Sunday, 28 June 2015

"The Cheshire Champion" 28-06-2015






































































BusFromToServiceOperator



BAH 809XStoke railway stationShavington, Crewe RoadCharterRoutemaster Buses
BAH 809XShavington, Crewe RoadRoutemaster Buses depotCharterRoutemaster Buses
N327 NPNRoutemaster Buses depotMarshfield Bank Industrial EstateCharterRoutemaster Buses
N327 NPNMarshfield Bank Industrial EstateRoutemaster Buses depotCharterRoutemaster Buses
H116 SAORoutemaster Buses depotWinsford, opp The QueensCharterRoutemaster Buses
H116 SAOWinsford, opp The QueensRoutemaster Buses depotCharterRoutemaster Buses
H119 SAORoutemaster Buses depotWyndbury, adj The Swan InnCharterRoutemaster Buses
H119 SAOWyndbury, adj The Swan InnRoutemaster Buses depotCharterRoutemaster Buses
H28 YBVRoutemaster Buses depotShavington, Crewe RoadCharterRoutemaster Buses
H28 YBVShavington, Crewe RoadStoke railway stationCharterRoutemaster Buses


Today we decided to go on "the Cheshire Champion" bus tour as organised by Independent Bus Tours. The website said that the tour would commence from Stoke railway station at 11:30, picking up at Crewe railway station at 12:15 before going forward to Routemaster Buses garage located near to Reese Heath college. We would then ride on a few different buses, stopping at location around Cheshire to enable people to take pictures of the buses. A check of the weather was for cloudy weather with showers, clearing up in the afternoon. We considered catch the bus to Stoke station to meet the tour, but the timing of the bus would mean getting there more than 30 minutes before the tour started or getting there just 4 minutes before it was due to depart. We decided to play it safe and mum would drop us off in time for the tour. Matthew got up just after 09:30 and had toast and orange juice. I did a packed lunch of sausage sandwiches and sausage rolls, and I had a spare sandwich that would go in the box, Matthew also ate one of those. Around 11:00 we set off in the cat through Blurton and down to Fenton Via Blurton Road and Heron Cross to pick up uncle Dave. After picking him up we went down to Stoke and onto the A52 to the railway station. The lights at the junction of Glebe Street weren't working, but there wasn't much traffic about. Mum dropped us off on Station Road around 11:15 and we said goodbye and she drove off down the road. We walked to the station front and we sat on a bench adjacent to the Josiah Wedgwood statue. Just before the tour was due we saw dud First Potteries 53829 appear on the #23A to Hanley, so we could have successfully caught the bus down!


First Potteries 53829 by Stoke railway station
We also saw Howard's coach PH04 HOW on rail replacement work for Northern Rail. A few minutes after 11:30, we saw a familiar looking coach approaching. It was Routemaster Buses BAH 809X which had been at the POPS rally at the Britannia Stadium last Month.


Routemaster Buses BAH 809X by Stoke railway station
We climbed aboard this well filled Leyland Leopard / Plaxton Paramount coach which used to belong to Stagecoach. We sat down near to the back, and the bus was so well filled that we had to sit on opposite sides of the bus. I sat on the nearside and Matthew and uncle Dave sat on the off side. We had a short wait whilst we waited for one person to turn up and we set off at 11:45. The bus set off and it took the route that you would expect it to going to Crewe railway station. The bus set off along Station Road and we turned left onto Stoke Road and went under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 and we joined the Northbound carriage way. We went fast up the A500 and under the M6 and we continued a further couple of miles along the single carriageway section of the A500. At the junction with the A5020 we turned right for the run along the last 4 miles of the road into Crewe. We passed Crewe Hall and the site of a new Southern by-pass for Crewe which looked to be near completion. at the end of the A5020 we turned left on the roundabout onto the A534. A hundred yards or so up the road we stopped outside Crewe railway station to pick up another dozen or so passengers. we set off along the A534 and the tour organisers came around and took the £10 fare each and handed out a ticket which had the current running fleet from which the buses on the tour may be selected. We continued up to the edge of Nantwich and then we turned left onto the Nantwich by-pass and we went down to the A500. We turned Eastwards as if we were going back to Stoke! when we got the the A5071 we went South and into the village of Shavington. We then stopped for a photo stop. Most people left the bus and crossed the road to get a picture of this fine Leyland beast.


Routemaster Buses BAH 809X in Shavington
After taking puictures we all got back on the bus and the bus set off back towards the A500 via Newcastle Road. We got on the Westbound Nantwich by-pass and we went around the Northern edge of town. We continued along the A51 until we got to Beambridge. Were we turned right onto Wettenhall Road. We followed the road through all its twists and turns foe close to a mile before turning into the depot on the right hand side of of the yard. When we got to the yard we all got off the coach and we took further pictures of the Leyland Leopard.


Routemaster Buses BAH 809X at Routemaster Buses
We then proceeded to have a look around the yard. One of the buses we though might work as part of the tour, bur was currently under repair was Leyland Titan A859 SUL.


Routemaster Buses A859 SUL in the Routemaster Buses
There were two sheds with buses in them. The shed on the right is where some of the older buses and long term projects were contained, and the shed oppsite to it also had some older buses, but these seemed to be closer to being runners again. It also looked like maintenance of the fleet took place. behind a gate was a further yard, which had some of the service buses as well as a few vehicles that were stored and perhaps even donor vehicles. There were 3 former Stagecoach Darts in this yard which are their main Stage work buses. One of these buses was Routemaster Buses S455 CVV.


Routemaster Buses S455 CVV in the Routemaster Buses
Also in the yard was Routemaster Buses Leyland Tiger B105 KPF.


Routemaster Buses B105 KPF in the Routemaster Buses
In the yard at the back they also had a couple of modern coaches. Plaxton bodied Volvo B10M M301 BRL was one of these buses.


Routemaster Buses M301 BRL in the Routemaster Buses
We also saw Van Hool Alize bodied coach MUI 4784.


Routemaster Buses MUI 4784 in the Routemaster Buses
One of a number of Routemasters owned by Routemaster Buses was open top CUV 243C.


Routemaster Buses CUV 243C in the Routemaster Buses
The next bus to work on the next leg of the tour was to be Volvo Olympian N327 NPN.


Routemaster Buses N327 NPN in the Routemaster Buses
The electronic destination blind was programmed to display 'The Cheshire champion 28th June 2015'. Matthew needed the toilet so we were directed to the far corner of the main maintenance shed. After he had used the facilities we go on the bus and we went upstairs. The organisers rounded up the last few people onto the bus and we set off back onto Wellenhall Road. We rejoined the Eastbound A51 and we travelled over to the A530 before going North East towards Leighton Hospital. Before we got to the hospital we turned off the A530 to go onto the Marshfield Bank industrial estate. The bus was turned around and parked at the side of the road in the sun. We all got off and and we took further pictures of Routemaster Buses Volvo N327 NPN.


Routemaster Buses N327 NPN in Marshfield Bank
We headed back to the depot in the reverse of the route that we took to get to the industrial estate... Back down the A530, West on the A51 and up Wettenhall Road. Back at the depot there were a few buses that we hadn't been up to opposite where we were dropped off after riding on the Volvo. On of these was East Lancs bodied Dart N466 TPR.


Routemaster Buses N466 TPR in the Routemaster Buses
Adjacent to the Dart were a couple more Routemasters, on of which was former London Transport RML 2400.


Routemaster Buses JJD 400D in the Routemaster Buses
We walked down to the buses at the other end of the yard where they were readying Leyland Olympian H116 SAO for the next leg of the tour.


Routemaster Buses H116 SAO in the Routemaster Buses
We climbed aboard the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the depot and back Eastwards along Wettenhall Road and the A51. We turned North up the A5074 and we headed into Church Minshull. It was a very hill part of Cheshire, and some of the hill brought the bus to near walking pace. We passed through Darnhall and we headed up to the A54 before coming into Winsford from the North West. The bus stopped opposite to Wetherspoons, where we were having a 50 minute break. We let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside the empty Routemaster Buses H116 SAO.


Inside Routemaster Buses H116 SAO
We got off the bus and we took another picture of Routemaster Buses H116 SAO.


Routemaster Buses H116 SAO in Winsford
We crossed the road and we went into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and we had a glass of Coke which we took outside. We decided to have a bowl of chips between us and another Coke. The food came out quickly and before we knew it the 50 minutes had passed. The bus came around the corner and it was the same bus and driver as before, He must have parked up somewhere nearby to have his required legal break. We took a picture and crossed the road to get on the bus.


Routemaster Buses H116 SAO in Winsford
The bus set off back through Darnhall, Church Minshull and Worleston and we headed back to the depot. When we got back to the depot we got off the bus and we took another picture of Routemaster Buses H116 SAO.


Routemaster Buses H116 SAO at Routemaster Buses
At the other end of the yard Routemaster Buses H119 SAO was being readied for the next leg off the tour.


Routemaster Buses H119 SAO at Routemaster Buses
We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off onto Wettenhall Road and onto the A51. The by-pass look congested so we headed into town and we went around the very Northern edge, past the tractor shop and onto London Road. We crossed the railway line and we headed down to Wybunbury. We went through the village and turned at Wrinehill Road before coming back and parking up in front of the Swan Inn. We got out and we all took more pictures of Routemaster Buses H119 SAO.


Routemaster Buses H119 SAO in Wyndbury
We returned to the depot, this time via the by-pass. At the depot we waited for the bus to empty out and Matthew took a picture inside Routemaster Buses H119 SAO.


Inside Routemaster Buses H119 SAO
The last leg of the tour was going to be worked by Leyland Lynx H28 YBV.


Routemaster Buses H28 YBV in the Routemaster Buses
We got on the bus and we left the depot for the final time. We went down Wettenhall Road to the A51 and around the Northern end of Nantwich along the Nantwich by-pass. We joined the Eastbound A500 and we left at the A5071 to travel into Shavington. We stopped in the village and we all got out of the bus to take pictures Routemaster Buses H28 YBV.


Routemaster Buses H28 YBV in Shavington
We all got back on the bus and we went North to the A534. We then ran into Crewe and to the railway station where we dropped off more passengers than we picked up in the morning. As we left Crewe I called mum to say we would be back at the station by 18:15. We headed back to the A5020 via the A532 and we joined the A500 for the run to Stoke, We crossed under the M6 and the Lynx flew up the hill towards the Audley turn. It put in a great turn of speed down towards Stoke. We joined the high level A500 from Shelton to Stoke and we went towards the railway station from City Road along the A52. We got to the railway station and the bus unloaded. we waited for it to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Routemaster Buses H28 YBV.


Inside Routemaster Buses H28 YBV
We took on more picture of the bus before we headed to the car which was parked opposite the railway station.


Routemaster Buses H28 YBV by Stoke railway station
We got in the car and mum drove us along the A52 into Fenton. We dropped uncle Dave off at his home and we decided that we would have chips for tea as it was too late to cook and to write the Blog. We stopped at the chip shop on Smithpool Road before heading back home via Heron Cross and Blurton Road. At home we ate the chips and put pictures online before writing some of the Blog. Matthew had a bath and then continued to write as much of the Blog as we could up to bed time around 23:15... Mark

Saturday, 27 June 2015

Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 27-06-2015





























































































BusFromToServiceOperator



60069Magdalen Road, BlurtonTrentham, adj Man-in-Space22First Potteries
40029Trentham, adj Man-in-SpaceStoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R21First Potteries
60202Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop QNewcastle BS3First Potteries
40015Newcastle BS Clayton Village, Opp Beechwood Close72First Potteries
40020 Clayton Village, Opp Beechwood CloseNewcastle BS72First Potteries
60128Newcastle BSBurslem, Town Hall (stop G)98First Potteries
66310Burslem, Wedgwood Street (Stop A)Tunstall, adj stop M3First Potteries
66309Tunstall, adj stop BHanley BS3First Potteries
65731Hanley BSNewcastle BS4AFirst Potteries
32055Newcastle BSKeele, Nr Sneyd Arms PH3First Potteries
66309Keele, adj Sneyd Arms PHNewcastle BS3First Potteries


Today we decided to do a local trip, as we were going out again on Sunday. The weather forecast was for fine sunny hot weather. Matthew got up around 10:15 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just after 12:00 we set off on foot the considerable distance to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. I had viewed all the buses earlier in the day and they were all Scania single deckers, with First Potteries 60069 expected to turn up on the 12:05 Longton to Newcastle. Just after 12:18 as expected First Potteries 60069 turned the corner onto Magdalen Road.


First Potteries 60069 in Blurton
We got on the bus and we purchased a Smart day ticket at £5.30. We sat down towards the back of the bus and then bus pulled off onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line into Trentham and we passed First Potteries 41501 on a #22 to Longton which had replaced one of the Scania's seen earlier. We turned right into New Inn Lane and as the bus behind us was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60069.


Inside First Potteries 60069
We passed dud First Potteries 40029 on a #21 to Trentham. that would be the next bus towards Stoke. When we were approaching the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Potteries 60069.


First Potteries 60069 in Trentham
We stood at the stop outside the Man in Space for a couple of minutes and then we could see the Solo approaching... As expected it was dud First Potteries 40029.


First Potteries 40029 in Trentham
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 40029.


Inside First Potteries 40029
We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off up New Inn Lane. We passed First Potteries 40367 which was on a #21B to Trentham Gardens. We went through Hanford and we joined the A34 before crossing under the A500 and travelling into Trent Vale. At the Black Lion we turned right into London Road. We passed through Oak Hill and into the West End before going into Stoke. At the City Cabs base was minibus NU52 KHP. When we got onto Campbell Place we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of 40029 as it carried on towards Hanley.


First Potteries 40029 in Stoke
We turned and we saw First Potteries 40375 on a #21 to Trentham Hotel.


First Potteries 40375 in Stoke
We crossed the road and we headed to Church Street to the Stoke cafe. Matthew used the toilet and had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we headed to the stop for Newcastle buses. On the way we saw First Potteries 41522 on the #2 service to Newcastle.


First Potteries 41522 in Stoke
When we got to the stop the timetable revealed we had an approximate 7 minute wait for the next #3. We saw a barbie liveried Scania approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Potteries 60202.


First Potteries 60202 in Stoke
We got on the bus and we flashed our Smart Day tickets to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off through Stoke and up Hartshill Road. We passed through Hartshill and we turned right to go through the hospital. As we travelled throught the hospital a taxi pulled out on the bus and we had to brake.... This set off an alarm in the cab. Having negotiated the hospital grounds we saw we turned onto the A34 for the last 1/2 a mile into Newcastle. just before we got into town the alarm cleared. At the big roundabout we turned onto Barracks Road and then we entered the bus station from the Southern End. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60202.


Inside First Potteries 60202
As we were getting off the bus the driver told the waiting passengers not to get on the bus as he was probably going to get a replacement bus. On an adjacent stand we saw First Potteries 32054 on a #3 service.


First Potteries 32054 in Newcastle bus station
Spare bus on Stubbs Street was dud First Potteries 37158.


First Potteries 37158 in Newcastle bus station
Also on layover on Stubbs Street was required First Potteries 66964.


First Potteries 66964 in Newcastle bus station
Whilst on stubbs Street, we also saw dud First Potteries 32055 on a #4 to Hanley.


First Potteries 32055 in Newcastle bus station
We went to the bottom of the bus station and we sat down for a short while. We saw required First Potteries 40015 on a #72 to Clayton so we decided to do this.


First Potteries 40015 in Newcastle bus station
Whilst we waited for a driver change to take place, we saw a few other buses in the bus station. Dud First Potteries 41497 was working a #17 to Hanley via Bradwell.


First Potteries 41497 in Newcastle bus station
We also saw D&G 190 on the #41 to Clayton.


D&G 190 in Newcastle bus station
When the driver was ready we got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto barracks Road and we joined the Northbound A34. At the first roundabout we went left onto Blackfriars Road. We turned left onto Friarswood Road and left again onto Brook Lane. We saw mum leaving Homebase in her car and we waved frantically but she didn't see us. We turned through 180' and we headed up the A519. We turned right into Seabridge Lane into Clayton and we wound through the estate and forward into Westbury Park. We crossed the A519 and we headed down the hill towards the A500 bridge. The bus turned just short of the bridge into Ferndown Drive South. As we got up and got off Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 40015.


Inside First Potteries 40015
As First Potteries 40015 carried on back towards Newcastle Matthew took another picture...


First Potteries 40015 in Clayton Village
We walked down to the A500 bridge to see if there were any passing buses. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and a Rice Crispies Squares bar. As we stood on the bridge as a car passed below someone shouted 'Don't jump!'. When Matthew had finished eating we walked back up to Ferndown Drive South. We didn't have to wait long for the next #72 service. It was dud First Potteries 40020.


First Potteries 40020 in Clayton Village
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off up Ferndown Drive South. We rejoined Northwood lane just down from the Northwood Lane Store and we retuned back along the route we came. We crossed over the A519 into Westbury park before going forward onto Seabridge Lane and then back onto the A519 closer to Newcastle. We ran down the A519 into Newcastle and then on Barracks Road. We entered the bus station from the Southern end. When we got to the bus station we decided to head off towards Tunstall. There was a #98 to Ball Green on the top stand so we headed up to see what it was. The bus was First Potteries Scania 60128.


First Potteries 60128 in Newcastle bus station
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. We took the A527 out of Newcastle and through Wolstanton. The bus turned right onto Porthill Bank. By the time we got to the bottom of Port Hill bank the bus had emptied out in front of us, so Matthew took a picture of the empty bus in front of us.


Inside First Potteries 60128
We crossed the A500 and we climbed the hill through Longport to Trubshaw Cross. At the roundabout we went right onto Newcastle Street. We climbed further up the hill and into Burslem town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60128 before it carried on it's way to Ball Green.


First Potteries 60128 in Burslem
We walked around the corner to the stop on Waterloo Road. As we got to the stop we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Potteries 66310.


First Potteries 66310 in Burslem
We got on the bus and we flashed our Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was quite full and we sat down at the back of the bus. Sitting next to the Volvo engine on a warm day was a little uncomfortable. The bus went along Scotia Road and then left onto Williamson Street. We turned left onto Tunstall High Street and we got off the bus at the top. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 66310 before it carried on towards Leighton Hospital, Crewe.


First Potteries 66310 in Tunstall
Once off the bus we headed to the Tunstall Cafe for our customary cake break. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a toffee cheesecake washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back onto the high Street. As we were decided which way to go next we saw a Cherry Route bus round the corner, so we crossed the High Street to go and catch it. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 66309.


First Potteries 66309 in Tunstall
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to driver. We sat down near to the back off the bus and the bus set off down Tunstall Hight Street. We turned left onto Williamson Street and then right onto Scotia Road. We entered Burslem town centre and we exited along Waterloo Road. in Hanley we travelled along hope Street and onto Stafford Street. At the end of Stafford Street we turned to go past the town hall and we entered the bus station along Bagnall Street. At the bus station the bus didn't empty as it was running through to Madeley. We got off and Matthew went to the toilet. After he had used the facilities, we headed out of the bus station and up to the multi-storey car park to take a few pictures of buses in the bus station. we saw First Potteries 40023 in the bus station.


First Potteries 40023 in Hanley bus station
On the X15 to Buxton we saw dud D&G 132.


D&G 132 in Hanley bus station
This was followed by required First Potteries 41493 on the #21B to Trentham Gardens.


First Potteries 41493 in Hanley bus station
Dud First Potteries 40024 moved into on of the layover spaces in the centre of the bus station.


First Potteries 40024 in Hanley bus station
We then saw dud First Potteries 40175 also moving into one of these spaces.


First Potteries 40175 in Hanley bus station
We also saw dud First Potteries 65004 departing on a #18 to Leek.


First Potteries 65004 in Hanley bus station
This was followed by dud First Potteries 43876 on a #17 to Newcastle via Bradwell.


First Potteries 43876 in Hanley bus station
Dud First Potteries ALX200 Dart 40155 was on a #8B to Brown Edge.


First Potteries 40155 in Hanley bus station
We decided to head back towards the bus station. On the stands out the bus station there were a couple of Wright Streetlites as well as a couple of Scania Omnicity's. On of these vehicles was required First Potteries 65042 on a #6 to Weston Coyney.


First Potteries 65042 in Hanley bus station
Back inside the bus station we headed into the Spar shop and Matthew stocked up the trip bag with some pop and chocolate. We went out onto the bus station concourse and we saw a couple of buses we could do. Dud First Potteries ALX400 double decker 32055 was on a #3 to Madeley, and required First Potteries 65731 was on a #4A to Talke.


First Potteries 65731 in Hanley bus station
We decided to do the required Scania. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket at the driver. We sat down near to the back of this quite well filled bus. We set off out off the bus station and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and then straight onto Marsh Street. Half way along Marsh Street we turned left onto Trinity Street and we headed down to the festival park and under the A53. We went along festival way and then back Southwards down Forge Lane. We crossed back under the A53 before joining the Basford bound carriageway. We crossed over the A500 in Etruria and we headed through Basford and into Newcastle. Back at the bus station the bus did not empty and so Matthew didn't get a picture inside First Potteries 65731. We got off the bus and there were a couple of required First Potteries Volvo's in the bus station. Required First Potteries 66313 was on a #3 to Crewe.


First Potteries 66313 in Newcastle bus station
Dud First Potteries 32055 which we had seen at Hanley had now caught us up.


First Potteries 32055 in Newcastle bus station
We decided to do this up to Keele village in a quick out and back move to finish off the day. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the top deck of the bus was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32055.


Inside First Potteries 32055
The bus set off out off the bus station and down Barracks Road. We headed up the A34 for a couple of rundabouts and then we joined the A525. Turning right onto Orme Road, we bounced aour way up over the speed bumps until we joined the A525 again just before Hamptons scrapyard. We crossed over the roundabout and we climbed the steep hill up to the university entrance. Turning left and then right, we ran down to main square and we turned left to go on the road that goes around it. As we passed the back of the Students Union bar we saw the stop opposite had information of bus departures on a LED screen. It was 16:47 and there was a #85 due off this stop at 16:57. Hopefully we would make it up to the village to catch this bus. We passed the back of the Library and the Lindsay building and as were on the straight to head into Keele village and we saw the D&G Solo ahead coming the other way. There was an issue with the two buses trying to pass on this narrow road and we ended up reversing so that the other bus could pass. It passed us and we saw that it was dud D&G Solo 141. We carried on across Three Mile Lane and into the village where we got off the bus. I think there had been an issue with the bus getting caught on a speed bump, as the aluminium strip on the bottom edge of the step was broken and sticking up. The driver told us to be carefully getting off and he then precede to bend it back into position so no one else could get caught on the sharp edge. The driver got back on and we took a picture of First Potteries 32055.


First Potteries 32055 in Keele
Behind us we could see a Cherry route bus stopped down the road. We didn't think we would make it to the stop up the road towards Madeley, but we did. The bus had stopped at the previous stop and wasn't moving. It did start moving eventually and when it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 66309 again!


First Potteries 66309 in Keele
We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. On the road into keele University we passed Stanton's of Stoke DYE 815 going the other way towards the village. We passed the back of the Student union and the same youth who was waiting there when we passed the stop before got on the bus... He mustn't have fancied doing the D&G bus on this occasion. Back outside the square we saw the a Stanton's of Stoke double decker which we assume was the one we had seen earlier going around the university grounds and coming in from the over side. We left the campus and we went down the A525 and across the roundabout over Hampton Hump as we like to call it. The slight up and over hill outside Hamptons scrapyard. As we were about to turn into Orme Road we spotted the Stanton's of Stoke double decker ahead on the A525. It was at the side of the road with the engine cover up receiving some attention. There were people standing around in sports attire (presumable taking part in the corporate games 2015) standing around outside the bus. We bounced our way down Orme Road and into Newcastle along the A34, before coming into the bus station from the Southern end up Barracks Road. As the bus was terminating at Newcastle, we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 66309 at the second attempt today.


Inside First Potteries 66309
When we got off the bus there was just time to take a few more bus pictures before we walked up to the car. On a #10 Stafford to Hanley service was dud First Potteries 32627.


First Potteries 32627 in Newcastle bus station
We walked to the top of the bus station to see if we could see mum parked up the road. As we did we saw First Potteries 32053 enter the bus station on a #4 service.


First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station
We also saw First Potteries 53830 on a #17 to Hanley via Bradwell


First Potteries 53830 in Newcastle bus station
Matthew went to the toilet, and when he came out we saw First Potteries 60175 on a #2 to Meir.


First Potteries 60175 in Newcastle bus station
We walked to the car and mum was waiting with drinks. Matthew had a can of Fanta. As we didn't have sausage rolls for today we decided to visit the riverside chippy in Trent Vale on the way home. We turned the car around on the jubilee roundabout and we headed South down the A34 to Trent Vale. We stopped for chips and then we carried on Southwards down the A34. We turned left onto the A500 and we did this up to the roundabout at Sideway. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we did this up the hill to Longton where we came off at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. There were 4 buses parked on the spare ground tonight. First in the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.


Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton
Next in the row was another Mercedes minibus Z Carz CE02 LYX.


Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton
Next in the row was LDV Maxus minibus Z Carz CN57 HWA.


Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton
Last in the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.


Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton
We turned into Willow Row and there were a couple of minibus in the compound and they weren't easily photograph-able. We got back onto the A50 which we did up to Heron Cross. We stopped at shop to drop something off and then we carried on up Blurton Road. We went forwards onto Church Street and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash followed by a Manchester Tart. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark