Trip to Biddulph / Stafford 22-03-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6009	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1A	D&G Bus
6005	Newcastle BS	Biddulph BS	9	D&G Bus
6003	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	9	D&G Bus
35943	Hanley BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
35944	Stafford BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
63176	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Biddulph and Stafford. Matthew got up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room and we saw Shelton Care Group WF24 BCE outside. Later on Matthew went out to catch the bus. We went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. On the way to the bus stop we saw Afford rent-a-car CK23 NEF parked up in their garage.

Afford rent-a-car CK23 NEF in Fenton

We continued to the bus stop and waited for the bus. A few minutes 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 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. 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 waited for a back to Talke Pits. After a short while we saw First Potteries 63111 on a #39 to Kidsgrove. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was D&G Bus 6005 on a #9 to Biddulph. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road and we ran Southwards onto the A34. We turned left into the hospital and we ran through the the grounds. We turned right onto Hilton Road. At the roundabout we went left onto Newcastle lane and we ran up the hill into the centre of Penkhull. We turned left onto St Thomas Place and forwards onto Princes Street. We past the old school. on the left old North Staffs Royal Infirmary. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A52 and we ran down into Stoke. We passed through Church Street and the bus topped in the town centre. After a brief stop we continued over the A500 and under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we ran alongside the railway and onto Station Road. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto College Road and we turned left onto Avenue Road and we turned right onto Snow Hill. We turned left and ran up Broad Street. We turned right onto the ring road and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up to the bus station and onto Bethesda Street. We went onto Marsh Street before turning back into Hanley on Trinity Street. We turned onto Stafford Street and we picked up more passengers before heading out of town along Quadrant Road. We headed through Townsend an onto Chell Street. We went through Sneyd Green and we turned left at Smallthorne Roundabouts onto Ford Green Road. we turned left onto Chell Heath Road and passed his old school in Chell Heath. We carried on through Fegg Hayes. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A527 and we headed up though Brindley Ford. We left 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 and up Wharf Road to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 6005 as it carried on towards Westbury Park.

D&G Bus 6005 in Biddulph bus station

Once off the bus we walked across the High Street and onto West Street. We turned left onto Kingsfield Road and left onto Lawton Street. We turned right onto Congleton Road and right onto Thames Drive and we stopped at the Leisure Centre. Matthew went to the cafe and had a bottle of Coke. Afterwards Matthew went to the toilet. After the visited to the leisure centre Matthew returned to the bus station. We set off along Thames Drive and we turned left onto Congleton Road. We walked up the A527 and we veered left onto the High Street. We turned right onto Wharf Road and we waited for the next bus back to Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 67175 on a #7A to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 104 on a #95 to Audley We saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 6003 on a #9 to Westbury Park. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley. 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 potential new Wetherspoons. 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 Matthew got another picture of D&G Bus 6003 before it continued towards Westbury Park.

D&G Bus 6003 in Hanley bus station

Once off the bus and Matthew used the toilet. We saw First Potteries 63250 on a #501 to Wolstanton. Another bus came on stand and it was First Potteries 35943 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 35943 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus bus and we booked to Stafford before We sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off through the bus station. and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned right onto Shelton New Road. We ran down through Etruria an up into Hartshill before joining the A52. We ran into Newcastle down George Street. We joined the one way system and we turned left on the roundabout onto Barracks Road. As we got to the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we ran down through Trent Vale and into Hanford. 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 saw former Wolverhampton Council minibus WX07 UJT. 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. As we waited to cross the road we saw Select Bus 32 on a #877 to Wheaton Aston.

Select Bus 32 in Stafford

We went to Sainsbury's. We bought a bottle of Coke and some Angel Slices. Whilst we waited Matthew had a couple of angel slices that were in the bag. We crossed over the road and we considered catching a #101 towards Newcastle. Once off the bus we walked Westwards along Chell Road and we turned right onto Gaolgate Street. At the top we turned right and we stopped at the bus station. In the bus station we saw Select Bus 16 on a #9 to Highfields.

Select Bus 16 in Stafford bus station

A short time later we saw Select Bus 6 on a #12 to Doxey.

Select Bus 6 in Stafford bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35944 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35944 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We left the bus station onto the A34 and we ran Northwards to the edge of town. 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. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we past the City General hospital before going into Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station from the South end. Once we got ot the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we saw Roseville MT67 NUF. We set off onto Hassell Street and we turned right onto High Street and we stopped at McDonalds. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. Once we had finished we walked down High Street and we walked onto Hassell Street and we continued onwards to the bus station. A short time later we saw First Potteries 44511.

First Potteries 44511 in Newcastle bus station

Eventually the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63176 on a #11 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout. We ran onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued along Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. 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. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 63176 before it continued towards Hanley.

First Potteries 63176 in Fenton

Matthew went back upstairs to chill out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew also drank a bottle of Coke. He watched television and used his computer. later on he had a bath. For supper Matthew had some toast. Matthew went to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Bentilee 02-01-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63365	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
35942	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
63179	Hanley BS	Bentilee, Tyson Green	11	First Potteries
104	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
35942	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
67155	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, We got ready to go to Newcastle. Whilst getting ready we saw Travel Express SM65 DMY heading towards Stoke. 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 HK22 WCU parked up. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was First Potteries 63365 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63365 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 along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road where we saw blue minibus V604 MBL. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. 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 set off onto Hassell Street and we turned right onto High Street and we past old Edinburgh Woollen Mill which moved to the new food outlets. We stopped at McDonalds. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. Once we had finished we walked down High Street. We walked onto Hassell Street. We returned to the bus station and we waited for a bus to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35942 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35942 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we went upstairs. When it was time to go the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A34. we ran South as far as the hospital where we turned left. As we travelled through the hospital. We came out of the hospital and turned left onto Hilton Road. We ran into Hartshill and we turned right onto the A52. We ran down the hill into Stoke town centre and along Church Street. After a brief stop we continued along the A52, over the A500 and under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we ran alongside the railway and onto Station Road. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto College Road. We ran up the hill through Shelton and we followed the road to the right onto Cleveland Road and Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road, continuing onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once in the bus station. We waited for a bus to Bentilee. A short while later we saw First Potteries 63103 on a #4 to Crackley. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63179 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63179 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Bentilee before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights. we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We got up and got off. We walked down Dawlish Drive and we got in a City Cabs taxi and we set off along onto Dawlish Drive. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and we turned right onto Malthouse Road. We turned right onto Wooliscroft Road and left onto Corneville Road. We turned right onto Ruxley Road and right onto the A52 and and we turned left onto Eaves Lane. We turned left onto Greasley Road and continued onto Greasley Road. Before we joined the A5009 and we ran past the Cemetery to Milton and we turned left onto Millrise Road and we ran forwards onto Maunders Road and we crossed over the old railway line. We turned right onto Newford Crescent and left onto the A53. We turned into the retail park. We headed through Cobridge and we ran past the site of the new Wrights Pies shop. At the lights we turned left onto Waterloo Road. We ran down to the ring Road and then we ran around Hanley before going onto Lichfield Street. We ran down to Joiners Square and we continued onto Victoria Road. We ran up to the top and we turned sharp right onto City Road. We ran down to Smithpool Road and we turned left. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and chilled out in his room to use his computer and watch buses. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we saw First Potteries 63176 on a #11 to Newcastle. We waited for a bus to Stoke. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 104 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G Bus 104 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. hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw taxi minibus SA05 ENF. 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. We walked out of the bus station onto Castle Walk and we turned right onto Ironmarket past the old RBS bank which has now The Bank Space. We turned left onto High Street and we turned left onto Barracks Road and we veered left onto Stubbs Street and we waited for a bus to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 35938 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35938 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later a bus appeared and it was First Potteries 35942 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35942 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we went upstairs. When it was time to go the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A34. we ran South as far as the hospital where we turned left. As we travelled through the hospital. We came out of the hospital and turned left onto Hilton Road. We ran into Hartshill and we turned right onto the A52. We ran down the hill into Stoke town centre and along Church Street. After a brief stop we continued along the A52, over the A500 and under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we ran alongside the railway and onto Station Road. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto College Road and we turned left onto Avenue Road and we turned right onto Snow Hill. We turned left and ran up Broad Street. We turned right onto the ring road and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up to the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. At the bus station Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we waited for a bus back towards Fenton. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67155 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. The road in front of the museum was closed so we turned right onto the the ring road. We turned right onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned left onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto College Road. We ran down though Shelton along College Road and we ran down to the railway station. We turned right onto Glebe Street and under the railway line an we ran around the one-way system in Stoke and stopped by Stoke Minster. We turned left onto Church Street and we crossed the A500 and under the railway line. We ran up 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. For tea Matthew had burger and fries followed a couple of red velvet cheesecake with custard. Matthew also had a can of Coke. We went downstairs to the car and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and left onto City Road. We ran down the hill into Stoke and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran North uo through Etruria and Longport and we joined the Eastbound A527. We ran up the hill to the top end of Tunstall and we turned left onto Chatterley Lane. We turned right onto Hollywall lane and at the end we turned left onto the A50. We ran North into Kidsgrove and we turned right onto Mount Road. We stooped at one of the service user place to pick them up and then we continued through Kidsgrove to Talke to the Carvery. We then returned to Kidsgrove along First Avenue and onto the A50 and we stopped at the Aldi car park before we went to the pub opposite. When we had finished in the pub we went up the A50 and we turned left onto Second Avenue. We turned left onto First Avenue and we ran back into Kidsgrove. We then went North up the A50 and South down the A34 and back to the carvery. We then went North up the A34 and we turned right onto the A50 and we ran back South into Kidsgrove. We stopped at Aldi again. and we went across the rod to the pub. Once we had finished in the pub we ran Southwards down the A50 up the hill and down into Sandyford. We then stopped at Costa Coffee tor tea. Matthew had a millionaire’s shortbread washed down with a cup of Coke. Once we had finished we returned to Fenton. We set off Northwards towards Kidsgrove up the A50 and we turned right onto Mount Road. We stopped again to pick up a service user and we continued onto Pennyfield Road and we ran up through Harriseahead and towards Mow Cop. We continued up to the Edge of Biddulph and we turned right onto the A527. We ran Southwards through Brown Lees and Brindley Ford and we followed the road through Knypersley and Fegg Hayes up to Chell. We continued along the A527 through Pits Hill and Sandyford and down to the A500. We ran Southwards through Longport and Etruria and we came off the A500 at Stoke. We ran up the A52 under the railway line and we ran forwards onto City Road and into Fenton. We turned right into Smithpool Road and left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. 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.

Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 08-03-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63171	Fenton, Sixth Form College	Hanley BS	6	First Potteries
63146	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
65036	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
104	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	D&G Bus

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out on the bus later. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church minibus RX18 GZW. we went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw Temple Street church minibus RX18 GZW. We carried on along Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We stopped at Co-op and we brought a chicken sandwich and a bottle of Coke. We set off our of the Co-op onto Christchurch Street and we continued onto City Road. We crossed over onto Manor Street. At the end of the street we turned left onto Victoria Road. We walked down the hill to the bus stop. A few minutes later a bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63171 on a #6 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked the Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Victoria Road and towards Joiners Square. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Lichfield Street instead of going to the bus stops outside the bus station, we turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew used the toilet. We set off onto Lichfield Street and and went forwards onto Tontine Street. We walked through Tontine Square to the Intu Potteries shopping centre. We sat down and Matthew had his chicken sandwich washed down with a bottle of Coke. and we walked across Tontine Square onto Tontine Street. We walked onto Lichfield Street and we entered the bus station. We saw D&G Bus 110.

D&G 110 in Hanley bus station

We waited for a bus towards Newcastle. A short time later a bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63146 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63146 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle. we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. system onto Commerce Street and right onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past KFC. 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. 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. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We saw First Potteries 65005 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 65005 in Newcastle bus station

Also seen was First Potteries 63096 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63096 in Newcastle bus station

A short time later we saw First Potteries 65036 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65036 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. we set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We crossed the roundabout onto the A53 and we went onto the one-way system on the A52. We veered left onto George Street and at the roundabout we went onto Shelton New Road. We crossed over the A500 and we ran up to Snow Hill. 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. We waited for the bus to Fenton and a short time later we saw D&G Bus 104 on a #23 to Blurton.

D&G 104 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton. we sat down towards the back of the bus. we saw First Potteries 44514 on a #7A to Biddulph. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street we saw First Potteries 65042 on a Kingfisher to Cheadle. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down onto Regent Road and forwards onto Cleveland Road. We ran down though Shelton along College Road. We turned right onto Avenue Road and left onto Stoke Road. We went passed the former chemists which is becoming a new dessert shop. and we ran down the hill and we turned left onto Station Road and past the railway station. We turned right onto Glebe Street and under the railway line an we ran around the one-way system in Stoke and stopped by Stoke Minster. We turned left onto Church Street and we crossed the A500. 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 saw Afford Rent-A-Car YK20 AXV. back to the residential unit. We went upstairs. Matthew drank a can of Irn Bru. For tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a Bakewell tart. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. He watched television and used his computer. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Blackpool (Last day of Line 6) - 25-07-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
260	Blackpool, Palatine Road	Tesco, Mereside	3	Blackpool Transpor
109	Tesco, Mereside	Corporation Street, Blackpool	6	Blackpool Transpor
107	Market Street, Blackpool	Hawes Side,Hemmingway SE bound	6	Blackpool Transpor
104	Hawes Side,Hemmingway NW bound	Queenstown, Spencer Court (NE-bound)	6	Blackpool Transpor
377	Queenstown, Devonshire Road Hospital	Blackpool Tower, Blackpool	11	Blackpool Transpor

Matthew should have been in respite on this day, but due to a staffing mix up it meant that we had to quickly find something for him to do. Having read about the end of Line 6 on Fylde bus blog I quickly arranged for us to go to Blackpool in order for Matthew to get the chance to ride on these buses before they were withdrawn from service. Preparation for the trip consisted of printing a timetable for Line 6, a Blackpool Transport route map and a map of the motorway exit and Mereside Tesco, just in case the Mrs needed to drive the support vehicle to here to pick us up. It took us a long time to get Matthew out of bed, which is fairly normal on a Sunday, and eventually we set off around 12:30. As always, when we go anywhere we have to make sure all Matthews needs are met in order to ensure we get the best behaviour Matthew and not mischievous Matthew! First thing on the agenda was to feed him up.

We arrived in Blackpool around 14:00 and we parked in the open car park behind the old bus station. We saw a cafe opposite on Topping Street (can't remember the name, but they're on Facebook apparently). All four of us ate and drank for under £10 and a reasonable amount of food too. having seen just how far Market Street was from the cafe there was a map on the menu), we decide to try and park the car a bit closer to town to avoid taking Matthew through any unnecessary crowds, and to save our legs. We drove around looking Disabled parking, finding nothing free. We would park, get out, only to find the was some restriction... We saw a space on the corner of Market Street and Corporation Street. We parked only to find out it was limited to 30 Minutes. We must have parked and got in and out of the car 3 or 4 times...

We eventually ended up crowbarring the car onto the car park adjacent to Bonny Street at around 15:00. Knowing that the Line 6 came past the end of here, we thought that this was near perfect. Next thing was to make sure Matthew had been to the facilities, and then I realised we had forgotten the RADAR key! Never mind, it wasn't a problem here because the toilets were individual unisex toilets. OK, now it was actually time to catch a bus...

The plan was to catch a Line 6 up to Mereside. The first thing we needed to do was to walk far enough up Central Drive to the point where the one way system ends so we could catch the bus. As we were walking up we spotted a '6' coming the other way and Matthew was able to take a picture.


First Delta of the day photograped 112, at the corner of Central Drive and Chapel Street heading towards Grange Park (Matt)

We crossed the road and headed for the bus stop which I assumed the '6' would stop at. According to the information, this stop was for lines 5 & 7...Damn! I thought even though the route map doesn't show it, the '6' must take a different route in the other direction. Hmm, I made a decision to take the street we past before and head inland hoping to find the south bound '6'. We headed along this street that was dead straight about 1/4 mile long and had B&B's along both sides. there were traffic light at the end so we thought that this must be a main route and this was probably where the '6' went along. Reaching the traffic lights we turned right as we could see a bus stop, and there were people waiting. When we got closer we saw the the bus stop was Line 3...Drat again! At least the bus was to Mereside... We got talking to the people at the stop and they were adamant a bus was due off town at 15:17 and would be there 5 Minutes after that. Sure enough Solo 260 appeared and we did this to Mereside.


260 on it's way to Tesco, Mereside (Matt)

As we approached we could see a '6' on stand. A quick check of the time and we saw that it was due off any minute.


First Delta of the day at Tesco Mereside, 109 on the 15:40 to Grange Park (Matt)

We got on the bus, Delta 109 an went straight to the back like the cool kids (lol). Now travelling in comfort, I tried to work out the next move. I worked out we could go to town and have 3 minutes to walk between stops. and catch the bus back towards Mereside. in the meantime we passed 2 of the other 4 buses out on Line 6. First bus passed around the Asda area was 106, followed by 112 at the junction of Grasmere and Central. As we approached Corporation Street, another '6' was on stand in Market Street. between the 2 stops Matthew decided he want to stop and say hello to someone, and as the girl in question was listening to music on a MP3 player, it scared her to death and she ran off...By the time we got to market Street the bus had gone...Drat again! We decided to wait for the bus in the same direction. Matthew was a little bit cranky at this point so we needed to distract him. We decided to wait on the corner of the Street allowing him the chance to take pictures for a while until the next Mereside '6' appeared.


Delta 106 on the 16:00 Mereside - Grange Park (Matt)

Of note during this time was one of the other 6's 106, and double decker 370. Seconds after 106 went past 107, arrived on the Mereside.


Delta 107 on the 16:06 Grange Park - Mereside (Matt)

On the bus, we worked out a move to get the bus we missed. We decided to get off a couple of stop past Spen Corner on Hawes Side Lane. My brother noted the appropriately named 'Box Brothers funeral Directors' as we got off the bus.


Delta 107 pulls away into the distance as it heads towards Mereside along Hawes Side Lane (Mark)

We crossed the road and waited for the bus back. Whilst waiting a character appears and starts looking at the timetable on the stop, which has already been changed ready for the 26th. I told him 'there's no point looking as they are tomorrows timetables, and the 6 isn't on there because it's finishing'. We get into a discussion about how all the buses will be black and yellow eventually. 'Black and yellow! they might as well paint them green and cream again...' i'm sure there are plenty of people who would agree with him.

A short wait and the bus that we had missed appears, Delta 104...Yay! A move works out...


What turned out to be our last Delta of the day, 104 on the 16:40 Mereside - Grange Park (Matt)

On the bus, we worked out a final move so we could get 1 more '6' before we left. Mrs T had already had enough of shopping and was sitting back in the car waiting. It was worked out if we went a couple of stops out of Blackpool towards Grange Park, but before Layton Square, we could catch a bus to the stop opposite Poundland and walk to the car park. I advised Mrs T of the plan and she said she would walk to the stop to meet us to make sure Matthew was OK. Whilst on stand in Corporation Street we noted Metrorider 515 on a Line 15. The bus went out of town and past the railway station, We got of a couple of stops later just before a big junction.


Bye bye...Delta 104 pulls off into the distance on Talbot Road (Mark)


Following us from Corporation Street to Talbot Road, Metrorider 515 on line 15 (Mark)

When we got off we assumed we were somewhere between the town and Layton square, possibly on Caunce Street. However the road was very busy and quite a few different buses came past which seemed to dismiss that theory as being correct. There must have been a Northbound diversion and we got off somewhere on the diversion (it turned out we were on Talbot Road by the site of the Devonshire Road hospital)... After about 20 minutes waiting and no sign of a Southbond '6' we decided to catch the next bus into town and give up. I had phoned the Mrs to let her know of the plan, and she said that she had already seen 2 6's come and go. So we had a choice of 2 buses approaching a 14 or an 11. Matthew of course chose the older bus which turned out to be 377.


Last bus of the day, 377 on a 11 to Lytham Square (Matt)

The bus set down in market Street, but we decided to stay on another stop to avoid taking Matthew through the busy streets. Next stop was in front of the tower which was probably even busier. A short walk along the front and we were in a quiet side street adjacent to the stop for the '6' where a slightly irate mum had been waiting for 25 minutes. Everyone else went back to the car via the toilets and I went to the take away / restaurant on the townside corner of Coral Island for 2 portions of chips to share before we set off home. We left around 18:00 as we left town we passed 104 on Yeadon way, having finished it's duties for the day. Considering how chaotic everything was, I think it was a fairly successful trip. All 5 buses were photographed by Matthew and we managed to ride on 3.

(Mark)