Trip to Sandbach / Hanley 20-11-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63098	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley, stop J1‎	23	First Potteries
44514	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going on the bus later on. It was also the day Matthew learned of a new building scheme. Muller submits retail-and-resi scheme for Sandbach. 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 Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. Later on Matthew went downstairs to do his shopping. We set of onto City Road. After crossing over the road we turned right into Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. Part way down Victoria Road we saw First Potteries 65003 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge. We turned left onto Victoria Road. In Aldi Matthew picked up his weekly shop. After he had done his shopping we went to Sandbach in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto Victoria Road and we ran down to joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto Lichfield Street. We ran up to the ring road and we ran anti-clockwise around Hanley. We turned right onto the A50 and we ran Northwards through Cobridge into Burslem. We continued up Scotia Road towards Tunstall and we continued onto the High Street and Northwards through Goldenhill. We ran down the hill to Kisgrove and we continued under the railway line and canal into Cheshire. We ran through to Rode Heath and we turned right onto the A5011. We turned left onto the A533 and we ran the last few miles into Sandbach. We followed the A533 Northwards through town and we turned right into the town centre. We parked up on the common and we saw D&G Bus 140 on a #316 to Cooksmere Lane. We walked down the High Street and we stopped at the pub for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and after wards had dinner. He had a burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. For dessert Matthew had a chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. When we had finished we walked back to the Common. We returned to Fenton in a lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto the A533 and we headed Southwards. We ran down to Rode Heath and we turned right onto the B5011. We turned left onto the A50 and we ran through Kidsgrove. We ran through Goldenhill and we joined the A527 towards the Chatterley Valley. We joined the Southbound A500 and we ran through Longport and Etruria. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned left onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we and right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street past the new building under construction and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and back to his room to chill out. we saw First Potteries 44514 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 44514 in Fenton

Also seen was E-zec patient transport YJ16 GHA heading towards Stoke.

E-zec patient transport YJ16 GHA in Fenton

After a while we saw Z Carz YN11 AHJ going towards Stoke.

Z Carz YN11 AHJ in Fenton

We went downstairs and we set off on foot to the bus stop. We walked onto City Road and we saw Afford Rent-A-Car minibus MK67 UEJ in their garage.

Afford Rent-A-Car MK67 UEJ in Fenton

We stood at the bus stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw Boydens Coaches G19 BCL heading towards Stoke.

Boydens Coaches G19 BCL in Fenton

A short time later we saw First Potteries 63098 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63098 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Street and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned right onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we got up and got off the bus at the top of John Street. We walked along Bagnall Street and Cheapside and we turned right onto Piccadilly. We turned left onto Stafford Street. We continued forwards onto Bryan Street and we went to Cineworld. Matthew had a cup of Coke. He went to the toilet and afterwards he saw Maleficent: Mistress of Evil at the cinema. When he had finished we set off along Bryan Street and onto Quadrant Road. We walked along Stafford Street and forwards onto Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. We waited for a bus back to Fenton. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 44514 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 44514 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. 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 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 and we ran under the railway line. After climbing up the hill into Fenton we turned right into Smithpool Road where we got up and got off the bus. We walked back up Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch 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

Trip to Congleton / Hanley 15-12-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67158	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
67158	Hanley BS	Heron Cross, Grove Avenue	23A	First Potteries
42552	Heron Cross, Duke Street	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
65040	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out on the bus later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX outside.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

He used his computer and watched buses out of the window. We saw First Potteries 63178 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63178 in Fenton

A short while later we saw First Potteries 63101 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63101 in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was yellow minibus OU10 AZG going towards Longton.

OU10 AZG in Fenton

Later on we went to to Congleton by car. We went downstairs and we got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road onto Manor Street and at the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill and we cross over the roundabout at Joiners Square. We went straight onto Lichfield Street and we joined the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned right onto Waterloo Road and we ran through Cobridge. We continued through to Burslem onto Scotia Road and forwards onto the Tunstall by-pass. We ran past the police station onto the top end of Tunstall High Street. We continued through Goldenhill and down the hill to Kidsgrove. We continued under the railway line and over the A34. We followed the A50 to the right and we ran Northwards to Arclid. We turned right onto the A534 and we ran forwards into Congleton town centre. We parked up in the town centre and we visited Bear Grills cafe by the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Hollinshead RIL 1016 and D&G 140 on a #42 to Crewe and Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Crewe. Once we had finished we returned to Fenton by car. We set off onto the A527. We ran past Congleton railway station and along the Biddulph by-pass. We continued through Knypersly and Brindley Ford and we turned left onto Oxford Road. We ran into Chell Heath and past the site of Matthews old school. we ran forwards onto Chell Heath Road and at the end we turned right onto Ford Green Road. We turned left onto the A5272 and we ran through Sneyd Green to the edge of Hanley. We ran clockwise around the ring road and we turned left onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we ran forwards onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Manor Street and right onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room. Later on Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on we went out to Hanley on the bus, We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop by the flats to wait for the next bus to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw the bus turn the corner. As it got closer we saw that if was First Potteries 67158 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67158 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street. and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station we turned right onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We set off up Lichfield Street onto Tontine Street and we went to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. For tea Matthew had a burger and chips followed by chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. Once we had finished we walked up Tontine Street and across the square to the shopping centre. After visiting shops in the shopping centre we walked along Parliament Row and went to Poundland. We walked onto Tontine Street and back to the bus station. We waited for a bus back to Fenton. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67158 on a #23A to Newstead.

First Potteries 67158 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. Before we set off we saw First Potteries 32627 on a #7A to Biddulph. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. 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 and we ran down to the railway station. We turned left onto Station Road and we ran part the railway station before going right onto Glebe Street. After a brief stop 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. After climbing up the hill we turned right onto Smithpool Road and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. In Heron Cross we turned right onto Blurton Road an we got up and got off the bus. once off the bus we walked through Heron Cross lights to the Hanley bound bus stop to wait for a bus to Hanley.

First Potteries 42552 in Heron Cross

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Heron Street and we ran forwards onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and left again onto City Road. We dropped down the hill into Stoke town centre and we followed the one way system onto Glebe Street before turning left onto Station Road. We went up College and followed it around onto Regent Road and we turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street and we turned right onto John Street. We ran up the hill and we went into the bus station and got off. Once off the bus we went outside to wait for a bus back to Fenton. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 65040 on a #6 to Meir.

First Potteries 65040 in Hanley

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off up Lichfield Street and we turned right into Birch Terrace. We followed the road around to the left onto Charles Street. At the top we turned right onto Old Hall Street before turning right onto the ring road. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. One off the bus we set off on foot onto City Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. 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 Festival Park / Hanley 29-12-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Fenton MacDonalds	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton MacDonalds	Festival Park	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Festival Park	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
BK13 YUF	Fenton	Hanley	Charter	Roseville
BK13 YUF	Hanley	Fenton	Charter	Roseville

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew got up and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting for time to got to the day centre Matthew spent time in his room watching buses. We saw First Potteries 67632 on a #11 to Hanley. In the morning we went to Festival Park via McDonalds in Fenton. Transport for the trip was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill. We turned left onto the private road and we stopped at McDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and they ordered some food. Matthew had a cheeseburger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. Once we had finished eating we continued to festival park on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We ran up the hill towards Hanley and we joined the clockwise ring road. We ran around to Etruria Road and we turned left. We ran over the roundabout under the A53 and onto Festival Park. We turned left onto Marina Way and we stopped at the car park and Matthew went to the cinema. Matthew went to watch Jumanji. After watching the film Matthew returned to Fenton on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off out of Festival Park onto the roundabout and we turned right onto the Westbound A53. We came off onto Etruria Vale Road and we ran through to Snow Hill. We turned right onto Stoke Road and we ran through Shelton towards Stoke. We turned left into Station Road and we ran past the railway station before joined the A52. We ran along side the railway we turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto Temple Street back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer. He also watched buses out of the window. We saw Intercity WF07 FFG going towards Longton.

Intercity WF07 FFG in Fenton

We also saw D&G bus 140 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G 140 in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw Autocabs KN62 XTR going towards Stoke.

Autocabs KN62 XTR in Fenton

We also saw First Potteries 67638 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67638 in Fenton

For tea Matthew had chicken curry rice and naan bread followed by apple crumble and custard and custard. Later on we went to Hanley. Transport for the journey was on Roseville BK13 YUF. We got on the bus and we set off onto Temple Street. At the end we turned right onto City Road. We ran towards Longton and at Victoria Place we turned left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill and we crossed over the roundabout at Joiners Square onto Lichfield Street. At the ring road we went around hanley in a clockwise diection and at the end of the road we stopped at the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. After spending a while chilling in the pub Matthew returned to Fenton on Roseville BK13 YUF. We set off onto the ring road and we ran anti-clockwise around the ring road to Lichfield Street. We ran down the hill and we turned right at at the roundabout onto the A52. We ran towards the railway station and then we followed the road to the right and along side the railway line. At the roundabout we turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out. When Matthew got back he went up to his room. He 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 Newcastle / Biddulph 28-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67159	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
67154	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
66303	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
41493	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, Adj Stop A	99	First Potteries
140	Tunstall, Adj Stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G Bus
66306	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4	First Potteries
41501	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
41520	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
65040	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries

Today we decided to stay local as mum was feeling a little under the weather. We checked the for day and it for for dry and cloudy with rain shower moving in in the late afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We decided do catch the 12:21 departure towards Newcastle today. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. A few minutes later our bus appeared and it was unusually a First Potteries E200 MMC which are branded for the #21/23. As it got closer we noticed that it looked a little different... It was in fact required new First Potteries 67159 which had only been in service for a couple of days!

First Potteries 67159 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we purchased a Smart Day tickets at £5.30 before we sat down and the bus set off onto the A5035 where we turned right. We passed Stanley Matthews Way and we crossed the railway line and we entered Trentham where we saw First Potteries 53122 on a #22 to Longton. W before turning right into New Inn Lane and we passed First Potteries 67154 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel. As we approached the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67159 before it continued on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67159 in Trentham

Having seen First Potteries 67154 on the #21 we knew it was going to be our bus forwards to Stoke. A quick check of the Buses I Have Travelled on page revealed the First Potteries 67154 was was of only 3 buses of the batch that we had been on before today. A short while later the bus returned off the A5035 and it was as expected dud First Potteries 67154 on a #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67154 before we sat town towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 67154

The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford passing First Potteries 67642 on the fianl #22 turn. We turned right into Wilson Road and then we turned left onto Church Lane. We lane down the hill and we joined the Northbound A34 where we saw Destination Courtesy Travel minibus MV58 MFA and white minibus R2 OGO. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we turned right into London Road by the black Lion passing First Potteries 67158 on the #21 to the Trentham Hotel. We ran the couple of miles into Stoke town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture First Potteries 67154 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked along Campbell Place and around the corner into Church Street and into the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we ordered breakfast. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. The surreal nature of the day continued as whilst we ate our dinner a large group came into the cafe. Amongst the group were non other than Jeremy Corbyn and Gareth Snell, the new Labour candidate for the Stoke Central seat. Such was the size of the party that a few were standing outside the cafe waiting for a seat. Once we had finished eating, we left the cafe and the people outside came in, eager to re-gain the seat. On the way to the Newcastle bus stop we bumped into uncle Rob. We let dud D&G Bus 113 go which was on 'The Orange ONE' in the hope of something better or required turning up on the #25 or #11. Going to other way towards Longton we saw First Potteries 32650 on a #11 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was an early First Potteries Volvo B7RLE. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 66303.

First Potteries 66303 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat town towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We climbed the hill and we ran through Hartshill turning left onto The Avenue, WE turned onto Hilton Road and we turned right into the City General hospital. After passing through the ground we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle from the Southern end. We crossed the roundabout onto Barrack Road and we entered the bus station. As it was a through bus the bus didn't empty out so we got up and got off the bus. The area around the bus station was being re-paved and barriers up around these area, so there were part of the bus station that we couldn't get to like the bench at the Southern end. On Stubbs Street we saw D&G Bus 41 on layover, presumably in between #85 Crewe services.

D&G 41 in Newcastle bus station

The benches at the top end of the bus station were still accesible, so we decided to go up there whilst we decided what we were going to do next. On the way up there we saw D&G Bus 49 arrive into the bus station on a #17 to Wolstanton.

D&G 49 in Newcastle bus station

We didn't have a particularly good view from behind the lamp posts. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 37158 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 37158 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 41496 come into the bus station about to work a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 41496 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3696 on the #164 to Hanley.

Arriva Midlands 3696 in Newcastle bus station

We decided we would do the next Tunstall bound service and we had just missed dud D&G bus 137 on the #94 Congleton service. A few minutes later we saw another dart come into the bus station and it was dud First Potteries 41493 on the #99 to Bradeley.

First Potteries 41493 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A527, where we saw First Potteries 53207 on an inbound #97 service. We continued through May Bank & Wolstanton and to Porthill. We ran down the hill and we crossed the A500 and we ran into Longport. At Trubshaw Cross we turned left onto Brownhills Road and we climbed the hill into Tunstall town centre past the new building on the left. We went straight onto Tunstall High Street and at the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Potteries 41493 before it carried on towards Bradeley.

First Potteries 41493 in Tunstall

Once off the bus bus we walked down the High Street to Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a can of Coke. They had ran out cheesecake. Once he had finished his drink we went out of the cafe and across the road to the bus stop opposite. Almost immediately a bus turned up and it was required D&G Solo 140 on a #94 to Newcastle.

D&G 140 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 140 before we sat town towards the back of the bus.

Inside D&G 140

Matthew was well behaved and didn't even try and beep the horn! We ran down the High Street past the new building on the right and forwards onto Brownills Road. We continued down the hill and at Trubshaw Cross we continued down through Middleport into Longport. We crossed over the A500 and we climbed up Porthill Bank. At the top we turned left and we ran through Wolstanton and May Bank. We ran into Newcastle and we crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto Barracks Street. We went into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. once in the bus station we had a look around to see what we might be able to catch. On Stubbs Street we saw D&G Bus 38 on layover, presumably in between #85 Crewe services.

D&G 38 in Newcastle bus station

We looked around to see what we could catch to Hanley next. There was an #4A in the bus station and a #4 just coming in. We went over to First Potteries 63179 which was on the 4 bus by the time Matthew had taken his picture it had pulled off. Almost Immediately First Potteries 66306 pulled in on the adjacent stand.

First Potteries 66306 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A53. We ran into Basford and we passed an unidentified Paul S Winson coach. As we ran towards Hanley we passed a mixture of Scania's and Enviro300's on the #4/4A's. They were First Potteries 65728/65733/67633/67636. We ran down into Etruria and over the A500. We continued along the A53 and we turned left onto Forge Lane. We ran out along the Lane and we crossed over the canal before we returned back into Etruria along festival Way. We crossed under the A53 onto Etruria Road. We ran into Hanley and into the bus station. The entire journey was made unpleasant by a group of 'adults' that were old enough to know better. As this is Matthew's Blog I won't discuss the details here any further. Once off the bus we went to the toilet and then headed up to the car park to take a few bus pictures. Just before we went into the car park we saw First Potteries 37159 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 37159 in Hanley bus station

We went into the car park and 'up the stairs mister' so we could get a few bus pictures. On layover were D&G Bus 171 and First Potteries 41500.

First Potteries 41500 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries Volvo B7LRE 66851 on a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 66851 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we were in the car park Matthew had a Milky Way. There are only four 02 reg Solo's left in service as far as I know. First Potteries 53123 was on a #5 to Abbey Hulton.

First Potteries 53123 in Hanley bus station

We had seen a First Potteries Dart on #7A to Biddulph, so we figured by the time we walked back and had been to the shop it would be nearly time for the next one. We walked past the Victoria Theatre and back into the bus station and we stopped at the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. After we had paid for the goods we walked down to the stand to wait for the bus. A couple of minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 41501 pull onto stand.

First Potteries 41501 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Bizarrely the last time that we did the bus to Biddulph it was also First Potteries 41501 back on Christmas Eve 2016! We set off out of the bus station and we ran down John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we crossed Broad street onto Marsh Street. We turned right onto Trinity Street and we stopped on Stafford Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along Quadrant Road. We crossed over the ring road and we headed out of town towards Sneyd Green along Town Road. We continued to Smallthorne roundabouts and we continued forwards onto High Lane. At the end of High Lane we turned right onto the A527 and we ran down the hill through Fegg Hayes and up into Brindley Ford. We continued up towards Knyperlsey and we turned left onto Brown Lees Road. We ran through the estate and we crossed over the A527 and into the Biddulph estate. We went passed the barley Mow and we turned left onto St John's Road. At the end we re-joined the A527. We entered the town at Wharf Road and we stopped at the bus station. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41501 before it returned to Hanley.

First Potteries 41501 in Biddulph bus station

Once off the bus we went to the toilet. When we came out we saw required D&G Bus 45 about to work a #9 to Newcastle.

D&G 45 in Biddulph bus station

We decided not to do this, and to make up for the earlier disappointment of not having cheesecake, we decided to go and see if we could get a cake from Wrights Pies. We walked around the corner onto High Street and a few hundred yards South. Just as we got to the shop the staff were coming out as it was closing for the evening. We walked back to the stop and we saw D&G Bus 45 about to depart. Matthew turned it down again and we decided to wait at the stop for the next #7A. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Crunchie. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 41520.

First Potteries 41520 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41520 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 41520

The bus set off onto the High Street and we turned left onto Wells Street. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran along the normal route through Brown Lees and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into Hanley. We got off the bus and on one of the adjacent stands was dud First Potteries 32649 which was about to work the next #32 service to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32649 in Hanley bus station

When we got back to the bus station we went to look for a bus to get us to Newcastle where we arranged to meet mum. At the bottom of the bus station we saw a #25 to Keele. Closer inspection revealed it was dud First Potteries 65040.

First Potteries 65040 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the last time today before we saw down towards the back of the bus. As we were leaving the bus station we saw National Express FJ11 RDU on the #540 service. Last time we rode on First Potteries 65040 back in October 2016, it was still carrying the Evening Sentinel advert. We ran down John Street onto Bethesda street and we crossed over the ring road. We ran down through Shelton along Cauldon Road and we turned left onto Station Road outside the railway station. We went forwards onto A52 and we followed the road around to the right and under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 ans we ran into Stoke centre along Church Street. We went out of the other side of Stoke and up Hartshill Road into Hartshill. We turned left into The Avenue and we ran down to Hilton Road and we turned right into the hospital. We ran through the hospital and we turned right onto the A34. We ran up to Newcastle and forwards onto Barracks Road at the roundabout. We came into the bus station from the South and we got up and got off the bus. It was now fully dark. On the way out of the bus station we saw D&G 115 on a #74 to Park Site.

D&G 115 in Newcastle bus station

We walked across Barracks Road and we met up with mum in the car park. Mum was waiting with Wrights sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off down barracks Road and onto the A34. We went past the hospital into Trent Vale and we stop at the chip shop to pick up some chips to share between us. Once we had finished we continued South to the A500 and then we went North up the A500 to Sideway. We went East on the A50 and we came off at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the first row was one of Z Carz new arrivals, Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked in the compound tonight. In the compound we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran fast to Heron Cross before going onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and right onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:30. for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a millionaire's shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:00... Mark