Trip to Llandudno 15-08-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 986	Fenton, Manor Street	Llandudno, Mostyn Broadway	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 986	Llandudno, Mostyn Broadway	Fenton, Manor Street	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Llandudno on a coach. Matthew got up around 06:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew had his medication and got ready to go. Around 09:00 we set off downstairs and onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we cut through onto onto City Road and we crossed over onto Manor Street and waited for the coach to arrive. A short time later the coach appeared. It was required Copeland's Tours MIB 986. We got on the coach and we sat down in our seats. We set off onto Manor Street and we turned right onto Victoria Road past the fromer pub. We ran up to the top and we turned sharp right onto City Road. We ran over the railway line and then we turned went Forwards onto the A52. We went under the railway line and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 and we continued North as far as junction 20. We ran through Cheshire and we passed the site of a Costa and McDonald's. We joined the Westbound M56 and we passed the site of a new McDonalds. We got onto the Westbound M56 and forwards onto the A494. We crossed over the Dee at Queensferry and we joined onto the Westbound A55. We ran to junction 19 and we joined the Northbound B5115. At the roundabout we veered slight left onto Whitehall Road. We continued onto Penrhyn-side and up the hill into Llandudno. We turned right into Vaughan Street and we turned right into Mostyn Broadway and we got up and got off the coach. Matthew took another picture of Copeland's Tours MIB 986.

Copeland's Tours MIB 986 in Llandudno

We stopped at the coach park and we saw Pats Coaches KA15 BWS on layover.

Pats Coaches KA15 BWS in Llandudno

We continued along Mostyn Broadway and we walked up Conway Road and we heading into M&S and Matthew went to the toilet. We came out of Conway Road and onto Vaughan Street and we visited the Heaven in the Ground and Matthew enjoyed being locked in a Rafael Pérez Evans: Brown Notes. Afterwards we visited Coral Island for dinner. Matthew had sausage chips and beans washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we headed along Vaughan Street and we waied for a taxi to Cheadle in Autocabs taxi. We set off onto Vaughan Street and we ran through Augusta Street and we turned right onto Trinity Squars and we ran through onto Clonmel Street. We turned right onto St George's Place and we went onto the Promendae. We walked around the corner onto Gloddaeth Cres and we continued onto North Parade promenade and into the Leisure Island Amusement Arcade. Afterwards Matthew had an ice cream. We ran to Pier Kids Funfair Rides and we went to the toilet. When we had finished we walked back along North Parade and back up the Saint George's Crescent. Afterwards Matthew had washed down with can of Coke. We went onto the Promendae and we ran through onto Clonmel Street and we saw Daish's Holiday BF23 CGK.

Daish's Holiday BF23 CGK in Llandudno

We returned Up St Clonmel Street and back onto Mostyn Street and past Marks & Spencers site which is going to be a new leisure hub. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3191 on a #5 to Bangor.

Arriva NW&W 3191 in Llandudno

We came out of the shop and we saw Arriva NW&W 4553 on a #12 to Rhyl. We went to The Coffee Centre. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had sausage ships and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked down Mostyn Street and we crossed over the Mostyn Broadway and we saw Leons 248.

Leons 248 in Llandudno

As we got to the stop we saw Sky Coaches YX16 NWK. A short time later we saw our coach for the return journey. It was Copeland's Tours MIB 986.

Copeland's Tours MIB 986 in Llandudno

We got on the coach and we sat down in our seats. We set off onto the one-way system. We ran Eastwards along Mostyn Broadway and we turned left onto Carmen Sylva Road. We turned right onto the B5115 and we headed Eastwards out of town. We ran past the Little Orme to the edge of Rhos on Sea and we turned left onto Church Road. We turned right onto Penrhyn Avenue and we ran down to the see front. We turned right onto Rhos Promenade and we continued onto West Promenade. We turned right onto Cayley Promenade and right onto Whitehall Road. At the roundabout we veered slight left onto the B5115 and we crossed over the A55 at junction 19. We continued Eastwards thriugh Noerh Wales and we ran forwards onto the A494 at Queensferry. We got onto the Eastbound M56. We ran Southwards for around 25 miles and we came off the M6 onto the A5117 and stopped at Chester servcies. Matthew went to the toilet and we saw Pats Coaches YN22 YMR.

Pats Coaches YN22 YMR in Chester servcies

Matthew went to the toilet before returning to the coach for the last leg of the journey. We re-joined the Southbound M56 At junction 9 we joined the Southbound M6 and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A500 to Etruria and we cam off the A500. We turned left onto City Road. We went under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right into Manor Street and we got up and got off the coach. We walked back into Manor Street and we turned left onto City Road and we turned right Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Etruria / Wolstanton 16-03-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YJ69 EHG	Fenton	Longton	Charter	Travel Express
YJ69 EHG	Longton	Fenton	Charter	Travel Express

Today Matthew was going back to the residential unit, but firt he was going out for dinner and going to do his weekly shop. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready to go out and we set off just after 12:00. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto the A5035. We ran to Trentham and we turned right onto the A34. We ran through Hanford and we crossed the A500 and we continued through Trent Vale and we saw First Potteries 63363 on a #101 to Stafford. We continued along the A34 into Newcastle and we turned right onto Barracks Road and we ran around one-way system and onto the A52. As we turned the coner we saw Leon's Coaches 248 heading inti Newcastle. We ran up to Hartshill and we ran forwards onto Shelton New Road. As we travelled along Shelton New Road and we passed KE Travel BD65 JFE. We turned right onto Garner Street and we stopped at the food truck. Our old friend Baz was at the food truck today! Matthew had a cumberland ring with bacon and egg washed down with can of Coke. When we had finished Matthew had a hug off Baz and we set of to the shop. We ran along Garner Street to Etruria and we turned left onto the A53. We veered left onto Forge Lane and we ran forwards onto Shelton Boulevard and we turned left onto the Etruria Valley Link Road passing First Potteries 35941 on a #501 Etruria Valley circular. We went under the A500 and we turned left onto the retail park and we saw blue minibus SD72 WBN.

SD72 WBN in Wolstanton

We did Matthew's weekly shopping and before we went back to the car we saw grey minibus LY25 BSO parked up.

LY25 BSO in Wolstanton

We did Matthew's weekly shopping and before we went back to the car and we saw First Potteries 67181 on a #501 circular service. We set off through the retail park and we turned left onto the A527 and we ran to the top of the hill and we turned left to follow the A527 into Newcastle. We turned right onto Ryecroft and we pulled up. We dropped off our friend. We set off onto Ryecroft and we turned right onto Barracks Road. We passed the bus station and we saw D&G Bus 57 on a #85 to Nantwich. We turned keft onto the Southbound A34 we ran down to Trent Vale and under the A500 into Hanford. We ran into Trentham and at the roundabout we turned left onto the A5035. We ran into Blurton and we got back to home just after 14:30. When we got back we did the Blog and Matthew had a piece of cake and a glass of orange. Around 16:00 we got ready to return to the residential unit. We set off through Burton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive where we saw gold minibus DE04 FNZ parked up. We turned left onto Church Street and left onto Blurton Road. We went through the traffic lights onto Heron Steeet. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Masterson Street and we saw Stafford & District Community Link LA72 DDU. We turned right onto Watkin Street and we continued onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs to his room and we put all his shopping in his cupboard or in the kitchen. Matthew chilled out on his computer and watched buses out of the window. For tea Matthew had chicken and rice with naan bread followed by a Toffee sponge pudding and custard. Washed it down with a can of Irn Bru. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned left onto Smithpool Road. We crossed over the railway line and we walked down to the entrance of the park. Once we had finished in the park we walked back along Grove Road. We crossed over the Whieldon Road and we saw it was Travel Express YJ69 EHG. We got on the bus and we set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto City Road and we ran up onto King Street and we went forwards onto King Street. We ran through Foley and we under the railway line into Longton. The bus stopped on Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We turned right onto Sutherland Road and we stopped at the pub. Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we returned to Fenton in Travel Express YJ69 EHG. We set off onto along Sutherland Road and left onto Anchor Road. We turned right onto Market Street and left onto The Strand and we ran under the railway line onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew chilled out in his room. He watched television and used his computer. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Hanley / Biddulph 22-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40373	Ladybank Grove , Blurton	Hanley BS	23A	First Potteries
234	Hanley BS	Smallethorne, Ashman Street	9	Bakerbus
248	Smallethorne, Ashman Street	Biddulph, High Street	9	Bakerbus
185	Biddulph, High Street	Longport, Longport Road	94A	Bakerbus

Today we decided to stay local. Matthew isn't due to go to the Meadows for a few weeks. We had no plan as such, we just decided that we would go to Hanley and then see what was out. Weather forecast for today was for sunshine and then sunny intervals. It had been raining for most of the week and it was forecast for rain from Sunday and so we were quite lucky. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had some toast for his breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and walked all the way to the Ladybank Grove bus stop. Whilst there we saw 40151 heading towards Longton on a #22 service and 40163 heading toward Longton the opposite way on a #23A service.

First Potteries 40163 in Blurton

We didn't have to wait for long before a hanley bus rounded the corner. It was dud First Potteries 40373. This is a bus that we had been on last year.

First Potteries 40373 in Blurton

We got on the bus and brought a Smart Day ticket. We sat on the near side of the bus on the hump, which is the best place to see out of the front window. The journey to Hanley was quite pleasant. In Stoke we passed 2 of the new to the Potteries double deckers. They were First Potteries 32627 and 32635. As we reached the edge of Hanley we saw Bakerbus Volvo B6 227 heading North, presumably on a #9 service. When we got to Hanley Matthew waited for the bus to empty and then got a picture of the inside of our bus.

Inside First Potteries 40373

Matthew and uncle Dave went onto the balcony, and I went to get some chips for diner. New to the Potteries fleet Dart 41499 was seen on a #7 Kidsgrove service. After that in came one of the double deckers.

First Potteries 32635 in Hanley bus station

Also seen for the first time was one of the Bakerbus Streetlites 254 on X75 service. East Lancs bodied Dart 40779 came into the bus station and then parked up. It was displaying #5 Abbey Hulton. We saw Arriva Midland 2706 on a #164 service. I think Matthew was quite keen to ride on this bus because he turned down a few other buses hoping that this would work. One such bus was step entranced Wardle Transport 4692 on a Derby bound X50 which we could have done to Blythe Bridge.

Wardle Transport 4692 on the X50 (Mark)

We saw an interesting Bakerbus 194 on the #9 which seemed to have seats similar to the GM Volvo's and Darts. We also saw Wardle Transport 2260 on a #41 service in the new livery.

Wardle Transport 2260 in Hanley bus station

We had spent an hour in the bus station, and Matthew now wanted to go to the toilet. The green tardis toilet at the end of the bus station was broken and the nearest one was at least 600 yds away through busy streets, so we decided to catch a bus to somewhere else with a toilet. I thought there was still a toilet in Smallthorne so we decided to do the next #9, which just happened to be required Bakerbus Primo 234. We got on the bus and sat near the back. It was the first time we had been on a Primo, despite there being quite a few locally in 2 different fleets. This bus was branded for working the X38 service from Congleton to Sandbach and Crewe. As we left hanley bus station we passed the row of bus parked up between duties. Wardle Transport 1421 & 1460 were 2 of the buses that were here. This bus was only going to Fegg Hayes so we decided to try and do the Smallthorne toilet. We got off and Matthew got a picture of this bus which is unusual in Stoke-on-Trent.

Bakerbus 234 in Smallthorne

We walked up Ford Green Road to the junction of Community Drive only to find a space were the tardis toilet once stood. Drat! So we went back to the bus stop to wait for the next Bidduplh service were we knew there was definitely a working toilet! Whislt we waited we saw a few buses come past. On such bus was Wardle Transport 2301 on a #62A service.

Wardle Transport 2301 in Smallthorne

Going the other way on the same service was Wardle Transport 2408.

Wardle Transport 2408 in Smallthorne

Just after that came a Hybrid double decker 247 going towards Hanley. We the saw another hybrid going towards Biddulph.It was dud Bakerbus 248 which we have been on twice before!

Bakerbus 248 in Smallthorne

We got on and went upstairs. As it was empty Matthew got his picture as we got on.

Inside Bakerbus 248

We then sat down to relax for the journey up. As we turned the corner into Chell Heath Road, we passed bakerbus 250 on a Hanley bound service. By the time we got to Biddulph it was just before 15:00. We went to the toilet and then sat in the bus waiting room. The next bus due was a #7A to Hanley which should have been at 15:13. it still hadn't turned up by around 15:25. When bakerbus 247 turned up just before 15:30 we asked Matthew if he wanted to do this but he said no. He decided now he wanted to go to the cafe in sainnsbury's, which we could have done 30 minutes earlier! We went upstairs to the cafe and he had a chocolate cake and a draught Pepsi. he also bought a millionaire's shortbread and a bottle of Lucozade for later. He then wanted to go shopping, so we went and got some cans of Coke and some cornflake cakes. After our unscheduled stop it was nearly 16:00. there was a 16:05 94A, which I thought we could do to Longport where we could meet mum. This turned out to be unrequired Bakerbus 185 which we had been on almost a year ago to the day!

Bakerbus 185 in Biddulph bus station

The bus was empty and so he got his picture straight away.

Inside Bakerbus 185

I texted mum to meet us at Longport for 16:30, and we sat back and enjoyed the journey. the bus was virtually empty most of the way with only a few people getting on during the entire 30 minute journey. As we went down through Pits Hill we saw Stanways minibus KX51 LWR. We got off and I didn't notice mum was parked up in the adjacent street. She honked the horn and I turned around...eventually. We stooped to pick up LPG at the BP garage in Longport. We got in the car and then headed off towards Longton to go past the Z Carz garage. Most off the coaches were parked up with Matthew getting a picture of V690 EBC.

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

We then headed home, and we saw First Potteries 40166 on a #23 service. We got in at approximately 17:00. After sausage mash and carrots for tea we settled for an evening of telly before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Newport / Biddulph 01-09-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
29	Newstead, adj Magdalen Road	Newport BS	350	Bakerbus
29	Newport BS	Crown Street, Stone	350	Bakerbus
217	Crown Street, Stone	Hanley BS	X1	Bakerbus
248	Hanley BS	Biddulph, High Street	9	Bakerbus

Today we had originally planned to go to Birkenhead, but with the timetable changes taking place over this weekend I asked Matthew if he wanted to go on the #350 service as it was the last day of operation on this service for bakerbus and he said yes. The weather forecast for today was for sunny intervals, so hopefully no rain! Whilst Matthew had his breakfast I went to Aldi for some food for the trip, and also to view what buses were out on the #350. The northbound 10:30 through Hem Heath was required Bakerbus 195, which should in theory be the Southbound 11:30 to Newport. For some reason the Southbound 10:30 didn't show and so I went back to finish off getting ready and to make up a packed lunch. We set off on the long walk to the bus stop around 11:15 and we arrived in time to see First PMT 40017 on a Longton bound #22 service. A few minutes later we saw a Bakerbus breadvan in the distance, but it wasn't in the newer wavy blue and yellow livery so it wasn't going to be 195. As it approached we saw it was dud Bakerbus 29.

Bakerbus 29 on their last day of operation on the #350

We got on a booked a Bakerbus day ticket. At a cost of £3.90 it is excellent valu considering how far you can travel on it. We sat down and settle in a for a 20 mile plus trip to Newport. We should have passed a #350 heading northwards but it hadn't shown up. When we got to Wedgwood passengers were asking about the Hanley bound bus. The driver told them that one of the three vehicles wasn't operating and so some of the passengers booked to Stone to catch something else to Hanley. We stooped at barlaston crossing to let a class 221 go passed before carrying on through Titensor and down to Stone. AS we reached town we saw Wardle Transport 2245 on a #250 service. South of Stone we were in new territory as we have never been South of Stafford Road. We span around the Cherryfields estate and passenger were still asking about the Hanley bus. The bus carried on into Yarnfield and then on to Eccleshall. Beyond there it was mainly high speed running to Newport with the exception of visiting Norbury down some very narrow lanes. We arrived in Newport bang on time at 12:50. The bus was empty and Matthew got a picture of this high spec if a little aged Mercedes minibus.

Inside Bakerbus 29

We had 30 minutes to kill. Just after we got off we saw Arriva Midlands 2941 on a Telford bound #481 service.

Arriva Midlands 2941 in Newport bus station

We visited the public toilet and then went to do a spot of shopping in Waitrose. Matthew brought some cans of Coke and a large Bakewell tart. after paying for his food and getting lottery tickets we headed back to have a bus stop picnic of Chicken sandwiches washed down with a can of Coke. A few minutes before we were due to leave the bus fired up and we got on for the return journey. We set off back Northwards at 13:20 and we made good time. I downloaded and checked the times of the X1 from stone and we realised there was a plus eight onto the 14:20. Passing through Norbury was interesting when we encountered a Transit van on the lane into town. As he was closer to the village he had to back up about 100 yds down the track. We carried on through Eccleshall where we saw Arriva Midlands 2266 on a #432 service. We carried on through Yarnfield and then we arrived in Stone a minute or so early. Matthew got a picture of Bakerbus 29 which we had just done well over 30 miles on.

Bakerbus 29 in Crown Street Stone

Matthew then went to the toilet and then we waited for the X1. We didn't see any other buses, but we were pleasantly surprised when we saw one of Bakerbuses Volvo B6's turned the corner. We had only been on one of the four so there was a good chance it was going to be required. As it got closer we saw it was required Bakerbus 217.

Bakerbus 217 in Crown Street Stone

The bus was empty and we settled down in some seats just on the hump on the near side of the bus. the journey was swift as you would expect of an 'X' service, We picked up a few passengers North of Barlaston and outside Trentham Gardens and then we headed up College Road passing one of Firsts new buses 41500. As we crossed over the Hanley ring road we passed Bakerbus 216 on a X1 service. We Arrived in Hanley bus station and after the bus emptied Matthew got a picture inside this fine ALX200 bodied bus.

Inside Bakerbus 217

We then headed of to the balcony so he could take a few pictures whilst I went to get some chips. Matthew got a picture of 40136 on a #20 service.

First Potteries 40136 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we ate the chips, Bakerbus 195 carried on the remainder of the #350 diagram! Bakerbus 29 switched onto the #9 service and we saw Wardle Transport 4650 going towards derby on the X50. Including 217, there were 2 other Bakerbus B6's parked up, so all of the type must have worked into Hanley at some point during the day. We then saw First Potteries 41499 arrive on a #23 service.

First Potteries 41499 in Hanley bus station

We decided to wait and see what was working on the next #9 so we could use the ticket that we already had. When it turned the corner and it was one of the new Hybrid double deckers we decided to do it as we have only been on one once before. It turned out to be bakerbus 248 which is the one we have already been on. We went down off the balcony and waited for the driver to return onto the bus. When we got on we went upstairs of course!

Inside Bakerbus 248

The journey took around 40 minutes. At the bottom of Smallthorne bank we passed 61244 on a #29 service. As we passed near the Bakerbus depot we passed Bakerbus B6 215 on a #9 and Bakerbus 29 on a #94 service. Before we got to Biddulph we passed First Potteries 60073 on a Southbound #7A service. We had seen this leave Hanley earlier in the afternoon. When we got to Biddulph bus station around 16:20, we got off and Matthew got a picture of Bakerbus 248.

Bakerbus 248 in Biddulph

As we walked down to mum we saw one of Bakerbus's newer acquisition, 250.

Bakerbus 250 in Biddulph

Before going down to mum in the car, we used the toilets by the bus station. We got in ans Matthew had a can of Coke before we drove off. Matthew wasn't quite ready to go straight home and so he directed us up to Congleton. We saw bakerbus 207 on the outskirts of town and we saw another beartown bus and Bakerbus 200 in Congleton bus station. We then headed down the A34 to Talke when we ran out of LPG. We got on the A500 and went to Longport to put some LPG in the car. We then went through Wolstanton to Milehouse and then past the First Newcastle garage where was saw new arrivals 34158 and 34286. We then went around Newcastle to Shelton and back onto the A500. We went to longton and went past the Z Carz depot where he got another picture of minibus BV51 BNO.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

Back down Longton hall Road and into Blurton we passed First Potteries 41499 again on the #23. We got in just before 18:00. Matthew settled down for the evening and had a snack of sausage on toast for supper...Mark

Trip to Biddulph 31-12-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40383	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23A	First Potteries
248	Hanley BS	Biddulph, High Street	9	Bakerbus
40140	Biddulph BS‎	Longport, adj Longport Road	99	First Potteries

In order to try and make the best of the daylight at this time of year, we decided to stay local today. Matthew stopped in bed until gone midday as it was he college holidays. Research was no done today and I didn't even get chance to pre-book a Smartday ticket. We eventually set off just before 13:00 and walk the distance to the Ladybank Grove stop in Blurton. As we got there there was a Solo on the stop bound for Hanley. It was dud 40027 which we had previously done in June.

First Potteries 40027 in Blurton

After Matthew got a picture the bus pulled off so we had another 10 minutes to wait for the next one. Whilst there we saw 40017 on a Newcastle bound #22 and 40152 on a Longton bound #22. We also saw recently rebuilt 40170 head towards Newstead which we thought might be our bus to Hanley. Surprisingly, 40383 turned the corner which must have come from Longton on a #23A. It is a bus we had done before , but we wanted to get to Hanley as quickly as we could. On the way past Stoke we saw a long row of Wardle Transport buses on football duties. We also saw Arriva Midlands 3489 on the 164 to Shrewsbury. On arrival at Hanley Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside 40383

At this point I tried to persude Matthew to go after Arriva Midlands 3489 as it seemed unusual and is an old bus. Matthew didn't want to go anywhere until he had had time on the balcony and had eaten some chips from Tony's cafe. Uncle Dave stood with Matthew on the Balcony and I went to get the chips. Whilst I was getting the food Matthew got a picture of Wardle Transport 4547 on a Britannia Stadium bound football bus.

Wardle Transport 4547 on Football duties

Whilst eating the chips, AM 3489 pulled off and there didn't seem to be much interesting around. With Stoke being at home there wasn't much chance of a double decker on a #61 Tunstall service. We had passed step entranced bus Wardle Transport 2038 on a #41. but this wouldn't be back in Hanley for a while. There had already been one of the new Hybrid Bakerbus, 246 on a #9. So we decided to wait for the next one to see if it was another and therefore required. Surely enough, after a short wait Bakerbus 258 appeared, and we went down to catch the 14:40 to Biddulph.

Hybrid Bakerbus 248 on it's Saturday #9 turn

The driver went away for a short while a re-appeared 5 minutes before booked departure time. We went upstairs and found somewhere to sit. The bus engine started up and about a minute before departure shut down again. At departure time the bus pulled away in near silence and the engine did not restart until halfway down the bank inside the bus station. This was he first time we had been on a Hybrid bus and it was very strange! I must have been the first time for other passengers too as one woman was commenting about the bus engine cutting out. We asked Matthew were he wanted to go and he chose Biddulph. On the way we must have gone on to electric power at least a dozen times. As we approached Biddulph the bus was virtually empty. I decided to get off in the High Street and Matthew got a picture of the top deck as he left the bus.

Inside Bakerbus 248

Outside he got another picture...

248 in Biddulph high street

We asked the driver where we caught the bus back and he told us ~around the corner by Sainsbury's". It was the first time we had been Biddulph since Sainsbury's had been built and we were surprised to see a bus station capable of having 4 buses there at a time plus a modern comfortable bus shelter. Apart from Bakerbus 248 on stand was a Bakerbus Solo and First Potteries 40148. Also arriving was 60176 on a 7A service. We gave Matthew the choice of bus to do Back towards Stoke-on-Trent but he had different ideas! Matthew decided he wanted to visit the new Sainsbury's. We went inside and he chose to buy some Cornflake cakes and a bottle of Coke. We also visit the bus shelter and had a quick wander around the general area. Due in before 16:00 were a 7a to Hanley, a 9 to Hanley,a 99 to Newcastle and a 94 to Newcastle. I wanted to catch something out of town and then catch a 94 or 99 forward. But Matthew was holding out for the 94. He turned down 60012 on a 7A. However, when First Potteries 40140 Matthew wanted to do this. Matthew is a big fan of ALX200 bodied buses be they Darts or Volvo B6's.

First Potteries 40140 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus, unusually we got on first so Matthew got a picture of the empty bus.

Inside 40140

On the bus, it was starting to go dark. I estimated a journey time of 30 minutes to Longport, and I phoned up mum to meet us by the BP garage there. The bus was virtually empty and there weren't many people at all on the bus by the time we got off in Longport. Matthew got another picture of this beast as alighted in Longport.

40140 at the stop in Longport

Mum had beaten us there by a few minutes and so when we got off we were able to go straight to the car. Matthew continued to eat his Cornflake cakes and had a can of Coke. As we returned home we listened to Stoke vs. Wigan match. We heard Stoke come from behind to eventually take the lead. Wigan had a late equaliser from the penalty spot and the game ended a draw. We got home a fraction before 17:00...Mark