Trip to Wrexham / Llandegla 14-09-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4547	Wrexham BS	Llandegla, o/s Post Office	X51	Arriva NW&W
4487	Llandegla, o/s Post Office	Wrexham, Fire Station	X51	Arriva NW&W
703	Wrexham, Watery Lane Level Crossing	Wrexham BS	12	Arriva NW&W
236	Wrexham BS	Chirk, St Mary's Church	T12	Tanat Valley
3210	Chirk, Hand Hotel	Johnstown, Co-op	2A	Arriva NW&W
3209	Johnstown, Co-op	Wrexham BS	2	Arriva NW&W

Today We decided to re-visit Wrexham. Reseach for the trip consisted of looking at the 1 bws ticket, looking at where we ate on our previous visits to Wrexham and checking the weather. The weather was for dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 to have his medication. Matthew got up at 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off just after 12:00 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road and we ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled up the A500 we saw AJS Passenger Travel AJ54 BUZ. We continued past the M6 and over the West coact main line before we turned right onto the B5071. We stopped at the YMCA asnd went into the cafe. Matthew had a full English Breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Afterwards Matthew went to the toilet. We saw D&G Bus 92 on a #12 to Shavington. We got in the car and we turned around and went back South B5071. We turned left onto Laura Street and we continued down the Manor Way and left onto Brookhouse Drive. We followed the road around to the left and Davenport Avenue and back onto the B5071. and we joined the Westbound A500. We continued for a further 3 miles or so and we turned right onto the Nantwich bypass, past the new road under construction and we ran around the North side of Nantwich before joining the Westbound A534. We travelled west for around 4 miles and we crossed over the A49. We crossed over the A41 at Croxton and we continued to the eastern edge of Wrexham. We continued onto Holt Street and we ran into the centre of town. We veered right onto Chester Street and we turned left into the library car park and parked up. We said goodbye to mum and we walked onto Rhosddu Road. We continued to the bus station and we turned left onto Trinity Street walking past the buses on layover. We saw Arriva NW&W 2150 about to work a #11 to Minera.

Arriva NW&W 2150 in Wrexham bus station

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 3211 in Between runs to Oswestry.

Arriva NW&W 3211 in Wrexham bus station

Another vehicle seen was Tanat Valley 235 on a T12 Traws Cymru service to Newtown.

Tanat Valley 235 in Wrexham bus station

We went into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. We had also seen an Arriva double decker on layover on the X51 to Denbigh. This is a service we often saw late on when it was too late to do a return trip on it. As we had only just got their we decided that today would be a good day to try this service. We had a bout 10 minutes to wait and after a short wait we saw the bus arrive on stand. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4547 on a X51 to Denbigh.

Arriva NW&W 4547 in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we bought 1 bws tickets at £7 each before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along Trinity Street and we followed the one way system around onto King Street. We joined the A5152 and we crossed over the A525. We ran through Coedpoeth and Gegin and we entered into Bwlchgwyn and Four Crosses. We veered right onto the A5104 and left onto Allt Yr Efail we ran into Llandegla. The bus turned in the road and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4547 as it continued towards Denbigh.

Arriva NW&W 4547 in Llandegla

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and walked around the corner to the Llandegla Community Shop & Cafe. The cafe was closed so we bought an ice pop and a Milky Way. We crossed back over the road to the Offa's Dyke sign and we sat on the bench whilst Matthew ate his ice pop and Milky Way. We saw on the map there was a landmark so we walked along Allt Yr Efail and crossed over the River Alyn. We turned left onto the public footpath and we crossed over a footbridge to the well. This ancient well is illedged to have healing properties including curing epilepsy. After we had seen the well we returned over the footbridge and along the footpath. We turned right onto Allt Yr Efail and we headed back to the bus stop. We had around 10 minutes to wait and a short time later we saw the bus coming down the hill. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4487 on a X51 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 4487 in Llandegla

We got on the bus and we placed the 1 bws tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off up Allt Yr Efail and we turned right onto the A5104. We turned left into the A525 and we ran through Bwlchgwyn. We continued through Minera ran up through Coedpoeth and we turned left into Croesnewydd Road and we ran down the hill to Wrexham and we turned left into the A5152 and we got up and got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 4487 as it continued towards Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 4487 in Wrexham

Once off the bus the plan was to wait for another bus into the bus station. A bus stopped, but they driver said it was a set down only stop as we were not that far from the bus station. So we set off on foot back to the previous stop. We set off along the A5152 in a South West direction and we turned right onto Watery Road. We stopped at the bus stop just before the level crossing. We had a bout 10 minutes to wait for the next bus. A short time later we saw an unidentified Solo SR approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 703 on a #12 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 703 in Wrexham

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Croesnewydd Road and we crossed over the A5152 the last two few hundres yards or so into the cente of Wrexham and past Wreham General railway station. We turned right into Regent Street and left into King Street. We turned left into Lord Street and we stopped outside the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around to see what we could catch. We saw Arriva NW&W 1005 on layover.

Arriva NW&W 1005 in Wrexham bus station

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 3207 on a #2 to Oswestry.

Arriva NW&W 3207 in Wrexham bus station

Another vehicle seen was M & H Coaches YJ13 HJO on a #29 to Mold.

M & H Coaches YJ13 HJO in Wrexham bus station

We decided to do the T12 to Oswestry as far as Chirk. We saw it was Tanat Valley 236 on the T12 to Oswestry.

Tanat Valley 236 in Wrexham bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Trinity Street and we followed the one way system around onto King Street. We joined the A541 and and we came off by the Wrexham AFC statdium and headed Southwards down the A483. As we travelled Northwards we saw an unidentified Don Fraser coach. We went under the A5 and we ran under the Chirk bypass and we turned left onto the B5070 and we ran the final mile or so into the centre of Chirk and we got up and got off. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Tanat Valley 236 as it continued towards Welshpool.

Tanat Valley 236 in Chirk

Once off the bus we walked up Church Street and we headed into the Hand Hotel. Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and we had a glass of Coke. We sat near to the reception desk and we had ours drinks. When we had fnished we went outside to uncle Dave. We crossed the road and waited at the bus stop. We only had to wait a couple of minutes and the bus appeared. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3210 on a #2A to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 3210 in Chirk

We got on the bus and we placed the 1bws day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the B5070 and we turned right onto Colliery Road. We follwed Colliery Road to the left and we ran through the housing estate before rejoining the Northbound B5070. We turned right onto the A5 and we ran to the A483 where we turned left. We ran fast Northwards over the Dee and we turned left onto the A539. We veered left onto the B5605 and we ran into Rhosymedre. We turned right onto High Street and we ran into Cefn Mawr. We turned left onto Oxford Street and we ran past Tesco. We joined the B5096 and we ran up the hill to the main road. As we approached Ruabon we turned right onto Wynnstay Lane. We turned right onto Hampden Way and we ran Westwards alongside the A539 in to opposite direction that we had just travelled along. We ran forwards onto Oak Road and we turned right onto the A539 and we headed back Eastwards. We ran up to the roundabout and we turned left onto the B5605. We ran through Ruabon and as we headed Northwards we continued for around another mile up to Johnstown and we got up and got off by the big Co-op. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3210 as it continued Northwards towards Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 3210 in Johnstown

Once off the bus we gheaded to the Co-op to get supplies. In the car park was blue minibus EF05 YCE parked up nearby.

EF05 YCE in Johnstown

We went into the shop and we bought a can of Coke and a large Galaxy Caramel bar. We headed back to the bus stop and we shared out the chocolate bar whist we waited for the bus. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 2155 on a #2 to Oswestry. Not long after that we saw a bus approaching from the South. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3209 on a #2 to Wrexham.

Arriva NW&W 3209 in Johnstown

We got on the bus and we flashed the 1 bws ticket to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of Johnstown and we continued into Rhostyllen and we ran under the A483. We ran up the A5152 the last two miles or so into the cente of Wrexham and past Wreham General railway station. We turned right into Regent Street and left into King Street. We turned left into Lord Street and we stopped outside the bus station. where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 3209 before it worked back to Oswestry.

Arriva NW&W 3209 in Wrexham bus station

Once off the bus we headed back to the car park along Trinity Street. We saw Tanat Valley 234 on a T12 to Four Crosses.

Tanat Valley 234 in Wrexham bus station

We turned right onto Rhosddu Road and we cut through by the library to the car park. Mum appeared in the car and we did a crew change. Matthew had a cup of Fanta with ice. Once in the car we drove along King Street and we turned left onto Lord Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and left onto Rhosddu Road. We turned right onto the A5152 and right onto Chester Street. We followed the road around onto Holt Street and we turned right onto Market Street. We parked up and I went to the chip shop. Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy washed down with a can of Cherry Coke. Once I had finished eating we set off along Market Street and we turned right onto Holt Street. We ran to the edge of town and we joined the Eastbound A534. We ran out of town through Rhosnesni and we joined the main A534 and ran Eastwards out of town. We ran up to Nantwich crossing the A41 and A49. We joined the A51 and we passed the site of a new Shell petrol station where work has statrted. We continued Nantwich by-pass and we ran around the North side of town and we joined the A500. We crossed under the M6 and we continued through Longport and Etruria into Stoke and we forgot to come off the A500 for uncle Dave. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we headed up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and left onto Grove Road and we ran into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and added some dates to uncle Dave's calendar. We got back in the car and we ran back up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Llandudno / Great Orme 08-08-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 516	Fenton	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 516	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Fenton	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Llandudno on a coach. Matthew got up around 06:00. and had toast for breakfast. Around 09:00 we set off downstairs and onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we went into te Co-operative Food store. Matthew brought a bottle of Coke. Once we had finished in the shop we continued along Christchurch Street and we stopped opposite the bench and bar to wait for the coach to arrive. Whilst we waited we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 520 on a day trip to Llandudno.

Copeland's Tours MIB 520 in Fenton

A second coach appeared and it was Copeland's Tours MIB 516, also going to Llandudno.

Copeland's Tours MIB 516 in Fenton

We were booked on Copeland's Tours MIB 516 so we got on the coach, found our seats and we sat down. We set off along Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Glebedale Road. We turned left onto City Road. We ran over the railway line and then we turned went Forwards onto the A52. We went under the railway line and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 and we continued North as far as junction 20. At Junction 20 we went Westwards along the M56. We ran to the end of the M56 and forwards onto the A494. We crossed over the Dee at Queensferry and we joined onto the Westbound A55. We ran to junction 19 and we joined the Northbound A470. We ran into town and we went around the one-way system and parked up just off Mostyn Broadway. Once off the coach we saw a new building being built in Llandudno. We walked into the centre of town and stopped at a toilet. We carried on and we saw Atlantic Executive Travel BT15 KLJ.

Atlantic Executive Travel BT15 KLJ in Llandudno

We walked further into town along Mostyn Broadway and we saw Arriva NW&W 3170 on a X5 to Bangor.

Arriva NW&W 3170 in Llandudno

We saw the former RBS bank which is now a charity shop. A few minutes later we saw Mikro Coaches FJ60 HYO.

Mikro Coaches FJ60 HYO in Llandudno

We continued to the end of the main stree and we walked part way around the base of the Orme. Afterwards we walked to the tram station and we caught a tram up to the half way station. We transferred onto the other tram amd we continued to the summit of the Great Orme. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a ice cream. When we had finished we returned to town. We did a tram to the half way station and we transferred onto the other tram to go back down to the bottom. We continued onto Mostyn Street and we saw Arriva NW&W 2524 on a #13 to Prestatyn.

Arriva NW&W 2524 in Llandudno

We continued along Mostyn Broadway and we stopped at a pizza restaurant for dinner. Matthew had some pizza and a bottle of Coke. After dinner we set off onto Mostyn Streer and we turned left onto St George's Place. We went onto the Promendae and we spent some time on the beach. We returned Up St Georges Place and back onto Mostyn Street. We continued onto Mostyn Broadway and Matthew went into a shop and brought a new bag. We came out of the shop and we saw Arriva NW&W 4547 on a #12 to Rhyl.

Arriva NW&W 4547 in Llandudno

Matthew visited the toilet in the North West Gardens and we cross the road to Starbucks. Matthew had a bottle of orange juice. When we finished in the coffee shop we walked back to the coach park. We saw Llandudno Cars DS67 JXE stopped outside.

Llandudno Cars DS67 JXE in Llandudno

A short time later we saw our coach for the return journey. It was Copeland's Tours MIB 516.

Copeland's Tours MIB 516 in Llandudno

Whilst we waited to get back on the coach we saw Arriva NW&W 2915 on a #13 to Prestatyn.

Arriva NW&W 2915 in Llandudno

Also seen was Arriva NW&W 2482 on a #14 to Llysfaen.

Arriva NW&W 2482 in Llandudno

We got on the coach and we sat down in our seats. We set off onto the one-way system. We ran Eastwards along Mostyn Broadway and we turned right onto the B5115. We joined the Southbound A470 and we joined the A55 at junction 19. We continued Eastwards thriugh Noerh Wales and we ran forwards onto the A494 at Queensferry. We got onto the Eastbound M56. At junction 9 we joined the Southbound M6., We stopped at Knutsford Services and Matthew visited the toilet, We also visited burger king and Matthew had a burger and fries. We re-joined the M6 and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A500 to Etruria and we cam off the A500. We turned left onto City Road. We went under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right into Christchurch Road and we got up and got off the coach. We walked back into Temple Street and we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX parked up nearby.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We continued to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out. He also ate a bakewell tart. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. 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 on the Wardle Transport running day 12-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2963	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	Plumline	Wardle Transport
4622	Hanley BS	Bradeley, adj Moorland View	61	Arriva Midlands
4545	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	Hanley BS	61	Wardle Transport
4687	Hanley BS	Wardle Transport garage, Adderley Green	Charter	Wardle Transport
4891	Wardle Transport garage, Adderley Green	Hanley BS	Charter	Wardle Transport
4547	Hanley BS	Tunstall, adj Asda superstore	61	Wardle Transport
4547	Tunstall, adj Asda superstore	Hanley BS	61	Wardle Transport
60196	Hanley BS	Cross Heath, Swift House	34	First Potteries

Today was the double decker running on the #61 service. We have know about this for a month or so and so it has been marked in our calender for some time. As it was a local trip not much research was carried out. We brought a copy of Buses magazine as there was an advert about the event, although the advert was quite vague about what was happening regarding the shuttle service to the depot. we also checked the times of the #61 service on Saturdays, and the times of our local Wardle service to Hanley, which is the Plumline. News had come through in the week that Arriva Midlands 4622 was coming up from Oswestry depot on a feeder service for the event. 4622 is A bus that is mainly confined to schools work. I was up very early today, and it was a fine sunny morning. I opened Matthew's curtain early around 08:00. the early he got up, the more buses we could ride on. The First Plumline service was at 08:40, and this made it on to the second departure from Hanley. Matthew got up around 09:00, and so after breakfast we made it on to the second Plumline at 09:40. The bus was 2963, dedicated bus for the service in the Plum coloured livery. This was only the second time we had been on this bus, the first being on 05/12/2008 5 days into the new service. We booked a Wardle Day ticket, and apparently it was the first one the driver had ever sold! We set off to Hanley picking up quite a few more passengers on the way. We picked up another enthusiast at the railway station and the driver sold another Wardle Day ticket. We arrived in Hanley around 10:10 and we actually saw the 10:00 departure disappearing towards Tunstall although we didn't know at the time. So we now had around 50 minutes to wait, which we spent on the balcony watching and photographing buses. the time passed quite quickly, Arriva Midlands 4701 arrived, on what I can only assume was another feeder service from the Leicester area. Just before 11:00 required 4622 arrived, but I wasn't sure if it was from the depot or directly from Oswestry.

Arriva Midlands 4622 in Hanley bus station

We went down to the bus station and it was obvious it was being made ready for service. The ticket machines were being swapped over from an Arriva to Wardle one. A couple of minutes later the bus started to load. At the wheel was non other than Robert Thompson, owner of of Dart DRN116. we had a very quick chat before I chased Matthew up the stairs. There were a handful of regular passengers and 20 plus bus enthusiasts. Upstairs the bus was filled with the sound of bus related chat. We had found out that required Wardle tri-axle Volvo 4545 had gone out on the 10:00, so we knew if we got off part way we could get it back into Hanley. After around 20 or so minutes on the bus we got off in Bradeley, and Matthew got another picture of this fine beast!

4622 in Bradeley

We got off the bus and it started to rain a little. We also saw step entranced Volvo B6 Bakerbus 227 on a #9 to Biddulph. We then crossed over to the stop, After a few minutes we saw 4545 head into Bradley village, and then re-appear a couple of minutes later. Matthew got a picture of required 4545 as I flagged it down.

Wardle Transport 4545 in Bradeley

We went upstairs in this very unusual vehicle. the sun came out again and we had a very pleasant journey back to Hanley. As we got off Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside 4545

when we got to Hanley we saw that the 12:00 from Hanley was going to be unrequired 4607, and 4545 was heading back to the depot. So we decided that we were going to stop for diner. We went to the tardis toilet at the end of the bus station. and we were walking back to the cafe when we saw another Wardle transport double decker. It was required 4687. i asked the driver where he was going, and he told us he was going to the depot only and so we jumped on. We went upstairs and it was virtually empty. Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4687

We did this to the depot, which is a good 15-20 minutes from Hanley. When we got there the few people that were on the bus got off.

4687 at the Wardle Transport garage

The yard had been split off, with the public being allowed in the front part of the yard. We found out that you could go in the yard if you sign into the office and if you wear a hi viz. We had one in the bag and we went to visit the office. Matthew use to be a fairly regular visit to this depot when it used to be D&G. He would come up about once a month with Outreach and have a look around the yard. after he had a bit of an explore around the office we got extra hi viz jacket and went around the yard. He took pictures of the buses inside and out, he also went in to see his usual college vehicle 1450, which was having some work done on it. Whilst we were in the depot tri-axle Volvo 4547 went off to work the 13:00 from Hanley. After finishing around the depot we waited for the next service back to Hanley. as we had not yet had dinner, we broke into our emergency rations pack, which had a double milky way and a very squashed Toffee Crisp. We also had a small bottle of limeade too. Eventually Wardle 4891 was started up to work to Hanley. As we waited Arriva Midlands 4622 arrived and seemed to bring in quite a few people to the depot. required 4891 pulled up in the front part of the yard and we got on it. Matthew took a picture of the top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4891

When we got off we now had chance to do dinner. the 14:00 was 4891 and we had just been on that. We went to Tony's cafe and we had breakfast's and uncle Dave had a sausage sandwich. After dinner we had around 30 minutes to wait for the 15:00 departure. We knew required 4547 was on it's way back from Tunstall, but it was unlikely to work the #61 again when it got back. We st on the balcony in the afternoon sun just watching the buses. Eventually 4547 arrived back from Tunstall. It still had the Tunstall card in the front window so perhaps it would go again? We went down the stairs to the bus station and before long it started to load. We knew it was the #61 as there were normals getting on and using their bus passes. Arriva Midlands 4622 arrived from the depot with a load more passengers. As we were getting on the driver was speaking to someone through the window about which bus was going to Tunstall. Apparently, the 15:00 should have been Arriva Midlands 4701 and the driver was to swap over the machines so he could issue tickets. however the driver had sai that he hadn't been told and he had loaded up with passengers. We were glad 4547 was going again, as AM 4701 is a much newer bus and we will probably have a chance to get this bus another time. As we went upstairs Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4547

The plan was now to go to Bradeley, come back on WT , and then cover the last #61 from Hanley. When we got to Bradeley Matthew decided that he didn't want to get off, and so we went on to Tunstall. As we got off, Matthew got a picture of 4547 in Tunstall.

4547 in Tunstall

we now about 30 minutes to kill, and so we walked up the hill to the public, toilets. On the way back we went to an ice cream van in the Matalan car that we had spotted on the way up. We then got back to the bus and Matthew was getting a bit restless. it had been a long day. So we go back on the bus ans sat upstairs and waited for time. it was boiling hot on the bus. It had no opening windows and the air con didn't feel like it was working. We got a can of pop out of the emergency supplies to try and cool down. Eventually 16:10 came around and we set off. The plan was now to go back to Hanley and then catch a bus to somewhere so that mum could meet us. At Bradeley we passed the 16:00 from Hanley and it was required WT 4692. that was slightly disappointing but at least we had got everything else that we want that worked today. When we got to Hanley we went up to the balcony we need to pick a bus to somewhere and then make a call. Matthew suggested 60013 on a #34A, but as we started to go towards it, it pulled off. We then saw 60196 come in and lay over for a short while. It was displaying #34, and so I thought this would be a good time to pick of another NE Scania. When the bus came onto stand we walked down to it and Matthew got a picture.

First PMT 60196 in Hanley bus station

As we sat down we could see the seat were like new and so this must have been a recent internal refurb. We had booked to Cross Heath, as we thought this would be a good place to meet mum. When we got to Newcastle bus station, Matthew want to get off, but we had already arranged to meet mum. Newcastle bus station isn't really well suited to Matthew as it is a long and very thin glass tube. It is hard at most times, but at 17:20 on a Saturday it would just be too difficult. A few minutes later we were at Cross Heath and we got off. Matthew got another picture of this bus after we had alighted.

60196 in Cross Heath

Mum had parked up around the corner, and as we walked back to the car I spotted a take away. Matthew jumped in the car and I decided to get him a small fries to keep him going until our late tea. We headed back through, Hempstalls Skirted Newcastle and joined onto the Southbound A500 in Shelton. We arrived home a little after 18:00 after a very long day. We then had our tea for sausages and mash and carrots gravy...Mark

Trip to Biddulph 31-12-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40383	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Hanley BS	23A	First Potteries
248	Hanley BS	Biddulph, High Street	9	Bakerbus
40140	Biddulph BS‎	Longport, adj Longport Road	99	First Potteries

In order to try and make the best of the daylight at this time of year, we decided to stay local today. Matthew stopped in bed until gone midday as it was he college holidays. Research was no done today and I didn't even get chance to pre-book a Smartday ticket. We eventually set off just before 13:00 and walk the distance to the Ladybank Grove stop in Blurton. As we got there there was a Solo on the stop bound for Hanley. It was dud 40027 which we had previously done in June.

First Potteries 40027 in Blurton

After Matthew got a picture the bus pulled off so we had another 10 minutes to wait for the next one. Whilst there we saw 40017 on a Newcastle bound #22 and 40152 on a Longton bound #22. We also saw recently rebuilt 40170 head towards Newstead which we thought might be our bus to Hanley. Surprisingly, 40383 turned the corner which must have come from Longton on a #23A. It is a bus we had done before , but we wanted to get to Hanley as quickly as we could. On the way past Stoke we saw a long row of Wardle Transport buses on football duties. We also saw Arriva Midlands 3489 on the 164 to Shrewsbury. On arrival at Hanley Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside 40383

At this point I tried to persude Matthew to go after Arriva Midlands 3489 as it seemed unusual and is an old bus. Matthew didn't want to go anywhere until he had had time on the balcony and had eaten some chips from Tony's cafe. Uncle Dave stood with Matthew on the Balcony and I went to get the chips. Whilst I was getting the food Matthew got a picture of Wardle Transport 4547 on a Britannia Stadium bound football bus.

Wardle Transport 4547 on Football duties

Whilst eating the chips, AM 3489 pulled off and there didn't seem to be much interesting around. With Stoke being at home there wasn't much chance of a double decker on a #61 Tunstall service. We had passed step entranced bus Wardle Transport 2038 on a #41. but this wouldn't be back in Hanley for a while. There had already been one of the new Hybrid Bakerbus, 246 on a #9. So we decided to wait for the next one to see if it was another and therefore required. Surely enough, after a short wait Bakerbus 258 appeared, and we went down to catch the 14:40 to Biddulph.

Hybrid Bakerbus 248 on it's Saturday #9 turn

The driver went away for a short while a re-appeared 5 minutes before booked departure time. We went upstairs and found somewhere to sit. The bus engine started up and about a minute before departure shut down again. At departure time the bus pulled away in near silence and the engine did not restart until halfway down the bank inside the bus station. This was he first time we had been on a Hybrid bus and it was very strange! I must have been the first time for other passengers too as one woman was commenting about the bus engine cutting out. We asked Matthew were he wanted to go and he chose Biddulph. On the way we must have gone on to electric power at least a dozen times. As we approached Biddulph the bus was virtually empty. I decided to get off in the High Street and Matthew got a picture of the top deck as he left the bus.

Inside Bakerbus 248

Outside he got another picture...

248 in Biddulph high street

We asked the driver where we caught the bus back and he told us ~around the corner by Sainsbury's". It was the first time we had been Biddulph since Sainsbury's had been built and we were surprised to see a bus station capable of having 4 buses there at a time plus a modern comfortable bus shelter. Apart from Bakerbus 248 on stand was a Bakerbus Solo and First Potteries 40148. Also arriving was 60176 on a 7A service. We gave Matthew the choice of bus to do Back towards Stoke-on-Trent but he had different ideas! Matthew decided he wanted to visit the new Sainsbury's. We went inside and he chose to buy some Cornflake cakes and a bottle of Coke. We also visit the bus shelter and had a quick wander around the general area. Due in before 16:00 were a 7a to Hanley, a 9 to Hanley,a 99 to Newcastle and a 94 to Newcastle. I wanted to catch something out of town and then catch a 94 or 99 forward. But Matthew was holding out for the 94. He turned down 60012 on a 7A. However, when First Potteries 40140 Matthew wanted to do this. Matthew is a big fan of ALX200 bodied buses be they Darts or Volvo B6's.

First Potteries 40140 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus, unusually we got on first so Matthew got a picture of the empty bus.

Inside 40140

On the bus, it was starting to go dark. I estimated a journey time of 30 minutes to Longport, and I phoned up mum to meet us by the BP garage there. The bus was virtually empty and there weren't many people at all on the bus by the time we got off in Longport. Matthew got another picture of this beast as alighted in Longport.

40140 at the stop in Longport

Mum had beaten us there by a few minutes and so when we got off we were able to go straight to the car. Matthew continued to eat his Cornflake cakes and had a can of Coke. As we returned home we listened to Stoke vs. Wigan match. We heard Stoke come from behind to eventually take the lead. Wigan had a late equaliser from the penalty spot and the game ended a draw. We got home a fraction before 17:00...Mark