Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 06-11-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Joiners Square	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
42554	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Today Matthew went out dressed as a vampire! Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. In the afternoon we went to the pub in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto Glebedale Road and left onto City Road. At the bottom of the hill we joined the A52. We carried on past the railway station and forwards to joiners Square. At the roundabout we turned left onto Lichfield Street and then to the pub. At the pub Matthew used the toilet and had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 63172 which was on a #6 to Weston Coyney.

First Potteries 63172 in Joiners Square

Also seen was First Potteries 63098 on a #6A to Hanley.

First Potteries 63098 in Joiners Square

Matthew listened to music on the Jukebox including Deborah Harry, Westlife and Alison Moyet. When they were ready to go they went outside to the car park. In the car park was Shelton Care Group NL61 VSG.

Shelton Care Group NL61 VSG in Joiners Square

We also saw Shelton Care Group GU60 HVX.

Shelton Care Group GU60 HVX in Joiners Square

We then got on our bus back to Fenton, which was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Joiners Square

The bus set off onto Palmeston Road and then we turned right onto the A52. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we turned right onto Manor Street. At the end of manor Street we turned left onto City Road and then left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. After a quick stop we got back onto Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX for the journey back home. The bus set off onto Glebedale Road and we continued onto Station Bridge Road. We carried on forwards onto Heron Street and across the light at Heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and then through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and then we got home around 15:00. When Matthew got home he had some toast and some cherryade. We decided to catch the 16:30 through Blurton, so we set off to the bus stop around 16:15. We waited at the stop for a short while and we saw dud First Potteries 42554 come around the corner.

First Potteries 42554 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfield Road. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we passed First Potteries 53830 on a #22 service. We crossed over the railway into Trentham and we passed Scraggs minibus 1655 VT going the other way. We turned right into New Inn Lane and we passed First Potteries 41493 coming the other way on a #22. We went into Hanford and we we passed First Potteries 40367 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We went down the hill and we joined onto the A34. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we saw First Potteries 53059 on a #21 to Trentham. The bus turned right into Harpfield Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42554 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42554 in Trent Vale

We turned and we saw Stoke on Trent welfare bus FJ59 GKA behind us. We crossed the road and we headed back to the A34. We walked to the pub and mum was already waiting for us. Whilst we waited for the food to be brought out we saw required First Potteries 42356 which was a mere 10 minites behind the bus that we caught... Presumably the 16:14 running a few minutes late. We must have been on the bus before that was running close to 30 minutes late! Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were First Potteries 65040 on a #10 to Stafford and Stanton's of Stoke ONZ 1128 Northwards. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34. We went onto the Northbound A500 where we saw a couple of minibuses as well as a Freeway coach going Northwards and a Solous Coaches coach Going South. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we did a 180' up the A500 and into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross. We stopped at the temporary lights and the traffic wasn't moving. In front of us was First Potteries 53209 also stuck in the traffic. There was a turned just in front of us so we decided to turn around and go back. We went back down to Smithpool Road and we weaved our way through Fenton and City Road before taking the A50 link Road up to Heron Cross. We travelled through Blurton and we stopped at the shop to say hello to friends. After a brief stop we carried on along Blurton Road and Church Road and we turned onto the A5035 and we saw First Potteries 53118 running out of service. We got home at 18:20. Matthew later ate some toffee cheesecake and then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:30... Mark

Trip to Fenton / Trent Vale 30-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
42554	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Today Matthew went out dressed as a vampire! Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. In the afternoon they had a Halloween party for the service user. They had a competition to see who had the best Halloween costume on, and Matthew was the winner. For winning Matthew received some chocolates. When the party was over Matthew climbed aboard the bus to go home, which was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU again. We set off onto Glebedale Road and forwards onto Station Bridge Road and Heron Street. In Heron Cross we went straight across onto Blurton Road and over the A50. We carried on into Blurton along Blurton Road and forward onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Road getting home just before 15:00. When Matthew got home he had toast and dandelion & burdock whilst we waited for time before we went out. Today we decided to go on the 16:30 service towards Newcastle. Around 16:20 we set off on foot to the stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. Whilst we waited we saw Autocabs SF04 YZY going towards Finstock Avenue. The bus was a little late today... When it turned up it was required First Potteries 42554.

First Potteries 42554 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfield Road. The driver today was a trainee and was still under instruction. Matthew took an interest in one of the trainers Driving License which was on a lanyard around his neck. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. The bus was unusually full today... Just on the A5035 we passed First Potteries 60069 on the #22 to Longton. We carried on over the railway line and into Trentham and we saw Free Spirits MV05 YMM. We turned into New Inn Lane and we passed First Potteries 53209 running out of service. As we entered Hanford we passed First Potteries 40367 on the final #22 turn to Longton. We went down Church lane and onto the A34. As we entered Trent Vale we saw Free Spirits MK52 PXH. We crossed under the A500 and we saw First Potteries 53064 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. Further up the road we saw First Potteries 53122 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel. We turned right into Harpfields Road and the new driver missed the tricky stops both sides stop near Chubb Way. The bus stopped and we got off... Matthew took a photo of First Potteries 42554 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42554 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and we turned and saw a bus approaching. It was First Potteries 65039 on a #10 to stafford.

First Potteries 65039 in Trent Vale

A few yards further down the road we saw another bus... It was ABC Supreme Mercedes minibus N806 CRJ on a staff shuttle bus.

ABC Supreme N806 CRJ in Trent Vale

By the time we got to the pub mum was already there. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were First Potteries 65027 on a #10 to Stafford and Leons Coaches minibus 204 going Northwards. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and we saw City Cabs HK15 XGT. We went onto the Northbound A500 where we saw Travel de Courcey's national Express liveried coach FJ11 GME on the #540 service. At Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50. We headed though Heron Cross and into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross and over the A50 into Blurton. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and Church Road and we turned into Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left into Finstock Avenue and we stopped to drop something off. We went to Newstead via Ripon Road and the A5035 and we dropped something off there too. We go back onto the A5035 and we saw First Potteries 53122 & 53058 both running out of service. We got home at 18:40. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:30... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 25-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Joiners Square	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
60193	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been out with his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. After dinner we went to the pub. Today we went to the pub in Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

The bus set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. After the pedestrian crossing we turned right onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road and we headed down to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we arrived at the destination. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 63100 on a #6 to Meir. He enjoyed socialising with his day service staff and the other service users whilst listening to music on the Jukebox. When it was time to go They climbed back aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We headed down Palmeston Road and onto the A52 before turning left onto Victoria Road where we saw Scraggs Blue Buses YJ54 BSX on a #50 to Caverswall. On Victoria Road we went to the top turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. We stopped briefly before setting off onto Glebedale Road before turning right onto City Road. We headed towards Longton along City Road and then King Street. Just before we got to the railway bridge we turned left onto one of the side street and we weaved our way through over to Anchor Road. We headed up the hill into Adderley Green and we turned left at the gas tower. On the depot were First potteries 40173 & 40373. We carried on along Dividy Road into Bentilee and we dropped another service user off at respite. We then returned to Adderley Green and back down Anchor Road. We went around the one way system in Longton and Crossed over the A50 and onto the A5035. We carried on to Blurton getting back around 15:00. Today we were catching the 16:30 from Blurton to Trent Vale and due to the change in the timetable in early September it was impossible to work out what bus was going to work this service! Buses seen earlier in the day on the #22 included required First Potteries 41521, 42553 & 65041! Matthew had some toast and a drink of Cherryade and used his computer whilst we waited for time to pass. He also helped me to shred some documents!At 16:20 we set off on foot to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. 16:30 came and went and whilst we waited for the Newcastle bound service we saw dud First Potteries 41070 on a Longton bound #22.

First Potteries 41070 in Blurton

Some builders working on a house near to the bus stop had very helpfully parked two vans right in front of the bus stop! A few minutes later a 'Olympia' liveried Scania rounded the corner and it was the very dud First Potteries 60193.

First Potteries 60193 in Blurton

First Potteries 60193 was one of seven Scanias that were until recently allocated to the Newcastle garage and were the mainstay of the #22 service prior to the timetable change at the beginning of the month. If the controller of AG happens to read the Blog could you please send something interesting or required on the Fridays 16:14 off Longton... Buses that we have already been on can be found here... :) We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfield Road. Te bus set off onto the A5035 and we turned right towards Trentham. As we approached the railway line we passed Scraggs coach 6626 VT. In Trentham we turned right onto New Inn Lane and we passed Free Spirits MK52 PXH heading to it's weekend parking spot. In Hanford we passed First Potteries Dart 40367 on the 3rd #22 turn and further up Wilson Road First Potteries 50296 streaked past on a #21 to Trentham. We joined the Northbound A34 and we crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale. Further up the road we turned right into Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60193 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60193 in Trent Vale

As we walked back onto the A34 we saw Allendale PO59 GHA go by in the distance towards Newcastle. We walked along the A34 to the pub and no buses passed us by. We turned back and we saw a red and yellow Scaina Omnicity in the distance so we walked back past the street furniture to get a clear view. As we waited for the Scania approach we saw an ABC Supreme minibus join the A34 off harpfield Road. As it got closer we saw that it was ABC Supreme Mercedes minibus P881 RND on a hospital link shuttle.

ABC Supreme P881 RND in Trent Vale

Right behind it was dud First Potteries Scania 65026 on a #10 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65026 in Trent Vale

We met up with mum and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were Coaches YN63 ZHH Steel's (Addingham) & Copeland's Tours MIB 615 both going South. We also saw ABC Supreme CN05 SVS on a hospital bound hospital link service. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and we passed First Potteries 53042 on a Hanley bound #21 service. We then joined the Northbound A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards along the A50 to Heron Cross were we were caught up by Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS. We dropped into Fenton and we picked uncle Dave up, and we came back through heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and we went into Blurton along Blurton Road. At the BP garage we saw Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS & City Cabs SJ54 MWY. We followed the road forwards onto church Road and as we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive we saw First Potteries 32630 on a #22 to Longton and First Potteries 53830 on a #23 to Hanley. We got home around 18:15. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 11-04-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60068	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
40367	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21B	First Potteries
60189	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
4790	Newcastle BS	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop A	91	Wardle Transport
132	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G
32056	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
66303	Hanley BS	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop M	3	First Potteries
2232	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	91	Wardle Transport

Today we decided to have a local trip. Mum had planned to do some things so we were going on the bus to Stoke for dinner and then up to Tunstall for cake. We had checked the weather and it was for fine sunny weather. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I had checked out the 11:17 to Dresden so we knew the bus was going to be First Potteries 60068. We set off to the bus stop all the over on Magdalen Road just before 12:00. the bus turned up pretty much on time. It rounded the corner out of Finstock Avevue and it was First Potteries 60068 as expected.

First Potteries 60068 in Blurton

We got on the bus and purchased a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We sat down near to the back of the bus nd the bus set off onto the A5035. We passed First Potteries 60193 which was on the 12:17 to Dresden. We carried on along to towards Trentham and we turned into New Inn Lane. When we got to the Man in Space pub we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60068 before it carried on it's way to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60068 in Trentham

Due at roughly the same time was the #21B to Hanley. We thought we had missed this bus and so the next bus towards Stoke was going to be the #21. Across the road we saw dud First Potteries 41520 which would form the next #21 to Hanley after it ha been for a spin around Pacific Drive.

First Potteries 41520 in Trentham

Running a few minutes late was the #21B that we thought we had missed. It was dud First Potteries 40367.

First Potteries 40367 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver. As sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off up new Inn Lane. As there was only one gentleman sat just in front and to the side of us, Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 40367.

Inside First Potteries 40367

The bus filled up quickly as we headed off through Trentham and Hanford. We went down Church lane and we joined the A34. We went under the A500 and into Trent Vale, turning right onto London Road. We carried on along London Road through Oak Hill and the West End. The bus continued to fill up and when we got to Stoke we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 40367 as it continued on it's way to Hanley.

First Potteries 40367 in Stoke

We crossed the road to head into town. Outside Sainsbury's we bumped into our near neighbours Mary & Melanie. After we ha said hello we carried on along Campbell Place into Church Street to the Stoke Cafe. Matthew used their subterranean toilet before having a breakfast washed down with a can of orange Tango. After we had finished eating we headed down Church Street to catch a bus towards Newcastle. Going the other way towards Meir was D&G 111 on 'The Orange One' service.

D&G 111 in Stoke

We did have to wait long before saw an older Scania approaching. It was dud First Potteries 60189 on a #2 service.

First Potteries 60189 in Stoke

We got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day tickets to the driver. We sat down towards the back this almost empty bus. On the other side of the road we saw the last required 'W' reg Volvo B7, First Potteries 32056 going towards Talke on a #3 service... The bus set off along Church Street and up Hartshill bank. We traveled along the A52 into Newcastle and down George Street into the town centre. At the bus station we left the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60189.

Inside First Potteries 60189

In Newcastle we took a few bus pictures. Opposite the bus station was Roseville Taxis Renault minibus FM57 MXK.

Roseville FM57 MXK in Newcastle

We also saw dud Volvo Olympian First Potteries 34311 still going strong on a #4A service to Hanley.

First Potteries 34311 in Newcastle

Usually we might spend some in the bus station taking pictures... We had seen dud Wardle Transport 2238 working on the #92 to ball Green. We then saw required Wardle Transport double decker 4790 about to work a #91 to Bradeley.

Wardle Transport 4790 in Newcastle bus station

We walked over to the Wolstanton corridor stands and as we waited for the bus to be readied we saw required First Potteries 66309 on a #4A to Talke.

First Potteries 66309 in Newcastle

The bus was readied for service and we got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we headed upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We left town towards Wolstanton along the A527. The top deck behind us emptied out at the top of the Bramptons and Matthew took a picture of the inside of the top deck of Wardle Transport 4790.

Inside Wardle Transport 4790

We headed into wolstanton and we saw JW Playclub minibus KV05 FRZ parked up on the right hand side road. As we headed through Wolstatnton and Longport we saw dud Wardle Transport 4809 and required buses Wardle Transport 2232/4814 all working on the #91/92 services. These service interwork at Newcastle. as we crossed over the A500 we saw ABC Supreme minibus N806 CRJ was the new roundel type logo on the rear joining the Southbound A500. We headed up to Trubshaw Cross and up into Tunstall. At the bottom of Tunstall High Street we turned right into Williamson Street. Looking up the high Street I saw the rear of a 'W' reg Volvo B7. I realised that it must be 32056 heading up to Talke still. In the time we had traveled from stoke to Newcastle and Tunstall, it had gone from Stoke to Hanley and Tunstall via Burslem. We headed back onto the High Street via Woodland Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Wardle Transport 4790 before it carried on towards Bradeley.

Wardle Transport 4790 in Tunstall

On the opposite of the High Street we saw dud First Potteries 32053 on a #3 bound for Newcastle.

First Potteries 32053 in Tunstall

We walked down to the Tunstall Cafe and Matthew used the toilet. Matthew had a slice of toffee cheesecake washed down with a can of Coke. We worked out that if we headed back to Newcastle then we should intercept First Potteries 32056 on the #4A to Hanley. So we crossed th e road to wait for the next Newcastle bus. On a #90 service to Ball Green was Scraggs YJ54 BSZ.

Scraggs YJ54 BSZ in Tunstall

We went online to nextbuses.co.uk to find the times of the next bus to Newcastle. The site told us that it was a D&G #94 service at 14:08. We didn't have to wait for long for this bus and when it turned the corner we saw it was required D&G eVolution single decker 132.

D&G 132 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed our Smart Day ticket at the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the high Street and onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we joined Longport Road for the run down to the A500. We crossed over the roundabout and we climbed up Porthill Bank. We turned left onto Wolstanton High Street and we headed into Newcastle though the Bramptons. In the bus station we let the bus empty out and Matthew got a picture inside D&G 132.

Inside D&G 132

We got off the bus and we saw a different taxi minibus at the taxi rank. It was City Cabs minibus SF07 DKJ.

City Cabs SF07 DKJ in Newcastle

Whilst we waited for First Potteries 32056 to make an appearance, we took a few bus pictures. We saw D&G 121 on a #74 to Audley.

D&G 121 in Newcastle bus station

The was follows a short time later by Arriva Midlands 2996 on the #164 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 2996 in Newcastle bus station

On the #4A to Hanley was First Potteries 66838

First Potteries 66838 in Newcastle bus station

We were hoping that 32056 was going to be on the next #4A to Hanley in 20 minutes time, the 14:50 departure. This gave us time to take a few more pictures. Parked up as spare bus for driver to eat their dinner in was Wardle Transport 2217.

Wardle Transport 2217 in Newcastle bus station

Then we saw required First Potteries 65027 on the #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65027 in Newcastle bus station

This was followed by dud First Potteries 60205 on the #4 to Wereton.

First Potteries 60205 in Newcastle bus station

We sat down at the bottom of the bus station on the large bench. On Barrack Road heading South we saw Challinor Van Hool coach N53 FWU.

Challinor N53 FWU in Newcastle bus station

On a #41 service we saw Wardle Transport 2278 which will probably soon be part of the D&G fleet.

Wardle Transport 2278 in Newcastle bus station

You can still see where the original D&G Bus decal used to be above the folding doors. Finally we saw what we were waiting for... required First Potteries 32056 on the #4A to Hanley!

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up to the stand and we waited patiently whilst there was a driver changeover. When the driver was ready we got on the bus. I flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver and Matthew photographed the empty lower saloon.

Inside First Potteries 32056

We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty too, so Matthew took another picture.

Inside First Potteries 32056

The bus set off out of the bus station and we completed riding on first Potteries 'W' reg Volvo's... It took us just less than a year. Our first ride on one of these buses was on First Potteries 32054 back in May 2014. The bus set off out of the bus station and up the A53 towards Basford. We crossed over the A500 and we continued east on the A53. We turned into the industrial part of Festival Park along Forge Lane and part way along we saw Nuthall Methodist Church coach SIL 5864 parked up near to the Royal Doulton outlet store. We turned into Festival way and we crossed the A53 and headed into Hanley up Etruria Road. We continued up Trinity Street and took a right turn onto Stafford Street. We paused for a minute or so in Stafford Street before the bus continued past the town hall and into the bus station via Bagnall Street. When we got off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we headed of out to the John Street car park. The usual door was shut so we had to walk down a ramp to a lower door and then walk up an extra flight of stairs! Once up in the car park we started to take a few bus pictures. On layover was First Potteries 63171. The first bus we photograph was dud First Potteries 66962 on a #3 to Leighton Hospital, Crewe.

First Potteries 66962 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by interurban liveried dud First Potteries 42893.

First Potteries 42893 in Hanley bus station

going onto one of the layover bays was required First Potteries 66313.

First Potteries 66313 in Hanley bus station

Seen on the #21 for the second time today was First Potteries 41520. This was followed by required First Potteries 32630 which was on the #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 32630 in Hanley bus station

Usually allocated to Crewe, D&G 127 with it's one big door was working the #9 to Biddulph which is operated from the Longton garage.

D&G 127 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by required Wardle Transport 2133 on the #16 to Leek.

Wardle Transport 2133 in Hanley bus station

We decided to head back to the bus station. Before we went we saw dud First Potteries 65039 with its rear engine cover slightly open.

First Potteries 65039 in Hanley bus station

We walked out towards the bus station and we saw A1 National Embassy Peugeot minibus SJ08 RCU parked outside.

A1 National Embassy SJ08 RCU in Hanley

Due to capacity issues with the new bus station, an extra stand was located on the road outside. That is where we saw required First Potteries 63178 on a #6 service to Weston Coyney.

First Potteries 63178 in Hanley

The majority of the new Raspberry route bus us the stop outside the bus station. It was unusual to see First Potteries 63171 on layover inside the bus station earlier... We went into the bus station and we went into the Spar shop. matthew had a couple of bottle of pop and a couple of chocolate bars. Matthew said hello to the lady serving behind the counter and was being as charming as usual. We decided to do another couple of buses before we went to Newcastle to meet mum. the usual plan was to head up to Tunstall or Bradeley to catch a bus forward to Newcastle. On a #3 to Talke was required First Potteries 66303.

First Potteries 66303 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets to the driver. The bus was quite full and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and past the museum. We went along marsh Street before turning up Trinity Street and turning left onto Stafford Street. We added a few more passengers before heading out of town along Waterloo Road. We passed the Burslem and the bus emptied a little. We continued up Scotia Road to the edge of Tunstall and we turned left onto Williamson Street before turning right onto the High Street. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 66303 before it carried on on its journey towards Talke.

First Potteries 66303 in Tunstall

We got off the bus and we headed down the road to the toilets. We saw dud First Potteries 37157 on a #99 to Bradeley. After Matthew had finished in the toilet we headed back to stop B to wait for a Newcastle bus. From our bus times inquiry earlier we guesses that there should be a #91 bus at 16:24. We checked nextbuses.co.uk and this did turn out to be the case, so we had around 10 minutes to wait. There was a #3 to Hanley due first. The bus turned u and it was required First Potteries 66314.

First Potteries 66314 in Tunstall

We had to turn this down as we were going to meet up with mum in Newcastle. There were still 2 required buses on the #91/92 rotation that we knew of, so there was a 2 in 5 chance of one of these turning up. The bus rounded the corner and it was required Wardle Transport 2232.

Wardle Transport 2232 in Tunstall

We let a passenger get off the bus and we got on it. It was now empty so Matthew took a picture inside this fine example of an ALX200 bodied Dart.

Inside Wardle Transport 2232

We flashed the Smart Day tickets at the driver for the final time today and we sat down towards the rear of the bus. We set off down the High Street and onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we joined Longport Road and we passed required Copeland's Tours MIB 293 heading the other way. We suspect that it was returning from one of their holiday weeks. At the bottom of the road we picked up a lady with a suitcase who had probably just got off the coach and crossed the road. We headed across the A500 and up Porthill Bank before turning left onto Wolstanton High Street. We passed through wolstanton and as we got to the near end of the Brampton we stopped to let off a passenger and then the emergency exit alarm went off on it own. The driver stopped the bus and she open and shut the door a few time before the alarm cleared and we carried on into town. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout and onto Barracks Road before we entered the bus station. The bus was empty and Matthew got a picture inside it before we got off it.

Wardle Transport 2232 in Newcastle

We turned and saw dud Wardle Transport 2278 on a #41 'Hospital Hopper' service.

Wardle Transport 2278 in Newcastle

Mum hadn't turned up yet, so Matthew went to the toilet. When we came out we went to the corner of the bus station to look out for her, and to take a few more bus pictures. We saw First Potteries 65040 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65040 in Newcastle

On the main road was Sids taxi minibus KS05 JHX.

Sids KS05 JHX in Newcastle

Coming into the bus station we saw dud First Potteries 66311 on a #4 to Wereton.

First Potteries 66311 in Newcastle

This was followed by dud Wardle Transport 2238 on a #92 from Ball Green to Newcastle.

Wardle Transport 2238 in Newcastle

Mum arrived and parked in the layby just up from the bus station on barracks Road. we got in the car and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. we realised we had left the Greggs sausage rolls that we had brought yesterday instead on bring them into the car! Never mind, we were going to stop for chips at the Trentside chippy anyway. We turned around at the Jubilee roundabout and we headed back to the Southbound A34. We stopped at the chip shop and we picked up 2 portions of freshly cooked chips to share between the four of us in the car. We rejoined the Southbound A34 and then onto the Northbound A500. We turned right onto the Eastbound A50 which we did up to Longton to go and see what was at Z Carz. Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN still appears to be under repair but the job looks to be a little further along towards completion.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Next to this was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Finally we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Parked outside on the Street was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the yard itself was YR06 NNV. We headed back onto the A50 and we come off it again at Heron Cross. We turned on Blurton Road and we headed along onto church Road. We turned Right onto Beaconsfield drive and we got home around 17:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by millionaires shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark