Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 25-03-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67156	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
65033	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
159	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	9	D&G
67153	Hanley BS	Fenton, opp Albert Square	23	First Potteries
LB11 LVV	Fenton	Hanley Park	Charter	City Cabs
LB11 LVV	Hanley Park	Fenton	Charter	City Cabs

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. Today Matthew was going out on a local trip from the residential unit. We set off onto City Road and we walked down to the bus stop to wait for a bus to Hanley. Whilst at the bus stop we saw First Potteries Solo 53122 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 53122 in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw the approaching.. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 67156 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67156 in Fenton

We got on the bus and booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we joined the A52 and ran under the railway line. After crossing over the A500 we ran into Stoke town centre along Church Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Elenora Street and right onto Copeland Street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we ran under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. After stopping briefly outside the railway station we turned right onto College Road and we ran up the hill through Shelton. We continued onto Cleveland Road and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we continued along Bethesda Street before turning right onto John Street. We ran up the hill into the bus station and onto stand. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. In the bus station we saw required D&G Bus 146 on a #16 to Leek.

D&G 146 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we spotted First Potteries 65033 on a #101 to Stafford, which we decided to do. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto John Street. At the bottom of the hill we turned right onto Bethesda Street before turning left onto Broad Street. We saw Arriva Midlands 3692 on a #164 to Hanley. We continued onto Snow Hill and at the roundabout we turned right onto Shelton New Road. We ran down the hill and over the canal and railway line and we climbed up the hill into Hartshill. After crossing the traffic lights on Victoria Street we continued to the edge of Newcastle. At the roundabout we ran onto george street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle and onto the one-way system. After crossing the Jubilee roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road and we turned right into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and in the bus station we saw D&G Bus 115 on a #73 to Park Site.

D&G 115 in Newcastle bus station

On Stubbs Street we saw First Potteries 66303 which appeared to have broken down and was receiving attention from a bus fitter.

First Potteries 66303 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw it was D&G 159 on a 'Nines' service to Biddulph.

D&G 159 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on it and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We ran down to the A34 and we headed South to the hospital where we turned left. We saw City Centre Central minibus SD10 BMZ. We ran through the hospital grounds and out the other side onto Hilton Road. At the roundabout we went left onto Newcastle lane and we ran up the hill into the centre of Penkhull. We turned left onto St Thomas Place and forwards onto Princes Street. We past the old school on the left which is now a new soft play area and the old North Staffs Royal Infirmary. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A52 and we ran down into Stoke. We passed through Church Street and we crossed over the A500. after running under the railway line we followed the A52 around to the left running parallel to the railway line. We then turned left onto to station Road. After stopping briefly outside the railway station we turned right onto College Road and we ran up the hill through Shelton. We continued onto Cleveland Road and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we continued along Bethesda Street before turning right onto John Street. We ran up the hill into the bus station and onto stand. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw The Travellers Choice National Express liveried coach PO62 LMK on a #333 service to Bournemouth.

The Travellers Choice PO62 LMK in Hanley bus station

Matthew then went for dinner at McDonalds. We set off on foot onto Lichfield Street and at the top we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We turned left onto parliament Row and we went into McDonalds Matthew used the toilet and then had a burger meal with fries and a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we walked back to the bus station. We set off onto Parliament Row and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We turned left onto Lichfield Street by Blackburn House and we walked down to the bus station. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67153 on the #23 to Blurton. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto john Street. At the bottom of the hill we turned left onto Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road. We continued to the end of Bethedsa Street and we turned right onto Regent Road. We ran forwards onto College Road and we ran down the hill through Shelton. We turned left onto Station Road and we stopped briefly outside the railway station. At the end of station road we turned right onto Glebe Street. We ran onto the one-way system and we followed it onto Church Street. After crossing over the A500 we ran under the railway line onto City Road. We ran up the hill and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. When we got to Albert Square we got up and got off the bus. We then walked back to the residential unit. Once inside matthe went up to his room and chilled on on his computer as well as watching buses out of the wind. We saw First Potteries 32647 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 32647 in Fenton

We also saw Magnum taxi minibus SF54 LPP on the road opposite.

Magnum SF54 LPP in Fenton

later on Matthew had sausages and chips for tea followed by cake. After tea Matthew went out. We took a City Cabs minibus LB11 LVV to Hanley Park. we set off down City Road and at the bottom of the hill we turned right onto the A52. We continued past the station and we turned left onto Cauldon Road. We turned right onto Boughey Road and we stopped on The Avenue where we got off out of City Cabs minibus LB11 LVV. Matthew then walked around Hanley Park for a while. We walk northwards through the park and into the North West corner to the sensory play area. After spending a while there we walkd back to the South East corner of the park. We returned back to Fenton in a City Cabs minibus LB11 LVV. We set off along The Avenue and otno Boughey Road. We turned left onto Cualdon Road and we ran down to the A52 where we turned right. We continued along the A52 past the railway station and onto City Road. We ran u the hill and to the residential unit. We went back inside and then Matthew had a bath and got ready for bad. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 28-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67159	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
67154	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
66303	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
41493	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, Adj Stop A	99	First Potteries
140	Tunstall, Adj Stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G Bus
66306	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4	First Potteries
41501	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
41520	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
65040	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries

Today we decided to stay local as mum was feeling a little under the weather. We checked the for day and it for for dry and cloudy with rain shower moving in in the late afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We decided do catch the 12:21 departure towards Newcastle today. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. A few minutes later our bus appeared and it was unusually a First Potteries E200 MMC which are branded for the #21/23. As it got closer we noticed that it looked a little different... It was in fact required new First Potteries 67159 which had only been in service for a couple of days!

First Potteries 67159 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we purchased a Smart Day tickets at £5.30 before we sat down and the bus set off onto the A5035 where we turned right. We passed Stanley Matthews Way and we crossed the railway line and we entered Trentham where we saw First Potteries 53122 on a #22 to Longton. W before turning right into New Inn Lane and we passed First Potteries 67154 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel. As we approached the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67159 before it continued on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67159 in Trentham

Having seen First Potteries 67154 on the #21 we knew it was going to be our bus forwards to Stoke. A quick check of the Buses I Have Travelled on page revealed the First Potteries 67154 was was of only 3 buses of the batch that we had been on before today. A short while later the bus returned off the A5035 and it was as expected dud First Potteries 67154 on a #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67154 before we sat town towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 67154

The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford passing First Potteries 67642 on the fianl #22 turn. We turned right into Wilson Road and then we turned left onto Church Lane. We lane down the hill and we joined the Northbound A34 where we saw Destination Courtesy Travel minibus MV58 MFA and white minibus R2 OGO. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we turned right into London Road by the black Lion passing First Potteries 67158 on the #21 to the Trentham Hotel. We ran the couple of miles into Stoke town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture First Potteries 67154 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked along Campbell Place and around the corner into Church Street and into the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we ordered breakfast. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. The surreal nature of the day continued as whilst we ate our dinner a large group came into the cafe. Amongst the group were non other than Jeremy Corbyn and Gareth Snell, the new Labour candidate for the Stoke Central seat. Such was the size of the party that a few were standing outside the cafe waiting for a seat. Once we had finished eating, we left the cafe and the people outside came in, eager to re-gain the seat. On the way to the Newcastle bus stop we bumped into uncle Rob. We let dud D&G Bus 113 go which was on 'The Orange ONE' in the hope of something better or required turning up on the #25 or #11. Going to other way towards Longton we saw First Potteries 32650 on a #11 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was an early First Potteries Volvo B7RLE. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 66303.

First Potteries 66303 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat town towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We climbed the hill and we ran through Hartshill turning left onto The Avenue, WE turned onto Hilton Road and we turned right into the City General hospital. After passing through the ground we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle from the Southern end. We crossed the roundabout onto Barrack Road and we entered the bus station. As it was a through bus the bus didn't empty out so we got up and got off the bus. The area around the bus station was being re-paved and barriers up around these area, so there were part of the bus station that we couldn't get to like the bench at the Southern end. On Stubbs Street we saw D&G Bus 41 on layover, presumably in between #85 Crewe services.

D&G 41 in Newcastle bus station

The benches at the top end of the bus station were still accesible, so we decided to go up there whilst we decided what we were going to do next. On the way up there we saw D&G Bus 49 arrive into the bus station on a #17 to Wolstanton.

D&G 49 in Newcastle bus station

We didn't have a particularly good view from behind the lamp posts. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 37158 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 37158 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 41496 come into the bus station about to work a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 41496 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3696 on the #164 to Hanley.

Arriva Midlands 3696 in Newcastle bus station

We decided we would do the next Tunstall bound service and we had just missed dud D&G bus 137 on the #94 Congleton service. A few minutes later we saw another dart come into the bus station and it was dud First Potteries 41493 on the #99 to Bradeley.

First Potteries 41493 in Newcastle bus station

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. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A527, where we saw First Potteries 53207 on an inbound #97 service. We continued through May Bank & Wolstanton and to Porthill. We ran down the hill and we crossed the A500 and we ran into Longport. At Trubshaw Cross we turned left onto Brownhills Road and we climbed the hill into Tunstall town centre past the new building on the left. We went straight onto Tunstall High Street and at the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Potteries 41493 before it carried on towards Bradeley.

First Potteries 41493 in Tunstall

Once off the bus bus we walked down the High Street to Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a can of Coke. They had ran out cheesecake. Once he had finished his drink we went out of the cafe and across the road to the bus stop opposite. Almost immediately a bus turned up and it was required D&G Solo 140 on a #94 to Newcastle.

D&G 140 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 140 before we sat town towards the back of the bus.

Inside D&G 140

Matthew was well behaved and didn't even try and beep the horn! We ran down the High Street past the new building on the right and forwards onto Brownills Road. We continued down the hill and at Trubshaw Cross we continued down through Middleport into Longport. We crossed over the A500 and we climbed up Porthill Bank. At the top we turned left and we ran through Wolstanton and May Bank. We ran into Newcastle and we crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto Barracks Street. We went into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. once in the bus station we had a look around to see what we might be able to catch. On Stubbs Street we saw D&G Bus 38 on layover, presumably in between #85 Crewe services.

D&G 38 in Newcastle bus station

We looked around to see what we could catch to Hanley next. There was an #4A in the bus station and a #4 just coming in. We went over to First Potteries 63179 which was on the 4 bus by the time Matthew had taken his picture it had pulled off. Almost Immediately First Potteries 66306 pulled in on the adjacent stand.

First Potteries 66306 in Newcastle bus station

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. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A53. We ran into Basford and we passed an unidentified Paul S Winson coach. As we ran towards Hanley we passed a mixture of Scania's and Enviro300's on the #4/4A's. They were First Potteries 65728/65733/67633/67636. We ran down into Etruria and over the A500. We continued along the A53 and we turned left onto Forge Lane. We ran out along the Lane and we crossed over the canal before we returned back into Etruria along festival Way. We crossed under the A53 onto Etruria Road. We ran into Hanley and into the bus station. The entire journey was made unpleasant by a group of 'adults' that were old enough to know better. As this is Matthew's Blog I won't discuss the details here any further. Once off the bus we went to the toilet and then headed up to the car park to take a few bus pictures. Just before we went into the car park we saw First Potteries 37159 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 37159 in Hanley bus station

We went into the car park and 'up the stairs mister' so we could get a few bus pictures. On layover were D&G Bus 171 and First Potteries 41500.

First Potteries 41500 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries Volvo B7LRE 66851 on a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 66851 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we were in the car park Matthew had a Milky Way. There are only four 02 reg Solo's left in service as far as I know. First Potteries 53123 was on a #5 to Abbey Hulton.

First Potteries 53123 in Hanley bus station

We had seen a First Potteries Dart on #7A to Biddulph, so we figured by the time we walked back and had been to the shop it would be nearly time for the next one. We walked past the Victoria Theatre and back into the bus station and we stopped at the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. After we had paid for the goods we walked down to the stand to wait for the bus. A couple of minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 41501 pull onto stand.

First Potteries 41501 in Hanley bus station

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. Bizarrely the last time that we did the bus to Biddulph it was also First Potteries 41501 back on Christmas Eve 2016! We set off out of the bus station and we ran down John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we crossed Broad street onto Marsh Street. We turned right onto Trinity Street and we stopped on Stafford Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along Quadrant Road. We crossed over the ring road and we headed out of town towards Sneyd Green along Town Road. We continued to Smallthorne roundabouts and we continued forwards onto High Lane. At the end of High Lane we turned right onto the A527 and we ran down the hill through Fegg Hayes and up into Brindley Ford. We continued up towards Knyperlsey and we turned left onto Brown Lees Road. We ran through the estate and we crossed over the A527 and into the Biddulph estate. We went passed the barley Mow and we turned left onto St John's Road. At the end we re-joined the A527. We entered the town at Wharf Road and we stopped at the bus station. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41501 before it returned to Hanley.

First Potteries 41501 in Biddulph bus station

Once off the bus we went to the toilet. When we came out we saw required D&G Bus 45 about to work a #9 to Newcastle.

D&G 45 in Biddulph bus station

We decided not to do this, and to make up for the earlier disappointment of not having cheesecake, we decided to go and see if we could get a cake from Wrights Pies. We walked around the corner onto High Street and a few hundred yards South. Just as we got to the shop the staff were coming out as it was closing for the evening. We walked back to the stop and we saw D&G Bus 45 about to depart. Matthew turned it down again and we decided to wait at the stop for the next #7A. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Crunchie. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 41520.

First Potteries 41520 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41520 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 41520

The bus set off onto the High Street and we turned left onto Wells Street. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran along the normal route through Brown Lees and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into Hanley. We got off the bus and on one of the adjacent stands was dud First Potteries 32649 which was about to work the next #32 service to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32649 in Hanley bus station

When we got back to the bus station we went to look for a bus to get us to Newcastle where we arranged to meet mum. At the bottom of the bus station we saw a #25 to Keele. Closer inspection revealed it was dud First Potteries 65040.

First Potteries 65040 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the last time today before we saw down towards the back of the bus. As we were leaving the bus station we saw National Express FJ11 RDU on the #540 service. Last time we rode on First Potteries 65040 back in October 2016, it was still carrying the Evening Sentinel advert. We ran down John Street onto Bethesda street and we crossed over the ring road. We ran down through Shelton along Cauldon Road and we turned left onto Station Road outside the railway station. We went forwards onto A52 and we followed the road around to the right and under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 ans we ran into Stoke centre along Church Street. We went out of the other side of Stoke and up Hartshill Road into Hartshill. We turned left into The Avenue and we ran down to Hilton Road and we turned right into the hospital. We ran through the hospital and we turned right onto the A34. We ran up to Newcastle and forwards onto Barracks Road at the roundabout. We came into the bus station from the South and we got up and got off the bus. It was now fully dark. On the way out of the bus station we saw D&G 115 on a #74 to Park Site.

D&G 115 in Newcastle bus station

We walked across Barracks Road and we met up with mum in the car park. Mum was waiting with Wrights sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off down barracks Road and onto the A34. We went past the hospital into Trent Vale and we stop at the chip shop to pick up some chips to share between us. Once we had finished we continued South to the A500 and then we went North up the A500 to Sideway. We went East on the A50 and we came off at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the first row was one of Z Carz new arrivals, Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked in the compound tonight. In the compound we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran fast to Heron Cross before going onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and right onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:30. for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a millionaire's shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:00... Mark

Trip to Fenton / Newcastle 03-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Fenton Aldi	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
67639	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle, opp Cherry Tree PH	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to Captain Kook's for tea but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00. He got dressed and had toast for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and we set off onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line into Trentham. We turned right into New Inn lane and right again into Pacific Drive. After we picked up another service user we headed back onto New Inn Lane and then onto the A5035. We turned left at Stanley Matthews Way and we ran past the BET365 stadium. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross where we saw Stanton's of Stoke SFZ 7846. We went through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. Having crossed the railway line we Turned left onto Christchurch Street and to our destination. In the morning Matthew went on the computer. For dinner Matthew had jacket potato and beans followed by cake. In the after Matthew went shopping He went on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Aldi. In the shop Matthew brought his supplies for his week at the day centre. Matthew walked back to the day centre. We set off up Victoria Road and we turned right onto Manor Street and at the end we walked to the crossing and crossed over City Road were we saw First Potteries 67601 on a #11 to Newcastle. We got back to the day centre and when it was time to go home Matthew climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We got on bus and we set off onto Glebedale Road and we continued onto Station Bridge Road. We followed the road around onto Heron Street and we went through to Heron Cross. We travelled 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 and Matthew took another picture of Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Blurton

Normally on a Tuesday we would go and see Grandma, but she is currently on holiday. We gave Matthew the choice of catching a bus to Stoke, Longton or Newcastle and from those destinations Matthew chose Newcastle. Whilst we waited for the time to go and get the bus. Matthew had some toast and a glass of dandelion & Burdock. 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 buses on the #22 earlier in the day an we were expecting the bus to be First Potteries 67639. The Longton bound bus appeared first and whilst Matthew was looking at that our bus appeared. It was as expected First Potteries 67639.

First Potteries 67639 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle, and we saw First Potteries 67632 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A5035 and we ran over the railway line into Trentham. We passed First Class Travel PO62 LTU and we turned right into New Inn Lane. We ran up the hill and we entered Hanford. We turned right into Wilson Road and then left into Church Lane where we passed First Potteries 41498 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We joined the A34 and we saw First Potteries 65034 on a #101 to Hanley. At the A500 roundabout we saw DCL Travel Sunsundegui bodied coach BX12 CVV heading onto the Southbound A500. We headed into Trent Vale and we turned right into Harpfields Road. We continued onto Hilton Road and we turned left into the hospital. As we passed through the hospital we saw First Potteries 67640 on the final #22 turn, First Potteries 32635 on a #25 to Hanley and ABC Supreme minibus FV07 UCG. We turned right onto the A34 and a couple of stops down the road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67639 as it carried on towards the bus station.

First Potteries 67639 in Newcastle

We spotted mum in the car and we walked over to it. Before we got in we saw D&G Bus 159 on a 'Nines' service to Clayton.

D&G 159 in Newcastle

We got in the car and we went along the A34 to the centre of Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road and we went past the bus station where we saw First Potteries 37146 on a #25 to Hanley. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout onto the A53 and we passed First Potteries 66303 on a #4 to Audley. We continued through Basford and over the A500 into Etruria. We continued along the A53 through Cobridge and we veered off the road onto Sandbach Road. We stopped at captain Kooks and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating Matthew used the toilet and then we got back into the car. We had a few things to drop off in Smallthorne. So we carried on along Sandbach Road and we crossed over Smallthorne roundabout and we went down Ford Green Road. We turned left onto Fell Street and we turned right onto Coseley Street. We stopped just off Duddell Road to drop something off. We then rejoined Chell Heath Road and we turned right onto Ford Green Road. We ran around Saturn Road, Mars Street and Jupiter Street and we stopped again. Whilst stopped we saw D&G 135 running out of service and First Potteries 53405 on a #98 to Ball Green. We ran back up to Smallthorne Roundabout and we went across onto Moorlands Road. We ran through Burslem and onto Newcastle Street and we ran down to Trubshaw Cross where we turned left. We stopped on Scott Lidgett Road and then we returned up towards Burslem via Trubshaw Cross and Newcastle Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto Woodbank Street and we crossed over Waterloo Road onto Zion Street. We followed the one-way system around onto Nile Street and we continued onto North Road before we joined the A53. We ran up to Sneyd Green and we joined the Hanley bound A5272. We turned left onto Northam Road and we dropped the final thing off before we returned onto the A5272 via Chorlton Road and Birches Head Road. We headed into Hanley along Town Road and we joined the clockwise ring road. We ran around to Lichfield Street and we ran down to Joiners Square. We continued onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill through Fenton. We joined the A50 link road and we got onto the Westbound A50 to Heron Cross. As we came of the A50 onto Blurton Road we saw an unidentified Glovers coach. We ran along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:30. When we got home we listened to the Stoke vs Watford match on the radio and we had treacle tart and custard. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 29-10-2016

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

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

First Potteries 67631 in Blurton

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

First Potteries 67631 in Trentham

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

First Potteries 67157 in Trentham

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

First Potteries 67157 in Stoke

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

Stone Green Bus BX65 KYG in Stoke

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

First Potteries 63096 in Stoke

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

Inside First Potteries 63096

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

D&G 158 in Newcastle bus station

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

First Potteries 32079 in Newcastle bus station

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

Inside First Potteries 32079

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

D&G 45 in Hanley bus station

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

First Potteries 67602 in Hanley bus station

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

First Potteries 32648 in Hanley bus station

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

First Potteries 37146 in Hanley bus station

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

Inside First Potteries 37146

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

Inside First Potteries 37146

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

First Potteries 37146 in Tunstall

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

First Potteries 67636 in Tunstall

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

First Potteries 32056 in Tunstall

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

First Potteries 53829 in Tunstall

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

First Potteries 53829 in Oxford

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

First Potteries 41520 in Oxford

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

Inside First Potteries 41520

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

D&G 100 in Biddulph bus station

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

First Potteries 41522 in Biddulph bus station

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

Inside First Potteries 41522

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

First Potteries 66303 in Hanley bus station

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

Inside First Potteries 66303

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

First Potteries 32634 in Newcastle bus station

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

First Potteries 65706 in Newcastle bus station

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

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

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

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

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

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

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

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

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

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

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

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

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