Trip to Stafford / Penkridge 02-04-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67601	Blurton, adj Crowcrofts Road Grove	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	22	First Potteries
32080	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	Stafford, Chell Road (Stand B1)	101	First Potteries
2372	Stafford, Gaol Square	Parkside, adj Primary School	8	Arriva Midlands
2377	Parkside, adj Primary School	Moss Pit, opp School Lane	8	Arriva Midlands
2738	Moss Pit, adj School Lane	Penkridge, Adj Crown Bridge	76	Arriva Midlands
3756	Penkridge, Opp Crown Bridge	Stafford, Chell Road (Stand B1)	75	Arriva Midlands
65041	Stafford, Chell Road (Stand B1)	Stafford, Gaol Square	101	First Potteries
2296	Stafford, Gaol Square	Stafford, adj Radford bank Inn PH	2	Arriva Midlands
3701	Stafford, opp Radford bank Inn PH	Stafford, Guildhall Shopping Centre (Stand 2)	74	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Stafford. Matthew had been unwell on Thursday, and we decided to stay fairly local. As such we decided to catch a bus down to Stafford, and to get another ticket to cover the Arriva Buses once we got there. It would also be the first time we had visited Stafford since the Arriva Stafford garage became an outstation of Cannock. We checked the weather for today it was for a wet start with sunshine moving in from the South East. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:40 we set off foot to the bus stop on Magdalen Road. It was still raining, so we decided to go to the bus stop on the A5035 by Crowcrofts Road. 11:52 came and went and the bus did not turn up. We saw required First Potteries 67601 on the #22 towards Longton. As time went on it looked likely that the bus had been delayed or had broken down. At least the following service was running on time! After waiting more than 30 minutes, required First Potteries 67601 came around the corner off Magdalen Road on the #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67601 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked A Network First Day ticket at £5.20 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A5035 and as the seats opposite were empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67601.

Inside First Potteries 67601

We continued along the A5035 and we turned right onto New Inn Lane. We passed First Potteries 41514 on a Trentham bound #21 and we also overtook First Potteries 53063 which was stopped outside the man in Space on a #21A to Hanley. We turned right onto Wilson Road and left onto Church Lane. When we got to the bottom of Church Lane we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67601 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67601 Hanford

We crossed the lane that joins Church Lane to the A34 and we turned to see First Potteries 53064 again on the #21A towards Hanley.

First Potteries 53064 Hanford

We now had around a 15 minute wait for the next #101 to Stafford. Whilst we waited we saw P&M Coaches N559 SJF going Northwards up the A34.

P&M Coaches N559 SJF Hanford

The 15 minutes passed quickly and bang on time we saw an ALX400 double decker approaching on the other side of the A500. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 32080.

First Potteries 32080 Hanford

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network First Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32080.

Inside First Potteries 32080

The bus set set off down the A34 and past Trentham Gardens. We went down the fast section of the A34 towards Tittensor and the bus put in a goo turn of speed. Just before the Darlaston Hill we went into the roadworks section and down to the George & Dragon and when we got to the double roundabout we turned left onto the B5027. We ran down into Stone and we joined the one-way system. The bus called at Granville Square and ran around the town clockwise along Radford Street & Christchurch Way. when we past The Star we saw an unidentified Parrott Motors minibus parked outside. We continued down the A520 and we crossed over the A34 towards Walton. We went around Stone Business Park and we saw an unidentified Routemaster in the Stafford Bus Centre. We went past Flip Out and we turned right back onto the A34. We then ran fast down the A34 for just over 5 miles. Past the Staffordshire Fire Service headquarters, past then end of Beaconside and Stafford Common and into the centre of town. At the large roundabout at the North end of the town centre we turned right onto Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 32080 before it carried on around the town.

First Potteries 32080 in Stafford

It was now time to get some dinner. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 2378 on a #9 service to Highfields

Arriva Midlands 2378 in Stafford

This was followed by Arriva Midlands 2289 on a #11A Stafford circular service.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Stafford

We had already planned to visit Theo's Cafe on the corner of Mount Street. On the way we stopped at the toilet block and Matthew used the facilities. In the Cafe we ordered a breakfast and a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we headed back onto Chell Road. On the way we bumped into our ice cream man :). When we got onto Chell Road we decided to walk around to the Gaol Square bus station. On the way around we saw a procession of buses coming around the corner. The first bus we saw was required Arriva Midlands 2375.

Arriva Midlands 2375 in Stafford

We also saw D&G Buses 135 on a #15 to Market Drayton.

D&G 135 in Stafford

As we entered the bus station area we saw required First Potteries Scania 65041 on a #101 to Hanley. At the other end of the Gaol Square bus station the site of the new Morrison's supermarket were we saw required Arriva Midlands 2704 leaving on a #76 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 2704 in Stafford

We saw required Arriva Midlands Dart 2372 come in on a #8 to Parkside.

Arriva Midlands 2372 in Stafford

We decided to do this bus so we waited for the driver change and we got on the bus. We booked a Midland Day Saver at £6.20 before we sat down towards the rear of the bus. Whilst we waited for the bus to depart we saw Arriva Midlands 3784 on a #5 to Telford and Arriva Midlands 2368 on a #12 to Doxey. When it was time to go the bus set off out of the bus station onto the A34. We traveled North past the junction for Eccleshall and further up we went West onto Holmcroft Road. We weaved our way through the estate to the west of the A34 and we saw Arriva Midlands 2292 on a #8 to Moss Pit. we went past the Co-operative food store before we re-joined the A34 further North from Crab Lane. We then we North to the next roundabout before we turned right onto Beaconside. Having gone past the first entrance to Parkside Avenue we turned into the second one. The bus in front became empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2372.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2372

As we went down Parkside we saw a cluster of shops, so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2372 before it carried on South towards Moss Pit.

Arriva Midlands 2372 in Parkside

There was a 15 minute frequency on the #8, so we decided to go over to the shops. In the convenience store at far end of the row, Matthew had brought a can of Coke and a small bottle of Coke & some Irn Bru. He also had a couple of chocolate bars. After we had paid we went back to the bus stop. Matthew ate a bag of Milky Stars and drank a small bottle of Cola. A few minutes later required Arriva Midlands 2377 appeared on the following #8 to Moss Pit.

Arriva Midlands 2377 in Parkside

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver to the driver and Matthew took a picture inside the empty Arriva Midlands 2377 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2377

The bus set off along Parkside Avenue and we rejoined Beaconside before we went South down the A34. We turned right onto Redhill and we traveled through the estate to the West of the A34. As we traveled through the estate we passed required Arriva Midlands 2373. We rejoined the A34 and we turned right onto Chell Road. Whilst we were stopped we saw Arriva Midlands 2291 on a #1 service and Arriva Midlands 2368 on a #825 to Lichfield as well as National Express West Midlands 852 on a #54 to Wolverhampton. We set off through the town along Broad Street and Earl Street. We went around the Lichfield Road Gyrator and onto the A449. As we traveled towards the railway line we saw Select Bus Services double decker 10 going North on the #878 to Staford. When we got to Rising Brook we turned right onto John Amery Drive and we ran through the estate and forwards Burton Banks Lane. At the end we turned left onto Moss Pitt where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2377 as it stood ready to return to Parkside.

Arriva Midlands 2377 in Moss Pit

As we considered what we could do, we saw a bus stopped down the road heading our way. There was a break in the traffic so we went across the road to see what it was. It was a #76 service to Wolverhampton. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2738.

Arriva Midlands 2738 in Moss Pit

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off along Moss Pit the A449. We crossed the railway line and we went under the M6. We ran fast along the a road to the North edge of Penkridge where we hit the 30mph section of the road. About a 1/2 a mile later we got up and got off the bus in the town centre. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2738 before it carried on towards Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 2738 in Penkridge

The public toilets were actually open today, so Matthew used the facilities. Once he had finished we crossed the main road and we went in the Festival garden to have something to eat. Matthew shared a double Milky Way with me and Uncle Dave and he also had a drink of Cherryade. Whilst we ate National Express West Midlands 854 made an appearance on the #54 to Stafford.

NX West Midlands 854 in Penkridge

A few minutes later we saw National Express West Midlands 852 on the Wolverhampton bound #54 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 852 in Penkridge

when to bus back to Stafford was due we left the Festival Garden and we stood at the stop. A few minutes later we saw the bus turn out of the side Street. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva Midlands 3756.

Arriva Midlands 3756 in Penkridge

The bus set off up the A449 and as we left the village the bus went fast up to the M6. On the other side we slowed down as we got to the residential Moss Pit area. We continued forwards onto Rising Brook and we ran over the railway line to the Lichfield Road Gyrator roundabout. We came back up through town and past the railway station where we saw First Potteries 32080 again on a #101 to Hanley. We ran up to the windmill and we turned right into Broad Street and right again into Earl Street where we got up to get off the bus. the bus was now empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3756.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3756

We walked back to the toilet block and Matthew used the toilet here again. After he had done we set off onto Chell Road to walk around to the bus station. As we got there we saw required First Potteries 65041 on a #101 to Hanley, and as we had a ticket we thought we might as well catch it around the town to Gaol Square.

First Potteries 65041 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we flashed the First Day ticket to the driver before we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus went along Chell Road past the windmill and to the railway station. The bus topped there for a while, but because it's a circular around town it didn't empty. So Matthew took a picture of the empty seats across from us.

Inside First Potteries 65041

Once it was time the bus set off down through town to down to the Lichfield Road gyrator and we joined the A34 up to the next roundabout. We then turn bank into town and we ran up to Gaol Square via Eastgate Street and North Walls. When we got to the Square we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65041.

First Potteries 65041 in Stafford

When we got to the bus station the service where starting to thin out. On stand was Arriva Midlands 2367 on a #9 to Higherfields.

Arriva Midlands 2367 in Stafford

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2296 on a #2 to Baswich & Wildwood.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Stafford

The driver got off and had a short break and we saw an unidentified Moffat & Williamson coach going South down the A34. The driver got back on and we flashed the Arriva Midlands day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus left town vbia Chell Road and Earl Street and we went onto the Lichfield Road Gyrator before going down the A34 as we got close to the edge of town the driver realised that this service should of called at the railway station too, so he went back around via Riverway, the A518, the A34 Chell Road and back to the station. we didn't pick anyone up the, but we picked up a passenger by Newport Road that we would have missed. We went around the big roundabout and down the A34 and we passed Arriva Midlands 3900 on the #825, which we would have probably caught had we not done an extra lap around town! When we got to Radford Bank we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2296 as it carried on towards Baswich.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Stafford

We crossed the road and almost immediately we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud ariva Midlands 3701 on a #74 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Day Saver tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the A34 and into town past the railway station before turning in at broad Street and turning right onto Earl Street where we got up. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3701.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3701

Matthew used the toilet at the toilet block for the final time and we waited for mum to arrive. We had got back quicker than we thought we would so we had to wait. We walked along broad Street and onto Chell Road where we saw NX West Midlands 853 on a #54 to Wolverhanpton.

NX West Midlands 853 in Stafford

We then saw required Arriva Midlands 2155 on a #76 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 2155 in Stafford

Mum arrived and we walked to the car park by Wilkinsons where she picked us up. Matthew had a couple of Wrights mini sausage rolls washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We drove back along Chell Road and North up the A34. as we went North we passed First Potteries 65037 on a #101 to Stafford and we saw D&G 174 emerging from the side on a #14 service. At Trenthan Gardens we turned right onto the A5035. At the corner of Stanley Matthews Way we saw South Wales Transport minibus KX64 AAY parked up by the Hem Heath pub. Stoke had just drawn 2-2 with Swansea which would probably Account for the presence of that minibus. We followed First Potteries 41498 to longton Through Dresden, which had just finished a day on the #21/21A service. At Longton we went to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. There were quite a few tonight. We saw Z Carz FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

On the end of the row was Z Carz Ford Minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

Behind that was Z Carz Green Ford Minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. At the front we saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We got back onto the high level A50 and we crossed the A50 to go to Tesco to get some fuel. After we had done we got back onto the westbound A50 which we did up top Heron Cross, passing Scraggs coach 5437 VT going the other way. We traveled through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive, getting home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by an egg custard. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark