Trip to Trent Vale 09-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60013	Blurton, opp Ladybank Grove	Trent Vale, adj Woodlands Road‎	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to ride on a bus up to Trent Vale to meet mum. Matthew got up late today around 11:15. He had toast and juice for breakfast. For dinner We had chicken, potato croquettes and carrots but he didn't eat much. Having checked out what was going to be on the 15:17 and 15:32 departures from Blurton to Trent Vale, we had choice of required First Potteries Scania 60013 on the 15:17 or dud Dart 40143 on the 15:32. We chose to do the required Scania. We set off to the bus stop just after 15:00 and we waited on Beaconsfield Drive so we could see what was working on the #23's and #46's. The First bus we saw was First Potteries Dart 41495 on the #23A to Hanley. We then saw Wardle Transport 2405 arrive on the opposite side of the road around 15:10 ready to Work the 15:15 departure to Hanley.

Wardle Transport 2405 in Blurton

40024 was on the 15:11 #23 to Hanley and 42726 was on the #23A to Longton. The next bus to arrive was ours, and predicted it was required Scania 60013.

First Potteries 60013 in Blurton

As we got on Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 60013

We went to the back of the bus and sat down. I was curious to see which route the bus would take as Scania's rarely do the #22's. The earlier turns that do the #22A's are booked to directly along the A34, Just in case a Scania is used, but the 15:17 from Blurton is not. We turned on the A5035 and headed into Trentham. By the Toby Inn we passed 40378 on a #21A service. The bus turned onto New Inn Lane and as we reached we turned onto Wilson Road. At this point we passed 40019 on a #22 to Longton. We carried onto the end of Wilson Road and then down Church Lane. When we reached the A34 we saw Leons BT12 LCT heading North. We joined the A34 and headed North past Hanford roundabout and the Black Lion. As I thought, the bus diverted straight along the A34 and we got off at the Woodland's Road stop.

First Potteries 60013 in Trent Vale

We then walked back along the A34 to the Black Lion where we were meeting mum. We sat on the wall and waited for a few minutes. Whist we were there we saw First Potteries Scania Ominicty 65042 101 and another Leons Coach BT10 LCT.

Leons BT10 LCT in Trent Vale

Mum arrived and then we went into the pub. Matthew had is usual meal as well as some of mums sausage and bean oatcake. For afters he had Toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Just before 17:00 we left the pub for home. We went home along the A34 and then onto the A5035. just before 18:00 the ice cream man came around and then I went to fetch uncle Dave. We then chilled out watching telly and using the computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Keele / Biddulph 20-07-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40143	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle BS	22	First Potteries
30033	Newcastle BS	Keele village	25	First Potteries
37	Keele village, nr Sneyd Arms	Hanley BS	85	D&G
227	Hanley BS	Smallthorne, opp Preston Street	9	Bakerbus
53208	Smallthorne, adj Nettlebank	Hanley BS	8	First Potteries
266	Hanley BS	Biddulph, adj South View	9	Bakerbus
61235	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries

Today we decided to have a local trip out. We had asked Matthew if he wanted to ride on the #350 service as this is coming to an end soon and he said no to this. Instead we planned to go to Newcastle and see what was about. We did no research for this trip other than to check the weather, which was for another fine sunny hot day. We did find out that you can now use the smart day tickets on Bennetts buses now. Matthew got up around 09:00 today, and h had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I went to fetch uncle Dave and we got back just after 11:00. We quickly finished off getting ready and then we waled all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road to wait for the 11:30 #22 bus to Newcastle. We didn't have to wait long before we saw an ALX200 dart come around the corner. It was dud First Potteries 40143.

First Potteries 40143 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked a Smart Day ticket. We then sat down near the back of the bus. It was reasonably cool for a Dart on a hot summers day. The bus went onto Trentham Road and then along New Inn Lane. On the run in we passed 60057 & 60059 on #21's, 40145 on a #22 and Wardle Transport 2204 on a #41. When we got to the roundabout at the bottom of Newcastle we could see a Leyland Olympian entering the bus station. We got into Newcastle bus station and pulled on stand just before 30033 pulled on stand on a #25 service. Matthew waited for the bus to empty and then he got a picture inside the empty 40143.

Inside First Potteries 40143

We ran over to 30033 and Matthew got a picture of that too.

First Potteries 30033 in Newcastle bus station

We asked the driver which direction the bus was going and t was going to Keele, so we booked to there. We went upstairs and sat down near the back. A minute or so later we set off towards Keele via Orme Road. The bus sounded pretty good for a vehicle approaching it's 24th birthday and it didn't seem to struggle up keele bank at all. We ran through the University campus dropping off most of the passengers and then we headed for the village terminus. When we got there Matthew took a picture of one of the original high backed seats with the grey and maroon zig-zag pattern.

Original Feature...Grey and Maroon seat in First Potteries 30033

He also took a picture of the empty top deck with the many different coloured seat patterns.

Inside First Potteries 30033

When we got off he took another picture of this fine beast before it set off back to Hanley.

First Potteries 30033 in Keele

Matthew wanted to do a #85 back to Hanley, like we had done on our last trip in this direction back in June. We checked the the and there wasn't one due for 20 minutes. So we decided to walk back to the original stop and have a picnic. We shared a galaxy caramel bar and Matthew drank a small bottle of Irn Bru. Before the 85 was due there was another #25. This was required First Potteries 32632.

First Potteries 32632 in Keele

The bus was now due so we crossed back over to wait for the bus. When it turned up it was required D&G Solo 37.

D&G Bus 37 in Keele

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The journey back to Newcastle was swift. After going through the University the bus went straight down the A525 into Newcastle. We had a few minutes wait in Newcastle and then a couple of minutes wait in Stoke. As we headed up to Hanley from Stoke we passed an arriva Liveried double decker on the X50. This was Arriva Midlands 4802. When we got to Hanley we let the bus empty and Matthew photographed the inside of D&G 37 too.

Inside D&G Bus 37

When we got to Hanley we decided to go have something to eat. The burger place that we went to at the begining of June was closed so we decided to walk down to the Seafarer on cheapside. On the way down we saw a new Bakerbus vehicle, Ex Metroline double decker LR52 KWT with the Bakerbus fleet number of 266.

Bakerbus 266 enters Hanley bus station

We brought 2 portions of chips and 2 cans of pop and we sat down on the benches near to the Museum and the at the back of the Bethesda Methodist church at the bottom of Adventure Place. We ate the chips and Matthew even drank the can of Coke there and then it was that hot. We walked back via Bethesda Street and Lidice Way we spotted 40003 on a #21A service. W decided to go and stand in John Street car park so we could watch and photograph the buses coming into and leaving Hanley bus station. Bakerbus 185 was in the layover area and this was soon joined by Bakerbus 227. Then we saw Arriva Midlands 3733 on the #164 service to market Drayton.

Arriva Midlands 3733 in Hanley bus station

bakerbus 185 departed to work a #9 service and Bakerbus Dart 250 replaced it.

Bakerbus 250 in Hanley bus station

We also saw Bakerbus Alexander bodied Volvo B6 227 arrive into the bus station.

Bakerbus 227 in Hanley bus station

After around 30 minutes in the car park we decided to go to the bus station to see what we could catch. 40018 was going to Leek on a #18 but we decided not to do this as it was going to be full. We then saw Bakerbus 227 return onto stand to work a #9 short to Smallthorne. Matthew got a picture before we got on.

Bakerbus 227 in Hanley bus station

We have seen this bus work quite a few time before, but this is only our second run on this beast. The first time being on a journey from Macclesfield to Biddulph back in April. Smallthorne is only a short run so we arrived at the end in only 10 or so minutes. matthew got a picture of the bus before it set off towards the famous Smallthorne roundabouts.

Bakerbus 227 in Smallthorne

We crossed over the road and we were able to get another better picture of Bakerbus 227 as it set off back towards Hanley.

Bakerbus 227 in Smallthorne

We decided to go to the shop and get a chocolate bar and a drink. Matthew also decided to get a flapjack and as it was something relatively healthy I thought it would be OK. We sat down at the stop in the triangle at the top of Smallthorne so we could check when the next #98 was due and also so he could eat his flapjack. After eating the flapjack and seeing the next #98 wasn't for quite a few minutes we decided to go wait for a Hanley bus. I think Matthew fancied a run on on Bakerbus 250 but when we saw it heading North we knew that wasn't going to happen today! I thought he wanted to wait for the next #9, but when First Potteries 53208 turned up on the next #8 he decided he wanted to do that. He got on and decided he was going to honk the horn. We sat down and enjoyed the jouney into hanley. This bus appears to have been fitted with old seats from one of the withdrawn buses to replace the new non standard ones. When we got to Hanley Matthew took a picture inside the bus and the first coloured seats can be clearly seen,

Inside First Potteries 53208

He also got a picture of the outside of this bus too as his earlier attempt didn't go too well.

First Potteries 53208 in Hanley bus station

It was now just after 15:45 so we ad to decided what we were going to do. I thought he might like to do an X50 up to Meir for Arriva Midlands 4802 back. Matthew didn't really fancy it though. We got lottery tickets from the spar shop in the bus station along with some pop and chocolate. We had a quick trip along the side of the bus station to look at the buses on layover Of note were Bakerbus 199 and 215. Around 16:15 Wardle Transport 3611 arrived on the #118.

Wardle Transport 3611 in Hanley bus station

Matthew pointed to this but it wasn't due to leave until 16:45. We also saw Bakerbus Volvo B6 215 come and go on the X75 to Keele. When we saw Bakerbus's new decker arrive we decided to do this. It was required Bakerbus 266 couldn't get on stand due to the fact it was being blocked by a First bus on the #101 to Stafford. When it did gt on stand a few minutes late it could get off as other buses were being let out first. We had got on and sat upstairs and eventually the bus did depart. We set off through Smallthorne and passed his old school in Chell Heath. We carried on through Fegg Hayes, Brindley Ford, Brown Lees and Knypersley before dropping down into Biddulph around 17:00. Just before we arrived n town he took a picture of the empty top deck of Bakerbus 266.

Inside Bakerbus 266

We got off the bus on the high street and then walked down to Wharf Road, where he got another picture of this fine bus.

Bakerbus 266 in Biddulph bus station

There was some kind of event winding down. there was a giant sand pit and lots of children's rides in the bottom half of the High Street. I think Matthew wanted to have a go on some of the thing but he was too big! He did however have an ice cream with a flake. We walked back onto Wharf Road and Matthew used the toilet there. We let a Bakebus vehicle go on the #94A and then we decided to catch required First 61235 when he realised that mum wasn't available to pick him up from Biddulph.

First Potteries 61235 in Biddulph bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. The #7A takes the same route as the #9 as far as Fegg Hayes where it goes straight up onto high Lane and then straight along High Lane from Turnhurst into Hanley. We got back to Hanley in around 30 minutes where matthew took a picture inside 61235.

Inside First Potteries 61235

We asked Matthew if he wanted to catch a #23 or go in a taxi and Matthew chose to ride in a taxi. We did this home via Victoria Road, The A50 link road and then trough Heron Cross. Matthew wasn't very happy so we decided to drive him up to The Z Carz depot. When we got there there were only 2 buses present. The first was W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

The other vehicle was DAF mini coach W344 WNS.

Z Carz W344 WNS in Longton

We headed down Longton Hall Road and we got home around 18:20. Matthew had a toffee yoghurt to keeping going until he had is late tea of bangers and mash. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime which today was around 23:45...Mark

Trip to Trent Vale 05-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40143	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was due to go to Heathfield for a playscheme for most of today. He got up a little after 09:00. they left home around 10:00 and went onto the A5035 to the Hem Heath pub where they turned down Stanley Matthews Way. They went on the a50 and then onto the Northbound A500 up the A53. They did the A53 up to Sandbac Road and then went across Smallthorne Roundabouts and down Ford Green Road. They turned left onto Chell Heath Road. Matthew said goodbye to mum and then had a fun day of making cakes, eating ice cream and jelly as well as his packed lunch. I picked Matthew up at 15:00 and took him back a different route. We headed up onto High Lane passing Wardle Transport 2410 on the #61 to Hanley. We then went to Turnhurst and onto The A527 Tunstall by-pass which we did down to the A500. We did the A500 down to Sideway and ten onto the A50. On Stanley Matthews Way we saw Wardle Transport 2963 on the Hanley bound Plumline service. We went home passing 42726 and 40003 on Hanley bound #23's. As it was just before 15:30 we decided to catch a bus down to tent vale to meet mum at the Black Lion. We walked down to the stop on Magdalen Road to wait for the bus which I knew was going to be either 40143 or 40147. First Potteries 40016 made an appearance on the Longton bound #22 as the buses often pass into Blurton.

First Potteries 40016 in Blurton

A couple of minutes late an ALX200 Dart rounded the corner and it was 40143.

First Potteries 40143 in Blurton

The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus before he sat down.

Inside First Potteries 40143

We set off through Trentham and the bus was a little on the rattly side especially when idling. We called mum to tell her we were on the bus so that she could set off to meet us. We followed First Potteries 61145 up New Inn Lane and we passed First Potteries 42727 at the corner of Wilson Road. As we crossed under the a500 we saw First Potteries 41496 on a Trentham bound #21. We decided to get off the bus as it turned onto Keelings drive so that we didn't have to cross over the A34. We passed 40147 on the 3rd daytime #22 turn and then got off the bus. We walked back to the black lion and then sat on the wall as we had beaten mum down to the pub. Whilst we waited we saw and photographed First Potteries 65005 on a Hanley bound #101 service.

First Potteries 65005 in Trent Vale

A few minutes latter mum turned up and we went into the pub. Matthew then had an hour or so bus watching and eating which are 2 of his favourite things. Matthew had 2 sausage, egg, bacon chips and beans with 2 oatcakes followed by treacle sponge and ice cream. He had this with a glass of Coke. The highlight of the buses was Bennetts NIL 8662 which travelled North up the A34. After we had finished eating we went outside and called uncle Dave. We headed of to collect him. A34, A500 to sideway and then A50 to Heron Cross. We headed into fenton and picked up uncle Dave. We passed 40003 and 42726 on #23A's before retuning to Heron Cross. On Blurton Road we saw Lightning travel vehicles FD53 UNX and NX03 JYJ. We got home around 17:30 and Matthew chilled out on his computer before a let snack of some cheesecake and then bedtime...Mark

Trip to Newcastle 24-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Heron Cross	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Wardle Transport
40751	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Hanley BS	5	First Potteries
30029	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34A	First Potteries
40143	Newcastle BS	Biddulph High Street	99	First Potteries
40143	Biddulph BS	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
2260	Newcastle BS	Bradwell Hospital	35	Wardle Transport
2301	Bradwell Hospital	Newcastle BS	35	Wardle Transport
40148	Newcastle BS	Blurton Ladybank Grove	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in respite, and was going to college at least at the start of the day. Matthew got up around 07:00 and would have been redy for his transport to college at 08:00. It was his usual bus Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle transport 1450 in Heron Cross

He would have arrived at college around 09:00. Today after 09:00 he went out for a bit of a trip around the Newcastle area. The first bus he had was First Potteries 40751 on the #5 to Hanley. They travelled through Bucknall and up Limekiln Bank. They got to Hanley around 10:00. After around an hour in Hanley, they spotted First Potteries 30029 on a #34 service. This was done through Festival park and up through Basford along the A53. This was done to Newcastle bus station where he got off. For dinner Matthew went to Morrisons in Newcastle. Matthew had a breakfast and the a lemon meringue for afters. Whilst in Morrisons they visited the toilets. Around 13:00 they saw 40143 was seen on a #99 to Biddulph. They travelled out through Wolstatnton to Porthill. They they went down through Longport and up to Tunstall. From Tunstall they traveled along the A527 to Biddulph. Matthew wanted to do this so he did this all the way to Biddulph and back the opposite way they came. In Newcastle Matthew saw 2260 on a #35 service. They did this to Bradwell. The return #35 was 2301 which he did back to Newcastle. as it was getting late, Matthew did a #22 homeward, which was First Potteries 40148. This was done South along the A34 to the hospital. They then went along Hilton Road and reapeared on the A34. After passing under the A500 they went through Hanford and Trentham. They Joined the A5035 which they did to Blurton. After he got back home we went out to MacDonalds for tea...Mark.

Trip to the Black Lion 15-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 797	Heron Cross	Longton Hall Road	40	Copelands Tours
66838	Longton Hall Road	Trent Vale, adj Woodlands Rd	22	First Potteries
40377	Trent Vale, opp Black Lion	Hanford opp Man in Space	21	First Potteries
40146	Hanford opp Man in Space	Blurton Road, Blurtn	22	First Potteries
40171	Blurton Road, Blurton	Heron Cross	23	First Potteries

Today was Matthew's first trip out on a bus whilst staying at his new respite place. I organised a PA to go to meet Matthew and a member of staff from the place, and created a 4 page document on what buses to catch and where to catch them. The first bus that I organised for Matthew to catch was a Copelands Tours Dennis Dart on the #40 service. This can be one of two Ex PMT step entrance buses with MIB 783 being the most common and MIB 797 putting in a few less appearances. He has been on both of these buses before but not for a year or two so I thought it would be nice for him to travel on one of these buses again whilst he still can. Whilst waiting he saw First PMT 40139. Today it was the turn of MIB 797 to work the service and Matthew got a picture of this before he boarded it.

Copeland Tours MIB 797 in Heron Cross

The next bus I planned for him to get was the #22A turn which unusually brings a long bus onto the run or even sometimes a double decker like 31519. The bus misses out going through the hospital so it can be any length of vehicle. Due to the work being carried out on the hospital sight nothing longer than regular dart can work a #22. More often a Scania, Whilst waiting for the bus Matthew saw Dennis Dart 40144 going towards Longton. today it was a Volvo. It was dud 66838 and Matthew got a picture of it before he boarded.

First PMT 66838 in Longton Hall Road

Matthew got off in Trent Vale and then went to The Black Lion for his dinner. He had his usual from the 2 courses for £6.50 menu which was washed down with a glass of Coke. On the return I had planned for Matthew to stagger his journey and to get in some different buses. I had planned for Matthew to get a AG Scania or Dart to Trentham, for a NE 40153 Dart or 40017 Solo to Blurton, for a AG Dart into Heron cross. After his dinner he walked across the road to wait for the #21 or #21A, whichever came first. It was a #21 which I had planned but it didn't produce a Scania which I had hoped for. Matthew has had the majority of AG's alloaction of Darts but very few of their Scana's. It was however a required bus, Dennis Dart 40377. Matthew got a picture before he boarded.

First PMT 40377 in London Road

After this short journey he got a picture as he got off, With the blind now set ready for the last bit of the loop and it's return journey North.

40377 opposite the Man in Space

At this point he had around a 20 minute wait. He saw UVG Dart 40745 heading North presumably on a #21A.

First PMT 40745 on a Hanley bound #21

He also saw the following #21 which I had not out down for him to catch as the timing was too close with only two minutes before the #22 was due. It was required Scania 60062.

First PMT 60062 on the follow #21 Trentham

A couple of minutes Later the #22 turn up, It was an ALX200 Dart which Matthew quite likes and it was also required. Matthew got a picture of 40146 before he boarded.

First PMT 40146 on the #22 Longton

Matthew now only needs 1 bus to complete the whole allocation of, As he got off in Longton Hall Road, he got another picture of this bus. He also saw Dennis Dart 40143 Heading towards Newcastle on a #22 First PMT ALX200 Dennis Dart.

40146 on Longton Hall Road

Having got of the Longton bus, they crossed over Blurton road to wait for the bus back to Heron Cross. It turned up a few minutes later and it was dud Marshall Dart 40171, which he a picture of before he boarded.

First PMT 40171 on Blurton Road

Back a t Heron Cross he walkedback to the new respite place. As he got back he saw Wardle Transport minibus 1626 and he got a picture of this bus too.

Wardle Transport 1626 in Heron Cross

He also saw Wardle Transport 2531. The respite place report that Matthew was superb whilst he was out and that he really enjoyed himself...Mark

Trip to Foxfield Railway / Trentham Gardens 02-07-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N721 GPV	Wolstatnton	Foxfield	Charter	Ellisons
N721 GPV	Foxfield	Wolstatnton	Charter	Ellisons
N574 CEH	Wolstatnton	Trentham Gardens	Charter	Ellisons
N574 CEH	Trentham Gardens	Wolstatnton	Charter	Ellisons

Matthew was in respite, and 40136 40143 were on services 99's. They decided to take him out on Ellisons N721 GPV. The Ex First Hampshire & Dorset was a trip to the Foxfield railway. when at the railway Matthew photographed the working steam engine running around it's train.


Florence No2 runs around the train in Foxfield station (Matt)

Once the engine had run around, he got another picture before it departed.


Florence No2 on the front of the train (Matt)

Matthew then jumped on the train and had a round trip on this engine. Once back at Foxfield, Matthew got back N574 CEH for his transport to go to Trentham Gardens. At the gardens Matthew headed to frankie & Benny's for dinner. Whilst having diner, Matthew photographed various coaches working in and out of the gardens coach parking. There are seven photogrpahs below with coaches from Scraggs, Hollinshead and Clowes Coaches.


Hollinshead RIL 1017 in Trentham gardens (Matt)


Hollinshead RIL 1023 (Matt)


Scraggs 1672 VT (Matt)


Clowes Coaches LIL 8540 (Matt)


Scraggs P886 GBF (Matt)


Hollinshead RIL 1016 (Matt)


Clowes Coaches FNZ 6990 (Matt)

25 seats on the bus. After dinner Matthew got back in his transport and returned to the respite unit...Mark