Trip to Hanley / Uttoxeter 09-04-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63034	Fenton, adj Royal Oak	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
69170	Hanley BS	Longton, Market Street	6	First Potteries
65039	Longton, Market Street	Blythe Bridge, Old Bill's Garage	6A	First Potteries
37157	Upper Tean, Post Office	Uttoxeter BS	KF	First Potteries
736	Uttoxeter BS	Derby BS	Swift	Trent Barton
748	Derby BS	Ripley, Market Place	Comet	Trent Barton
257	Ripley, High Street	Derby, Derwent Street	9.3	Trent Barton

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to we decided to re-visit Uttoxeter and Derby. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw Temple Street church minibus RX18 GZW. We carried on along Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We waited for a bus towards Hanley. After a short wait we saw First Potteries 63034 on a #23 to Hanley

First Potteries 63034 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road. and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station and we turned right onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street before we turned right onto John Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up Lichfield Street. We continued onto Tontine Street to Halifax and we used the cash machine. We visited Primark and afterwards we went to the Card Factory. After we had finished we walked across Tontine Square towards TK Maxx. We cam out of the bottom of TK Maxx onto Stafford Street and we walked down Piccadilly. We veered right onto Stafford Street and and we went to cafe. For dinner Matthew had a beef burger washed down with a bottle of Coke. Highlights of the bus sighting included First Potteries 63112 on a #3 to Crewe. Matthew used the toilet. After we had finished We carried on towards Debenhams and we saw First Potteries 67648 on a #8 to Ball Green. We headed into Debenhams and we came out though the Intu Potteries shopping centre. Matthew visited a shop that sold luxury sweets. Once we had finished in the shopping centre we went outside and onto Tontine Square past the HSBC bank onto Piccadilly. We walked down into Broad Street. We visited Tesco and Matthew brought egg sandwiches and a bottle of orange Fanta. Once we had finished in Tesco we cut through onto Broad Street and we walked down to Albion Street and back on to Lichfield Street and we went into the bus station. A short time later we saw First Potteries 69170 on a #6 to Coalville.

First Potteries 69170 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we put the First Network Day ticket under the scanner sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road. City Road and we continued forwards onto King Street. We passed through Foley. We ran forwards into Longton and under the railway line into Longton town centre. The bus stopped on Market Street and we got up and got off the bus. Afterwards we waited for the next bus to Normacot. where we saw Autocabs SY67 WLC. After a short while we saw First Potteries 65039 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge. We got on the bus and we booked to Normacot before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off up Market Street and then we continued onto Uttoxeter Road. We ran through Normacot and then we joined the A50. We ran fast up to Meir and then we came off the A50 onto Broadway. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A520 and we headed up the hill to Rough Close and we turned left onto Grindley Lane. We turned left onto Whitestone Road and then left onto Lysander Road. We ran around the Meir Park and we crossed over the A50 onto the A521. We ran into Blythe Bridge and we crossed over the railway line. We continued into the town centre and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off on foot towards foot onto the A521 and and down the hill to Draycott and Tean down the A522 and Matthew went to the public and used the toilet. We returned onto the A522 we waited for a Kingfisher towards Uttoxetter. The bus appeared and it was First Potteries 37160 on a Kingfisher service to Uttoxeter. We got on the bus and we put the First Network Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of tean and we ran Eastwards along the A522 through Checkley We crossed over the A50 and we ran the last mile or so into town past the biscuit factory. In the centre of town we followed the A522 to the left and we turned into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once in Uttoxeter we waited for a Swift service to Derby. A short time kater Trent Barton 736 appeared on a Swift service to Derby. We got on the bus and we booked our a Zig-Zag duo ticket at £11 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town and past the bakery before forking right and crossing the A50 by MacDonalds. We headed out of town towards Rocester and we turned into town. We came out of the other side of Rocester and then we headed into the B5030. We turned right onto Ashbourne Road. We turned right onto the B5030. We turned left onto the B5031. We turned left onto College Road. We turned right onto Alton Road. We turned right onto Alton Road. We turned right onto the B5032. We ran up the hill and into Quixhill. We ran up the hill and into Ellastone. We ran up the hill and into Mayfield. We turned right onto the A52. We ran Northwards up the A515 through Ashbourne. We turned left onto the A515. we turned left into King Edward Street. we turned left into Station Road. We turned left onto the A515. We turned right onto Derby Road. We turned right onto Springfield Ave. We turned right onto Old Derby Road. We turned left onto Wyaston Road. We turned left onto Willow Meadow Road. We turned right onto Old Derby Road. We turned right onto Derby Road. We turned left onto the A52. we ran into Commonside. We turned into Brailsford Green. We turned into Kirk Langley. We turned into Markeaton. We turned onto the A52. As we went along Friar Gate. We ran up the hill and into Derby. We turned left into Cheapside. We turned left into Bold Lane. We continued onto Jury Street and forwards onto Cathedral Road. We crossed over onto Full Street. We turned the roundabout into Morledge and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We had a look around the bus station and we saw Trent Barton 842 on layover. We whilst we decided what to do. We saw Trent Barton 840 on a #6.1 to Bakewell. A short while later we saw Arriva Midlands 3560 on a #26 to Oakwood. We headed into the bus station and Matthew went to the toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walked to the far end of the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw required Trent Barton 748 on a Comet to Chesterfield. We decided to do this up to Ripley. Whilst we waited for the bus to b readied for service, we saw Arriva Midlands 4403 on a #38 to Sinfin. We got on the bus and we booked a Zig-Zag Duo ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the A601 and we came off onto Derwent Street. We went onto Stuart Street and under the A601 along Pheonix Street onto Mansfield Road. We ran forwards onto Alfreton Road after crossing the railway we joined the Northbound A61. At the next roundabout we joined the Northbound A38 and we ran fast up the dual carriage for a few miles. We came off the A38 and we continued Northwards B6179 into Kilburn. We continued Northwards for another 3 miles or so into Ripley. When we got to the town centre we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Trent Barton 161 on the #1 to Nottingham. Matthew wanted the toilet again so we went to The Thorntree. After Matthew had used the toilet he had a swift half of Coke. We went outside and we just missed the nines service back to Derby. We walked back to the stop and a few minutes later we saw a bus appraoching. As we got closer we saw that it was required Trent Barton 849 on a #9.3 to Derby. We got on the bus and we flashed the Zig-zag group ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the High Street and we ran down the B6179 to Kliburn. We got onto the A38 and we ran fast to the edge of Derby. We ran forwards onto the A61 and at the next roundabout we turned right onto Alfreton Road. We ran forwards onto Mansfield Road and we crossed under the A601 onto Pheonix Street. We turned right onto Derwent Street and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over Derwent street and we walked back to the bus station alongside the river. Once in the bus station we decided that we would have time for one quick out and back before the parking ticket ran out. We knew that we saw required Kinchbus 151 on the Skylink service to Leicester. We crossed the road to head back to the car park. We met mum at the bottom of the stairs and we went to the second floor to pay the car parking. We continued in the lift the the 4th floor and we got into the car. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Fanta orange. We set off out of the car park and onto the inner ring Road. We wen Southwards down the A6 over the site of the old railway works and near to Derby County's new ground. We got onto the outer ring road and we went clockwise around to the A38. We travelled along the A38 for a short while and we got onto the Southbound A516. We ran out of town and we joined the Westbound A50. Travelling back along the A50. We continued Westwards near to Uttoxeter. We stopped at the McDonalds. Matthew ate burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. When I had finished eating we continued towards home. We set off onto the B5030 and turned right onto the Westbound and Blythe Bridge and we came off the A50 and Longton an we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road. We ran through Heron Cross onto Heron Street and we followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left onto Christchurch street and left again onto Masterson Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room and chilled out on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Derby / Smalley Cross 21-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
257	Derby BS	Oakwood, Adj Smalley Drive	11	Notts & Derby
454	Oakwood, Opp Smalley Drive	Derby BS	11	Notts & Derby
767	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	D1	Notts & Derby
792	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	D1	Notts & Derby
264	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	D1	Notts & Derby
264	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	D1	Notts & Derby
600	Derby BS	Smalley Cross, Rose & Crown	59	Notts & Derby
766	Smalley Cross, Rose & Crown	Derby BS	59	Notts & Derby

Today we decided to re-visit Derby. We had received a tip-off from one of our Flickr/Facebook friends telling us that this Saturday was going to be an unofficial running day for the last remaining Optare Excels in the Notts & Derby. Our previous visit to Derby was for the Notts & Derby Olympians running day which had been well publicised. We couldn't find anything on the web regarding this running day, so we decided to take a chance that it was true and visit Derby regardless. The night before I had received a message stating that required Notts & Derby 257 was going to be on the #11 service to Ilkeston, dud Notts & Derby 258 was going to be on the #73 to Weston-on-Trent and required Notts & Derby 264 was going to be on the D1 Meteor Retail Park service. Research for the trip consisted of downloading and e-mailing myself the relevant 3 timetables. I for to check the weather, which turned out to be overcast and bitterly cold! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast an orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We drove through Dresden up to Longton and we took the Westbound A50 to the next roundabout and we turned right into Baths Road. We filled up with petrol at Tesco and then we went Eastwards along the A50. As we travelled up towards Meir tunnel we passed D&G 139 on 'The Orange ONE' service to Newcastle. We passed the Copeland's Tours depot and we saw orange coach MIB 118 parked up there. We continued East and we saw Copeland's Tours coach MIB 246 parked up in a lay-by with a L plate on the back. Travelling East along the A50 we saw Linburg IIG 7743, a Blue coach (possibly Jones) reg like ?14 JPC & Midlands Classic 21(#401). We came off the A50 at the A511 and we travelled down to Hatton. We stopped at the Salt Box Cafe where Matthew used the toilet. After using the facilities Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we were there we saw Trent Barton 659 (V1), Midlands Classic 76 (#401) and a green and cream Derby Corporation half cab double decker 27. When we had finished eating we got back into the car and we ran up to Derby along the A516 and onto the A38. We ran into town along Ashbourne Road and we went around the inner ring road, turning right onto The Cock Pitt. We entered the Riverside car park and we parked up. We crossed over Morledge inside the car park and then we went down the lift down to level 2. WE said goodbye to mum and we went down the steps onto the street below. We walked under the car park bridge and we saw Arriva Midlands 2517 on a #7 from Sinfin.

Arriva Midlands 2517 in Derby bus station

We hadn't seen any of the 3 Notts & Derby buses yet, but there was plenty of interesting buses around. Derby County where playing at home and there were buses of supporters past every few minutes... Most of the buses were older high floor vehicles. We saw Hawkes Coaches Volvo single decker R978 XVM heading South towards Pride Park. We crossed over Morledge and we stood on the corner by the bus station whilst we waited for one of the buses appear. Whilst we waited we saw Trent Barton coach 88 on the Red Arrow express service to Nottingham.

Trent Barton 88 in Derby bus station

A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton 87 on another Red Arrow express service to Nottingham.

Trent Barton 87 in Derby bus station

Outside of the bus station we saw Notts+Derby double decker 34 on a shuttle service to Pride Park.

Notts+Derby 34 in Derby bus station

Traffic in and around the bus station was running slow due to it being a matchday. A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton 687, branded for the Sixes services towards Belper.

Trent Barton 687 in Derby bus station

This was followed by Arriva Midlands 4400 which had just arrived on a #38 service from Sinfin.

Arriva Midlands 4400 in Derby bus station

This was followed by Arriva Midlands double decker 4217 on a #1 from Alvaston.

Arriva Midlands 4217 in Derby bus station

A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton 257 arrive into the bus station. It didn't some straight on stand it went on layover. We went and stood at the correct stand for the #11 service and a minute or so later a Solo arrived with #11. It emptied out and then disappeared again. Whilst we stood waiting for a bus to appear we saw dud Trent Barton 258 come in on the #73 service. A few minutes later to our relief we saw Trent Barton 257 come onto the stand.

Notts+Derby 257 in Derby bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased Notts & Derby Enthusiasts Day tickets for £6 each. We were first on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 257 before we sat down.

Inside Notts+Derby 257

We set off out of the bus station, passing Hawkes Coaches R557 LGH on a football service. We continued onto the anti-clockwise ring road where we were passed by Harpurs Coaches P403 MDT. We then came off and under the ring road onto Eastgate. At the roundabout we came off onto Nottingham Road and we ran Eastwards out of town traffic was slow due to it being a match day and we crawled out of town until we got to Chaddeston Lane where we turned left. As we travelled North we passed Harpurs double decker X423 PFE on a #23 Football service. We turned left onto Morley Road and we ran North for around 1 1/2 miles. The #11 service is a 1 hour 45 minute round trip, and an hourly service. If we wanted to get in more than 4 or 5 buses, we had to get off somewhere and catch the other bus on the route or be out of town for a further hour. We had planned to go to Stanley, but the late running due to football traffic meant we had to get off earlier than we planned. As we went up Morley road we spotted two bus tops opposite to each other in Oakwood, so we decided to get up and get off the bus. The bus continued North up to Derby Road and neither of us managed to get a decent picture! We crossed the road and we stood at the stop on a narrow pavement next to a fast road. We didn't have to wait to long before we saw a bus approaching... Disappointingly at was Notts & Derby Solo 454 on the #11 to Derby.

Notts+Derby 454 in Oakwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver. Matthew tried to beep the horn and we had to wrestle him away from the cab before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We travelled South for around a mile and a half and we continued onto Chaddesden Lane. At the end we turned right onto Nottingham Road and we ran into town. We crossed the Pentagon roundabout and we went under the ring road onto Exeter Street and we saw required Notts and derby 264 on the D1 service go past on Derwent Street. The bus emptied out in front of us and we encourage Matthew to take a picture inside Notts & Derby 454 at this point.

Inside Notts+Derby 454

We turned left into Corporation Street and forwards onto Morledge before we turned left into the bus station. We tried to get Matthew off the bus without him honking the horn, but despite two of us wrestling with he managed to do it :( Adjacent to the Solo that we had just got off was national Express liveried Edwards Coaches BX16 CHY on a #321 to Bradford.

Edwards BX16 CHY in Derby bus station

We decided to take a few pictures before visiting the toilet and then walking over to Derwent Street to get in the last required Optare Excel on the D1 service. We had a clear view of the Hawkes coaches double decker R557 LGH which was on layover, so we went up the side of the bus station to get a picture. As we got there Hawkes Coaches single decker R978 XVM pulled up in front of it.

Hawkes Coaches R978 XVM in Derby bus station

We walked back into the bus station and we saw Chalfonts BK14 LEF on a #230 to Gatwick Airport

Chalfonts BK14 LEF in Derby bus station

We went inside the bus station and Matthew used the toilet before we left the bus station out of the East exit and we walked along the River Derwent to Derwent Street. When we energed onto the street we crossed the road and we saw Trent Barton 163 on layover in between services on the Nines.

Trent Barton 163 in Derby

We waited at the stop outside the registry office for the next D1 service. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was required Notts & Derby 767 on the D1 to the Meteor Retail Park.

Notts+Derby 767 in Derby

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Derwent Street and we turned left onto Stuart Street. We went under the ring road and then we joined Mansfield Road going Northwards. Where Mansfield Road became Alfreton Road we turned right and we crossed over the railway line. Just to the South we could see the Linburg bus and coach garage where we could see a line of double decker buses. We joined the Northbound A608 and we went past the Rollerworld roller rink before we turned left into the Meteor Retail Park, passing Notts & Derby 792 which was on the other D1 turn. It appeared that Notts & Derby 264 had been taken off the D1's :( At the first roundabout we did a u-turn so that the bus was facing the right way to return into town. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 767.

Inside Notts+Derby 767

Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Notts & Derby 767 before it returned into town.

Notts+Derby 767 in Meteor Retail Park

We let the bus go as they were every 10 minutes and we required Notts & Derby 792 anyway. Whilst we waited for the bus to appear Matthew shared a somewhat battered double Milky may with me and uncle Dave. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and as expected it was Notts & Derby 792.

Notts+Derby 792 in Meteor Retail Park

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver. This bus was out of a different batch off Plaxton Centro's acquired form elsewhere, as such it was very different inside compared to our last bus. Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 792.

Inside Notts+Derby 792

We set off out of the retail park and onto the Southbound A608. We joined Mansfield Road and we crossed the railway line before we followed the road to the left and into the town under the ring road on Pheonix Street. We turned right onto Derwent Street and as we crossed over the river we spotted required Notts & Derby 264 about to work the next D1 service. The bus must have gone with the driver back to the depot for a meal break and had promptly returned for the second part of the shift :) The bus stop at a set down only stop opposite to the Optare Excel so we quickly crossed over the road and Matthew got a picture of Notts & Derby 264 before we jumped on it.

Notts+Derby 264 in Derby

We flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus that we had just got off was now displaying X17 and it went around the corner towards the bus station. We set off as we had done before up Derwent Street and left into Stuart Street. We continued as we had done on the previous run on Pheonix Street, Mansfield Road the A608 and into the retail park before we did a u-turn at the first roundabout ready to return back to Derby. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 264.

Inside Notts+Derby 264

We got off the bus and we made a decision to do the bus straight back to Derby, as we had been on the other bus on the route and the withdrawal of this bus from service was imminent. We took another picture of Notts & Derby 264 whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service of the return trip.

Notts+Derby 264 in Meteor Retail Park

We got back on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. A couple of minutes later we returned back to town via the A608, Mansfield Road, Pheonix Street and onto Derwent Street. This time the bus did a u-turn outside the Derby Assembly Rooms and onto the Derwent Street C7 stop. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Notts & Derby 264 before we headed back to the bus station.

Notts+Derby 264 in Derby

We crossed over Derwent street and we walked back to the bus station alongside the river. Once in the bus station we decided that we would have time for one quick out and back before the parking ticket ran out. We knew that we didn't have time to do dud Notts & Derby 258 on the #73 as we would only get one bus in and it would not be a required one and we would be late! We looked at the display and we saw that there were two Notts & Derby service at 16:30. One was a X17 Borrowash express service and the other was a #59 to Ilkeston via Breadsall & Brackley Gate. Both buses were on adjacent stands 2 & 3. We had around 15 minutes to wait for these buses,so we went outside of the bus station to the corner of Morledge to take a few pictures whilst we waited. It was starting to go dark and it was very cold, so we didn't stay here too long. We did see Arriva Midlands white single decker YJ58 FFD on a #7 to Sinfin.

Arriva Midlands YJ58 FFD in Derby bus station

We had seen required Notts & Derby 600 on layover and it was displaying 59 so we assumed that this was going to one of the two buses. We went into the bus station and we dcided there was just time for Matthew to visit the toilet before the buses were due on stand. There was only just time, as we had to wait for the toilet to become vacant! We walked back to the stands and we saw required Notts & Derby 765 on the X17. We then saw Notts & Derby 600 pull up on stand as we expected.

Notts+Derby 600 in Derby bus station

We decided to do Notts & Derby 600... I think Matthew based the decision on the fact that it looked similar internaly to the First Potteries Wright Solar Eclipse buses 65727-65733! We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Morledge and we went North up to Derwent street where we turned right. The route was the same as the D1 as far as the retail park. We turned left onto Stuart Street and we crossed under the ring road on Pheonix Street and onto Mansfield Road. We crossed the railway line and we ran north up the A608 and past the retail park. It was now proper dark and we quickly went out of the city in open countryside. I had already seen that this service was hourly and had a 1hr 50 round trip time, so we had to get off somewhere and come back on the other bus on the service. The problem was that we didn't know the area and we were trying to time get on a bus coming the other way or get well and truly bowled out! I resorted to find where I wanted to get off on google maps and using this to plot our position against the time. We followed Arriva Midlands #38 branded double decker bus 4404 up Mansfield Road which was on a #24 Chaddesden circular service. We travelled about 1 1/2 miles and then we turned sharp left onto Brookside Road. We ran into Breadsall and we turned right onto Church lane and then Moor Road. We then we stormed North through the night for around 2 miles where the road turned sharp left. We continued straight onto Cloves Hill and we ran for a further 1/3 of a mile before we turned right onto Woodside to head into Smalley Cross. The bus had emptied out so I encourage Matthew to take a picture inside Notts & Derby 600.

Inside Notts+Derby 600

I could see we were getting close to the point where I wanted to get off, and when I could see streetlight I assumed correctly that we were coming to the crossroad where I wanted to get off. We stood up to get off the bus and the bus stopped at the lights on the crossroads. I asked the driver where the returns stop was and he pointed to a stop just across the road barely visible in the dark. He told us there was a bus due to pass us soon to which I replied "I know, that's why we're getting of here to go straight back!". We went forwards onto the A609 and we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Notts & Derby 600 as it disappeared into the night...

Notts+Derby 600 in Smalley Cross

We waited for a gap in the traffic and we crossed over the road. We looked up and we saw the bus approaching a few hundred yards up the road! We made it with around a minute to spare! As it got closer we saw that it was required Notts & Derby 766.

Notts+Derby 766 in Smalley Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the N&D Enthusiasts Day Ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards along the A609 and we crossed over the crossroads onto Woodside. It was properly dark as we travelled back via Brackley gate, Breadsall and down the A608. As we passed the Meteor Retail park we saw Notts & Derby 264 waiting to work the D1 back into town. It was probably going to be the last time we saw a Notts & Derby Optare Excel working a bus service. We continued back into twon along Mansfield Road, Pheonix Street and Derwent Street and we turned right into Morledge. We entered the bus station and as the bus was now going onto the #73 we went right the way down to the bottom end of the bus station onto the outdoor coach stands! The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Notts & Derby 766 before we got off it.

Inside Notts+Derby 766

We met up with mum and we went into the shop in the bus station. This has to be probably one of the biggest bus station shops in the country where you could probably buy everything to make a 3 course dinner,albeit at a premium price before you caught your bus home! Matthew brought a couple of cans of Coke and some chocolate bars before returned onto Morledge towards the car park. on the way was saw required Trent Barton 911 on a Skylink service.

Trent Barton 911 in Derby bus station

We got in the lift up to floor 2 and we validate the parking ticket before we got back into the lift to go up the level 4. We went out of the car park and Matthew very helpfully put the ticket in the machine so that we could leave the car park. We came out of the car park and i turned in the wrong direction onto ring road. We then ended up going East along the A52 towards Nottingham. We spotted a sign for the A6 so we took that down to the A50. We then travelled 35 odd mile West along the A500, passing close to Uttoxeter and Blythe Bridge. We came off the A50 a Longton so that we could check out what was on Z Carz this evening. In the first row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

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

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Next to the Vauxhall was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Closest vehicle in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV. We turned left into willow Row to see what was parked in the compound. In the yard we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We also saw Z Carz new Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY. We turned around and we got back onto the Westbound A50 which we did as far as Heron Cross. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just after 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a slice of lemon meringue pie. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Uttoxeter 24-12-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3714	Uttoxeter BS	Sudbury, adj Portway Head	1	Arriva Midlands
3615	Sudbury, opp Portway Head	Uttoxeter BS	X50	Wardle Transport
2622	Uttoxeter BS	The Wharf, nr The Fire Station	841	Arriva Midlands
3709	Uttoxeter BS	The Wharf, nr The Fire Station	4	Arriva Midlands
736	Uttoxeter BS	Denstone, adj Hawthorn Close	Swift	Trent Barton
738	Denstone, opp Hawthorn Close	Uttoxeter BS	Swift	Trent Barton
3714	Uttoxeter BS	Sudbury, adj Portway Head	1	Arriva Midlands
4808	Sudbury, opp Portway Head	Fenton, adj Travers Court	X50	Wardle Transport

Today we decided to re-visited Uttoxeter. Usually when we went to Uttoxeter we would go on a Wednesday so we could travel on the Wednesdays only #184 to Weston Coyney operated by Phil Smiths Travel. This bus is now operated by JST International and only runs as far as Cheadle. It is a Tuesday, so we had the chance to do some different buses than we usually cover. Research for today consisted of checking the weather for the trip (cold and sunny), and to have a quick look at some of our previous visits to Uttoxeter on the Blog. Matthew got up around 09:30 today and had some toast and blackcurrant juice for breakfast. Later in the morning he had a Fudge flavoured yoghurt. We set off from home around 12:15 heading out onto the A5035 towards Longton. At Z Carz was M534 RSO which still has missing panels on the nearside of the coach. We turned onto the East bound A50 which we did to the outskirts of Uttoxeter. We did the last mile or so into Uttoxeter along the A522 before parking up behind the bus station. We went to the cafe in the arcade behind the bus station. He visited the toilet and then had a brunch with bread and butter washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we headed into the bus station to see what was working. It was around 13:20 and there was a bit of a gap in the service. Bakerbus 254 Arrived on the #428 from Lichfield before going onto the #402 to Burton.

Bakerbus 254 in Uttoxeter bus station

This was the first time we had seen this service since it went over to Bakerbus operation in August. We didn't have to wait long before another couple of buses arrived into the bus station. Arriva Midlands 3708 came in on the #4 town circular service and then Arriva Midlands 3714 arrived on the #1 to Burton.

Arriva Midlands 3714 in Uttoxeter bus station

We decided to do the #1 up too Sudbury for an X50 back. We got on the bus and sat down near then back. Matthew took a picture of the seats behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3714

At 13:35 the bus set off out of town and onto the A50. We then headed up the hill and then into Doveridge. This was the first time we had done a long bus on this service. Previous trip on this service have been on Darts and double deckers. It was quite interesting seeing a bus of this length turn into Bell Lane. The bus carried on towards Sudbury and just after the junction for the A515/A50 we got off the bus and crossed over for the return service. We only had around 5 minutes to wait and then we saw the bus round the corner. It was dud Wardle Transport 3615.

Wardle Transport 3615 in Sudbury

We got on the bus and it was nearly empty, so Matthew took a picture inside the bus when we got on.

Inside Wardle Transport 3615

We sat down near the back of the bus. The bus set off and joined onto the A50 before heading into Uttoxeter. When we got into the bus station we saw another bus arrive. It was required Arriva Midlands 2622. It went on layover for a short while and it was going to do the next #841 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 2622 in Uttoxeter bus station

When it was time for the bus to leave it came on stand. I wasn't sure which route the bus was going to take out of town and whether we could catch it or not. It turned out the bus left town towards the bakery so we decided to catch the bus bus a few stops out of town. We got on and Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2622

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. When we got to the bakery we got off. We were trying to use the Firstbus bus app to see if there was a bus due back into town. As we were looking at the phone we saw Wardle Transport 4808 on the X50 to Derby! We walked back into the bus station and we stopped at The Smithfield to say hello to someone. Matthew used the toilet and then we saw Arriva Midlands 3708 arrive. It was coming off the town service and going onto the #1 to Burton. The #1 from Burton came in and it was required Arriva Midlands 3709. This was now going onto the #4 town circular.

Arriva Midlands 3709 in Uttoxeter bus station

We decided to do this out of town to the bakery again. This would give us a chance to do the Trent Barton Swift service later. We got on and sat down near the back. Matthew got a picture of the empty seats behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3709

The bus set off out of town and we got off by the bakery again. We thought about catching the Swift back into town as the logos are on the inbound stops, but luckily as will be seen later we decided to walk back. We turned the corner into the bus station and we were surprised to see the Swift bus already in the bus station. Matthew took a picture of the bus before we walked into the bus station up to the bus.

Trent Barton 736 in Uttoxeter bus station

The bus wasn't quite ready for service. Whilst we were waiting for the driver, we saw First Potteries 65003 on the #32A to Hanley.

First Potteries 65003 in Uttoxeter bus station

When the bus had been readied for service we got on and Matthew took a picture inside the bus towards the rear and we sat down.

Inside Trent Barton 736

The bus set off out of town and past the bakery before forking right and crossing the A50 by MacDonalds. We headed out of town towards Rocester and we turned into town. due to roadworks there was a section of the route that was now one way. I wondered if this would have a bearing on the return service and it did. A lady tried to get on the bus trying to go to Uttoxeter and she had to wait for the other service to come the same way down the road. We came out of the other side of Rocester and then we headed into Denstone. I saw a place where there was a shelter on the opposite side of the road so we got off there. We crossed the road to wait for the return service. The bus appeared roughly on time at 15:10 and it was required Trent Barton 738.

Trent Barton 738 in Denstone

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. Due to the roadwork the bus went past Rocester along the main road and then headed in Rocester from the other end. The lady that tried to get on the bus earlier now got on the correct bus and we did a lap around Rocester before heading into Uttoxeter. The reason we didn't see the Swift coming into Uttoxeter earlier is that the route into town takes in the retail park stopping outside Tesco. After calling at Tesco the bus headed into town and into the bus station. Before we got off Matthew took a picture inside Trent Barton 738.

Inside Trent Barton 738

Opposite us was Bakerbus 257, which was on layover before working the #402.

Bakerbus 257 in Uttoxeter bus station

Matthew got another picture of Trent Barton 738, with Arriva Midlands 3714 sneaking into shot behind it.

Trent Barton 738 in Uttoxeter bus station

There was just time to go to the toilet before getting another picture of Arriva Midlands 3714 which was bout to work the next #1 to Burton.

Arriva Midlands 3714 in Uttoxeter bus station

Matthew was a little unsure about doing this bus, but it was the best way to get for Wardle Transport 4808 on the X50 without waiting in the cold! We set off out of town and through Doveridge. There seemed to be some kind of walk going on which caused us a slight delay. We got to the same point as earlier on the road to Sudbury and we got off the bus. We crossed the road to wait for the X50. I called mum to tell her our plans and how long the bus would take. The bus turned up and as expected it was dud Wardle Transport 4808.

Wardle Transport 4808 in Sudbury

We got on and went upstairs. When we got past the only other person on the top deck Matthew took a picture inside Wardle Transport 4808.

Inside Wardle Transport 4808

We sat down and the bus set off. We joined the A50 and we headed into Uttoxeter and then the bus station. Bakerbus 254 and Arriva Midlands 3709 were both on layerover in the bus station and I took pictures out of the window of the bus. When it was time the bus set off on it's journey towards Stoke-on-Trent. The bus did the A522 through Checkley and into Tean. We had another short pause here before carrying on through Draycott and into Blythe Bridge. We crossed the railway line and then headed over the A50 into Meir Heath. We went out towards Rough Close and then back into Meir along the A520. On the A50 we passed Wardle Transport 2204 on the X51 to Cheadle. This was the first time we had done this service since the route had been revised to take in Longton. We came off the A50 at the East end of Longton before heading down The Strand. As we travelled down The Strand we could see that most of the shops had shut early. The bus went past the bus station before we got back onto the A50. The bus came off the A50 at Heron cross and we did the A50 link road to city road. When we got to Travers Court we got off the bus. Mum had been to drop off a few Christmas presents and was a couple of minutes late picking us up. We were able to see First Potteries 40003/40373 and 42727 on the #23 service. mum picked us up and we headed into Heron Cross via Smithpool Road and Grove Road. We dropped off a few more presents before continuing through Blurton onto the A5035. We did the A5035 to Trenthan and then we did the Northbound A34 up to Trent Vale. We picked up a MacDonalds meal for Matthew before we headed home back down the A34 and A5035. We got home around 18:00. Matthew ate his chicken nugget meal and plain cheesburger washed down with a Coke. We then chilled out watching Christmas Eve televsion and writing the Blog. Matthew chilled out on his computer and is expected to got to bed around 00:00...Mark