Trip to Etruria / Wolstanton 22-07-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67149	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
67150	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going back to the residential unit and do his weekly shop. Matthew had his medication and got up around 09:30. Matthew had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We waited for mum to return from work. We got ready and we set off around 12:00. We got in the car and we ran through Blurton and we ran down to the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran to the other end and joined the Westbound A50. We got onto the Northbound A50 and headed through Stoke and we saw First Potteries 63360 running out of service. We came off the A500 at Shelton New Road and we turned right as if we were going to re-join the Siouthbound A500. We turned right onto Garner Street and we stopped near to the food truck. For dinner Matthew had a cumberland ring with bacon and egg on a bap, washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we got back into the car and we set off along Garner Street. We joined the Eastbound A53. We turned left onto Forge Lane and we turned left onto Shelton Boulevard. We crossed over the railway line on the new Etruria Valley Link Road and we ran under the A500 and turned left into the retail park. We parked up near to Asda and we saw camouflage minibus MX57 VOP.

MX57 VOP in Wolstanton

Also seen was Strathmore College silver minibus EY21 XMU.

Strathmore College EY21 XMU in Wolstanton

We went into Asda and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went around and picked up his weekly shopping. When we had finished we went to the till and we paid for the shopping. We went back to the car and we set off out of the retail park. We joined the Southbound A500 and we ran through Stoke to Sideway. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we came off by the BET365 statdium and headed Southwards down Stanley Matthews Way. We turned left onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 13:40. We chilled out at Blurton and we did some of the Blog. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and a Cherry Bakewell tart. Later on we returmed to the residential unit. We got in the car and we set off therough 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 went through the traffic lights onto Heron Steeet. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Masterson Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and we continued onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs to his room and we put all his shopping in his cupboard or in the kitchen. He chilled out in his room using his computer and watching buses out of the window. We saw First Potteries 67148 on a #11 to Newcastle. For a late tea Matthew had sausage chips and beans washed down with a can of Coke followed by angel cake and custard. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Hanley. At the Afford garage we saw Afford rent-a-car YG23 PXJ parked up. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67149 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67149 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we joined the A52 and ran under the railway line. After crossing over the A500 we ran into Stoke town centre along Church Street. We turned right onto Shelton Old Road. We ran forwards onto Stoke Road. We ran under the railway line and up through Shelton. We ran up Broad Street and we turned right onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street. We climbed the hill and up into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we went across Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street past the site of the old bus station which has now been almost completely demolished. We turned the corner onto Parliament Row and we walked across Market Square. When we had finished we walked across the square and along Tontine Street. We continued onto Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. We waited for a bus back to Fenton. A short while later we saw First Potteries 35938 on a #36A to Meir Park. A short time later we saw the bus come around the corner. It was First Potteries 67150 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67150 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Blurton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus waited for time before setting off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned left onto Copeland Street. We continued forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the road around onto Church Street. We crossed the A500 and we ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over City Road and we cut through to the residential unit. We went upstairs and chilled out in his room to chill out and use the computer. Matthew also watched buses out of the window. Later on Matthew had a bath and had toast for supper. Matthew went on his computer until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.