Trip to Newcastle / Hanley 28-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42893	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
53208	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
113	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	The Orange One	D&G
199	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	94A	D&G
32632	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
32056	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
32080	Hanley BS	Longton Interchange	6A	First Potteries
63174	Longton Interchange	Hanley BS	6	First Potteries
37146	Hanley BS	Bucknall, adj Central Avenue	32	First Potteries
50296	Bucknall, opp Central Avenue	Hanley BS	5	First Potteries
32056	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	4	First Potteries

Today we decided to stay locally... The car was going for a mini service and the weather all over the Midlands and North West was predicted to be be very wet! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and ornage juice for breakfast. We said goodbye to mum who took the car for it's service, and we got ready and set off to the bus stop around 11:40. It was windy and it was just starting to rain. We walked all the way over to Magdalen Road and we waited for the Newcastle bound bus. Going towards Longton was the bus that we wanted to ride on the most today, required First Potteries 42356

First Potteries 42356 in Blurton

In hindsight we could have done this to Longton and caught something down to Stoke from there! We let dud First Potteries Dart 43876 go by as it was on the #23A to Hanley, and a few minutes later we saw the distinct dud First Potteries 42893 come around the corner.

First Potteries 42893 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. the bus set off onto the A5035 and past Stanley Matthews Way. This was a bus that we first rode on back in August 2014 from Harpfields Road to the A34, so it is a bus that we have only been a short distance on. It was the last of that batch of Darts that we needed... As we approached Trentham we noticed that the bus in front of us was empty. Matthew decided to take a picture inside First Potteries 42893 as we pulled up at the stop outside Hem Heath woods.

Inside First Potteries 42893

We crossed the railway line and entered Trentham before we turned right onto New Inn Lane. As we approached the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42893.

First Potteries 42893 in Trentham

When we got off the bus we noticed a Solo going towards Hanley in the distance... We looked down the road to see another Solo from that batch coming out of Pacific Drive going towards Trentham Hotel that would be the next service towards Hanley. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was dud First Potteries 53208.

First Potteries 53208 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53208.

Inside First Potteries 53208

The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford. We went along Wilson Road and down Church Lane and onto the A34. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we turned right onto London Road. We travelled through Oakhill and the West end before entering Stoke along Campbell Place were we got up and got off the bus. We walked through town and around the corner into Church Street and to the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went down to the toilet and I ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. Whilst we ate we saw D&G 132 on 'The Orange One' and First Potteries 66314 on a Newcastle bound #3 service. When we had finished eating we walked down Church Street to wait for a bus towards Newcastle. We had just missed D&G 118 on the 'Nines' service to Clayton and First Potteries 61235 on the #2 to Newcastle. The was an 'Orange One' due just after the hour, so we waited patiently for the next bus. Going the other way we saw First Potteries 42892 on a #2 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw on of 'The Orange One' Enviro200's approaching... It was dud D&G 113.

D&G 113 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus waited a minute or so at the stop before setting off along Church Street and up Hartshill Bank. We passed through Hartshill and we stopped at temporary lights for a short while near to the old Afford Rent-a-Car yard before carrying on onto George Street and down into Newcastle. We turned into Barracks Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. when we got on stand we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside D&G 113.

Inside D&G 113

We got off the bus and it was now raining steadily. We walked down to the bottom of the bus station and we saw D&G 125 on the #85 to Crewe.

D&G 125 in Newcastle bus station

After a short while we walked up to the top of the bus station. We saw dud First Potteries 65026 on the #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 65026 in Newcastle bus station

Over the other side of the bus station we saw required First Potteries 32635 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32635 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw dud D&G 199 on a #94A to Kidsgrove.

D&G 199 in Newcastle bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus up to Tunstall for cake and he said yes. The bus pulled on stand and we got on the bus, flashing the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A527 ane headed through Wolstanton. As we travelled North up the road we passed First Potteries 32078 on a Newcastle bound #99 and First Potteries 32057 on a #98. We also followed required D&G 191 on the Newcastle bound #17 service. We turned right onto Porthill Bank and we we went down the hill and over the A500. We went through Middleport and at Trubshaw Cross we went left onto Brownhills Road. We joined Tunstall High Street and at the top of the Road we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of D&G Dart 199

D&G 199 in Tunstall

We walked a few paces down the High Street and we entered the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered his toffee cheesecake and a can of Coke. Once Matthew had finished eating we said goodbye and we crossed the road. We wanted to go back towards either Hanley or Newcastle with a view to trying to catch up with First Potteries 42356. We hadn't seen a bus for a while, and there was a #3 to Hanley due first, with a #99 to Newcastle after that. The previous #99 must have been late as a moment later dud First Potteries 32632 came around the corner Newcastle bound.

First Potteries 32632 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The top deck of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32632.

Inside First Potteries 32632

We sat down and the bus set off down the High Street and onto Brownhills Road. We continued onto Newcastle Street before crossing the A500 and into Porthill. We climbed the hill and we turned left onto Wolstanton High Street. We ran into Newcastle and we crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road before entering the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Entering the bus station behind us was First Potteries 41499 on a terminating #2 service.

First Potteries 41499 in Newcastle bus station

We walked down to the bottom of the bus station to see what was about. We let First Potteries 61235 go, which was on the #2 to Hanley. At the bottom of the bus station we saw D&G Solo 115 on the #74A to Audley.

D&G 115 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 32056 on a #3 to Talke.

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and sat down. We then saw dud First Potteries 32081 on a #3 to Keele. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We went South on the A34 and then turned into the hospital. Having negotiated the route through the hospital we turned left onto Hilton Road. We passed new arrival First Potteries 67601 which was on a #3 to Keele. We joined onto Hartsill Road by the Co-operative Food store. We went down the hill and into Stoke town centre and onto Church Street. We hoped that we might see First Potteries 42356 on the #2 so we could go after it, but we didn't. We followed the A52 under the railway line and towards the railway station and we turned left onto Station Road. Just after the station we turned right onto College Road and we climbed the hill up through Shelton and towards Hanley. We turned at Bethesda Road and we crossed the ring road before we entered Hanley bus station via John Street and Lidice Way. When we got inside the bus station we left the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32056.

Inside First Potteries 32056

We got off the bus and we went to the toilets. After Matthew had used the facilities we set off through the rain to the John Street car park where we could take bus pictures out of the driving rain. Running out of service was First Potteries 32627.

First Potteries 32627 in Hanley bus station

Another out of service bus was First Potteries Scania 65728.

First Potteries 65728 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 32633 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32633 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 32053 on the #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 32053 in Hanley bus station

Its was quite cold and windy in the car park, so we decided not to stop too long. Matthew ate a Milky Way and drank a can of Irn Bru. We then saw D&G 160 on 'The Nines' service to Biddulph.

D&G 160 in Hanley bus station

On layover between #5 services to Abbey Hulton was First Potteries 53042.

First Potteries 53042 in Hanley bus station

We set off back to the bus station and we visited the shop where Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and a bottle of Coke for later. He also had a few chocolate bars. We went to the till and Matthew wanted to say hello to the girl behind the counter... Not the one that was serving us though! We came out of the shop and we noticed a double decker on the stop outside the bus station. We saw that it was new arrival in the area First Potteries 32080.

First Potteries 32080 in Hanley bus station

The bus was already loading when we went to it and it was full downstairs and quite full upstairs too... We got on the bus and we flashed Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs ans sitting down in the middle of the bus. The bus set off onto Birch Terrace and past the old bus station. We turned right onto Old Hall Street and then onto the ring road. We went around town and then left onto Lichfield Street. We went down the hill to Joiners square and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. The seats opposite to us were empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32080.

Inside First Potteries 32080

At the top of Victoria Road we continued onto City Road and then forwards onto King Street. As we got to Longton we turned right onto bath Street and into Longton Interchange. We got off the bus and we considered what to do next. We bumped into our near neighbours and we had a quick chat the them whilst they waited for their bus to arrive. Whilst we talked we saw First Potteries 63174 enter the bus station on a #6 to Hanley. Our neighbours bus arrived and we walked to the other end of the bus station. We decided to do First Potteries 63174 back up to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Longton Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off under the railway line and onto King Street. We continued down to City Road and then we veered left onto Victoria Road and we went down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout and went forward onto Lichfield Street. At the top of the hill we crossed the ring road and we stopped at the bus stop outside the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63174.

Inside First Potteries 63174

When we got off the bus as we hadn't seen First Potteries 42356 for a while we had kinda given up on having it today. It had gone dark and we needed to finish for the day soon. We went into the bus station and we sat down on one of the seats. Matthew ate a Toffee crisp and we noticed required First Potteries 37146 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 37146 in Hanley bus station

We decided to do this to Bucknall for something back before going back to Newcastle to meet mum. We waited for the bus to be readied for service and when the driver was ready he opened the doors. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day saver ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37146.

Inside First Potteries 37146

The bus set off out off the bus station. The bus went out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We turned left into Lichfield Street and onto Birch Terrace and past the old bus station. We turned right onto old Hall Street and then we crossed the ring road onto Limekiln Bank. At the bottom of the hill we went across the traffic lights onto the A52. We decided to go beyond the Bentilee turning and to get up and get off near to the Co-operative Food Store in Bucknall. We saw the stop so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37146 as it carried on towards Cellarhead.

First Potteries 37146 in Bucknall

We crossed the road and we huddled under the shelter on the opposite side of the road whilst we waited for our bus. Matthew started to drink a bottle of Irn Bru when we saw a bus turn the corner. We put the lid back on the drink and we saw it was the now unique dud First Potteries 50296 on a #5 service.

First Potteries 50296 in Bucknall

We got on the bus and Matthew honked the horn. We flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A52 and then up Limekiln Bank. We went around the ring road and we entered the bus station via Bethesda Street, John Street and Lidice Way. When the bus emptied out matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 50296.

Inside First Potteries 50296

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 50296.

First Potteries 50296 in Hanley bus station

We walked down the bus station and we saw First Potteries 32056 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 32056 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs an we sat down towards the back of a quite full bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Bethesda Street. We saw MT Travel DK60 CWY going the other way. We went along Marsh Street and then down Etruria Road. We crossed under the A53 and we went into the Festival Park. We went up Festival Way and back down Forge Lane before crossing under the A53. We joined the A53 and we crossed the A500 into Basford. We dropped down towards Newcastle and then we went around the one way system before turning left into Barracks Road. As we approached the bus station we saw First Potteries 42356 on the #22 to Longton. We got off the bus and we saw First Potteries 42356 and Matthew went to the toilet. It was raining heavily and we sheltered in the bus station whilst we waited for mum. Entering the bus station we saw First Potteries 41500 running out of service.

First Potteries 41500 in Newcastle bus station

Mum text to say that she had arrived so we went to the lay-by to get in the car. When we got to the car mum was waiting with Greggs Sausage rolls and Irn Bru. We turned around and we went back South down the A34. Mum had to pick something up from Stone so we headed down the road though the roadwork and to the edge of town. Mum picked up her stuff from Stone and we went back North up the A34 to Trentham. We turned right at the A5035 and we headed to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. In the middle of the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen we saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Closest to us on the front row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Front bus on the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We headed back onto the A5035 via Edensor Road and Spring Garden Road, and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 27-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Joiners Square	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
53405	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Alder Walk	22	First Potteries

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

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

The bus set off onto the A5035 and left towards Longton. We crossed the A50 and we went down the Stand before turning right onto Market Street. We turned left onto Anchor Road and up to the Adderley Green. We turned left towards Bentille and we went to the respite unit to pick up another service user. We then headed back to Adderley Green. We turned right onto Anchor Road and near to the bottom we turned right again onto Upper Cross Street. We worked our way through the back Streets and onto King Street. We carried on into Fenton and onto City Road before turning left into Glebedale Road 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. In the afternoon we went to the pub in a Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we went Straight across City Road onto Fountain Street. We turned left onto William Street and right onto Manor Street before going right again onto Victoria Road. As short way down the road we turned right into Fenton Industrial Estate along Dewsbury Road. We turned around and we went back onto Victoria Road and onto Manor Street again. We turned left onto City Road and at the bottom near to the railway we went right onto the A52. We went past the railway station along Station Road and then right onto College Road. We followed the Road up and onto Regent Road. we saw GHA single decker N8 GHA on layover waiting for the return X81 to Winsford. We carried on to the end and then right onto Lichfield road and to our destination. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 63177 on the #6 to Meir.

First Potteries 63177 in Joiners Square

Matthew listened to the Jukebox with tracks including Duran Duran, Elton John and Eagles. When it was time to leave we got back aboard Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off Up Lichfield Street and then left onto Regent Road. We continued onto College Road and then then left onto Station Road. At the traffic light we went forwards onto the A52 and then left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. At the end of Temple Street we turned right Christchurch Street and then to our destination. After a short break we went onto Bentilee to drop off another service user. We went onto Glebedale Road and then right onto City Road. We continued straight onto King Street before turning left onto Clarence Road. We weaved through the back streets on Longton and we joined Anchor Road along Wood Street. At the top of Adderley Green we went left towards Bentilee and we dropped off the service user. We returned through Bentilee and we saw Scraggs YJ05 JXS new to Scraggs on a #80 to Bentilee. We went to Adderley Green and back down Anchor Road into Longton and around the one way system. We crossed over the A50 and onto the A5035. We turned right onto Ripon Road and onto Finstock Avenue before getting home around 15:00. When Matthew got home he had toast and cherryade whilst we waited for time before we went out. Today we decided to go on the 16:30 service towards Newcastle. We set off around 16:25... We were a little late today. It was raining heavily when we set off. We walked to the stop all the way over on Magdalen Road and as we approached the stop the bus rounded the corner. We turned to see it was required First Potteries 53405.

First Potteries 53405 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. Matthew honked the horn on this Solo... We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off towards the A5035. As the bus in front was nearly empty, Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53405.

Inside First Potteries 53405

We turned right onto the A5035 and we crossed the railway line into Trentham. It was raining hard now and we had to shut the window as we were getting soaked by rain! We turned right into New Inn Lane and we went into Hanford. We went down Church Lane ane we joined the Northbound A34. We crossed under the A500 and into Trent Vale and when the bus bus turned right, we got up and got off the bus opposite Alder Walk. We set of back down Harpfields Road and we saw First Potteries 60069 on a #22 to Longton. We joined the A34 and near to the pub we saw First Potteries 53120 on the following #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 53120 in Trent Vale

We stood outside the pub for a few minutes not realising that mum was already in the car park. We walked with mum into the pub and we sat down near to window... 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 ABC Supreme BV51 BNZ / P881 RND on a staff shuttles and Stanton's of Stoke YKZ 6759 going Northwards. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We saw ABC Supreme BV51 BNZ going Northwards toeards the hospital. We set off down the A34 and we went onto the Northbound A500. The A500 was busy, but only on the junction towards the A50. We went straight past Sideway and towards the Stoke turning. We saw GHA coach YN54 OAU and D&G 157 on the X14 to Trentham Gardens. At Stoke we headed back into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross and we saw First Potteries 53058 on a #23A and Copeland's Tours MIB 536. We turned right at the traffic lights and over the A50 into Blurton. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road were we passed First Potteries 53208. We went onto Church Road and right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just after 18:00. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Fenton / Hanley 24-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Bentilee	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
BU05 EWX	Fenton	YMCA Hanley	Charter	Shelton Care Group
BU05 EWX	YMCA Hanley	Bentilee	Charter	Shelton Care Group
BX07 NWB	Bentilee	Hanley	Charter	Stantons of Stoke
BX07 NWB	Hanley	Bentilee	Charter	Stantons of Stoke

Today Matthew was in respite and he was going into his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. The bus came to pick Matthew up for his day service. When it appeared it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Bentilee

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto Dividy Road. We went up to Adderley Green and we turned right onto Anchor Road. We followed the one way system around Longton and we crossed over the A50 before going along the the high level Road. We joined the A50 and we came off again at Heron Cross. We turned right on the second roundabout and through the traffic Lights onto Heron Street. We continued forwards onto Station Bridge Road and then we turn left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went in the sensory room and used the computers. For dinner Matthew had Potato Waffles and chips followed by cake. After dinner Matthew was going to the YMCA. His transport for that journey was Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX. We got on the bus and the bus set off onto Glebedale Road. We turned left onto City Road and we went down the hill towards the railway before turning right onto the A52. We went forwards onto Station Road and then right onto Stoke Road. We stopped at the petrol station and we saw Intercity YK07 NYX. Once we had filled up we went left onto Stoke Road and right onto Avenue Road. We turned left onto College Road and we continued onto Regent Road before we turned right Harding Road. We parked up at the YMCA and Matthew got a picture of Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX.

Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX in Hanley

At the YMCA Matthew played football and generally chilled out. When it was time to go we got back aboard Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX. We got onto College Road and we headed towards the railway station. We went past the railway station along Station Road and left onto the A52. At Joiners Square we crossed the roundabout and continued along the A52. At Limekiln Bank we turned right and carried on along the A52 and we saw Stanton's of Stoke GN57 MFZ going to Blackfriars college. We went as far as the Esso petrol station where we turned right onto the A5272. We went right the way up to the Wagon and Horses roundabout and we did a u turn and we went back down Dividy Road to respite. Once we got there Matthew got off the bus and we saw Stanton's of Stoke KN61 EYG.

Stantons of Stoke KN61 EYG in Bentilee

Matthew went for a ride up to a soft play area in Hanley. The transport turned up and it was Stanton's of Stoke BX07 NWB. We got on the bus and the bus set off onto Dividy Road. We traveled down to the A52 and we turned left. At Limekiln Bank we went straight on and up toward Hanley. We went around the ring road Clockwise as far as Etruria Road and then we turned left and went under the A53 into festival park. We went to the end of Festival Way and then turned around. We went back under the A53 and back onto Etruria Road before arriving at the destination. When we got there Matthew went to the toilet. After spending some time in the soft play area they got back on Stanton's of Stoke BX07 NWB for the return journey. We set off back onto Etruria road and then we turned left onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We around around to Limekiln Bank and then we went down the hill to Bucknall. We continued straight onto the A52 and then right onto Dividy Road. We went into Bentilee and to our destination. Matthew went inside and went upstairs. For tea Matthew had potatoes followed by apple crumble and custard. Matthew chilled out watching television and using his computer. Later on he had a bath and went bed around 23:00... Mark