Trip to Cannock / Walsall 22-07-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6738	Cannock BS	Bloxwich, Victoria Avenue	X51	National Express West Midlands
2132	Bloxwich, Victoria Avenue	Walsall St Pauls BS	31	National Express West Midlands
6736	Walsall St Pauls BS	Great Barr, Scarsdale Road	997	National Express West Midlands
6730	Great Barr, Malthouse Lane	Aldridge, Shopping Centre	997	National Express West Midlands
4348	Aldridge, Shopping Centre	Walsall St Pauls BS	7	National Express West Midlands
6765	Walsall St Pauls BS	Walsall, Alumwell Road	529	National Express West Midlands
6767	Walsall, Alumwell Road	Walsall St Pauls BS	529	National Express West Midlands
2112	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, Wolverhampton Road	31	National Express West Midlands
6740	Bloxwich, Wolverhampton Road	Cannock BS	X51	National Express West Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Cannock. There was an issue with the main car, so we decided to stay fairly local. It was also the same today that Copeland's Tours ran a trip to Leicester. Research consisted of checking the National Express West Midlands bus ticket prices and local at the weather. The weather was forecast for rain all afternoon. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast for breakfast. We got reasy and we set off around 12:00 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. We turned left onto Church Street and we we around the one-way system. We turned left onto London Road and we stopped at Sainsbury's to put diesel in the car. Once we had filled up with diesel we set off onto London Road and we conrinued onto the one-way system. We turned left onto Church Street and right onto Liverpool Road. We veered right onto Eleanor Street and right onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we turned left onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 before joining the Southbound A500. We ran to the end and we joined the Southbound M6. Seen on the M6 were taxi minibus SF16 XWV, blue minibus FN66 YWP, an unidentified NX liveries coach on a Northboud #120 service, white minibus HX12 HHY, an unidentified white coach and ERS Medical FJ21 HGK. We came off the M6 at junction 12 and we headed Eastwards towards Cannock. We stopped at The Truckers Rest truck stop and Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we got back into the car and and we set off onto the Eastbound A5. At the roundabout we turned left at the A4601 and we ran into Cannock towards centre. At the edge of town we forwards onto the ringway. We went past the bus station and we did a 180' turn at the roundabout before parking up at Beechcroft Road car park. We walked across to the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. We saw Chaserider 542 on a #60 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 542 in Cannock bus station

A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6738 on a X51 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6738 in Cannock bus station

We got on the bus and we booked National Express Daysaver tickets for £4.50 each. We went upstairs, and as the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 6738.

Inside NX West Midlands 6738

We set off out of the bus station and we turned around at the roundabout and we went Eastwards along the A34. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5190. We past the railway station and at the McArthur Glen Shopping Centre we turned left onto The Northbound A460. We veered left into the retail park and pulled into the bus stop and we returned back Southwards down the A460. We turned left onto Votager Drive and we entered the Orbital Retail Park. We followed Voyager Drive to the left and we turned left onto Orbital Way. We rejoined the Southbound A460 and we crossed over the M6 toll road onto the A34. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and we turned left onto Gorsey Lane. At the roundabout we turned left onto Holly Lane and at the end we turned right onto the A34. We Headed Southwards for a mile or so before turning right onto right onto Turnberry Road and we ran past the pub One Man and his Dog. We turned left onto the B4210 next to Bloxwich North railway station and we travelled Southwards. We turned left onto the A4124 by the Sir Robert Peel pub and we turned right onto Sand Bank. We followed the road around to the left onto Wolverhampton Road and we turned right onto Bloxwich High Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6738 as it continued towards Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6738 in Bloxwich

Once off the bus we had a walk around to see what we could catch. We left the A34 and we walked onto Park Road. We saw Walsall Community Transport YX13 BVW on a #25 to Kingstanding.

Walsall Community Transport YX13 BVW in Bloxwich

Afterwards we walked back onto the A34 to wait for a bus towards Walsall. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. It was National Express West Midlands 2132 on a #31 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 2132 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We deviated off the A34 onto Stafford Street and we ran the 2 or so miles into Walsall. We crossed over the A4148 and we saw an unidentified TNS minubs go past. We ran down onto St Pauls Street and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we looked around for something to catch. A short time later we saw a bus heading towards Birmingham. We saw it was Narional Express West Midlands 6736 on a #997 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6736 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we booked flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before going upstairs and sitting down. When it was departure time the bus set off out of the bus station and on to Hatherton Street and forwards onto Hatherton Road.We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we turned left at the roundabout. We ran Northwards along Lichfield Road and we ran through Rushall. We turned right onto the B4154 and we came into Daw End and we turned left onto Redhouse Lane and we ran North Eastwards until we reached Walsall Road. We continued onto Aldridge bypass and we ran to the West of the town centre before turning right at the roundabout onto Anchor Road and into the town centre. We ran back onto the Aldridge Bypass and we veered left onto Birmingham Road. We turned left onto the B4154 and we headed Eastwards. The road curved around to the South and at Barr Beacon crossroad we turned left. We turned right onto Aldridge Road and at Queeslet we turned right onto the A4041. We passed the former the Buffet Island site which is going to be a new McDonald's. We turned right onto Collingwood Drive and left onto the B4154. We turned left out of Dyas Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6736 as it continued towards Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6736 in Great Barr

Once we let the bus go we walked Northwards up Aldridge Road and we crossed over Dyas Road before stopping at a shop to buy chcolate and a drink. We also brought a jelly snake. We paid for the stuff and Matthew ate the jelly snake and we crossed over the road to wait at the Northbound bus stop. Whilst we weaited for our bus we saw National Express West Midlands 1866 on a #28 to Heartlands Hospital.

NX West Midlands 1866 in Great Barr

A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6730 on a #997 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 6730 in Great Barr

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Northwards up Aldridge Road and we turned right onto Dyas Road. We turned left onto Old Oscott Lane and left onto Oscott School Lane. We turned left onto Shady Lane and right onto Aldridge Road. We crossed the A4041 and we headed Northwards onto Beacon Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto Collingwood Drive. We turned left onto Hillingford Avenue and forwards onto Frampton Way. We turned right onto Doe Bank Lane and at the end we turned left onto the A4041. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Aldridge Road. We turned left onto the B4151 and at the next roundabout at at the next roundabout we turned right onto the B4154. We ran Northwards for around 1/4 of a mile and we turned left onto Barr Common Road. At the next junction we veered right onto Birmingham Road up to Pool Green. We turned right onto the A454 and we turned right into Portland Road. We veered left onto Anchor Road and we stopped in Aldridge town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6730 as it continued towards Walsall.

NX West Midlands 6730 in Aldridge

Once off the bus we went into the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat down. After we had finished our drinks we went outside and met up with uncle Dave. We waited for a bus towards Walsall. Across the road we saw National Express West Midlands 6758 on a #937 to Brownhills West.

NX West Midlands 6758 in Aldridge

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 4348 on a #7 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4348 in Aldridge

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4348.

Inside NX West Midlands 4348

We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty too. Matthew took another picture inside National Express West Midlands 4348.

Inside NX West Midlands 4348

We set off along Anchor Road and we ran forwards onto Portland Road. We turned left onto the A454 and we ran South-Westwards towards Walsall. After a couple of miles we turned left onto the A461 and we headed Southwards. We crossed the A4148 and we ran forwards onto Lichfield Street. We continued onto Bridge Street and we followed the road around onto St Pauls Street where the bus terminated. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4348 before it went on to it's next service.

NX West Midlands 4348 in Walsall bus station

We walked through the bus station to have a look what we could catch. We saw Rotala Diamond 32240 parked up on layover in Hatherton Street.

Rotala Diamond 32240 in Walsall

Also see was National Express West Midlands 1840 on a #29 to Bloxwich.

NX West Midlands 1840 in Walsall bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus Matthew wanted to catch. It pulled onto stand and we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6765 on a #529 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Walsall bus station

Once the bus was ready we got on the bus bus we flashed the nBus Star Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran past the Crown Wharf shopping centre along Wolverhampton Street. We ran forwards on to the A454 and we ran the 1/2 mile where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another pictre of National Express West Midlands 6765 as it continued towards Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Walsall

We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus back to Walsall. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6767 on a #529 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 6767 in Walsall

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A454 and we ran forwards onto the A4148. We turned right onto Wolverhampton Street and we ran past the Crown Wharf Shopping Park. We ran forwards onto Townend Street and we crossed the roundabout into St Paul's Street and into the bus station. Once off the bus we looked for a bus to head back towards Cannock. We had just missed the X51 so we decided to go to Bloxwich and break the journey. A short time later a bus came on stand, As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 2112 on a #31 to Mossley.

NX West Midlands 2112 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Once again we didn't realise it was a dud bus until we got on it. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went North up Stafford Street. We crossed over the A4148 continuing North up Stafford Street and we ran the 2 miles or so up to Bloxwich. When we got to town we went up the High Street and we turned left onto Wolverhampton Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 2112 as it continued on the #31 to Mossley.

NX West Midlands 2112 in Bloxwich

Once off the bus we had a bout a 20 minutes wait or so we decided to visit the spotted cow, Matthew went the toilet and afterwards had a can of Coke which we took outside to drink. A short time later the bus came around the corner. We saw it was National Express West Midlands 6740 on a X51 to Cannock.

NX West Midlands 6740 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flasjed the nBus day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we went upstaits and sat down. We continued onto Sand Bank and we turned left onto Bell Lane. We re-joined the Northbound B4210 and we headed past Bloxwich North railway station. We turned right onto Turnberry Way and we ran to the end. We turned left onto the Northbound A34 and we headed up to Landywood. We turned left onto Holly Lane we turned right onto Gorsey Lane. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and then left onto the Northbound A34. We crossed the M6 toll and we ran Northwards up the A460. We turned right onto Votager Drive and we entered the Orbital Retail Park. We followed Voyager Drive to the left and we turned left onto Orbital Way. We rejoined the Northbound A460 and we ran up to the McArthur Glen retail outlet village. After looping around to the stops for McArthurs Glen we rejoined the Southbound A460. We turned right onto the A5190 and we ran to the edge of the town centre. We went Westwards onto the ringway and at the roundabout we turned left onto the A34 before turning left into the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6740 before it returned to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6740 in Cannock bus station

Also see at the bus station was Chaserider 670 on layover.

Chaserider 670 in Cannock bus station

Once off the bus we called mum to see where she was. She had a flat battery in the car and she was parked by The Range. We set off on foot around the ringway and we turned left onto the A34. We got part way down the hill and we spotted mum mum driving up the hill as she had managed to get a jump start. We got in the car and we turned around and headed Southwards onto the A34. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We joined the Westbound A460 and we headed towads the motorway. I needed to look on my phone to reset the car radio. We decided to pull over inti a layby and there just happened to be a minibus there. It was Five Star Cars YB19 EJD.

Five Star Cars YB19 EJD in Cheslyn Hay

Car Radio reset we carried on along the A460 before joining the Northbound M6. We came off at junction 12 and we went Westwards along the A5 before turning right onto the A449. We ran Northwards to Penkridge before stopping in the car park in the town centre. I went to the chip shop and fetched chips. Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy. When we had finished eating we continued Northwards up the A449. We ran up to the motorway and we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 13. As we travlled Northwards up the motorway it was dark and we passed wuite a few coaches including WMAS YJ21 GWX, an unidentified Major Coachways coach and an unidentifeid Atlantic Coaches coach. We came of the motorway at junction 15 and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran through Hanford up to Stoke and we came off the A500. We turned right onto City Road and right again to go Southwards onto the A500. We veered left onto Wheildon Road and we went to uncle Dave's. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark