Trip to Hanley / Alsager 22-04-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67157	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
65729	Hanley BS	Alsager, Bank Corner (Stand B)	3	First Potteries
65026	Alsager, Shady Grove	Hanley BS	3	First Potteries
67151	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. He was also going out for a trip on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room for a while whilst waiting to go out. We saw First Potteries 63100 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63100 in Fenton

For dinner Matthew had Fish fingers and chips followed by cake. A short while later we set off on foot onto City Road and we walked down to the bus stop outside Travers Court. A few minutes later a hanley bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Fenton

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 53829 on a #5 to Abbey Hulton. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We walked down to the stand for the Crewe bus and we waited for the next one. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 65729 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 65729 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus bus and we booked to Alsager before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we went straight across onto Marsh Street. We turned right up onto trinity Street and then left onto Stafford Street. After picking up more passenger outside of Debenhams we followed the road around to the left and then back onto marsh Street. At the roundabout we went straight on onto Waterloo Road and we ran up the hill into Cobridge. We continued into Buslem and through the traffic lights onto Scotia Road. We went past the old Burslem PMT garage and we followed the road around to the left onto Williamson Street. At the corner we turned right onto Tunstall High Street and we continued North onto the A50. We ran through Goldenhill and down the bank into Kidsgrove. We saw First Potteries 67649 on a #3 to Hanley. We ran under the railway line into Cheshire and we crossed over the A34. We continued into Church Lawton and then into Alsager where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we went to Asda. In the shop Matthew brought a bottle of Coke. We then walked to the bus stop to catch a bus back towards Hanley. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was one of the two red and yellow Scanias. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 65026 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65026 in Alsager

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the B5077 and forwards onto the A50. we ran through Church Lawton and we crossed over the A34 and under the railway line before we ran into Kidsgrove. We ran up the hill into Goldenhill and then forwards into Tunstall. We ran down the High Street and we saw First Potteries 67642 on a #3 to Crewe. 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 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. In the bus station we saw First Potteries 41514 on a #3 to Crewe. We then walked down to the stand for the #23 and we waited for the next bus. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67151.

First Potteries 67151 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we ran down the hill to the bottom of the road. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Lower Bethesda Street. At the end we turned right onto Regent road and we continued forwards onto Cleveland Road. We followed the road around onto College Road and we ran down the hill through Shelton. At the bottom of the road we turned right and we ran past the railway station along Station Road. We turned right onto Glebe Street and we ran under the railway line and forwards onto the one-way system. We past the town hall and we ran onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and under the railway and we ran up the hill up City Road. When we got to the flats we got up and got off the bus. We crossed lover the road and walked over to the residential unit. When Matthew got back he went to his room to chill out and use his computer. Matthew then went outside in the garden. Later on Matthew went out for a drive and had some tea out. We set off onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto City Road and we ran up to the roundabout where we turned sharp left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We ran up to the ring road and we went clockwise around to Etruria Road. We joined the Westbound A53 and at Etruria we went South down the A500. We came off the A50 at Hanford and we joined the Southbound A34. At Trentham gardens we turned left onto the A5035 and then right onto Barlaston Old Road. We ran down to Barlaston and we turned left into the village. We ran through up to Rough Close and then we ran along Lightwood Road to the Lightwood Tavern where we stopped for tea. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. For tea Matthew had a beefburger & fries followed by Chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. We returned to Fenton by car along Lightwood Road and onto the A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran along the A50 link road to City Road. We ran down to Smithpool Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Later on Matthew had a bath. For supper he had some toast and orange juice. Matthew chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Fenton / Hanley 29-03-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53829	Fenton, Victoria Place	Hanley, Lichfield Street	6A	First Potteries
63178	Hanley, stop O 1	Fenton, adj Victoria Place	6	First Potteries
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Westport Lake	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Westport Lake	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew got up and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting for time to got to the day centre Matthew spent time in his room watching buses. We saw First Potteries 67642 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67642 in Fenton

Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street where we saw First Potteries 67158 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67158 in Fenton

In the morning went to Hanley on the bus. We set off on foot onto Glebedale Road and across City Road. At the top we went around the corner onto Victoria Road to wait for the bus at the bus stop. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was unusually First Potteries 53829 on a #6A to Hanley.

First Potteries 53829 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Victoria Road and we crossed over the A52 at Joiners Square. We ran up Lichfield Street and we crossed over the ring road. We then got up and got off the bus at the stop outside the bus station. We walk up Lichfield Street and through Hanley to the Intu Potteries shopping centre. Matthew went to HMV and Game and brought some stuff to use back at the day centre. When we had finished shopping we walked back along parliament row and we went to McDonalds for dinner. Matthew used the toilet and then had a burger meal with fries and a cup of Coke. Once we had finished eating we continued down Parliament Row and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. to down Lichfield Street and to the bus station. We waited at the stop outside for a bus back to Fenton and we saw First Potteries 63178 on a #6 to Weston Coyney. We set off up onto Old Hall Street. and we turned right onto the ring road. Weran around to Lichfield Street and we turned left. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and then across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. At the top of the road by the square we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of First Potteries 63178 as it continued towards Weston Coyney.

First Potteries 63178 in Fenton

Once we got off the bus we walked onto City Road and we crossed over before turning left onto Glebedale Road. We walked to the day centre and we got on Shelton care Group DY08 FFX for a trip to Westport Lake. We set off down temple Street and onto City Road, and we joined the Northbound A52. We turned left onto Station Road and we turned right onto College Road. We ran through Shelton and we ran forwards onto Regent Road. At the end we turned left onto Lichfield Street. We joined the anti-clockwise ring road and we around to town Road. We left townand we joined the A5272. We ran through Sneyd Green and at Smallthorne roundabout we veered left onto Moorland Road. We crossed through Burslem and we ran down Newcastle Street down to Trubshaw Cross. We turned right onto davenport Street and we turned left into Westport lake. At the lake Matthew walked around the pool before returning to Shelton care Group DY08 FFX for the journey back to Fenton. We turned right onto Davenport Road and we ran down to Trubshaw Cross. We turned right onto the A5271. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A500 and we ran fast through Etruria and Stoke. We came off the A500 at City Road and we went up the hill to Fenton, and we turned right onto Glebedale Road. Once back at the day centre we walked back to the residential unit. We walked down to Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Temple Street. In the residential unit matthew went to his room and had some toast and used his computer. Me and mum came to visit and we caught up on the weekends bus sightings and tdid some of the Blog, We also watched buses out of the window and we saw C.M.P minibus BG12 NRU on the road opposite.

C.M.P BG12 NRU in Fenton

Matthew went into the sitting room and had tea. tea this evening was fish and chips with tomato sauce followed by cake. Matthew returned to his room and we saw First Potteries 67154 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Fenton

Later on Matthew went out shopping. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road and we walked along Manor Street to the other end. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we walked down to Aldi. At the supermarket Matthew brought some shopping which included bananas, carrots and cake. Once we had finished we returned to the residential unit in a Intercity taxi. We ran back up Victoria Road and right onto George Street. We turned left onto Manor Street and we turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. After put the shopping away Matthew returned to his room. Matthew had a bath and then got ready for bed. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 29-10-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67631	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
67157	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21A	First Potteries
63096	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
32079	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
37146	Hanley BS	Tunstall, Adj Stop M	7A	First Potteries
53829	Tunstall, Adj Stop A	Oxford, adj Biddulph Road(stoamdpg)	99	First Potteries
41520	Oxford, adj Biddulph Road(stoamdpg)	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
41522	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
66303	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries

Today we decided would stay locally. We had checked the weather for today and it was for dry weather with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had a giant crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst Matthew got ready I went to put gas in the car. At Sideway we saw MT Travel minibus SD58 OKF. Returning home we passed First Potteries 67631 which we knew would be on the next bus to Newcastle. On the radio I heard that there had been an accident at Talke which was causing delays to traffic. We set off just after 12:00 to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. A few minutes later and bang on time we saw First Potteries 67631 come around the corner out of Finstock Avenue on the #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67631 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A5035 were we passed dud First Potteries 67642 on the #22 to Longton. We ran over the railway line into Trentham. We turned right into New In lane and as we went down I noticed another bus at the stop in front of us. As we got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 67157 on a #21A to Hanley. We got to The Man in Space and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67631 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67631 in Trentham

We also got a picture of First Potteries 67157 before we ran to the stop and jumped on it.

First Potteries 67157 in Trentham

The bus driver recognised Matthew and said hello to him. She remembered Matthew from when he was a small boy... We flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus was already partially loaded when we got on it. The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford. We turned right into Wilson Road and then we turned left onto Church Lane. We lane down the hill and we joined the Northbound A34. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we saw First Potteries 67637 on the other #22 turn running towards Longton. We turned right into London Road by the black Lion and we ran the couple of miles into Stoke town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture First Potteries 67157 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked along Campbell Place and we visit the TSB to get some money out of the cash machine. We crossed over Campbell Place and we turned the corner into Church Street and into the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we ordered breakfast. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw D&G 121 on 'The Orange ONE' service going towards Meir. When we had finished eating we went out onto Church Street. Once we had finished eating we walked back along Church street to wait for a bus to Newcastle. As we walked towards the stop we saw a standard liveried Streetlite approaching on a #11 service. It was required First Potteries 63096. As we walked towards the stop we spotted Stone Green Bus BX65 KYG in Welch Street.

Stone Green Bus BX65 KYG in Stoke

We then walked over to the bus stop for First Potteries 63096 on the #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63096 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down at the back of the bus. When I said it was required that was only strictly true for myself and uncle Dave... Matthew had been on First Potteries 63096 from Bentilee to Meir back in August 2015. We set off along church street, past the roadworks which effectively closed off the eastbound side of Church street to bus traffic. We climbed the hill along Hartshill Road and we passed through Hartshill before dropping down into Newcastle down George Street. We joined the one way system and we turned left on the roundabout onto Barracks Road. As we got to the bus station in Newcastle we saw First Potteries 32634 on stand and about to work the #99 to Bradeley. When we got into the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63096.

Inside First Potteries 63096

We got off the bus and we started to walk up the top half of the bus station. What we would normally do at this point is to head to Tunstall, or even Burslem and then forwards to Tunstall. First Potteries 32634 was still in the bus station on the #99 to Bradeley. As we were considering going over to the red and cream liveries PMT double decker, we saw a couple of ALX400 double deckers coming int the bus station stopped at the traffic lights. Whilst we waited for these buses to come into the bus station we saw D&G Optare Versa 158 on the #9 to Biddulph.

D&G 158 in Newcastle bus station

The buses at the lights came into the bus station and they were First Potteries 32081 and required First Potteries 32079, both on the #4A to Hanley. First Potteries 32081 came on stand first and then First Potteries 32079 pulled up along side it.

First Potteries 32079 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus was almost empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32079 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 32079

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed over the roundabout and we climbed the hill into Basford. We then dropped down the hill into Etruria and we crossed over the A500. We ran towards Cobridge And we turned left by the Bet365 office and we ran up Forge Lane and back down Festival Way. Outside Waterworld we saw Owen's Coaches coach W709 PTO. We crossed under the A53 and we ran up the hill past a new building and into Hanley along Etruria Road. At the top we crossed over Marsh Street into Trinity Street. We turned right into Stafford Street and we passed the town hall and ran along Bagnall Street and into the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then headed over to the John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. We saw one of the recent D&G arrivals from Transdev York about to leave the bus station so we stopped by the exit and waited for it. As it got closer we saw that it was required D&G Buses Solo 45 on a #40 to Longton.

D&G 45 in Hanley bus station

We also saw First Potteries 67602 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 67602 in Hanley bus station

We went into the car park and we headed upstairs so that we could take a few bus pictures. We saw relative newcomer First Potteries 32648 which was on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32648 in Hanley bus station

We took a few more bus pictures and Matthew had a Milky Way and a can of Vimto. After a while we headed down to the bus station and we visited the Spar shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We purchased the stuff and then we headed into the main part of the bus station to wait for a bus towards Tunstall. We sat down by the Tunstall stand and we saw First Potteries 67636 come in about to work a #3 to Crewe. For some reason the bus sat there for a while between driver changes, and a few driver came and went as if there was a problem with the bus. In the mean time, First Potteries 37146 came in about to work the following #3 to Talke Pits.

First Potteries 37146 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later First Potteries 67635 started to loaded and we didn't get on it. We waited foe First Potteries double decker 37146 to be readied for service. This involved one of the staff jumping on the bus and cleaning up an area upstairs where someone had been sick! When the bus started loading we got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver and Matthew took a picture inside the lower saloon of First Potteries 37146.

Inside First Potteries 37146

We went upstairs and the top decker was also empty so Matthew took another picture inside First Potteries 37146.

Inside First Potteries 37146

The bus waited for time before setting off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and onto Bethesda Street before we went across onto Marsh Street and then we turned right into Trinity Street. We turned left into Stafford Street and we turned left onto New Hall Street and right onto Marsh Street North. At the end we went forwards onto Waterloo Road and we ran through Cobridge and up into Burslem. After a brief stop wen went forwards onto Scotia Road. By the time we got to the old Burslem PMT garage we had caught up First Potteries 67636 which had set off 5 minutes before us fully loaded. We turned left onto Williamson Street and then right onto Tunstall High Street. At the bottom we overtook First Potteries 67636 which was at the bus stop. Coming the other way we saw First Potteries advertiser 41540 which was on a #99 to Newcastle. At the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37146 before it carried on towards Talke.

First Potteries 37146 in Tunstall

We walked down the street and we took a picture of First Potteries 67636 on the #3 to Crewe that we had turned down earlier in Hanley.

First Potteries 67636 in Tunstall

Further down the street we saw First Potteries 65026 & 32056, both of which were on #3 services to Hanley.

First Potteries 32056 in Tunstall

We walked down to The Tunstall Cafe and Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him the cheesecake and a can of Coke. They had reverted back to the old style of cheescake, but Matthew didn't seem to mind one bit! Once we had finished eating we went outside and we walked to the nearest stop. We had decided that we were going to head towards Biddulph directly. There was a #99 to Bradeley at 15:13 and a couple of minutes later there was a 15:15 D&G Buses #94 service Biddulph. I asked Matthew which of these buses he wanted to do and he chose the First bus. A few minutes later we saw a First Potteries Solo approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 53829.

First Potteries 53829 in Tunstall

We got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the High Street and we turned sharp right onto Scotia Road and left into the Boulevard. We ran down the hill past the park and we went forwards onto Queens Avenue before turning left onto Irene Avenue. At the top we turned left onto Carlton Avenue and then right onto Little Chell Lane. We turned left onto High Lane and we ran through the roadworks to the roundabout. We ran down the hill and towards the bottom we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53829 before it turned right onto Oxford Road and ran towards Bradeley.

First Potteries 53829 in Oxford

We stood at the stop and almost immediately we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 41520.

First Potteries 41520 in Oxford

We got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A527 and we ran up the hill towards Chatterly Whitfield. We continued up through Brindley Ford and we turned left to run through Brown Lees. Normally the route through Brown Lees would be along Brown Lees Road, Tower Hill Road and onto Newpool Road. Due to Newpool Road we should have turned at an earlier street. We went past the diversion route and continued up towards Mow Cop! The driver turned the bus around at the junction of Akesmoor Lane and we returned back down the hill. An elderly gent sitting near the front tried to direct the the bus driver down dead end Lyndhurst Drive so a couple of local kids decided to help the driver around the diversion. via Mansfield Drive, Endon Drive, Lotus Avenue and Lyneside Road. We re -joined Neewpool Road and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley and we ran around through the housing estates of Biddulph before running into town via St John's Road and Colliers Way. When we passed the Hollinshead coach depot we saw an unidentified white Solo in the depot, presumably a spare bus for the new Beartown services that they started to operate recently. We turned up Wharf Road to the bus station where we got up. Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41520 before we got off it.

Inside First Potteries 41520

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41520 before it carried on back to Hanley. We then went to the kebab shop for a portion of fries and some cans of pop. We walked back to the bus stop and we shared the fries. We walked down towards the bus station and toilets and we saw required D&G 100 on a #9 service to Hanley.

D&G 100 in Biddulph bus station

Matthew then drank a can of Tango Orange. Just as we finished eating and drinking we saw First Potteries 32639 on a #7a which promtly arrived and departed. We turned down dud D&G 134 which was on the 16:40 to Newcastle. Matthew wanted to waited for the following First bus which was due to depart at 16:45. We bus came up the road from the roundabout and as we got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 41522.

First Potteries 41522 in Biddulph bus station

We got on and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto High Street and we turned left onto Well Street. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran through Brown Lees via the diversion route and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into Hanley. When we got back to Hanley we let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41522.

Inside First Potteries 41522

When we got off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we headed down to the bottom end of the bus station. We had a choice of doing a #101 or a #25 to Newcastle where we arranged to meet mum and Matthew chose to wait for the #25. The bus came into the bus station and it was First Potteries 66303.

First Potteries 66303 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Intercity YK07 NYX on the Hanley ring road and First Potteries 37156 departing on the #32 to Uttoxeter. The driver appeared and then we got on the bus, flashing the Smart Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 66303 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 66303

When it was time we set off out of the bus station onto john Street and left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down through Shelton along Regent Road and College Road. We passed the railway station and we continued forwards onto the A52. We followed the road to the right under the railway line and we crossed over the A500 entering Stoke town centre. Opposite we saw required First Potteries Volvo 66305 on a #25 to Hanley. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and into the centre of Hartshill. We turned left into the Avenue and left again onto Hilton Road before turning right into the City General Hospital. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the raundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. We got up and got off the bus and we set off towards where mum had parked the car. On the way we saw First Potteries 32634 on a #98 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 32634 in Newcastle bus station

At the top end of the bus station we saw First Potteries 65706 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 65706 in Newcastle bus station

We crossed over Barrack Road into Hassell Street and we jumped into the car. Mum was waiting with small Wrights Pies sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off down barracks Road and on the A34. We passed Jubilee WMC AK52 LXC parked up at the side of the road. We ran down to Trent Vale and we stopped at the chip shop for some chips. Once had picked them up we ran along the A34 to The A500 and we went North to Sideway. We went East along the A50 and we travelled up to Longton where we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz today. In the front row was Z Carz minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Also in the front row of buses was Z Carz minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

Closest bus in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

At the front of the second row we saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Parked on the street we saw Z Carz Ford minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

Also parked on the road in Willow Row was Z Carz ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we went across onto baths Road and into Tesco petrol station where we filled up with diesel. We got back onto the A50 and we went West to Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we followed the road to the right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:00. For a late Matthew had baked potato wedges and mash with carrots followed by a Manchester tart. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Stone / Eccleshall 05-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53829	Blurton, Opp Ladybank Grove	Granville Square, Stone	23	First Potteries
SN05 HDC	Granville Square, Stone	Stone, Adj Mount Road	2	Bennetts Travel
SN05 HDC	Stone, Adj Mount Road	Granville Square, Stone	2	Bennetts Travel
T48 JBA	Crown Street, Stone	Eccleshall, Adj Stone Road	490	Bennetts Travel
53830	Eccleshall, Adj Cherry Tree Close	Crown Street, Stone	23	First Potteries
V281 DRC	Granville Square, Stone	Longton Interchange	4	Bennetts Travel
66303	Longton Interchange	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
66306	Newcastle BS	Keele, Opp Sneyd Arms PH	3	First Potteries
60176	Keele, Adj Sneyd Arms PH	Newcastle BS	3	First Potteries

Today we decided to re-visit Stone and Eccleshall. It was the last day of First Potteries operating the #23 between Newstead and Eccleshall and it was also the last day of Bennetts Travel buses operating North and Central Staffordshire. From the 6th of September D&G will be taking over all of these services. We put the idea to him of going the buses in Stone and Eccleshall and he thought it was a good idea.We had checked the weather for today and it was forecast for cool, cloudy weather with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We left home around 11:45 and we set off towards the Beaconsfield Drive stop opposite to Ladybank Grove. On the way we saw dud First Potteries Scania 60069 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 60069 in Blurton

On Beaconsfield Drive we saw First Potteries 65729 on a #22 to Longton. This was followed by required First Potteries 53830 on a #23 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw another First Potteries Solo approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud 53829.

First Potteries 53829 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Network Day ticket at £5.50. We sat down near to the back and the bus set off onto Finstock Avenue. Near to Ingestre Square we turned right onto Ripon Road before joining the Eastbound A5035. We turned onto Barlaston Road and we entered the Newstead estate. After passing the shops on Winbourne Road we rejoined Barlaston Road and turned right onto Blurton Road. We turned right onto Wedgwood Drive and we stopped at the stop on Wedgwood Lane. The stop has been brightened up with a knitted bus stop cosy covering the top and a few feet of the pole... We re-joined Wedgwood Drive and carried on South down Blurton Road for a few hundred yards. We turned right onto Longton Road and we ran into Barlaston. There was a village fete on in Barlaston and we saw our ice cream man doing some brisk business! we turned right onto Station Road and we crossed over the level crossing by Barlaston railway station. after a quick stop near to Neil Morrisey's Plume of Feathers, the bus would normally turn right onto Meaford Road. Due to the road being closed for roadwork the bus continued West on Tittensor Road to the A34. We passed what used to we the old Little Chef where mum used to work, and we past the big roundabout at Darlaston. Further South down the A34 we passed the other end of Meaford Road and we were back on the normal route again. Just North of the motorcycle shop we turned onto Newcastle Road and we got off the bus in Granville Square. The bus set off around town towards Eccleshall and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 53829.

First Potteries 53829 in Stone

When we planned this trip we asked Matthew if he wanted to have dinner in Eccleshall or Stone and he said Stone. Mum had told us of a cafe in a walkway adjacent to the Co-operative food stall so we set off around town towards the rear of the Co-op store. Just as we started to walk off we saw our first Bennetts Travel bus of the day, required Solo W246 PAU.

Bennetts Travel W246 PAU in Stone

We carried on around the backwards around the one way system on foot and when we got to the rear of the Co-op we spotted the covered walkway. We went past the cafe the first time as we weren't sure it was the one that mum had meant, but we walked back when we saw that it was the only one... Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a breakfast and a glass of coke to wash it down with. After we has finished eating we went straight up the pedestrianised High Street to Granville Square to see if there was a town service there. As we got there we saw required Bennetts Travel Dart SN05 HDC on a #2 town circular.

Bennetts Travel SN05 HDC in Stone

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. The next First bus to Eccleshall wasn't due for another 40 minutes at this point. We got on the bus and we asked to travel for a circuit back to Granville Square! We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off to the North East and over the railway. We whizzed through Oulton Cross and Stonefield area traveling back into town along Prince's Street, Mount Avenue, Station Road and Newcastle Road. As we traveled back I consulted some time that I jotted down in a notebook and I realised there was a #490 to Stafford from outside Crown Street toilets at 13:05 in around 5 minutes. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Bennetts Travel SN05 HDC.

Inside Bennetts Travel SN05 HDC

He got another picture of Bennetts Travel SN05 HDC before it carried on with the next part of the #2 circular service.

Bennetts Travel SN05 HDC in Stone

We started to walk towards Crown Street and we saw dud First Potteries Volvo double decker 32627 on a #10 to Stafford.

First Potteries 32627 in Stone

After we had taken the picture we had a brisk walk down to the stop. We asked if anyone had seen the #490, and there were a few others waiting for it too. Whilst we waited for the Bennetts bus to turn up we saw dud First Potteries 65033 on a Hanley bound #10 service.

First Potteries 65033 in Stone

A few minutes later dud Bennetts Travel T48 JBA came around the corner on the #490 to Stafford.

Bennetts Travel T48 JBA in Stone

We got on the bus and we booked to Eccleshall before sitting down towards the back of the bus. This was a bus we first had on the #205 Whitchurch to Chemistry estate circular back in May 2009! A photo of the bus back then can be found here. The bus set off up the road and we went forwards onto Newcastle Road. We turned left onto Trent Road and left again onto the A34. We crossed the A34 and turned right onto Yarnfield Lane. After crossing the M6, we passed through the village of Yarnfield and right onto Meece Road. In Cold Meece we turned right and we ran the 2 or so miles into Swynnerton village. On the way up we passed First Potteries 53829 returning from Eccleshall. We turned in the triangle outside St Mary's Church and we headed back down to Cold Meece village. At the junction in Cold Meece we took the road towards Sturbridge and beyond onto the A519. We turned right and we were surprised how quickly we went from country to centre of town in Eccleshall. We got up and got of the bus and the bus turned the corner onto Stone Road. We went around the corner and we spotted a public toilet block. Whilst Matthew was in the toilet we saw Bennetts Travel V156 JKG on a #490 to Stone. We had planned on catching the #23 back to Stone, but we couldn't work out where the Badger Inn was. We sat on a bench in the middle of town and Matthew ate a Milky Way and drank a can of Barr Limeade. Once we worked out where the Badger In should be, we went into the Co-operative Food store and brought some more chocolate and pop to fill up the trip bag. On the way out we spotted some new D&G bus timetables for the up and coming chances in the Co-op window, so we took a couple. One for us and one for one of our neighbours. As we went back onto Stafford Road we saw required First Potteries 53830 on the #23. It went around the corner onto the Newport bound A519 so we followed it, only we could see where it had pulled over or see anything that looked like it use to be the now defunct Badger Inn. We decided to go back to Stone Road and wait for the bus there. We sat down for a few minutes and then the bus came around the corner... As expected it was required First Potteries Solo 53830.

First Potteries 53830 in Eccleshall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day ticket to the driver. Matthew honked the horn and then took a picture inside the empty First Potteries 53830.

Inside First Potteries 53830

The bus set off out of Eccleshall along Stone Road for around a Kilometre and then we turned Northwards towards Sturbridge. Once in Sturbridge we turned right and then we were back on the same route as the #490 had taken. We headed through Cold Meece up to Swynerton, up to the turning point outside the church and back down to the triangular junction at Cold Meece where we turned towards Yarnfield. We crossed the M6 and we joined the Northbound A34. We went up to the roundabout by Newcastle Road and we turned 180' and went back down the A34. We came into Stone from the South up the A520 and we turned into Crown Street. We got and got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 53830.

First Potteries 53830 in Stone

Matthew went to the toilet and we decided to wait and see what turned up next at this stop. There was quite a crowd, and the next bus to appear was required First Potteries 65037 on a #10 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65037 in Stone

It was full when it pulled up and there were at least a dozen people waiting to get on the bus, so we decided to give this bus a miss. As we had a network ticket we thought we would see what was on the next Stafford bound service, so we walked up to Granville Square. As we got there we saw dud First Potteries 65033 on the #10 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65033 in Stone

It wasn't quite as full as 65037 had been, but we decided to turn it down and wait 15 minutes for the #4 to Longton operated by Bennetts. We sat down on a bench and Matthew had drink of Irn Bru. Whilst there we saw City Cabs minibus EA04 FYF go past on a recovery truck and Bennetts T48 JBA on a #435 to Salt. A few minutes later we saw a Solo approaching. It was required Bennetts Travel V281 DRC.

Bennetts Travel V281 DRC in Stone

We got on the bus and we booked to Longton. Matthew beeped the horn and the driver looked somewhat unimpressed. We sat down towards the back of the bus and D&G 198 pulled up behind us running out of service. The bus set off out of town, past Kibblestone and up onto the A520. At Meir Heath we turned right past the Windmill Pub. We travelled for around a mile down the B5066 and then we turned left and wet through Stallington and under the A50. We crossed the railway line and we entered Blyth Bridge. We turned left onto the a521 and we crossed back over the railway and ran down to the A50. We joined the Westbound A50 and we did it as far as the Eastern end of Longton. We crossed over the A50 and we ran through Longton down The Strand. We turned left into Baths Road and we entered the interchange. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Bennetts Travel V281 DRC.

Inside Bennetts Travel V281 DRC

We got off the bus and we walked to the end of the bus station to take a few pictures. Dud D&G 111 arrived in the bus station on 'The Orange One towards Meir. This was followed by dud First Potteries 66303 on a #2 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 66303 in Longton Interchange

Required First Potteries 63098 came in on a #6 to Hanley and I asked Matthew what bus he wanted to do. He chose to do 66303 to Newcastle. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day ticket to the driver. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto baths Road. We turned left under the railway line and onto King Street. We travelled down through Fenton and down into Stoke. Due to Church Street being closed for pedestrianisation, we went around the one way system and onto Campbell Place before rejoining Church Street. We carried on up the hill into Hartshill and we dropped down into Newcastle along George Street. The first unusual thing about Newcastle we noticed today is that the old Jubilee baths have been knocked down. We turned left into Barracks Road and we entered the bus station, passing First Potteries 50281 on a #72 to Clayton. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 66303.

Inside First Potteries 66303

We got off the bus and we sat at thr bottom of the bus station whilst we worked out what to do next. Dud First Potteries 37157 was parked up on Stubbs Street.

First Potteries 37157 in Newcastle bus station

Dud First Potteries 60202 was on a #3 to Talke.

First Potteries 60202 in Newcastle bus station

Whilst we sat down Matthew ate a Cadbury's Flake. We then saw required First Potteries 66306 enter the bus station on a #3 to Madeley.

First Potteries 66306 in Newcastle bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the required Volvo single decker and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day tickets to the driver before sitting down. Whilst we waited for departure time Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 66303 as it left the bus station on the #2 towards Hanley.

First Potteries 66303 in Newcastle bus station

The bus set off out of the bus station and went North onto Barracks Road. There are no booked stops before Queen Elizabeth Gardens so the bus could go either way around Newcastle, even though they usually travelled clockwise. Today the bus went down Merrial Street, presumably to get the drivers used to doing this for when they officially stop there from the 6th September. We crossed the A34 onto the A525 and then we turned into Orme Road. We bounced our way over the speed bumps and we re-joined the A525 for the run up the hill to Keele. We turned left into the University and we ran through the campus towards the village. The bus looked like it was carrying passengers through to Madeley, so Matthew to a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside First Potteries 66306

In the village we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 66306 as it carried on towards Madeley.

First Potteries 66306 in Keele

Today was the last time that First were running beyond Keele to Madeley, but we didn't really have time to cover another one of the routes that First were shortening or pulling out of. We could see an 'Olympia' liveried First Scania sat on the road in the distance, so we crossed over quickly to wait for the bus at the stop opposite to us. A minute or so later the Scania approached us and it was dud First Potteries 60176.

First Potteries 60176 in Keele

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off through the campus. We called mum to tell her we were on our way to Newcastle and the bus went through the campus and onto the A525. As we came down the hill we could see a double decker in the back Hampton scrap yard. We crossed over the roundabout and we passed by the scrap yard before turning left into Orme Road. We bounced down through the estate and we rejoined the A525 briefly to get on the A34. We went anti-clockwise around the town and we entered the bus station from the Southern end. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 60176.

Inside First Potteries 60176

We got off the bus and we decided to visit the toilet. On the way we stopped and saw First Potteries 32055 on a #3 to Madeley.

First Potteries 32055 in Newcastle bus station

We also First Potteries 32627 make another appearance on the #10 towards Hanley.

First Potteries 32627 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew visited the toilet and he just got out to see First Potteries Scania 65038 on a #99 to Bradeley which was another previously rare sighting. The closure of First's Newcastle garage this weekend has been producing some strange sightings all week. WE walked up to meet mum and she was waiting for us with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We did a u-turn at the Jubilee roundabout and we noticed another odd thing... The fountains were working again for the first time in several years. We headed South down the A34 and we stopped at the Riverside Chippy and we brought some chips to share between us. Once we had fed we got back onto the A34 and headed down to the A500. We went North on the A500 to Sideway before going East onto the A50. We came off the A50 at Longton to check out what was at Z Carz. Once again the buses were parked in two rows facing towards the A50. In the near to the end of the front row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

At the end of the row was Z Carz Renault minibus Y568 XFV

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

Nearest bus in the second row was Z Carz Airport Division Ford Minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. There were quite a few minibuses in here, mainly from the taxi fleet including Mercedes minibus S952 VMY and Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

Mum's friend had been stuck at work with no food, so we crossed the A50 to Macdonald to pick something up for her. We got back onto the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. We headed through Blurton and we stopped at the shop to dropp off the food. We carried on through Blurton and we saw First Potteries 65729 again on a #22. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home a fraction after 18:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jammy shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime at 00:30... Mark