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 the Snowdome 25-11-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	Cemetery Road, Shelton	Snowdome, Tamworth	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Snowdome, Tamworth	Cemetery Road, Shelton	Charter	Aiming High

Today Matthew went to the Snowdome with Aiming High. He got up around 09:00 and had some toast and juice for breakfast. It was a sunny and cold day and we set off towards Shelton around 11:15. We headed to Heron Cross before getting on the Westbound A50. At the A500 we headed North until we reached the Shelton New Road. As we headed up Shelton new road we passed 40147 running towards Newcastle 'out of service'. We soon reached our destination on Cemetery Road. And we dropped Matthew off. He got a picture of his bus for the day, Aiming High FJ10 BJX before he got on it.

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Shelton

They then set off down to the A500 and then headed South. They got on the M6 at Hanford and headed South. they then travelled South to the A449 junction. They then headed back North to a Pub called the catch Corner where they stopped to use the toilet. They got back onto the Southbound M6 which they did to the toll road. They did the M6 toll over to the junction of the A5. They then travelled into Tamworth and to the Snowdome. They had 2 session in the Snowdome doing different activities. It was dark and pictures didn't come out very well. Here is on of the pictures from the first session.

Inside the Snowdome...

After the first session they came out and ate their packed lunches. Matthew also went to the toilet. They then went back into for there second stint before returning to the minibus. As they were about to leave Matthew saw a couple of minibuses which he managed to get pictures of. First he saw Shire Travel International minibus NK51 DKH alongside there bus.

Shire Travel NK51 DKH in Tamworth

This was then joined by another vehicle, Mercedes minibus R582 DYG.

Shire Travel R582 DYG in Tamworth

They then set off towards home. They went back along the A5 and onto the M6. They then went back up the A500 to the Stoke Road junction before returning to Shelton. They got back at 16:05. We apsked Matthew if he wanted to visit Chunky Chicken for his tea as we had the Blog to write this evening. He said yes so we went up to snow hill and parked in the street adjacent to Chunky Chicken. Matthew went the toilet and we had Chicken popcorn and fries. Whilst we were there we saw 4 buses go past. 65035 went past on a #101 service. New First Potteries Solo 53405 was on a #21A and 60060 was on a #21 going into Hanley. We also saw National Express coach FJ11 GMV too. After we had finished eating we headed home. We went down Shelton New Road and then got onto the Southbound A500. We did this to the A50 and then went along Stanley Matthew Way past the Hem Heath pub. We then got home around 17:00. We then wrote the Blog for St Helens and then Matthew had a bath before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Smallthorne 24-09-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40159	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23A	First Potteries
185	Hanley BS	Smallthorne, Hadfield Green (adj)	9	Bakerbus
60011	Smallthorne, Hadfield Green (adj)	Hanley BS	29	First Potteries
BK10 MGV	Hanley BS	Preston Street (Opp)	9	Bakerbus
186	Preston Street (adj)	Hanley BS	9	Bakerbus
60201	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34	First Potteries
40137	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, Highgate (opp)	99	First Potteries
40147	Tunstall, Woodland Street stop C	Longport, Longport Road (adj)	99	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip, with the main intention of trying to get a ride on the Bakerbus loaned double deckers before they return home. During the week these usual work the X1 service, but lately on Saturdays they have turned out on the #9 service. I purchased a 'Smart Day' from a local shop and then we walked all the way up to the Ladybank Grove stop to wait for a Hanley bus. After a very short wait 40159 rounded the corner. We have not been on this bus for a long time and such it had been recorded in his list.


40159 in Blurton on a 23A (Matt)

The bus was empty when we got on and so Matthew got his empty shot straight away!


Inside 40159 (Matt)

The journey to Hanley was quiet and uneventful and when we reached Hanley We went up onto the balcony to assess the situation. there was one of the bakerbus double deckers parked up but it was not being used at the time. I went to the travel office to get some timetables. The small office with all the timetables was closed, so I was only able to pick up some First Timetables. On the way back I checked the times of the #9's and #61's. There was a #9 due off at 13:40 and it was already on stand. The bus was Bakerbus 185 and it was required.


Bakerbus 185 in Hanley on a #9 service (Matt)

We decided to do this to Smallthorne in the hope of getting on the return service. As we got off Bakerbus 196 was on the opposite side of the road pulling off! Matthew got another picture of 185 as it was about to pull off.


185 in Smallthorne (Matt)

We crossed the road and I used the text service to find out the next bus. The next bus was going to be a First #29 in about 3 minutes. Almost as soon as I had texted, 60011 rounded the corner. This was not required, but as this bus has been out of service and was nearly withdrawn it was an interesting one.


60011 in Smallthorne (Matt)

The bus was sounding a little rough, and one of the window seals had blown, but we have have seen and heard much worse! As we turned into Hanley bus station we expected to see 196 on stand, but this had been replaced by the double decker! We quickly transferred from one to the other as they were only a couple of stands apart. We got on and this time booked to the top of smallthorne so we could catch a #9 back. We went upstairs and were the only people on the top deck. At this point Matthew got a picture of the empty bus.


Inside demonstrator BK10 MGV (Matt)

The journey was very smooth and quiet expect for Matthew making a noise. As we got off Matthew was able to get a picture of the bus.


BK10 MGV in Smallthorne (Matt)

We crossed the road eventually having fought our way through the busy traffic. After a very short while bakerbus 186 rounded the corner. Not a double decker but still required.



Bakerbus 186 in Smallthorne (Matt)

We did this back to Hanley and when we arrived Matthew took a picture of the empty interior.


Inside 186 (Matt)

At this point we decided to have a break from the buses and eat some chips. I went down to Tony's place and got 2 portions of chips which we promptly finished off. As we were eating step entranced Wardle Transport Dennis Dart 2038 arrived and I hought we were going to catch this but Matthew changed his mind.


Wardle Transport 2038 on a service #61 (Matt)

He directed us towards required 60072 on a #34A. By the time we got down to it it pulled away so Matthew decided he want to do unrequired 60201 on the following #34.


60201 on a #34 in Hanley bus station (Matt)

we did the bus to Newcastle and at this point he decided to misbehave a little. We decided to do required 40137. This Ex Chester bus is the last of the batch allocated locally that he needed.


40137 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

on the way out of town we passed Bakerbus 215 on a #94A service. We did the bus to Tunstall at which point he was able to get another picture of these beast.


40137 in Tunstall (Matt)

After that we had a few minutes in Tunstall High street. The following service on the same corridor was worked by ALX200 40142.


40142 in Tunstall (Matt)

With 40137 already head back towards Newcastle, the next bus back was likely to be another ALX Dart and indeed it was. required 40147 appeared.


40147 in Tunstall (Matt)

At this point we formulated a plan to get home. We called mum to meet us at the BP garage in Longport so we could be picked up and we could also pick up some LPG at the same time. When we alighted from the bus in Longport, Matthew got another picture.


40147 in Longport (Matt)

We saw another couple of buses whilst we waited. 40148 was heading away from Newcastle and 40151 was heading towards Newcastle. we also saw Wardle Transport 2410 on a Britannia stadium shuttle. When mum arrived we filled up with LPG and then headed home. We got caught slightly in football traffic and saw 40007 doing #22's. also seen was Bakerbus 163 on #350's. not a bad day out today, made better with 43437, a well fought draw with Manchester United afterwards...Mark

Trip to Newcastle 15-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40029	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	Hanley BS	17	First Potteries
66851	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34A	First Potteries
66851	Newcastle BS	Tunstall High Street	20A	First Potteries
40149	Tunstall High Street	Wolstanton, opp Marsh Avenue	99	First Potteries

Matthew was in respite today, and they decided to take him out on the bus. When he first went out he got a couple of picture of buses passing on the Newcastle Tunstall services. 40140 was seen heading towards Newcastle.


40140 in Wolstanton going towards Newcastle (Matt)

Shortly afterwards 40147 was seen heading towards Tunstall.


Tunstall bound 40147 in Wolstanton (Matt)

After this quick flourish of activity, 40029 appeared on the #17 service to Hanley, In Hanley bus station Matthew got a good shot.


40029 in Hanley bus station on a #17 service (Matt)

He then did 66851 on a 34A. He did this past Kidsgrove and towards Tunstall on the 20A service. At Tunstall they alighted and waited for the service towards Newcastle. After a short wait 40149 turned up. He did this to Wolstatnton, getting a photograph of the inside of this bus on the way.


Inside 40149 (Matt)

After this trip out, Matthew returned to his respite unit...Mark

Trip to Hanford (Black Lion) 20-04-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65038	Newcastle Rd, Black Lion	Hanford, Mayne Street	101	First Potteries
40169	Hanford, Church Lane	Trentham,Trentham hotel	21A	First Potteries
40152	Trentham,Trentham hotel	Blurton, Ladybank Gr(adj)	22	First Potteries

Nearing the end of the Easter holidays, we decided to take Matthew out for a meal. Behaviour permitting we were also going to let him catch a bus home as mum wanted to nip off to visit Grandma whilst we were part way there. On the way we passed 40147 on a 22 which we knew we might have a chance of catching later.


40147 on a 22 to Longton (Matt)

We had the meal at the Black Lion, where as usual we had the 2 courses for £6. The food was really nice, but the meal took a while longer as they were short staffed.
As we left the pub 40147 went passed towards Longton so we knew we would have an half an hour wait. Mum went off to see Grandma leaving me and Matthew behind. I thought that if the buses were timed correctly matthew could get 2 or 3 buses on his way home. First bus to show uop was a 101 stafford, so I asked him if he wanted to do this bus to Hanford and wait for the 22. he agreed so off went went for 2 stops down the road.


65038 on a #101 to Stafford (Matt)

Matthew got on and off as good as gold, and didn't try to take us to stafford instead. In Hanford we waited and once again I said to Matthew if a 21/21A turns up before the 22 we could do this into Trentham and wait there. 40146 went towards newcastle on a 22 so we knew that was another bus he wasn't going to have today. Sure enough, Marshall bodied dennis Dart 40169 turned up on a 21A and we did this to the Trentham Hotel.


40169 on a #21A to trentham (Matt)

As we got on the bus the driver recognised Matthew and said he could remember him catch buses when he was little. It's always nice when people remember him as he has been travelling on buses as hobby since he was 4 or 5!


40169 at journeys end on Longton Road (Matt)

When we got off in Trentham we had a short wait and 40152 produced. Slightly disappointing for Matthew as he had been on this one last we. At least I caught up a bus from matthew's busy week away :-)


40152 on a #22 to Longton (Matt)

We did 40152 to ladybank Grove, and then walked all the way home from there. this was the first time in a long time i've done a bus towards home for a long time (he usually takes me further and further away until I phone mum to be rescued!). Remember Matthew, the better your behaviour the more bus trips we can take... (Mark)

Trip to Abbey Hulton 17-01-2011

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Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T408 JUX	Wolstanton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z Carz
40751	Abbey Hulton	Hanley BS	5	First Potteries
40167	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	17	First Potteries
65034	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
40751	Hanley BS	Abbey Hulton	5	First Potteries
T408 JUX	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z Carz

Originally respite this day booked off so we could take Matthew further afield, but an appointment with a 40167 and the torrential rain put pay to this! We changed the plans to take Matthew out for dinner in ,the new cafe on it was 08:00 and the Jackson's Nursery, but by the time we were all ready M420 UEH.


M420 UEH at Wolstanton on the way to Jackson's Nursery (Matt)

T408 JUX A regular trip for Matthew, he wanted to record it on his blog. LDV minibus with a high roof 40136 is an Ex Chester Dennis Dart. A500 A52 Newhouse Road. 40179 Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart. Mercedes 814D Scraggs 57 31 Werrington - Newcastle. GN53 EZT Blackfriars minibus
Coach today. PUI 5556 Mercedes minibus 56 Scraggs also on a #31.


Scraggs blue Buses Mercedes minibus PUI 5556 Hanley (Mark)

40751 was on a #5 Abbey Hulton to Hanley. 40167 was on a #17 Hanley - Newcastle via Wolstanton. 65034 was on it's usual #101 Stafford - Hanley service. 40751 was still working #5 Abbey hulton services later in the day. Copelands Tours MIB 104 MIB 236 MIB 246 MIB 279 MIB 293 MIB 864 are some of his favorite coaches.

T408 JUX A regular trip for Matthew, he wanted to record it on his blog. LDV minibus with a high roof ...Mark