Trip to Newcastle / Trent Vale 07-02-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63111	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	38A	First Potteries
91	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	1	D&G Bus
67143	Stoke, stop A	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	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. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Oakleaf Coaches JFZ 7006. After dinner Matthew went to Hanley. We went downstairs and we got in the car and we set off onto onto Temple Street we turned left onto Christchurch Street and crossed over City Road set off onto Temple Street we turned left onto Christchurch Street and crossed over City Road onto Manor Street. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down to Joiners Square. We turned right onto the A52 and we turned left onto Hazelhurst Street and we turned right onto Franklyn Street and crossed over Eastwood Road. We turned left onto Pelham Street we parked up. We returned to Pelham Street and we turned right onto Eastwood Road. We turned right onto Stubbs Lane and we visited the doctor. Afterwards we walked back up to the ring road and around to Lichfield Street and inti Hanley. We stoped at Venus Fish Bar and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. Matthew washed this down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we set off across the ring road and we cut through onto Birch Terrace. We continued onto Lichfield Street and along Stafford Street. We stopped at the bank and Matthew did some business before we continued along Stafford Street and right onto Lamb Street. We stopped at Primark and Matthew bought some clothes. When we had finished we walked across the square and along Tontine Street. We continued onto Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards waited for a bus to Newcastle. Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw First Potteries 35942 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 35942 in Hanley bus station

We went to the stand and there was a bus there. We saw it was First Potteries 63111 on a #38A to Waterhayes.

First Potteries 63111 in Hanley bus station

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 road we turned right onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street and then we joined the clockwise ring road. At the end we turned left onto Etruria Valeey Link Road. We turned left onto Shelton Boulevard and we turned right onto Etruria Road before going under the A53 onto Festival Way. We ran past Waterworld and we turned left onto Forge Lane past a new minibus building by the Brindley Farm pub. We looped under the A53 and we joined the Westbound A53. We crossed over the A500 at Etruria and and we ran up the hill into Basford and we ran down hill to the edge of Newcastle and we got onto the one way system. At the jubilee roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road before turning right into the bus station. We got up and we got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We walked along Castle Walk to Home Bargains and Matthew bought a drink.Afterwards we walked back to the bus station. Afterwards we waited for a bus back to Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63174 on a #39 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Newcastle bus station

A short time later we saw a bus on stand, We saw it was D&G Bus 91 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G Bus 91 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34. We turned left into the hospital and we ran through the the grounds. As we travelled through the hospital we saw ABC Supreme HV22 HKB & ERS Medical FJ21 HGL. We turned left onto Hilton Road. We continued onto Albany Road and we turned right onto The Avenue. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A52 and we ran through Hartshill and down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued 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 we cut through to the residential unit. We went upstairs and chilled out in his room to use his computer and watch buses. Later on Matthew went to trent vale in a taxi. We went downstairs and we set off on foot onto Temple Street. We continued onto Chrisrchurch Street and we got in the Lucky Seven taxi. We set off along Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill into Stoke and we joined the A52. We ran under the railway line and we crossed over the A500. We ran into Stoke town centre and around the one-way system. We turned left onto London Road and we ran through the West End to Oakhill. We ran past the former Oak Tree pub and into Trent Vale. We turned right onto the A34 and we stopped at the pub. 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 63345 on a #101 to Stafford and Cabability WA64 BRX heading Northwards. When he had finished eat Matthew set off onto the A34 and around the corner onto London Road to wait for the taxi back towards Stoke. We had finished eating we set off We carried on along the A34. We turned left onto London Road and we ran through Oak Hill and the the West End before running into Stoke Town centre and Campbell Place and we passed Sainsbury's and we turned into the car park where we went into Sainsbury's and we did some shopping. When we had finished in Sainbury we walked onto Campbell Place and 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 First Potteries 67143 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67143 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 Hanley / Trentham 28-05-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67154	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
67175	Hanley BS	Trentham Gardens	101	First Potteries
35936	Trentham, Poachers Cottage PH	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
67178	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries
67178	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, stop Q	11	First Potteries
35943	Stoke, stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	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. whilst waiting for the time to go to the dentist and we saw First Potteries 67174 on a #11 to Newcastle. Matthwe went into the living room and we went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Hanley. We stood at the bus stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw Little Den Nursery LX61 BFM. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67154 on a #23 to Hanley. 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. We turned right onto Shelton Old Road. We ran forwards onto Stoke Road. We ran under the railway line and up through Shelton. We ran up Broad Street and we turned right onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street and we saw D&G Bus 798. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got a picture of First Potteries 67154.

First Potteries 67153 in Hanley bus station

Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we waited for a bus to Trentham. A short time later we saw D&G Bus 91 on a #100 to Stone.

D&G Bus 91 in Hanley bus station

As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 67175 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 67175 in Hanley bus station

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 we ran down John Street and e turned right onto Bethesda Street and we turned left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hil and at the roundabout we turned Shelton New Road. We ran over the canal and railway line. We ran through the cross road up to Hartshill and at the roundabout we ran into Newcastle down George Street. We joined the one-way system and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station. After a brief stop we Continued onto Barracks Road and forwards onto the Southbound A34. We ran past the hospital into Trent Vale and under the A500 into Hanford. We continued into Trentham and when we got opposite to the old Trentham Gardens entrance we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went to across the road the road and into Trentham Gardens. we walked around the North end of the lake and we went to Totally delicious. Matthew had a ham sandwich washed down with bottle of Coke. Afterwards Matthew had an ice cream in a waffle cone. After finishing eating Matthew went to the toilet. Once we had finished eating we walked back through the main gate and onto the A34 opposite the A5035. We turned left and walked along the A34 to the old Gardens entrance where the bus stop is situated. We waited for a bus back towards Hanley. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 35936 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35936 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before we went upstairs and sitting down. We set off Northwards through Trentham. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we past the City General hospital before going into Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station from the South end. We got up and got off the bus. We set off onto Hassell Street and we turned right onto High Street and we stopped at McDonalds. We went to the toilet. Afterwards we went down High Street and we turned left onto Hassell Street. We continued onwards to the bus station. We saw First Potteries 67158 on a #99 to Chell Heath. Whilst we saw D&G Bus 124 in the layover.

D&G Bus 124 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 112 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G Bus 112 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67178 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67178 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout. We ran onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued 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 walked back to the residential unit. Matthew went back upstairs to chill out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto and cut through onto City Road and we saw Premier Travel DS15 XTN. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67178 on a #11 to Newcastle. 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 and we walked up to Sainsbury's. Matthew brought a valentine's day card in Sainsbury's and afterwards we walked back along Campbell Place and we turned right onto Church Street. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 35943 on a #25 to Keele. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along Church Street and off up the hill along Hartshill Road and we passed the Noah's Ark pub and Just after the pub we turned left by the Co-operative Food store and we headed to the hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw ERS Medical FJ21 HGG. We bounced our way through the hospital grounds over the severe speed bumps and we joined the North bound 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 walked out of the bus station onto Castle Walk. We stopped in a few shops including Claire's and up Castle Walk. After visiting New Look we walked back down Castle Walk and we turned right into Ironmarket. We stopped at the pub and matthew went to the toilet before having a glass of Coke. Matthew also had tea. He had a burger and fries followed by a chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. When we had finished we returned onto Ironmarket and we turned right onto Castle Walk and into the bus station. We got a Lucky Seven taxi back to Fenton. We set off onto Stubbs Street and we turned left onto Barracks Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A53. We ran around the one-way system and we turned left onto the A52. At the end of George Street we veered left onto Shelton New Road and we ran towards Shelton. We crossed over the A500 and we turned right onto the Southbound carriageway. We came off the A500 near to Hyde Park corner and we turned left onto City Road. We ran under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road, left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs to Matthew's room and Matthew chilled out in his room watching television and using his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Newcastle / Hanley 08-06-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
47519	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
63098	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
67152	Hanley BS	Fenton, Albert Square	23	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. whilst waiting for the time to go to the dentist and we saw Roseville BV60 BAA. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Newcastle. At the Afford garage we saw Afford rent-a-car CN68 JXE parked up. We continued to the stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Newcastle. A short time later we saw First Potteries 47519 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 47519 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 along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw D&G Bus 91 on a #85 to Keele.

D&G Bus 91 in Newcastle bus station

Matthew used the toilet and we walked out of the bus station onto Castle Walk and we visited JD Sports. Matthew brought a Jackets. We continued along Castle Walk and up onto Ironmarket past the old RBS bank which has now The Bank Space. We turned left onto High Street and we visited Wright's Pies. Matthew brought at sausage roll. We continued along High Street and we stopped at the benches at the end to eat the sausage rolls followed by a Viscount biscuit and drink the can of Fanta orange. When we had finished we set off onto High Street. We turned right onto Hassell Street. We returned to the bus station and we waited for a bus to Hanley. A short time later we saw First Potteries 63097 on a #98 to Ball Green. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63098 on a #4 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down near to the back of the bus. We 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 over the A500. 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 up the hill into Hanley and we ran forwards onto Trinity Street. We turned right onto Stafford Street and after a short wait we continued past the town hall onto Bagnall Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 63098.

First Potteries 63098 in Hanley bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we waited for a bus back to Fenton. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63100 on a #7 to Kidsgrove. A short time later the bus arrived on stand. It was First Potteries 67152 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67152 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down onto Regent Road and forwards onto Cleveland Road. We ran down though Shelton along College Road and we ran down to the railway station. We turned right onto Glebe Street and under the railway line an we ran around the one-way system in Stoke and stopped by Stoke Minster. We turned left onto Church Street and we crossed the A500 and we ran under the railway line. After climbing up the hill into Fenton we turned right into Christchurch Street where we got up and got off the bus. We then walked back to the residential unit. We set off onto Christchurch Street and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. we went upstairs to his room and use his computer. He also watched buses out of the window. We went downstairs and we set off onto We walked onto City Road and we saw Stanton's of Stoke PSU 989. We crossed over and onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road and we went down the hill to Aldi. Matthew brought his shopping and then we got a Lucky Seven taxi back to the residential unit. We set off onto Victoria Road and we ran through the private road on which the swimming baths are situated. At the end we turned left onto City Road and right into Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road. We stopped at the kebab shop and we brought burger and fries. When we brought the food we walked back down City Road and we turned left into Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and use the computer. For tea Matthew had burger and fries followed a couple of slices of syrup sponge puddinge. Matthew also had a can of Coke. We chilled out on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip on the last Sunday #164 10-07-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40373	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
61143	Signal Radio, Stoke Road	Campbell Place, Stoke	21	First Potteries
66845	Church Street, Stoke	Newcastle bus station	25	First Potteries
2902	Newcastle bus station	Hanley bus station	164	Arriva Midlands
61556	Hanley bus station	Longton transport interchange	6B	First Potteries

As Matthew hadn't been out much this month and today was the last running of the Sunday 164, I decided to take him out today to try and get a ride on this service. The original plan was to catch the 14:00 Newcastle - Longton #22 bus to Longton, catch a 6B to Hanley in order to meet the 164 in Hanley bus station. The bus was due through Blurton at 14:22 so we set off to the bus stop on Trentham Road just before 14:10. After waiting for 25 minutes for this bus, we had to assume that this bus had broken down or the driver was unable to complete this turn. So we followed the route through Blurton to the Ladybank Grove stop. the next #23 bus was due at 14:54 so we waited here for the Hanley bus. As we waited it started to rain so the coats cam out of the bag. The #23 turned up at around 15:00 with dud 40373 for power.


40373 in Blurton on the #23 to Hanley (Matt)

At this point the #22 still hadn't come past in either direction so I can only assume that this leg of the diagram did not run. The reason the #23 was running late is because there was a young girl trying to dodge paying her fare. As her mother got off the bus the young girl miraculously found her ticket, which must have been a 'week student' ticket. When asked to produce a student cards she couldn't. The mum came back on to the bus to see if there was a problem and the driver ascertained that the ticket belonged to her. The younger girl was asked to pay the fare of get off the bus! As a result of this action the bus was 10 minutes late when it left Ladybank Grove. Our plan B was to got to Stoke station (15:12) and to pick up the 164 outside Signal Radio (15:20). As we got off the bus matthew took a quick picture.


40373 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

We jogged the 400 or so yards to the Signal Radio stop on Stoke Road. As the bus had been made late by the fare dodger we weren't able to make this bus. We saw 40022 on a 21A and we let this go, hoping that the #164 still might turn up. it soon came apparent that we had definitely missed the bus so I used the '84268' system to find the next bus time. There was a #21 at 15:46. I thought that this might make the #22 in Trent Vale, which we could catch up to Newcastle (we'll call this plan 'C'...). The bus turned up and it was ex Chester 61143 which was required.


61143 outside Signal Radio (Matt)

When the bus stopped at the lights over the A500 it vibrated quite a bit! As this bus was also a couple of minutes late, and it was also a bit shaky, I decide to get off in stoke to head towards Newcastle from there. With service #25, #26 and #41, there bound to be something to get us up to Newcaslte for 16:50. When we got off I consulted to bus stop timetables. there was a #25 at 16:22 which should get us to Newcastle with plenty of time to meet the 164 (Plan 'D'). Whilst we waited we were able to take some pictures.


60063 on a Hanley bound #26 (Matt)


D&G 91 on a #41 to Hanley (Matt)

After around 20 minutes and a few buses later, required 66845 turned up on the #25...


First Potteries 66845 on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

When we got to Newcastle we saw Scraggs 80 on the 16:30 to Longtom. It would seem that plan 'D' actually worked and we would finally catch up with the #164. Matthew then got another picture of 66845.


66845 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

We also saw 40019 on the #72 Clayton and then D&G 41 on the #85 Crewe service...


D&G 41 on #85 Crewe (Matt)

Another bus we saw whilst waiting was D&G 106 on the 94A to Audley.


D&G 106 on a #94A to Audley (Matt)

Shortly after that we eventually saw what we had been waiting for. Arriva Midlands 2902 on the last Northbound Sunday #164 service.


Last Northbound #164; 2902 in Newcastle bus station (Matt)

As we got on Matthew tried to do something that he shouldn't and nearly got us in to trouble. Luckily the driver ignored his bad behaviour. When we got to Hanley he tried to do the same thing again! needless to say he won't be going on a Arriva Midlands bus in Hanley on a Sunday again (unless the timetable changes...). When we got off we were able to take another picture of this beast.


Last Southbound #164; 2902 in Hanley bus station (Matt)

At this point i gave Matthew a choice of a few buses he could catch. he could have done a 21A to Trentham, a #25 to stoke or a 6B to Longton. Matthew choice to do 61556 on the 6B. We left the balcony and waited for the driver to return to this bus.


61556 on a #6B to Blythe Bridge (Matt)

At Longton we were able to get a few more pictures before mum picked us up. 60011 was on a #26...


60011 on a #26 (Matt)

We got another picture of ex Chester 61556...


61556 continues to Blythe Bridge (Matt)

Another ex Chester bus also turned up which Matthew got a picture of...


61554 in Longton transport interchange (Matt)

Also old-school Scania 60073 starting to look it's age...


60073 in Longton transport interchange (Matt)

Shortly after this mum turned up to rescue us. We went home and had Pizza for tea... Mark

Trip to Stone 18-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
182	Trentham Road,	Granville Square, Stone	351	Bakerbus
110	Granville Square, Stone	Prior Road	2	D&G
110	Prior Road	Granville Square, Stone	2	D&G
91	Granville Square, Stone	Stone, Geoff Keys Garage (opp)‎	490	D&G
183	Stone, Geoff Keys Garage (opp)‎	Whitebridge Estate, Filleybrooks Garage (opp)	350	Bakerbus
65039	Whitebridge Estate, Filleybrooks Garage (adj)	Granville Square, Stone	101	First Potteries
200	Stone	Stoke Railway Station	X1	Bakerbus
6	Stoke Railway Station	Church Street, Stoke	41	D&G
115	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke Railway Station	41	D&G
2931	Signal Radio, Stoke road	Maternity Ward, City General	58	Wardle Transport

Today we had decided we were going to head towards Stone again and cover the 350's and the X1. We also saw a Mercedes minibus on the Stone town service last week and as we havn't been on any of the current minibuses we thought that this would probably a new bus for Matthew. Today I went out at 09:30 and 10:30 to see the 350's. The bus buses were on exactly the same turns as last week, so we knew there was one required bus out on the 350. Setting off just before 12:30, we decided to head South on the 350 today so we waited at the bus shelter on Trentham Road. this was a fortunate choice today because it was raining! Whilst we were waiting we saw 181 go north on the #350, 40143 heading towards Newcastle and 40148 heading towards Longton.


40148 on a Longton bound #22 service (Matt)

As the 351 goes from Stoke to Longton before continuing towards Stone, This South bound turn is a few minutes later than the other buses. Eventually as predicted 182 arrives on this turn. This turn is quite well filled compared to some of the other 350's we've done. Presumably because of it's extra run into Longton. We do this bus to Granville Square, Stone where Matthew gets a picture.


Bakerbus 182 in Granville Square Stone (Matt)

Shortly after we arrive in Stone, D&G 110 appears on the Stone town services. The next one was a #2 at 13:05. We book our tickets and we do a complete circle of this service. As we get off Matthew photographs the inside of this bus.


Inside D&G 110 (Matt)

He also gets a good picture of the outside too...


D&G 110 about to work a #1 Stone town service (Matt)

The next planned move was to do the #490 round town and out along Newcastle Road. Whilst we were waiting we started eating our supplies (a 6 pack of mini sausage rolls from wrights Pies). Also D&G 107 appears on the #250 to Longton.


D&G 107 on a 250 to Longton (Matt)

A couple of minutes later D&G 110 come back again to work another #2 town service.


D&G 110 about to work a #2 Stone town service

After that town service leaves again we wait patiently until the 490 appears. It's D&G 91 which is a required bus. As we went around town and headed North, I couldn't remember passing the southbound 350. I thought if we could catch this to the other side of Stone, we could do 183 on the Northbound service back out along Newcastle Road. We got off the 490 on Newcastle Road and Matthew took a picture as D&G 91 headed North(??) towards Stafford...


D&G 91 heading North on the 490 to Stafford (Matt)

We crossed the road hoping that we might catch the 350, but it must have passed us whilst we were going around the town centre. After a few minute we crossed back over the road. I decided we could still do 183 a couple of stops up the road, and we would either get a 101 or the X1 back into Stone. Sure enough, as predicted 183 appears on the Northbound 350.


Bakerbus 183 on a #350 to Hanley in Newcastle Road (Matt)

We do the bus a couple of stops up the road and Matthew is undoing his seatbelt almost as soon as it was done up!


183 continues North towards Hanley (Matt)

In order to make sure we are back in Stone for either X1'a (Bakerbus to Hanley or the D&G to Stone) we decided to do the next bus whatever it is. it started rain quite heavily, but we didn't have to wait long. We were relieved to see the next bus, which happened to be first Potteries 65039.


65039 on a #101 towards Stafford (Matt)

We did this back down to Granville Square, where almost immediately we saw Bakerbus 200 on the X1 Stone. We Rushed off to get this bus and missed seeing what was on the X1 Stafford. After a rapid journey up the A34, through Barlaston, past Trentham gardens and up The A500 we arrived at Stoke railway station.


Bakerbus 200 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

At this point, we had planned on sitting for a while and having something to eat then doing something D&G or Bakerbus on the tickets we already had. We had to put plans for eating to one side as step entranced D&G 6 appeared on a Newcastle bound #41. We raced a cross the road and jumped on the bus. No time for a photograph, we did this bus to Church Street, Stoke. he did get a picture of the door release as he left the bus, but once again the bus left the stop quite quickly. In Stoke we saw a few buses including D&G 139 on a Hanley bound #41.


D&G 139 on a #41 to Hanley (Matt)

The plan had been to catch 183 on the 350 back to Blurton. Just as 350 was approaching, Matthew spotted D&G 12 on a #41 to Newcastle. We let the #350 go, forgetting the #41 doesn’t stop in Glebe Street and it went sailing past too. We went around to Church Street but it had left before we could get to the stop :-(. Almost immediately, D&G 115 appeared from the other direction on a #41 so we decided to do this back to the railway station.


D&G 115 on a #41 to Hanley (Matt)

When we arrived at the station I was starting to wonder how we could get home. I remember I had the Wardle Transport timetable book in my bag so I looked up the route and timings of the 58. Last time i had seen this service it was ex Arriva Burton 2038 in the new Wardle / Arriva livery. It turned out there was a 58 from outside signal radio in a few minutes, so we walked along to stoke Road. I arranged with mum to pick us up at the hospital. After a couple of minutes Wardle Transport 'BU54 ALL' 2931 appeared.


Wardle Transport 2931 on a #58 to Newcastle (Matt)

We did this to the hospital where we had about a 10 minutes wait for mum. Luckily there was a shelter because it started raining again. Whilst we were waiting we didn't see a single bus. e did see 2 buses just as we got picked up. We had a quick stop in Hanford to pick up food and we went home. As we returned home by car it absolutely poured down with rain so it seems that we timed the end of our day quite well... Mark