Trip to Fenton / Stoke 18-04-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67157	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, adj stop P	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw First Potteries 67154 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Fenton

Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and onto Christchurch Street. At the day centre in the morning Matthew went on the computer. For dinner Matthew had a ham sandwich. In the after noon Matthew went for a walk. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Masterson Street. We stopped at the minimarket and we picked up a bottle of Coke. Once we had finished shopping we walked back up Masterson Street and onto Christchurch Street and back to the day centre. For the rest of the afternoon Matthew watched a DVD. when in was time to return to the residential unit we set off on foot onto Christchurch Street and onto Temple Street. Back at the house Mathew had some toast and then chilled out in his room on his computer. We saw Free Spirits MV05 YMM going towards Longton.

Free Spirits MV05 YMM in Fenton

For tea Matthew had chicken and chips followed by toffee yoghurt. Later on Matthew went to Stoke on the bus. We set off on foot onto City Road and we walked down to the stop by Travers Court. The bus appear and it was First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we ran forwards onto the A52 were we saw First Potteries 53830 on #11 to Hanley. We ran under the railway line and we went over the A500. We ran into Stoke along Church Street and we got up and got off the bus. We then walked down the road to The Wheatsheaf. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included Roseville BP08 KJN & First Potteries 67158 on a #11 to Newcastle. We then walked back up to Fenton. We set off along Church Street and we saw Z Carz HK57 LFY. We crossed over the A500 onto City Road and we went under the railway line and up the hill. Back at the residential Matthew went up to his room and chilled out. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. Matthew went to bed around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Fenton / Hanley 16-11-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Bentilee	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Festival Park	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Festival Park	Hanley	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Hanley	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Bentilee	Charter	Shelton Care Group
MV53 KKO	Bentilee	Alsager	Charter	Z Carz
MV53 KKO	Alsager	Bentilee	Charter	Z Carz

Today Matthew was in respite and he was going into his day service. The respite place was still in the middle of refurbishment. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. When Matthew had finished Eating, he went to his room to wait for his ransport and watch buses and we saw First Potteries 53830 on a #13 to Hanley.

First Potteries 53830 in Bentilee

A short while later Matthew transport arrived and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Bentilee

We got on the bus and we set off onto the A5272. We ran through Bentilee onto the A52 at Bucknall. At the junction we followed the A52 to the left. We turned left at joiners Square and we ran to the top of Victoria Road were we saw Stanton's of Stoke's newest arrival WR58 LHX. We turned sharp right onto City Road. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. In the morning Matthew Matthew went to Festival Park to do some shopping. Transport for the trip was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. At the bottom of the hill and we turned right onto the A52 and we ran up to the railway station. We went along Station Road and at the end we turned right onto Stoke Road. We ran up the hill and we stopped briefly at the other day centre before continuing up Snow Hill into Hanley. We crossed the ring road onto Broad Street and we followed the one way system to the left onto Marsh Street. At the end of Marsh Street we went forwards onto Waterloo Road. At Cobridge lights we turned right and we ran through the back streets back onto Waterloo road before turning right onto Greyhound Way. We ran down the hill and we parked up in the supermarket. In the shop Matthew brought some supplies for Baking on Friday. When Matthew had finished shopping we returned to Shelton care Group DV10 JCU. There must have been something which we couldn't get from the supermarket, so we went on to another shop! We set off Pavillion Drive and left onto Ridgehouse Drive. At the roundabout we turned left onto Festival Way and we crossed under the A53 onto Etruria Road. We turned left onto New Century Street and we parked up outside B&M. We went in and we brought some digestive biscuits before we returned to Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We then headed back to Festival Park. We ran back down Etruria Road and under the A53 onto Festival Way where we saw Stanton's of Stoke 3093 RU. WE turned right onto Ridgehouse Drive and we park up on the large car park adjacent to the shops. We then carried on to Pavillion Drive and forwards onto Greyhound Way. At top we turned right onto Waterloo Road and we did a quick circle of the streets around Cobridge light before going through the traffic light and up towards Hanley on Waterloo Road. We joined the ring road and we ran around to the other side of town before going left onto Lichfield Street. At joiners Square we ran over the roundabout onto Victoria Road. At the top of the road we turned right onto City Road and then left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. For dinner Matthew had pizza followed by cake. In the afternoon Matthew watched a DVD. When it was time to returned to Respite we got on board Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto We set off onto Station Bridge Road. We continued onto Heron Street and we went through Heron Cross and over the A50. We continued onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and at the end we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and we turned right into New Inn Lane. We dropped another service user off and we returned onto the A5035. We travelled back through Blurton into Dresden and up to Longton and we crossed over the A50. We then turned right onto Chadwick Street. We crossed over Uttoxeter Road onto Bridgewood Street and we went under the railway line and at the end we turned left onto Forrister Street. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill into Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5272 and we ran through on Dividy Road and we saw an unidentified white Mercedes minibus before we got back to our destination. For tea Matthew went out this evening on Z Carz MV53 KKO. We set off onto Dividy Road and we ran up to Bucknall and joined the A52. We went up Limekiln Bank and at the top we ran around the ring road to Eruria Road. We Joined the Westbound A53 and we ran up to Newcastle. Ater going around the one way system onto the jubilee roundabout we ran along the Ryecroft to the A34. We ran North up to Chesterton and we turned left onto the B5500. We ran through Bignall End into Audley and we went North up Alsager Road under the A500 and into Alsager. In the town centre we turned left onto the B5077. We ran west for around 1/2 a mile and we came to the Plough Inn. Mathew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. Matthew had a burger and chips followed by chocolate fudge cake. When it was time to go home we returned to Bentilee on Z Carz MV53 KKO. We set off onto the B5077 and we passed through Alsager and onto the A50. When we got to the A34 we went North up to Congleton. We turned right onto west Street and we ran through town and onto the A527. We travelled South and past Bibbulph on the by-pass and we ran down through Knypersley and Brindley Ford. We climbed the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran over Smallthorne roundabouts into Sneyd Green and we followed the road down through Northwood onto Limekiln Bank. We crossed over the traffic lights onto the A52 and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We ran up to Bentilee ad aback to respite. When we got back to respite Matthew spent time watching television. Matthew had a bath and then hda toast for supper. Matthew went to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Apedale / Newcastle 12-08-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Apedale	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Apedale	Sneyd Green	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Sneyd Green	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Joiners Sqaure	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
67641	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle, opp Cherry Tree PH	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Blurton

We set off onto the A5035 and we ran through Dresden. We continued up to Longton and crossed over the A50. We joined Chadwick Street and we went past the Gladstone Pottery Museum. We crossed over Uttoxeter road and onto Bridgewood street. We turned left onto Forrister and then right onto Anchor Road. We ran to the top of the hill and into Adderley Green. We turned left onto the A5272 and we ran into Bentilee where we saw white minibus H87 JHR. We went to pick up another service user and then we then set off onto Dividy Road and we ran down to Bucknall. We followed the road around to the left and at Joiners Square we went left onto Victoria Road. We went up the hill to the top of the road and then we turned right onto the City Road. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. In the morning Matthew went out to Apedale. Transport for the trip was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. we got on and the bus and we went along Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. At the bottom of the road we joined the A52 and we ran into Stoke and onto the Northbound A500. We ran North to Shelton New Road and then we entered Newcastle via George Street where we saw First Potteries 63096 on a #2 to Hanley. We ran around Newcastle on the A52 and we went North up the A34 past the old First Potteries bus garage. At London Road we went West up to the roundabout where we continued West on Loomer Road. We followed this around to the Apedale Heritage Centre. Matthew went to the toilet and then went for a walk around and had a drink of Coke. We then got back on the minibus and went to Sneyd Green to go to MacDonald. We set off onto Loomer Road and we ran back to the A34 via Wolstanton Road. We ran North to Talke and then we took the Southbound A500. We came off the A500 at Etruria and we went East on the A53. At Cobridge we saw First Potteries 67602 on a #3 to Crewe. We continued along the A53 under the A5272 and to the Norton Heights retail park. At MacDoanlds Matthew went to the toilet and then had a burger and fries washed down with a Coke. Once Matthew had finished eating we got back on the minibus for the journey to the pub. We continued North on the A53 and we turned right onto Newford Crescent. We followed the road around and we went to Milton Crossroad. We turned right and went South down the A5009 to Bucknall where we took Bucknall New Road where we saw Scraggs 9685 VT on a #4 to Eaton Park. We ran up to the ring road at Hanley and we turned left. We ran around to Lichfield street and we went towards Joiners Square and to the pub. In the pub Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings include Stanton's of Stoke minibus RUI 2486 and First Potteries 63171 on a #6 to Weston Coyney. When it was time to go we got on Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU for the trip to Fenton. The bus set off down Palmerston Road and we saw Scraggs 1655 VT. We turned right onto the A52 and at Joiners Square we turned left onto Victoria Road. At the top we turned sharp right onto City Road and left onto Glebedale Road. For the journey back Home we had Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road where we saw D&G Bus 100 on the #31 to Cheadle. We turned right onto the A50 link road and we joined the Westbound A50. We came off at Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We ran gthriugh Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and Matthew got home just before 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of dandelion & burdock whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 16:56 to Newcastle. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. We had seen the turn earlier in the day and it was booked to be dud First Potteries 67641. A few minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 67641 turn the corner as expected.

First Potteries 67641 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. On the opposite side of the road was dud First Potteries 67632 on a #22 to Longton. As we set off we had a phone call from mum to say there was a change of plan. The car was ready to pick up from the garage and we were going to meet at Grandma's near Newcastle. We set off down the rod and we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and we passed the Trentham Hotel where we saw Free Spirits MK52 PXH parked up. We turned right onto New Inn Lane and we ran u the hill into Hanford. We turned right into Wilson Road and then left into Church Lane where we saw A2B Airports minibus WF11 MOA. We an down to the A34 and we saw First Potteries 41520 on a #21A to Hanley. We ran under the A500 and inti Trent Vale and we turned right int Harpfields Road, where we passed First Potteries 53830 on the final #22 turn to Longton. As we ran through the hospital we saw First Potteries 32056 on a #25 to hanley and D&G Bus 157 on a #9 to Clayton. We turned right onto the A34 and we saw an unidentified Leons Coaches coach ahead of us. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67641 before it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67641 in Newcastle

We walked up to Grandma's house, and within a few minutes mum appeared with a freshly repaired car. We said goodbye to Grandma and we ran down onto the A34. We went Southwards for a mile or so into Trent Vale and we parked up at the pub. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included First Potteries 65040 on a Stafford Bound #101 service, and ABC Supreme N806 CRJ on a Northbound shuttle. Mum realised she had left some stuff at Grandma's, so we had to go and pick up uncle Dave via Grandma's and the petrol station as we were low on fuel. We ran North to Tesco in Trent Vale and we filled u with Diesel. As we re-joined the A34 we saw ABC Supreme N806 CRJ at the retail park opposite and Keele SU minibus PN57 UZX. We North up to Grandma's and then we returned back South. We joined the Northbound A500 and at Sideway we went East on the A50 into Heron Cross. We dropped down into Fenton and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked him up we ran back up to Heron Cross and over the A50. We ran into Blurton and right into Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We saw First Potteries 53830 on the #22 to Longton. We got home around 19:15. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we sorted things out. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 09-04-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67631	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
41540	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
41493	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
37160	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	99	First Potteries
67603	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
32055	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
53830	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
158	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	Nines	D&G
63172	Hanley BS	Longton Interchange	6	First Potteries
67631	Longton Interchange	Blurton, opp Ladybank Grove	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to go local... Mum wasn't feeling very well so we decided to do a standard local trip going to Stoke for dinner and Tunstall for a cake. We would go up to Newcastle and later see where we would end up. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine with a few showers. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had poached egg on toast washed down with orange juice. We didn't check the buses on the #22 before we set off today, we just went to the bus stop around 11:45, all the way over on Magdalen Road. The bus came around the corner and we could see it was one of the newer batch of Enviro300's a 3 in 11 chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 67631.

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. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we headed towards Trentham. The bus was empty in front of us so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67631.

Inside First Potteries 67631

We crossed the railway line into Trentham and we turned right into New Inn Lane. A couple of stops later we got up and got off the bus, passing dud First Potteries 41540 on the #21 to the the Trentham Hotel. We knew that this would be the next bus back. A check of the timetable revealed that it was due to return in 13 minutes. Since the recent timetable change the frequency of the #21/21A had gone from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes. Just before we saw out bus come up the road we saw dud First Potteries 67602 on the #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 67602 in Trentham

Matthew turned around and got a picture of dud First Potteries 41540 on the #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 41540 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41540.

Inside First Potteries 41540

We sat down at towards the back of the bus and the bus set off up New Inn Lane, We turned into Wilson Road and left into Church Lane. At the bottom of Church Lane we joined the Northbound A34 and we went under the A500 and into Trent Vale. A few hundred yards up the road we turned right onto London Road. We traveled the couple of miles along London Road through the West End and Pats city Cabs, where we saw black minibus SJ54 MWY. We went into Campbell Place and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41540 before it carried on to Hnaley.

First Potteries 41540 in Stoke

As we walked along Campbell Place towards Church Street we saw First Potteries 53828 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We turned the corner into Church Street and we went into the Stoke cafe for dinner. Matthew used the toilet and we ordered him a small breakfast which he washed down with a glass of Coke. Whilst we saw and ate we saw the the #25 service was all single deckers today. After we had finished eating we walked along Church Street to the Newcastle bus stop. We turned down the single decker that was at the bus stop on the #25 and we waited for the #2 which was behind it. We saw that it was a Caetano bodied Dart. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 41493.

First Potteries 41493 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We climbed the hill into Hartshill after running through past Noah's Ark we appears to be being refurbished, we ran down into Newcastle. At the roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road before we turned into Newcastle bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41493.

Inside First Potteries 41493

We got off the bus and we sat down on the bench at the bottom of the bus station whilst we decided what bus to do next. We didn't have to wait long before a couple of double deckers appeared. First we saw dud First Potteries 32077 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32077 in Newcastle bus station

This was followed be required First Potteries 37160 on a #99 to Bradeley.

First Potteries 37160 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to go on required First Potteries 37160 as it was going towards Tunstall... Perfect for going to get a slice of cheesecake from the Tunstall Cafe. We walked up to the the top off the bus station to go and get the double decker. On the way we stopped to get a picture of First Potteries 53064, which was on the #97 to the Wolstanton Retail Park.

First Potteries 53064 in Newcastle bus station

We walked to the top end of the bus station and First Potteries 37160 was already loading up. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37160.

Inside First Potteries 37160

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto barrack Road. We crossed the roundabout and onto the A527 past the Bramptons. We ran through Wolstanton and we turned right onto Porthill Bank. As we traveled along we passed First Potteries double deckers 32079 and 32056 coming the other way on Newcastle bound services. We crossed the A500 and and we went into Longport. At Trubshaw cross we turned left and we climbed the hill up Brownhills Road. At the top of the hill we went onto the High Street passing First Potteries 37157 on a #99 to Newcastle. At the top of the high Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37160 before it carried on towards Chell Heath.

First Potteries 37160 in Tunstall

Once off the bus we headed into the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet with uncle Dave and I ordered a slice of Cheesecake which he washed down with a glass of a Coke. Once he had finished we left the cafe and we crossed the road. At the bus stop was dud First Potteries 66304 which we decided to turn down.

First Potteries 66304 in Tunstall

Whilst we waited for the next #99 we saw First Potteries 66302 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 66302 in Tunstall

A few minutes later an early Enviro300 turned the corner which we knew was dud, as we had our last required early Enviro300 last Saturday... As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 67603.

First Potteries 67603 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of bus. The bus set off down the High Street and forwards onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we went forwards toward Longport and stopped at the first stop. The door wouldn't open and the driver ended up shutting off the bus. For a short while, worryingly the bus wouldn't restart for a short while. The driver eventually got the bus re-started and the door open. The bus carried on across the A500 and up Porthill Road. We turned left and ran through Wolstanton, and we came into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road and we went into the bus station. We got off the bus and we headed down to the bottom of the bus station. We considered doing required First Potteries 67633 on a #25, but we decided against it. We went down to the bottom of the bus station whilst we decided what to do next. We then saw First Potteries 32053 on a #99 to Chell Heath.

First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station

A few minute later we saw D&G Bus Dart 184 on a #74 to Audley.

D&G 184 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw D&G Bus 134 on a #73 to Park Site.

D&G 134 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching... It was dud First Potteries 32055 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 32055 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus as it was going to Hanley. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty at the back, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32055.

Inside First Potteries 32055

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the roundabout onto the A53 and we ran up and over into Etruria. We crossed the A500 and and we headed up to Festival Park. We left the A53 onto Forge Lane passing the site of the new pub being contructed. We came back towards the A53 along Festival Way. We crossed under the A53 and we ran up Etruria Road and into Hanley. We continued onto trinity Street before turning right into Stafford Street. Past the town hall and Radio Stoke. We entered the bus station off Bagnall Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet before we headed over to John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. One of the first buses we saw was required D&G 119 on the #9 to Biddulph.

D&G 119 in Hanley bus station

We also saw D&G Bus 145 on a #16 to Leek.

D&G 145 in Hanley bus station

Matthew shared a Cadbury's Snack Bar with me and uncle Dave and had a bottle of Cherryade. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 63099 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 63099 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we were in the car park we were approached by security. The guy asked what we were up to and I told him we were taking bus pictures. He wanted to make sure we were drinking and causing trouble. He through Matthew was smoking when he was eating chocolate! We then saw required Arriva Midlands 3697 come in on the #164 from Market Drayton and then went on layover.

Arriva Midlands 3697 in Hanley bus station

We decided to go back to the bus station to possibly do the Arriva Midlands Versa. On the way we stopped to to get a picture of First Potteries 42554 which was on layover.

First Potteries 42554 in Hanley bus station

We went back over to the bus station and we stood by stand C to wait for the bus. Just before it came Matthew decided he wanted to do a different bus. We went right down to the bottom of the bus station before settling on the Biddulph bus stop. A few minutes later dud First Potteries 53830 appeared on a #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 53830 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets to the river. We were first on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53830.

Inside First Potteries 53830

We set off out of the bus station and down John Street onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over Broad Street onto Marsh Street and we turned right onto Tontime Street before turning left onto Stafford Street. We loaded up with a few more passengers and we went under the Intu Potteries bridge up Quadrant Road before crossing the ring road and heading out of Hanley through Townsend. We traveled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts onto high Lane. At the end of High lane we turned right onto the A527. We ran down past Fegg Hayes and we climbed the hill through Brindley Ford. We turned left near to the Bakers Coaches garage and we went through Brown Lees. At Knypersley we crossed over the A527 and we went thtough the housing estate, passing the Barley Mow pub. We come into Biddulph town centre along Princess Street and Well Street and we turn right into High Street. To get to the bus station we turned left onto South View and right onto Wharf Road and we got off the bus. After using the toilet in the bus station, we went to the cash machine and we saw Deans RK11 ZKM parked on the High Street.

Deans RK11 ZKM in Biddulph bus station

We wanted to get something to eat so we turned down the next bus back to Hanley which was D&G Buses 160 on the #9 service.

D&G 160 in Biddulph bus station

We walked up to Wright's Pies and we brought a Manchester Tart and a small bottle of pop. On the way up we had seen a chip chip shop so we went to investigate. It wasn't open for another 15 minutes, so we walked further down the high Street to the Biddulph Kebab & Pizza shop where we brought some fries. We walked back to the bus station and we ate the fries in the bus station shelter. after we had finished eating we saw required D&G Bus 158 on the #9 to Hanley.

D&G 158 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 158.

Inside D&G 158

We set of out of town and around the housing estate we followed the road around and we crossed over the A527 into Brown Lees. We rejoined the A527 and we ran down through Brindley Ford into Fegg Hayes. We turned left onto Oxford Road and we ran forwards into Chell Heath. We ran through Snallthorne and along High Lane and into Hanley. When we got to hanley we deiced to go towards Longton so we waited outside for a #6 service. A few minutes later saw First Potteries 63172 on the #6.

First Potteries 63172 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we left Hanley down Lichfield street, following an unidentified Wilfreda Beehive coach down Lichfield Stre and onto Victoria Road. We climbed the hill up through fenton and onto City Road and King Street. In Longton we went under the railway line and we turned right onto Baths Road and into Longton Interchange. We got of the bus and we had a quick walk around. we saw First Potteries 63175 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63175 in Longton Interchange

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67631 on the #22.

First Potteries 67631 in Longton Interchange

We got on the bus, and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus set off out of the Interchange and onto Baths Road. We crossed the A50 onto Folet Road and at the end we turned right onto Longton Hall Road. At thr bottom by the BP garage we turned left onto Blurton Road. At Critclow's Corner we went onto Church Road and under the railway bridge before we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. At the far end of the drive we got up and got off the bus. When then walked all the way home. Once home we got in the car so that we could drive past Z carz. We ran up to Longton and we saw Z Carz S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We also saw Z Carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound and we saw Z Carz HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we ran back to heron Cross. We then ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by the Manchester Tart that we brought earlier. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Talke / Trent Vale 25-03-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Talke	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Talke	Westport Lake	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Westport Lake	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
67635	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00. He got dressed and had a giant crumpet and strawberry juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Blurton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We crossed the railway line and we went into Trentham. We turned right into New Inn Lane and we picked up another service user before going back onto the A5035. In Blurton we turned left into Church Road and we went forwards onto Blurton Road. At Heron Cross we joined the A50 and then we did the A50 link Road into Fenton. We turned left onto City Road and left again into Glebedale Road and to our destination. When Matthew got to Fenton, Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU was also present...

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Fenton

In the morning Matthew was going to the Monkey Forest. We got on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX for the journey. We were traveling up vis Shelton. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. At the bottom before the railway line, we saw Stanton's of Stoke GSU 344. We turned right onto the A52 and left onto Station Road. Outside the railway station was Leons coaches 218. We continued to the end of Station Road where we turned right onto Stoke Road. We traveled up to Snow Hill and then we turned onto Shelton New Road. We stopped briefly at Shelton to pick up other service users where we saw Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX / NX13 XDH / NX13 XDJ / BX58 UHD & GU60 HVX as well as Aiming High FJ10 BJX. We carried on back to Snow Hill via Cemetery Road and Stoke Road and then towards Hanley up to the Ring Road. We went left onto the anti-clockwise ring road and we called at Tesco. After a quick stop we carried on around to Etruria Road and then onto the A53. At Etruria we went South down the A500 down to the A34 at Hanford. We went South down the A34 past Trentham and to the Strongford Garage roundabout and right to the Monkey Forrest. It was decided it was far too busy, so they decided to go somewhere else. They traveled back North up the A34 to Hanford and then North up the A500. We carried on up to the A34 and we turned right. We went to the Talke Freeport and after a brief stop we headed back to the A34 and we headed South. After doing a u-turn at the Parkhouse roundabout we headed North and came off the A34 at Taybarns. It was too busy so the continued North over the A500 and up to Talke where we stopped at the Toby Carvery. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards Matthew had a carvery with Turkey, potatoes carrots and Yorkshire pudding followed by chocolate fudge cake with custard. Matthew also had a glass of Coke. After they had finished we got back aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. The bus set off down the A34 to the A500. We went South to the A500 and we came off at Longport. As we traveled up to Trubshaw Cross we saw Roseville NA56 MWD at Texaco. At the roundabout we turned left and then turned into Westport Lake. At the lake we got out and went feed the ducks. Matthew also went to the visitor centre and used the toilet. When it was time to go everybody got back aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. Coming back home we went on a tour of Stoke-on-Trent. We set off towards Trubshaw Cross and we went left up to Burslem, where we saw an unidentified ABC Supreme minibus and First Potteries 66840 on a #3 to Hanley. We continued up Moorland Road to Smallthorne and we turned right to Sneyd Green. On the A5272 we saw MT Travel SF15 DGU. We turned left at Milton Road and we went down the hill where we saw The Berwick V122 ENN. We went forwards onto Millride Road and into Milton where we saw D&G 33 on the #43 service. We turned left onto Leek Road and at the A53 we continued North to Endon. We turned left near the Plough and we went through Brown edge back to Norton. We turned left onto Norton Lane and after going around Newford Crescent we joined the Southbound A53. We travelled bacnk up the the A5272 and we turned left towards Hanley. We ran through Sneyd Green and Townsend and we ran around the clockwise ring Road to Lichfield Street. At Joiners Square we went across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. At the top we turned right onto the A50 link road. We went West on the A50 to Heron Cross. We travled through Blurton along Blurton Road and we went forwards onto Church Road. At the end we went right onto the A5035. We crossed the railway into Trentham and then right into New Inn Lane. After dropping of a service user we got back onto the A5035 and we ran into Blurton. We got home just before 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of orangeade whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 16:26 to Newcastle. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. I had seen all the #22 turns earlier in the day and they were all required. First Potteries 67635 was booked to be our bus, but there was also required First Potteries 41493 & 67633 out too. As we got to the corner of Magdalen Road and Finstock Avenue we saw required First Potteries 67633.

First Potteries 67633 in Blurton

We waited at the bus stop and out bus turned up bang on time. It turned the corner and as expected it was required First Potteries 67635.

First Potteries 67635 in Blurton

We got on the the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. It was completely empty, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67635 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 67635

We turned right onto the A5035 and we crossed the railway line and into Trentham. We turned right into New Inn Lane and we saw First Potteries 41494 on the #21 to the Trentham Hotel opposite to the Man in Space. We continued up to Hanford and we went down to the A34 via Wilson Road and Church Lane. At the A34 we saw Elcock Reisan V42 EUJ. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we passed First Potteries 53060 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We turned right into Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67635 as it continued towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67635 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and we saw dud First Potteries 53830 on the 3rd #22 turn going towards Longton.

First Potteries 53830 in Trent Vale

Required First Potteries Dart 41493 must have swapped off the turned at some point during today... Mum was waiting for us at the pub. At the pub Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included First Potteries 'Sentinel' liveried Scania 65040 on a Stafford bound #101 service, First Potteries 37156 on a Hanley bound #101 service & Alfa coach 87 going Northwards. When it was time to go we got in the car to go and pick up uncle Dave vis Grandma's. We went North up the A34 passing Roseville minibus DK06 UDH. We turned right just before Newcastle. After a very brief stop we got back onto the A34 and went South, and we turned left onto the A500. We came off the A500 at Sideway and we went East on the A50 up to Heron Cross and we turned left into Fenton. After picking up uncle Dave we headed back to Heron Cross. We went forwards into Blurton along Blurton Road and we climbed the hill and we went forwards onto Church Road before turning right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:10. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark