Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 09-10-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Joiners Square	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
65040	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Alder Walk	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been out with 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 got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. After dinner we went to the pub. Today we went to the pub in a City Cabs taxi. We set off onto Glebedale Road and right onto City Road. At the top we turned sharp left onto Victoria Road. At the Joiners Square roundabout we went straight across and onto Lichfield Street. At the pub Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink of Coke. Whilst at the pub we saw a number of interesting buses including 42553 on a #6 to Meir. Matthew also listened to music on the jukebox. When it was time to Leave They went to the pub car park to get Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX back to Fenton. Also in the car park was Shelton Care Group LDV minibus BU05 EWX.

Shelton Care Group BU05 EWX in Joiners Square

We got on the bus and We headed down Lichfield Street and Straight onto Victoria Road. On Victoria Road we went to the top turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. After a brief stop at the day centre, we got on the bus home which today was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and forwards onto Station Bridge Road and Heron Street. In Heron Cross we went straight across onto Blurton Road and over the A50. We carried on into Blurton along Blurton Road and forward onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Road getting home just before 15:00. The plan today was to catch the 16:30 to Newcastle. Whilst we waited, Matthew had toast and a drink of dandelion & burdock. Around 16:15 we set off on foot to the stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. 16:30 came and went and the bus did not turn up... around 15 minutes later running around 15 minutes late was First Potteries 65040, which was carrying an all over advert for The Sentinel. It was the first time we had seen this bus in this all over vinyl wrap. 17:00 came and went and there was still no bus. Not too much of a surprise as the bus to Longton was running late. We had now become resigned to the fact that the bus would probably not turn up before 17:15 and would be the colourful Scania. Sure enough, after nearly an hour waiting for the bus First Potteries 65040 turned the corner out of Finstock Avenue on the #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65040 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. This was the first time that we had been on a Scania Omnicity on the #22. It wasn't the first time we had been on this bus though. It was quite a high mileage bus, having been on it twice before from Hanford to Stafford and Fenton to Longton. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we passed First Potteries 66843 on the following #22 to Longton. We crossed over the railway line and into Trentham. The bus emptied a little and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 65040.

Inside First Potteries 65040

As we turned into New Inn Lane we passed First Potteries 43876 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. Further down New in Lane we saw First Potteries 53120 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel. At the top of New Inn Lane we saw the 3rd #22 turn... It was First Potteries 53119. Instead of the bus going via Wilson Road and Church Lane, it went directly down Mayne Street and onto the A34. We crossed under the A500 and into Trent Vale. As we passed London Road we saw First Potteries 42554 on the #21 to Trentham. As we turned into Harpfields Road we passed First Potteries 65027 on a Stafford bound #10 service. We got up to get off and we past the unmarked stop and up to the next visible stop opposite Alder Walk. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65040 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 65040 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto to the A34 where we turned and saw Alfa Mercedes coach 82 heading South.

Alfa 82 in Trent Vale

When we got to the pub mum was already inside waiting for us. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were First Potteries 65561 & 66309 both on #22's. We also saw ABC Supreme P881 RND going back towards the hospital. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and onto the Northbound A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards on the A50. We headed though Heron Cross and into Fenton. After picking uncle Dave up we went back up to Heron Cross and over the A50 into Blurton. We travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and Church Road weher we saw First Potteries 53119 on a #22 to Longton. We caught up with a Blurton bound Solo, which was First Potteries 40304 on a #23 service. We got home at 18:40. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:30... Mark

Trip to Bucknall 18-07-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BV51 ENL	Blurton	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Stantons of Stoke
BV51 ENL	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Blurton	Charter	Stantons of Stoke

Today Matthew was at college. He got up just before 08:00 and had some orange juice. The bus came around 08:15 and it was his usual bus Stantons of Stoke BV51 ENL.

Stantons of Stoke BV51 ENL in Blurton

We got on and the bus set off. They headed through Blurton and picked up a couple more people on the way before going to Heron Cross. The bus got onto the Eastbound A50 and then came off at Longton. The bus went past the bus station before going onto Anchor Road and to Adderley Green. The bus turned left onto Dividy Road and through to Bucknall. The bus then went through the side streets of Bucknall before they crossed the A52 and went into Newhouse Road. After spending the day at college Matthew came out to find Stantons of Stoke BV51 ENL was his bus home. the bus went onto the A52 and through Bucknall and onto Dividy Road. They went up to Adderley green and down Anchor Road into Longton. The bus headed into Normacott to drop someone off before going back onto the A5035 towards Blurton. The bus dropped someone else off in Newstead and then into trentham to drop another person off. The bus then headed back into Blurton along the A5035 and Matthew took another picture of Stantons of Stoke BV51 ENL.

Stantons of Stoke BV51 ENL in Blurton

home around 16:30. After having some toast and orangeade we set off to have tea in Trent vale. We got onto the A5035 and into Trentham. We then did the A34 up to Trent Vale passing Wardle Transport 2131 coming the other way. For tea Matthew had a brunch followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. When we had finished eat we headed back down the A34 abd then onto the Northbound A500. We then went East on the A50 to Heron Cross and then we went into Fenton. After we had picked uncle Dave up we went though Heron Cross. In Heron Cross we saw minibus T2 DLT. We carried on into Blurton and we got home around 18:00. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:25...Mark

Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 17-05-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
61143	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	22	First Potteries
60060	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
32054	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
3616	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop M	91	Wardle Transport
60205	Tunstall, adj stop B	Burslem, Swan Bank (Stop D)	20	First Potteries
65564	Burslem, Wedgwood Street (Stop A)	Bradeley, opp Moorland View	29	First Potteries
65561	Bradeley, abj Moorland View	Tunstall, adj stop B	29A	First Potteries
42894	Tunstall, adj stop B	Longport, adj Longport Road	99A	First Potteries
265	Longport, adj Longport Road	Newcastle BS	94	Bakerbus

Today we decided to have a local trip. No research was done for today other than to check the weather which was for warm sunshine. we planned to have dinner in Stoke and to go to Tunstall later for a cake. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready we decided to go out to catch the 12:30 departures from Blurton towards Newcastle. I had checked out all 3 buses on the #22 and non of them were required ones today. Just before 12;30 we set off on foot to walk to the bus stop. As we waited for out bus we saw First Potteries 60202 on the Longton Bound #22. A few minutes later as predicted dud First Potteries 61143 made an appearance.

First Potteries 61143 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket. We sat down near the back and the bus puled off. As the back seat was empty Matthew took a picture of the rear of the bus as we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 61143

The last time we had been on this bus was back July 2011, when it was allocated to Adderley Green and was working on the #21 Trentham service. The bus turned onto the A5035 and we headed West toward Trentham. The bus turned into New Inn Lane and we passed required First Potteries 41514 on the #21A to Trentham. We carried on through Trentham and into Hanford. On Wilson Road we passed required First Potteries 60060 on the #21 to Trentham. We went down Church Lane and when we got to the bottom we rang the bell so that we could get off the bus. Just after getting off First Potteries 61143 we saw Bakerbus 254 on the X1 to Stone.

Bakerbus 254 in Hanford

We knew the third #22 turn was due towards Longton so we stood on the corner by the petrol station so that we could get a picture as it turned into Church Lane. A few minutes later as expected we saw First Potteries 60128 on the #22.

First Potteries 60128 in Hanford

We had already decided at this point to give First Potteries 41514 a miss and to wait for First Potteries 60060 on the following #21 towards Stoke. As waited for First Potteries 41514, an unexpected coach appeared. It was London based Westbus 150.

Westbus 150 in Hanford

We let First Potteries 41514 go past and we walked back to the stop to wait for the required Scania. As expected required First potteries 60060 came around the corner from Church Lane and we got on the bus. We flashed our tickets and sat down near to the back. There were people dotted around the bus so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside First Potteries 60060

The bus crossed the A34 and we turn towards Newcastle. After crossing the A500 we turned right onto London Road for the journey into Stoke. As we passed through the West end and we passed Scania 65004 on the #21! Until recently this would have been considered a very rare working. A little further on we passed Z carz OV05 WSW parked facing South. We came into Stoke and we rang the bell to get off. Once we were off, Matthew got a picture of First Potteries 60060.

First Potteries 60060 in Stoke

We set off on foot through the town. On Campbell Place we saw required First Potteries 61145 on the #21 to Trentham.

First Potteries 61145 in Stoke

We turned the corner and headed into the cafe. In the distance we could see a Wardle Transport Volvo B10 on the #41/2 to Hanley. In the cafe Matthew used the toilet and then we ordered him a breakfast and a can of Vimto. After we had finished eating we considered how we would get to Tunstall for dessert! There wasn't a #41/2 due at that time and we saw a crowd at the direct Newcastle stop. We walked towards it and we saw a Scania approaching. It turned out to be required First Potteries 61529.

First Potteries 61529 in Stoke

Matthew didn't fancy this today, so we decided to wait for either a #41/2 or a #25. We could see a double decker approaching in the distance. We could see it was an ALX400 so we knew it would be one of the latest batch of buses from Leicester. As it got closer we saw it was required First potteries 32054.

First Potteries 32054 in Stoke

We got on and flashed our tickets. We went upstairs and sat down. The #41 went past and it was required Wardle Transport dart 2361. The bus set off out of Stoke and up the hill through Hartshill. As we approached Newcastle bus station Matthew took a picture inside the bus.

Inside First Potteries 32054

As we pulled into the bus station we saw a Bakerbus double decker on a #94A Biddulph service. As we arrived into the bus station Bakerbus 266 pulled out. A quick check of the page revealed this to be a dud bus. Matthew stopped by a bus and a couple of drivers and we thought he was thinking about catching the bus. He was admiring one of the drivers Firstbus ties! On an adjacent stand was required Wardle Transport 3616 and it was about to work through Tunstall on a #91 Bradeley service.

Wardle Transport 3616 in Newcastle bus station

We lashed our ticket and surprising the bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew got a picture inside it straight away.

Inside Wardle Transport 3616

We sat down near the back and a few more people got on before departure time. The bus set off out of the bus station after a bit of a wait to get out of it... We went over the Jubilee roundabout and up the A527 through Wolstanton. As we left town we passed our last required 54 plate First Potteries Dart 42893 going towards Newcastle on a #99A service. We also passed required Wardle Transport 3614 on another of the #91 turns and also First Potteries 42894. We Went down Porthill Bank and up through Longport to Trubshaw Cross. We turned left up Newcastle Street and we climbed the hill towards Tunstall. When we reached the High Street we got up and got off the bus. We then got another picture of Wardle Transport 3616 before it carried on North.

Wardle Transport 3616 in Tunstall

It was time to get a cake so we went to the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went straight to the toilet. After he had finished we had a raspberry cheescake and a can of Coke. Matthew didn't like the raspberry bit so he had me help him remove the red swirls from the top of the cake. An gentleman named Pete at a table opposite from Newcastle was talking to us and he remember Matthew when he was a young lad and his grandma used to have a pub there. After we had finished eating we said goodbye and we left. Dud first Potteries 60013 was going North on a #20A to Kidsgrove, but across the road was required First Potteries 60205 on a #20 to Hanley.

First Potteries 60205 in Tunstall

The bus was quite full as there was a large family all traveling together on the bus. For once Matthew was one of the quietest people on the bus. Just as we pulled away required First Potteries 65561 went north on a #29 to Bradeley/Hanley. We traveled down Scotia Road and the bus emptied out a little as it went. There wasn't much chance to get a picture inside the bus so Matthew photographed the empty seat in front of him.

Inside First Potteries 60205

When we got Swan bank we got off the bus. We had a quick check to see when the next #98 to Newcastle was due and there wasn't one imminent. So Matthew had a rice crispys Square bar on a bench before we went to use the Lloyds bank cash machine. After we had used the cash machine we saw 2 buses approaching from Cobridge. We crossed the just before the 2 buses got to the stop. The first one was dud 60189 on a #20 to Crewe. The second bus was another ex Northampton Scania and therefore required. It was First Potteries 65564.

First Potteries 65564 in Burslem

We headed back into Tunstall and past the police station before going into the Mill Hill estate. We turned onto High Lane and went to Turnhurst before turning right towards Fegg Hayes. We tured right again and carried onto into Chell Heath. We passed Matthews old school for the first time since it's closure. The building was all boarded up. The school merged with Middlehurst school and they renamed it Watermill School. We carried on towards Bradeley and the bus had emptied out sufficiently for him to get a picture behind us.

Inside First Potteries 65564

As we swept down the hill to Bradeley we passed a third bus out of the batch of ex Northmapton Scania's, First Potteries 65562! We now knew we would have at least a 10 minute wait and it would probably be First Potteries 65561 returning. We got off the bus and it carried on off into the distance towards Smallthorne. We crossed the road to Moorland View and we waited at the stop. The 10 minutes passed quickly in the sunshine and we saw required First Potteries 65561 approaching from the direction of Smallthorne.

First Potteries 65561 in Bradeley

We sat on the bus and we saw Wardle Transport 4811 heading towards Hanley on a #19 service. The bus was nearly empty so he took a picture of the seats behind us.

Inside First Potteries 65561

The bus set off and we passed the third and final bus on the #91's. This was Wardle transport 3615. We carried on up to Chell Heath and back past Matthew old boarded up school. We went through Fegg Hayes and we climbed the hill to Turnhurst before turning onto High Lane. We turned into the Mill Hill estate and then we went passed Tunstall park before going into the town centre. We then got off and took another picture of First Potteries 65561.

First Potteries 65561 in Tunstall

When we got to Tunstall Matthew decided he wanted to do a bit of shopping. We went into Cool Trader on the High Street were Matthew brought a few cans (3 for £1), a couple of 2lt bottles of pop a small bottle of cherryade and a 6 pack of Toffee Crisps. At least the shopping came to less than it usually does when he goes into a paper shop, the downside being the weight of the stuff we had to carry... After saying hello to a couple of people we decided to head back towards Newcastle to end the day. standing in the High Street was dud First Potteries Dart 42894.

First Potteries 42894 in Tunstall

We flashed the pass and sat down near the back of the bus. There were a few people on the bus and Matthew decided not to take a picture inside, quite possibly because this was our third trip on this vehicle... We called mum to let her know we were going to be in Newcastle in around 30 minutes,but she was shopping for potatoes for tea at that point so she might be a little delayed. The bus set off down the High Street and onto Newcastle Street. We crossed over the roundabout at Trubshaw Cross and thinking about what mum had said I asked Matthew if he wanted to get off and wait for the following bus and he said yes. We got to the bottom of Longport and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of this fine Dart before it departed towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 42894 in Longtport

A quick consult of the nextbuses.mobi revealed there wasn't another bus for 10 minutes and then 3 would come along within the next 5... This gave us chance to have a quick bus stop picnic and to lighten the bag if only a small amount. The three of us had a Toffee Crisp each and Matthew had the small bottle of Cherryade. this enabled us to fit everything else in the trip bag. Just bus our bus was due Wardle Transport 3614 went past on the #91 to Bradeley. We then sighted a Bakerbus double decker in the distance. I had looked up which ones we had been on when we saw Bakerbus 266 earlier in the day. As it got closer we saw it was required Bakerbus 265. We flashed our tickets and got on the bus. We went upstairs and as the top deck was empty Matthew got his picture immediately.

Inside Bakerbus 265

The bus crossed the A500 and we started to climb Porthill Bank. Here we passed First Potteries 37157 on a Biddulph bound #99 service. We climbed to the top of the hill and turned left for the run through Wolstanton. Wardle Transport 3615 was ahead of us. It must have gone passed us whilst we were getting on the bus. When we got to Newcastle I had a glance over to the Ironmarket to see if mum had arrived yet. It appeared that she hadn't, so we would have time to take a few bus pictures in the bus station. We pulled into the bus station and we got of the bus. Matthew then got a picture of Bakerbus 265.

Bakerbus 265 in Newcastle bus station

To the left of us First Potteries Volvo 66310 was departing the bus station. It is still carrying branding from it previous allocation in Leicester.

First Potteries 66310 in Newcastle bus station

Also in the bus station was another one of the former Leicester ALX400 double deckers, First Potteries 32053.

First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew went to use the toilet and then we decided to stand on the corner of the bus station to take a few pictures. we saw First Potteries 40153 on a #72 to Clayton.

First Potteries 40153 in Newcastle

This was followed by Wardle Transport 2409 on a #41 to Hanley.

Wardle Transport 2409 in Newcastle

Another ALX400 double decker made an appearance on the #25. This was First Potteries 32056 was seen on a Keele bound service.

First Potteries 32056 in Newcastle

One of the last few Scania Omnicities in the old livery, First Potteries 65039 came into the bus station on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65039 in Newcastle

We decided to start walking back to the Ironmarket even though mum hadn't called yet. Just as we set off the phone rang. she had arrived so we carried on walking at a quicker pace. When we got to the car mum was waiting with some Wright's Pie sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru. We set off out off town down the A34 which we did down to Trentham. we then turned onto the A5035 which we did all the way into Longton. At Z Carz today there was only one single vehicle parked up on the spare ground. It was a new vehicle to them, Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and we saw long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. It appeared to have a side door removed for spares. We turned back onto the A50 which we did up to Heron Cross before traveling through Blurton. We got home around 17:30. For tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a couple of ring doughnuts. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 11:45...Mark

Trip to Stoke / Tunstall 08-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60068	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	22	First Potteries
60057	Hanford, adj Mayne Street	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
2131	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop P	Newcastle BS	42	Wardle Transport
4808	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop M	91	Wardle Transport
60081	Tunstall, adj stop B	Burslem, Swan Bank (Stop D)	20A	First Potteries
42894	Burslem, Market Place (Stop F)	Newcastle BS	98	First Potteries
37157	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
2263	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	41	Wardle Transport

Today we were going on a local trip as mum had to be finished at tea time. No planning was done for this trip other than to check the weather (cloudy becoming sunny later) and to discuss where we were going to have dinner. Matthew got up just before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I had picked uncle Dave up and I had seen what buses were out on the #22 today. The only required bus out was First Potteries 60068 which was going to be on the 11:20 Longton - Newcastle. As we were going to have dinner in Stoke, we decided to do this to Hanford for a #21 forward. We set off around 11:20 and we walked all the way to the stop on Magdalen Road. We watched dud First Potteries 66851 go past on the #22 to Longton and a few minutes later as predicted required First Potteries 60068 rounded the corner.

First Potteries 60068 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket (£5.30). We sat down near the back of the bus and the buses headed out onto the A5035. We turned right towards Trentham and as we were getting off in Hanford and the bus was filling up as we went Matthew got a picture inside the bus at this point.

Inside First Potteries 60068

We turned onto New Inn Lane and we passed dud First Potteries 41500 on the #21A to Trentham. We carried on through Trentham and into Hanford. As we were getting off we passed required First Potteries 60057 on a Trentham bound #21. We decided we would get this in on it's return towards Stoke. In the mean time we saw required First Potteries 65037 on a Stafford bound #101.

First Potteries 65037 in Hanford

We had a little under 20 minutes to wait for 60057 to return, in the meantime 41500 went past on the #21A to Hanley and First Potteries 60202 went by on the third #22 turn. At a little after 12:00 as expected, required First Potteries 60057 turned the corner out of Church Lane.

First Potteries 60057 in Hanford

We got on and sat down near the back. First Potteries 61235 passed going into Church Street on a Trentham bound #21 service. The bus set off over the A34 and back towards Trent Vale. We crossed the A500 ans we saw that most of the people ahead of us were getting off and there were people waiting at the stop. Matthew timed his picture inside 60057 so that the people had got off and before the next lot got on.

Inside First Potteries 60057

The bus set off and turned into London Road. As we travlled into town we passed former a Northampton bus, required 65561 on another Trentham bound #21 service. A few minutes later we arrived in Stoke and we got off the bus. Matthew then got another picture of First Potteries 60057.

First Potteries 60057 in Stoke

We crossed over London Road and headed into Campbell Place. We were on our way to the Cafe on the corner of Church Street and Campbell Place to have our dinner. On the way we spotted required First Potteries 60174 on a Trentham bound #21 service.

First Potteries 60174 in Stoke

We went around the corner into Church Street and into the Cafe. Matthew used their toilet and then we sat down. Matthew had a small breakfast with toast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw 32627,32634 and 37157.We crossed over the road and we took a few pictures of buses. required First Potteries 60171 was on the #26 to Newcastle and required First Potteries 40378 was on the #23 to Hanley. We were considering doing a double decker on the next #25 towards Newcastle & Keele, but as we waited we saw an Arriva liveried Dart in the distance. As it got closer we saw it was required Wardle Transport 2131 on a #42 to Newcastle.

Wardle Transport 2131 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. The bus set off up Hartshill bank and we turned onto Princes Road. We went through Penkhull village and the onto Harpfields Road. We then headed through the Hospital onto the A34. As we went North on the A34, we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 270 going South. As we got to the rounsabout on Barracks Roads we looked up towards the bus station where we could see 3 double deckers, all from different bus companies. When we got to the bus station Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Wardle Transport 2131.

Inside Wardle Transport 2131

As there were 3 double decker in the bus station we decided not to hang around at this point. First Potteries dud 32627 was heading up to Keele on the #25 and dud Bakerbus 266 was on the #94A to Biddulph. Wardle Transport 4808 was about to board so we decided to do that even though Matthew seemed a little reticent about doing it.

Wardle Transport 4808 in Newcastle bus station (Mark)

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. I looked up the bus expecting it to be required only to find out that it was dud! Not only was it dud, it was quite a high mile vehicle with 2 previous runs. We had done this bus from Newcastle to Bradeley on the #91 back in August 2013, as well as a run from Sudbury to Fenton on Christamas Eve 2013. Matthew obviously remembered this hence the reticence. When we mentioned we could go to Tunstall for a cake he was happy about that though! The bus set off through The Bramptons area of Newcastle before heading into Wolstatnton. We passed First Potteries 40140 on the #98 & First Potteries 40137 on the #99A. We passed Wardle Transport 4898 in Longport and we headed up into Tunstall town centre. As we were getting off 4808 the top deck emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside the bus.

Inside Wardle Transport 4808

We got off the bus and we headed into the cafe. We saw required ex Northampton Scania 65561 heading North to Bradeley. Matthew used the toilet in the cafe and then sat down. We ordered him a can of Coke and a slice of toffee cheesecake which he quickly finished of. When we had finished we crossed over the road to catch something back towards Newcastle. We saw First Potteries 40147 on a Biddulph service and First Potteries 61143 was on a #20 to Crewe.

First Potteries 40147 in Tunstall

A few seconds later required Scania First Potteries 60081 rounded the corner on a #20A to Hanley.

First Potteries 60081 in Tunstall

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said yes. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. We decided to do this to Burslem, so we could get something back to Tunstall or go to Newcastle directly from there. The bus went out of town past Asda and onto Scotia Road. The bus emptied out a little just before Burslem, we had forgotten Port Vale were playing at home... Matthew took a picture inside the bus at this point.

Inside First Potteries 60081

The bus went into Swan Bank and we got off it. Matthew then got another picture of this fine beast.

First Potteries 60081 in Burslem

As we had just missed a bus to Tunstall and we couldn't see one coming, we went to the cash machine at Lloyds Bank. We then crossed the road and went to the stop across from the Queens Theatre. I thought I would use my phone app to check if there was a #98 to Newcastle due from the stop around the corner. It was 13:39 and according to my phone there was one due at 13:43! As we hadn't seen one we decided to go for it. We walked passed Ceramica and past the bus stop for the opposite #98 to Ball Green. Matthew stopped to say hello to someone and then we carried on along Market Place. We crossed the road and we only had to wait around 30 seconds before the bus appeared. It was dud First Potteries 42894 and 2 Port Vale fans ran in front of the bus... Luckily they were quick enough that Matthew didn't take a picture of somebody getting run over.

First Potteries 42894 in Burslem

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. This is a bus we had done to Trent Vale back in January, when Darts were more common on the #22 service. The bus left Burslem and we headed down through Longport and across the A500. We headed up Port Hill Bank before turning left and traveling through Wolstaton to Newcastle. Once again we pulled into the bus station and there were 3 double deckers in. Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside First Potteries 42894.

Inside First Potteries 42894

Required Wardle Transport 4896 was on the #91 to Tunstall, and I thought Matthew would want to do it, but he turned it down again! It is the only one of four Wardle Transport Dennis Trident buses that Matthew hasn't been on. Also in the bus station required First Potteries 37156 was heading to Keele on the #25 and required First Potteries 37157 was on the #25 towards Hanley. Matthew chose to do First Potteries 37157, mainly I think because it was heading towards Hanley.

First Potteries 37157 in Newcastle bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to b readied for service, we saw Wardle Transport 1623 which appears to be plain white without fleet numbers or decals on it.

Wardle Transport 1623 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down upstairs. The bus left Newcastle and went towards Stoke through Hartshill. We stopped in Stoke behind D&G 173 which was on the #85 to Hanley. We carried onto the A52 and then towards Stoke railway station. we passed Wardle Transport 2356 on the X51 to Cheadle. The bus waited outside the railway station for what seemed like 5 minutes before carrying on up Shelton Road into Hanley. In the Hinde Street bus parking area we saw Bakerbus 234 parked up between X5 duties and one of their newer double decker arrivals (265-268) on the X1 to Stone. When we got to Hanley bus station we waited for the bus to empty before matthew got a picture inside First Potteries 37157.

Inside First Potteries 37157

We visite the toilet and then went for a quick walk around the bus station before walking to John Street multi-storey car park to take a few bus pictures. Whilst there we saw required Wardle Transport 2166 on the #41 service to Clayton.

Wardle Transport 2166 in Hanley bus station

a short while later we saw required Wardle Transport 3616 on the #16 to Leek.

Wardle Transport 3616 in Hanley bus station

One unusual working that we saw was #26/26A branded bus 65026 on the #32 to Cheadle.

First Potteries 65026 in Hanley bus station

Another required double decker was First Potteries 32634 which was on the #25 service to keele.

First Potteries 32634 in Hanley bus station

The last remaining original Wardle Transport dart 2409 was out on the #19 to Bradeley village.

Wardle Transport 2409 in Hanley bus station

2409 was a bus that we had done previously on the #500 in August 2011, when it used to be run by Wardle Transport. A very recent arrival from Arriva's Cannock depot was Wardle Transport 3602, which was out on the #118 to Buxton.

Wardle Transport 3602 in Hanley bus station

We did 3602 when it was based at Cannock from Cannock to Hednesford back in November 2012. At this point we decided to walk back to the bus station to have one last bus before arrange for mum to pick us up. Matthew turned down required First Potteries 32634 on the #25 to Keele, presumeably saving it for another time. He considered catching First Potteries 61553, but it was heading North and we had been on this bus back in May 2012 from Newcastle to Stoke. We then spotted required Wardle Transport 2263 on a #41 to Clayton.

Wardle Transport 2263 in Hanley bus station

When we got on the bus we also spotted required First Potteries 65564 on what was probably going to be a #21 to Trentham. The bus set off out of Hanley and down College Road. I called mum to arrange for her to meet us up at Newcastle. The bus went passed the railway station and then into Church Street before continuing up to Hartsill. We headed along Prince Road and through the hospital as we had done on wardle Transport 2131 earlier in the day on the #42 service. When we got to Newcasle bus station Matthew waited for the bus to empty, but as it was a Clayton service it didn't fully empty out. He went beyond the last person on the bus and took a picture of the empty rear end of Wardle Transport 2263.

Inside Wardle Transport 2263

We decided to got to the toilet whilst we waited for mum. Just before he went into the toilet we saw required Wardle Transport 2246 on the #33 Westlands circular.

Wardle Transport 2246 in Newcastle bus station

After using the toilet we took one last picture before walking around to mum who was parked up on the Ironmarket waiting for us. Required First Potteries 65731 was on a Hanley bound #34A service.

First Potteries 65731 in Newcastle bus station

We walked up Barrack Road and onto Ironmarket where mum was waiting for us. At the car we had Wrights Pies sausage rolls waiting for us. We headed back passed the bus station and onto the A34.We did the a34 to the A500 which we did North to Sideway before going East on the A50 to Longton where we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz. On the spare ground today were 3 vehicles. First in the row was former Ausden Clark Van Hool coach CNZ 3828.

Z Carz CNZ 3828 in Longton

Next to this was a bus that had heard about but not seen (at least in daylight anyway). It was Ford Transit minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Last in the row was former Alton Towers Transport Volvo coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and LDV minibus T408 JUX was stilled parked up there out of action. We headed back onto the A50 and we drove down to Stanley Matthews Way. As we headed South towards Hem Heath we passed Bakerbus 205 on the X5 service to Hanley. We turned onto the A5035 and we reached home around 16:20. We had tea at a normal time for a change tonight. We had bangers and mash with carrots followed by lemon cheesecake which mum had brought for us earlier. Matthew than chilled out on his computer until bedtime, which was around 00:30...Mark