wychbold and then into the South end of town via the B4091 and A448 When we got back to the bus station we saw required First Worcester 32852 pulling off on a Worcester bound #144 service. It stopped at the traffic lights at the end of the bus station and we watched it leave the bus station. There was another lull in the buses and the only bus that we saw was dud Clearway S895 SNY on the #93 Charford circular service. After a short wait we saw a Rotala Diamond bus approaching from the North. It was required Rotala Diamond 30943 on the #202 to Halesowen.

Rotala Diamond 30943 in Bromsgrove bus station

Before we got on to the bus I had a chat about where I wanted to go on the bus. I had an idea that the #202 passed the area just to the West of town which I didn't know what it was called... It turned out that the area was called Eachway. As I don't know the area I was a little confused about the direction that the bus travelled into to get to Rubery. We got on the bus and flashed the Connecta tickets to driver asking to travel to the edge of Rubery. We sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town and up Birmingham Road. At the A38 we saw two coaches in the lay-by. These were Catteralls UUI 4918 and PO55 OSL. We joined the A38 and we travelled up to the roundabout where the A38 crosses the M42. On the same roundabout is the B4096, which we took the Northbound route. It was at this point that I worked out we would be approaching Rubery from the East. We were going through the Lickeys... A hilly area to the North West of Barnt Green. We went up a steep hill which made me think of Lickey incline, a steep gradient on the Bromsgrove to Birmingham railway line that we used to travel up by train back in the day. We went through a very wooded and picturesque valley then we turned right. At this point I noticed we were in the West Midlands by the bus stops. We passed National Express west Midlands 4146 coming the other way. We carried on for around another mile and we were next to the A38 at the East end of the main street in Rubery. The driver whistle down to us and told us that was as far as we could go and we could catch a #144 just up the road. We got off the bus and we started to walk up the road. In the distance we could see the A38 again on the horizon about 1/2 mile away. Before we got to Callowbridge Road we saw National Express West Midlands 4429 on a #63 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 4429 in Rubery

We then saw National Express West Midlands 4754 on a #49 to Solihull.

NX West Midlands 4754 in Rubery

We further up the road and we saw that we were back in Worcestershire! We checked the stop information and we saw that was a #144 to Bromsgrove due in a few minutes. This gave Matthew time to have a few squares of Galaxy Caramel... A few minutes later we saw A First bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Worcester 67643.

First Worcester 67643 in Rubery

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus. This was a bus that we did from Sidemoor to Catshill on our first ever trip to Bromsgrove back in June 2014. the bus headed West towards Eachway where I originally wanted to do the #202 to, and joined onto the Southbound A38. We passed the roundabout for junction 4 of the M5 and we headed further South. We turned right at the Toby inn and we headed down Golden Cross Lane near to the Co-op and into Catshill. We came out of the other side of Catshill and we crossed under the M42 before going into Bromsgrove via Sidemoor. When got to Bromsgrove bus station Matthew visit the toilet again. I had a look at the stops to see when the next bus was due. On the stop I noticed s timetable for Euroliners, and I realised that when we had seen the minibus in the bus station it must have been working on a service bus! All the times we have been to Bromsgrove and this is the first time I realised that this was happening... A look at the timetable showed that the last departure on the #97 to Sidemoor was at 13:55. If we came to Bromsgrove again to ride on this bus we would have to arrive much earlier in the day. There was a #202 to Halesowen at 16:25 and a #147 towards Droitwich at 16:30. We thought that if we did the #147 to Droitwich if we were lucky we might get First Worcester 32852 coming back. The #147 arrived first and it was required First Worcester 67658.

First Worcester 67658 in Bromsgrove bus station

As it wasn't due to leave for a few minute we didn't rush to get on it. A minute or so later we saw the following #202 approaching from the North. It was required Rotala Diamond 30942.

Rotala Diamond 30942 in Bromsgrove bus station

Unexpectedly, (to us) dud Hanson bus 1520 appeared on the #318 to Bromsgrove railway station.

Hanson Bus 1520 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to go with the 'head to Droitwich and hope get First Worcester 32852' plan, so we got on First Worcester 67658 and flashed our Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. As the bus in front of us was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 67658 too.

Inside First Worcester 67658

The bus set off onto the A448 and we headed South and onto the B4091. We continued South onto the A38 and as this was a #147 we went into the entrance of Webbs of Wychbold. I like how they have a home made bus stop shelter made out of a re-purposed shed complete with a garden bench inside it for the waiting passengers. We rejoined the A38 and continued South down the A38 until we got to the edge of town. We headed down the Birmingham Road and around town along the Saltway. We came into town along Prior Lane and and we got off the bus outside the Spar shop again. Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 67658 before it carried on Southwards towards Worcester.

First Worcester 67658 in Droitwich Spa

We walked to the square and a quick check of the bus stop timetable informed us there was a bus due in a few minutes #147. I just had time to visit a cash machine and Matthew had a bag of Milky Stars. A few minutes later dud First Worcester 67652 made an appearance on the #147.

First Worcester 67652 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed our Worcestershire Connecta ticket to the driver for the final time of the day, and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out town along Queen Street and we headed North up to the A38. First Worcester 67652 was the first ever First Bus Enviro 300 that we had been on from this batch back in June 2014. We called into Webbs of Wychbold again and this time First Worcester 67661 was going south on a #144A calling at the 'shed' stop just before we did. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off the bus and wait for another one behind us, be he indicated to me that he wanted to go forward to Bromsgrove on the bus that we were on. We joined the Northbound B4091 and then onto the A448 for the last few hundred yards to the bus station. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Worcester 67652.

First Worcester 67652 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew went to the toilet for the final time and missed Commandery Coaches Mercedes YN57 ENV whilst he was in there. When he came out we saw iGo 2001 on the #145 to Droitwich Spa.

iGo 2001 in Bromsgrove bus station

We met up with mum and we walked back to the car. Mum validated the parking at the machine and I sorted out some drinks from the boot of the car. There were already some Greggs sausage rolls waiting for us. We set off out of the car park and we headed up Birmingham Road and onto the A38. The Cotteralls coaches had now moved on. We joined the A38 and then we passed Dudley's Coaches R726 TYC. We went further North and the we passed the Leons coach 216 again this time going southwards. We joined the M5 and we made good time up to the M6, as we passed Bescot we ran alongside a charter train consisting of pullman coaches and a class 47 on the rear of the train. We carried on North through the roadworks section of the M6 and we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 520 going South. We carried on North to junction 15 we left the M6. On the A500 it was soooo nice being able to get up to 50mph before we had got to the top of the hill. At Sideway we joined the Eastbound A50, which we did to Longton. We went to check out what was on Z Carz this evening. On the spare ground there were 2 buses tonight... Mercedes minibus M372 NWN had moved off, and there were 2 different buses. First in the row was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

The other bus was one of Z Carz's Ford minibuses, LG09 JVZ.

Z Carz LG09 JVZ in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. In the compound were Mercedes minibuses S952 VMY and M372 NWN, as well as Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off the A50 again at Heron Cross. We went through Blurton and stopped at mum friends shop and we dropped off some shopping before we carried on home, we followed First Potteries 60069 which was on a #22 to Newcastle up the road and we followed it into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just before 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a millionaires shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 24-04-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
60072	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 There had been a timetable change and the PVR of the route had changed from 5 to 4 buses. There are 3 buses that work all day, plus one extra that does the 16:05 Newcastle to New Inn Lane. The extra bus then runs empty to Keele to form the 17:03 #3 service from Keele to Hanley. 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. Today we went in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto Glebedale Road and then left onto City Road. We turned right onto Manor Street and then left onto Victoria Road. We carried on across Joiners Square roundabout and onto Lichfield Street and to our destination. Matthew used the toilet and had a drink of Coke. We then saw Stevens Travel KS56 DSZ heading towards Hanley.

Stevens Travel KS56 DSZ in Joiners Square

Shortly after that we saw First Potteries 63173 on a #6 towards Longton.

First Potteries 63173 in Joiners Square

When it was time to go we got in a Lucky Seven taxi. We went down Palmerston Street and onto the A52. We turned left onto Victoria Road and up to Victoria Square before turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. When it was time to go home we went outside and it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off onto Glebedale Road an forward onto Station Bridge Road and Heron Street. In Heron Cross we went straight across onto Blurton Road and over the A50. We carried on into Blurton along Blurton Road and forward onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Road and arrived home just before 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of Irn Bru whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 16:18 to Newcastle and we were expecting it to be dud First Potteries 60072. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. We stood at the bus stop and pretty much bang on time we saw dud First Potteries 60072 come around the corner as was expected.

First Potteries 60072 in Blurton

We got on to the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We turned right towards Trentham passing Scraggs 1655 VT going the other way. In Trentham we turned right into New Inn Lane passing First Potteries 60073 on the #22 to Longton. We headed through Hanford and down Church lane onto the A34. We saw First Potteries 53124 on a #21B to Trentham Gardens. We crossed under the A500 and into Trent Vale. At the end of London Road we passed First Potteries 53123 on a #21 to Pacific Drive and the Trentham Hotel on the new combined #21 and #21A which runs as a #21 only. We turned right onto Harpfields Road. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60072 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60072 in Trent Vale

We got to the pub just before mum arrived. Whilst we waited we saw ABC Supreme YU02 GZG. When mum arrived we went into the pub 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 were First Potteries 65033 on the #101 to Stafford and Stantons of Stoke Van Hool / Volvo coach YKZ 6759 going towards Newcastle. 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. Passing through Blurton we saw First Potteries 41496 & 53209. We carried on down Beaconsfield Drive getting home around 17:45. Matthew then chilled out watching bus videos and eating a small individual cheesecake also using his computer before bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Tamworth / Sutton Coldfield 18-04-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4409	Tamworth bus interchange	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SD)	110	Arriva Midlands
4408	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SH)	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands
3001	Tamworth bus interchange	Coton Green, Opp Helingham	3A	Arriva Midlands
3808	Coton Green, opp Fox Inn	Lichfield BS	X60	Arriva Midlands
3807	Lichfield BS	Tamworth bus interchange	X60	Arriva Midlands
4410	Tamworth bus interchange	Fazeley, Adj The Square	110	Arriva Midlands
4412	Fazeley, Nr The Square	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Tamworth. Matthew had also said that he wanted to visit Lichfield too. We had checked the weather and it was for fine and sunny weather all over the Midlands and North West. We gave him a list of places to go and from the list he chose Tamworth. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off at 12:00 and we went down to the A5035 and turned right towards Trentham. At the A34 we turned left and headed South. Near to Stone we passed ABC Supreme VK06 LTV going North towards the hospital. We carried on passed the edge of Stone and we turned left onto the A34 to head towards Rugeley. We passed along through Staffordshire passing Arriva Midlands 3763 on the #825 to Stafford. Instead of heading through Lichfield we decided to drive around it. We went around town on the A5192 and we saw Rotala Diamond 20854 on the #21 service. We headed South on the A38 and we went down A5148 as the A38 route towards Tamworth wasn't signpost until we had already committed to the other road! We joined the Eastbound A5 and we headed East until we got to the Junction by Ventura Park. We came off and headed North up to the A51 and we turned east again to come into town. We parked up in the car park adjacent to Corporation Street and Aldergate. We headed to Cafe Rio and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and Matthew used the toilet in the Tourist information office. The old toilet block had now closed down. We went back on to Corporation Street to the interchange and we saw required Arriva Midlands 3017 on a #3 to Coton Green.

Arriva Midlands 3017 in Tamworth bus interchange

We headed down the row and we took a few more pictures... In between #82 services was Solus Coaches MX12 CGE.

Solus Coaches MX12 CGE in Tamworth bus interchange

On a #2 to Gillway was required Arriva Midlands 3016.

Arriva Midlands 3016 in Tamworth bus interchange

We decided we were going to do a double decker on the #110 service. We had a few minutes to wait for the next bus on this quarter hourly service. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva Midlands 3511 on a #785 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3511 in Tamworth bus interchange

A few minutes later the double decker on the #110 appeared. It was dud Arriva Midlands 4409.

Arriva Midlands 4409 in Tamworth bus interchange

Whilst we were waiting to get on the bus, Matthew pointed to Sutton Coldfield on the side of the bus. This meant that we need an Arriva Midlands Day Saver in stead of a Tamworth and Lichfield one. We got on the bus and we booked the Day Saver tickets at £6.20. We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4409 too.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4409

The bus set off towards the A51 before turning South towards Ventura Park. The bus announced each stop as we approached it and also displayed this information on a screen. We headed South to Fazeley and then we headed West to Mile Oak. At Mile Oak we headed south again through a ore rural part of the route. We passed Bassetts Pole round about and continued South to Sutton Coldfield. We circumnavigated the one way system into town and we turned into the Grazechurch shopping centre area. We got off the bus and we photographed the Scania Onicity double decker behind us. It was required National Express West Midlands 4780.

NX West Midlands 4780 in Sutton Coldfield

We also saw National Express West Midlands 4299 on a #77 to walsall.

NX West Midlands 4299 in Sutton Coldfield

We crossed over victoria Road and we saw Arriva Midlands 3006 on the next #110 back to Tamworth. We crossed back over the road onto the other side of the shopping centre street ready to return towards Tamworth, and in the mean time we took a few more bus and coach pictures. we then saw Alfa coach 44 dropping off passengers.

Alfa 44 in Sutton Coldfield

Matthew had a Milky Way whilst we were waiting to take more pictures. We then saw National Express West Midlands 4916 on a #902 service to Hill Hook.

NX West Midlands 4916 in Sutton Coldfield

This was followed by National Express West Midlands 4329 on a #6 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4329 in Sutton Coldfield

We also saw National Express West Midlands 4799 on a #914 to Birmingham via the Aston Expressway.

NX West Midlands 4799 in Sutton Coldfield

Next was National Express West Midlands 2111 on a #71 to Solihull.

NX West Midlands 2111 in Sutton Coldfield

Across the road we saw another Scania Omnicity double decker, National Express West Midlands 4778 which arrived and went out of service.

NX West Midlands 4778 in Sutton Coldfield

On a #904 to falcon Lodge was National Express West Midlands 4918.

NX West Midlands 4918 in Sutton Coldfield

Eventually our bus back to Tamworth arrived, and it was required Arriva Midlands 4408.

Arriva Midlands 4408 in Sutton Coldfield

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. We went upstairs and sat down near to the back of the bus. We set off Northwards around the towns one way system and we passed the graveyard and adjacent Good Hope hospital... We carried on north and into rural Staffordshire. We raced north to Bassetts Pole and up to mile Oak before heading Eastwards towards Fazeley. At Fazeley square we went North and passed Ventura Park. We continued North up to the A51 and then turned by the Fire station and onto Aldergate. We turned into Corporation Street and into the interchange. We got off the bus and we saw a bus going towards Lichfield. Matthew went to the toilet in the Tourist Information office and by the time he had finished the bus to Lichfield had departed. We decided to look what else was working. At the other end of the interchange we saw required Arriva Midlands 3001 on a #3A to Coton Green.

Arriva Midlands 3001 in Tamworth bus interchange

We asked Matthew if he wanted to do Arriva Midlands 3001 and he said yes. Behind us we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3509 on a #115 to Coleshill.

Arriva Midlands 3509 in Tamworth bus interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus. There was a few minutes to wait for departure time and the bus started to fill up. The bus was still empty behind us so Matthew took a picture of the inside of Arriva Midlands 3001 behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3001

I couldn't remember which way around the loop the #3A went... The bus set off and I saw we were going along the A51 towards Lichfield. I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off the bus at Coton Green and to catch something forwards towards Lichfield and he said yes. A couple of miles out of town we turned of the A51 near to the fox Inn and we decided to get up and get off the bus. As to bus carried on on it's loop towards Lichfield, Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3001.

Arriva Midlands 3001 in Coton

We walked back to the A51 and at the stop we saw there was an X60 bus due at that very moment! A minute or so later we saw a VDL Pulsar II approaching. It was dud Arriva Midlands 3808.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Coton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. The bus carried on Westward along the A51 right to the edge of town. We turned right and we headed under the Lichfield City railway line before turning right again to get to the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3808.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Lichfield bus station

We decide to take Matthew to the toilet. on the way there we took a picture of National Holidays NH06 NEH which was terminating.

National Holidays NH06 NEH in Lichfield bus station

After he had been we went to the shop around the corner. Matthew had a couple of cans and a chocolate bar to re-stock the bag. Next we saw Midland Classic 87 on a X12 to Burton-on-Trent.

Midland Classic 87 in Lichfield bus station

We decided to walk down the bus station to photographs of the buses and coaches we had seen on the way in to the bus station. On a #23 town service was Rotala Diamond 20840.

Rotala Diamond 20840 in Lichfield bus station

parked up in the bus station was Pulham's Travels brand new coach PU15 HAM.

Pulham's Travel PU15 HAM in Lichfield bus station

We walked to the end of the bus station to see the other coach parked up. It was Garfield Travel Van Hool bodied coach YJ12 KFK which was on a Mystery excursion that end up at Lichfield.

Garfield Travel YJ12 KFK in Lichfield bus station

We then saw Arriva Midlands 2938 on the X25 to Stafford service.

Arriva Midlands 2938 in Lichfield bus station

We then saw required Arriva Midlands 3807 on a X60 to Tamworth. We walked back down and it was still in the bus station so we decided to catch it.

Arriva Midlands 3807 in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands day saver ticket at the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and then required Arriva Midlands 4217 made an appearance on the #7 to Burton-on-Trent.

Arriva Midlands 4217 in Lichfield bus station

The bus set out and we turned left under the City railway line we traveled a further 1/2 a mile or so southwards and then we turned left onto the A51. We then had a long straight run through Whittington and passed the barracks. We passed Parkington free range Pork Farm or 'Pigs in Space', and through the village of Hopwas. We entered town and we got to the bus interchange. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3807.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3807

Matthew went to the toilet again before it shut for the evening and when we came back out we saw Stagecoach Midlands 36176 parked up between duties on it's service to Nuneaton.

Stagecoach Midlands 36176 in Tamworth bus interchange

We decided to do one more short out and back on the #110 service. Whilst we waited Matthew sat on the wall and ate some Milky Stars and drank a can of Barr limeade. We also saw Arriva Midlands 3007 on the #6 to Ventura Park whilst we waited too.

Arriva Midlands 3007 in Tamworth bus interchange

The next #110 to Birmingham arrived and it was required Arriva Midlands 4410.

Arriva Midlands 4410 in Lichfield bus station

We queued up to get on the bus and the bus started to load. We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Day saver ticket at the driver. We went upstairs as there were people front and back on the bus Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4410

The bus set off West out of town until we got to the first big roundabout and then we went South. We crossed over the rivers Anker and Tame and we headed East for a short while before continuing South past Ventura Park. At Fazeley Square the bus went westwards and we got up and got off the bus.

Arriva Midlands 4410 in Fazeley

We had just missed one bus going back to Tamworth, so we decided to get some chips from the chip shop on Coleshill Road. We headed back to the square and we sat on a bench and we ate the chips quickly. Matthew also had a can of Vimto. We just finished and went around the corner and then the bus made and appearance. It was required Arriva Midlands 4412.

Arriva Midlands 4412 in Fazeley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Day saver ticket at the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took his picture inside the bus immediately.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4412

The bus paused for a short while until it was time to carry on North. We passed Ventura Park and we crossed the rivers Tame and Anker before turning Eastwards past the Fire station on onto Aldergtate. We turned into Corporation Street and into the interchange. We took a couple more pictures before we headed back to the car... We saw dud Arriva Midlands 3509 running out of service, which was passing required Arriva Midlands 3511 which was on the #765 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3509 in Tamworth bus interchange

We headed back to the car and mum was waiting with some Greggs sausage rolls. I got some Irn Bru out of the boot of the car ans we set off out of town. This time we went back along the A51 to Lichfield. We passed through Lichfield town and we carried on westward along the A51 through Rugeley, Colwich and Weston. Near to Salt we passed Coach Leasing Setra 581 AET. We joined the A34 and we went north past the edge of Stone. North of Stone we saw First Potteries 53405 on a #23 service. We carried on Northwards up the A34 and we turned right onto the A5035. We stopped for diesel at the BP garage and then we continued on to Longton to see what was on Z Carz. On the spare ground there were 3 buses. First we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Last in the row was another Mercedes minibus, Z Carz S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned into Willow Row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we came off it at Heron Cross. We headed through Blurton and we saw First Potteries 60068 on a #22 to Longton. The previous service had been the last #22 to serve Dresden. We got home around 18:50. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by mini doughnuts. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark