Trip to Burnley / Keighley 08-05-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
264	Burnley BS	Keighley BS	M4	Transdev Burnley
2777	Keighley BS	Steeton, Primary School	66	Transdev Keighley
2763	Steeton, opp Primary School	Keighley BS	66	Transdev Keighley
1847	Keighley BS	Cullingworth War Memorial	67	Transdev Keighley
2714	Cullingworth War Memorial	Keighley BS	67	Transdev Keighley
1825	Keighley BS	Oakworth, Dockroyd Lane	K7	Transdev Keighley
1846	Oakworth, Dockroyd Lane	Keighley BS	K7	Transdev Keighley

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and later on he was going to Burnley. We got to see the the new Mellor bodied minibuses there were going to operating Transdev Burnley services 'Ribble Country' routes are. We had checked the weather and it was for heavy rain all over the North West and the Midlands.. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the dentist, we saw City Cabs EK15 KVA.

City Cabs EK15 KVA in Fenton

Matthew went into the living room and we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time to go to Burnley. We went downstairs and we got in a car. We set off onto Temple Street and right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto City Road and we headed down the road into Stoke. We joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 and we continued North as far as junction 20. we ran North up to the M65. We saw an unidentified Vision Travel coach, an unidentified Alba Travel coach, an unidentified Ashcroft's coach, an unidentified Hollinshead coach, Hollinshead DH13 HOL, an unidentified Grayway coach, an unidentified Carvers coach, Playbus K888 BWU, an unidentified Doig's of Glasgow coach and an unidentified King's Ferry coach. When we got to Junction 29 we came off the M6 and joined the Eastbound M65. We came off the M65 a junction early accidentally onto the A679, and we ran into town along Accrington Road past Rose Grove railway station. We joined the A671 and we followed the road to the right onto Trafalgar Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Manchester Road and we turned right onto Finsley Gate. We parted on the car park by Red Lion Street and we walk across the road. Mum went to the toilet in the bus station. Whilst we waited we saw dud Transdev Burnley 62 on a #69 to Nelson. Once we had parked up we walked over to the bus station to use the toilet. After using the facilities we walked onto Croft Street. We carried onto the the cafe and we sat down. Matthew had a sausage sandwich washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the bus station. We saw Transdev Burnley 2010 parked up in one of the layover bays. Leaving the bus station was Transdev Burnley 75 on the #6 to Colne. We headed back around the bus station It was required Transdev Burnley 163 on the #8 to Bacup. A few minutes later we saw the approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Transdev Burnley 264 on a M4 to Keighley. We got on the bus and we brought a WY bus only day tickets at £8 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A682 and we headed Northwards out of town. We continued up the main road to Nelson and we turned right into the interchange. After a brief stop we re-joined the A682 and we ran Northwards before turning right onto the A56. We continued into Colne and we stopped on the main street to pick up passengers. We ran along Keighley Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto the A6068. We ran through Laneshaw Bridge and we continued over the border into Yorkshire. We ran through Cowling and Lanes End and into Cross Hills. We ran forwards onto the B6265. We turned left into Airedale General Hospital and we did a circuit of the grounds. We re-joined the Eastbound B6265 and we ran through Steeton and Utley. The road turned Southwards and we joined the A629. In the town centre we turned left into Cavendish Street and right into Lawkholme Crescent and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet. The bus came around the corner into the bus station and we saw it was required Transdev Keighley 2777 on a #66 to Skipton. When it came on stand we decided to do this as far as Steeton. We got on the bus and we flashed the a WY bus only day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the A629 and forwards onto the B6265. We ran up the hill and into Utley We ran North through Steeton and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we walked to the nearest Southbound bus stop. Whilst we waited for the bus Matthew had a flake out of the supplies in the trip bag. As it got closer we saw that it was required Transdev Keighley 2763 on a #66 to Keighley. We got on the bus and we flashed a WY bus only day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off down the B6265 and we headed South into Utley. We joined the A629 and we ran through Keighley. In the town centre we turned left into Cavendish Street and right into Lawkholme Crescent and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. One of the buses was Transdev Keighley 53 on layover. A few minutes later we saw Transdev Keighley 1847 on a #67 to Bradford. We got on the bus and we flashed the a WY bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Cavendish Street. We turned left onto the Southbound A629 and we ran forwards onto the B6143. We ran through Knowle Park and down the bank into Ingrow. We continued into Cross Roads and into Flappit Spring and road we turned left onto the B6144. We went through Cullingworth. We turned left onto the B6429 and right onto Roydwood Terrace where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road to the stop opposite to wait for the next #67 towards Keighley. We set off onto the B6429. We turned right onto Church Street and forwards onto George's Square we went to the pub on the corner. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Church Street onto George's Square. We crossed over the B6429. We continued onto Roydwood Terrace. A few minutes later we saw Transdev Keighley 2714 on a #67 to Keighley. We got on the bus and we flashed a WY bus only day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off down Roydwood Terrace onto Greenside Lane and we ran down the hill the B6429. We turned right onto the B6144. We ran through Flappit Spring and we turned right onto the A629. We climbed the hill into Cross Roads and we ran down Ingrow into Keighley. We turned right into Cavendish Street and right into Lawkholme Crescent and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. As it got closer we saw that it was Transdev Keighley 1825 on a K7 to Oakworth. We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Cavendish Street. We turned left onto the Southbound A629 and we ran forwards onto the B6143. We continued South Westwards through Damems and towards Oakworth and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked around the corner to the Co-operative store and we bought a couple of chocolate bars. We hung around in the village for about 20 minutes and we saw Transdev Keighley 1846 on a K7 to Keighley. We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro bus only day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the B6143. We continued South Westwards through Damems and towards Keighley. We turned right into Cavendish Street and right into Lawkholme Crescent and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus and we sat on the benches at the end to tea Matthew had a chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke. When we had finished we returned to the bus station. On layover was Transdev Keighley 151. We crossed over Towngate to the Airedale shopping centre. We went into the shopping centre and we into the shopping centre and we got in the car. Mum had brought sausage rolls and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the bus station onto the Northbound A629. We joined the Westbound A6068 and we ran to Colne and joined the Westbound M65. We continued to the edge of Preston and we joined the Southbound M6. We ran through Lancashire and Greater Manchester into Cheshire and we came off the M6 at junction 16. We ran South through Longport and Etruria to Stoke. We came off the A500 onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew returned to his room to chill out. He watched television and used his computer. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Cannock / Brownhills 17-04-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6731	Cannock BS	Landywood, Oak Avenue	X51	NX West Midlands
6722	Landywood, Oak Avenue	Brownhills, Tamar Close	X51	NX West Midlands
168	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	63	Chaserider
62	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	26	Chaserider
178	Cannock BS	Brownhills, Tamar Close	3	Chaserider
1851	Brownhills, Silver Street	Walsall, Town Hall	8	NX West Midlands

Today Matthew was in residential and we were going to take him out for the day. We decided to re-visit Cannock. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was First Potteries 67153 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67153 in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time to go to Cannock. We went downstairs and we got in a car. We set off onto Temple Street and right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto City Road and we headed down the road into Stoke. We joined the Southbound A500. We did the A500 to the end and joined the M6. We ran Southbound M6. At Junction 12 we headed East along the A5 for a couple of miles before turning left onto the A4601 for the run into town. We parked on the multi storey car park by the bus station and we took the lift down into the shopping centre. On the way to the cafe we stopped at the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. We then head to 'The Copper Kettle' for dinner. A cafe that overlooks the bus station and gives great views of the bus coming and going, especially on the Wolverhampton and Pye Green circular stops. We took a table right by the window and we ordered food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walk the short distance from the cafe into the bus station and we saw required Chaserider 52 on the #2 to Huntington. Afterwards we had a walk around the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw National Express West Midlands 6731 on a X51 to Birmingham. We got on the bus and we brought Cannock plusBus ticket from the driver at £6 each before before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the Ringway. We did a U-turn at the roundabout and we ran Eastwards out of town along the A5190. We continued North through Rumer Hill and Hawks Green. We turned left onto the A460 and we entered designer outlet west midland. After a brief stop we ran out onto A460. As we travelled down A460 through Churchbridge. We turned left into Voyager Drive and we entered Sainsbury's. After a brief stop we ran out onto Orbital Way and we turned left onto the A460. We continued along A460 and forwards onto the A34. We ran up the hill and into through Great Wyrley. We turned right onto Hilton Lane. We ran down the hill into Landywood. We turned left into Gorsey Lane and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and we visited the nisa local store. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We went to the stop and we waited for a bus back to Cannock. A few minutes later we saw National Express West Midlands 6722 on a X51 to Cannock. We got on the bus and we brought Cannock plusBus ticket from the driver before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Gorsey Lane. We turned right onto Hilton Lane. We ran up the hill and into through Great Wyrley. We turned left onto A34 and through Great Wyrley. We crossed over M6 toll and A5. We ran forwards onto the A460 and we ran down the hill into Churchbridge. We turned right into Voyager Drive and we entered Sainsbury's. After a brief stop we ran out onto Orbital Way and we turned right onto the A460. We ran through Hawks Green and we entered designer outlet west midland. After a brief stop we ran out onto A460. As we travelled down A460 through Rumer Hill. We turned right into the A5190. We went down the hill to Cannock. We joined the Ringway and ran down to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went to the stop to wait for a bus to Hednesford. We had a bit of a walk around now to see what buses were about We saw Select 21 on a #71 to Wolverhampton. We had a look around to see what we could catch next. we spotted Chaserider 168 on a #63 to Rugeley. We got on the bus and we flashed the Cannock plusBus ticket ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set out of the bus station and went North out of town onto Brunswick Road. We turned right onto Old Fallow Road. We went North up Huntington Terrace Road and then right onto Belt Road. At the roundabout we joined onto Cannock Road. We turned right into Market Street and we got off the bus. Once we got off the bus we headed into the Tesco. We went in and Matthew went to the cafe we ordered a Caramel Shortbread and a cup of Coke and Matthew went to the toilet. Once we had finished in the cafe we walked though the car park back to Market Street to wait for a bus back to Cannock. It was required Chaserider 62, a dual door Wright Gemini double decker. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands day saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Victoria Street and we did a 180' turn at the roundabout before returning onto Market Street. We turned right onto Station Road and we ran North for a round a 1/3 of a mile before we turned left onto Bradbury Lane. We continued West and forwards onto Broadhurst Green. Near to the Pye Green transmitter we turned left onto Pye Green Road and we travelled South back towards town. after about 2 miles we joined the A34 where we saw Chaserider 65 on a #74 to Stafford. We continued to the roundabout and we turned right onto the B5012 before we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we waited for the next bus to Stafford. A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 34 on #85 to Nantwich. After a short while we saw Chaserider 178 on a #3 to Brownhills. We got on the bus and we brought Cannock plusBus ticket from the driver sat down near the back. We set off out of the bus station and onto the Ringway. We did a U-turn at the roundabout and we ran Eastwards out of town along the A5190. We continued North through Rumer Hill and Hawks Green. We turned left onto the A460 and we entered designer outlet west midland. After a brief stop we ran out onto A460. We ran up to the Hayes Way. We continued Eastwards for around another mile, passing the Tesco Superstore on the way. We turned right onto the B4154 and we ran up the hill through Heath Hayes We crossed over the B4154 and we ran around through the housing estates. We crossed the Five Ways roundabout onto Hednesford Road. We ran around Norton Canes and we ran North up Burntwood Road before we turned right onto Norton East Road. We continued into into Stoke town centre along Brownhills Road and forwards onto Hednesford Road. We ran up the hill and into Brownhills. We headed down Cherwell Drive where we got up and got off the bus. We walked onto Cherwell Drive and we turned right onto Hednesford Road. We turned right onto onto the A5. We turned right A452. We ran past the fromer police station and the site of a new McDonalds. A few minutes later we saw Chaserider 188 on a #3 to Cannock. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 1851 on a #8 to Walsall. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along High Street and we turned right onto the B4152. We ran through Shire Oak into Walsall Wood and we turned right onto the A461. We ran through Shelfield and we continued up to Rushall. We crossed over the A4148 and we continued North through Walsall and we got up and got off bus by fromer RBS. Once off the bus we walked down Lichfield Street and forwards onto Bridge Street and back to the bus station. We walked along Hatherton Street to see what vehicles were parked up on layover. We returned back to wards the bus station and car park and we saw National Express West Midlands 4334 on a #77 to Sutton Coldfield. We returned to the car and we met up with mum who had brought sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of the car park onto Hatherton Street and and we ran up to the A4148. We turned left and we ran forwards onto the A454. When we got to the motorway we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 10. Travelling home up the M6. We continued Northwards through the West Midlands and up through Staffordshire. We ran North to junction 15 where we cam off onto the A500. We travelled North up to Sideway and then we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We went through the traffic lights onto Heron Steeet. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Masterson Street and we turned right onto Watkin Street. We continued onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to use his computer and chill out in his room. For a late tea we had chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke followed by millionaire's shortbread squares. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. He chilled out until bedtime around 00:30... Mark.

Trip to the POPS rally 13-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
198	Wedgwood	Longton BS	Special	PMT
198	Longton BS	Wedgwood	Special	PMT
62	Wedgwood	Trentham Gardens	Special	Stratford Blue
RM467	Trentham Gardens	Wedgwood	Special	London Transport
55	Wedgwood	Barlaston Green	Special	Bournemouth
A506 FSS	Barlaston Green	Wedgwood	Special	Northern Scottish
10	Wedgwood	Stone	Special	Turner's
10	Stone	Wedgwood	Special	Turner's

Today was the POPS rally, highlight of the North Staffordshire bus calender! We had always planned on being at this event, the Wardle double decker running day was an added bonus. I opened Matthew curtains around 09:00 revealing another fine sunny day. Matthew got up around 10:00 and we were ready just before 11:00. we picked up uncle Dave and then drove onto Wedgwood. When we arrived we brought a program and a local fleet list book. The first hour or so was spent looking at a few of the buses and Matthew was spending his money on books, DVD's and photos. Just before 12:00 we decided to catch a bus The Midland Red Olympian EEH 902Y was heading to Stone, and we just missed it. However behind that was PMT 198 on a mystery tour. The driver said it was going to take approximately 30 minutes and as we have yet to have this bus we decided to do it. We got on required 198 and off we went. the bus took the usual route to the A5035 then turned towards Trentham. We turned at Magdalen Road and then headed through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive and onto Blurton Road. The bus actually went within a few hundred yards of our house! We then turned up Longton Hall Road and we guessed at this point it was probably going to the transport interchange at Longton. Sure enough we arrived in Longton and the driver said we could jump out and take a picture or two before returning. So we jumped out and did just that.

Mystery destination. PMT 198 in Longton

After getting back on, we rode back via Longton Hall Road, Blurton Road, Church Street, Trentham Road and back to Wedgwood. on the retun journey we worked out could either do required PMT 604 to Hanley (12:30) for dinner or we could required Routemaster RM467 to Trentham (12:35) for dinner. As we were approaching time was passing at it had gone 12:30, We passed 604 at the site entrance. As we turn toward the arrivals stop, we could see the Routemaster ready for departure. We got off and took a picture of PMT 198.

PMT 198 back at Wedgwood

By the time we got to the stop the bus had gone. as there was a small gap, Everyone sat down near the stop whilst i took the shopping back to the car. When I got back Straford blue 62 was at the depart stop. I look at the timetable and realised that this was the next Trentham. So I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said yes. He took a quick shot of this required bus before we jumped on.

Statford Blue 62 at Wedgwood

We sat down over the offside rear axle and off we went. This is a very nice bus and was well filled with enthusiasts. This year the Trentham service was running to the drop off point for coaches by the retail village, as opposed to the old gate. This take a good mile off the journey as the return services used to have to run to Hanford to turn back to Wedgwood. I think if this continues it could be a good thing. It will save on fuel costs plus possibly get a few more passenger visit the event who have just come to Trentham for shopping. The buses when entering the site go around the outside of the car park before heading back to the coach drop off point. Straford 62 when along passed the car park and then turned back. As it turned it clipped the curb and made a loud bang as it dropped off. There then came a loud scraping noise from under the off side rear axle. I thought that perhaps it had tipped the curbstone and then dragged it along under the bus. When we stopped most people jumped out with a few going to inspect the bus. Matthew got off and took his picture.

62 at Trentham Gardens

As we were taking a few pictures, we heard someone saying that the exhaust had fallen off and was being dragged along. we decided it was time for dinner and a toilet stop. We headed to the riverside dinner and we ordered dinner. Matthew of course want a cake for afters too. I took a picture of him with a very chocolaty face as he tucked into a slice of fudge cake. We then walked back to the coach drop off point to wait for a return service. we photographed a couple of coaches before required RM467 appeared. Matthew got a picture before we boarded.

LT RM467 at Trentham Gardens

We climbed the stairs and we had an enjoyable trip back. It's nice to view the Staffordshire countryside from an elevated position on a double decker bus. As we traveled along, we passed PMT 860. I had looked for it on the timetable, but it wasn't supposed to be working. A closer look at the timetable revealed that it must have worked the 14:05 to Trentham, taking over from Stratford blue 62's duties!

RM467 at Wedgwood

When we got back mum went off to do a little birthday present shopping whilst we worked out what we could do. We thought that perhaps 860 would work Stratford Blue 62's next duty, which was the 15:00 to Stone. There was a Barlaston circular at 14:30. We could do this and still be back for 15:00 so we decided that this was going to be the move. the circular was going to be Bournemouth 55 & Northern Scottish A506 FSS. we had been on A506 FSS when it was in Glovers colours, so we decided to do the required Bournemouth bus. If there was a stop in the middle, we could always swap. a few minutes later the 2 buses pulled up on the stop. we boarded Bournemouth 55 and off we went. We headed out towards rough close and then swung back into Barlaston, turning when we reached the village green pointing back towards Wedgwood. The buses did stop to allow for pictures and to allow passengers to swap between buses if desired. Matthew got a picture of Bournemouth 55.

Bournemouth 55 at Barlason Green

He took another one for good measure...

Bournemouth 55 at Barlason Green

Then he took one of Northern Scottish A506 FSS before we boarded it for the return journey.

Northern Scottish A506 FSS at Barlason Green

The journey back was down a narrow country lane that has speed bumps, is very dark due to being tree lined and is the same road in which we spun the car on ice back in February. The buses stopped under the tree for an addition driver change. Our bus was then driven past Bournemouth 55 for a photo on the same curve where we had spun the car. The buses then swapped over there order again and we drove back to Wedgwood

A506 FSS at Wedgwood

When we got back it was around 14:50 so we had a short wait for the Stone service. Matthew went on a few buses and took pictures before we saw Turners 10 pull up on stop. We asked the driver if this was going to Stone and it was. there was slight disappointment that it wasn't PMT 860, but it was nice to ride on this double decker again. The route out was via Trentham and the A34. turning into Stone from the roundabout just South of the town centre. There was a quick stop and we got off to take a picture.

Turner's 10 in Stone

We boarded the bus and after a minute or two we set off back North. The return journey was via the A520. we passed through Lightwood before turning by The New Florence towards Dresden. We then took the A5035 back to Blurton before turning left to wedgwood. When we got back Matthew took a further picture of this bus.

10 back at Wedgwood Stone

Back at Wedgwood buses were starting to leave and so we headed back to the car. As we drove uncle Dave back we put the Stoke match on the radio. Stoke were losing 1-2 to Bolton but Stoke drew level after Peter Crouch was allegedly brought down by Bogdan. Walter leveled from the spot and that is how the match ended. Bolton were relegated. We had got home at around 16:30. Matthew started to watch his new DVD's whilst I listened to the end of the match. And that is how this enjoyable but tiring weekend finished...Mark.