Trip to Newcastle / Scratby 04-09-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63179	Fenton	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
35946	Newcastle BS	Keele, Darwin Building	25	First Potteries
35945	Keele, Darwin Building	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
6003	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	9	D&G Bus
67152	Hanley BS	Fenton, opp Albert Square	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going on holiday, but first he was going out on the bus. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up and had crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew sepnt some time in his room watching buses out of the window. Later on we wset off on foot to the bus stop. We went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. We walked to the stop and whilst we waited for the bus we saw Rapid Travel CA11 NAD heading towards Stoke.

Rapid Travel CA11 NAD in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63179 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63179 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting 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 past the former pub which is being rebuilt as a shop. 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 went to the toilet. A short time later we saw First Potteries 35950 on a #25 to Hanley. We decided to head towards Keele. As we got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35946 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 35946 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Keele before we went upstairs and sitting down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road we turned right onto Ryecroft. We veered left onto Merrial Street and after a brief stop we ran forwards onto Church Street. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto the A525. We turned right into Orme Road and we saw St Giles And St George's academy MF68 AFJ. We continued along Orme Road before we re-joined the Westbound A525. We climbed the steep hill up to Keele and we turned left into the campus. We turned left onto University. We got up and got off the bus and we set off onto foot onto Barnes Hall Road. We saw D&G Bus 146 on a K to Chesterton.

D&G Bus 146 in Keele

We crossed the square and we visit the new KFC. Matthew visited coffee shop and had a bottle of coke and a cake. When we had finished we headed to the bus stop. We waited for a bus towards Newcastle. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35946 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35946 in Keele

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle and before we went upstairs and sitting down. We set off through the campus We turned right onto University Drive and we ran up to the entrance of the campus before turning right onto the A525. We ran down the hill and we crossed over the roundabout. We went past the scrapyards and we turned left onto Orme Road. We ran through the estate and to the end of the road. We turned left onto the A525 and at the roundabout onto the Southbound A34. We ran down two roundabout and we went left onto Barracks Road. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We waited for another bus to Hanley. A short later we saw a bus come on stand. We saw it was D&G Bus 6003 on a #9 to Biddulph. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We ran down to the A34 and we headed South to the hospital where we turned left. We saw City Centre Central minibus SD10 BMZ. We ran through the hospital grounds and out the other side onto Hilton Road. At the roundabout we went left onto Newcastle lane and we ran up the hill into the centre of Penkhull. We turned left onto St Thomas Place and forwards onto Princes Street. We past the old North Staffs Royal Infirmary which is currently being re-developed. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A52 and we ran down into Stoke. We passed through Church Street and we crossed over the A500. after running under the railway line we followed the A52 around to the left running parallel to the railway line. We then turned left onto to station Road. After stopping briefly outside the railway station we turned right onto College Road and we ran up the hill through Shelton. We continued onto Cleveland Road and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we continued along Bethesda Street before turning right onto John Street. We ran up the hill into the bus station and onto stand. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We set off onto Lichfield Street and we crossed over the ring road. We stopped at the chip shop and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of coke. When we had finished we went back to the bus station. We waited for a bus towards Fenton. A short time later we saw it was First Potteries 67152 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67152 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down onto Regent Road and forwards onto Cleveland Road. We ran down though Shelton along College Road. We turned right onto Avenue Road and left onto Stoke Road. We ran down the hill and we turned left onto Station Road and past the railway station. We turned right onto Glebe Street and under the railway line an we ran around the one-way system in Stoke and stopped by Stoke Minster. We turned left onto Church Street and we crossed the A500 and we ran under the railway line. After climbing up the hill into Fenton we turned right into Christchurch Street where we got up and got off the bus. We then walked back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. Just after 13:00 we came to pick Matthew up to take him away for the weekend. He got in the car and we set off along Temple Street and we saw SAS Travel SA68 RZZ parked up. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and right onto Wheildon Road and we stopped to pick up Uncle Dave. Matthew got out of the car and used his toilet. We all got in the car and we set off up Wheildon Road. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we turned right onto Blurton Road. We joined the A50 and we came off at Longton. We filled up with petrol and we rejoined the A50. Travelling along the A50 we saw AJS Passenger Travel KV70 RFJ / BK72 KMZ / BV54 AJS, white coach reg like CE26 AEY, a new Green Yutong double Decker (no plates, no decals) trade plate L7402, a Notts & Derby double decker reg like SF62 ??? & black minibus JGZ 6583. We ran the 35 miles or so to the motorway and we joined the Southbound M1. As we headed Southwards through Leicestershire we saw white minibus HV22 JUK, Happy Days LC25 ???, grey minibus YS64 FDF, silver minibus BD57 DKL, National Express liveried coach BF21 ???, blue and white coach YX19 ???, new school minibus SJ76 XRD, National Express West Midlands 326 on a #230 to , unidentified white coach and Ambulance minibus YJ21 GNV. At junction we left the M1 and we joined the Eastbound A14. As we travelled eastywards we saw Travelstar European TS74 TSE 777, Big Coach Company X66 BCC, Kearney's Coaches RK26 GUK and Phil Haines Coaches PC75 BUS. After around 50 miles we came off the A14 to visit Cambridge Services. We parked up and Matthew went top the toilet. Afterwards we went over to the coaches. We saw Kearney's Coaches YT24 BJY parked up there.

Kearney's Coaches YT24 BJY in Cambridge Services

Also see was Tey Tours Y25 TEY parked up.

Tey Tours Y25 TEY in Cambridge Services

At the end of the row was Kearney's Coaches RK26 GUK.

Kearney's Coaches RK26 GUK in Cambridge Services

We got back in the car and Matthew had a Cherry Coke and a banana We set off out of the services and we rejoined the A14. As we travlled Eastwards we were passed by Carriageways RO67 YAH and Al's Coaches AA69 ALS / AA16 ALS. Near to Newmarket we joined the Eastbound A11. As we travelled Eastwards we saw P&R Coaches RV16 RAJ, Ambassador BV72 XGM. We passed First Eastern Counties 36182 on a X14 to Attleborough near to Cringleford. We continued Eastwards and we saw Coach Services CS73 BUS on a #90 service. We reached the A47 and we continued Eastwards. We saw white minibus LD56 NXB / SF04 FDU and First Eastern Counties 36202 X1 to Norwich. We turned off to go into Acle but when we got to the roundabout the road was closed. We went back down the A47 for a mile and we joined the B1140 before re-joining the Eastbound A47. We saw Completely Coach Travel Y28 CCT. We joined the A1064 and almost immediaetly we saw First Eastern Counties 33812 on a X1 to Norwich. We ran through Filby and we joined the Northbound A149. When we got to Scratby we turned right onto Beach Road. We saw First Eastern Counties 37569 on a #1A and 37065 on a #1C. We followed the road around and we headed into the camp site. After picking up the keys we headed to the Caravan. We did some of the Blog and Matthew had cheese oatcakes! He also had a can of Cherry Coke. We continued with the Blog and wrote an e-mail. We chilled out in the caravan and we went to bed at 00:30... Mark.

Trip to Great Yarmouth / Hemsby 08-06-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33815	Great Yarmouth, Market Gates	Hemsby, Kingsway Shops	1A	First Eastern Counties
37065	Hemsby, Kingsway Shops	Great Yarmouth, Seashore Holiday	1C	First Eastern Counties
37068	Great Yarmouth, Seashore Holiday	Hemsby, Beach	1C	First Eastern Counties
37066	Hemsby, Beach	Great Yarmouth, Pleasure Beach	1C	First Eastern Counties
37066	Great Yarmouth, Pleasure Beach	Great Yarmouth, Marina Centre	1C	First Eastern Counties
37068	Great Yarmouth, Marina Centre	Caister, Covent Garden Road	1C	First Eastern Counties
36190	Caister, Second Avenue	Gorleston, Town Centre	8	First Eastern Counties
33819	Gorleston, Town Centre	Hopton, Station Road	X1	First Eastern Counties

Today was our second day in East Anglia. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up a little after 09:00 and had crumpets and orange juice for breakfast. We chilled out in the cararvan until around 10:30. We got into the car and we headed Northwards through Corton. We ram forwards onto the B1385 and we joined the A47. We headed North to the edge of town and we turned right onto the A1243. We crossed over the Yare and we turned right onto Hall Quay. We turned left onto Regent Street and left onto Howard Street South and we entered the car park. We parked up and we set off on foor towards the pub. We walked along Austin Row onto Market place and we turned right onto Theatre Plain. We turned left onto Regent Road and we saw Ambassador Travel BV72 XGL on a #727 to Heathrow Airport.

Ambassador Travel BV72 XGL in Great Yarmouth

We walked past the bus station and we went into the pub. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. After we had finished eating Matthew went to the toilet. We came back to the table and we said goodbye to mum and we went outside to catch a bus. We decided to head North towards the #1C route so we could have some of the open top buses out today. We planned on catching eiter a #1, #1A or a #8. Whilst we waited we saw First Eastern Counties 33810 on a X11 to Belton.

First Eastern Counties 33810 in Great Yarmouth

A short time later we saw a suitable bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Eastern Counties 33815 on a #1 to Markham. We got on the bus and we booked a Costal Hi5 Day ticket at £12 before we went upstairs and sat down. We turned ran forwards onto Temple Road and onto Priory Plain. We turned right onto Northgate Street and we headed Northwards. We continued onto Caister Road and we stopped near to the bus depot. We saw First Eastern Counties 37069 parked up outside on Staff Bus duties. We continued Northwards up Caister Road past the racecourse and Yarmouth Stadium. We continued onto Yarmouth Road and into Caister. We turned right onto Ormesby Road and turned right onto Scratby Road. We turned right onto Californis Road and left onto Rottenstone Lane. We continued onto Beach Road and we turned right to rejoin Scratby Road. We ran forwards onto Yarmouth Road and in Hemsby we turned left to continue along yarmouth Road. We turned right onto The Street and we turned left onto Kingsway. At the roundabout we turned left onto the layby in front of the shops were all buses call at. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of First Eastern Counties 33815 as it continued towards Markham.

First Eastern Counties 33815 in Hemsby

Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We came back to the stop and Matthew ate a Crunchie. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching from the Beach. It crossed the roundabout and as it got closer we saw it was First Eastern Counties 37065 on a #1C to the Pleasure Beach.

First Eastern Counties 37065 in Hemsby

We got on the bus and we placed the Costal Hi5 Day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off onto Kingsway and we headed Southwards. We ran forwards onto Yarmouth Road and onto Scratby Road. We turned left onto Beach Road and we continued onto Rottenstone Lane. We got a better view of the sea in this direction and I remember us coming here around 25 years ago when Matthew was very little. We turned right onto California Road and left to re-join Scratby Road. We turned left onto Ormesby Road and we ran into Caister. We continued onto High Street and onto Yarmouth Road. We ran down Caister Road and we turned left onto Jellicoe Road. We turned left onto North Drive and we ran to the turning circle at the end. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Eastern Counties 37065 as it continued towards the Pleasure Beach.

First Eastern Counties 37065 in Great Yarmouth

Once off the bus we had almost 30 minutes before the bus back to Hemsby. WE decided to catch the bus in that direction to get another required bus. In the meanwhile, we walkd down to the beach and had a look around. We headed back to the bus to top wait for the required bus and we saw First Eastern Counties 37069 on Staff Bus duties, enabling a driver swap on First Eastern Counties 37066 which was heading for the Pleasure Beach.

First Eastern Counties 37069 in Great Yarmouth

We waited for the next bus which should be a required one. As short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Eastern Counties 37068 as expected.

First Eastern Counties 37068 in Great Yarmouth

We got on the bus and we placed the Costal Hi5 ticket under the scanner before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off Southwards along North Drive and we turned right onto Jellicoe Road. We turned right onto Caister Road past the racecourse and Yarmouth Stadium. We continued onto Yarmouth Road and into Caister. We turned right onto Ormesby Road and turned right onto Scratby Road. We turned right onto Californis Road and left onto Rottenstone Lane. We continued onto Beach Road and we turned right to rejoin Scratby Road. We ran forwards onto Yarmouth Road and in Hemsby we turned left to continue along yarmouth Road. We turned right onto The Street and we turned left onto Kingsway. We ran into the layby and we ran back onto Kingsway and turned right onto Beach Road. We ran to the beach turning circle and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and Matthew got a picture of First Eastern Counties 37068 before it returned to the Pleasure Beach.

First Eastern Counties 37068 in Hemsby

We walked down towards the beach. We stopped at the toilet block and Matthew used the facilities. We continued onto the beach and we sat on a large concrete block. Matthew had a couple of sausage rolls and can of Dr Pepper. Once we had finished eating we stopped at an ice cream van. We sat on a wall and Matthew ate his ice cream. We walked back towards the turning circle and we could see a bus ready to depart! Luckily the driver spotted us and waited. Matthew took a picture of First Eastern Counties 37066 before we got on the bus.

First Eastern Counties 37066 in Hemsby

We got on the bus and we placed the Costal Hi5 Day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off onto Beach Road and we crossed over the roundabout onto the Kingsway bus top. We continued onto The Street and it started to rain heavily. We turned left onto Yarmouth Road and we headed Southwards.onto Scratby Road. We turned left onto Beach Road and we continued onto Rottenstone Lane. We turned right onto California Road and left to re-join Scratby Road. We turned left onto Ormesby Road and we ran into Caister. We continued onto High Street and onto Yarmouth Road. We ran down Caister Road and we turned left onto Jellicoe Road. We turned left onto North Drive and we ran to the turning circle at the end. After a short wait we headed back down North Drive and we ran forwards onto Marine Parade. We ran past the cinema and we saw Alfa A141 parked up out an hotel. We ran forwards onto South Beach Parade and we got up to get off the bus. The bus was nor empty so Matthew took a picture inside to top deck of First Eastern Counties 37066 before we got off the bus.

Inside First Eastern Counties 37066

Once off the bus we had a look around. There wasn't much to do at this end of town. We crossed over and we saw First Eastern Counties 37066 heading up the road, so e decided to get back on it and go a few stops up into the centre of Great Yarmouth.

First Eastern Counties 37066 in Great Yarmouth

We got on the bus and we placed the Costal Hi5 Day ticket under the scanner before we went downstairs and sat down. We set off up South Beach Parade and we ran forwards onto Marina Parade and we got up and got off the bus. It was trying to rain so we ducked into a sports bar. Matthew had a glass of coke and we sat by the window until we had finished. We went outside and we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Eastern Counties 37068 on a #1C to Hemsby for the secong time today.

First Eastern Counties 37068 in Great Yarmouth

We got on the bus and we placed the Costal Hi5 Day ticket under the scanner before we went downstairs and sat down. We set off up Marina Parade and we ran past the cinema and onto North Drive. We continued to the North end and we turned around at the turning circle. WE came back South and we turned right onto Jellicoe Road. We had decided to do this bus to some on another route so we could get off doinf the #1C's had we had now had all the open top buses would could get at this time. We turned right onto Caister Road and we ran past the racetrack and Yarmouth Stadium. We continued onto Yarmouth Road and into Caister. We turned right onto Ormesby Road. We ran until we got to the chip shop and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Eastern Counties 37068 as it continued towards Hemsby on a #1C.

First Eastern Counties 37068 in Caister

We crossed over the road and we walkd around the corner onto Second Avenue. We walked down to the beach and Matthew used the toilet. We then walked back up second Avenue and we turned left onto Marram Drive. We waited for a few minutes and then a bus appeared from around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Eastern Counties 36190 on a #8 to James Paget Hospital.

First Eastern Counties 36190 in Caister

We got on the bus and we placed the First Costal High5 Day ticket under the scanner. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside of First Eastern Counties 36190 before we went upstairs.

Inside First Eastern Counties 36190

We went upstairs and the rear of the upper saloon was empty too, So Matthew took another picture inside of First Eastern Counties 36190 before we sat down.

Inside First Eastern Counties 36190

The bus waited for time and afterwards set off along Marram Drive. We turned left onto Second Avenue and we ran to the end before heading Southwards down Ormesby Road. We ran forwards onto High Street and forwards onto Yarmouth Road. We joined the Southbound A149 and we ran past the greyhound stadium. We turned left onto Jellicoe Road and right onto Beatty Road. We turned left onto Barnard Avebue and right onto Sandringham Avenue. We continued Southwards before turning right onto Beaconsfield Road. We turned left onto Northgate Street and we headed Southwards into the town. We veered left onto Fullers Hill and we continued onto Priory Plain. We continued onto Temple Road and we stopped in the Market Gates Interchange for a short while. After a short wait we continued Southwards. We continued onto Alexandra Road and we crossed KIng Street onto Yarmouth Way. We turned right onto South Quay and we turned left onto the A1243. We turned left onto Southown Road and we headed towards Gorleston. We briefly joined Beccles Road and we turned left onto High Road past the former Barlcays bank which is being converted into shops and flats. We ran forwards onto High Street and into the centre of Gorleston. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of First Eastern Counties 36190 as it continued on a #8 towards James Paget hospital.

First Eastern Counties 36190 in Gorleston

We messaged mum and arranged to meet her in Hopton. We had around 15 minutes to wait for our bus. Whilst we waited we saw Simonds 538 ELX heading Southwards.

Simonds 538 ELX in Gorleston

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Eastern Counties 33819 on a X1 to Lowestoft.

First Eastern Counties 33819 in Gorleston

We got on the bus and we placed the Costal Hi5 Day ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we went downstairs and sat down. We set off down High Street and we turned right onto Church Lane. We crossed over the A47 and we turned left onto Magdalen Way. turned right onto Hertford Way and we turned left onto Brasenose Avenue and we turned right onto the A47. We turned right into Paget James hospital and we ran around the car park and we turned right on to the A47. We followed the road Southwards for a few miles and we turned left onto Station Road. We got up and got off the bus and right behind our bus was another X1. It was First Eastern Counties 37564 on a X1 to Norwich.

First Eastern Counties 37564 in Hopton

We walked around the coner onto Station Road and we saw the car. Matthew decided he needed the toilet so we went into the pub on the corner. After going to the toilet Matthew had a small glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside and got in the car. We set off along Station Road and we turned right onto Coast Road. We headed into the caravan park and after we had parked up we went into the caravan. Matthew had a scotch egg and 2 sausage rolls. We did the Blog and later on Matthew had a shower. For suppoer Matthew had a piee of red velevet cake washed down with a glass of Cherry Coke. We finished the e-mail and Matthew went to bed around 00:00... Mark.