Trip to Fenton / Longton 07-03-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Benitlee	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Benitlee	Charter	Shelton Care Group
BV60 BAA	Benitlee	Longton	Charter	Roseville
BV60 BAA	Longton	Benitlee	Charter	Roseville

Today Matthew was in respite and he was going into his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew at in his room whilst he waited for his transport to appear. On the ,main road we saw First Potteries 53122 on a #13 to Hanley.

First Potteries 53122 in Bentilee

we also saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus RUI 2486.

Stanton's of Stoke RUI 2486 in Bentilee

Matthew transport appeared and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Bentilee

We got on the bus an we set off onto Dividy Road. We continued down the A5272 to Bucknall and we joined the A52. We saw First Potteries 37159 on a #32 to Uttoxeter. At the traffic light we followed the A52 to the left. At Joiners Square roundabout we turned left onto Victoria Road and we saw D&G Bus 139 on a Free Asda bus to Bucknall. At the top of the hill we turned sharp right onto City Road and then left onto Glebedale Road and to the day centre. In the morning Matthew watched a DVD. For dinner Matthew had cheese oatcakes followed by a Bakewell tart. In the afternoon Matthew went for a walk. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we went into the post office. Matthew brought a chocolate bar. We set off along Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Clifton Street. We went forwards onto Crawford Street and we walked on to the back Street of Welby Street adjacent to the railway line. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and we saw D&G Bus 199 on a #40 to Longton.

D&G 199 in Fenton

We carried on to the park and we went into the park and part way around the pool. After returning onto Smithpool Road we went back along the back of Welby Street and left onto Watkin Street. We turned right onto Masterson Street and across Christchurch Street and back to the day centre. when it was time to go back to respite we got back on Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. We continued through Fenton onto King Street. We turned left onto Clarence Street. We crossed over Ashwood onto Longley Road and at the end we turned right onto Heathcote Street. We turned left onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill to Adderley Green. We turned right onto the A5272 and we down to Bentilee and into respite. Matthew took another picture of Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU before it returned to the day centre.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Bentilee

Matthew returned to his room and watched the buses coming and going. We saw Stoke-on-Trent welfare bus FJ59 OES.

Stoke-on-Trent city council FJ59 OES in Bentilee

For tea Matthew had jacket potato with cheese followed by triffle. After tea Matthew went out shopping to Longton on Roseville minibus BV60 BAA. We set off onto Dividy Road and we ran East to Adderley Green where we stopped at the petrol station. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran down the hill to Longton and under the railway line. We went around the one-way system onto Commerce street and the Strand and we turned into the car park to visit B&M. Matthew went in the shop and brought a can of Coke. When we had finished shopping we returned to Roseville minibus BV60 BAA for the returned trip back to respite. We set off onto The Strand and we followed the one-way system onto Market Street. We turned left onto Anchor Road and we went under the railway line and up the hill to Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5272 and we an into Bentilee and back to respite. Once back in respite Matthew played on a PS4 and chilled out. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. Matthew went to bed around 23:00...Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Hanley 28-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42893	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
53208	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
113	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	The Orange One	D&G
199	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	94A	D&G
32632	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
32056	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
32080	Hanley BS	Longton Interchange	6A	First Potteries
63174	Longton Interchange	Hanley BS	6	First Potteries
37146	Hanley BS	Bucknall, adj Central Avenue	32	First Potteries
50296	Bucknall, opp Central Avenue	Hanley BS	5	First Potteries
32056	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	4	First Potteries

Today we decided to stay locally... The car was going for a mini service and the weather all over the Midlands and North West was predicted to be be very wet! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and ornage juice for breakfast. We said goodbye to mum who took the car for it's service, and we got ready and set off to the bus stop around 11:40. It was windy and it was just starting to rain. We walked all the way over to Magdalen Road and we waited for the Newcastle bound bus. Going towards Longton was the bus that we wanted to ride on the most today, required First Potteries 42356

First Potteries 42356 in Blurton

In hindsight we could have done this to Longton and caught something down to Stoke from there! We let dud First Potteries Dart 43876 go by as it was on the #23A to Hanley, and a few minutes later we saw the distinct dud First Potteries 42893 come around the corner.

First Potteries 42893 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. the bus set off onto the A5035 and past Stanley Matthews Way. This was a bus that we first rode on back in August 2014 from Harpfields Road to the A34, so it is a bus that we have only been a short distance on. It was the last of that batch of Darts that we needed... As we approached Trentham we noticed that the bus in front of us was empty. Matthew decided to take a picture inside First Potteries 42893 as we pulled up at the stop outside Hem Heath woods.

Inside First Potteries 42893

We crossed the railway line and entered Trentham before we turned right onto New Inn Lane. As we approached the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42893.

First Potteries 42893 in Trentham

When we got off the bus we noticed a Solo going towards Hanley in the distance... We looked down the road to see another Solo from that batch coming out of Pacific Drive going towards Trentham Hotel that would be the next service towards Hanley. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and it was dud First Potteries 53208.

First Potteries 53208 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53208.

Inside First Potteries 53208

The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford. We went along Wilson Road and down Church Lane and onto the A34. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we turned right onto London Road. We travelled through Oakhill and the West end before entering Stoke along Campbell Place were we got up and got off the bus. We walked through town and around the corner into Church Street and to the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went down to the toilet and I ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. Whilst we ate we saw D&G 132 on 'The Orange One' and First Potteries 66314 on a Newcastle bound #3 service. When we had finished eating we walked down Church Street to wait for a bus towards Newcastle. We had just missed D&G 118 on the 'Nines' service to Clayton and First Potteries 61235 on the #2 to Newcastle. The was an 'Orange One' due just after the hour, so we waited patiently for the next bus. Going the other way we saw First Potteries 42892 on a #2 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw on of 'The Orange One' Enviro200's approaching... It was dud D&G 113.

D&G 113 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus waited a minute or so at the stop before setting off along Church Street and up Hartshill Bank. We passed through Hartshill and we stopped at temporary lights for a short while near to the old Afford Rent-a-Car yard before carrying on onto George Street and down into Newcastle. We turned into Barracks Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. when we got on stand we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside D&G 113.

Inside D&G 113

We got off the bus and it was now raining steadily. We walked down to the bottom of the bus station and we saw D&G 125 on the #85 to Crewe.

D&G 125 in Newcastle bus station

After a short while we walked up to the top of the bus station. We saw dud First Potteries 65026 on the #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 65026 in Newcastle bus station

Over the other side of the bus station we saw required First Potteries 32635 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32635 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw dud D&G 199 on a #94A to Kidsgrove.

D&G 199 in Newcastle bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus up to Tunstall for cake and he said yes. The bus pulled on stand and we got on the bus, flashing the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A527 ane headed through Wolstanton. As we travelled North up the road we passed First Potteries 32078 on a Newcastle bound #99 and First Potteries 32057 on a #98. We also followed required D&G 191 on the Newcastle bound #17 service. We turned right onto Porthill Bank and we we went down the hill and over the A500. We went through Middleport and at Trubshaw Cross we went left onto Brownhills Road. We joined Tunstall High Street and at the top of the Road we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of D&G Dart 199

D&G 199 in Tunstall

We walked a few paces down the High Street and we entered the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered his toffee cheesecake and a can of Coke. Once Matthew had finished eating we said goodbye and we crossed the road. We wanted to go back towards either Hanley or Newcastle with a view to trying to catch up with First Potteries 42356. We hadn't seen a bus for a while, and there was a #3 to Hanley due first, with a #99 to Newcastle after that. The previous #99 must have been late as a moment later dud First Potteries 32632 came around the corner Newcastle bound.

First Potteries 32632 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we went upstairs. The top deck of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32632.

Inside First Potteries 32632

We sat down and the bus set off down the High Street and onto Brownhills Road. We continued onto Newcastle Street before crossing the A500 and into Porthill. We climbed the hill and we turned left onto Wolstanton High Street. We ran into Newcastle and we crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road before entering the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Entering the bus station behind us was First Potteries 41499 on a terminating #2 service.

First Potteries 41499 in Newcastle bus station

We walked down to the bottom of the bus station to see what was about. We let First Potteries 61235 go, which was on the #2 to Hanley. At the bottom of the bus station we saw D&G Solo 115 on the #74A to Audley.

D&G 115 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 32056 on a #3 to Talke.

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and sat down. We then saw dud First Potteries 32081 on a #3 to Keele. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We went South on the A34 and then turned into the hospital. Having negotiated the route through the hospital we turned left onto Hilton Road. We passed new arrival First Potteries 67601 which was on a #3 to Keele. We joined onto Hartsill Road by the Co-operative Food store. We went down the hill and into Stoke town centre and onto Church Street. We hoped that we might see First Potteries 42356 on the #2 so we could go after it, but we didn't. We followed the A52 under the railway line and towards the railway station and we turned left onto Station Road. Just after the station we turned right onto College Road and we climbed the hill up through Shelton and towards Hanley. We turned at Bethesda Road and we crossed the ring road before we entered Hanley bus station via John Street and Lidice Way. When we got inside the bus station we left the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32056.

Inside First Potteries 32056

We got off the bus and we went to the toilets. After Matthew had used the facilities we set off through the rain to the John Street car park where we could take bus pictures out of the driving rain. Running out of service was First Potteries 32627.

First Potteries 32627 in Hanley bus station

Another out of service bus was First Potteries Scania 65728.

First Potteries 65728 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 32633 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32633 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 32053 on the #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 32053 in Hanley bus station

Its was quite cold and windy in the car park, so we decided not to stop too long. Matthew ate a Milky Way and drank a can of Irn Bru. We then saw D&G 160 on 'The Nines' service to Biddulph.

D&G 160 in Hanley bus station

On layover between #5 services to Abbey Hulton was First Potteries 53042.

First Potteries 53042 in Hanley bus station

We set off back to the bus station and we visited the shop where Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and a bottle of Coke for later. He also had a few chocolate bars. We went to the till and Matthew wanted to say hello to the girl behind the counter... Not the one that was serving us though! We came out of the shop and we noticed a double decker on the stop outside the bus station. We saw that it was new arrival in the area First Potteries 32080.

First Potteries 32080 in Hanley bus station

The bus was already loading when we went to it and it was full downstairs and quite full upstairs too... We got on the bus and we flashed Smart day ticket to the driver before going upstairs ans sitting down in the middle of the bus. The bus set off onto Birch Terrace and past the old bus station. We turned right onto Old Hall Street and then onto the ring road. We went around town and then left onto Lichfield Street. We went down the hill to Joiners square and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. The seats opposite to us were empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32080.

Inside First Potteries 32080

At the top of Victoria Road we continued onto City Road and then forwards onto King Street. As we got to Longton we turned right onto bath Street and into Longton Interchange. We got off the bus and we considered what to do next. We bumped into our near neighbours and we had a quick chat the them whilst they waited for their bus to arrive. Whilst we talked we saw First Potteries 63174 enter the bus station on a #6 to Hanley. Our neighbours bus arrived and we walked to the other end of the bus station. We decided to do First Potteries 63174 back up to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Longton Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off under the railway line and onto King Street. We continued down to City Road and then we veered left onto Victoria Road and we went down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout and went forward onto Lichfield Street. At the top of the hill we crossed the ring road and we stopped at the bus stop outside the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63174.

Inside First Potteries 63174

When we got off the bus as we hadn't seen First Potteries 42356 for a while we had kinda given up on having it today. It had gone dark and we needed to finish for the day soon. We went into the bus station and we sat down on one of the seats. Matthew ate a Toffee crisp and we noticed required First Potteries 37146 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 37146 in Hanley bus station

We decided to do this to Bucknall for something back before going back to Newcastle to meet mum. We waited for the bus to be readied for service and when the driver was ready he opened the doors. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day saver ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37146.

Inside First Potteries 37146

The bus set off out off the bus station. The bus went out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We turned left into Lichfield Street and onto Birch Terrace and past the old bus station. We turned right onto old Hall Street and then we crossed the ring road onto Limekiln Bank. At the bottom of the hill we went across the traffic lights onto the A52. We decided to go beyond the Bentilee turning and to get up and get off near to the Co-operative Food Store in Bucknall. We saw the stop so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37146 as it carried on towards Cellarhead.

First Potteries 37146 in Bucknall

We crossed the road and we huddled under the shelter on the opposite side of the road whilst we waited for our bus. Matthew started to drink a bottle of Irn Bru when we saw a bus turn the corner. We put the lid back on the drink and we saw it was the now unique dud First Potteries 50296 on a #5 service.

First Potteries 50296 in Bucknall

We got on the bus and Matthew honked the horn. We flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A52 and then up Limekiln Bank. We went around the ring road and we entered the bus station via Bethesda Street, John Street and Lidice Way. When the bus emptied out matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 50296.

Inside First Potteries 50296

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 50296.

First Potteries 50296 in Hanley bus station

We walked down the bus station and we saw First Potteries 32056 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 32056 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs an we sat down towards the back of a quite full bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Bethesda Street. We saw MT Travel DK60 CWY going the other way. We went along Marsh Street and then down Etruria Road. We crossed under the A53 and we went into the Festival Park. We went up Festival Way and back down Forge Lane before crossing under the A53. We joined the A53 and we crossed the A500 into Basford. We dropped down towards Newcastle and then we went around the one way system before turning left into Barracks Road. As we approached the bus station we saw First Potteries 42356 on the #22 to Longton. We got off the bus and we saw First Potteries 42356 and Matthew went to the toilet. It was raining heavily and we sheltered in the bus station whilst we waited for mum. Entering the bus station we saw First Potteries 41500 running out of service.

First Potteries 41500 in Newcastle bus station

Mum text to say that she had arrived so we went to the lay-by to get in the car. When we got to the car mum was waiting with Greggs Sausage rolls and Irn Bru. We turned around and we went back South down the A34. Mum had to pick something up from Stone so we headed down the road though the roadwork and to the edge of town. Mum picked up her stuff from Stone and we went back North up the A34 to Trentham. We turned right at the A5035 and we headed to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. In the middle of the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen we saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Closest to us on the front row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Front bus on the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We headed back onto the A5035 via Edensor Road and Spring Garden Road, and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Biddulph 18-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2244	Newstead, adj Crowcrofts Road	Smallthorne, opp Preston Street	500	Wardle Transport
65729	Burslem, Swan Bank (Stop D)	Hanley BS	20A	First Potteries
199	Hanley BS	High street, Biddulph	9	Bakerbus
210	Biddulph BS	Northwood, adj Providence Square	9	Bakerbus

Today we were just going to go for dinner, but mum was unwell so we decided to do things a little different from planned. Te weather forecast had been for rain, so we ad planned to have dinner at captain Kooks and then either go for a drive or a walk depending on weather. Matthew had a lie in today and got up around 11:45. He had some toast and orange juice for a late breakfast. We were getting ready to go out just before 14:00 but mum was feeling little unwell so we decided to do things a little different. We decided to cover the afternoon #500 service which runs in the same pat as the Plumline, but visits the Sainsbury's distribution centre and then carries on past Hanley to Norton. We left the house a little before 14:00 and we saw the #500 head into Blurton. It was required Wardle Transport 2244. We carried on to the A5035 and as we got there we saw First Potteries 40151 on a Longton bound #22 service.

First Potteries 40151 in Blurton

We got to the stop and we didn't have to wait long before Wardle Transport 2244 made it re-appearance.

Wardle Transport 2244 in Blurton

After getting a SmartDay ticket, we sat down near the back and the bus set off. We turned into Stanley Matthews Way and then joined the Westbound A50. We went to the distribution centre then went along Campbell road into Stoke town centre. We headed along Eleanora Street and Glebe Street and passed the railway station. There we saw Wardle Transport 2409 on a #41 service. We went up college road and across the ring road and into the new bus station. Here we saw Bakerbus 215 parked up and 227 on a X1 service. After around a 5 minute wait we headed into marsh Street and up onto Stafford Street. We passed under the potteries shopping centre walkway and headed out of town on Town Road. As the bus headed North it emptied out in font of us so Matthew took a picture.

Inside Wardle Transport 2244

Just short of Smallthorne roundabouts we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of 2244.

Wardle Transport 2244 in Smallthorne

After taking a picture of the bus, we walked to the first of the famous Smallthorne roundabouts and turn left down Sneyd Hill. part way down we saw a yard on the left and we were surprised to see D&G DAF Cadet 25 under repair in a engineering yard. We carried on down to sandbach Road and then we stopped at captain Kooks for dinner. Matthew had a small breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. For afters he had toffee sponge pudding with custard. After we had paid we visited the toilet before carrying on. We decided to walk to Burslem along the route of the old potteries loop line, so we scaled the embankment and turned right towards Burslem. Having not done this walk for a while we came up early and onto Lingard Street. having discovered we had surfaced a street to soon we headed back onto the loop an came off on Moorland Road. We turned left and headed into the town centre. I asked matthew which way he wanted to travel and he chose to go South towards Hanley, So we turned left and walked to the Swan Bank stop. We only had to wait for a couple of minutes and we saw a new liveried Scania approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required First Potteries 65729.

First Potteries 65729 in Burslem

We got on and sat near the back. Te driver looked vaguely familiar, and turned out he was Matthew grandmothers friend who had given Matthew the bag we take out on trips amongst other things. So when we got off we went to say hello. Matthew also photographed the inside of this bus.

Inside First Potteries 65729

As we arrived we saw Bakerbus 227 heading north on a #9 service. Matthew visited the disabled toilet and then he had a milky way. We also took a picture of Wardle Transport 1501 outside the bus station which was on driver shuttle duties. He couldn't decided for a while where he wanted to go. We eventually decided to do required Bakerbus 199 on a #9 service.

Bakerbus 199 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and whilst we waited we saw required Bakerbus 194 on the X1 service. The bus set off North up to Smallthorne, and then went down Smallthorne bank before turning left through Chell. When we reached Fegg Hayes we turned right towards Knypersley, passing Plants minibus P16 NTS on the way. We turned left into brown Lees and then crossed over the A527. We went through the Biddulph housing estate before going onto the high Street. As we got off the bus Matthew photographed the empty Bakerbus 199.

Inside Bakerbus 199

We walked down to the 'bus station' and matthew used the toilet. Required Bakerbus 210 was about to do a Hanley bound #9 so we decided to do this.

Bakerbus 210 in Biddulph bus station

The bus was empty as we got on so he got a picture inside this unusual bus.

Inside Bakerbus 210

We got on and sat near the back. I texted mum to see if she was feeling any better, and as she was we arranged to meet on the edge of Hanley by Providence Square. We headed through the housing estate and back down towards Hanley. We passed bakerbus 194 around Knypersley and we passed Bakerbus 227 running out of service by Hanley Forest Park. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Bakerbus 210.

Bakerbus 210 in Hanley

We walked to the nearby Northwood store where Matthew bought a can of Coke, a milky way and a rice crispy squares bar. We walked back to the square and Matthew decided to eat the Milky Way and save the Squares and the can of Coke. Whilst we waited for mum we took some bus pictures. Here is First Potteries 61531 on a #7 service.

First Potteries 61531 in Hanley

Mum called to say she was nearby so we met her on the corner of Town Road ad Dundas Street. We drove around hanley and onto Victoria road. We then did the A50 link road and onto the A50. At longton we went passed the Z carz depot where there were only 2 vehicles present today. The first was Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The other vehicle was his old college bus, LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

We carried on down Longton Hall Road and then onto the A5035. As we had not got any sausage rolls today, we called at the chip shop next to Aldi and we had a portion of chips to share. We then went home around 19:00 we ate the chips (Matthew had a sausage too), and looked at our pictures. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with a coupe of butterfly cakes for afters. He then chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 00:00...Mark