Trip to Shrewsbury / Bicton Heath 17-01-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2511	Harlescott, opp Tesco	Shrewsbury BS	25	Arriva Midlands
2960	Shrewsbury BS	Gains Park, Opp Woodcrest Jct	11	Arriva Midlands
235	Gains Park, Opp Woodcrest Jct	Shrewsbury BS	X77	Tanat Valley
2984	Shrewsbury BS	Bicton Heath, The Woolhams Jct	11	Arriva Midlands
2960	Bicton Heath, The Woolhams Jct	Shrewsbury BS	11	Arriva Midlands
3692	Shrewsbury BS	Harlescott, opp Tesco	64	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Shrewsbury. We had asked Matthew it the week where he would like to go and he chose Shrewsbury. Research for the trip consisted of looking at tickets on the Arrive site and checking the weather. The weather was forecast for mainly dry with the chance of a shower, with some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. We got up at 10:30 and Matthew had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting dressed we set off around 11:40 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued back up Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Westbound A50. We came off the A50 onto Stanley Matthews Way and we turned right onto the A5035 and we turned right onto the Northbound A34 through Trentham. We turned left onto Whitm ore Road and we crossed over the A519 onto the A5182. We headed Westwards for a few miles and at the end of the road we turned left onto the Southbound A53 We ran through Whitmore and Balwins gate and we crossed over the A51 by The Swan With Two Necks. We continued through Loggerheads and to the North of Market Drayton and on the other side of town we stopped in a layby. The food wagon had finished serving so we continued towards Shrewsbury down the A53. We ran through Tern Hill and Shawbury and at the edge of town we took a wrong turn and headed along .We did a u-turn at the next roundabout and we turned sharp right onto the A5112. We continued for a short distance and we stopped at a pub. Matthew went to the toilet and after we returned we met back up with mum and uncle Dave. Matthew had a beefburger with and extra chicken burger with fries washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished we headed back to the car. We set off onto the A5112 and we drove a few hundred yeard before turning right into Tesco. We parked up and we said goodbye to mum. We walked along the side of Tesco to the the bus stop to wait for a bus into Shrewsbury. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2511 on a #25 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2511 in Harlescott

We got on the bus and we booked a Shrewsbury and Telford Day Saver at £8.50 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards along the unnamed road and we turned right onto Harlescott Lane. We ran under the railway Line and we turned left onto Lancaster Road. We turned right onto York Road and we ran forwards onto Gloucester Road. We turned left onto Little Harlescott Lane and we turned left onto Mount Pleasant Road. We ran under the railway line and we turned left onto the A5191. At the roundabout we did a u-turn and we headed Southwards down the A5191. We ran Southwards into Shrewsbury and we went under the railway line. We turned right onto Smithfield Road and we turned left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we visited the toilet. We walked out for the bus station and we saw First Lakeside 44971 on Layover.

First Lakeside 44971 in Shrewsbury bus station

We decided to go and get cake so we headed onto Smithfield Road. We walked around the corner and on the way to the cake shop we saw Arriva Midlands 2976 on a #512 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2976 in Shrewsbury

We arrived at the cak shop and Matthew had a huge slice of millionaire's shortbreab and a can of Coke. We walked back along Smithfield Road to the bus station and Matthew ate the millionaire's shortbread. We sat and wayched buses for a while. We sa Select Bus 3 on a arrive on a #96 service from Telford before going over to the layover area.

Select Bus 3 in Shrewsbury bus station

We took a few more picture and we headed into the bus station to catch another bus. A short time later we saw a bus come onto the stand. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 2960 on a #11 to Bicton Heath.

Arriva Midlands 2960 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on the bus and and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off out off the bus station onto the A458. We went around the Welsh Bridge. We turned left onto Copthorne Road. We ran down Mytton Oak Road and we turned into the hospital and as we travelled through the hospital the Hospital. We turned right onto Mytton Oak Road. We continued through Bowbrook. We turned right onto Gains Park Way. We headed down the hill into Bicton Heath. We turned right onto Gains Avenue and we turned left onto Gains Park Way and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2960 as it continued towards Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2960 in Gains Park

Once off the bus we had planned to wait around for a while and catch the next #11, but as we settle down in the stop we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Tanat Valley 235 on a X77 to Shrewsbury. We got on the bus and we purchased singles to Shrewsbury at £1.60 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down Gains Park Way and we continued through Bowbrook. We turned left onto Mytton Oak Road and we turned into the hospital where they are building some new hospital wards. We turned left onto Mytton Oak Road and we ran down Copthorne Road. We ran forwards onto the A458. We went around the Welsh Bridge. We turned left onto the A458 and we turned right into the bus station we got up and got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of Tanat Valley 235 before it went off to the layover area.

Tanat Valley 235 in Shrewsbury bus station

We looked across the road and we saw Arriva Midlands 2975 on layover.

Arriva Midlands 2975 in Shrewsbury bus station

We considered what to catch next so we headed inside the bus station. Whilst there we saw Select Bus 6 on a #436 to Bridgnorth.

Select Bus 6 in Shrewsbury bus station

We had a look around to see what we could catch. A few minutes later we saw a bus pull on stand. As it ot closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2984 on #11 to Bicton Heath.

Arriva Midlands 2984 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on the bus and and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off out off the bus station onto the A458. We went around the Welsh Bridge. We turned left onto Copthorne Road. We ran down Mytton Oak Road and we turned into the hospital and as we travelled through the hospital the Hospital. We turned right onto Mytton Oak Road. We continued through Bowbrook. We turned right onto Gains Park Way. We headed down the hill into Bicton Heath. We turned right onto Gains Avenue where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2984 as it continued on the #11 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2984 in Bicton Heath

We walked down Gains Avenue and we headed thruogh a passgeway onto the A458. We crossed over the road and we went into the Co-op. We bought a bottle of Coke and a chocolate bar. Once we had finished we paid for our stuff and we headed out of the shop. We crossed the A458 and we headed down the passageway. We went back to the same stop and we waited for the bus. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2960 on a #11 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2960 in Bicton Heath

We got on the bus and and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off down Gains Avenue. We turned left onto Gains Park Way and we continued through Bowbrook. We turned left onto Mytton Oak Road and we turned into the hospital. We turned left onto Mytton Oak Road. We ran down Copthorne Road. We ran forwards onto the A458. We went around the Welsh Bridge. We turned left onto the A458 and we turned right into the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We headed to the toilet but the toilet had shut. I suggested to Matthew we caught a bus out asap and got to Tesco. We looked across and we saw a bus we could catch. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 3692 on a #64 to Market Drayton.

Arriva Midlands 3692 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Shropshire and Telford Day Saver ticket for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Raven Mwadows and we turned right onto the A458. We turned left onto Chester Street and we turned right onto Cross Street and under the railway line. We turned left onto the A5191 and we headed Northwards out of town. I explained to Matthew that we could only go so far on this bus if he wanted to get 6 or more buses in for the day. We passed the roundabout with the Heathgates pub and we joined the Northbound A5112. We continued Northwards into Harlescott and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3692 before it returned on a #25 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 3692 in Harlescott

We crossed over Harlescott Lane and we headed into Tesco. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we bought a chcoclate bar. We walked across to where mum had parked the car. We got in the car and Matthew had a can of Cheery Coke. We set off out of the tesco car park and we turned left onto the Northbound A52. We travelled through Upper Astley for around 5 miles and into Shawbury. We stopped nin Shawbury. I went to the chip show and Matthew and mum went to the Co-op and bought a bottle of Dr Pepper and a chocolate bar. We went back to the car and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. We set off onto the A53 and we headed Northwards. We crossed over the A41 and Northwards towards Market Drayton. We ran along the Market Drayton by-pass and we continued Northwards towards Loggerheads. we crossed over the A51 and up through Whitmore. We ran Northwards towards Newcastle and we turned right onto Trentham Road. We turned left onto the A519. We joined the Northbound A500. We ran through Hanford up to Stoke and we came off the A500. We turned right onto City Road and right again to go Southwards onto the A500. We veered left onto Wheildon Road and we went to uncle Dave's. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet and afterwards went to see uncle Rob. He also had some Fanta Orange and updated the calendar. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We did some of the Blog and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Stafford / Penkridge 15-08-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63117	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
65038	Newcastle BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
3928	Stafford, The Sun PH	Penkridge, Crown Bridge	75	Arriva Midlands
3932	Penkridge, Crown Bridge	Stafford BS	75	Arriva Midlands
2511	Stafford Chell Road	Newport BS	5	Arriva Midlands
2518	Newport BS	Stafford, Railway Station	5	Arriva Midlands
32630	Stafford Chell Road	Stone, Stafford Road	101	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. He was also going to Stafford on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst he was waiting to out we saw First Potteries 63101 on a #11 to Hanley. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We continued to the stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Newcastle. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63117 on a #11 to Newcastle. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we waited for a bus towards Stafford. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 65038 on a #101 to Stafford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we ran down through Trent Vale and into Hanford. We continued down through to Trentham and then we got onto the fast section of the A34. We ran through Tittensor to Darlaston and we continued down to the North end of Stone. We Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. After going around the one-way system and onto Stafford Road. We crossed over the A34 onto Eccleshall Road. We turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We saw former London Borough of Enfield minibus DK58 HPY. We rejoined the A34 at the roundabout where the A51 goes Eastwards and we ran Southwards through the fast section on the A34 to the A513 roundabout. We ran the last couple of miles into town down the A34 onto Foregate Street and we turned right onto Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked Westwards along Chell Road and we turned left onto Broad Street. We continued onto Stafford Street and we turned right onto Gaolgate Street. We continued through the Market Square and forwards onto Greengate Street. We crossed over the roundabout onto Bridge Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 3755 on a #6 to Rickerscote. We crossed over the bridge. We stopped at a pub and Matthew had a chickenburger and fries washed down with a glass of Coke. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a chocolate fudge cake and custard. when we had finished we walked down Bridge Street and forwards onto Newport Road. We waited for the next bus towards Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3928 on a #75 to Cannock. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off onto the A34. We turned right onto Silkmore Lane. We turned right onto Exeter Street. We turned left onto Sidney Avenue. We turned right onto Silkmore Lane. We continued through Rickerscote. We turned right onto Rickerscote Road. We turned left onto Rising Brook. We continued forwards onto Moss Pit the A449. We ran through Acton Gate past the site of new McDonald's. We crossed the railway line and we went under the M6. We ran fast along the a road to the North edge of Penkridge where we hit the 30mph section of the road. About a 1/2 a mile later we got up and got off the bus in the town centre. Once off the bus we walked across to the public toilets. Matthew used the toilet and I picked uo a couple of bus timetables. Once he had finished we crossed the main road and we went in the Festival garden to have something to eat. Matthew shared a double Milky Way and he also had a drink of Cherryade. Whilst we ate National Express West Midlands 852 on the #54 to Wolverhampton. A few minutes later we saw the bus turn out of the side Street. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva Midlands 3932. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off up the A449 and as we left the village the bus went fast up to the M6. On the other side we slowed down as we got to the residential Moss Pit area. We continued forwards onto Rising Brook. We turned right onto Rickerscote Road. We continued through Rickerscote. We turned left onto Silkmore Lane. We turned left onto Sidney Avenue. We turned right onto Exeter Street. We turned left onto Silkmore Lane. We ran down into Queensville. At the big roundabout we got onto the A518 before turning into Station Road. we turned right onto Bridge Street where we saw Ridleys Coaches YT09 YHL. We turned right onto South Walls. We turned left onto Cope Street. We ran up Eastgate and along North Walls and into the Gaol Square bus station. We left the bus station where we got up to get off the bus. We walked back to the toilet block and Matthew used the toilet here again. After he had done we set off onto Chell Road to walk around to the bus station. As we got there we saw required Arriva Midlands 2511 on a #5 to Telford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off bus set off along Chell Road and we ran down to the railway station past the new cafe in Victoria Park. We turned right onto Newport Road. We continued into Castle Bank. We continued Westwards along the A518 under the M6 and into Billington. We ran through Haughton. We headed up through Gnosall and up over Coton. As we travelled up we saw Arriva Midlands 3734 on a #5 to Stafford. We continued into Coley and we ran out into open countryside. We climbed the hill into Newport into the Stafford Road and onto Stafford Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We decided to do a bus up back to Stafford. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3119 on a #519 to Shrewsbury. We went to the toilet and walked down the bus station. We turned left onto Stafford Street. We turned left onto High Street to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and had a glass of Coke. He also had chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. When we had finished we walked along High Street. We turned right onto Stafford Street and into the bus station. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 2518 on a #5 to Stafford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off set off out of the bus station and onto Audley Road. We turned right onto Stafford Road. We crossed the roundabout onto the A518 and headed through Coley. We headed up through Coton and up over Gnosall. As we travelled up we saw Arriva Midlands 3622 on a #5 to Telford. We continued through Billington into Castle Bank. We ran into Stafford. We ran down onto Newport Road. We went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. Near to the railway station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus We set off onto Victoria Road. We turned left onto Tenterbanks where we saw Arriva Midlands 3734 on a #5 to Telford. we crossed the roundabout onto Chell Road. Matthew took a few bus picture waiting for a bus back to Stone. We decided not to do this bus and we waited for the next one. A short time later we saw required First Potteries 32630 on a #101 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day ticket to the driver for the final time today and we went upstairs we sat down. The bus set off along Chell Road and we ran down to the railway station past the new cafe in Victoria Park. We ran around the South end of town and over the river onto Cope Street. We ran up Eastgate and along North Walls and into the Gaol Square bus station. We left the bus station onto the A34 and we ran Northwards to the edge of town. We continued up the fast section of the A34 to the edge of Stone and then we turned left onto the industrial estate. We ran around the estate and onto Tiling Drive. We turned right onto Eccleshall Road and we crossed the A34 onto Stafford Road. We turned left onto Crown Street. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew wanted to go to the toilet. We had a walk we set off onto Crown Street. We turned right onto Granville Square. We turned right onto High Street. We went into B&M and we brought a bottle of Coke and a few chocolate bars. Once we had finished we went out of the shop. We turned left onto the A520 and back to the Crown Street. We walked back to the other end of the bus station and we met up with mum and her friend at the car. We got in the car and mum was waiting with sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of the car park onto Crown Street and we stopped at the main stop in Stone. We ran North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the Northbound A34. We ran Morth through Meaford and Tittensor and up into Trentham. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we past the City General hospital before going into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road and past the bus station. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A52 and we veered left onto Shelton New Road. We joined the Southbound A500 and we ran through Shelton and Stoke. We came off the A500 and we turned left onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road, We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his roon to watch TV and chill out. Matthew went up to his room to use his computer and watch buses. For tea Matthew had a chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke. Once Matthew had finished his breakfast he chilled out in his room until it was time to go to the day centre. We saw First Potteries 63101 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63101 in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was First Potteries 65041 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65041 in Fenton

whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw ABC Supreme VU63 LGL.

ABC Supreme VU63 LGL in Fenton

Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. When it was time to go to uncle Dave's we went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and at the end we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We went across the spare ground onto Willowdale Avenue and onto Whieldon Road and into uncle Dave's. Later on he had a few digestive biscuits and and some Irn Bru. Uncle Dave now has a biscuit tin. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. Uncle Dave also did his DJ set. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back home. We set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned onto Willowdale Avenue. We crossed the spare ground and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street past the new building under construction, which is now getting near to completion. We continued back to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.