Trip to Stafford / Weston 17-02-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63173	Blurton, Magdalen Road	Hanford, Mayne Street	22	First Potteries
47520	Hanford, Mayne Street	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
40	Stafford BS	Weston, Old School Close	841	Chaserider
40	Weston, Old School Close	Stafford BS	841	Chaserider
625	Stafford BS	Pottall Pool, Broadhurst Green Road	74	Chaserider
99	Pottall Pool, Broadhurst Green Road	Stafford BS	74	Chaserider
9	Stafford BS	Trinity Fields, Crab Lane	8	Select Bus
35932	Trinity Fields, Crab Lane	Trent Vale, Riverside Road	101	First Potteries
63173	Trent Vale, Riverside Road	Blurton, Magdalen Road	22	First Potteries

Today we were going to stay reasonably local. Mum was working so we had no support vehicle, so we decided to heade towards Stafford on the bus. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. He got up around 10:00 and had toast for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off around 10:50. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral betting shop. 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 past the former Regent which is now an Indian Restaurant. 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 at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. We got back around 11:20 and we set off and walked to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road, Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63357 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 63357 in Blurton

A sort time later we saw our bus turn the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63173 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63173 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked Knot Day ticket at £7. This ticket is a multi-operator ticket valid throughout the 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 passed the building site where new housing is being built. At the top of the hill we turned right into Hanford along 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 63173 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 63173 in Hanford

We waited for the next bus towards Stafford. We didn't have to wait too long. Whilst we waited we saw silver minibus EY13 AFN heading Southwards.

EY13 AFN in Hanford

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 47520 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 47520 in Hanford

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot tickets under the scanner befoer we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards and we continued down through to Trentham and then we got onto the fast section of the A34. We ran through Tittensor to Darlaston and we continued down to the North end of Stone. We Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. After going around the one-way system and onto Stafford Road. We crossed over the A34 onto Eccleshall Road. We turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We rejoined the A34 at the roundabout where the A51 goes Eastwards and we ran Southwards through the fast section on the A34 to the A513 roundabout. We ran the last couple of miles into town down the A34 onto Foregate Street and we turned right onto Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 47520 as it contineued around Stafford.

First Potteries 47520 in Stafford

We set off past the old Wilko (now Poundland) and we stopped at the toilet block. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we continued into the Guildhall market. We walked to the back corner to the cafe. Matthew and uncle Dave find a table and I ordered the food. Matthew had an English breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we set off out of the market onto Chapel Street. We went forwards onto Broad Street and we turned right onto Stafford Street. We turned left nonto Prince Street and left onto Hunters Row. We turned left onto Gaolgate Streetand we turned right at the end and into the bus station. We originally plnned to go to Cannock but Matthew had other ideas. He was looking at the map and he was tracking Chaserider 40 on the Bustimes.org which was coming down from Uttoxeter to Stafford on a #841. We had a quite a wait before it arrived. In the meanwhile we saw Chaserider 704 which came into the bus station and afterwards went out of service.

Chaserider 704 in Stafford bus station

We had been on that Chaserider bus on one of our last visits to Stafford when we did 704 from Stafford to Rugeley on a #828 Lichfield service. Another vehicle see whilst we waited was Arriva Midlands 3784 on a #5A to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3784 in Stafford bus station

On the main road we saw a couple of coaches go by including Coachleasing CEC 629 which was going Northwards.

Coachleasing CEC 629 in Stafford bus station

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Chaserider 40 on a #841 to Hixon as expected.

Chaserider 40 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Chaserider 40 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Chaserider 40

We set off out of the bus station and we joined the A34 and we turned left onto Chell Road. After a brief stop we continued onto Tenterbanks and we headed onto Bridge Street. We ran through the town centre and we crossed over the A34 onto the Northbound A518. We ran out of town for around a mile and we entered the hospital grounds. We returned to the A518 and we turned right onto Hydrant Way. We turned left onto Tixall Road and left onto Blackheath Lane. We turned right onto the A518 and we ran past the county shiwgriund and out of town. We ran into Weston and we stopped just short of the A51. We decided to get up and get off the bus here. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Chaserider 40 as it contimnued towards Hixon.

Chaserider 40 in Weston

We crossed the road and we worked out that we would be going back into town on the same bus. We had a quick walk up to the main road to have a look arond and afterwards we returned to the bus stop. Back at the bus stop Matthew shared a Crunchie with me and uncle Dave and afterwards had a can of Orange Fanta. As short time later we saw the bus come around the corner. As expected it was Chaserider 40 on a #841 to Stafford.

Chaserider 40 in Weston

We got on the bus and placed the Knot ticket on the scanner before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A518 and we headed Westwards towards the town. We passed the county showground and we turned left onto Blackheath Lane. We turned right onto Tixall Road and right onto Hydrant Way. We turned left onto the A518 and we continued into town. We turned right into the hospital grounds and after running around the car park we exited the hospital and turned right onto the A518. We ran to the edge of town and we crossed over the A34 onto South Walls. We turned right onto Cope Street and left onto Eastgate Street. We passed the buses on layover and we turned right onto Salter Street. We turned left onto North Walls and we entered the bus station from the East end we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew decided he wanted to go to a pub. We turned left onto Gaolgate Street and as The Butler's Bell was now closed, we went to Hogarth's. We went in the pub and we went upstairs. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar. We had a glass of coke each and we sat down to drink the drinks. When we had finished we set off onto Gaolgate Street and as we got to the main road we saw Arriva Midlands 3311 on a #5 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Stafford

We got into the bus station and Matthew spotted another former Firstbus vehicle. As we got closer we saw it was Chaserider 625 on a #74 to Cannock.

Chaserider 625 in Stafford bus station

We got on and flashed the Knot ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This used to be First Manchester 69200 which passed to Go North West when they sold the business. 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 past the site of the new Burger King. We ran down the hill into Bednall Head and we continued into Pottall Pool and We got up and got off the bus just before Broadhurst Green Road. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Chaserider 625 before it returned towards Cannock.

Chaserider 625 in Pottall Pool

We crossed over the road and we walked along the very soft verge to the opposite bus stop. We didn't have to wait too long before we saw the bus approaching from the roundabout. As it got closer we saw it was Chaserider 99 on a #74 to Stafford.

Chaserider 99 in Pottall Pool

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the A34 and we ran through Bednall Head and Brocton. We ran down Radford Bank and past the Queens retail Park and over the railway line. We ran into the town past the Hough Retail Park where there are plans to make a new Burger King. We reached the big roundabout at the South end of town and we went onto the A518. We turned right onto Bridge Street and we turned right onto South Walls. We turmned left onto Cope Srteet an left onto Eastgate Street. We continued onto Salter Street and we turned left onto North Walls and entered the bus station from the East. The bus stoppped in the bus station and we got up sna got off the bus. Also in the bus station was Select Bus 25 on a #12 to Doxey.

Select Bus 25 in Stafford bus station

We decided it was time to head North back towards Stoke. We saw First Potteries 47520 on a #101 to Hanley. We knew we had about 25 minutes to wait for the next bus. We thought about catch a #8 whilst we waited. There was one on stand. As we got closer we saw it was Select Bus 9 on a #8 to Parkside.

Select Bus 9 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We left the bus station onto the A34 and we saw First Potteries 35945 on a #101 to Stafford. We ran Northwards to the edge of town. We turned left into Holmcroft Road and we turned right into Second Avenue. We turned left into Holmcroft Road and we turned right into Second Avenue. We turned right into Woodlands Road and we turned left into First Avenue. We turned right into Crab Lane and we turned left into the A34 and we got up and got off the bus. When we got off the bus Matthew decided he needed the toilet. I wasn't sure where we could go so I thought we coild head to the A34 link road as I was sure there was a pub there. We walked up to the roundbout and we turned left onto the A34 link road. As we waited to cross the road we saw Phillips Travel PT73 PHL headeding towards the motorway.

Phillips Travel PT73 PHL in Trinity Fields

We crossed over the link road and we saw that The Shire Horse was closed for refurbishment. We crossed Mustang Drive and we walked along the link road until we saw a gap we could walk through. We were originally heading for the Brewers Fayre pub but this estate was not design to arrive by foot. In the car park of the pub we saw Alfa 118 parked up.

Alfa 118 in Trinity Fields

We went into Starbucks and Matthew used the toilet. When he came out Matthew had a caramel shortbread and a bottle of cloudy lemonade. Matthew sat down and had the food and drink and afterwards we went outside to uncle Dave. We set off along the link road and we crossed over Mustang Drive We headed back to the same stop that we had got off the bus. The next #101 bus was due at 17:08 b ut it was not showing up on the map. In theory it should be First Potteries 35932 that we had seen earlier on. Whilst we waited we saw Select Bus 22 on a #8 to Parkside.

Select Bus 22 in Trinity Fields

The time was approaching and we kept our fingers crossed that the bus was running and not just missing from the map. A few minute later we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35932 on a #101 as expected.

First Potteries 35932 in Trinity Fields

We got on the bus and we laced the Knot ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Northwards and over the roundabout. We continued up the fast section of the A34 to the edge of Stone and then we turned left onto the industrial estate. We ran around the estate and onto Tiling Drive. We turned right onto Eccleshall Road and we crossed the A34 onto Stafford Road. We turned left onto Crown Street and we stopped at the main stop in Stone. We ran North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the Northbound A34. We ran Morth through Meaford and Tittensor and up into Trentham. It was raining hard now. We had planned to get off at Hanford and cross over by Oh India to get the #22 to Blurton, but we decided we needed to have a bus shelter to stand under whilst we waited. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we got up and got off the bus. once off the bus bus we walked to the crossing and we crossed over the A34 and walked back to the bus stop. We only had a few minutes to wait. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 67157 on a #21 to Trentham. A few minutes later the bus appeared. We saw it was First Potteries 63173 on a #22 to Newstead.

First Potteries 63173 in Trent Vale

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot ticket 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 stopped by the layby at the end of Magdalen Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 63173 before it ran empty towards the depot.

First Potteries 63173 in Blurton

We set off along the A5035 and we turned left onto Magdalen Road. We headed back to the house. Once we had settled in I went to the chip shop and got some food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Ornage Fanta. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Street. We veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral betting shop. 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 Whieldon Road. We stopped at uncle Dave's to Drop him off and Matthew drank some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru. We update his calendar. We got back in the car and we went up Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is now an Indian Restaurant. 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 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 and wrote an e-mail. Matthew shared a bottle of Cherry Coke. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark