Trip to Derby / Borrowash 03-09-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
16	Derby BS	Borrowash, Opp Elm Street	X17	Notts & Derby
16	Borrowash, Opp Elm Street	Derby BS	X17	Notts & Derby
20	Derby BS	Borrowash, Opp Harrington Avenue	9	Notts & Derby
16	Borrowash, Opp Priorway Avenue Shops	Derby BS	X17	Notts & Derby
258	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	D1	Notts & Derby
26	Derby, Adj Meteor Centre Park-and-Ride	Derby, Derwent Street (Stop C7)	D1	Notts & Derby
28	Derby BS	Weston-on-Trent, Adj Methodist Church	73	Notts & Derby
28	Weston-on-Trent, Adj Methodist Church	Derby BS	73	Notts & Derby

Toda we decided to visit Derby to ride on buses for the first time. We had seen on the UK Buses & Trains Facecebook group that Notts + Derby buses were running an Olympian farewell running day. We checked the weather for today and it was for heavy rain for most of the afternoon! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we ran through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and then left again onto Blurton Road. After a brief stop at the shop on Blurton Road to drop something off we continued long Blurton Road up to Heron Cross. We Joined the Eastbound A50 and we travled to Longto to fill up with Diesel at the Longton Tesco garage. After we had filled up a gentleman pointed out one of our tyres was a little flast so we stopped to inflate it before we got back onto the A50. At Meir we saw Copelands Tours MIB 236 & MIB 246 emerging from the garage. As we approached the Blyther Bridge Roundabout we passed Brown's of Kirby Mercedes minibus BC08 EBC. We ran up towards Uttoxtter and around the town on the A50 and we vereed left following the A50 up the hill. Going the other way we saw Midlands Classic 21 on a #401 service and an unidentified Wilfreda Beehive tri-axle coach. We came off the A50 and we ran along the A511 towards Hatton. We stopped at the Salt Box Cafe and Matthew went to the toilet. For Dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down wih a small bottle of Coke. After we had finished we got back in the car and we turned right onto Derby Road. We went around Hilton and under the A50 and onto the A516. We ran into town and we joined the A38 and we came off again onto the A516. I had planned on goinng around the ring road but what I did not realised that there are two ring roads... There is and inner an outer ring road. We turned right onto the A511 outer fing road and we ran around the eastern side of the town. With the aid of her sat nav mum guided us into town along Osmaston Road. When we got into town we ran around the inner ring road past the shopping centre we turned left and ran past the end of the bus station. We had planned on parking in front of the Deby Council buildings but we eneded up turning around and parking in the multi storey car park adjacent to the bus station. As we entered the car park we saw Notts + Derby Olympian 20 on layover in the bus station. We parked up and we crossed over the road on the bridge into the shopping centre. we sad goodbye to mum and we went to the toilet. After Matthew had finished we walked down onto the street and we crossed over the road and under the bridge to the bus station. Whilst we worked out what to do we stood at the South Western corner of the bus station and took a few pictures. The first thing in the bus station that we saw was Notts + Derby Slol SR on a #59 service to Shipley View.

Notts+Derby 510 in Derby bus station

A short while later we saw Trent Barton 87 on a Red Arrow express coach service to Nottingham.

Trent Barton 87 in Derby bus station

We also saw Trent Barton 606 on a Mansfield service.

Trent Barton 606 in Derby bus station

A few minutes after that we saw Yourbus Mercedes Citaro single decker 3110 on a Y59 to Shipley View.

Yourbus 3110 in Derby bus station

We also saw Trent Barton 913 on a Skylink service to Leicester.

Trent Barton 913 in Derby bus station

We saw another Red Arrow service, this time it was Trent Barton 85.

Trent Barton 85 in Derby bus station

This was followed by Arriva Midlands Scania Omnicity 3561 on a #26 to Oakwood.

Arriva Midlands 3561 in Derby bus station

In this distance we saw a Notts + Derby double decker coiming towards the bus station off the A601 at the other end of the bus station. We also saw Trent Barton Optare Versa 809 on a Spondon Flyer service.

Trent Barton 809 in Derby bus station

The Notts + Derby double decker eventually came around the outside of the car park and under the bridge. As it got closer we saw that it was required Notts + Derby 16 on the X17 to Borrowash.

Notts+Derby 16 in Derby bus station

We walked into the bus station and the bus pulled into one of the nearer stand which was convenient. We got on the bus and we purchased the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket that covered all the services that the buses were running on, at the cost of £6. We went upstairs and we sat down. The bus pulled off out of the bus station and onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We then wen down a slip road and back underneath the ring road before we joined the A52 dual carriageway. We then ran fast along the Eastbound A52 for around 5 miles. I got chatting to a guy who looked familiar from other bus related events that we hd been to, and he was local and knew the bus services well. The Olympian that we had seen on layover was due to work the next #9 to Borrowash. A quick consultaion ot the timetable revealed that we should get back into the bus station in time to catch it. We came off the A52 before crossing over the A52 on Victoria Avenue and going South into Borrowash. We turned left into hawthorn Avenue and we ran around the village along Priorway Avenue, Nottingham Road and back onto Victoria Avenue. After a brief pause at the main timed stop in Borrowash, we continued along Victoria Avenue and then left onto the A52. We then ran fast for 5 nile back down the A52, and we came off at the Pentagon roundabout. We joined the clockwise inner ring road and we crossed over the River Derwent befoer we entered the bu station from the Eastern Side. As we pulled into the bus station we saw that Notts + Derby Olympian 20 was already on stand, but it wasn't due off for another 3 minutes. Lucily for us we pulled up along side Notts + Derby 20, so we got off the bus and Matthew took a quick picture through the bus station door before we jumped on it!

Notts+Derby 20 in Derby bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road. We went down the slip road to go around and under the ring road onto Eastgate and instead of going along the A52 we came off at the Pentagon roundabout and we joined Nottingham Road. We ran along through Chaddesden. The plan was to get off in Borrowash, posibly go the the shop if there was time and to returnminti Derby on Notts + Derby 16 on the X17 service, getting back a little quicker. The journey time to Borrowash on the #9 was around an 30 minutes, with a round trip on the X17 taking the same time. in Spondon we took the A6096 North Eastwards through the town centre and we went out of town for around a mile before we turned right onto Moor Lane. We ran through a tiny little village called Octbrook and then we crossed over the A52 into Borrowash. We turned left of Victoria Avenue onto Hawthorne Avenue and then forwards onto Priorway Avenue. We passed a one stop shop and we decided to get off the bus. We missed that stop so we got off at the next one. Once off the bus we decided to walk back one stop to where the shop was, and if there was time we would go the the shop. A check of the timetable at the stop revealed the bus was due in around 2 miuntes so we decided to stay put. Almost immediatley we saw the bus coming down the road, and as expected it was Notts + Derby Olympian 16.

Notts+Derby 16 in Borrowash

We got on the bus and we flashed the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty when we got on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside Notts + Derby Olympian 16.

Inside Notts+Derby 16

We went upstairs and we sat down and the bus set off along Priorway Avenue. We joined Nottingham Road and we ran through the centre of Borrowash before tutning right into Victoria Avenue. We joined the A52 and we ran fast to the edge of Derby passing Trent Barton 83 going the other way on a Red Arrow service. The rain had now stopped and we could see clearly out of the windows. We saw Mercedes minibus K485 UJD. We came off the A52 onto the Pentagon Roundabout and we crossed over the RiverDerwent and into the bus station. As we entered we saw Coopers coach YN08 AVX. We went into the bus station and this time instead of going to the low numbered dtands we went over to the other end of the bus station by the coach stands. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Notts + Derby 16.

Notts+Derby 16 in Derby bus station

We spotted another exit to the bus station and we could see the river behind. Our next planned move was to catch the two buses on the D1 service... They were booked to be worked by Notts + Derby Olympian 26 and Optare Excel 258. The buses departed from Derwnt Street which was North of the bus station and by the river. We set off along the path out of the bus station and alongside the river Derwent and we saw Derwent Street ahead of us. As we came off the riverbank onto the street we saw Trent Barton Optare Solo 467 on layover.

Trent Barton 467 in Derby

We crossed the road and we checked the timetable on the bus stop. The bus was due in 5 minutes at 16:05... Whilst we waited we saw New Bharat Coaches Volvo 9700 BC15 NBC stop briefly on the other side of the road. A few minutes later we saw Trent Barton Optare Excel 258 appear from the North, cross the river and turn around at thr roundabout. When it pulled into the stop matthew got a picture of Notts + Derby 258.

Notts+Derby 258 in Derby

We got on the bus and we flashed the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Derwent Street over the river. We then passed required Notts + Derby 26 on the other D1 turned as expected. We made our way onto Mansfield Road and we ran North past Chester Green and we followed the road to the right. We crossed over the rsilway line and we continued forwards onto the A608. Whenwe past the Odeon Cinema we turned into the Meteor Retail park and we did a u-turned at the rouandabout to get onto the park and ride stop. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Notts + Derby 258.

Inside Notts+Derby 258

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Notts + Derby 258.

Notts+Derby 258 in Meteor Retail Park

The bus departed back onto the A608 and and we sat at the bus stop whilst we waited for the double decker to return. A few minutes alter as expected we saw Notts + Derby 26 sweeping into the retail park off the A608.

Notts+Derby 26 in Meteor Retail Park

The bus did the u-turn at the first roundabout in the retail park and came onto the stop. We got on the bus and we flashed the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Notts + Derby 26.

Inside Notts+Derby 26

We went upstairs and we sat down whilst we waited for departure time. We set off onto the A608 and we ran back down over thr railway line and into Derwent Street. As we were going around the roundabout an unidentified single decker peparted the stop as a replacement for this on the D1. We got to the stop and the bus emptied out before running off empty. Matthew got another picture of Notts+Derby 26 as it disappeared off into the distance...

Notts+Derby 26 in Derby

The last Olympian that we hadn't been on was due to work a #73 service at 16:50. We had a round 12 minutes to walk back down the river and into the bus station. If possible we would also use the toilet. We walked back down past the river and we saw what looked like a cormorant on the island in the river. We got on the bus station and we saw Trent Barton 90 on a Red Arrow service. We also saw that Notts+Derby 28 was on stand. We had 10 minutes so we took matthew to the toilet. Whilst we were there we saw Notts+Derby 28 leave! By the time we got over to stand 23 it was just coming back on stand. For some reason it had just done a lap of the bus station. It came back on stand and Matthew took another picture of Notts+Derby 28.

Notts+Derby 28 in Derby bus station

Adjacent to the Olympian was Skill of Nottingham BX16 CJJ in National Express livery about to work a #440 service to London.

Skills of Nottingham BX16 CJJ in Derby bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was enpty, so Matthew took a picture inside Notts+Derby 28.

Inside Notts+Derby 28

The bus set off out of the bus station and under the car park bridge. We ran over a short bus lane into Sidalls Road and at the end we turned right onto Railway Terrace. We stopped at a large bus stop outside the railway station and we saw Trent Barton 912 go by on a Skyline service into Derby. We continued onto Midland Road and at the end we turned left onto London Road. We crossed the Birmingham line and we ran past the RTC where there were quite a few locomotives parked up. As we ran South Eastwards down London Road we caught #38 branded Arriva Midlands 4406 on a #1 service to Alvaston. We passed through the centre of Alvaston and we saw the Blue Peter pub with its 1920's style architecture. We continued down Shsrdlow Road and at the roundabout we crossed over the A6. 1/2 mile down the road we turned right into Derby Road and we ran into Aston-on-Trent. After we ran through the village we turned right onto Weston Road and we ran the last mile or so into the centre of Weston-on-Trent. We turned left into Trent Lane and we stop just short of the railway line at the bus stop. We had 5 minutes before the bus was due to return back to Derby, so we got off and we took a picture off Notts+Derby 28.

Notts+Derby 28 in Weston-on-Trent

We got back on the bus and we flashed the 'Enthusiat's Special' day ticket to the driver for the final time before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off at 17:20 and just as we approahed the railway line we saw DB Shencker 66132 run past on a scrap train to Cardiff. having crossed over the railway line we turned right onto Park Lane and we followed it around to the right. We turned right onto Main Street and we crossed back over the railway line. Main Street became Weston Road and we ran up the road into Aston-on-Trent. We turned left into the village and we stopped outside the White Hart pub for a short while before we continued. We crossed the A50 and we turned left onto B5010 and over the A6 at the roundabout. We ran back through Alvaston and we caught up with Arriva Midlands 4406 again on an inbound #1 service. We went past the RTC and over the railway line before we turned right into Midland Road. We stopped outside the railway station and we went back into the town centre up Siddals Road. We crossed under the bridge and we entered the bus station from the South Western corner. We pulled into bay 23 and we ot off the bus where mum was waiting for us. On the way back to the car we stop at the bus station shop which has to be quite possibly one of the biggest shops of it's type I have seen! Matthew had a an of Coke and a couple of small bottles as well as lemon meringue pie and a chocolate bar. We paid for the dtuff and we went out of the bus station. On the way back to the car we saw Trent Barton 84 on a Red Arrow service to Nottingham.

Trent Barton 84 in Derby bus station

We walked under the bridge and we found a way into the car. Ww walked up the steps to level 4 and we found the car. On the way we stopped to looked out of the side towards the bus station where there was a great ariel view. I went to validate the parking whilst everyone else went back to the car. We drive out of the car park and we ran around the clockwise inner ring road before laeving town along the A516. We joined the A38 briefly and we continued along the A516. Whenw e got to the A50 we turned right onto the Westbound carriageway. We passed near to Uttoxeter and as we traveled up the A50 towards Stoke we passed white coach L41 CNY. We came off the A50 at Longton so we could see what was at Z carz this evening. First in the row was Z Carz mininbus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

We also saw Z Carz white Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz white Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Closest minibus in the first row was Z Carz X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

In the secon row was Z Carz maroon Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the copound. This evening we saw Z Carz white Ford minibus LG09 JVX

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We also saw a new vehicle, Z carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC. There were a couple parked on the road too... First we saw Z Carz white Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Finally we saw Z Carz silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned left onto Edensor Road and we turned right onto Spring Garden Road. We turned left onto the A5035 and at the roundabout we did a u-turn to head back towards Dresden. We ran through Dresden and into Blurton and we got home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and masher with carrots followed by a ginger bread man. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Lichfield / Burton-on-Trent 04-06-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
46	Lichfield BS	Burton upon Trent, New Street	810	Midland Classic
85	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Swadlincote bus park	4	Midland Classic
78	Swadlincote bus park	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	21	Midland Classic
81	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Lichfield BS	X12	Midland Classic

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. We checked the weather and it was for hot sunny weather all over the area with the chance of a thunder storm. Matthew woke up after being woken by the bouncy castle being inflated next door. It was little Alfie's birthday.Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 11:30 and we drove through Blurton onto Church Road. At Critchlow's Corner we veered left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop something off and then we continued to the A50. We went West and at Sideway we saw Shire Travel YD64 UYR. We went Southwards on the A500 and we passed an unidentified Den Caney Coach going the other way. We then joined the Southbound M6 and we passed PG Coaches AK04 KYJ and another Den Caney coach, DC52 DEN. We also passed Alfa 62.

Alfa 62 on the M6

Further down the M6 we saw Country Lion BU11 JSF & a plain green Holmeswood tri-axle coach with a small silver logo. We joined the A5 and we went East to the Truckers Rest where we stopped for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and we ordered him a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we got back onto the Eastbound A5. We` passed the site of the old Shell garage on the corner of the A4601, which had demolished earlier this year. South of Cannock on the A5 we saw Arriva Midlands 2729 on a #71 to Wolverhampton, and NX West Midlands 4105 on a #10A. We joined the Northbound A461 and we ran the last few miles into Lichfield. We joined the A5190 at Pipehiil and we ran into town via Limburg Avenue & Saint Foy Avenue. We entered the town centre from the West and we went straight across onto Birmingham. We parked up in the car park behind the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. After he had finished we saw Arriva Midlands 3769 on a #7 to Burton-on-Trent.

Arriva Midlands 3769 in Lichfield bus station

As we came inti the car park, we saw a National Holidays coach parked up at the other end of the bus station. We decided to walk up and investigate what it was. As we got closer we saw that it was National Holidays NH13 BWH.

National Holidays NH13 BWH in Lichfield bus station

Whilst we were at the end of the bus station we saw Butler Brothers V10 BUT arrive...

Butler Brothers V10 BUT in Lichfield bus station

We turned to see a Midland Classic double decker arrive into the bus station. It was required Midland Classic 46, a dual door Wright Gemini double decker.

Midland Classic 46 in Lichfield bus station

Matthew decided to do this bus. The only slight snag was that it wasn't due of for another 20 odd minutes. In the meantime we decided to wait around and take a few more bus pictures. A few minutes later we saw Central Buses ex Transdev Versa YJ57 XVY on a X55 to Tamworth.

Central Buses YJ57 XVY in Lichfield bus station

This was followed by the arrival of another coach... It was National Holidays NH09 FRH which had arrived on a mystery excursion.

National Holidays NH09 FRH in Lichfield bus station

We also saw the own circular services. These were taken over by Midland Classic from Rotala Diamond earlier in the year. We saw Midland Classic 5 on a #822 town circular service.

Midland Classic 5 in Lichfield bus station

A few minutes later the other circular bus turn came into the bus station. it was Midland classic 4 on the #821.

Midland Classic 4 in Lichfield bus station

When it was was time to go Midland Classic 46 went onto stand and we got on the bus. We attempted to book a Midland Classic Day+ ticket, but the ticket machine appeared not to be working. Whilst the driver wrote out a handwritten ticket, Matthew took a picture inside the lower saloon on Midland Classic.

Inside Midland Classic 46

We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the top deck of Midland Classic before we sat down.

Inside Midland Classic 46

When it was time to depart the bus set off out of the bus station and we went North along Birmingham Road. We continued onto Church Street. We passed Lichfield Trent Valley railway station and we joined the Northbound A38. We ran fast up the A38 to Hilliards Cross and we went West on Wood end lane before turning right onto Common lane. We followed the road around to the right and we crossed over the roundabout onto Worthington Road. we ran up to the end to the turning point and the bus turned around and stopped at the stop, The bus driver came and swapped our hand written ticket for a proper one, having got the ticket machine to work again. When we got off the bus we saw Arriva Midlands 2717 on a #3 to Winshill.

Arriva Midlands 2717 in Burton upon Trent

Matthew decided that he wanted to go to the toilet, and from our previous visit we knew that there was a toilet next to the market hall. We walked up New Street up to High Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 4798 on a #2A to Sydney Street.

Arriva Midlands 4798 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Zigzag branded Trent Barton 675 on a V1 villager service to Derby.

Trent Barton 675 in Burton upon Trent

We walked to the building to the side of the market and it was closed. There was now a toilet inside the market hall. We went into the market and we followed the green footprints on the floor across to the right hand side of the Hall. After Matthew had finished we set of back towards New Street. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3773 on a #9 to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3773 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Trent Barton 661 on a Villager service.

Trent Barton 661 in Burton upon Trent

having seen the Midland Classic bus network map, we decided to go to Swadlincote, where there seem to be a good frequent service. We stood at stand 9 on New Street and we waited for the next Swadlicote bound bus, which was the #4 service. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3707 on a #2A service to Stepenhill.

Arriva Midlands 3707 in Burton upon Trent

A few minutes later we saw required Midland Classic 85 on a #4 to the Goseley estate.

Midland Classic 85 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midland Classic day+ ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so matthew took a picture inside Midland Classic 85.

Inside Midland Classic 85

We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along New Street and right into Lichfield Street. As we passed the back of the Octagon shopping centre we saw Midland Classic double decker 46 now on layover. At the end of Lichfield Street we turned left onto the A5189. We ran Eastwards past Tesco and at the next big roundabout we went forwards onto the A444. We followed the road around to the South and we ran down through Stepenhill and then to Stanton. We stopped outside the Midland Classic garage for a driver change, and then the bus carried on Southwards until we reached Park Road, where we turned left. We ran through the village of Newhall and then we turned right onto Darklands Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Civic Way and we passed Midland Classic 53 on a #9 to Burton. We turned right into Swadlincote bus park and we got up and got of the bus. Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 85 before it carried on towards the Goseley estate.

Midland Classic 85 in Swadlincote

By the time we got to Swadlincite around 15:30, the service was starting to scale back for the evening. We saw Midland Classic 78 on layover adjacent to Civic Way.

Midland Classic 78 in Swadlincote

We also saw required Midland Classic 84 come into the bus station on a #21 and go on layover.

Midland Classic 84 in Swadlincote

We decided to have a sit down and something to eat. Matthew had a packet of Milky Stars and then had a can of Vimto. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3772.

Arriva Midlands 3772 in Swadlincote

At the last minute when we through there was a bus at 15:40, Mathew decided that he wanted to go to the toilet. We took him to the library across the way and we were escorted into the back room for Matthew to use the disabled toilet there. After he had finished we went back to the bus park and we realised that the next bus was in fact a #21 at 15:55. We thought it was going to be Midland Classic 84, but ti was Midland Classic 78 that came off the layover bay by Civic Way and onto Stand 2 in the bus park. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of the bus park and onto Civic Way and we followed it to the left heading Southwards. Civic Way became Hearthcote Road and we went West to Gresley Wood Road. Having traveled East along York Road, we traveled back West along Church Street. We crossed a roundabout onto Castle Road and we past an abandoned car dealership where some of the cars have remained in place. I recommend readers look this up on google maps as there is a nice H reg Maestro still there! We continued West to the A444 and we did a circuit to the South of this roundabout via Mount Pleasant Road, A444, Linton Heath, Main Street and back up to the roundabout along Hillside Road. We then ran up the A444 through Stanton past the Midland Classic depot before turning right onto Sycamore Road. We turned right onto Brackenwood Road and right again onto Rollaston Road. We joined the A5189 and we ran into town along Lichfield street. We unloaded at stand 8 and in foornt of us was required Midland Classic 53 on a #9 to Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Midland Classic 53 in Burton upon Trent

We went up to the market hall and Matthew used the toilet. On the way back we stopped at Tommy's Fish bar and we had a portion of chips between us and some pop. When we cam out of the chips shop Arriva Midlands 3775 was on a #9A to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3775 in Burton upon Trent

We sat down close to stand 6, which was where the X12 bus was due to depart. We quickly ate the chips between us and we saw required Midland Classic 47 which was on the #810 to Lichfield.

Midland Classic 47 in Burton upon Trent

We started to walk down to the stop. On the way we saw Trent Barton 664 on the V4 Villager service to Centrum.

Trent Barton 664 in Burton upon Trent

behind the Trent Barton 664, was the bus we were going to have on the X12. It was dud Midland Classic 81.

Midland Classic 81 in Burton upon Trent

This was a bus that we had up to Lichfield, our first trip on a Midland Classic bus back in August 2014. we got on bus and we flashed the Midland Classic Day+ ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto Lichfield Street. We crossed the A5189 and we went South down Branston Road. We ran for about a mile into Branston and then we joined the Southbound A38. We ran fast down the A38 and we come off just North of Lichfield onto the A5127. We ran past Lichfield Trent Valley railway station and we passed Butler Brothers V10 BUT leaving town with it passengers aboard. We turned into the bus station and when we got off Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 81.

Midland Classic 81 in Lichfield bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and then we went visited the kiosk around the corner. Mathew chose a chocolate bar and an can of Coke and then we went back to the car. As we were leaving we saw Parks of Hamilton HSK 642 on a #324 National Express service to Huddersfield. We left town along the A51 and we ran up to Stone through Rugeley without seeing anything. On the A34 we passed First Potteries 65037 on a #101 with #101 branding on it. At Trentham we turned right onto the A5035 and we ran up to Longton. There were quite a few vehicle on the spare ground at Z Carz this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest on the front row was Z minibus Carz MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we crossed the A50 onto Baths Road so that we could fill up with diesel. After filling up we re-joined the Westbound A50 where we saw Cropley coach XSV 839. We ran up to heron Cross and then we turned left onto Blurton Road. We followed the road around to the right onto Church Road and then we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:30... For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark