Trip to Hanley / Stafford 09-08-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67155	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
35689	Hanley BS	Stafford, Station Road	101	First Potteries
3771	Stafford, Station Road	Stafford, Castle Church	5A	Arriva Midlands
3311	Stafford, Castle Church	Stafford, Kingsway	5A	Arriva Midlands
35684	Stafford, Station Road	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
67147	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had his medication and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went out he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the Stafford. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Newcastle. At the Afford garage we saw Afford rent-a-car CK25 VLM parked up.

Afford rent-a-car CK25 VLM in Fenton

We waited for a bus to Hanley. A short time later we saw a bus turn around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we joined the A52 and ran under the railway line. After crossing over the A500 we ran into Stoke town centre along Church Street. We turned right onto Shelton Old Road. We ran forwards onto Stoke Road. We ran under the railway line and up through Shelton. We ran up Broad Street and we turned right onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street. We climbed the hill and up into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. We waited for a bus to Stafford. We waited for a short while and we saw First Potteries 63113 on a #4 to Newcastle. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35689 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 35689 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Trentham. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 35689.

Inside First Potteries 35689

We went upstairs and the top deck was empty too, so Matthew took another picture inside of First Potteries 35689 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 35689

We set off through the bus station. and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned right onto Shelton New Road. We ran down through Etruria an up into Hartshill before joining the A52. We ran into Newcastle down George Street. We joined the one way system and we turned left on the roundabout onto Barracks Road. As we got to 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 past the roundabout where the new KFC has been built. 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 Scottish Borders Council minibus LJ14 BVA. 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. We crossed the roundabout onto Tenterbanks and we turned right onto Victoria Road. We turned left onto Station Road and we got up and got off the bus. We continued to the railway station and and Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet. We waited for a bus to the Stafford Castle. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3771 on a #5 to Telford. We got on the bus and we booked to the Castle before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Station Road and at the end we turned left onto the A518. We got up and got off the bus. We crossed over A518 and we cut through to the Stafford Castle. We visited The visitors centre and Matthew needed to toilet. Once we let the bus go we walked up the A518 and the bus stop. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3784 on a #5A to Telford. We saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva Midlands 3331 on a #5 to Stafford. We got on the bus and we booked to the Kingsway before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Northwards up the A518 and we approached the main junction we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked into the pub on the corner and Matthew went to the toilet and I went to the bar to order drinks. Mathew had a glass of Coke and we sat down in the main seating area. When we had finished we went outside and we crossed over the A518 and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road and we waited for a bus to Hanley. We waited for a bus back to Newcastle. A short time later we saw South Staffs Travel GB23 KBZ.

South Staffs Travel GB23 KBZ in Stafford

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35684 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35684 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we went upstairs we sat down. We set off along Station Road and at the end we turned left onto the A518. 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 Eastgate Street and we saw Chaserider 496 on a #841 to Hixon. 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 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 turned right onto Barracks Road and into Newcastle bus station. After a brief stop we continued towards Hanley. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A52 and when we got to Hartshill we veered left onto Shelton New Road. We ran over the railway line and canal and we went up to Snow Hill. We turned left and ran up Broad Street. We turned right onto the ring road and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up to the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew used the toilet. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67147 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67147 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off through the bus station. and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned left onto Copeland Street. We continued forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the road around onto Church Street. We crossed the A500 and we ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over city Road and we turned right Victoria Road and we continued onto Victoria Road and we stopped at McDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. We got an ABC Supreme taxi back to the residential unit. We set off up Victoria Road. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left 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. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. 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 Oakengates / Telford 12-04-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2962	Oakengates BS	Telford BS	7	Arriva Midlands
3311	Telford BS	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	4	Arriva Midlands
3312	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	Telford BS	4	Arriva Midlands
2145	Telford BS	Boseley, adj Garage	8	Arriva Midlands
2141	Boseley, opp Garage	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	8A	Arriva Midlands
3332	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	Telford BS	2	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Telford. Research consisted of looking on the Arriva Website to look at tickets and checking where we could eat and checking the weather which was for mainly dry and sunny weather. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had apple juice and toast for breakfast. We got ready and we set off to pick up uncle Dave around 11:50. We set off through Blurton and onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. 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. After picking up uncle Dave we continued down Wheildon Road and under the railway line. We crossed over the canal and we joined the Northbound A500. we turned right onto City Road and back onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Hanford to the end of the A500. We turned left onto the A519 and we passed Longmile Coach 800 XPG coming the other way. We continued Southwards through Eccleshall and we ran down to the A41 Newport bypass. We joined the Southbound A518. We turned left onto the A4640 and we headed inti Oakengates. We park up in the the centre of town and we walked onto New Street and we turned left onto Market Street. We were looking for a cafe called the outpost. The map said it was behind market Street so we walked down a passageway. The cafe turned out to be on the 1st floor of a council building. We enetered the building and we went upstairs. Matthew went to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast with an extra sausage washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we wend out of the building and directly back to the car to pick up the trip bag. We said goodbye to mum and we walked back past the theatre and through to shopping arcade back to the bus station. We went to check out the toilets and they looked closed down. The disabled toilet still looked to be open so we used the key and we were surprised to see that this was being used as some kind of store room. We walked back to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Telford. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3330 on a #4 to Leegomary.

Arriva Midlands 3330 in Oakengates bus station

A few seconds later we saw a suitable bus approaching. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 2962 on a #7 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2962 in Oakengates bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Shropshire and telford Duo Day Saver tickets at £15 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran down Uxacona Way and by the railway station we turned left onto station Road. We crossed over the A442 and we ran East along the B5061 until we got to the A5. We went South over the M54 and we headed to Telford railway station. There we nobody there to get on or off the bus so we came straight back out and onto the roundabout. We crossed over the A442 and onto Hollinsgate before going forwards onto Grange Central. We turned right onto Northfield street and we ran into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we did a lap of the bus station and took a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 3323 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3323 in Telford bus station

We headed into the shopping centre and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we returned to the bus station and we had a look wat we could catch. We decided to head towards Madeley. A shirt time later we saw a bus on stand. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3311 on a #4 to Madeley.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Telford bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Shropshire and telford Duo Day Saver ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Northfield Street and Near to the ice rink. We ran forwards onto St Quintins Gate and we crossed the roundabout onto Stirchley Avenue and we ran down to the A442. We ran fast for 2/3rd of a mile and then forwards onto the A4169. We turned onto the Southbound B4373 and then right onto Woodside Avenue. We ran around the woodside housing estate and then forwards onto Eastbound B4373. At the roundabout we went onto Mound Way and we ran to the edge of Madeley. At the next roundabout we went onto Parkway and we past an Aldi. We bypassed Madeley town centre and we came in from the other end up High Street. When we got to the top we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3311 before it carried on towards Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Madeley

Once off the bus Mattew went to the toilet block around the corner and used the toilet. We spotted a gost sign on Court Street so we went over to investigate and we headed past the former Wesleyan church which is going to be converted into flats. On the way back to the bus stops we saw Arriva Midlands 3742 on a #2 Sutton Hill circular.

Arriva Midlands 3742 in Madeley

We went back to the bus stop by the toilet block. We considered catching the 100 service, but we saw it go up the High Street and miss the stop for some reason, It was Chaserider 6501 on the #100 to Wellington. We then waited for the #1 which for some reason also didn't turn up. We decied to go around the corner and catch the next #4 as we had been in Madeley for almost an hour. We went around the corner and a few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3312 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3312 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Mound Way. At the roundabout we went West along the B4373 before turning ritgh into Woodside Avenue. We ran around the Woodside estate before turning left onto the Northbound B4373. We ran up the the big roundabout and we turned right onto the A4169. We ran forwards onto the A442 and at the next junction we came off onto Stirchley Avenue. At the next roundabout we ran forwards onto St Quentins Gate and then forwards agin onto Northfield Street and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we got off the bus. We had a look around the bus station and we headed down to the bottom end. We saw Arriva Midlands 2145 awaiting time to work a #8 to Bridgnorth.

Arriva Midlands 2145 in Telford bus station

We had a walk around but it seem Matthew wanted to do the Bridgnorth service so we waited around for 20 odd minutes. Whilst we waited for the bus sto be readied for service, we saw Banga Travel YD63 UZY on a #891 to Wolverhampton.

Banga Travel YD63 UZY in Telford bus station

When it was time for the Bridgenorth bus it was as expected Arriva Midlands 2145. We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bu station and we turned right onto Northfield Street. We turned left onto Milners Lane and left onto Cemetery Road. We continued onto Bank Road and we turned right onto Concorde. We turned left onto Station Road and Right onto Martingale Way. We turned left onto the B5072 and we headed Westwards. We ran forwards onto Peppermill and into an unsual modern housing estate. We turned left onto Glendale and we followed the road to the left and headed Southwards. We turned right into a little triangle junction on which the bus stop was situated. We turned right onto the other side of the traingle and left to rejoined Glendale. We turned left onto Smallhill Road and we ran forwards onto The Crescent. We crossed a roundabout and we ran forwards onto Dawley Road. We continued onto Heath Hill and we turned right onto the B4373. We turned right on to Station Road and we ran past the Telford Steam Railway. We continued onto Bridge Road and we headed Eastwards. We ran forwards onto Wellington Road and we continued onto Ellens Bank. We ran onto Little Flin and forwards onto Lightmoor Way. We turned left onto the A4169 and we ran fast to the edge of Madeley. We turned right onto the B4373 and we turned left onto Parkway. We turned left onto Maddocks and left onto Park Avenue. We ran forwards onto High Street and after a brief stop we turned left onto Court Street. We turned left onto Parkway and we ran to the roundabout. We turned left onto the B4373 and we ran down the hill into Ironbridge Gorge. At the bottom of the hill there was a sharp left turn. In order to do the turn tou have to go around the rouandabout once as it would be impossible to do the turn otherwise. We continued Eastwards along the B4373 and we cross over the River Severn on the modern suspension bridge. We turned left onto Lloyds Head and we ran over a form railway level crossing onto Calcutts Road. We turned left to re-join the B4373 and we ran into Boseley. As wewere unsure where the bus coming the other way was we got up and got off the bus by the garage. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2145 as it continued towards Bridgenorth.

Arriva Midlands 2145 in Boseley

Once off the bus we crossed over the road to wait for the bus back towards Madeley. Whilst we waited we saw red minibus BG57 JTO parked up. We saw our bus heading into Pound Lane. After running to the end and turning around at turned back out onto the B4373. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2141 on a #8A to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2141 in Boseley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the B4373 and we ran towards Ironbridge Gorge. We turned right onto Calcutts Road and we headed back across the former railway level crossing onto Lloyds Head. We re-joined the B4373 and we crossed over the river Severn. We headed towards Ironbridge and at the roundabout we did the sharp right turn to continued along the B4373 and out of the valley. WE ran up the hill towards Madeley and at the roundabout we turned left onto Parkway. We turned left onto Maddocks and left onto Park Avenue. We ran forwards onto High Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2141 as it continued towards Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2141 in Madeley

Once off the bus we walked along Court Street to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we headed into the bar. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat and watch the Aresenal vs Brentford match on the TV for a while. When we had finished our drink we headed back along Court Street. We saw Chaserider 6502 awaiting time on a #100 to Wellington.

Chaserider 6502 in Madeley

We decided the next bus due that we hadn't already been on was a #2 service so we waited at the appropriate stop. A short time later the bus came around the corner. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 3332 on a #2 Sutton Hill circular service,

Arriva Midlands 3332 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Park Avenue and we ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. We re-joined the Northbound B4373 and we crossed the A4169 ponto Majestic Way. At the end of the road we re-joined the Northbound B4373 before turning left onto The Old Vicarage. We turned right onto Trinity Road and we followed the road around onto Deepfield Road. We turned left onto Manor Road and right onto Webb Crescent. We crossed over Finger Road onto New Street and we continued onto King Street. We turned right onto Johnston Road and left onto Eyton Road. We turned left onto Mount Road and right onto Brunel Road. We ran to the edge of town and we turned right at the roundabout onto Malinsgate and past the Severn Gorge pub. We ran onto Northfield Stre and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around and took a few pictures. We headed out onto the road and as we were approaching mum appeared in the car. We got in the car and we set off along Northfield Street. We turned left onto Grange Central and we ran forwards onto Hollingstgate. We crossed over the A442 onto the A5 and we saw Brit Coaches BU18 YMP. We turned left onto Redhill Way and we crossed the roundabout onto Donnington Wood Way. We followed the road into Muxton and we stopped at Wellington Road and into the car park. I went across the road and bought food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Irn Bru. After I had finished eating we turned right onto Wellington Road and right onto Donnington Wood Way. We turned right onto the A518 and we headed towards Newport. At the edge of town we turned left onto the A41 on the Newport bypass. After a couple of junctions we turned right onto the A519. We headed through Forton and Woodseaves and into Eccleshall. We continued along the A519 through Cotes Heath and Beech. We reached Hanchurch and we joined the Northboud A500. We ran through Hanford and into Stoke and we turned right onto City Road. We headed back South on the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road past the old Board Products factory which is being converted into a new soft play place. We stopped at uncle Dave's so that Mattew could use the toilet and update uncle Dave's calendar with today's trip. He also had some of uncle Rod's Fanra orange. When we had finished we got in the car and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. 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 Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton just after 20:00. Matthew had his medication and afterwards 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. Matthew got ready for bed. Later on Matthew had a french fancy and a can of Irn Bru. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark