Trip to Stoke / Stafford 07-03-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67152	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, railway station	23	First Potteries
65034	Stafford BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
67664	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries
67154	Fenton, adj Royal Oak	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
67159	Hanley BS	Fenton, opp Albert Square	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. He was also catching a train to Stafford later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst he was waiting to out we saw First Potteries 67664 on a #11 to Hanley. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. On the way to the bus stop we spotted Afford Rent-A-Car YK20 AXV parked up in their garage.

Afford Rent-A-Car YK20 AXV in Fenton

Whilst at the bus stop Matthew noticed the trees from the blind school had been dug up and an old painted advert could be seen on the end of the terrace of houses, in preparation for the new sheltered housing complex being built. The bus turned the corner and as it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67152 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67152 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we flashed The Knot ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down 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. Near to the railway station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went into the railway station and waited for a train for Stafford. A short time later we got on the train and we set off Southwards. We ran alongside the A52 and we crossed over City Road. we ran past the wagon repairs and under the A50. We ran past the BET365 stadium and ran fast fast towards Trentham. We ran under the A5035 and we past Wedgwood and Barlaston. We continued to the junction and we veered right and ran through Stone railway station. We crossed over the A34 and we ran to Norton Bridge where we joined the main line. We ran Southwards for the last few miles and we arrived at Stafford railway station where we got up and got off the train. We crossed over the bridge and we walked out of the railway station. Once out of the sttaion we walked along Victoria Road and we crossed over the roundabout and we continued past St Mary's into the town centre We walked over market Square onto Gaolgate Street and we walked up to the North end. We stopped at pub and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we set off onto Gaolgate Street and we headed Southwards. We continued over Market Square and we stopped at McDonalds. For dinner Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. When we had finished eating we went back Northwards over Market Square and back up Gaolgate Street. At the top we turned right and we stopped at the bus station. In the bus station we saw Arriva Midlands 3905 on a #825 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3905 in Stafford bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva Midlands 2376 on a #75A to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2376 in Stafford bus station

Also seen was Arriva Midlands 3726 on a #8 to Parkside.

Arriva Midlands 3726 in Stafford bus station

After a while we saw Arriva Midlands 3783 on a #5 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3783 in Stafford bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva Midlands 3720 on a #74 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3720 in Stafford bus station

A short time later we saw Arriva Midlands 3725 on a #12 to Doxey.

Arriva Midlands 3725 in Stafford bus station

We waited for a bus back towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw First Potteries 65034 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65034 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed The Knot ticket to the driver before. 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 we entered the bus station from the South end. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we waited for the next bus back Fenton. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67664 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67664 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed The Knot ticket to the driver before. We set off out of the bus station and we ran onto Barracks Road. We turned right at Jubilee roundabout onto the A53 and we ran around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street and into Hartshill. We ran through the village and down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop in Church Street we continued into Fenton up the A52, over the A500 and under the railway line. We ran up City Road and near to the top we got up and got off the bus. We crossed the road and we walked onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew chilled out in his room on his computer. Later on 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 67154 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we flashed The Knot ticket to the driver 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 and turned right. We ran up Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left 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. We set off out of the bus station onto Lichfield Street. We turned left onto Stafford Street. We continued forwards onto Bryan Street and we went to Cineworld. Matthew had a hot dog and Coke. He went to the toilet and afterwards he saw Military Wives at the cinema. When he had finished we set off back down Bryan Street onto Stafford Street. We turned left onto Lichfield Street We headed into the bus station and we waited for a bus back towards Fenton. A short time later we saw First Potteries 67159 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67159 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed The Knot ticket to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. 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 went passed the former chemists which is becoming a new dessert shop. and 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. Later on Matthew had a bath and had toast for supper. Matthew went on his computer until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Cannock / Bloxwich 14-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3905	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	26	Arriva Midlands
3866	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	26	Arriva Midlands
2401	Cannock BS	Brownhills, Silver St (Stop BD)	3	Arriva Midlands
2744	Brownhills, Brickiln Street (Stop BE)	Cannock BS	3	Arriva Midlands
3763	Cannock BS	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	1	Arriva Midlands
3305	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BP)	Cannock BS	1	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Cannock. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cool cloudy weather, slightly brighter in the North. We gave Matthew a list of nearby destinations in the North West and Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Cannock. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we ran down to the A5035. We ran West to the A34 and then we went North as far as Whitmore Road. We turned left onto Whitmore Road and we ran up the the A519 before joining the M6 at junction 15. As we ran South down the M6 we saw we passed an unidentified Prospect coach, An unidentified Pat's Coaches coach with a trailer, a black coach with red 'Spirit of the ??' on the side and an unidentified National Express liveried tri-axle coach on the Northbound #570. At Junction 12 we headed East along the A5 for a couple of miles before turning left onto the A4601 for the run into town. Coming into town we saw 2 of the 'new' arrivals from Arriva Aylesbury... Arriva Midlands Solo's 2403 on the #3 to Walsall & 2402 on the #62 to Lichfield. We parked on the multi storey car park by the bus station and we took the lift down into the shopping centre. On the way to the cafe we stopped at the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. We then head to 'The Copper Kettle' for dinner... A cafe that overlooks the bus station and gives great views of the bus coming and going, especially on the Wolverhampton and Pye Green circular stops. We took a table right by the window and we ordered food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Select Bus services Dart 6 on the #67 to Wolverhampton as well as National Express West Midlands 850 on the #154 to Wolverhampton. We also saw Arriva Midlands dart 2371 on the #63 to Rugeley and Arriva Midlands 2736/3761/3866 & 3904 on the Pye Green circulars. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walk the short distance from the cafe into the bus station and we saw required Arriva Midlands 3905 on the #26 Pye Green circular service.

Arriva Midlands 3905 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we purchased an Arriva Midlands Day Saver at £6.20, Before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the Ringway. We did a 180' at the roundabout and we went East before continuing onto the A5190. We turned left onto the A4601 and we ran North for around 1/2 a mile. We turned left onto Crab Lane and then right onto Moss Road, a location where we broke down on Arriva Midlands 2328 on our first ever trip to Cannock back in November 2102. At the end of Moss Road we turned left onto Moss Street and then right onto Cannock Road. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3905.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3905

We continued North for another 1/2 mile and then we turned right onto Market Street where we crossed over the Rugeley to Walsall railway line. We turned left onto Victoria Street and we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3904 departing on a #25 Pye Green circular service. Arriva Midlands 3904 was a bus we had from Hinckley to Barwell on the #158 back in August 2014. We then got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we spotted a taxi minibus parked up in Hednesford Tesco Extra car park. Closer inspect revealed it to be Hednesford Taxi's Mercedes minibus DK52 ZGU.

Hednesford Taxi's DK52 ZGU in Hednesford bus station

Across the road we saw required National Express West Midlands arrive in the bus station area. We had seen it at Cannock when we were setting off and it was now about to work the returned #154 Hednesford - Wolverhampton service.

NX West Midlands 854 in Hednesford bus station

We crossed the road to see when the other buses were due and it appeared the next Arriva Midlands bus back to Cannock would be the #26 Pye Green circular. Matthew wanted to get on National Express West Midlands 854 on the #154, but we didn't have the right ticket to ride on this bus unless we brought a different one. Matthew was a little dissapointed and we crossed the road reluctantly to wait for the next #26. few minutes later we saw the bus approaching... It was required Arriva Midlands 3866 on the #26 Pye Green circular.

Arriva Midlands 3866 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands day saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Victoria Street and we did a 180' turn at the roundabout before returning onto Market Street. We turned right onto Station Road and we ran North for a round a 1/3 of a mile before we turned left onto Bradbury Lane. We continued West and forwards onto Broadhurst Green. Near to the Pye Green transmitter we turned left onto Pye Green Road and we travelled South back towards town. after about 2 miles we joined the A34 where we saw Arriva Midlands 2912 on a #74 to Stafford. We continued to the roundabout and we turned right onto the B5012 before we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty and then Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3866.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3866

Once off the bus we decided to have a quick comfort break. We walked into the shopping centre and we went to the toilet. Once we had done we walked back to the bus station to consider what we were going to do next. The first thing we saw was required Arriva Midlands 2401 on a #3 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2401 in Cannock bus station

We were considering doing required Arriva Midlands 3901 which was on the #2 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3901 in Cannock bus station

The bus pulled off before we could get to it, so we considered what to do next. Reluctantly we decided to do Arriva Midlands 2401 on the #3 on the proviso that Matthew behaved himself... We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver. We did have to wrestle with Matthew a little to stop him from honking the horn, but he did eventually sit down towards the back of the bus with a big grin on his face. We set off out of the bus station and we left the bus station onto the Ringway. We did a U-turn at the roundabout and we ran Eastwards out of town along the A5190. We crossed under the railway line and we continued to the A460. We ran North to the next roundabout and then we turned right onto Hayes Way. We continued Eastwards for around another mile, passing the Tesco Superstore on the way. We turned right onto the B4154 and we ran up the hill through Heath Hayes. We crossed the Five Ways roundabout onto Hednesford Road. We ran around Norton Canes and we ran North up Burntwood Road before we turned right onto Norton East Road. We continued down to Brownhills Road and we continued South past the Southern terminus of the Chasewater Railway. We crossed over the M6 toll and and then we went around an housing estate We turned right onto Cherwell Drive and then onto Shannon Drive. We joined the A5 at the Rising Sun roundabout and we ran East to The Parade. We headed South for about 1/3 of a mile and we joined the A452. The bus had now emptied out a little so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2401.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2401

We headed down the High Street and we travelled 3 stops down before we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2401 before it carried on South towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2401 in Brownhills

Just behind the bus in the previous picture was a small group of people with massive cameras, who appeared to be pointing them at the flats above the shops. We crossed the road a bit further down and we waited at the the stop opposite. There was a flurry of bus activity where we saw National Express West Midlands 4601 on the #10 to Burntwood. We also saw iGo KX08 OML Plaxton Primo on the #24 to Catshill and Arriva Midlands 2162 on the #23 to White Horse Road.

Arriva Midlands 2162 in Brownhills

We checked the bus stop timetable to see when the next #3 was due. There wasn't time to go to a shop as the bus was due almost immediately. One of the gang of photographers had walked back to their car so I ask if there was a rare bird in the area. They said that they had been watching a small flock of Waxwings. A few minutes later we saw the bus in the distance. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2744.

Arriva Midlands 2744 in Brownhills

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day saver to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the High Street and we turned right onto the Parade. As we travelled North we saw a coach lurking in the trees on the West side of the bus road. We ran up to the A5 and we went West to the Rising sun roundabout and then North up Wilkin Road. We went around the housing estate along Shannon Drive and Cherwell Drive and then we continued North up Hednesford Road and over the M6 Toll. We turned right onto Norton East Road and we passed Arriva Midlands Solo 2402 on a Southbound #3 service. We ran around Norton Canes and then we went North up Hednesford Road to Five Ways. We crossed the roundabout and we went down Heath Hayes High Street and the bus emptied out a little and then filled up again at the same stop. We continued up the B4154 and then we turned left onto Hayes Way. We ran West for around a mile and then South along the A460. We then turned right onto the A5190 and we ran into Cannock town centre. We joined the Ringway and ran down to the bus station. When the bus got into the bus station we let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2744.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2744

Once we got off the bus we looked around for something to catch to finish the day off with. Across the way we saw required Arriva Midlands 2403 on a #62 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 2403 in Cannock bus station

We also saw required Arriva Midlands 3763 on a #1 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3763 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this single decker to Bloxwich, so we got on and flashed the Arriva Midlands Day saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. we set off out of the bus station and onto the Ringway. We ran East to the edge of town and then right onto the A4601. At the next set off lights we joined the Southbound A34 and we carried on to the A5. We crossed over the A5 and the M6 toll and we continued South down the A34 through Great Wyrley. We carried on for around another 3 miles and we entered Bloxwich from the North end. When we got into town we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3763 before it carried on South towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3763 in Bloxwich

The scene had changed at little since our last visit. The Black Bull pub had been knocked down and the toilet block had been shut. To be fair the toilet block did need something doing to it as it was a bit rough, hence why they probably did close it. We crossed over the road to the local papershop and Matthew had a can of Coke and a can of Vimto. He also had a couple of chocolate bars and a wriggly worm. We crossed over Wolverhampton Road and we saw a couple of buses approaching. One of the buses was Rotala Diamond 30211 on a #301 to Walsall.

Rotala Diamond 30211 in Bloxwich

We went around the corner to the Northbound stop and we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3302 on the #2 to Cannock. We sat at the stop and we saw that we had around 10 minutes to wait for the next #1. Matthew had a Milky Way whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw National Express West Midlands 4190 on a #89 to Walsall via Pelsall.

NX West Midlands 4190 in Bloxwich

We were a bit concerned that we might be getting back onto the same bus. But when we saw it was a Streetlite approaching we were very relieved. As the bus got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3305.

Arriva Midlands 3305 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands Day Saver ticket to the driver for the last time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus was quite full when we got on it, bus as the bus went North up the A34 and through Great Wyrley the bus almost complete emptied out. It was now dark as we crossed over M6 toll and A5. We continued into town up the A34 and at the top we turned right onto the A4601. We turned left onto the Ringway and we entered the bus station for the final time. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3305.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3305

Mum had moved the car to Asda, so whilst we waited for her to return to the car park, we decided to go to use the facilities as it was still not even 17:00. On the way to the shopping centre we saw Arriva Midlands 2374 on a #74 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 2374 in Cannock bus station

We went into the shopping centre and used the toilet and Matthew went to say hello to someone who was working in Argos. When we cam out and before we walked around to the car park we saw which was on the #3/#63 turn.

Arriva Midlands 2371 in Cannock bus station

We walked around to the car park and we didn't have to go too far up to find mum who was waiting with sausage rolls and a Bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. Mum decided to drive home today, so we left the car park and we did the u turn on the Ringway roundabout and then when South down the A4601. We turned right onto the A5 and we ran West for a couple of miles to Gailey where we got onto the Northbound M6 at junction 12. Travelling back North up the M6 we passed an unidentified silver coach, as well as an unidentified Stagecoach Megabus with trailer. We travelled North for around 25 miles and then we came off at junction 15. We ran North up the A500 to Sideway. We went East along the A50 and we saw an unidentified Eavesway coach with returning Wigan Athletic fans from Burton Albion. we came off the A50 at Longton and we went to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the front row was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV10 OTM.

Z Carz LV10 OTM in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

The nearest minibus in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

The nearest bus n the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound this evening. On the road outside was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

In the compound was Z Carz silver Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we crossed over onto baths Road and into Tesco Petrol station where we filled up with petrol. We then got back onto the Westbound A50 which we did up to 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 18:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We then chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark