Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 18-06-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67639	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
41495	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
41512	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
32077	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	99	First Potteries
53122	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
32078	Newcastle BS	Porthill, Adj St Andrew's Church	99	First Potteries
53155	Porthill, Opp St Andrew's Church	Newcastle BS	98	First Potteries
65042	Newcastle BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
53041	Hanley BS	Biddulph, Adj Somerfield Store	7A	First Potteries
53122	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
66838	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip. We had researched the the weather and it was for mainly cloudy dry weather. We gave Matthew a list of 2 places to choose from and from the list he chose Stoke & Tunstall. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had a giant crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. After he got dressed we set off to the bus stop all the over on Magdalen Road. We decided to go to Stoke for dinner, and we would travel via Trentham and catch a #21 service forwards. We waited at the bus stop for a Newcastle bound #22, and a few minutes later we saw an Enviro300 come around the corner from Finstock Avenue. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 67639.

First Potteries 67639 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 of onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line into Trentham. We saw Free Spirits white minibus MK52 PXH parked up by the Trentham Hotel and we turned right into New Inn Lane. We saw the man in Space ahead of us and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw tat we had around a 10 minute wait for the #21 to Stoke. A few minutes later we saw required First Potteries 41495 on the #21 to the Trentham Hotel, so we knew we ere going to get a required bus. The bus turned into Pacific Drive and appeared again a few minutes later before going right onto New Inn Lane. Whilst we waited for the bus to returned we saw the next #22 to Longton approaching... As I got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 67637. A minute or so later we saw required First Potteries 41495 reappear up New Inn Lane and we flagged it down.

First Potteries 41495 in Trentham

Just before we got on the bus we saw MJ Travel DE06 WZR go by. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41495 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 41495

We set off up New Inn Lane and we turned right into Wilson Road an then left into Church Lane. We joined the A34 and we ran under the A500 into Trent Vale. We turned right into London Road and we ran through Oak Hill and the the West End before running into Stoke Town centre and Campbell Place. There was nothing of interest parked up in City cabs and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41495 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 41495 in Stoke

We went to cross the road and we saw First Potteries 53060 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens.

First Potteries 53060 in Stoke

We walked along Campbell Place around the corner and into Church Street. We went in a Matthew went to the toilet and the lady behind the counter sorted out our usual order! Matthew had his breakfast and washed it down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we said goodbye and we walked down to the Newcastle bus stop. A few minutes later we saw a couple of First Potteris Caetano bodied Darts approaching. The leading Dart was First Potteries 41522 on a #23A. Bringing up the rear was First Potteries 41512 on a #2 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 41512 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and we went forwards onto Hartshill Road. We climbed the hill and we went down into Newcastle down George Street. We turned left onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41512.

Inside First Potteries 41512

We got off the bus and we had a look around to see what was about. On layover in Stubbs Street was First Potteries 37159.

First Potteries 37159 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3695 displaying #164 Newcastle... Service were terminating in Newcastle instead of Hanley due to the Women's tour cycling race.

Arriva Midlands 3695 in Newcastle bus station

We sat on the seat at the bottom of the bus station and Matthew had a Toffee Crisp. Whilst we waited to see if there was a suitable bus to do we saw ABC Supreme BU04 FKE.

ABC Supreme BU04 FKE in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw an ALX400 double decker enter the bus station at the Northern end off Barracks Road. It came down Stubbs Street and as it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 32077 on a #98 service.

First Potteries 32077 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus as it was going to become a #99 to Chell via Tunstall. We walked up to the top of the bus station and we waited for the bus to be readied. A few minutes later we got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. As the rear of the top deck was empty, Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32077 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 32077

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout onto the A527 and we ran through Wolstanton and to Porthill. We ran down the hill and we crossed the A500 and we ran into Longport. At Trubshaw Cross we turned left onto Brownhills Road we climbed the hill into Tunstall town centre. We went straight onto Tunstall High Street and we passed First Potteries 37146 on a Newcastle bound #99 service. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Potteries 32077 before it carried on towards Chell Heath.

First Potteries 32077 in Tunstall

We turned to see Roseville minibus EX57 HKT going North up the High Street.

Roseville EX57 HKT in Tunstall

We walked down to the Tunstall Cafe and Matthew went to the toilet whilst I sort out his food. The lady here also now knows our order by heart! Matthew had a slice of Toffee Cheesecake which he washed down with a can of Coke. One we had finished eating we said goodbye and then we crossed the road to the bus stop opposite. Matthew had indicated that he wanted to do the #99 back to Newcastle, so when First Potteries 67640 appeared on the #3 to Hanley we turned this down. A few minutes later we saw a First Potteries Solo turn the corner. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 53122.

First Potteries 53122 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We sat off down the High Street and forwards onto Brownhills Road. We ran down the hill to Trubshaw Cross and we joined Longport Road. We crossed over the roundabout and climbed Porthill bank before turning left onto Wolstanton High Street. We ran through Wolstanton and out the other side and down into Newcastle. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and we ran onto barracks Road before we turned into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53122.

Inside First Potteries 53122

Once off the bus we went to investigate the Arriva Midlands Versa. It was required Arriva Midlands 2993 on a truncated #164 service.

Arriva Midlands 2993 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew headed to the toilet. Afterwards we walked back down to the bottom end of the bus station. We then saw D&G Solo SR 101 arrive on a #85 to Crewe.

D&G 101 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes alter we saw another First Potteries ALX400 come into the bus station from the North. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 32078 on a #98 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 32078 in Newcastle bus station

It was going to work the next #99 to Chell Heath so we decided to do this bus. We walked to the top end of the bus station and by the time we got there the bus was already loading. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart 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 32078 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 32078

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and we went forwards onto the A527. We ran through Wolstanton, and we were going out the other side Matthew decided he wanted to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus, Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 32078.

First Potteries 32078 in Porthill

We crossed the road at the crossing and we walked to the bus stop opposite. We didn't have to wait long at all before we saw a raspberry coloured Solo approaching. As it got closer we confirmed it was required First Potteries 53155 on a #99 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 53155 in Porthill

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran back through Wolstanton along the High Street and out the other side into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we went onto Barracks Road before we entered the bus station. In the bus station unusually was a silver coach. We waited for the bus to empty and then Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53155.

Inside First Potteries 53155

Once off the Solo, We looked across at the silver coach, which was Holmeswood Coaches PO16 HTD which was working a shuttle service to the Ethiad Stadium in Conjunction with The Stone Roses concert in Manchester. The coach departed quickly and we decided to go towards Hanley next. We turned around to see required First Potteries 65042 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65042 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus, so we walked over to it and got on. We flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and we went onto the A53 one way system. We followed the road around the one way system onto George Street At the roundabout we went onto Shelton New Road and we ran through Etruria up to Snow Hill. We turned left to go towards Hanley and we queued for a while trying to get into town. At the ring road, instead of going Straight onto Broad Street, we turned right onto the ring road due to the cycling road closures. We ran around to Bethesda Street and we came into the bus station up John Street. The bus didn't unload very quickly, so we skipped getting a picture inside the bus and we got off. Matthew used the toilet and then we headed outside the bus station to go to John Street car park. Outside Matthew spotted a coach... It was Holmeswood Coaches PO16 HTD again making another stop on it's way to the Ethiad Stadium.

Holmeswood PO16 HTD in Hanley bus station

On the way across to the car park we saw a Routemaster outside the Victoria Theatre. It was Routemaster Buses (of Nantwich) RML2515 which was being used for a wedding.

Routemaster Buses RML2515 in Hanley bus station

We carried on towards the car park and we saw what might have been the return of the first through. It was Arriva Midlands 3696 on a #164 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 3696 in Hanley bus station

We went into the car park and we took a few pictures. We saw First Potteries 67635 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 67635 in Hanley bus station

We also saw required D&G 100 which was unusually on a #9 service to Clayton.

D&G 100 in Hanley bus station

Matthew drank a small bottle of lemonade followed by a bag of Milky Stars which he shared with me and uncle Dave. We decided to go back down to the bus station and catch something else. We stopped at the Spar shop and Mathew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of bar of chocolate. Once we had finished and paid in the shop Matthew decided he wanted to go towards Biddulph. Matthew turned down required First Potteries 41498 which was on a #7 to Kidsgrove. We could have done this to Chell and caught to following #7A. He also turned down required D&G 157 which was on the #9 to Biddulph. A few minutes later We saw dud First Potteries 53041 get readied for service and come onto stand from one of the layover spaces.

First Potteries 53041 in Hanley bus station

We set off out of the bus station and we ran down onto Bethesda Street. We joined the ring road and we ran around to Etruria Road and we ran up Trinity Street to Stafford Street. We carried on to Quadrant Road and we left Hanley along Town Road. We traveled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts to Chell. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down the A527 through Brindley Ford. We turned left to run through Brown Lees. We crossed over the A527 at Knypersley and we ran around through the housing estates of Biddulph before running into town along Well Street. We turned right onto the High Street and left onto South View where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53041 before it turned around for the journey back to Hanley.

First Potteries 53041 in Biddulph

Behind us was D&G 191, which was on a #94 to Congleton.

D&G 191 in Biddulph

We went to the toilet and afterwards we walked down to the kebab house on the top of the High Street and we brought some fries. On the corner of High Street and Wharf Road we saw D&G 157 returning to Clayton on the #9 service. We went to the bus station shelter and we ate our chips. Matthew also drank a bottle of irn Bru. Whilst we were there we saw First Potteries 37146 on a #7A to Hanley. After we had finished eating we sat outside in the sun whilst we waited 15 minutes for the next #7A. The D&G bus turned up first and it was dud D&G 159 on the #9 service. The #7A turned up and it was dud First Potteries 53122.

First Potteries 53122 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto High Street and we turned left onto Well Street. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran through Brown Lees and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and Fegg Hayes and then we ran up the hill to Chell. We turned left onto High Lane and we ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into Hanley. When we got back to Hanley we walked down to the bottom stands to catch something towards Newcastle. On stand was was First Potteries 66838 on a #25 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 66838 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 ran down through Stoke and Hartshill through the hospital and int Newcastle. We got off the bus and we saw First Potteries 32057 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32057 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw Roseville minibus SA05 ENF.

Roseville SA05 ENF in Newcastle bus station

Mum picked us up and we we ran down the A34 to Trent Vale where we saw silver minibus PF15 AHY. We stopped for some chips and then we continued on to the A500 where we went North. At Sideway. We went East on the A50 an we came off the at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz today. In the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We also saw Z carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We also saw Z Carz minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

Nearest on the first row was Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

On the second row was Z Carz minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Amongst the cars was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we passed Copeland's Tours Bova coach MIB 516. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right int Church Road and then right again into Baeconsfield Drive where we saw white minibus NX03 BFP. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a Manchester Tart. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark