Trip to Sutton Colfield / Great Barr 13-06-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3805	Sutton Coldfield, Stop SD	Erdington, Stop EH	110	Arriva Midlands
1788	Erdington, Stop EG	Great Barr, Stop GD	28	NX West Midlands
1826	Great Barr, Stop GD	Erdington, Stop EQ	28	NX West Midlands
E298	Erdington, Stop EQ	Sutton Coldfield, Stop SJ	X3	NX West Midlands

Today was the first full day of our weekend away. The plan was to go on a short bus trip and then to go to a party later on. Reaearch for the trip consisted of looking up places to park in Sutton Coldfield and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew was alredy awake by 08:00 and he had his medication. Matthew got dressed and we headed to the bar to get fed. Matthew had a full English breakfast. After we had finisehd eating we returned to the room to get ready to go out. Around 09:30 we set off out of the hotel car park onto the B5404. We ram Westwards to Mile Oak and we turned left onto the Southbound A453. We ran though Bangley and past the HS2 building site. We crossed over the A38 at Bassett's Pole roundabout and we ran into Sutton Coldfield. We turned left onto the A5127 and we ran to the edge of town. We turned left into the car park and we parked up. Once out of the car, we said goodbye to mum and we headed down Mill Street where we saw National Express West Midlands E179 on a X3 to Lichfield.

NX West Midlands E179 in Sutton Coldfield

We continued left onto Victoria Road. We crossed over the road and we went around the corner onto Lower Parade. We saw an Arriva bus at the far end of the street. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3805 on a #110 to Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 3805 in Sutton Coldfield

We got on the bus and we purchased a nBus family day ticket at £9.20 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off dowm Lower Parade and we continued onto South Parade. We turned right onto the A5127 and we ran past Aldi. We followed the road to the left and we headed Southwards. We continued through Wylde Green and into Erdington where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3805 as it continued towards Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 3805 in Erdington

We decided to catch a #28 next, as we had seen on Bustimes that there were quite a few old Scania on the service, A quick look at the bus stop and we saw there was a bus due in 5 minutes. Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 1816 on a #66 to Birmingham. Almost immediately behind this bus was our bus. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 1788 on a #28 to Great Barr.

NX West Midlands 1788 in Erdington

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus family day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A5127 and we turned right onto Summer Road. We veered right onto Graelly Lane and we turned left onto Station Road. We turned rigth onto Short Heath Road and we headed Westwards. We ran through Perry Common and continued onto Perry Common Road. We crossed over the A453 and we ran forwards onto Hawtorn Road. We crossed over the B4138 and we ran forwards onto Dyas Road. We turned left onto Aldridge Road and right onto Beeches Road. We turned left onto Hassop Road and we went under the M6. We turned right onto Thornbridge Avenue and we turned left onto Beeches Road. We turned right onto the A34. We headed Nortwards and just short of the A4041 we did a u-turn and stopped at the terminus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 1788 before it worked the next #28 to Alum Rock.

NX West Midlands 1788 in Great Barr

We set off up the A34 and we stopped at Poundland to buy some drinks for later on. After buying the drinks we crossed over the A34 and we headed into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went into the lounge and we had drinks. Matthew had a small glass of Coke. When we had finishd our drinks we went outside and we met up with uncle Dave. We battled over the difficult to cross A34 and back to th same bus stop. There was alredy a bus at the stop. As we got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 1826 on a #28 to Alum Rock.

NX West Midlands 1826 in Great Barr

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus family day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A34 and we turned left onto Beeches Road. We turned right onto Thornbridge Road and we turned left onto Hassop Road. We went under the M6 and we re-joined Beeches Road. We turned left onto Aldridge Road and right onto Dyas Road. We crossed the B413 and we ran forwards onto Hawthorn Road. We crossed the A453 and we ran forwards onto Perry Common Road. We ran into Perry Common and we went forwards onto Short Heath Road. We turned left onto Station Road and right onto We turned right onto Gravelly Lane and we ran forwards onto Summer Road. We turned sharp left onto the A5127 and we ran to the North End of Erdington and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus, we waited for a bus to Stton Coldfield. Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 805 on a #77A to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 805 in Erdington

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands E298 on a X3 to Lichfield.

NX West Midlands E298 in Erdington

We got on the bus and we placed flashed the nBus group ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus off Northwards up Sutton New Road. We ran through Wylde Green and into Sutton Coldfield. We followed the A5127 to the right past Aldi and we turned left onto South Parade. We turned right onto Lower Parade and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands E298 as it continued towards Lichfield.

NX West Midlands E298 in Sutton Colfield

Once off the bus we took a few more pictures before we went to find mum. We saw National Express West Midlands 4748 on a #5 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 4748 in Sutton Colfield

We walked into the town cente and we spotted mum in Boots. As we walked back towards the car we spotted National Express West Midlands 2237 on a #5 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 2237 in Sutton Colfield

We continued up Lower Parade onto Mill Street and we returned to the car in the car park. We got in the car and we set off up Mill Street. We headed North up the A5127 and we turned right onto the A453. We headed out of town and over the A38 at Bassetts Pole roundabout. We continued past Bangley and into Mile Oak. We turned right onto the B5404 and we ran to Fazeley. We stopped at the petrol station and we topped up with petrol before going into the hotel car park. We headed into the rooms and we got ready for the party. Around 14:30 we set off for the party. We got in the car and we turned right onto the B5404. We turned right onto the A4091 and we headed Southwards. I stopped in a layby to get my satnav up and it appeared I missed the turning. We headed back up the A4091 and we turned right onto Bodymoor Heath Road. We turned right onto Dog Lane and we parked up at the pub. In the pub car park we saw grey minibus YJ15 ENM.

YJ15 ENM in Bodymoor Heath

At the party there was a band and a barberque. Matthew had some chicken, ribs, burger and sausage. Matthew also had a couple of glasses of Coke. We had a quick walk along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and we went into the pub to go to the toilet. After the barberque had been taken away there was a rodeo bull and Matthew had a go! After the party we went to a Co-op to get some afters. We set off onto Dog Lane and we turned right onto Bodymoor Heath Road. We turned left onto the A4097 and at the next roundabout we turned left onto the A51. We ran Northwars into Kingsbury and we stopped at the co-op. We bought some cakes and a big bottle of orange fanta to share. We got back in the car and we continued Northwards. We turned left onto the B5404 and we ran into Fazeley. We stopped at the hotel and we returned to the rooms. Matthew had a luncheon meat sandwich and a piece of cake. He had a cup of Fanta and a Crunchie. We did the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to Loughborough / Shepshed 22-01-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4548	Loughborough, stop FA	Shepshed, Council Offices	127	Arriva Midlands
4748	Shepshed, Bull Ring	Shepshed, Gracedieu Road	127	Arriva Midlands
4416	Loughborough, Gracedieu Road	Quorn, Station Road	127	Arriva Midlands
4754	Quorn, Station Road	Mountsorrel, Watling Street	127	Arriva Midlands
4755	Mountsorrel, Watling Street	Loughborough, Cemetary	127	Arriva Midlands
510	Loughborough, Cemetary	Loughborough, (Stand BA)	154	Centrebus

Today we decided to visit Loughborough. We looked at the map and we decided taht we would visit Loughborough as it is fairly nearby, and we had never been there to travel on the bus before. Research consisted of looking on the Arriva Midlands website to look for suitable tickets and to see what services we might be able to catch. We also checked the weather, and was forecast to be dry, overcast and cool. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We got ready and we set off just before 12:00. We through Blurton and onto 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. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We turned around and ran up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir. We reached the Blythe Bridge by-pass and we continued along the A50 Eastwards, Passing Copeland's Tours MIB 904 and MIB 905 coming in the other direction. As we passed near to Uttoxeter we saw First Potteries 63113 on a KF service to Hanley. We headed up the hill over the river Dove and we overtook Powys area taxi minibus EB19 GMU. We had already decided that we were going to have diner at The Saltbox Cafe, so we came off the A50 and joined the Eastbound A511. We continued the 2 miles or so to junction and we stopped at the cafe. Once at the cafe Matthew used the toilet. For dinner Matthew had a breakfast and washed down with a bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Midland Classic 19 on a #401 to Uttoxeter and Trent Barton 497 on V1 Villager service. When we had finished eating we continued East to Hilton and then we went Northwards back onto the A50. We headed Eastwards to the end of that section of the A50 and we joined the Southbound M1. We came off the M1 at junction 23 and we joined the Eastbound A512 snd we headed into town, passing Arriva Midlands 2949 on a #16 to Coalville. In the centre of town we tirned left onto Broad Street and we parked up near to Dunelm Mill. We sdaid goodbye to mum and we set off on foot onto Broad Street. We crossed over Derby Road and we saw Kinchbus 638 on a Skylink service to Leicester.

Kinchbus 638 in Loughborough

We continued onto Bridge Street and we saw Kinchbus 147 after Skylink from Derby to Loughborough like we did back in September 2020. crossing over we turned right onto Fennel Street. We saw that this was a stop for the Eastbound #127 so we headed over to there. On layover just up from the stop was Kinchbus 905.

Kinchbus 905 in Loughborough

There was a #127 to Loughborough due shortly, but Matthew decided he needed the toilet, so we walked up the steps and around the corner to Tesco. After using the facilities we brought a bottle of Coke and headed back towards the stop. We stopped in the plaza area and Matthew sat on a seat and drank his Coke. We went down the steps and a short time later we saw Arriva Midlands 4548 on a #127 to Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4548 in Loughborough

The driver readied the bus and a couple of minutes later we got on the bus and we booked a Leicester and Derby Plus Zone Duo daysaver at £11.00. We headed upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4548.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4548

At departure time we set off along Fennel Street and we turned left onto Bridge Street. We turned left onto The Rushes and we turned right onto Derby Square. We ran forwards onto Ashby Road and we ran out of town. We turned right onto the Northbound A6004. We turned left onto Alan Moss Road and right onto Garendon Road. We turned right onto Garendon Gardens and we ran forwards onto Blackbrook Road. We turned right onto Schofield Road and left onto Old Ashby Road. We ran to the end and we joined the Westbound A512. We crossed over the M1 and we continued Westwards. We turned right onto Leicester Road and we ran into Shepshed. We went forwards onto Kirkhill and onto the roundabout in the centre of town. We turned left onto Charnwood Road and we came to a stop as traffic was struggling to get in and out of Asda as a lorry had just arrived on site. We had seen on the map that there was a bus to Coalville right behind us. After the traffic got moving again we turned right onto Lambert Avenue where we got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4548 as it continued towards the end of the route.

Arriva Midlands 4548 in Shepshed

Once off the bus we walked back down Lambert Avenue and we turned right onto Charnwood Road and walked to the next bus stop. We looked at the map and it apperaed that the bus had gone past whilst we were still around the corner. We decided to walk into town and wait for the next #127. Matthew decided he wanted the toilet so we went into the Asda. It was only a small Asda store and there were no toilets. We decided to look for a pub. We walked back to the main roundabout and we turned left onto Field Street. We continued onto Britannia Street and we still couldn't find a pub. The town seemed to be full of take aways and hair salons!. We decided to use technology to find a pub and it guided us down a passageway onto Hall Croft. We turned left and walked a few yards and we came to the pub. We walked into a courtyard and the pub toilets were off the courtyard. Once Matthew had used the toilet we entered the pub and Matthew had a glass of Coke. Once he had finished his drink we headed outside and met up with uncle Dave again. We walked past a large Co-op store and onto Queen Street and we came out on the roundabout in the centre of town. The loughborough bound bus stop was on the roundabout so we crossed over the road and we sat on the bench behind the bus stop. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw Paul S Winson XX13 PSW on a #129 to Ashby-de-la-zouch and then Trent Barton 126 on a Skylink service to Coalville.

Trent Barton 126 in Shepshed

A few minutes later our bus appeared out of Charnwood Road. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4748 on a #127 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4748 in Shepshed

We got on the bus and we placed the Leicester and Derby Plus Zone Duo daysaver under the scanner before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4748.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4748

We set off onto Kirkhill and we veered right onto Leicester Road. We might have caught a kerb or gone over a speedbump, but a jolt made uncle Dave fall off the seat and end up on the floor. Once we knew he hadn't been hurt we laughed at him! At the ene of Leicester Road we turned left onto the A512. We crossed over the M1 and we saw Arriva Midlands 4754 heading towards Shepshed. We decided that if we got off in the estate to the North of the A512 we could catch the next bus that was working the 'short' service from Leicester to Loughborough. We turned left onto Ashby Old Road. We ran turned right onto Schofield Road and left onto Blackbrook Road and we passed Arriva Midlands 4416 going the other way. We decided to go for a couple more stops down the road and then we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a photo of Arriva Midlands 4748 as it continued towards Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4748 in Loughborough

Once off the bus we knew we had approximately 15 minutes to wait for the following service. Whilst we waited Matthew had a flapjack out of the trip bag. In the distance we saw an unidentified white coach go past on the A512. Around 16:10 as expected we saw the bus approaching. Also as expected it was Arriva Midlands 4416 on a #127 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4416 in Loughborough

We got on the bus and we placed the Leicester and Derby Plus Zone Duo daysaver under the scanner before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Blackbrook Road and we ran forwards onto Garendon Green. We turned left onto Garenden Road and we passed Arriva Midlands 4764 on the following #127 to Shepshed. We turned right onto Alan Moss Road and we turned right onto the Southbound A6004. We turned left onto the A512 and we haeaded into the cente of Loughborough. We veered left onto Greenclose Lane and we turned left onto The Rushes. At the main junction we turned right onto Bridge Street and we turned right onot Fennel Street. We continued down the A6 and we stopped at the main stop opposite Aumberry Gap for a driver change. After a brief stop we continued Left onto Leicester Road. We ran Southwards out of town and we crossed over the Great Central Railway. We ran forwards onto Loughborough Road and we ran a further 1/2 mile or so into the centre of Quorn where we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4416 as it headed Southwards towards Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4416 in Quorn

Once off the bus Matthew decided he needed the toilet again. Unsuprisingly there was a pub opposite to the bus stop, and we had 15 before the next Southbound #127 was due. We walked to the White Horse pub and Matthew and we made our way through the maze of corridors to the toilet. After Matthew had finished we headed back to the bar and Matthew had a glass of Coke. He finished his drink and we headed outside to uncle Dave. We knew what yhe bus was gpoing to be as we had passed it earlier heading up to Shepshed. A short time later the bus appeared and it was as expected Arriva Midlands 4754 on a #127 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4754 in Quorn

We got on the bus and we placed the Leicester and Derby Plus Zone Duo daysaver under the scanner before we went upstairs. There were a few people on this bus, probably the busiest bus we had been on all day. We set off Southwards out of the centre of Quorn and we headed down into Mountsorrel. We decided to get off there as there was a bus come straight back. Once we were in what appeared to be the town cente we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4754 as it continued Southwards towards Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 4754 in Mountsorrel

We crossed the road and we saw that the Northbound bus was imminent and we saw black minibus WP15 CEK parked nearby. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. The map had said it was Arriva Midlands 4775, but when it arrived we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4755 on a #127 to Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4755 in Mountsorrel

We got on the bus and we placed the Leicester and Derby Plus Zone Duo daysaver under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs. We set off Northwards out of Market Place and we ran Northwards through Quorn. We decided to break the journey to get a 6th bus in for the day. We joined the Northbound A6 and we crossed over the Great Central Railway. We decided to get up and get off the bus outside the cemetery. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4755 as it continued towards Shepshed.

Arriva Midlands 4755 in Loughborough

Once off the bus we noticed that the following #15 service was running a few minutes late. As such a couple of minutes later we saw Centrebus 510 on a #154 to Loughborough.

Centrebus 510 in Loughborough

We got on the bus and we booked single tickets to Loughborough at £1.80 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the A6 and we headed into the centre of Loughborough. We ran forwards onto High Street and we turned right into Baxter Gate where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we spotted Nottingham City Transport 645 on a #1 to Nottingham on the stand in front of us.

Nottingham City Transport 645 in Loughborough

We arranged to meet mum at Sainsbury's, so we set off on foot to meet her. We turned right onto Market Place and right again onto Biggin Street. We turned left onto Clay Pipe Jitty and at the end we seemed to have gone around in almost a circle! It was dark and we had not really been in Loughborough town centre before! I once again turnned to technology and it directed us across the road to Derby Square. We continued along the A512 and Matthew tried to take us into a food place called Phat Buns. I told him he could use the toilet at Sainsbury's when we got there. We crossed over the road and we went into Sainbury where Matthew used the toilet. Once we came out we spotted mum in the car park and we headed over to her. At the car Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park onto Broad Street and we turned left onto the Northbound A6. We had decided that would stop at the chip shop in Kegworth that I had been before, near to the junction on the M1 and A50. We ran Northwards out of town and through Hathern. As the A6 turned left to meet the A453, we continued Straihg through the village of Kegworth we ran out of the other side and we stopped at the chip shop. Matthew had his sausage chips and gravy. At this point he decided he needed the toilet. There wasn't a toilet in the adjacent garage so he ended up going to around the corner jus off a footpath. We got back in the car and we set off towards the big roundabout. We joined the A50 and we ran the 40 or so miles back to Stoke-on-Trent. The journey back was in darkness and we couldn't really see anything. We came off the A50 and we turned right onto Blurton Road. at the traffic lights we turned left Grove Road. We ran ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we stopped at uncle Dave's. Matthew went in as he was desperate for the toilet. He also updated uncle Dave's calendar with the details of today's trip. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfiels Drive and we got back to Blurton around 19:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:30... Mark