Trip to Hanley / Trent Vale 15-05-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67151	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
63114	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	11	First Potteries
63114	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, stop C4	11	First Potteries
67158	Stoke, stop L1	Trent Vale, Black Lion	21	First Potteries
67158	Trent Vale, Black Lion	Stoke, stop L2	21	First Potteries
796	Stoke, stop C1	Fenton, Smithpool Road	1	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. When it was time to go out we went downstairs and onto Temple Street. We turned cut through onto City Road and we headed towards the bus stop. We walked to the stop opposite the flats. We waited for a bus towards Hanley. We waited for a bus to Hanley. The bus turned the corner and we saw it was First Potteries 67151 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Street and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station ans we turned right onto College Road. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We walked out towards the bus station and we saw Safeguard DK69 OWY parked outside.

Safeguard DK69 OWY in Hanley

Once off the bus we set off up Lichfield Street onto Tontine Street and onto Tontine Square and we walked back along Tontine Square to the Intu Potteries shopping centre. We had a walk around the shops and afterwards we forwards onto Market Square. We walked through Tontine Square onto Tontine Street. We walked onto Lichfield Street and we crossed over the ring road and the Venus Fish Bar. For tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. whilst we ate we saw an unidentified Castell Coaches coach. When we had finished eating we crossed over the ring road and cut through onto Birch Terrace. We turned right onto Lichfield Street and we went into the bus station and Matthew went into the toilet. We waited for a bus towards Fenton. A short time later we saw a next #11 come on stand. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63114 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63114 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton we sat down. We set off up set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green and we saw First Essex 36831 parked in the garage. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran under the railway line. We turned left onto Markets Street and we followed the one-way system onto Commerce Street and right onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past KFC and we got up and got off the bus. We cut through onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew chilled out on his room. We went downstairs and we set off on foot to the bus stop. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We continued up City Road and we stood at the bus stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Stoke. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63114 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63114 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street where we got up and got off the bus. We walked around the corner onto Campbell Place to wait for a bus to Trentham. A few minutes later we saw a bus come around the corner. It was First Potteries 67158 on a #21 to Trentham. We got on the bus and we booked to Trentham before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Campbell Place and forwards onto London Road. We continued through Oakhill and past the former Oakhill pub. We ran into Trent Vale and at the end of London Road we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67158 as it continued towards Trentham.

First Potteries 67158 in Trent Vale

Once off the bus we went into the pub and Matthew found a seat where he could see out of the window. Matthew had Sausage, egg beans and chips with bacon and 2 oatcakes washed down with a glass of Coke. for dessert Matthew had toffee sponge pudding and custard. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included First Potteries 63361 on a #101 to Stafford and Stanton's of Stoke 87 HBC heading Northwards. When he had finished eat Matthew set off onto the A34 and around the corner onto London Road to wait for the bus back towards Stoke. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67158 on a #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67158 in Trent Vale

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along London Road and we ran through Oak Hill past the former Oak Hill pub. We continued through the the West End before running into Stoke Town centre and Campbell Place. There was nothing of interest parked up in City cabs and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off along London Road. We turned right into Church Street to wait for a First bus back up to Fenton. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 796 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G Bus 796 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. We ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over City Road and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. Later on Matthew had a bath followed by toast for supper. Matthew then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Hanley 27-02-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6008	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1A	D&G Bus
35689	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
63176	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries
764	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1A	D&G Bus
35946	Newcastle BS	Newcastle, O/s The Cherry Tree PH	25	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to Grandma's, going to the pub and going to Blurton, but first he was going out on the bus. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. He also had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room and watched buses out of the window. In the morning Matthew was going out on the bus to Newcastle. We went downstairs and onto Temple Street. We cut through onto City Road and we headed towards the bus stop. On the way we saw blue minibus FE25 XHB. We waited for the bus towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 6008 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G Bus 6008 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre. 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. As we travelled through the hospital we saw Hanford Court Care Home LX12 CGO. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus. We set off on foot up Castle Walk. We stopped at Costa Coffee and Matthew had a bottle of Coke and a cake. When we had finished we walked back down Castle Walk to the bus station. We had a look around to see what we might catch. Eventually the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 35689 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35689 in Newcastle bus station

We got on and booked to Hanley before we went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We went Southwards on the A34 before turning into the hospital. We trundled through the hospital grounds and ran up to Hartshill Road via Hilton Road and The Avenue. We went down Hartshill Road into Stoke town centre and we continued onto Church Street and over the A50 before passing under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we went forwards onto Station Road before turning right onto College Road. At the top off College Road we continued onto regent Road before turning left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed the ring road onto Bethesda Street and we turned right onto John Street. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we to the chip shop. We crossed over Lichfield Street and we crossed over the ring road. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we headed back to the bus station. We crossed over the ring road and over Lichfield Street and we headed into the bus station. We waited for a bus towards Fenton. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. It was First Potteries 63176 on a #11X to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63176 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton we sat down. We set off up set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green and we saw First Potteries 35691 parked in the garage. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. We turned right onto Bambury Street and we ran to the end we turned left onto Galsworthy Road and left onto Heathcote Street. We turned right onto Longley Road and left onto Ashwood. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran under the railway line. We turned left onto Markets Street and we followed the one-way system onto Commerce Street and right onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past the new Burger King. we got up and got off the bus. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto Baker Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. just before 15:00 I came to pick Matthew up. He came downstairs and we put his things in the car. We said goodbye to mum and we set off towards the bus stop. We cut throught onto City Road and we walked to the bus stop. Whilst we waited we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 904 heading towards Stoke.

Copeland's Tours MIB 904 in Fenton

We waited for a further 10 minutes and we saw the bus approaching. As we got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 764 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G Bus 764 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and we passed Stanton's of Stoke 87 HBC heading towards Stoke. We ran into Hartshill and we past the former pub which will be a new convenience shop. We turned left into the Avenue and left again onto Hilton Road before turning right into the City General Hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw blue minibus SB73 PZW. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We headed down the bottom of the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Grandma's. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35946 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35946 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to the hospital before we went upstairs and sitting down. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we got up and got off the bus by the Cherry Tree. We got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of First Potteries 35946 as it continued towards Hanley.

First Potteries 35946 in Newcastle

Once off the bus we headed up the hill towards Grandma's. At Grandma's Matthew had toast and a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. Around 18:00 we set off from Grandma's and headed to the pub. and we ran down Occupation Street. We turned left onto the A34. We continued southwards into Trent Vale past the Greggs. We continued through Trent Vale and we stopped at the pub. We walked into the pub and we sat down at our one our normal tables. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Highlights of the sightings whilst we ate include D&G Bus 6007 on a #22 to Newcastle. Once we had finished eating we went outside to the car. We set off and we carried on along the A34 and we went through Hanford and into Trentham. We turned left onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line and into Blurton. We got back around 19:15. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we sorted a few things out. Matthew also had a Curly Wurly and a can of dandelion & burdock. We wrote the Blog and sent a couple of e-mails. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Longbridge / Kings Norton 12-09-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5507	Longbridge, Railway station	Kings Norton, CA	47	NX West Midlands
6828	Kings Norton, CA	Longbridge, Railway station	47	NX West Midlands

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. It was the first day of a weekend in the West Midlands. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his almedication. For breakfast Matthew had crumpets and orange juice. In the morning somebody came to tests the smoke alarm in Matthews room. Later on he went to Hanley He went downstairs and and we went to Hanley by car. We got in the car and we set off onto Temple Street we turned left onto Christchurch Street and crossed over City Road and we turned left onto Victoria Road. We went straight onto Lichfield Street. We stopped at the top of Lichfield Street and Matthew got out. We set off on foot onto Old Hall Street and we turned the corner. We returned down Lichfield Street and we cross over the ring road. We went to the chip shop and Matthew had sausage chip and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we got back in the car and returned to Fenton. We set off down Lichfield Street and we went staright onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Manor Street and we turned right onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and chilled in his room for a while. Later on he went to the Doctors. He went downsrairs and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and left onto Baker Street. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and we stopped at the Doctors. After seeing the Doctor Matthew returned to the residentil unit. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto Baker Street past the former Library now vacant. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and chilled out in his room. He had a can of Irn Bru whilst he waited. Later on we came to pick him, up and we set off to pick up uncle Dave. Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off from Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we stopped to pick up uncle Dave. Matthew went in and he used the toilet before getting back into the car. We continued down Wheildon Road towards the A500. At Stoke we turned right onto the A52 and right onto the Southbound A500. As we travelled down the A500 we saw Stanton's of Stoke double decker coach 87 HBC. We joined the Southbound M6 and we headed through Staffordshire. On the M6 we saw an unidentified JH Coaches coach, brand new First 63700, unidentified South Staffs coach and Leon's 237. At junction 8 we joined the Southbound M5. On the M5 we saw black minibus SB25 PFD. We came off the M5 at Junction 4 and we headed Northwards up the A38. We ran into Longbridge and we turned right onto Longbridge Lane. We crossed over the railway line and we stopped at the hotel. We parked up, checked in and went to the room. We chilled out for a short while and afterwards we went shopping for snacks and to get something to eat. We set off onto Longbridge Lane and we turned left onto the A38. We followed the A38 down to Rubery and we headed into the town centre. We stopped at Tesco and we went in to buy snacks. Whenn we had finished we walked onto the High Street and we saw a couple of buses. We saw National Express West Midlands 7521 on a X20 service to Bromsgrove.

NX West Midlands 7521 in Rubery

Also seen was National Express West Midlands 4940 on a #63 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 4940 in Rubery

We walked back to the car and we set off onto the High Street. We ran under the road and we joined the Northbound A38. We followed the A38 into Longbridge and we turned right onto the High Street. We turned right into College Road and we stoped and we parked up at the side of the road. We headed into the Hungry Horse and we sat at a table. We ordered the foot and Matthew had hunters chicken and chips followed by chocolate fudge cake and ice cream washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished eat we retrned to the hotel. We got in the car and we set off onto College Road. We turned left onto High Street and right onto Longbridge Lane. We stopped at the hotel and parked up. We went back to the room and Matthew had his medication. After a quick toilet stop we went out again to do a couple of the local buses. We came out of the hotel and we waited at the bus stop opposite. A short time ater we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 5507 on a #47 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 5507 in Longbridge

We got on the bus and we booked to Kings Norton before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off along Longbridge Lane and we turned left onto Turves Green. We ran forwards onto Staple Lodge Road and we ran forwards onto Wychall Lane. We turned left onto Westhill Road and right onto Camp Lane. We turned left onto the A441 and as we approached the railway station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we waited for the bus back to Longbridge. Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 02 on a #49E to Kings Norton. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6828 on a #47 to Longbridge.

NX West Midlands 6828 in Kings Norton

We got on the bus and we booked to Lobngbridge before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A441 and we turned right onto Camp Lane. We turned left onto Westhill Road and we turned right onto Wychall Lane. We turned left onto Staple Lodge Road and we ran forwards onto Turves Green. We turned right onto Longbridge Lane and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed into the hotel and we went to our room. We went on the laptop and we updated the Blog and wrote an e-mail. We also uploaded pictures. Matthew had some Tesco bacon fries, a Cherry Bakewell and a can of Irn Bru. Matthew went to sleep around 00:00... Mark.