Trip to Burton-on-Trent / Swadlincote 11-06-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3804	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Swadlincote bus park	9	Arriva Midlands
3774	Swadlincote bus park	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	9	Arriva Midlands
2985	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Eton Park, Adj Kingsley Road	2A	Arriva Midlands
3713	Horninglow, opp The Navigation	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	1	Arriva Midlands
2716	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Steppenhill, opp Sycamore Road	2A	Arriva Midlands
2987	Steppenhill, opp Maple Grove	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	2	Arriva Midlands
2739	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Horninglow, Adj Longmead Road	3	Arriva Midlands
3709	Horninglow, Opp Outwoods Street	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	3	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Burton. We checked the weather for the North West and Midlands and the weather seemed to be the best in the East Midlands. Other research consisted of checking the Burton area saver ticket to where it was valid to and home much it costs. We gave Matthew a list of places to choose from and from the list he chose Burton. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just after 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We went East up to Longton and we joined the Eastbound A50. As we traveled towards Burton we saw drove past the Copeland's Tours depot I the depot we could see MIB 116 & MIB 118 as well as a green coach which looked like an ex Robin Hood Bova. We also passed an unidentified coach. We came off the A50 and we joined the A511. a couple of mile down the road we stopped at The Salt Box cafe. For dinner Matthew had an all day breakfast and some toast washed down with some Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Arriva Midlands 2986/3713 on the #1 service. After we had finished we got back in the car and we continues into Burton along the A511. As we came into town we saw Trent Barton 616 on the V1 service, Midland classic 85 on the #403 service and Midland Classic double decker 47 on the #19 service. We came into town along Guild Street and we park in the surface car park off Station Street. Once we had parked up we said goodbye to mum and we walked past the shops and along the alleyway to onto New Street. We saw Arriva Midlands 3709 on a #3 to Winhill.

Arriva Midlands 3709 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Midlands Classic 21 on a #21 to Swadlincote.

Midland Classic 21 in Burton upon Trent

We headed up to High Street and we crossed the road and walked through the arcade and into the market hall. Matthew used the toilet and then we walked back onto High Street where we saw Arriva Midlands 3767 on X38 to Derby.

Arriva Midlands 3767 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed the road and we turned to see Trent Barton 660 on a V3 villager service.

Trent Barton 660 in Burton upon Trent

As we turned the corner from High Street on to New Street we saw Arriva Midlands 3804 about to work a #9 to Coalville

Arriva Midlands 3804 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we booked Burton area Day Saver tickets at £4.20 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along New Street and we turned left onto High Street and we ran to the end before turning right onto the A511. We crossed the floodplain of the river Trent and we continued East along the A511 past Burton Golf Course and then right onto Wood Lane. We continued forwards onto Bretby Lane and at the mini roundabout we turned left onto High Street. We ran East for around a mile and we turned right onto Darklands Road and we ran down the hill into Swadlincote. We turned left onto Civic Way and we entered Swadlincote Bus Park. When we got to the bus park we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3804.

Arriva Midlands 3804 in Swadlincote

We saw dud Arriva Midlands 2986 on a #8 back to Burton, and we decided to turn it down. we checker the timetable and we saw there was a #9 back to Burton in under 10 minutes. We turned and we saw Arriva Midlands 3573 on a #2 to Derby.

Arriva Midlands 3573 in Swadlincote

We let that bus go and it was a good job too. The #2 was only hourly, and although we were valid on the #2 as far as Clay Mills, we probably would have had a long wait for the return service. Matthew had a bag okf Milky Stars whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 3774 on a #9 to Burton.

Arriva Midlands 3774 in Swadlincote

We got on the bus and we flashed the Burton area Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus park onto Civic Way and we turned right onto Darklands Road. At the top of the hill we turned left onto High Street and we ran through Newhall. At the roundabout we turned right onto Bretby Lane and the continued forwards onto Wood Lane. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A511 and we ran west past the golf course and over the floodplain into town. We turned left onto High Street and we went across the end of New Street and forwards onto Lichfield Street. We turned right onto Lichfield Street and right again onto Lichfield Street (I know!), and we stop around the corner from the start of the service adjacent to the Octagon Shopping Centre. We let the bus empty out and then Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3774.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3774

We turned the corner and we saw required Arriva Midlands 2985 on a #2A to Eton Park.

Arriva Midlands 2985 in Burton upon Trent

We decided to do this bus so we could keep moving. We got on the bus and we flashed the Burton area Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along New Street and we went forwards onto Borough Road and past the railway station. We encountered i little bit of traffic around the one way system and we followed the road around to the right. Going North up Waterloo Street we crossed over Dallow Street and onto Victoria Crescent. At the end of the road we turned left onto the A511 and few hundred yards up we turned right into the Eton Park estate. We followed the Shakespeare Road to the end and we turned left into Tennyson Road. We turned left again onto Masefield Crescent and we saw that some was waiting at a stop so knew we must be inbound again so we got up to get off the bus. Before we got off Matthew turned to get a picture of the now empty Arriva Midlands 2985.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2985

Once off the bus we decided to walk back towards the main road as the frequency of the bus service on this part of the route was only once every 30 minutes. We walked back onto Shakespeare Road and we continued back onto the A511. As we got to the main road we saw a stop to the left so we walked up the few yards. This stop was served by #1, #1A & #2 buses and a quick check of the timetable revealed there as a bus due in around 5 minutes. Whilst we waited for the bus we required Arriva Midlands 2711 on a #2 to Horninglow. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3713 on a #1 service.

Arriva Midlands 3713 in Horninglow

We got on the bus and we set off South Eastwards down the A511. We ran into town and onto High Street and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a photo inside Arriva Midlands 3713.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3713

We got off the bus and we saw required Trent Barton 745 on a X38 to Derby.

Trent Barton 745 in Burton upon Trent

We turned to see Midland Classic 44 on a #19 to Swadlincote.

Midland Classic 44 in Burton upon Trent

We decided to go and do some shopping so we crossed over the High Street and we went to the paper shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke as well as a couple of chocolate. bars. When we had finished shopping we paid for the goods and we returned onto the High Street. We visited the cash machine to get some money and then we returned around the corner onto New Street where we saw Trent Barton 657 on a V4 villager service to Centrum.

Trent Barton 657 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2716 on a #2A to Steppenhill.

Arriva Midlands 2716 in Burton upon Trent

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we flashed our Burton area Day saver tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up New Street and at the end we turned right onto Lichfield Street. When we got down to the A5189 we turned left to travel Eastwards. We crossed the floodplain and at the roundabout we turned right onto Main Street. We turned right onto Hill Street and we turned right again onto Heath Street. At the end we continued straight onto Waterside Road. We stopped briefly at the timed stop adjacent to the river Trent and then we carried on along the route back towards Burton. At the end we turned left onto Cumberland Road and we climbed the hill. When we saw somebody at a bus stop wanting to get on the bus so we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to walk to see where the next stop was. It was about 40 yards away on the other side of Roliston Road on the corner of sycamore Road. This bus stop had a shelter and a seat, so we decided to wait there. Matthew shared his double Milky Way with me and uncle Dave and and then he a drink of lemonade. A few minutes later we saw the next #2 approaching we saw an Arriva Midlands Versa approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2987.

Arriva Midlands 2987 in Steppenhill

we got on the bus and we traveled back into Steppenhill centre and up Main Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5189 and we crossed over the river Trent. We turned right up Lichfield Street and we ran into town. Once off the bus we decided to visit the toilet again. We crossed the High Street and we went through the arcade and into the market. After visiting the toilet we returned onto the New Street and we saw Midland Classic double decker 52 on the #9 to Swadlincote.

Midland Classic 52 in Burton upon Trent

We spotted required Arriva Midlands 2739 and we decided we do that next. On the way down to it we saw Hammonds coach NH08 HAM heading East.

Hammonds NH08 HAM in Burton upon Trent

Further down the road Matthew took a picture of required Arriva Midlands 2739 before we got on it.

Arriva Midlands 2739 in Burton upon Trent

We flashed the Day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down at the back of the bus. We set off down New Street and right onto Union Street and left onto Borough Road. We crossed over the railway by the station and we went forwards onto St Paul's Square. We went around the church and Forwards onto St Paul's Street West. At the end we turned right onto Shobnall Street where we passed required Arriva Midlands 4798, which we had been chasing all day!. At the end we turned left onto Dallow Street and we crossed under the A38 and we went towards the hospital. We turned right onto Calais Road and right again onto Wyggeston Street. We turned left onto Longsmead Road and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2739.

Arriva Midlands 2739 in Horninglow

We decided to go back towards the A38/A511 to try and catch a #1 or #2. The thing is we crossed under the A38 and i had forgotten this fact! I headed towards the traffic sound and we walked through an estate which didn't have roads only footpaths (must be a bugger to find parking...). We spotted a distant double decker in a college... It was an unidentified ex London Plaxton President. We saw a main road and we saw a bus go by. we worked out that we had walked back Dallow Street. We had around a 20 minute wait for the next bus so we visited the corner shop and Matthew purchased another can of Coke and chocolate bar. We saw the bus go up towards the hospital and we saw it was dud Arriva Midlands 3709. A few minutes later it returned as expected, dud Arriva Midlands 3709.

Arriva Midlands 3709 in Horninglow

We got on the bus and and we flashed the Day Saver ticket to the driver for the last time. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3709.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3709

We returned along Dallow Street and then right into Shobnall Street. We went around St Peters Square and around the one way system before passing the railway station. We went along Union Street and we spotted where mum had parked the car. we turned into New Street and we got up and got off the bus. Opposite to us was required Arriva Midlands 4798 on the #3 to Winhill.

Arriva Midlands 4798 in Burton upon Trent

We walked back to the car and we drove out of town along Union Street and forwards onto Guild Street. we joined the Westbound A511 and we crossed over the railway line and we went out of town past Eton Park and through Horninglow. We ran through Tutbury and Hatton we followed Arriva Midlands 3713 on the #1 towards the A50. We ran fast along the a50 and we saw A&P Travel V20 APT on the A515 Lichfield roundabout. We carried on West through Uttoxeter and Meir and we came of the A50 at Longton to check what was at Z Carz tonight. In the first row was Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest in the first row was Z Carz minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Closest in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

we turned the corner into Willow Row to see what was in the compound... In the actual compound was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

On the road itself were a couple of minibus. The first we saw was Z Carz PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

we turned around and we saw Z Carz PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We crossed the A50 and we went to Tesco to fill up with diesel. After filling up we got back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton on Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we saw white minibus NX03 BFP. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had a jumbo sausage and mash with carrots followed by a chocolate covered shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Uttoxeter 23-04-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2940	Uttoxeter BS	The Wharf, nr The Fire Station	841	Arriva Midlands
3711	Uttoxeter BS	Sudbury, adj Vernon Arms	1	Arriva Midlands
3716	Sudbury, opp Vernon Arms	Uttoxeter BS	1	Arriva Midlands
3716	Uttoxeter BS	Sudbury, adj Portway Head	1	Arriva Midlands
3601	Sudbury, opp Portway Head	Fenton, adj Travers Court	X50	Wardle Transport

Today we decided to re-visit Uttoxeter. We hadn't been for a while and the X50 bus service is about to finish this weekend. Research consisted of downloading timetables #1 and X50 onto the phone and to check the weather, which was for cloudy weather with the possibility of rain showers. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. I got home from work around 12:45 and we set off out at 13:00. We drover onto the A5035 and we headed towards Longton. Here we joined the A50 and we headed East. We did this until we met the A522 which we did for the last mile or so into Uttoxeter. We parked up behind the bus station and we made our way to the cafe in the arcade behind the station. Here Matthew had a brunch wash down with a can of Coke. After we walked to the bus station and Matthew used the toilets. There was close to 30 minutes to wait for the next #1, but required Stafford based Arriva Midlands Versa 2940 made an appearance on the #841 service.

Arriva Midlands 2940 in Uttoxeter bus station

We decided to do this out to the Fox's biscuit factory. We got on and booked our tickets for this short journey. The bus had filled up a little so there wasn't a clear picture of the inside of the bus. Matthew took a picture of the seats just behind us on the opposite side.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2940

Within a short time the bus set of out of town along the A522. We only travelled around 1/2 a mile, just 2 stops up the road. We rang the bell and we got up and got off the bus. As the bus carried on towards Stafford, Matthew got another picture of this bus.

Arriva Midlands 2940 in Uttoxeter

We set off back along the A522 into town on foot. It didn't take us too long and we were back in the bus station in no time. Within a very short time of getting there we saw required Arriva Midlands 3711.

Arriva Midlands 3711 in Uttoxeter bus station

Also in the bus station was Wardle Transport 3601 on the X50 to Derby. All being well we should have this back to Fenton later on... we got on the bus and booked to Sudbury. There was only one other person on the bus before us so Matthew took a picture inside the bus beyond the last person.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3711

We sat down an dud Arriva Midlands 3709 pulled up behind us. It had just worked the #1 in from Burton and was about to go on the #4 town service. That was convenient time to swap! At 14:35 we set off out of town and onto the A50. We had a nice fast run up the hill before coming off at the Doveridge junction. We went through the village and then driver breezed around the the turn from Chapel Green into Bell Lane. We headed back onto Derby Road and we had a nice quick run up to the A515 roundabout before traveling the last mile or so into Sudbury along Main Road. As we came into the town we spotted a small shop that we could go and visit in a short while. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3711.

Arriva Midlands 3711 in Sudbury

We had around 20 minutes to kill until we caught the bus back into town. We walked down to the shop where Matthew Bought a Crunchie, a Calippo lolly and can of Coke. We walked back to the stop where we got off as it had started to rain, albeit very lightly. Matthew ate the lolly followed by the Crunchie and we put the can of Coke in the trip bag for later on. A few minutes before the bus was due we crossed over the road to catch the return service. It wasn't long before we saw an Arriva Commander approaching. It got closer and we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 3716.

Arriva Midlands 3716 in Sudbury

We got on the bus and booked to Uttoxeter. We sat down near the back to enjoy the journey back to town. We headed back along main Road, past the A515 and along Derby Road into Doveridge. The bus went back through the village albeit on a slightly different route before heading n the A50 for the decent into Uttoxeter. We came into town pulled into the bus station. We waited for the bus to empty but one person was asleep at the back of the bus, so I woke him up to tell him we had arrived in Uttoxeter. After he had thanked me and got up Matthew took a picture of he inside of Arriva Midlands 3716.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3716

The plan now was to have a quick toilet stop before catching the bus back to the end of Main Road to pick up Wardle Transport 3601 on the X50 service. After matthew had used the toilet there was just time to get a picture of Bakerbus 257 which was on layover, about to work the next #402 to Burton.

Bakerbus 257 in Uttoxeter bus station

We got back onto Arriva Midland 3716 and we sat in the middle of the bus. We left bang on time and we set off through town towards the A50. We had a good fast run up the hill to Doveridge and then we headed through the village once again. We needed to be on time because you only have about 5 minutes at the end of Main Road to cross onto the X50. The X50 goes direct along the A50 from this point onwards! We came out of Doveridge onto Derby Road and we caught up with a JCB just as we got to double white lines on the road! We sat at 20mph for around a minute until we came to a safe overtaking spot and the bus went past the JCB with ease. We got to the end of main road at 15:48 which was bang on time. We got off the bus and we crossed over the road to wait for the X50. A car went past and backfired massively which made us jump. Departure time of 15:54 came and went and I was beginning to get a little worried. Had the bus come early and already gone past? Around 5 minutes later just as I was about to call mum to pick us up, the bus rounded the corner an it was required Wardle Transport 3601 as expected.

Wardle Transport 3601 in Uttoxeter bus station

We got on the bus and the reason for the slight late running became apparent. The bus was full and standing! Not bad for a service about to finish due to poor patronage. We booked to Fenton, and then fought our way to the back where there were a couple of empty seats. We called mum to say we were on the bus and she went back to Fenton to pick up uncle Dave and to get chips for tea! The bus set off onto The A50 and then fast into Uttoxeter. We got to Uttoxeter bus station and a few people got off the bus. A few people got off but most of these were replaced by new faces. I asked the lady behind me if she minded if I opened a window and she didn't as the bus was roasting. Wardle Transport 3602 appeared on the Derby bound X50 and we saw Bakerbus 251 on layover between services. We set off out of Uttoxeter along the A522 and after we crossed the A50 the bus got moving and it soon cooled down. Along the faster parts of the run it was now feeling cold as the bus raced towards Tean. A few people got off and Matthew was able to get a picture of the seats beside us.

Inside Wardle Transport 3601

We traveled through Tean and Draycot and into Blythe Bridge. We then crossed back over the A50 heading into Meir Heath before dropping down into Meir along the A520. Here we passed Wardle Transport 2263 going to Cheadle on the X51. We carried on fast along the A50 coming off at Longton. we traveled through Longton down the Strand, a part of the route changes that I had forgotten about before going down King Street into Fenton. We passed another X51 with Wardle Transport 2217 in charge and then we got off at Travers Court.

Wardle Transport 3601 in Fenton

Mum and uncle Dave who were waiting for us near to the stop. Chips had been purchased and we headed home along Smithpool Road and Grove Road up to Heron Cross. We got home at a little after 17:00 and we had chips and sausage for tea. Matthew chilled at hoe for a while and then we went to uncle Dave's for biscuits and pop. We left uncle Dave's at around 22:00 and we headed onto the A500 which we did down to the A519. We went down Whitmore road to the A34 where we saw First Potteries 32632 on a #101 going towards Stafford. We then went along the A5035 to home. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bed time around 23:45...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