Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 24-12-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67172	Blurton, Magdalen Road	Trentham, Man in Space	22	First Potteries
67151	Trentham, Man in Space	Stoke, stop R	21	First Potteries
44515	Stoke, stop Q	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
65035	Newcastle BS	Tunstall	99	First Potteries
63117	Tunstall	Hanley BS	3A	First Potteries
67180	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
151	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	9	D&G Bus
63113	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	4	First Potteries
65031	Newcastle BS	Hanford, Mayne Street	99	First Potteries
67144	Hanford, Mayne Street	Trent Vale, Black Lion	21	First Potteries
63179	Trent Vale, Black Lion	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	22	First Potteries

Today was Christmas Eve, and as such we decided to stay local as the buses were finishing earlier. No research was done for the trip other than to check the weather for today, which was for many dry and sunny weather with a maximum temperature of 8'. Matthe got up just after 10:00 and had toast for breakfast. We got ready as quick as we could so that we could make sure we got home before the buses finished running for the day. We set off just before 11:00 and we walked all the way over to the bus stop on Magdalen Road to wait for a bus towards Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 47519 on a #22 to Longton. A short time later we saw the bus turn the corner. It was as expected First Potteries 67172 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67172 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.90. This ticket is a multi-operator ticket valid throughout the North Staffordshire area. We sat down ear to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went past the Trentham Hotel we turned right into New Inn Lane where we would be on this bus to Stoke. We got up to get off the bus at the man in Space and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67172 before it carried on to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67172 in Trentham

We waited for the next bus to Stoke. Whilst we waited we were able to see the bus going in the other direction before it got to us. It was First Potteries 67151 on a #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Trentham

Whilst we waited for the bus to run around the end loops we spotted the next bus to Longton was on it's way. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 65035 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 65035 in Trentham

The bus appeared from around the loop and it was as expected First Potteries 67151. We got on the bus and we placed our Smart Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus travelled through Trentham up New Inn Lane, We passed the building site where new housing is being built. At the top of the hill we turned right into Hanford along Wilson Road. We ran down Mayne Street before joining the Northbound A34. We crossed under the A500 and we saw First Potteries 67154 on #21 turn to Trentham. We turned onto London Road and we ran through Oak Hill past the former Oak Hill pub. We continued through 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. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67151 before it continued towards Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Stoke

We walked along Campbell Place and we crossed over the road. As we turned into Church Street we saw D&G Bus 114 on a #1 to Meir. We headed into Stoke Cafe. Uncle Dave escorted Matthew downstairs to the toilet and I ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked down Church Street to the Newcastle bus stop. We saw the former Discount Fashion Direct which has now been sold. On the opposite side of the road we saw recent arrival First Potteries 35943 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35943 in Stoke

We looked on the map and we spotted another of the recent arrivals First Potteries 35945 on a #25 to Keele. Whilst we waited for the bus we were taken by surprise with another bus. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 44515 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 44515 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 down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill and in the petrol station. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We got in the bus station. Once off the bus we walked down to the bottom end of the bus station. We saw First Potteries 35945 on a #25 Keele.

First Potteries 35945 in Newcastle bus station

Across the other side of the bus station there was a bus on stand heading through Longport. We walked over to the other side and we saw it was First Potteries 65035 on a #99 to Chell Heath.

First Potteries 65035 in Newcastle 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 driver spotted that Matthew like buses and he showed Matthew pictures of the Scania Omnicity's when they were brand new in the factory. We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A527 and headed through Wolstanton. As we travelled North up the road we passed First Potteries 67178 on a #99 to Newcastle. We turned right onto Porthill Bank and we we went down the hill and over the A500. We went through Middleport where we saw some goats in an enclosure by the road. We continued up the road 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. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65035 before it carried on towards Chell Heath.

First Potteries 65035 in Tunstall

We headed into Tunstall Cafe and Matthew went to the toilet whilst I ordered some food. Matthew had a slice of toffee cheescake washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and we crossed the road to catch a bus towards Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63173 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 63173 in Tunstall

A short time later we saw the bus come around the corner. It was First Potteries 63117 on a #3A to Hanley.

First Potteries 63117 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we placed our Smart Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We went down the High Street and we turned left into Williamson Street. We turned right into Scotia Road and we ran into Burslem town centre. We ran past the site of the new Kiln Gate Retail park and we continued into Cobridge and down into Hanley. We joined Hope Street and we ran forwards to Stafford Street. We ran past the taxi ranks and we saw Lucky Seven SF17 LBO. We continued past the Albion and the town Hall and we ran forwards onto Bagnall Street and into the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We headed towards the car park to get a few bus pictures. On the way we saw D&G Bus 106 on a #2 to Birches Head.

D&G Bus 106 in Hanley bus station

We headed up to the car park and we took a few pictures. We saw First Potteries 63098 in the layover area.

First Potteries 63098 in Hanley bus station

A short time later we saw D&G Bus 29 on a X32 to Uttoxeter.

D&G Bus 29 in Hanley bus station

Another vehicle seen was First Potteries 67175 on a #7 to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 67175 in Hanley bus station

We left the car park and we walked down onto John Street. We saw First Potteries 63112 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 63112 in Hanley bus station

We walked back to the bus station and the bus was already on stand. It was First Potteries 67180 on a #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 67180 in Hanley bus station

We got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67180 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 67180

The bus waited for time before setting off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and onto Bethesda Street before we went across onto Marsh Street and then we turned right into Trinity Street. We turned left into Stafford Street and we continued forwards to Quadrant Road and we left Hanley along Town Road past the sight of the new Tesco Express store. We travelled 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 via St John's Road, Colliers Way. We ran past the building site and we turned right up Wharf Road to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67180 before it returned to Hanley on the next #7A.

First Potteries 67180 in Biddulph bus station

Once of the bus we walked around the corner onto the High Street past Sainsbury's to the The Royal Oak. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and we past the former pub The Swan which was a new restaurant. We headed back towards Wharf Road. We had a look at what was on the map and Matthew had a Flake whilst we waited for the bus. A short time later we saw D&G Bus 151 on a #9 to Clayton.

D&G Bus 151 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the High Street and we turned left at the roundabout onto St John's Road. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 and we ran down through Brindley Ford into Fegg Hayes. We turned left onto Oxford Road and we ran forwards into Chell Heath. We passed Matthew's old school site which is going to be a new sheltered housing site. We ran through Bradeley to the traffic lights. We turned right and we ran up the hill through Smallthorne and right again onto Ford Green Road past the pub which which is not going to be a new Wetherspoons pub. At the top of the hill we turned left onto the A5272 and into Hanley. We ran into town along Town Road and we crossed over the ring road. We turned right onto Quadrant Road and we went under the Intu Potteries shopping centre. We ran forwards onto Stafford Street and we passed the town hall. We ran along Bagnall Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we headed across Lichfield Street and the ring road and we went to the Venus Fish Bar. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. After eating tea we set off back towards the bus station. In the bus station we saw First Potteries 63034 on a #6 to Park Hall. We waited for a bus back to Newcastle. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 63113 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 63113 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart day ticket under the scanner before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto John Street. At the bottom of the road we turned right onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street and then we joined the clockwise ring road. At the end we turned left onto Etruria Road before going under the A53 onto Festival Way. We ran past Waterworld and we turned left onto Forge Lane past a new minibus building by the Brindley Farm pub. We looped under the A53 and we joined the Westbound A53. We crossed over the A500 at Etruria and and we ran up the hill into Basford where we saw First Potteries 67151 on a #4 to Hanley. We ran down hill to the edge of Newcastle and we got onto the one way system. At the jubilee roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road before turning right into the bus station. We got up and we got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 63113 before it continued to Audley.

First Potteries 63113 in Newcastle bus station

We hoped to get on the #22. As we got to it First Potteries 67172 on the #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 67172 in Newcastle bus station

We werent quick enough and the bus pulled off the stand. There was another #22 due in 30 minutes. We decided to break up the journey and get another couple of buses in. A short time later we saw First Potteries 65031 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65031 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road and forwards onto the Southbound A34. We ran past the hospital into Trent Vale and under the A500 into Hanford where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65031 as it continued towards Stafford.

First Potteries 65031 in Hanford

We considered what to do next. The #22 wasn't due for another 20 minutes. We spotted that there was an Hanley bound #21 just around the coner in Hanford. We could do this up to the Black Lion and reduce the waiting time for the bus. A couple of minutes later the bus came around the corner out of Church Lane. It was First Potteries 67144 on a #21 to Hanley as expected.

First Potteries 67144 in Hanford

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Mayne Street and we turned sharp right onto the Northbound A34. We ran under the A500 and we headed into Trent Vale. We turned right onto London Road and we got up and got off the bus outside of the Blacak Lion. Once off the bus we walked around the corner onto rge A34 and past the pub to the bus stop. We now only had 10 minutes to wait for the bus. A few minutes later the bus came out of Harplands Road. As it got closer First Potteries 63179 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 63179 in Trent Vale

We got on the bus and we placed the Smart Day under the scanner for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A34 and we ran under the A500 into Hanford and we turned left onto Church Lane. We climbed to the top of the hill and we turned right onto Wilson Road. We turned left onto New Inn Lane and we ran into Trentham. We turned left onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line into Blurton. We passed the end of Stanley Matthew Way and we turned left onto Magdalen Road and right onto Finstock Avenue. We turned left onto Beaconsfield Drive where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 63179 before it continued towards Longton.

First Potteries 63179 in Blurton

Once off the bus we set off on foot and back to the house. We chilled out on the computer and we started to write the Blog. We also downloaded the pictures from today. After about an hour we went to take uncle Dave back home. We got in the car and we set off through Burton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive where we saw white minibus EA07 LWW parked up. We turned left onto Church Street and left onto Blurton Road. We crossed over the A50 and we ran into Heron Cross lights. We turned left onto Grove Road and we ran forwards onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and we ran back up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark