Monday, 4 August 2025

Trip to Etruria / Wolstanton 04-08-2025
















BusFromToServiceOperator



YJ69 EHGFentonWestbury ParkCharterTravel Express
YJ69 EHGWestbury ParkFentonCharterTravel Express


Today Matthew was going back to the residential unit, but not before he had been out for dinner and to get his weekly shopping. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We got ready and we went out just before 12:00. We set off to Newcastle to pick up our friend. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and onto the A5035. We continued to Trentham and we turned right onto the A34 and we saw First Potteries 35689 on the #101 to Stafford. We ran through Hanford and we crossed the A500 and we continued through Trent Vale and into Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road we ran past the bus station and we saw First Potteries 67157 on a #99 to Chell. We turned left onto Ryecroft and stopped to pick up our friend. After we picked him up We crossed over Ryecroft we ran forwards onto the A53. We ran around one-way system and onto the A52. We ran up to Hartshill and we ran forwards onto Shelton New Road. We turned right onto Garner Street and we stopped at the food truck. Matthew had a cumberland ring with bacon and egg washed down with can of Coke. When we had finished we set off to the shop. We ran along Garner Street to Etruria and we turned left onto the A53. We veered left onto Forge Lane and we ran forwards onto Shelton Boulevard and we turned left onto the Etruria Valley Link Road. We went under the A500 and we turned left onto the retail park passing First Potteries 35941 on a #501 Festival Park circular service. We parked up by the supermarket and we saw YMCA EA71 PZV parked up.


YMCA EA71 PZV in Wolstanton
We went into the shop and we did Matthew weekly shop. We went outside and we saw red minibus YJ22 FZF. We set off through the retail park and we turned left onto the A527. We ran to the top of the hill and we turned left to follow the A527 into Newcastle. We turned right onto Ryecroft and we pulled up. We dropped out our friend and we continued along Ryecoft. We did a u-turned and we turned right onto Barracks Road. We turned left onto the A34 and we headed through Trent Vale. We continued under the A500 and into Hanford. At trentham we turned left onto the A5035. We ran into Blurton and we got back around 14:30. Matthew had some apple crumble cake and custard and a can of Dr Pepper. Just after 16:00 we set off towards Fenton. We set off through Burton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Street and left onto Blurton Road. 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 saw City Centre Central BK58 DZZ. We turned left onto Masterson Street and 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. Watch buses out of the window and we saw white minibus YS57 NNT.


YS57 NNT in Fenton
For tea Matthew had chicken & rice followed by a cake bar. Washed it down with a can of Fanta. Matthew then went out to catch a bus to Westbury Park. We went downstairs and we saw it was Travel Express YJ69 EHG. We got on the bus and we set off onto Temple Street and we saw Afford rent-a-car HJ23 VGN. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we crossed over City Road. We ran down the into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the the A500 and we turned left onto Southbound A500. We ran past Sideway to Hanford. We turned right onto the A519 and we turned left onto Westbury Road and to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a a glass of Coke. After we had finished in the pub we returned to Fenton in Travel Express YJ69 EHG. We set off onto Westbury Road and we turned right to run anti-clockwide around the estate. We turned right onto Wye Road and we crossed over Seabridge Lane and we turned left onto the Northbound A519. We ran into Newcastle and we went around the roundabout onto Barracks Road and past the bus station. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout onto the A53 and we ran through Basford to Etruria. We got onto the Southbound A500 at Stoke. We turned left onto City Road and we went under the raileay line and up into Fenton. We continued up City Road before turning right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew also drank a can of Cherry Coke. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Saturday, 2 August 2025

Trip to Derby / Belper 02-08-2025









BusFromToServiceOperator



806Derby BSCromford, Cross RoadsTPHigh Peak
527Cromford, Cross RoadsBelper, bus garageTPHigh Peak
282Belper,(stop B)Ashbourne BS113High Peak
294Ashbourne BSHartington, Square442High Peak
285Hartington, SquareAshbourne BS442High Peak


Today we decided to re-visit Derby. Matthew chose Derby on the Friday and we did no research for the trip other than to look at the weather, which was for dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We got resy to go out and we set off just before 12:00. We had someone else coming with us today so we set off through Blurton and we turned right onto the A5035. We ran to Trentham and we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran into Hanford and under the A500 and we continued into Trent Vale. We ran into Newcastle and we turned right onto Barracks Road. We ran past the bus station and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We stopped in the small pull in by the shops and we picked up our friend. We then went to pick up uncle Dave. We turned around on Ryecroft and we ran around the one way system onto the A52. At the top of the hill in Hartshill we turned left onto Shelton New Road. We ran down the hill into the valley and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Stoke and we came off the A500 onto Wheildon Road. After we picked up uncle Dave we continued up Wheildon Road and onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir. We turned right to continued along the Blythe Bridge bypass. We went near to uttoxeter and we continued along the A50 for a few more miles. As we travlled Eastwards we saw an unidentified Hunters Coaches coach and a black double decker Van Hool coach with a gold and maroon Splash. We came off the A50 and we and we headed towards Hatton on the A511. We decided to go to the Salt Box truck stop but when we got there we found it had closed, had been demolished and they had started to build a new care home on the site! We turned left onto Malthouse Lane and we turned around. We turned right nto the A511 and we stopped at Rascals for dinner. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. He also used the toilet which was in a barn. When we had finished we headed back along the A511 and we re-joined the A50. We turned left onto the A516 and we headed North onto the A38. We ran North a few roundabout and we turned right onto the A52. We ran to the edge of Derby and we turned left onto the clockwise ring road. We ran arubd the ring road and we turned right onto Morledge. We ran under the car park and we a u-turn at the round about. We pulled in to the side the of the road and we got out of the car. We said goodbye to mum and our friend and we set off on foot along Morledge to the bus station We stood outside of the bus station and we took a few pictures. We saw Trent Barton 311 on a Ilkeston Flyer to Cotmanhay.


Trent Barton 311 in Derby bus station
Also seen was Arriva Midlands 4405 on a #38 to Burton-on-Trent.


Arriva Midlands 4405 in Derby bus station
Afterwards we saw Arriva Midlands 3745 on a #2A to Chellaston.


Arriva Midlands 3745 in Derby bus station
We walked through the bus station and out of the other end and we saw Kinchbus 149 on a Skylink to Leicester.


Kinchbus 149 in Derby bus station
We walked back into the bus station and we looked for something to catch. We saw and turned down Trent Barton 73 on a Red Arrow service to Nottingham. We stopped part way down the bus station and we decided to do a High Peak bus. We got to the stand and we saw it was High Peak 806 on a Trans Peak service to Buxton.


High Peak 806 in Derby bus station
We got on the bus and we booked Peak Network Day Tickets at £6 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the A601 and we crossed over the Derwnt and onto King Street. We joined the Northbound A6 and we ran for through Darley Abbey. We crossed over the A38 and we continued up the A6 into Duffield. We crossed over the railway line and we ran Northwards into Milford. We crossed back over the railway line and we ran into Belper. We puled into the Trent Barton bus station and we saw Trent Barton 836 on Layover. We continued the Cromford and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of High Peak 806 before it returned towards Buxton.


High Peak 806 in Cromford
Once off the bus we walked around the corner onto the B5036. We crossed over the road and we went to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we came out of the pub and we saw Stagecoach Yorkshire 80151 on a X17 to Wikrksworth.


Stagecoach Yorkshire 80151 in Cromford
We headed back to the main road to catch abus back Southwards. We crossed over the A6 and Matthew spotted a cake shop. We went in and it was about to close, so Matthew had a slice of chcocolate cake to take away. We paid for the cake and we headed to the bus stop. We got to the bus stop and Matthew started to eat his chocolate cake. We saw Caledonian Travel heading Southwards down the A6. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching before Matthew had finished eating his cake. As it got closer we saw it was High Peak 527 on a Trans Peak service to Derby. We got on the bus and we placed the Peak Network Day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A6 and we ran Southwards through Whatstandwell and Ambergate and we headed inti Belper. We turned into the bus garage and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of High Peak 527 before it contnued Southwards towards Derby.


High Peak 527 in Belper bus station
Also in the bus station were High Peak 282 on layover in between runs on the #113 and Trent Barton 836 parked up spare.


Trent Barton 836 in Belper bus station
The bus next bus we wanted to catch was due off the stop around the corner in just over 10 minutes. We had already seen the bus on layover in the bus garage. We went around the corner onto King Street and we saw the was an event going. It was Pride in Belper and part of King Street was closed. We were concerned that the bus might not be able to get to the stop. We walked to the corner of Campbell Street and we saw there was a way through for the bus. We walked back to the stop and Matthew had a Twirl out of the trip bag. Almost immediately the bus appeared. We saw it was High Peak 282 on a #113 to Ashbourne as expected.


High Peak 282 in Belper
We got on the bus and we flashed the Peak Network Day tickets to the driver. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside High Peak 282 before sitting down towards the back of the bus.


Inside High Peak 282
A few minutes later we set off along King Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A6. We veered left onto Bridge Foot and we crossed over the river Derwent. We ran forwards onto Belper Lane and we turned left onto Dalley Lane. We crossed over the A517 and we ran forwards onto Farnah Green Road. We continued onto Firestone and we ran forwards onto Sprimg Hollow. We turned right onto Hazelwood Hill and we ran forwards onto Over Lane. We turned left onto the A517 and we headed Westards into Cowers Lane. We continued into Turnditch and we ran for several miles into Hulland Ward. We ran through Hulland and Sturston and we ran into Ashbourne. We turned right into Park Avenue and we turmed left onto the A515. We turned right onto the A515 and right again to follow the A515 into the town centre. We turned left onto King Edward Street and we got to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture before it returned on a #113 to Belper.


High Peak 282 in Ashbourne bus station
We had around 10 minutes to wait for the next bus we were going to catch. In the bus station was Trent Barton 702 which had broken down whilst working a Swift service to Uttoxeter. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was High Peak 294 on a #442 to Buxton.


High Peak 294 in Ashbourne bus station
We got on the bus and we flashed the Peak Network Day tickets to the drive before sitting down towards the back of the bus. When it was departure time we set off along King Edwards Street and we turned right onto the Station Road. We turned right onto Church Street and we ran forwards onto the A515. We turned left to follow the A515 out of town and we headed Northwards. We continued through Fenny Bentley and we turned right onto The Avenue. We ran into Tissington and we turn left onto The Green and we continued onto Rakes Lane. We re-joined the Northbound A515 and we turned left onto Liffs Road. We turned right onto Drury Lane and we ran into Biggin village. We turned left onto Main Street and we turned right to re-join Liffs Road. We turned left onto High Cross and we continued onto Hall Bank. We ran into Hartington and when we got to the Square we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a other picture of High Peak 294 as it coninued on the #442 to Buxton.


High Peak 294 in Hartington
Once off the bus we headed across the square to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished our drinks we went outside and we went up to the local shop, but the shop was closed. We headed back to the bus stop and Matthew had another Twirl from the trip bag. We waited for aruond 15 minutes and the bus appeared from West side of the village. As it got closer we saw it was High Peak 285 on a #442 to Ashbourne.


High Peak 285 in Hartington
We got on the bus and we placed the Peak Network Day tickets under the scanner for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Square and we ran forwards onto Hall Bank. We continued onto High Cross and we joined Liffs Road. We turned left onto Main Street and we ran into Biggin. After a brief stop turned right onto Drury Lane. We ran out of the village and we re-joined Liffs Road. We ran for a few miles and we turned right onto the A515. We turned left onto Rakes Lane and we ran into Tissington. We continued through The Green and we turned right onto The Avenue. We rejoined the Southbound A515 and we ran through Fenny Bentley. We ran to the edge of Ashbourne and we turned left onto B5035. We turned right onto Cokayne Avenue and left onto Park Road. We turned right onto Sturston Road and right onto Compton Street. We turned left onto Edward Street and we stopped at the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of High Peak 285 before it returned empty to the depot.


High Peak 285 in Ashbourne bus station
Once we had got off the bus we started heading towards where mum was stopping. We walked down Compton Street and we saw Trent Barton 702 on a Swift service to Derby.


Trent Barton 702 in Ashbourne
We got to the the A515 and we spotted mum coming down Derby Road. Mum pulled into the Taylor Court and we got into the car. We set off onto the A515 and we turned left onto Derby Road. We ran out of town and we stopped at a chip shop for a late tea. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When iI had finished eating we re-joined Derby Road and we turned right onto the A52. We ran through Hangingbridge and Mayfield and we turned right onto the B5032. We ran through Ellastone and we turned left onto the B5030. We ran near to Denstone and Rocester and we got to the A50 at Uttoxeter. We turned right and we headed West to the Blythe Bridge Bypass. We continued through Meir and Longton and at Sideway we joined the A500. At Hanford we joined the Northbound A34 and we ran through Trent Vale to Newcastle. We ran up Barracks Road and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We droipped off out friend and we headed towards uncle Dave's. We turned around on Ryecroft and we ran around the one way system onto the A52. At the top of the hill in Hartshill we turned left onto Shelton New Road. We ran down the hill into the valley and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran past the Travel Express garage and we ran through Stoke and we came off the A500 onto Wheildon Road. When we got to uncle Dave's Matthew got out to go to the toilet. He had some of uncle Rob's Fanta and we updates uncle Dave's calendar with today's trip. We got back in the car and we set off for Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road and right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Finstock Avenue and we saw black minibus HK74 ZGD parked up. We continued back to the house and we parked up. Matthew chilled out on his computer. Matthew had his medication and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke. Matthew settled down around 01:00... Mark

Friday, 1 August 2025

Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 01-08-2025
















BusFromToServiceOperator



67158Stoke, stop ZStoke, Royal Mail25First Potteries
67153Hanley BSFenton, Smithpool Road23First Potteries
6009Fenton, adj Travers CourtNewcastle BS1AD&G Bus
63102Newcastle BSNewcastle, O/s Cherry Tree PH25First Potteries


Today Matthew was going to visit Grandma and going to Blurton. Bur first he was going out on the bus. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 08:30 and had pancakes for breakfast washed down with orange juice. Latrer on Matthew set off on foot towards Stoke. We cut through onto City Road and we saw Afford rent-a-car CK25 VLG parked up at their garage.


Afford rent-a-car CK25 VLG in Fenton
We contoinued down City Road and we crossed over the A500. We continued along Church Street and we walked through Stoke town centre, We stopped outside of B-arts and we waited for a bus towards Hanley. A short time we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67158 on a #25 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to the railway station. We set of through Stoke town centre and we crossed over the A50. We went under the railway line and we turned left to followed the A52. We passed the railway station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked along the A52 towards Joiners Square, We turned left onto Cauldon Road and right onto Boughey Street and we saw Brookside Taxis SF12 GUH.


Brookside Taxis SF12 GUH in Shelton
We turned right onto Ridgway Road and we headed into the park and the YMCA had organised a bouncy castle. Matthew went on this and afterwards we continued through the park and onto Regent Road. We went onto Hinde Street and we crossed over the ring road. We headed into Hanley and we stopped at Hanley Museum. Matthew went around the museum and took photos in the natural history section of the animals. Later on Magtthew set off up John Street and onto Lichfield Street. We crossed over the ring road and we visited the chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we crossed over the ring Road anonto Lichfield Street and we headed into the bus station. We waied for a bus towards Fenton. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 92 on a #8 to Endon. A short time later we saw a bus come on stand. We saw it was First Potteries 67153 on a #23 to Newstead.


First Potteries 67153 in Hanley bus station
We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton 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 and 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 walked back to the residential unit. Matthew went back upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out. He used his computer and watched buses out of the window. Whilst he waited for us Matthew had a glass of Coke. Just before 15:00 we came to pick Matthew up. Matthew came downstairs and we said goodbye to mum before setting off on foot to the bus stop. We cut through onto City Road and we saw silver minibus EX06 FZO. We waited at the bus stop for a bus towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 6009 on a #1A to Wood Lane.


D&G Bus 6009 in Fenton
We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus 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. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and into the centre of Hartshill. We turned left into the Avenue and left again onto Hilton Road before turning right into the City General Hospital. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around. A short time later we saw First Potteries 35950 on a #38A to Waterhayes.


First Potteries 35950 in Newcastle bus station
We saw a bus approaching so we headed up to the stand. We saw it was First Potteries 63102 on a #25 to Hanley.


First Potteries 63102 in Newcastle bus station
We got on the bus and we booked to the hospital before we sat down. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. Due to roadwork we headed North and did a u-turn at the roundabout. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we got up and got off the bus by the Cherry Tree. We got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of First Potteries 63102 as it continued towards Hanley.


First Potteries 63102 in Newcastle
We crossed over the A34 and we walked up to the hill towards grandma's. We continued up the hill and into grandma's house. At Grandma's Matthew had toast and a can of Irn Bru. When it was time to go we said goodbye to Grandma and we got in the car. We set off just before 18:00 and we ran down Victoria Street. We turned left onto the A34. We continued southwards into Trent Vale past the Greggs. We continued through Trent Vale and we stopped at the pub. We walked into the pub and we sat down at our one our normal tables. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 35691 on a #101 to Hanley, ERS Medical YJ71 DWU going Northwards and ABC Supreme KP25 EHC heading Southwards. Once we had finished eating we set off We carried on along the A34 through Hanford and into Trentham. We turned left onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line and into Blurton. We got back around 19:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we sorted a few things out. We wrote the Blog and sent a couple of e-mails. Later on Matthew had a Twirl and a can of Cherry Coke. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark