Trip to Fenton / Longton 09-02-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Haywood Hospital	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Haywood Hospital	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Longton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Longton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DX53 VCA	Fenton	Benitlee	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew went into respite but not before he spent the day with his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and juice for breakfast. The bus turned up and it was his usual transport, Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and it picked up another service user before going onto the A5035. We then turned left into Church Road. We went through Blurton and into Heron Cross. We carried onto Heron Street and then turned left onto Christchurch Street before getting to the destination. This morning Matthew had an appointment at the Haywood Hospital in relation to his feet. He went in his usual minibus Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. The bus set off and went to High lane via Victoria Road and the Hanley ring Road before travelling through Sneyd Green and Smallthorne. Matthew had his feet checked and then they went back to Fenton in the minibus Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. The bus went back along High Lane and they rounded Hanley on the ring road and backnup Victoria Road where they stopped off at Aldi so that Matthew could pick up his weekly shop. They went back to the day centre and Matthew had a baked potato with tuna and cheese. In the afternoon they decided to go up to Longton to have a look at the animals at pets at Home. They went in the usual minibus Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off up to the A50 Link Road and then we joined the A50 up to Longton. At the roundabout we turned sharp left to go onto the retail park. After seeing the animale we went to Tesco car park so we could see a few buses before we returned to the day centre. First we saw First Potteries 63171 on a #6B to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 63171 in Longton Interchange

Then we saw First Potteries 60202 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60202 in Longton Interchange

On a #2 to Hanley was First Potteries 60013.

First Potteries 60013 in Longton Interchange

Since Scraggs have taken over the #50 the service is worked almost exclusively by Scraggs Versa YJ59 GHH just as it was on this occasion.

Scraggs YJ59 GHH in Longton Interchange

A relatively new service is D&G's 'The Orange One'.Seen working the service towards Meir was D&G 112.

D&G 112 in Longton Interchange

The next bus seen leaving the interchange was First Potteries 63178 on a #6B to Hanley.

First Potteries 63178 in Longton Interchange

Another bus on the #2, this time bound for Newcastle was First Potteries 60012.

First Potteries 60012 in Longton Interchange

Demonstrator bus carrying the Raspberry Route colours but with a Northern Irish style cherished registration DRZ 9713 is First Potteries 63180 displaying #6 Longton.

First Potteries 63180 in Longton Interchange

We then saw another D&G bus, 113 doing 'The Orange One' towards Newcastle.

D&G 113 in Longton Interchange

We also saw another #22 service. This time it was First Potteries 60069 working a #22 towards Dresden.

First Potteries 60069 in Longton Interchange

This was followed by First Potteries 40009 on the #22A to Newstead.

First Potteries 40009 in Longton Interchange

The next #6B towards Hanley was being worked by First Potteries 63175.

First Potteries 63175 in Longton Interchange

On the following #2 to Newcastle was heritage liveried Scania First Potteries 60171.

First Potteries 60171 in Longton Interchange

Also present was First Potteries 60189 working the next #2 to Hanley via Meir.

First Potteries 60189 in Longton Interchange

We then saw First Potteries 63172 on another #6B to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 63172 in Longton Interchange

before we left we saw D&G Solo 114 on 'The Orange one' towards Meir.

D&G 114 in Longton Interchange

Going back to the day centre we set off out off Tesco's car park and went past the bus station onto King Street. We headed down King Street and forward onto City Road before turning left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. When it was time to go we got in Shelton Care Group DX53 VCA for the journey up to the respite centre. We headed back out onto City Road and towards Longton on King Street. We turned left into clarence road and we headed over onto Anchor Road avoiding Longton town centre. When we got to Anchor Road we turned left and we headed up to Adderley Green. We turned left and we headed into Bentilee. Matthew was dropped off and he went upstairs to his room whilst he waited for tea. There were a few other buses dropping off service users. First to arrive was Stantons of Stoke minibus VU06 KFA.

Stantons of Stoke VU06 KFA in Bentilee

This was followed by Intercity taxi minibus SF58 EXE.

Intercity SF58 EXE in Bentilee

For tea Matthew had shepperds pie followed by cake. Matthew watch some television and then had a bath before going to his room. He used his computer and went to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Trent Vale 18-04-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65727	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today was by and large a bit of a chill day. Matthew had been in respite the day before and we decided that we would catch the bus up to Trent Vale to meet mum. Matthew got up around 10:30 after I went up to see him in his room and then he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. He spent most of the say on his computer catching up on what had been going on in Flickr for the last few days. For dinner I made him an omelette with some oven fries. I had been viewing what buses were out on the #22. Out of the three buses out today running a Saturday service, there was only one required one and that was First Potteries 65727. There is a rumour that this batch of Scanias are about to depart to Adderley Green. We find it easier to get Newcastle Scanias in, which we used to get on the #22A when it returned to Newcastle, and of late on the #22 when the service went over to be predominately worked by these buses. Once they go to Adderley Green they will be slightly harder for us to get. We worked out that 65727 would be on the 16:20 Longton - Newcastle departure, so we texted mum to arrange to meet in Trent Vale at the appropriate time. Just after 16:00 Matthew got dressed and we left the house and walked all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road. As we waited we were expecting to see the Longton bound #22 go past just before our bus arrived. As expected we saw First Potteries 66842 round the corner and Matthew got a picture of it.

First Potteries 66842 in Blurton

A few minutes later, First Potteries 65727 rounded the other corner and I flagged it down whilst Matthew got a picture of the bus.

First Potteries 65727 in Blurton

We booked our tickets and we sat down near the back of the bus. The bus pulled out onto the A5035 and we headed into Trentham. We then passed D&G 174 on the Trentham Plumline, before we saw First Potteries 40155 on the #21A Hanley service. We turned onto we Inn Lane and we could see a #21 to Hanley in front of us. We didn't manage to catch up with this bus as our bus kept stopping to let people off. When we got into Hanford the last off the people in front of us got off the bus and Matthew took a picture facing forwards.

Inside First Potteries 65727

At the top of Church Lane we passed 60059 on a Trentham bound #21 and we headed down the hill to join the A34. As we went towards the A500 we passed First Potteries 65035 on a southbound #101. This was followed quickly by First potteries 65732 on the third and final #22 turn. As we pulled over to the centre of the road to ,turn into Harpfields Road and we rang the bell and we stood up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 65727 before it headed off towards the hospital.

First Potteries 65727 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and back to the pub where mum was waiting in the car in the pub car park. Inn the pub Matthew had his usual meal. It was sausage egg and chips with extras of bacon and bread and butter. This was followed by toffee sponge pudding and ice cream. After we had finished eat we went back to the car and gave Uncle Dave a call. Matthew had a conversation with him on the phone and then we set off to go and pick him up. We headed South on the A34 until we reached the A500. At the A500 we went North and then onto the Eastbound A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We went into Fenton and picked up Uncle Dave before we went back through Heron Cross. Here we saw T2 DLT near to the Lightning Travel base and we headed through Blurton. We caught up First Potteries 65727 again and we also caught up with First Potteries 40373 on a #23 to Newstead. Coming the other way was First Potteris 66842 on the Longton bound #22: We got home a little after 18:00. We chilled out, did a bit of gardening, watched the telly and Matthew watched bus videos on his computer. For a snack later on we had some lemon Meringue pie. Matthew continued to chill out on his computer and he went to bed around 00:00...Mark

Trip to Hanley / Leek 12-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41500	Hanley BS	Leek BS	18	First Potteries
N880 AVV	Leek BS	Haregate	165	Clowes Coaches
N880 AVV	Haregate	Leek BS	165	Clowes Coaches
P403 MLA	Leek BS	Ashbourne BS	108	Aimée's

Today Matthew was in respite and was going to cover the Clowes Coaches 165 service. Matthew got up at around 09:30 today. He had breakfast of oatcakes and bacon and cheese and orange juice. we drove up to Hanley today. The route they took was along Dividy Road onto the A52. From there they went up into hanley via Bucknall New Road. we then went around Hanley and parked in the Tesco car park. we then walked over to the museum were we saw a few buses. 61145 was on a #7A service.

First Potteries 61145 in Hanley

Outside the museum we saw Wardle Transport 4813 on a #19 to Bradeley.

Wardle Transport 4813 in Hanley

First Potteries 40155 was on a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 40155 in Hanley

we then went to the museum for a quick visit.

Hanley Museum

We used the disabled toilet, and after leaving the museum They went up to the bus station where we saw dud first Potteries 41500 on the #18 to Leek so we decided to do it from Birches Head to Hanley in the snow back in January 2013. We got on the bus and sat down. The bus left the bus station and went around town and then towards Towsend. The bus turned in Birches head and went down Milton Road and hen onto the A53. Th bus then carried on all the way up into Leek and then into the bus station. Whilst at thee bus station Matthew used the toilet and then we saw Clowes Coaches N880 AVV on the town circular service. we got on the bus and sat down. The bus left town on the A523 towards Ashbourne before turning into the Haregate estate. The bus returned through the town and then appeared on the A53 just outside of town. The bus turned at Morrison and then went up to Compton and into the bus station. We then walked to the Cafe for a late dinner. for dinner we had an English breakfast and a lemon meringue pie for afters. We then saw Aimmee's new arrival P403 MLA on the 108 so we decided to do it. We got on an sat down. Te bus left town on the A523 and out through Bottomhouse, after a couple of small diversions onto housing estates the bus got back on the A523 and continued on to Ashbourne. Here we were picked up and taken back to the respite place. We headed down the A515 until it met the A50, which we did back to Longton today. We went back to Bentilee past the Gladstone pottery Museum and up Anchor Road. He then had tea which was fish fingers and chips with beans followed by cake and custard. He then had a bath and chilled out in his room on his computer before bedtime at 00:00...Mark

Trip to Hanley & Crewe 29-03-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Ladybank Grove Blurton	Hollybush Estate Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport
40155	Blurton Blurton Road	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
2320	Hanley BS	Hanley, adj Harding Road	41	Wardle Transport
2304	Hanley, adj Regent Centre	Hanley BS	41	Wardle Transport
66839	Hanley BS	Crewe BS	20	First Potteries
66839	Crewe BS	Tunstall High Street	20	First Potteries
40144	Tunstall High Street	Longport off Longport Road	99	First Potteries

Today to Hanley via Crewe Matthew got up around 07:00 and waited for the #20 his usual bus These things happen..! I have covered the #99 and I also covered the #61 hard job remembering buses from the morning before I type them up later we was Wardle Transport 1450 a Mercedes 413cdi minibus.

Wardle 1450 in Blurton

Matthew did his usual around 08:00 and we also saw Wardle Transport 1626 from as this usually does a pick up of a morning on right across the path of the Hollybush Estate Blurton. was 40373 on a #23. He did it to the Blurton Blurton Road where we got off. around 09:00 he the caught the following #23 which was 40155.On #40 we saw Copelands Tours MIB 797.Seen on #40 the new vehicle at Mr Finneys home He 09:15 also we saw 42726 on a #23 service at Stoke.saw Wardle 2963 seen on the plumline. at saw 2301 on a #41. we saw 3419 seen on a #164. On arrival at Hanley he went onto the balcony. was Bakerbus 181 seen on #350 to Newport. On the #19 we saw Wardle 2532 and also had Wardle 2320 on a #41 before having 2304 back to Hanley.he went onto the balcony.saw 30029 arrive on a #25. we saw Wardle 1423 in Hanley too.saw Wardle 2534 in Seen #58 Hanley. Around 10:00 was 66839 on a #20 around 11:00 which As which was nearly dinner time is unusual,so he decided to do this to Crewe Bus Station.the When he got off we saw Arriva North West & Wales 2503 on a #84 to Chester. the #20 was 66839 Afterwards he saw 60202 on a #20 to Crewe .we saw Stanways PUI 9321 on a return service #315 so he did this as far as.early taken out this afternoon 66839 out whilst in Tunstall he visited ASDA shop. He brought some coke from there around 15:00. When he came out, Within a few minutes 40144 turned up on a Newcastle bound #99 which he did to Longport. We met mum and then went back to the car. and ate sausage rolls. We stopped at the BP garage for LPG before via Wolstanton we saw 40142 on a Newcastle service.we saw 2203. we saw 40140 was which was near the hospital.on a #22 as was 40137 Around 16:15.returning home, We then had bangers and mash for tea...Mark.

Trip to Newcastle 02-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40003	ladybank Grove, Blurton	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66838	Stoke railway station	Newcastle town centre, the Alma inn PH (adj)	25	First Potteries
40139	hartshill, Kingswell Road (adj)	Stoke-upon-Trent, Lytton Street (adj)	26	First Potteries
60074	Stoke-upon-Trent, Lytton Street (opp)	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66839	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2931	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew hadn't been out yet this month, and as he had been quite good today I decided to take him out for an hour or two. We were ready about 30 minutes earlier than usual, so I decided we could go to the railway station on the other 23 diagram, the one that is almost always 40003. we went to the Ladybank grove stop tonight and after a few minutes sure enough 40003 turned up!


40003 in Blurton on it's usual 23 turn (Matt)

As we were earlier. I thought we could potentially cover all 3 buses on the #25 service, as well as one of the buses on the #26. This would of course depend on if all the buses were running to time. We did 40003 to Stoke railway station, and as it was on time we were able to casually cross the road to wait for the Keele bound #25 service. After a couple of minutes 66838 appeared on the service. I had worried Star Travel Minibus out that we should pass the next #25 outside stoke and we could go to the Alma and catch a #26 back to stoke for this bus. Going up Harsthill bank we passed 60074 on the Hanley bound #25 which was required! we got off outside the Alma and Matthew photographed the bus as it sped off...


66838 heads towards Newcastle on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

We got off the bus and head to the next bus stop towards Stoke. In hindsight we should have gone the other way as it was about 1/4 mile! after a short while 40139 turned up on the service. Initially I thought it was a bus that Matthew required, but I remembered it was the second bus we had the first time we had been to Chester specifically to ride on buses. we did this bus to Lytton Street, where once again Matthew got a shot.


Ex Chester Dart 40139 heading towards Longton on a #26 (Matt)

The plan was now, if the #23 was on time we would do it to Stoke station and pick up 60074 there, otherwise, just stay put and have a short ride on 60074. 40155 was indeed a couple of minutes late on the #23 Hanley, and we stayed put to make sure we got 40155. 60074 eventually rounded the corner. we did it to stoke and Matthew got a shot.


Purple 'W' 60074 on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

we crossed the road and waited about a minute before the next Hanley bound #25, this one was 66839 which we have had recently. we did it to the station and Matthew got a picture.


66839 on a #25 outside stoke railway station (Matt)

We then had 10 minutes to wait, before the #50, we did this by photographing the coaches behind the North Stafford hotel, and then sitting on the steps next to the bus stop. Todays #500 was 2931 which was the same as last time we did it. at journey end we crossed the road and then photographed the bus as it wait time for the return journey.


Wardle Transport 2931 at journey end on the #500 (Matt)

Afterwards we walked back home in darkness...Mark