Trip to Hanley / Congleton 03-04-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67154	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
67653	Hanley BS	Leek BS	18	First Potteries
MX04 VLP	Leek BS	Macclesfield BS	109	Aimee's
4422	Macclesfield BS	Congleton BS	38	Arriva NW&W
2930	Congleton BS	Haslington opp Oakland Avenue	38	Arriva NW&W
67654	Haslington nr Oakland Avenue	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
67152	Hanley BS	Fenton, opp Albert Square	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. Matthew also found out about the end of the D&G Bus #77 service. As a result of the Cheshire East Council Supported Bus Service Review, this service will be withdrawn. New service 318 will operate between Alsager, Kidsgrove and Congleton. Matthew was also going out on the bus today. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We saw First Potteries 63171 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63171 in Fenton

Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and onto Albert Square where we saw blue minibus DE02 WKT parked up outside the old Court building.

DE02 WKT in Fenton

the day centre. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX parked outside.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off on foot onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop outside Travers Court. A few minutes later the bus to Newcastle appeared and it was dud First Potteries 67154 on a #23 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned right onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we saw First Potteries 67641 on a #7A to Biddulph. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. In the bus station we saw required First Potteries 67653 on a #18 to Leek. We got on the bus and we booked to Leek before we sat down. We set off out of the bus station onto john Street and we ran down the hill to Bethesda Street. We ran past the museum and we ran forwards onto Marsh Street. We turned right onto Trinity street and at the top of the hill we turned left onto Stafford Street. We ran forwards onto Quadrant Road and we went across the ring road along Town Road. We ran forwards onto the A5272 and into Sneyd Green. We turned right onto Milton Road and we ran down the hill before turning left onto Berwick Road. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A53. We ran North through Badderley Green and into Stockton Brook. We continued into Endon and then we ran out into open countryside. We climbed the hill into Longsdon and we ran down Ladderedge into the Churnet Valley. We ran up the hill into the town centre and we turned right into Leonard Street. We turned into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once we were in Leek we walked into the town centre to get something to eat. We walked through the arcade onto the A53 and we turned left onto the A523. We turned left at Derby Street and we went to the Coffee Bean Café. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we returned to the bus station. We caught Aimee's MX04 VLP on the #109 to Macclesfield. We got on the bus and we booked to Macclesfield before sitting down towards the back of the bus. we set off out of the bus station onto the A523 and we turned left and went through the town centre. We continued down the valet past Sainsbury's and we climbed out of Leek towards Rudyard lake. We continued into Ruston Spencer before We crossed over the A54 at Bosley and we continued North into Macclesfield. In town we continued onto the A536 and we turned left onto Sunderland Street. We turned left onto Queen Victoria and we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. In the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 2931 on a #130 to Manchester. A few minutes later the bus to Congleton arrive. It was Arriva NW&W 4422. We got on the bus and we booked to Congleton. This was a bus we had been on before in Birkenhead back in September 2011. we got on and booked to Congleton before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran through town onto the A536. We ran out of town through Warren in Rode Heath. We ran to the edge of town and we turned left onto the A54. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Whilst we waited for the next bus we saw D&G 51 on a #318 to Alsager. We walked around the corner to Chatwins and Matthew had a Battenburg cake and a can of Coke. We walked around the corner to the bus station and we waited for a bus forwards to Haslington. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was Arriva NW&W 2930 on a #38 to Crewe. We got on the bus and we booked to Haslington before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto market Street and we ran down the hill onto Mountbatten Way. We turned left onto Mill Street and we climbed the hill, turning right onto West Street. At the roundabout we went straight onto the A34 and at the following junction we went straight ahead onto the A534. We went out of town through West Heath and then out into open countryside. We crossed the A50 at the Arclid crossroads and we passed a large lake. It was now bright sunshine as we crossed the M6, where we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach going North. On the west side of the m6 we left the A534 and turned right onto Congleton Road and we ran into Sandbach Common where we saw D&G 53 on a #317 to Alsager. After a brief stop we continued on our journey. After a brief stop we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and waited at the bus stop for the next bus back to Hanley. A few minutes later it appeared and it was First Potteries 67654 on a #3 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Slaughter Hill and we ran forwards onto the B5077. We continued through Radway Green into Alsager and we continued along the B5077. We crossed over the A34 and we ran down the A50 into Kidsgrove. We ran up the hill into Goldenhill and down onto High Street through Tunstall. We continued down the High Street an we turned left onto Williamson Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto Scotia Road and past the old bus garage before running up the hill into Burslem Town centre. We ran through the light onto Waterloo Road and up the hill into Cobridge. We ran down the hill towards Hanley and then up into town along Hope Street and Stafford Street. We turned right at the end past the town hall and onto Bagnall Street before entering the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. In the bus station we saw D&G 165 on a #16 to Leek. We waited for a bus back to Fenton. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67152 on the #23 to Newstead. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto john Street. At the bottom of the hill we turned left onto Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road. We continued to the end of Bethedsa Street and we turned right onto Regent Road. We ran forwards onto College Road and we ran down the hill through Shelton. We turned left onto Station Road and we stopped briefly outside the railway station. At the end of station road we turned right onto Glebe Street. We ran onto the one-way system and we followed it onto Church Street. After crossing over the A500 we ran under the railway line onto City Road. We ran up the hill and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. When we got to Albert Square we got up and got off the bus. We walked back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer. He also watched buses out of the window. for tea Matthew had pasta and sauce followed by a Bakewell Tart. Matthew returned to his room to chill out. We saw City Cabs LB11 LVV going towards Longton.

City Cabs LB11 LVV in Fenton

Matthew used his computer and watched television in his room. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Apedale / Crewe 27-12-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Apedale	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Apedale	Crewe	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Crewe	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going to visit uncle Dave later on for a post Christmas buffet. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service We saw D&G Bus 43 on a #40 to Longton. At 09:00 we went to Apedale. Transport for the journey it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and we ran down the hill. We turned right onto the A52 and we ran up towards the railway station. We went forwards onto Station Rod and at the end we turned right onto Stoke Road. We ran up the Hill into Shelton and we turned left onto Cemetery Road. At the end we turned left onto Shelton New Road and we ran up towards Hartshill. We turned right onto Ford Street and onto Gladstone Street. We crossed over the A53 onto the B5369 and we ran through Dimsdale and we crossed over the A34. At the bottom end of Chesterton we went onto Loomer Road and we ran through to Apedale. Matthew went to the café and used the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. After we had finished we returned to Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX for the journey to Crewe. We set off along Loomer Road and we crossed over the A34 onto the B5369. We ran through to the A53 and we turtned right. We turned left onto Victoria Street and we ran into Hartshill. We joined Hartshill Road and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. We went around the one-way system onto Elenora Street and we followed it around onto Copeland Street. We got onto to Glebe street towards the railway station and we turned right onto Lytton Street. We went past a yard where Crystal Shandelles double decker R759 DRJ was parked up. We turned left onto City Road and we went under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned left at Victoria Road and we ran down the hill. We crossed over the roundabout at Joiners Square onto Lichfield street and we ran up the hill towards Hanley. We went around the ring-road and we got onto the A50. We ran through Burslem and around the back of Tunstall High Street past the police station. We re-joined the High Street and ran through Sandyford. We ran through Goldenhill and down the hill into Kidsgrove. We went under the railway line and into Cheshire and we crossed over the A34 onto the B5077. We continued into Alsager and we ran forwards into Radway Green. We continued up Slaughter hill and we ran up to Haslington before running towards Crewe along the A534. We ran inti the town and past the railway station before turning right into Edleston Road. We ran into the centre of Crewe and we followed the road around onto Delamere Street. We walked past the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 2642 on a #38 to Macclesfield. We went to the pub on the corner of the street. Matthew went to the toilet and had a glass of Coke. For dinner Matthew a had a burger and fries followed by a warm chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. After we had finished we walked back through the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 4422 on a #84 to Chester. When we had finished we returned to Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX for the run back to Fenton. We ran back onto Edleston Road and we turned left onto the A534. We ran past the railway station and we continued up towards Haslington. We turned right onto Slaughter Hill and we ran back through Radway Green and into Alsager. We continued over the A34 and into Staffordshire and we ran under the railway line into Kidsgrove. We ran up the hill into Goldenhill and we continued into Sandyford. We joind tunstall High Street and then we ran around the town centre and joined Scotia Road near to Asda. We ran up into Burslem and we continued along the A5o into Cobridge. We ran down the hill to the edge of Hanley and we went around the ring road to Lichfield Street. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we turned right onto the A52. We ran forwards past the railway station and we veered left towards Fenton. We turned left onto City Road and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Mathew went up to his room to chill out whilst he waited for us to come and pick his to go to uncle Dave's. Whilst he waited he watched buses out of the window. We saw First Potteries 67631 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67631 in Fenton

We also saw D&G Bus 32 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G 32 in Fenton

We then saw First Potteries 63101 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63101 in Fenton

A short while later we came to pick Matthew up. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road and we turned right onto Whieldon Road. At uncle Dave's house we watched some television and then lit a fire. uncle Dave set up the buffet and then we ate lots of food. Matthew had some mini sausage rolls and viscount biscuits as well as some satay chicken pieces. He also had some cocktail sausages and some chocolate fingers. After we got the fire going we had some toast cooked over the embers as the fire started to die down. He also drank some dandelion & burdock. Later on Matthew played on the computer before uncle Dave did a short DJ set. When it was time to go we got back into the car and we said goodbye to uncle Dave. As there are roadworks blocking part of the road we went down Whieldon Road. We crossed under the A500 and we saw Intercity BJ07 HXD. We turned right onto City Road and we crossed over the A500. We ran under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto Temple street and back to the residential unit. We said goodbye to Matthew and he chilled out in his room. Matthew chilled out in his room watching television and using his computer. Later on Matthew emptied his bin into a bin bag. had a bath and then had toast for supper. Later on Matthew He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Birkenhead 04-09-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4421	Birkenhead BS	West Kirby	437	Arriva North West & Wales
4422	West Kirby	Birkenhead BS	437	Arriva North West & Wales

Today we thought we were going to Blackpool on one of Z Carz first coach trips. Matthew was so excited he did not sleep very well. He got back up and then stayed up past 03:30! Z Carz have purchased 3 coaches with a view to breaking in contract hire and tours and there was a trip going to Blackpool today. Unfortunately the had to cancel last minute due to a fault on the vehicle. we drove to Longton and waited for the coach around 09:15. after a few minutes, we phoned up to see where the coach was and we were told the bad news. We got in the car and drove from Longton to the depot to sort things out. Whilst mum spoke to the control Matthew got a picture of the coach we were due to be on. We went into the office to mum and we sorted out a new date for a trip on this coach. One of the staff then took Matthew onto the coach in order for him to take a few pictures of the inside.


Not quite yet...Inside D104 XAN (Matt)

With the future trip sorted, we had a packed lunch and nowhere planned to go. So we decided to go to Birkenhead as we hadn't been for a few months. We filled up with LPG at Longport and then drove North. Because of the late night I decided to go along the A54 instead of along the M56. we drove through Winsford, and then we had a quick stop in a lay-by for food and drink. After our short break we continued on the A54 and then onto the A51. we passed a BP petrol station that was burnt out before we got onto the M53 to go into Birkenhead. in birkenhead we headed to platter for dinner. After we dinner we went to the bus station whilst we decide what to catch today. We always ask Matthew if he wants to catch First or Arriva buses and as usual these days he chose Arriva! that didn't stop Matthew pointing out other buses he wanted to catch including 65736 on a #1 Liverpool.


65736 on a #1 Liverpool service (Matt)

Next bus of interest was Avon 155 on a service #164 to New Ferry.


Avon 155 on a #164 service (Matt)

Another interesting bus 60210 heading towards Heswall.


First Manchester 60210 on a #72 Heswall service (Matt)

Matthew then pointed to required 4421 on a #437 West Kirby service. We've never been there so we decided to have a go. Matthew wasn't able to get a picture before we got on. We did the bus for around 3/4s of an hour to West Kirby and it is quite a pleasant ride out through the Wirral. At West Kirby Matthew waited for the bus to empty and then got a picture of the empty top deck.


Inside 4421 (Matt)

We got off and then Matthew got a picture of the outside.


4421 in New Kirby (Matt)

In West Kirby there was a nice square and there were seats where we sat whilst we waited for the next service. After a short wait along came 4422 on the following service also required.


4422 in New Kirby (Matt)

We did the bus back and then we had to decided if we had time to go again.Mmatthew got a shot of 4422 as it left for Liverpool.


4422 departing Birkenhead bus station for Liverpool (Matt)

Had we caught something straight way we might of had time for another short out and back trip. As we did we only had time to take a couple of pictures before we left for home. One such bus was First Manchester 60111.


First Manchester 60111 on a #41 Woodchurch service (Matt)

After a short while we returned to the car for sausage rolls. We went home via the M53 and M56. We decided to have a quick break at chester service where Matthew was able to get a few more coach pictures. We then returned via the M56, M6 and A500. We dropped uncle Dave off and then returned home...Mark