Trip to Fenton / Shrewsbury 14-02-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Bentilee	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Shrewsbury	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Shrewsbury	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Bentilee	Charter	Shelton Care Group
NH57 HRO	Bentilee	Longton	Charter	ABC Supreme
NH57 HRO	Longton	Bentilee	Charter	ABC Supreme

Today Matthew was in respite and he was going to his day service and I was in Blackpool & Cleveleys. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew then waited in his room until it was time for the bus to turn up. Whilst he waited we saw First Potteries 42892 on a #13 service to Hanley.

First Potteries 42892 in Bentilee

We also saw Allendale minibus NK02 KVF.

Allendale NK02 KVF in Bentilee

A few minutes later Matthew's bus turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Bentilee

We set off onto the A5272 and we ran Eastwards to Adderley Green. We turned right at the roundabout and we ran down the hill into Longton. We went around the one-way system and we crossed over the A50 onto the A5035. We then ran through Dresden. We crossed over the railway line into Trentham. We turned right into new Inn Lane and we picked up another service user before returning onto the A5035. We turned left into Church Road At the roundabout we turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We crossed over the A50 and we went through the traffic lights to Heron Street. We followed the road onto Station Bridge Road and then onto Glebedale Road and to the day centre. In the morning Matthew went to Shrewsbury on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Glebedale Road and then we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill under the railway line and then we got onto the southbound A500. We did the A500 right to the end and then we turned left onto the A519. We ran for a couple of hundred yards and then we turned right onto the A5182 by the Eddie Stobart depot. We ran Westwards along the the road until the end until we joined the Southbound A53. we ran through Whitmore andbaldwin's gate and then we joined the A51 by The swan with Two Necks. A couple of hundred yards later we turned left onto the A53 again. We ran through Loggerhead and then we went around the North side of Market Drayton. We crossed the A41 at Tern Hill. We were now out in open countryside and we ran along the fast newer sections of the road to Shawbury. Once we passed through the village we ran to the edge of Shrewsbury and then we stopped at a pub called the Two Henrys. For dinner Matthew had gammon, egg & chips washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had Bakewell tart & cream. Afterwards Matthew went to the toilet. After we had finished we returned back to the day centre in Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto the A53 and we returned Northwards via Shawbury, Tern Hill and Loggerheads before we crossed the A51 by the Swan with Two Necks. We continued North through Baldwin's Gate and Whitmore. We turned right onto the A5182 and then we ran north up the A500. At Sideway we went east along the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We went through the traffic lights to Heron Street. We followed the road onto Station Bridge Road and then onto Glebedale Road and to the day centre. After a short stop Matthew returned to Bentilee on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Glebedlae Road and ran forwards onto Station Bridge Road. We continued onto Heron Street and we went through Heron Cross and over the A50. We continued onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and at the end we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and we turned right into New Inn Lane. We dropped another service user off and we returned onto the A5035 and we saw Stanways VAZ 4815. We travelled back through Blurton into Dresden and up to Longton and we crossed over the A50. We then turned right onto Chadwick Street. We crossed over Uttoxeter Road onto Bridgewood Street and we went under the railway line and at the end we turned left onto Forrister Street. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill into Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5272 and we ran through on Dividy Road before we got back to our destination. When Matthew got back into respite he went up to his room to watch the passing buses. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 116 going towards Adderley Green.

Copeland's Tours MIB 116 in Bentilee

A few minutes later we saw Stoke-on-Trent city council welfare bus FJ05 EKN arrive in the yard.

Stoke-on-Trent city council FJ05 EKN in Bentilee

Matthew had his tea which consisted of fish with mashed potatoes followed by lemon Cheesecake. after tea Matthew went to Longton on ABC Supreme NH57 HRO. We set off onto the A5272 and after doing a u-turn at the roundabout we ran Eastwards to Adderley Green. We turned right at the roundabout and we ran down the hill into Longton. We went around the one-way system and we turned of the Strand into the car park. Matthew visited B&M and brought some cans of Coke. We returned to respite on ABC Supreme NH57 HRO. We set off out of the car park and onto the one way system. We turned left off Market Street onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill to Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5272 and we ran Westwards to Bentilee. When Matthew got back he chilled out and watched some Television. Later on he had a bath before having toast for supper. Matthew went o bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 21-05-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42892	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
42553	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
65039	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
32627	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	99	First Potteries
67635	Tunstall, adj stop B	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
37159	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
41494	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
161	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	Nines	D&G

Today we decided to do a local trip. Wee checked the weather and it was for for cool wet weather, with rain due to fall for most of the afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and uncle Dave couldn't find his coat! we said goodbye to mum and we set off on foot to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. As we waited for the bus we saw dud First Potteries 67632 on a Longton bound #22. We saw mum in the distance approaching in the car and at the same time We saw a First Potteries Dart come around the corner. As our bus got closer we saw mum waving uncle Dave's coat about. I flagged the bus down, Matthew took a picture of dud First Potteries 42892 and uncle Dave ran to the car to get his coat off mum!

First Potteries 42892 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart day ticket at £5.30. By the time the ticket was sorted uncle Dave had caught us up and jumped on the bus. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line into Trentham nad we turned right into New Inn Lane. We saw a First Potteries Caetano Dart in front of us on the #21A and we knew we were unlikely to catch up with his bus. We got up to get off the bus near to the Man in Space and we saw required First Potteries 42553 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel opposite to us. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42892 before it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42892 in Trentham

We knew we had a wait of just less than 15 minutes for required First Potteries 42553 to return from it's loop around Trentham. The time passed quickly, mum sent a question about a house in uncle Dave's Street which her friend was considering renting, and we saw City Cabs SF58 UBZ going the other way.

City Cabs SF58 UBZ in Trentham

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67603 on a #22 to Longton and then we turned to see required First Potteries 42553 again on the #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 42553 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up New Inn Lane and we noticed that the bus in front was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 42553.

Inside First Potteries 42553

At the top of New Inn Lane we turned right into Wilson Road and left into Church Lane. At the bottom of Church Lane we joined the Northbound A34 and we crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale. We turned right onto London Road and we ran the last couple of mile through West End into Stoke Town Centre. We passed City Cabs and we saw minibus YN02 UYV parked in the adjacent Street. On Campbell Place we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 42553 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 42553 in Stoke

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we walked through the town centre to Church Street and around the corner to Stoke cafe where we went for our dinner. Matthew used the toilet and when he returned from the basement we ordered him a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After he had finished eating we went along Church Street to the stop by the Post Office where the majority of the Newcastle bound departures leave from. Whilst we waited for the next bus we saw dud First Potteries 65731 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65731 in Stoke

Having seen a couple of of #25's, it would seem that today that this usually double decker operated service was in the hand of single deckers... Where were all the double deckers today? A few minutes later we saw another single decker approaching on a Newcastle bound service. It was a Scania Omnicity, an unusual sighting in Stoke town centre. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 65039 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. After a brief wait, we set off along Church Street and off up the hill along Hartshill Road. We passed the Noah's Ark pub, currently being refurbished and re-opening again sometime in late June. Just after the pub we turned left by the Co-operative Food store and we headed to the hospital. We bounced our way through the hospital grounds over the severe speed bumps and we joined the North bound A34. We went around the roundabout at the bottom end of Newcastle and we turned right onto Barracks Road before entering the bus station from the Southern end. It was a through bus to Keele, and it didn't empty out sufficiently for Matthew to take a picture inside. We got off the bus and we saw required First Potteries double decker 37159 departing on a #98 to Ball Green. We deicded to head up the the North end of the bus station to take a few pictures as there was a break in the rain. We then saw dud First Potteries 53063 on a #72 to Clayton.

First Potteries 53063 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw one of the last two First Potteries buses in the heritage red and yellow livery. It was dud First Potteries 65026 on a #2 to Hanley via Longton.

First Potteries 65026 in Newcastle bus station

We then saw dud First Potteries 32627 on a #99 to Chell Heath.

First Potteries 32627 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do the double decker on the #99 as a way of getting to Tunstall quickly so that Matthew could have dessert! Wewalked over to the stand and whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Knights Ford Minibus UKZ 9592 heading over to the taxi rank.

Knights UKZ 9592 in Newcastle bus station

When the bus had been readied for service and it started to load, we got on First Potteries 32627 and we flashed our Smart Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32627.

Inside First Potteries 32627

We set off out of Newcastle bus station onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A527 passed the site of a new care home and into Wolstanton. We passed along the High Street to the top of Porthill Bank where we saw ABC Supreme minibus BV51 BNZ. We turned right onto Porthill bank and we went down the hill and across the A500. We traveled through Longport and at Trubshaw Cross we turned left onto Brownhills Road we climbed the hill past the site where it was once mooted there was going to be a Morrison's and into Tunstall. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed into the Tunstall Cafe. It was extremely full and we could only find a table for two at the back of the cafe. Matthew went to toilet the and I ordered a slice of Toffee Cheesecake and a can of Coke. After we had finished we said goodbye and we headed back out onto the High Street and across the road. Whilst we waited for a Southbound bus we saw First Potteries 32057 on a #99 to Chell Heath.

First Potteries 32057 in Tunstall

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching from the North. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 67635 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67635 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the High Street and we turned left onto Williamson Street. After going past Asda we turned right onto Scotia Road and we ran down to Burslem. We continued South through Cobridge along Waterloo Road and we entered Hanley along Hope Street. We ran along Stafford Street and passed the town all and we entered the bus station Bagnall Street. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew went the toilet and then we headed off to the car park to take a few bus pictures. Whilst we were in the car park the rain really started to come down. On layover we saw First Potteries 63099.

First Potteries 63099 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes alter we saw dud First Potteries 66302 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 66302 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we were in the car park Matthew had a Milky Way and drank a small bottle of lemonade. We also saw D&G 158 on a #9 to Biddulph.

D&G 158 in Hanley bus station

The rain died down a little and and we considered going back to the bus station. We then saw D&G Bus 32 on a #43 to Baddeley Green.

D&G 32 in Hanley bus station

We decided to head back to the bus station whilst there was a break in the rain. We stopped in the Spa shop and Matthew had a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. Once we we had paid for the stuff we went into the bus station and we spotted First Potteries 32055 on a #32 to Uttoxeter. We also saw required First Potteries 37159.

First Potteries 37159 in Hanley bus station

We waited for the driver to get into the bus and set the destination. It was just our good luck that it was about to work a #7A to Biddulph. The driver readied the bus for service and we queued up to get on the bus. Once on the bus we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. As the rear of the top deck was empty, Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37159.

Inside First Potteries 37159

We set off out of the bus station and down John Street onto Bethesda Street. We went onto Marsh Street and we turned right onto Trinity Street. We turned left onto Stafford Street and we went around Quadrant Road under the Intu potteries shopping centre. We left Hanley through Townsend and we saw Stanton's of Stoke TSU 268 and Required First Potteries 32079 on an inbound Hanley service. We continued out of town through Sneyd Green and across Smallthorne roundabouts onto High Lane. At the end of High Lane we turned left onto the A527 and we ran down through Fegg Hayes and up the hill into Brindeley Ford. We left the A527 and we turned left to travel through Brown Lees. We crossed over the A527 at Knypersley and we ran around the housing estate to the east of Biddulph before coming onto the High Street off Well Street. After a short run along the High Street we turned down South View and onto Wharf Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37159 as it carried on Northwards.

First Potteries 37159 in Biddulph bus station

We went to use the toilets in the bus station area, and after we had finished we cams out to see D&G Bus 159 about to work a #9 to Clayton.

D&G 159 in Biddulph bus station

We decided to go and get some fried from the Biddulph Kebab & Pizza shop so we walked up the High Street. On the way we saw an unusual coach. It was a maroon coloured coach FNZ 8556. We picked up the chips from the chip shop and we headed back to the bus station main shelter. We started to eat the chips and Matthew heard a bus approaching. We popped outside to see First Potteries 41500 on a #7A to Hanley.

First Potteries 41500 in Biddulph bus station

A few minutes later we heard another bus approaching. It was required First Potteries 32079 on a #7A to Hanley. When we had finished eating the chip we noticed that the coach was parked up down the road. It was Ken's of Congleton coach FNZ 8556.

Ken's of Congleton FNZ 8556 in Biddulph bus station

It was just after 16:00 and we were considering what bus to do back South. There was a #9 at 16:10 and this was followed by a #7A at 16:20. The D&G bus turned up and it was required 161. Matthew didn't fancy doing it at this point, perhaps he had a plan for later...

D&G 161 in Biddulph bus station

The D&G bus departed and a few minutes later dud First Potteries 41494 appeared on the #7A.

First Potteries 41494 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off back onto the High Street and then left onto Well Street. We whizzed around the estate and we crossed over the A527 into Brown lees. Just before we got back to the A527 we passed required D&G 191 on a #9 to Biddulph. We continued South Through Brindley Ford and Fegg Hayes where we saw D&G 161 again turn towards Chell Heath. We climbed the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran down through Smallthorne and Sneyd Green in Townsend and into Hanley. When we got to the bus station we lat the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41494.

Inside First Potteries 41494

As we came into the bus station we noticed one of D&G's 'new' Dart that they acquired from Routemaster Buses with some services that they gained in Crewe. We walked around to the layover area and Matthew got a picture of D&G Bus 162 which was about to do the #43 to Baddeley Green.

D&G 162 in Hanley bus station

Also in the bus station was D&G Bus 145 that was purchased new just before Christmas. It was on the service that it is more often seen on, the #16 to Leek.

D&G 145 in Hanley bus station

We walked back into the bus sgtation and we headed down to the bottom stands to see what we could catch towards Newcastle. Required D&G 161 was about to set off on the #9 to Clayton, so we decided to do that.

D&G 161 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus was empty so matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 161.

Inside D&G 161

The bus set off out of the bus station onto John Street and down onto Bethesda Street. We crossed the ring Road and we went into Shelton and down College Road. By the railway station as we waited at the lights to go onto the A52, we saw a Longmynd Travel coach and CCT minibus 123 TKM. We went onto the A52 and we followed it around into Stoke town Centre. After we had stopped we continued along Church Street and up the hill into Hartshill. We turned left into Princes Road and we went into the centre of Penkhull and onto Newcastle Lane. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and then left into the hospital. After traveling through the hospital we went onto the A34 and into Newcastle. Once in the bus station we tried to go to the toilet but they were all locked up. Mum came and picked up up and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout and back down the A34. We stopped at the Riverside Chip and we had a couple of potions of real ships between the 4 of us. We re joined the A34 and we turned left onto the A500. At Sideway we went east up the A50 Longton to see whhat was parked up at Z Carz today. Due to 3 way temporary traffic lights on Ednesor Road we couldn't stop by Z carz. We saw Z Carz PN06 ONM as we traveled South past the spare ground.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP in the compound.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned around and as we waited for the traffic light we saw Z Carz silver minibus HK57 LGW on the spare ground.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross befor traveling though Blurton along Blurton Road. We followed the road around to the right and onto Church Road, and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got back home around 18:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a piece of millionaire shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 23-01-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
65706	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going for tea in Trent Vale, not before going to his day service new operator to be KH Travel of Newcastle. Matthew got up at 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. Matthew took a picture of the bus before heading inside. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. Matthew had been due to go to the pub in Joiners Square. Today Matthew went in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto City Road before turning left onto Victoria Road. We went down towards Joiners Square and crossed the roundabout onto Lichfield Street before arriving at our destination. At the pub Matthew went to the toilet and drank some Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included Copelands Tours MIB 970.

Copelands Tours MIB 970 in Joiners Square

When it was time to go we were picked up by an Autocab taxi. We went down Lichfield Street and across Joiners Square roundabout and onto Victoria Road. we turned right into City Road. Finally we turned left into Glebedale Road before we reached our destination. When it was time to return home Matthew got back onto Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. The bus took us onto Glebedale Road and we followed it through to Heron Street and into Heron Cross. We went through the lights and over the A50 before continuing through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right at Critchlow's Corner onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. Matthew got home around 14:40 today. After having some toast and Dandelion & Burdock we chilled out until it was time to go and catch the bus. We set off just before 16:00 and we walked towards he stop on Magdalen Road. Before we got there, we spotted D&G 174 going in the opposite direction on the Blurton Plumline service.

D&G 174 in Blurton

We were expecting the bus to be required First Potteries 60073, but it was required First Potteries 65706 and bang on time it appeared from around the corner.

First Potteries 65706 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfield Road before we sat down near to the back of the bus. We turned right onto the A5035 and we carried on towards Trentham. In Trentham we passed Scraggs minibus 8416 VT going the other way. On New Inn Lane we passed dud First Potteries 40173 on a #21A to the Trentham Hotel. We carried on down and we turn right onto the A34. We crossed under the A500 and we entered Trent Vale, passing First Potteries 65040 on a Stafford bound #101. We then passed First Potteries 66849 on the 'Extra' 16:05 Newcastle - New Inn Lane #22 service. We passed the pub and the bus moved right to do the right turn into Harpfields Road. We turned into Harpfields Road and we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 65706 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 65706 in Trent Vale

We set off on foot to the pub and we saw Arrowebrook coach YN58 FXL going Northwards. We got to the pub and as we had got there before mum we sat on a table near to the door to wait for her. Eventually met 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 First Potteries 65027 Stanton's of Stoke coach TUI 4854 and ABC Supreme minibus FJ53 FBU. After we had finished eating we called Uncle Dave and we went to pick him up. We drove along the A34 and onto the Northbound A500. We went East at the A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we dropped into Fenton. After we had picked up uncle Dave, we headed up to Heron Cross and through Blurton, getting home around 18:00. Matthew then chilled out watching bus videos and using his computer before bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 29-11-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
42892	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
40025	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21B	First Potteries
60196	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	1	First Potteries
2238	Newcastle BS	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop A	91	Wardle Transport
37156	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
40378	Hanley BS	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	9	First Potteries
40173	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	9	First Potteries
2356	Tunstall (Stoke-on-Trent), adj stop B	Newcastle BS	91	Wardle Transport

Today we decided to go on a local trip. It was the last day of the First Potteries timetable before major changes, and I had a works do. The weather had been checked, and it was for cloudy weather, with a mild temperature of 8'... Positively tropical for November! Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We told Matthew we were going locally and we did a small amount of research into which First Buses were required. Just before 12:00 we set off on foot all the way to the bus stop on Magdalen Road. I hadn't been out to view what was on any of the buses so it was going to be a surprise what turned up. A minute or two late First Potteries 42892 turned the corner.

First Potteries 42892 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30. We sat down at the back of the us and the bus set off onto A5035. The bus carried on through to Trentham. We turned into New Inn Lane and we got up and got off the bus at the Man in Space. We didn't have to wait for more than a couple of minutes before another bus turned up. It came into sight and we could see it was a Solo. As it got closer we saw it was required First Potteries 40025.

First Potteries 40025 in Trentham

We got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day ticket. We sat down near to the back of the bus. As it was nearly empty Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus facing forwards.

Inside First Potteries 40025

The bus carried on along New Inn Lane and into Hanford. WE went down Wilson Road before er turned left into Church Lane. At the bottom of Church Lane we joined the Northbound A34. We crossed under the A500 and into Trent Vale. We turned right onto London Road. We carried on towards Stoke passing City Cabs minibus LT02 XLJ at their new base. When we got to Stoke we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 40025.

First Potteries 40025 in Stoke

We set off on foot towards the Stoke Cafe. On the way we saw dud First Potteries 40367 on a #21A to the Trentham hotel.

First Potteries 40367 in Stoke

We carried on across Campbell Place and we turned the corner onto Church Street. WE went in the cafe and Matthew went to the toilet whilst I ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Fanta. After we had finished we set off onto Church Street to see what we could catch up towards Newcastle. Going the other way towards Meir was dud D&G 113 on 'The Orange One'.

D&G 113 in Stoke

We got to the Newcastle stop and we could see two buses approaching. There was a Cherry branded bus and a classic liveried Scania. We decided to flag the second bus down and let the Cherry bus go. First we saw dud First Potteries 66845 on a #3 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 66845 in Stoke

Behind that was dud First Potteries Scania 60196 on the #1 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60196 in Stoke

We got on First Potteries 60196 and we flashed the Smart Day ticket. The driver recognised Matthew from when he was a young lad and he used to drive him to school in First minibuses around the turn of the century! WE sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along Church Street on onto Hartshill Bank. WE climbed the hill into Hartshill and we continued onto George Street for the run down into Newcastle town centre. It turned out that we had only been on this bus once before back in May 2012 from Hanley to Cross Heath, when we did the Wardle Transport running day. We turned onto Barracks Road and then we entered the bus station. We let the bus empty and then Matthew got a picture inside First Potteries 60196.

Inside First Potteries 60196

We got off the bus and we decided to spend some time taking pictures. First we saw dud Wardle Transport 3614 on a #92 to Ball Green.

Wardle Transport 3614 in Newcastle bus station

Next we saw dud First Potteries 40020 on a #72 to Park Site.

First Potteries 40020 in Newcastle bus station

Leaving the bus station was required First Potteries 66307 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 66307 in Newcastle bus station

Then we saw required First Potteries 43875 on a Clayton bound #72 service.

First Potteries 43875 in Newcastle bus station

We then saw dud Wardle Transport 2131 on a #33 Westlands circular service.

Wardle Transport 2131 in Newcastle bus station

We turned around to see dud Wardle Transport 2221 arrive on a #28 to Newcastle from Keele.

Wardle Transport 2221 in Newcastle bus station

Next we saw required First Potteries 66313 depart on a #4 to Hanley.

First Potteries 66313 in Newcastle bus station

We then saw required Wardle Transport 2238 arrive on the #91 from Bradeley.

Wardle Transport 2238 in Newcastle bus station

We decided that we were going to do required Wardle Transport 2238. We walked towards the group of stands from which the #91 departs from. As we walked over there we saw dud Bakerbus 185 arrive on the #94 from Biddulph.

Bakerbus 185 in Newcastle bus station

At the bottom end of the bus station was dud First Potteries 66840 on an unidentified service.

First Potteries 66840 in Newcastle bus station

Wardle Transport 2238 pulled onto the stand and we waited patiently to get on the bus. When we got on we flashed our Smart Day ticket and went to the back of the bus. Before we sat down Matthew got a picture of the empty rear of Wardle Transport 2238.

Inside Wardle Transport 2238

This was a bus that we had seen but not caught The bus set off out of Newcastle and past the Bramptons. There were lights at the first roundabout as there were roadworks to replace underground electricity cables. After the traffic light we carried on into Wolstanton before turning right towards Longtport. We crossed the A500 and we turned left at Trubshaw Cross. We passed Westport lake and we went right at Williamson Street before going passed Asda and back on to the High Street. At the top of the high Street we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Wardle Transport 2238.

Wardle Transport 2238 in Tunstall

We ducked into Tunstall Cafe and Matthew used the toilet before having a slice of toffee Cheesecake and a glass of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw new arrival First Potteries 32630 in service only a few days after arriving from Leicester. It was working the #9A Hanley Burslem - Tunstall - Bradeley - Hanley service. After we had finished eating we crossed the road to wait at stop B. There were two buses due in the next few minutes. A #9 to Newcastle and a #3 to Hanley. The #3 turned up first and it was required First Potteries 37156.

First Potteries 37156 in Tunstall

We decided to do this required double decker.We got on the bus and we flashed our Smart Day ticket. We went upstairs, and as the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture of the empty bus behind us.

Inside First Potteries 37156

The bus set off down the High Street and turned right onto Williamson Street. At the end we turned right onto Scotia Road, and we went passed what used to be the Burslem bus garage before we climbed over the hill and into Burslem town centre. We continued along Waterloo Road and into Cobridge before dropping into the bottom of Hanley. We entered Hanley along Hope Street before going into Stafford Street and passed 'the scary man' on the side of Debenhams. We went passed the town hall and into the bus station along Bagnall Street. The bus pulled into the bus station and we got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet and then we headed off on foot towards John Street car park. On the way to the car park we saw one of First Potteries new Wright Streetlites. First Potteries 63172 was on the #6A to Meir.

First Potteries 63172 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by Adderley Green allocated double decker 32633 on the #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 32633 in Hanley bus station

We entered the car park and we did the stairs up to the next level. We then saw First Potteries 37156 continue on its #3 journey to Keele University.

First Potteries 37156 in Hanley bus station

We then saw required First Potteries 40019 on a #5 to Badderley Green.

First Potteries 40019 in Hanley bus station

There was yet another double decker out, as required First Potteries 32635 was working the #32 to Cheadle.

First Potteries 32635 in Hanley bus station

This was followed by recently painted and branded dud Scania Omnicity First Potteries 65004 on the #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 65004 in Hanley bus station

We then saw dud Wardle Transport Volvo 3611 on a #15 to Leek.

Wardle Transport 3611 in Hanley bus station

During a quieter spell, Matthew took a picture of dud First Potteries 65561, which was on layover in one of the dedicated layover spaces in the middle of the bus station.

First Potteries 65561 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we waited for another departure from the bus station, we saw former First Potteries minibus V117 DLH appeared and briefly parked up outside the bus station.

V117 DLH near Hanley bus station

Back in the bus station, Scraggs Blue Buses 22 was leaving on a #44 to Stanley.

Scraggs Blue Buses 22 in Hanley bus station

This was followed closely by dud Wardle Transport 3604 on the #13 to Longton.

Wardle Transport 3604 in Hanley bus station

Between pictures Matthew ate a Milky Way and a bottle of Coke. On a #314 to Southport was a Selwyns Coaches national Express Liveried coach, FJ61 EWL.

National Express FJ61 EWL in Hanley bus station

This was followed by required Bakerbus 246, which was on the #9 service to Biddulph.

Bakerbus 246 in Hanley bus station

Between service we saw Wardle Transport 2376 which parking up in the layover spaces.

Wardle Transport 2376 in Hanley bus station

At this point we decided to head back to the bus station. On the way we saw First Potteries 63175 on a #6A to Meir.

First Potteries 63175 in Hanley bus station

This was followed closely by First Potteries 66305 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 66305 in Hanley bus station

We continued into the bus station were we thought about what we could catch next. On a #32 was required First Potteries 37160 on a #32. Eventually we decided to catch dud First Potteries 40378 on a #9 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 40378 in Hanley bus station

We thought we could do this bus to possibly intercept First Potteries 32630 on the #9A. Also First Potteries 40378 was also a low mileage bus. We had only been on this bus on the short hop from Blurton to Newstead back in October. Whilst we waited to depart, Matthew took a picture inside of First Potteries 40378.

Inside First Potteries 40378

The bus set off onto John Street and onto the ring road via Bethesda Street. We went up broad Street and onto Marsh Street before turning right onto Trinity Street. We turned left onto Stafford Street and we stopped to take on more passengers. After passing under the Potteries Shopping centre on Quadrant Road, we headed out of town along Town Road. We carried on along Chell Street and onto High Lane. We turned at the Green Star and onto Community Drive. We turned right onto Ford Green Road and then left onto Chell Heath Road. We decided to get off in Bradlely. AS we got up to get of the bus, we saw required First Potteries 32630 coming the other way on the #9A! We have traveled a stop or two too far... When we got off Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 40378 as it carried on towards Tunstall & Newcastle.

First Potteries 40378 in Bradeley

We had a quick check on nextbuses.mobi to see when the next bus was due. The next bus was a #9 10 minutes later, which was followed by a #9 to Biddulph. The 10 minutes passed quickly and we saw required First Potteries 40805 going towards Hanley on a #9 service. This was a recent arrival from the Hereford depot. We the saw a Marshall bodied Dart approaching. Could this be Matthew last required First Potteries Marshall bodied Dart? We had seen dud First Potteries 41070 earlier in the day on the #9 so we thought it was probably going to be this bus. Has it got closer we saw that it was indeed required First Potteries 40173...

First Potteries 40173 in Bradeley

We got on the bus and flashed the Smart Day tickets. WE sat now near to the back of the bus. The bus set off through Bradeley along Chell Heath Road, and a few people got off the bus. As the bus was now empty behind us, Matthew took a picture of the grey seats behind us.

Inside First Potteries 40173

WE carried on past Matthew's old school, which had now closed down. We carried on to Fegg Hayes, and we turned into Fegg Hayes Road. As the timetable was changing tomorrow this was probably going to be the last time that we do a bus up this road as first are going back to the old route up the A527. We carried on up onto the A527 before turning left onto High Lane. We turned right into the Mill Hill estate and we came out the other side on Greenbank Road / Queens Avenue. We got to the top of Queens Avenue and we turned right onto the A50 before going left into Tunstall High Street. We got off the bus, and had we been patient we could have photographed the bus empty. We decided to go to the toilet and then afterwards we visited the High Street Chippy for chips and a drink. After we had brought them we walked up to Butterfield Place and we sat on seats to eat the chips. Me and Matthew then shared a can of Vimto. When we had finished we walked up to stop B to catch another bus, perhaps two depending on what turned up. There was a #9A due which would mean we would have to get off at Trubshaw Cross and wait for the following bus if we did that. The bus stop didn't have details of Wardle Transport services on it, so we were surprised when we saw an ALX bodied vehicle. As it got closer we saw it was required Wardle Transport Dart 2356.

Wardle Transport 2356 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and it was empty at this point, so Matthew took a picture of the empty bus as we got on it

Inside Wardle Transport 2356

We flashed the Smart day ticket for the last time and I texted mum to tell her we would be in Newcastle at approximately 16:45. The bus set off down the High Street and we carried on down onto Brownhills Road. We went through Trubshaw Cross and through Longtport. We crossed the A500 and we climbed Porthill Bank before turning left to Wolstanton. We went through Wolstanton and into Newcaslte. When we got to Newcastle Matthew took a better picture of Wardle Transport 2356.

Wardle Transport 2356 in Newcastle bus station

Just as we got off Wardle Transport 2356 there was a flurry of double decker activity. First we saw required First Potteries 32056 on a #3 to Keele University.

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle bus station

The we saw the elusive & required First Potteries 32630 which was now on a #8 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32630 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later dud First Potteries 32057 on a #4A to Kidsgrove.

First Potteries 32057 in Newcastle bus station

At one point there were 3 double deckers on consecutive stands 32056 was next to First Potteries 32633 on a #101 to Hanley, which was next to one of the 3715x double decker which was also on a Hanley service. We also saw Arriva Midlands 3698 on a #164 Shrewsbury to Hanley service.

Arriva Midlands 3698 in Newcastle bus station

At this point we decided to walk up to the car on Barracks Road. Mum was waiting with Wrights sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru. We drove out of town up the A53 and onto George Street. We went down Shelton New Road and we joined the Southbound A500. We did the A500 down to the A50 and we went East to Longton. We came of the A50 and we went to Z Carz to see what was there tonight. There were 2 buse parked on the spare ground tonight. Firstly there was Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Behind this in the shadows was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned the corner into Willow Row and the yard was full of minibuses which included Mercedes minibus W221 CDN & Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and then we came off it again at Heron Cross. We passed Lightning Travel T2 DLT and we entered Blurton. We carried on along Blurton Road and onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 17:15. I went to my works do and Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots with uncle Dave and mum. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until around 01:00...Mark