Trip to Kidderminster / Bewdley 18-02-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
30803	Bromsgrove BS	Kidderminster BS	42	Rotala Diamond
30932	Kidderminster BS	Bewdley, Load Street(W Bound)	2L	Rotala Diamond
211	Bewdley, Load Street(E Bound)	Kidderminster BS	125	Central Buses
20104	Kidderminster BS	Bewdley, Load Street(W Bound)	2	Rotala Diamond
255	Bewdley, Load Street(E Bound)	Kidderminster BS	125	Central Buses
BX61 VLP	Kidderminster BS	Kidderminster, Oxford Street(Stand B)	9A	Woosh

Today we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We checked the weather for today and it was for cloudy dry weather all over the North West and Midlands. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from the area, and from the list Matthew chose Bromsgrove. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We headed West into Trentham and we passed D&G 100 on the #14 to Hanley. We turned right onto the Northbound A34 and then we turned left onto Whitmore Road. At the end we joined the Northbound A519 before we joined the Southbound M6. The motorway was busy but was moving very well. As we travelled South we saw an unidentified DJ Coaches coach, An unidentified Swans (Chadderton) coach, Eagle YJ08 EGC as well as another unidentified Eagle coach, and an unidentified white Volvo coach. At junction 8 we joined the Southbound M5 and we ran down junction 4. We joined the Southbound A38 and we passed First Worcester 32066 on a #144 to Birmingham. We crossed over the M42 and we joined Birmingham Road. We ran into town and we parked up at Asda. When we got there we set of to The Market Plaice for dinner. We crossed over the A448 and as we walked towards chip restaurant we saw First Worcester 66693 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 66693 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and mum and uncle Dave went to order the food and secure a table (lessons were learnt from our last visit!). We joined mum and Dave in the Restaurant where Matthew ate his sausage chips & gravy with a bap. He washed it down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw dud Euroliners DK55 NLF on the #97 Sidemoor circular. with that bus being a non required one, we could go in a different direction to start. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked across onto the bus station. We gave Matthew a choice of direction in which we should go and Matthew chose to go towards Kidderminster. Whilst we waited for the Kidderminster bus we sat on a bench waiting for the bus. We saw Clearway PEZ 3058 on the #93 to Charford.

Clearway PEZ 3058 in Bromsgrove bus station

A few minutes later we saw required First Worcester Enviro300 67663 on a #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 67663 in Bromsgrove bus station

Just after 14:00 running a few minutes late we saw the Kidderminster bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Rotala Diamond 30803 on a #42 to Kidderminster Hospital.

Rotala Diamond 30803 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got onto the Bus and we purchased Connecta County Day tickets at £7.20 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A448. At the first roundabout we followed the A448 to the right and out of town. We then had a spirited run out into the countryside and through a few small villages and hamlets. As we travelled West just out of town we passed Rotala Diamond 30931 on a #42 to Redditch. We travelled through Chaddesley Corbet, Mustow Green & Stone and then we entered Kidderminster from the Eastern end. We ran past the railway station and across the ring road onto Green Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Dixon Street & New Road. We then entered the bus station up Corporation Street. When we got off the bus we had a look around to see what we could catch. On layover in the centre of the bus station was Ex First Dart Rotala Diamond 30932.

Rotala Diamond 30932 in Kidderminster bus station

We also saw Woosh (Worcester County Council) minibus BX61 VLP on layover in between #9A services to Caunsall.

Woosh BX61 VLP in Kidderminster bus station

We considered doing the minibus but it wasn't due off until around 14:55. We saw Rotala Diamond 30930 move off layover onto stand and Matthew decided he wanted to do this. We got on and we flashed the Connecta County Day tickets to the driver. The display said Kidderminster so we asked how long a round trip would be and he told it was going to Ludlow and it was 3 hours! It was going out of town via the hospital and Bewdley so we decided to ride as far as Bewdley. We set off out of the bus station and onto Corporation Street. We turned left turned left into Exchange Street and then right into Oxford Street. We turned left onto the ring road and then we turned left onto Coventry Street. We stopped outside the Swan Centre and we followed the road to the right onto Blackwell Street. We re-joined the ring Road and we ran out of Town Westwards along the A456. When we got to the hospital we Veered left onto Blakebrook. On the main road we saw Rotala Diamond 30803 sat at the terminus ready to work the #42 back to Redditch via Bromsgrove. We ran through an housing estate along St Johns Avenue and Cantebury Road. We turned left onto the B4190 and we ran through Catchems End and into the East end of Bewdley. We went under the railway line and we crossed over the river into the town centre. Once we had crossed the river we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30932 as it carried on towards Ludlow.

Rotala Diamond 30932 in Bewdley

We had a quick look around as it was our first visit to Bewdley. We spotted an ice cram parlour by the bus stop where we got off and we went in. Matthew wanted to use a toilet but there was not toilet in this shop, so I asked the lady behind the counter where the nearest public toilet was, which just happened to be across the other side of the road just up from the bus stop. It was a busy so road so we walked past the toilets to the pelican crossing before crossing over the road and going down the side street to the toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walked to the bus stop to see when the next bus to Kidderminster was due. There were two buses due in around 15 minutes so we went to the Tesco Express store which was close to the bus stop. Matthew chose a can of Coke and a small bottle of Coke as they had no Irn Bru!. We also chose 2 chocolate bars as they were 3 for £1.20. After paying for the stuff we still had 10 minutes, so we walked down to the river. We saw there was a chip shop restaurant as well as benches where you could eat outside. After taking a few picture by the rover we walked back to the bus stop to wait for the bus. Both buses came a couple of minutes before they were due and they came together, the Central Buses bus on the #125 leading the Rotala Diamond bus on the #2. We asked Matthew which one he wanted to catch and he chose dud Central Buses 211 on the #125 to Stourbridge.

Central Buses 211 in Bewdley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Connecta County Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We didn't realise it at the time but we had been on this bus before. We had travelled back into Lichfield from Freeford on this bus when it was on the X55 service back in December 2014. The bus behind us was required Rotala Diamond 30930 on the #2L. The bus set off along Load Street and over the river. We followed the road around onto the B4190 and we went under the railway line and up to Catchems End. At the roundabout we joined the A456 and we ran past the entrance to the West Midlands Safari Park. There was then a long sweeping hill down into Kidderminster. Part way down the Hill we saw G R Mole minibus FD53 UNV. We continued past the hospital and we ran onto the ring road. We ran into town along Blackwell Street and left onto Coventry Street. We turned right into Bromsgrove Street and we ran past a health centre and a modern building possibly from the 1980's which was being demolished. We followed the road onto Prospect Hill and at the end we ran forwards onto New Road. We turned left onto Corporation Street and we ran into the bus station. The bus didn't empty out as it was a through service to Stourbridge. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Central Buses 211 before it carried on towards Stourbridge.

Central Buses 211 in Kidderminster bus station

We got off the bus and we saw Rotala Diamond 20104 on a #2 to Bewdley.

Rotala Diamond 20104 in Kidderminster bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on the bus and we flashed the Connecta County Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. A quick check of the Buses I have travelled on page revealed that we had been on this before. We set off out of the bus station onto Corporation Street and we turned left onto Exchange Street and then right into Oxford Street. We turned left onto the ring road and then we turned left onto Coventry Street. We stopped outside the Swan Centre and we followed the road to the right onto Blackwell Street. We re-joined the ring Road and we ran out of Town Westwards along the A456. When we got to the hospital we Veered left onto Blakebrook. We ran through the housing estate along St Johns Avenue and Cantebury Road. We turned left onto the B4190 and we ran through Catchems End and into the East end of Bewdley. We went under the railway line and we crossed over the river into the town centre. Once we had crossed the river we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 20104 as it carried on towards the other end of Bewdley.

Rotala Diamond 20104 in Bewdley

Once off the bus we decided to go back to the ice cream parlour. Me and Matthew had a vanilla cone with strawberry sauce. We walked down by the river and we sat on a bench whilst we ate the ice cream. We took a few more pictures by the river and we crossed under the road by the river and we walked up to the Kidderminster bus stop. The timing for the return buses were different in this hour. The #2 was due at 16:25, but the #125 wasn't due until 16:33. The #2 appeared and it was Rotala Diamond 20104 returning from the other end of town as we suspected it might be. We decided to turn it down and wait 8 minutes for the #125. The bus appeared and it was required Central Buses 255.

Central Buses 255 in Bewdley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Connecta County Day tickets to the driver. Matthew decided he was going to try and honk the horn on this bus, so we had to steer him away from the front of the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off out of town as we had done earlier. The bus set off along Load Street and over the river. We followed the road around onto the B4190 and we went under the railway line and up to Catchems End. At the roundabout we joined the A456 and we ran past the entrance to the West Midlands Safari Park. We ran down the hill and past the hospital and we ran onto the ring road. We ran into town along Blackwell Street and left onto Coventry Street. We turned right into Bromsgrove Street and we followed the road onto Prospect Hill and at the end we ran forwards onto New Road. We turned left onto Corporation Street and we ran into the bus station. Once again we had to steer off the bus so he didn't try and honk the horn... When we got off the bus we went over to stand 6 to see what time the bus was due to depart. The #42 was due at 16:51 and it was about that time now... On layover we saw Arriva Midlands 2502 which was about to work the next #297 to Bridgenorth.

Arriva Midlands 2502 in Kidderminster bus station

We also saw the Woosh minibus BX61 VLP, which moved of layover and onto stand 9.

Woosh BX61 VLP in Kidderminster bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do this bus, so we got on and we flashed the Connecta County Day tickets to the driver for what turned out to be the last time today. We asked the driver which way the bus left town. The plan was to do this bus out a couple of stops and then return to Kidderminster on the #42. Whilst we worked out what we were going to do Matthew took a picture inside Woosh BX61 VLP.

Inside Woosh BX61 VLP

We set off out of the bus station onto Corporation Street and then left onto Exchange Street. We followed the road around onto Oxford Street and then we got up and got off the bus. When we got off the bus Matthew had a sudden urge to use the toilet, so we walked down onto New Road only to find that the toilet block was shut and we had just missed it by 5 minutes. We walked along a pedestrianised street up to Exchange street and we decided to go across to Tesco to us the toilet. We walked alongside the river Stour and we went into Tesco. After Matthew had used the facilities he went into the cafe which was deserted, but still open and he decided to pour himself a cup of Coke. We paid for the drink and we sat down for a couple of minutes whilst he drank it. We then went back outside to meet up with uncle Dave and we walked back to the bus station. When we got back we though we would probably stuck there for most of hour. We took a few a few picture whilst we tried to get hold of mum to tell her about the change of plans. We saw R&B Travel Solo YK05 CBY about to work a #291 to Tenbury Wells.

R&B Travel YK05 CBY in Kidderminster bus station

We also saw Rotala Diamond 30801 which was on layover in the centre of the bus station.

Rotala Diamond 30801 in Kidderminster bus station

Unexpectedly, we saw a #42 come into the bus station which must have been the bus we were going to catch running late, but Matthew refused to get up and the bus left the bus station promptly. We were definitely stuck there now! We managed to get in touch with mum and we arranged for her to come to us and pick us up. We would have around a 20 minute wait for her to turn up so we sat and watch the buses as the daylight faded. We saw Rotala Diamond 20500 which was about to work a #294 to Worcester.

Rotala Diamond 20500 in Kidderminster bus station

We guessed when mum was about to turn up and we walked over to the Tesco car park. About a minute later the car appeared and and we jumped in. After a quick driver swap we set off onto Corporation Street and onto New Road. Matthew tucked into his sausage roll washed down with a can of Vimto. We turned right onto Oxford Street and at the roundabout we went left onto the A451. At the next roundabout we left town along the A456. As we travelled north we saw Hansonbus 2150 on a #318 to Stourbridge that we had seen earlier in the day at Bromsgrove. We continued through Hagley and close to Halesowen before we joined the Northbound M5 at junction 3. As we travelled North up the M5 we saw Den Caney Coaches DEN 80D and Rotala Diamond 20738 running empty back to the depot. We ran along the elevated section of motorway near to West Bromwich and we joined the northbound M6. It was now gone 18:00 and traffic wasn't too bad so we made good progress. As we travelled North we saw grey minibus PO16 WCE & Travelmaster M800 TMG. We came off the M6 at junction 15 and we ran North uo the A500. At Sideway we went went Eastwards to Longton where we came off. We went into the petrol station at Tesco and we filled up with diesel. once we had done that we crossed over the A50 so that we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz minibus Vauxhall X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

We also saw one of there newest arrivals, Z Carz Citroen minibus LV10 OTM.

Z Carz LV10 OTM in Longton

Closest minibus in the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMO.

Z Carz DG10 VMO in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

parked on the road outside the depot we saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

We turned around and we got back onto the Westbound A50. 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 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by millionaires shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:00... Mark

Trip to Bromsgrove / Droitwich Spa 19-11-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
66697	Bromsgrove BS	Sidemoor, Broad Street (NW bound)	144	First Worcester
67657	Sidemoor, opp Sainsbury's Local Store	Catshill, opp Chadsgrove School	144A	First Worcester
67656	Catshill, adj Chadsgrove School	Sidemoor, Broad Street (SE bound)	144	First Worcester
47516	Sidemoor, Broad Street (SE bound)	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
32066	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	144A	First Worcester
20104	Droitwich, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	Droitwich, adj Chalverton Court	18	Rotala Diamond
20104	Droitwich, adj Chalverton Court	Droitwich, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	18	Rotala Diamond
20607	Droitwich, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	Primsland, adj Tagwell Heights	19A	Rotala Diamond
20607	Primsland, adj Tagwell Heights	Droitwich, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	19A	Rotala Diamond
KX08 HMC	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	145	iGo

Today we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We had checked the weather for today and it was for dry weather with some sunshine. We gave Matthew a list of place to visit in the Midlands and North West and from the list he chose Bromsgrove. Matthew got up around 09:45 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 on to the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. I realised that we were going the wrong direction at this point becasue we are that used to going North! We passed D&G 174 on a #14 to Stafford. We joined the Westbound A50 and then we turned left to go South on the A500. As we went South we passed Kings Ferry coach YN15 DKL and Solus Coaches YS16 LNC which was in the Northbound layby. We joined the Southbound M6 and we made good progress. As we travelled South we saw Kingswinford Coachways JRZ 1844, The Travellers Choice PO15 KTL, Parks of Hamilton (National Express) LSK 808, Keele SU PN57 UZO and Eavesway YJ14 BYF. We joined the Southbound M5 and as we travelled down to junction 4 we saw an unidentified white coach and white minibus FD13 UPG. We joined the A38 and we ran into town over the M42. Just North of town we turned right onto Birmingham Road and we ran the last mile or so into the town centre. We parked up at Asda and we crossed over to the A448 where we saw First Worcester 32066 on a #144 to Birmingham and Rotala Diamond 30802 on a #43 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 30802 in Bromsgrove bus station

We crossed the road and mum went to order the food and Matthew went to the toilet. One of us should have gone with mum as we lost the last indoor table to a couple who a fritter between them! By the time we got to mum in the Market Plaice having lost the table she wasn't very happy with us :( Matthew had sausage chips and gravy with a bap washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw First Worcester 33043 on a #144 to Birmingham and Euroliners DX55 NLG on the #97 service. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked over to the bus station. In the bus station was Rotala Diamond Solo 20840 on a #202 to Halesowen.

Rotala Diamond 20840 in Bromsgrove bus station

Also in the bus station was required Rotala Diamond 30803 on a #42 to Redditch. Earlier we had seen required Euroliners DX55 NLG on a #97 Sidemoor circular service. It was 30 minutes before it was due to go again so we decided to go for a short run whilst we waited. Next arrival in the bus station was First Worcester 66697 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 66697 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to do this bus so we waited in the queue to board it. we got on and we booked Worcestershire Connecta tickets at £7.20. We st down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of the bus station. We went North up the A448 and we turned left onto Stourbridge Road. We travelled North up the Road and when we past the hospital we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 66697 before it carried on towards Birmingham.

First Worcester 66697 in Sidemoor

Once of the bus we crossed over Stourbridge Road to the stop on the opposite side. The timetable on the bus stopped revealed that only the #144 stopped here and it was only every 30 minutes. The #144A no longer stopped at this stop! We look at the the road opposite and there was a bus stop on there too. A quick look ot the traveline site revealed that the #144A went around that corner, and there was one due 7 minutes before the #144. We also noted that the #97 stopped there too. So we crossed back over Stourbridge Road and down Broad Street. We walked past the bus stop at first. The stop which was clearly visible from Stourbridge Road was invisible when you stood next to it as it was inside a hedge! A few minutes latter we saw a #144A approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Worcester 67657.

First Worcester 67657 in Sidemoor

One thing I didn't do was check where the bus was going to... We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus went up Broad Street and to my surprise turned left onto Stourbridge Road. Uncle Dave said 'you do know this is a Catshill bus?' to which I replied 'No. I thought we were going back to Bromsgrove!'. We continued North to the roundabout and we went under the M42. We continued North to Catshill and we turned right onto Meadow Road. We still had passed the #144 so we decided to get up and get off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Worcester 67657 as it continued around Catshill.

First Worcester 67657 in Catshill

We crossed the road and we stood at the bus stop opposite to where we had got off. Next to the bus stop was a school with numerous minibuses parked up. Some of the minibuses observed included VX05 PZJ, ???? MBF, VU59 LZP and VU11 SZC. A couple of minutes later we saw another Enviro300 approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud First Worcester 67656.

First Worcester 67656 in Catshill

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down near the front of this well filled bus. The last time we had this bus was from Droitwich to Bromsgrove back in April 2015. It was running a few minutes late so we decided to go back to the stop where we were to intercept the minibus on the #97. We ran down Meadow Road and we turned left onto Stourbridge Road. We ran down under the M42 and over the roundabout, and a further 1/2 a mile or so to the junction of Broad Street. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 67656 as it carried on towards Worcester.

First Worcester 67656 in Sidemoor

We crossed the road and we walked down Broad Street. Once again we walked past the bus stop in the hedge and we turned and walk back up the road. A few minutes later we saw First Worcester 67657 on the opposite side of the road heading into Bromsgrove the long way. The driver looked over to see us at the same stop as they had picked us up around 20 minutes earlier! At approximately 14:04 we saw Euroliners DX55 NLG in the distance... It emerged from King Edward Road and instead of turning left towards us it went right and disappeared down the road. After a while it dawned on us that it probably wasn't coming back up, so we needed an alternate plan. The was a #144 on Stourbridge Road at 14:16, so we quickly walked back up Broad Street and back to the stop where we had gotten off First Worcester 67656 around 15 minutes earlier. Whilst we waited we saw First Worcester 66691 going around the corner on a #144A to Catshill. A few minutes alter and we saw a First Worcester Streetlite approaching... As we have never been on one of these down here it was likely to be a required bus. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Worcester 47516...

First Worcester 47516 in Sidemoor

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Stourbridge Road on the short journey into town and we turned right onto the A448. We ran past the bus station and we came into it form the Southern end before we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 47516 before it carried on back towards Worcester.

First Worcester 47516 in Bromsgrove bus station

We also saw First Worcester 66691 which had returned from Catshill on a #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 66691 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided that we would go in a differenr t direction now that we had missed the Euroliners minibus for today. We decided to go up to the top end of the bus station to look at he departures monitor. There wasn't much going in a different direction until around 14:50. There was a group of services that included a #42 to Kidderminster, a #144 towards Worcester and a #43 to Redditch. Matthew went to the toilet, and whilst he was there we saw required Rotala Diamond 30803 on a #43 to the hospital which would come back as the Redditch service later. WhenMatthew came out of the toilet we saw required First Worcester 66698 on a #144A to Catshill.

First Worcester 66698 in Bromsgrove bus station

A few minutes later we were surprised by the return of First Worcester 32066 on the #144 to Worcester, so we decided that we were going to Droitwich Spa!

First Worcester 32066 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. As the top deck of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 32066 before we sat down.

Inside First Worcester 32066

We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A448. We turned left onto Hanover Street and we continued onto Worcester Road. We passed the Bromsgrove schools where there were a collection of coaches including an unidentified Mikro coach. We continued South for a couple of miles and we joined the Southbound A38. Further South we passed Webbs of Wychbold and we passed through the village. Just South of Wychbold at the Holiday Inn Express we saw a white coach with a red, light green and dark green swoop on the side. We crossed under the M5 and we continued down the A38 as far as the B4065 where we turned left. We crossed under the railway and before we turned onto the Saltway we were passed by First Worcester Streetlite 63366 on a #144 to Birmingham. We turned left onto saltway and we ran around the town centre before coming back in the other end along Ombersley Street East. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 32066 before it carried on towards Worcester.

First Worcester 32066 in Droitwich Spa

We just missed Rotala Diamond 20607 on one of the town circular services, so we decided to visit the shop opposite. Matthew had a couple of cans of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars and we went outside to see if there was anything we could do, There was a local service due around 15:23 so we decided to do that. A few minutes later it turned up and it was required Rotala Diamond 20104 on a #18 to Chalverton Court.

Rotala Diamond 20104 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the road onto Victoria square and forwards onto St Andrews Road. We turned left onto Worcester Road and then left onto Saltway. We ran around town and we turned right onto Ombersley Way and we past the railway station. We followed the road to the left at the roundabout and we ran south for around 3/4 of a mile. and we turned into a small estate which appeared to be sheltered housing for the elderly. Once we had turned around in Chalverton Court we returned up Ombersley Way and back into town. We crossed the Saltway and we stopped in Ombersley Street East where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of the bus briefly displaying #30 solihull, before it was corrected to #20 Westlands circular.

Rotala Diamond 20104 in Droitwich Spa

Almost immediately we saw Rotala Diamond 20607 on a #19A town circular service.

Rotala Diamond 20607 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. In the distance we could see another fushia fronted First Worcerster Streelite on a #144 to Birmingham. We followed the bus out of town but we weren't able to catch up with it. We turned left onto the Saltway and we ran around town before turning right onto Ombersley Way and we past the railway station. We followed the road to the left at the roundabout and we ran around town back over the A38 and to the east into Copcut. We ran South close to the M5 and the bus turned around on the roundabout by Falcon Close before going Northwards back towards town. As we got close to town we passed Rotala Diamond 20104 on a #19C circular service. We joined the Saltway at it's Southernmost end and we ran up to the town before we turned right into Ombersley Street East where we got up and got off the bus. The bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 20607

Inside Rotala Diamond 20607

Once off the bus we decided to have a little break away from the buses. We walked through town to the shopping centre and we used the toilet before we walked back into town. We checked the timetable, and there wasn't a bus for a while, so we stopped on the bench and Matthew had a Curly Wurly that we had brought at the shop earlier. We checked the timetable to see what was due. There was a First Worcester #144 to Bromsgrove at 16:24 and at 16:30 there was an iGo #145 service to Longbridge. It was starting to get dark now... The first bus turned up and it was the iGo #145 service. As it got closer we saw that it was required iGo Primo KX08 HMC, a former Scraggs Blue Buses vehicle.

iGo KX08 HMC in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver for the final time today. The bus was empty at this poing, so Matthew took a picture inside iGo KX08 HMC.

Inside iGo KX08 HMC

We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along the road onto Victoria Square and forwards onto St Andrews Road. We turned left onto Queen Street and we crossed over the cross roads onto Bromsgrove Road. We ran out of town ans we joined onto the Northbound A38. Having crossed under the M5 we ran into Wychbold and we turned right into Chequers lane. We turned left onto Stoke Road and we went forwards onto Shaw Lane and we ran fast through the countryside over the railway line and back under and into the village of Stoke Prior. We turned left onto Hanbury Lane and we ran up to the A38 where we turned right. We ran up to Aston Fields where we turned right into Morrisons. After going around the car park to the bus stop outside the store we came back out and we saw an unidentified coach on the adjacent A38. We turned into the industrial estate and in a compound to the left next to a Kitchen place was a coach. We turned right onto Stoke Road and we ran up to Bromsgrove railway station. Since our last visit the railway station has been re-built and we drove right up to the entrance where we saw Johnson's YT09 FLP on rail replace work. We ran back onto Mew road and we ran up to and across the A38 and we entered the town centre from the East. We followed the road around to the A448 and we turned right going North into the bus station. When we pulled up on stand we got up and go off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of iGo KX08 HMC.

iGo KX08 HMC in Bromsgrove bus station

On the A448 outside the bus station we saw an unidentified Ashwood Coaches coach and an unidentified Angel Executive Travel coach. We crossed the road and we met up with mum on the way to the car. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of town up the A448 and forwards onto Birmingham Road. We joined onto the A38 and we ran up to the M5 motorway. As we got onto the motorway we followed South Gloucestershire (National Express) BN64 FKP which was on a #330 service to Nottingham. We also saw and an unidentified white Mercedes minibus. We joined the M6 and we continued North through the dark night. We didn't see anything as such and we made good time up to the junction of the A500. Once of the M6 we ran North to Sideway. As we waited at the roundabout to join the A50 we saw 3 coaches... We saw a maroon double decker coach (ex Megabus?), Steve Aiken V89 KAX and silver double decker coach. We went East along the A50 to Longton and we came off it to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row we saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

Next to the Citroen was Z Carz minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

Also in the first row was another Citroen, Z Carz minibus LV10 OTM.

Z Carz LV10 OTM in Longton

Closest bus in the first row was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

In the second row was Z carz Airport Division minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We continued forwards past the old Sommerfield store and we joined Spring Garden Road. We turned right at the end and at the roundabout we did a u-turn and went back down along the A5035. We ran through Dresden into Blurton and we got home around 18:45. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a millionaires shortbread. The rest of us had the pie that Mathew had made the day before.... Matthew tried the pastry but wasn't to keen on the mince beef and vegetable filling. It was a really nice pie though... :) Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark