Trip to Newcastle / Stafford 10-08-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67178	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
35943	Newcastle BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
67143	Stafford, Station Road	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
112	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	1	D&G Bus

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 centr. Matthew got ready to go to Newcastle. 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 YR24 URM parked up.

Afford rent-a-car YR24 URM in Fenton

A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67178 on a #11 to Newcastle. 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. Once off the bus Matthew got a picture of First Potteries 67178 before it returned towards Hanley on a #11 service.

First Potteries 67178 in Newcastle bus station

Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we waited for a bus to Trentham. A short time later we saw First Potteries 35949 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35949 in Newcastle bus station

As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 35943 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 35943 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Stafford before we went upstairs we sat down. We set off out of 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 past the Darlaston Inn which new KFC and a petrol station. We continued down the A34 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 near to the site of the new Lidl. We continued onto Eccleshall Road and we turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We saw former Langston & Tasker minibus YN06 CYT. 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. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus. As we waited to cross the road we saw Chaserider 166 on a #841 to Uttoxeter.

Chaserider 166 in Stafford

A short time later we saw Chaserider 196 on a #826 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 196 in Stafford

We set off past the old Poundland and we stopped at the toilet block. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we continued into the Guildhall market. We walked to the back corner to the cafe. Matthew and uncle Dave find a table and I ordered the food. Matthew had an English breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we set off out of the market onto Chapel Street. We went forwards onto Broad Street and we turned right onto Stafford Street. We turned left nonto Prince Street and left onto Hunters Row. We turned left onto Gaolgate Street and past the Market Square to the Guildhall shopping centre. We continued through the Market Square and forwards onto Greengate Street and we went in the Katharine House Hospice Shop. Once we had finished in the shop we walked back to the square and we ate the sausage roll and drank the Coke. Afterwards we cut through onto St Mary's Place and we turned left onto Earl Street and left onto Tenterbanks and we turned right onto Victoria Road. We turned left onto Station Road. We waited for a bus back to Newcastle. A short time later we saw Carolean Coaches BX15 OEE.

Carolean Coaches BX15 OEE in Stafford

Behind us we saw Tulip Travel YT24 BJK.

Tulip Travel YT24 BJK in Stafford

Whilst we waited we saw Cymru Coaches YT15 AWM.

Cymru Coaches YT15 AWM in Stafford

A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 151.

D&G Bus 151 in Stafford

A short time later the bus arrived on stand. We saw it was First Potteries 67143 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67143 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Station Road and at the end we turned left onto the A518. We ran around the South end of town and over the river onto Cope Street. We ran up Eastgate and along North Walls and into the Gaol Square bus station. We left the bus station onto the A34 and we ran Northwards to the edge of town. Due to roadworks on the A34 roundabout we turned left onto the M6 link road and at the first roundabout we did a 180' turned and rejoined the A34. 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 bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We walked out of the bus station and we waited for a bus back towards Fenton. Eventually the bus appeared and it was D&G Bus 112 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G Bus 112 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34. We turned left into the hospital and we ran through the the grounds. As we travelled through the hospital we saw Roseville FD70 YDT. We turned left onto Hilton Road. We continued onto Albany Road and we turned right onto The Avenue. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A52 and we ran through Hartshill and 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. We crossed over City Road and we cut through to the residential unit. We went upstairs and chilled out in his room to use his computer and watch buses. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road. We stopped at the kebab shop and we brought burger and fries. When we brought the food we walked back down City Road and we turned left into Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and use the computer. For tea Matthew had Pizza followed a couple of slices of syrup sponge puddinge. Later on Matthew went downstairs. We set off onto Temple Streeet and onto Christchurch Street and into the Co-operative food store. Matthew brought a Milky Way before setting off back to the house. We went onto Christchurch Street and onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went back to his room to chill out. 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 / Stafford 28-01-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67158	Fenton, Adrian Street	Hanley BS	6	First Potteries
33830	Hanley BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
65035	Stafford BS	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
67156	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going Stafford 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 saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. Later on 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 and we onto City Road. We crossed the road and turned left onto Fountain Street. We turned right on to William Streeet and left onto Victoria Road. We walked down to the bus stop and we waited for a bus towards Hanley. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. It was First Potteries 67158 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67158 in Fenton

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. 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. Once off the bus we went to the stop to wait for a bus to Stafford. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 33830 on a #101 to Stafford. 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 in Newcastle we saw required First Potteries 63172 on a #22 to Longton. 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 West Lothian Council minibus SP64 KBP. 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. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 33830 before it continued on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 33830 in Stafford

We set off along the path through to Mount Street and we continued onto Princes Street. We turned right onto Gaolgate Street. We stopped at pub. For dinner Matthew had a mixed grill washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had a slice of chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. Once we had finished eating we set off onto Gaolgate Street and. We turned the corner onto Crabbery Street and we crossed over into the market hall. We walked around the market looking for toilets. We set off along the path through to Crabbery Street and we turned right onto Gaolgate Street. We crossed the Market Square and we continued onto Greengate Street.We continued along Martin Street. Afterwards we cut through onto Eastgate Street. We saw Select Bus 18 on a #12 to Doxey.

Select Bus 18 in Stafford

We crossed over the Tipping Street and forwards onto market Square onto Gaolgate Street. At the top we turned right and we stopped at the bus station. In the bus station we saw Chaserider 196 on a #9 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 196 in Stafford bus station

A few minutes later we saw Select Bus 31 on a #9 to Highfields.

Select Bus 31 in Stafford bus station

After a short while the bus back to Hanley appeared. It was First Potteries 65035 on a #101 to Hanley

First Potteries 65035 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down. 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 we saw First Potteries 63174 on a #4A to Hanley. We continued along onto Barracks Road and 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 First Potteries 67156 on a #6 to Park Hall.

First Potteries 67156 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right 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 and we turned right onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road. We stopped at the kebab shop and we brought burger and fries. When we brought the food we walked back down City Road and we turned left into Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and use the computer. For tea Matthew had burger and fries followed a couple of slices of syrup sponge puddinge. Matthew also had a can of Coke. We went downstairs and onto Temple Street. we turned right onto Christchurch Street and along the road to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. After spending time in the pub Matthew returned to the residential unit. We set off along Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and went to his room. We chilled out 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 Fenton / Manchester 04-10-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YP16 JUY	Fenton	Manchester	Charter	Voyager Travel
YP16 JUY	Manchester	Fenton	Charter	Voyager Travel

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. Matthew was also going to visit his uncle Dave later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room for a while whilst waiting to go out. We saw First Potteries 63175 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63175 in Fenton

Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street where we saw D&G Bus 196 on a #40 to Longton.

D&G 196 in Fenton

We continued along Christchurch Street and into the day centre. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew to Manchester. Matthew was going out for dinner. We went out and it was Voyager Travel minibus YP16 JUY. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left at the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we ran up the hill towards Hanley. We ran anti-clockwise around the ring road and we went Northwards out of town along Town Road. We joined the Northbound A5272 and we ran through Sneyd Green and Smallthorne. We crossed over the roundabout and we continued up to Chell. We turned right onto the A527 and we ran north through Brindley Ford and Brown Lees up towards Biddulph. We went West of Biddulph on the by-pass and we continued North towards Congleton and through the town onto the Northbound A536. We ran Northwards up to Macclesfield and we went through the town onto the A523. We continued Northwards to Hazel Grove and we joined the Northbound A6. We continued Northwards into Stockport and under the M60. We ran Northwards to the edge of Manchester and then we ran clockwise around the A665. We then turned left onto Shudehill and we ran past the bus station and turned right into Dantzic Street. We parked up and Matthew went to the pub. For dinner Matthew had Cheese and bacon beefburger and a glass of coke. For dessert Matthew had a Chocolate fudge cake. We the returned to Fenton in Voyager Travel YP16 JUY. We set off onto Dantzic Street and we turned right onto Hanover Street. We turned left onto Shudehill and then right onto the inner ring road. We continued along the A665 and forwards onto the A635 and we ran around onto the A57(M). We came off the ring Road and we went Southwards down the A34 through Rusholme. We continued Southwards through Burnage into Cheadle Hulme. We crossed the M60 and we went along the Handforth by-pass down to Wilmslow. We past near to Alderley Edge and and over Monks Heath crossroad. We continued Southwards through capesthorne and we ran to the West of Congleton town centre and through Talke down to the A500. At Talke we got onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Longtport and Etruria into Stoke. WE came off the A500 in Stoke onto City Road and we went under the railway line. We ran up City Road onto Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to Chill out until it was time to got to uncle Daves. Whilst we waited we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 279 going towards Longton.

Copeland's Tours MIB 279 in Fenton

We also saw First Potteries 65027 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65027 in Fenton

Later on Matthew went to uncle Daves in a car. We set off along Temple Street and left onto Smithpool Road. We turn right onto Wheildon Road and we stopped at uncle Dave's house. For tea Matthew had chicken potatoes and carrots. later on he had a drink of Tango orange and a few custard creams. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back in a car. We ran up Wheildon Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street and back 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 Newcastle / Kidsgrove 16-05-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65706	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
40378	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21B	First Potteries
108	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	The Orange One	D & G
60128	Newcastle BS	Burslem, Town Hall (stop G)	98	First Potteries
66314	Burslem, Wedgwood Street (stop A)	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop A	29	First Potteries
41500	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
37157	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
40805	Hanley BS	Kidsgrove, Adj Queen Street	7A	First Potteries
66849	Kidsgrove, Adj St Johns RC Primary School	Newcastle BS	4A	First Potteries

Today we decided to go out on a local trip, as we were attending. We had checked the weather and it was for cool cloudy conditions. Research consisted of making a new D&G list so we knew which of the buses we had travelled on and which ones we hadn't, following their takeover of Wardle Transport from Arriva. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We decided we were going to do the 12:17 #22 to Trentham in order to do a #21/21B forward to Stoke for dinner. 30 minutes before we were due to go out I went out to see what bus was on the Longton bound #22. It was dud first Potteries 65706. Just after 12:00 we set off on foot all the way to the bus stop on Magdalen Road. We saw the 12:17 to longton, which was dud First Potteries 60202. Bang on time, First Potteries 65706 rounded the corner out of Finstock Avenue as expected...

First Potteries 65706 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart day ticket at £5.30. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus was nearly empty. Before we turned onto the A5035 Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of First Potteries 65706.

Inside First Potteries 65706

The bus turned right and we carried on along the A5035 into Trentham. Near to the Trentham Hotsl we passed First Potteries 40028 on a #21. We turned right into New Inn Lane and when we got to the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65706 before it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 65706 in Trentham

We must have beaten dud First Potteries 40028 back to the Man in Space via Brough Lane and The Lea as a couple of minutes later it appeared on the #21.

First Potteries 40028 in Trentham

We decided to turn this down and wait for the next #21B bus. Almost immediately we saw it, dud First Potteries 40378 heading towards Trentham Gardens. It took just under 10 minutes to go up the the gardens and back. It turned up as expected... First Potteries 40378.

First Potteries 40378 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus. Matthew photographed the empty rear seat behind us.

Inside First Potteries 40378

The bus climbed the hill and we turned right into Wilson Road. We turned left to go down Chuch Lane before we joined onto the Northbound A34. Here we saw First Potteries 32630 on a #10 to Stafford. We carried on under the A500 and into Trent Vale before we turned right into London Road. We then ran the last mile and a half along London Road through Oakhill and into Stoke town centre. We got up and got off the bus in Campbell Place, and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 40378 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 40378 in Stoke

We walked down Campbell Place onto Church Street to the Stoke cafe. Matthew went to the toilet with uncle Dave and I ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of Orange Fanta. After we had finished eating we set off down Church Street to get a bus to Newcastle. On the way to the stop we saw First Potteries 40029 on a #23A to Hanley.

First Potteries 40029 in Stoke

Further down the road we saw required D&G 108 on 'The Orange One' to Newcastle.

D&G 108 in Stoke

We decided to do this bus... We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back of the bus. the bus set off along Church Street and straight up Hartshill Bank. We passed through Hartshill and into Newcastle. We ran down George Street and we turned into Barracks Road and into the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside D&G 108.

Inside D&G 108

We decided to have a walk around the bus station whilst we decided what to catch. parked in Stubbs Street was required First Potteries 43875.

First Potteries 43875 in Newcastle bus station

Also in Stubbs Street acting as the drivers mess for D&G driver was dud D&G 196.

D&G 196 in Newcastle bus station

behind the D&G bus was parked dud First Potteries 37158.

First Potteries 37158 in Newcastle bus station

We walked to the top of the bus station to take a few more pictures. Since D&G had taken over Wardle Transports old routes and buses, they had cut the services up to Trubshaw Cross. The #91 to Bradeley and the #92 to Ball Green had been cut. D&G now only had the #94 to Biddulph along this corridor. First still had their services. On the #99 to Bradeley was First Potteries 60128

First Potteries 60128 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to take a few more picture before we caught a bus towards Tunstall. We saw dud First Potteries 6073 on a #3 to Madeley.

First Potteries 60073 in Newcastle bus station

Entering the bus station was D&G Solo 136 on a #74 from Audley.

D&G 136 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to dud First Potteries 60128 on the #98. We could do this bus to Burslem and then catch a bus to Tunstall. We walked over to the Scania and we got on it. We flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of Newcastle over the Jubilee roundabout and along the A527. We passed through Wolstanton and we turned right to go down Porthill Bank. We crossed the A500 and we headed up through Longport, passing preserved PMT 128 running the other way, presumably on test for the POPS rally on Sunday. At Trubshaw Cross roundabout we turned right and as the bus behind us was now empty Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 60128

We travelled through Middleport and we rocked up into Burslem town centre. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60128 before it carried on towards Ball Green.

First Potteries 60128 in Burslem

We walked around the corner onto Wedgwood Street. We could see down the road into Cobridge so when the bus was approaching we could see it for about 3 or 4 minutes! It was a Cherry Route liveried bus. When the bus got closer we saw that it was required Volvo First Potteries 66314.

First Potteries 66314 in Burslem

The bus was quite full. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets at the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off north up scotia Road and we turned left into Wiliamson Street. The bus turned right into the high street and we passed required D&G 33 on the #94 to Newcastle. The bus still carrying South Lancs Travel colours. We went to the top end of the High Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 66314 before it carried on towards Talke.

First Potteries 66314 in Tunstall

We were going to get a cake from the cafe. On the way we saw D&G 118 on a #94 to Biddulph.

D&G 118 in Tunstall

We walked down to the Cafe and Matthew went to the toilet whilst I ordered his slice of toffee Cheesecake and a can of Coke. He quickly ate it, and then we went back out onto the High Street to catch another bus. We considered doing a #29 towards Bradeley, but we crossed over the road and we decided to go the other way. We didn't have to wait long before dud First Potteries 41500 came around the corner.

First Potteries 41500 in Tunstall

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed our Smart Day tickets before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the High Street and we passed First Potteries 60176 on the #29. We carried on straight onto Brownhills Road and we headed through Trubshaw Cross into Longtport. We crossed the A500 and we climbed up Porthill Bank. At the top of the hill we turned left and we ran through Wolstatnton and into Newcastle down the A527. We turnd into the bus station and we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41500.

Inside First Potteries 41500

We decided to head towards Hanley now. There were a few options. On the circuitous #17 was required First Potteries Solo 53119, and on the #41 to Birches head was dud D&G 194 (formerly Wardle Transport 2265). As we were considering what to do, dud First Potteries 37157 came into the bus station on the #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 37157 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus. We waited for the driver to swap and then we got on the bus. We flashed the Smart day tickets to the driver and then we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37157.

Inside First Potteries 37157

As we sat on the bus waiting to depart, we saw required D&G 189 on a #41 to Clayton.

D&G 189 in Newcastle bus station

The bus set off out of the bus station and we headed towards Basford on the A53. We crossed over the A500 and we turned left onto Forge Lane. We travelled through the industrial parts of Festival park and we turned right onto Festival Way. We crossed back under the A53 and we headed into Hanley up Etruria Road. We headed into the bus station via Trinity Street, Stafford Street and Bagnall Street. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew visited the toilet and then we set off on foot to John Street multi storey car park. As we crossed the entrance / exit of the bus station we saw First Potteries 53828 on a #8 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 53828 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by required First Potteries 41493 on a #8A to Endon.

First Potteries 41493 in Hanley bus station

We headed through the door and up the steps to the first floor. On layover in the layover area was First Potteries 53118 which was about to do the #23 to Eccleshall.

First Potteries 53118 in Hanley bus station

Also on layover was First Potteries 32627.

First Potteries 32627 in Hanley bus station

Just going onto layover after working a #42 service was required D&G 188.

D&G 188 in Hanley bus station

The buses stared to come out of the bus station. We saw dud First Potteries 41501 on a #17 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 41501 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by dud First Potteries 53207 on a #23A to Newstead.

First Potteries 53207 in Hanley bus station

Matthew had a bottle of dandelion and burdock and a milky way in between buses. We then saw dud First Potteries 40028, the bus we turned down earlier in Trentham on a #21B to Trentham Gardens.

First Potteries 40028 in Hanley bus station

Another relatively new bus to the area was dud D&G 159, which was on the #9 to Biddulph.

D&G 159 in Hanley bus station

We had been on the bus when it was with Transdev Lancashire United. we had this bus from Accrington to Blackburn back on November 2014. We then saw First Potteries 65004 on a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 65004 in Hanley bus station

We also saw dud D&G 199 on a #16 to Leek via Cellarhead.

D&G 199 in Hanley bus station

This bus was formerly Wardle Transport 2278. This was followed by a couple of Cherry Route buses, being led by dud First Potteries 66841.

First Potteries 66841 in Hanley bus station

We then saw required First Potteries 41521 on a #29 to Bradeley.

First Potteries 41521 in Hanley bus station

We decided to head back to the bus station at this point. We went down the stairs and out of the door. before we crossed the road we saw dud First Potteries 65039 on a #10 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65039 in Hanley bus station

Before we crossed the road we saw First Potteries 37156 on a #3 to Madeley.

First Potteries 37156 in Hanley bus station

We walked into the bus station and we visited the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru and some chocolate. Matthew said hello to the shop assistant and we paid for the stuff. We then considered what to catch next. On a Northbound #3 was First Potteries 32054.

First Potteries 32054 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we considered doing this, we saw our last required classic Dart First Potteries 40805.

First Potteries 40805 in Hanley bus station

We decided to do the Dart instead. The Dart had a driver change and then went off stand as it wasn't due off for another 10 minutes. The bus went on layover, and say there until nearly time. Just before departure time the bus wheeled around from its layover slot and back into the bus station. The bus loaded up and we got on. After flashing the ticket to the driver we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off North through Townsend and Along Hanley Road onto High Lane. We passed through Chell and we turned and travelled North through Packmoor. As we headed North we passed Paul's coaches M41 KCU. We though we were going on a more direct route to Kidsgrove, but it turned out to be via Mow Cop! we passed the Paul's of Stoke depot just before we passed the Mow Cop folly. we then travelled South through Dales Green and the Rookery before going through the estate Galleys Bank and King Street. When we got to the Kidsgrove terminus we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 40805.

Inside First Potteries 40805

We got off the bus and we saw that the sun was in a good position to take a picture of the bus from the opposite side of the road. So we crossed over and took another picture of First Potteries 40805.

First Potteries 40805 in Kidsgrove

We decided to catch a #4A back to Newcastle. It would be the last bus if the day. We walked down Attwood Street and Matthew used the toilet. We crossed the A50 and we saw Kidsgrove Taxi S77 KAN turn into The Avenue.

Kidsgrove Taxi S77 KAN in Kidsgrove

We stood on The Avenue for nearly 20 minutes and the bus came around the corner. It was dud First Potteries 66849.

First Potteries 66849 in Kidsgrove

We got on the bus and we Flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the last time today. The bus set off through Kidsrove through the numbers estate and we turned left onto the A34. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us.

Inside First Potteries 66849

At the Caudwell Tavern junction we carried on straight onto Coalpit Hill. We passed through Talke and we turned right to head up to Freeport. We then went back South through Red Street into Chesterton. We joined the A34 and we went down into Newcastle past the bus depot. First Potteries 32056 which we had seen working earlier in the day had now retired to the depot for the evening. We went down Liverpool Road and left into Ryecroft and then Barracks Road. Once we got off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. When he came out we saw First Potteries 41512 on a #72 to Park Site.

First Potteries 41512 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the car on Barrack road and mum was waiting for us with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We turned the car around on the Jubilee roundabout and we headed South down the A34. We stop in Trent Vale and we pick up some chips to share between us before heading back onto the road. We turned Northwards on the A500 and then we went eastwards on the A50. We came off the A50 at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. On the spare ground there were 4 buses. First in the row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Next to this was another Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

At the back of the spare ground was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

The final bus on the spare ground was Z Carz minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was parked in the compound. Parked we saw Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. We headed through Blurton and we turned into the Blurton Farm estate into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:00. For a late tea we had banger and mash with carrots followed by a millionaires shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer, He went to bed around 01:00... Mark