Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 01-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67179	Fenton, Victoria Place	Hanley BS	6	First Potteries
67146	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6A	First Potteries
121	Fenton, Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1A	D&G Bus
35949	Newcastle BS	Newcastle, opp Cherry Tree	25	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going out on the bus. He was alo going to Grandma's and going back to Blurton. Matthew woke up at 08:00 to have his medication. Matthew got up and had toast and juice for breakfast. Later on Matthew went out to Hanley on the bus. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We waited for a bus towards Hanley. We continued along Christchurch Street. We onto City Road. At the top we crossed over Victoria Road to wait for the bus at the bus stop. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 67179 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67179 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked the Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Victoria Road and towards Joiners Square. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Lichfield Street. We turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off onto Lichfield Street and we went forwards onto Tontine Street. We continued to the Into Potteries shopping Centre and we went upstairs and visited Superdrug. Afterwards we came out of the shopping centre and we headed back along Tontine Street and onto Lichfield Street. We crossed over the ring road and we visited Venus Fish Bar. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. Afterwards we crossed over the ring road and we headed back to the bus station. We waited for a bus back to Fenton. A short time later we saw a bus come on stand. We saw it was First Potteries 67146 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 67146 in Hanley bus station

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 onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off on foot down Victoria Road and we went sharp right onto City Road. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out. Later on we went out in the car. We went downstairs and we got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Station Bridge Road and we continued onto Heron Street. We went through the traffic lights onto Blurton road and we turned left onto the roundabout and went Eastwards along the A50 to Longton where we came off onto baths Road. In Longton Interchange. We turned right onto Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We turned right onto Sutherland Street and past the fromer police station. We turned right onto Weston Coyney Road and past the site of the new Lidl. We turned left onto the A520 and we had passed them and got onto the fast section we stormed up to Cellarhead. We went across the crossroad and forwards into Wetley Rocks and then into Cheddleton. We turned right onto Basford Bridge Road and we ran down into the valley and parked up outside the railway station. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards. We got back into the car and we set off home. We turned right onto Basford Bridge Road climbed the hill onto the A520 and we went through Wetley Rocks to Cellarhead and across the crossroads and into weston Coyney. We ran to Meir and at the roundabout we turned right and joined the Westbound A50. We ran fast to the edge of Longton and we came off the A50 onto the end of Lightwood Road. We crossed over the A50 and we ran into Longton down The Strand. At the end we turned left onto King Street under the railway line. We continued through Foley along King Street and into Fenton. We went forwards onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out. I came to pick Matthew up around 15:00. He got his bag ready and the medication and Matthew came downstairs. We cut through onto City Road and we walked down to the stop outside of the flats. We waited for a bus towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 121 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G Bus 121 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 grey minibus VN23 MXT and ERS Medical YJ21 GWU. 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 off the bus we went down to the bottom end of the bus station. We saw City Centre Central NK18 BOH go past on Barracks Road. Behind us we saw First Potteries 67174 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 67174 in Newcastle bus station

We waited for a bus towards Grandma's house. A short time later we saw double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35949 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35949 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to the hospital before going 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 35949 as it continued towards Hanley.

First Potteries 35949 in Newcastle

Once off the bus we headed along the A34 and we went up the hill towards Grandma's. At Grandma's Matthew had toast and a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. When it was time to go we went to the pub in the car via uncle Daves house. We set off just after 17:30 and we set off onto Victoria Street. We joined the Southbound A34 and we turned left onto The Avenue. At the end we turned right onto Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. We turned right onto Elenora Street and we followed the road around onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500. We turned right onto the A500. We veered left into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. We set off back down towards Stoke and onto the A500. We turned left onto Church Street and and we went around the one-way system and we turned left onto London Road. We headed into the West End, and we ran past the former Oak Tree pub which has now been demolished. We ran to the end of London Road and we sat at the light waiting to turn right onto the A34. We continued up to the pub and we parked up. We walked into the pub and Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included First Potteries 35942 heading towards Hanley on a #101 and 67178 heading towards Stafford. Once we had finished eating we set off We carried on along the A34 through Hanford and we continued into Trentham and we crossed over the railway line and into Blurton. We got back around 19:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we sorted a few things out. We wrote the Blog and watch TV. Later on we dropped uncle Dave off back at home. We got in the car and we set off through Burton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Street and left onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We ran through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and had a can of Cherry Coke. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Cheddleton / Newcastle 28-10-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63117	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out on the bus later on. 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 Anywhere Travel SJ11 OVM. we went downstairs and out of the residential unit. We got in the car and we drove onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and right onto Station Bridge Road. We followed the road around onto Heron Street. At Heron Cross we went Eastwards along the A50 to Longton where we came off onto baths Road. In Longton Interchange. We turned right onto Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We turned right onto Sutherland Street. We turned right onto Weston Coyney Road and. At the end of Weston Coyney Road we turned left onto the A520. There were some temporary traffic lights and once we had passed them and got onto the fast section we stormed up to Cellarhead. We went across the crossroad and forwards into Wetley Rocks and then into Cheddleton. We turned right onto Basford Bridge Road and we ran down into the valley and parked up outside the railway station. After Matthew had been to the toilet he helped me hang some Christmas decorations and then we cleaned seats and tables of strands of tinsel that had fallen off during decoration. At dinner time we ran back up the the A520 and Matthew had a burger and a can of Coke at the Truckers Tucker food van. We ate the burger and we drove back down to the station. After Matthew had used the toilet. After doing some cleaning in hr toilets and the old mess room we got back into the car and we set off home. We turned right onto Basford Bridge Road climbed the hill onto the A520. We went through Wetley Rocks to Cellarhead where we saw D&G Bus 109 on the #16 to Buxton. and across the crossroads and into weston Coyney where we saw First Potteries 47520 on a #6 to Park Hall. We ran to Meir and at the roundabout we turned right and joined the Westbound A50. We ran down a couple of junction to Longton and we came off onto the high level A50. We turned left onto Heathcote Street and we hit heavy traffic outside the school. We continued onto Longton Hall Road and at the end we turned left onto right onto Blurton Road. We went through the traffic lights onto Heron Street. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road we saw First Potteries 67156 On the #23 to Newstead. and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Masterson Street and we turned right onto Watkin Street. We continued onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs to his room Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. He chilled out in his room using his computer and watching buses out of the window. We saw blue minibus DE10 MLK.

DE10 MLK in Fenton

For tea Matthew had pasta and sauce followed by a Bakewell tart. After tea Matthew went back into his room before we went out. We saw First Potteries 63117 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63117 in Fenton

Later on we went out on the bus to Newcastle. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop outside the flats. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63117 on a #11 to Newcastle. 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 where we saw Z Carz YN11 AHJ. 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. We set off onto Hassell Street. Poolside and we arrived at Our Space. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards Matthew used the play equipment. He also had a can of Coke. When we had finished we returned to Fenton by taxi. We walked out onto Stanier Street and we saw it was a Lucky Seven taxi. We got in the taxi and we set off along Stanier Street. We turned right onto John O' Gaunt's road and left onto Silverdale Road. We turned left onto the A525 and we ran past the dancing Octopus. We turned right onto the Southbound A34 and we ran Southwards past The Cherry Tree where we saw blue minibus KR60 FVE. We turned left at the Avenue and we ran up to Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. we veered left onto Liverpool Road. We veered left onto Elenora Street and we turned right onto Copeland Street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and right onto Lytton Street. We ran alongside the railway line and at the end we turned left onto City Road and we went under the railway line. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to chill out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew also drank a bottle of Irn Bru. Matthew returned to his room to chill out. He watched television and used his computer. later on he had a bath. For supper Matthew had some toast. Matthew went to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Hanley / Trent Vale 02-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67602	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but before he was going to the dentist. Matthew should have been going to his day service, but he was currently off sick. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had a giant crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. Mum went out just before 09:00 and we set off for the dentist around 09:20. We set off through Blurton on Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road. We turned left again onto Blurton Road and we ran down through Blurton to Heron Cross where we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT parked up. We crossed over the A50 and we dropped down into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. After we had picked uncle Dave up we continued down to the A500. At the junction of City Road we saw Copeland's Tours new coach MIB 783 about turn right onto City Road.

Copelands Tours MIB 783 in Stoke

We continued along the A500 to the Stoke Road junction and we turned right onto Stoke Road. We went under the railway line and up the hill through Shelton and forwards onto Snow Hill. At the ring road we went right and we ran around town to Town Road where we crossed over the ring road and came back the other way. We came off the ring road onto Upper Huntbatch Street and we turned left into Garth Street where we parked the car. We walked over to the dentists and Matthew was perfectly well behaved whilst he had a check up and we discussed future treatment. Once we had finoshed we headed back to the car and we drove back onto the ring road. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. After crossing over the roundabout we ran up Victoria Road and we turned right onto the A50 link road. We joined the Westbound A50 and we came off again on Blurton Road at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got back home around 10:40. The plan was now for uncle Dave to look after Matthew whilst I went to the railway to do some work. Matthew had other ideas and insisted on coming with me! We set off just after 11:00 onto Beaconsfield Drive and we ran through Blurton along Church Road and Blurton Road. At Heron Cross we went Eastwards along the A50 to Longton where we came off onto baths Road. In Longton Interchange we saw First Potteries 53830 on a #12 service. We also saw First Potteries double decker 32057 coming into the interchange on a #11 service. We turned right onto Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We turned right onto Sutherland Street and we saw blue minibus GN03 MTZ in it's usual spot near to the police station. We turned right onto Weston Coyney Road and we followed an unidentified white F&L Travel minibus. At the end of Weston Coyney Road we turned left onto the A520. There were some temporary traffic lights and once we had passed them and got onto the fast section we stormed up to Cellarhead. We went across the crossroad and forwards into Wetley Rocks and then into Cheddleton. We turned right onto Basford Bridge Road and we ran down into the valley and parked up outside the railway station. After Matthew had been to the toilet he helped me hang some Christmas decorations and then we cleaned seats and tables of strands of tinsel that had fallen off during decoration. At dinner time we ran back up the the A520 and Matthew had a burger and a can of Coke at the Truckers Tucker food van. We ate the burger and we drove back down to the station. After Matthew had used the toilet we went through the rest of the train and cleaned the seats of tinsel as well as wiping down all of the table on the train ready for service tomorrow. After doing some cleaning in hr toilets and the old mess room we got back into the car and we set off home. We turned right onto Basford Bridge Road climbed the hill onto the A520 where we saw City cabs EF05 OLX heading towards Cheddleton village. We went through Wetley Rocks to Cellarhead and across the crossroads and into weston Coyney. After the temporary traffic lights we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 986 & MIB 268 going the other way. We ran to Meir and at the roundabout we turned right and joined the Westbound A50. We ran down a couple of junction to Longton and we came off onto the high level A50. We went past Z Carz and we saw CE02 LYX / S973 OVP / Y568 XFV parked up on the spare ground. We turned left onto Heathcote Street and we hit heavy traffic outside the school. We then saw D&G 109 on the #40 to Hanley. We continued onto Longton Hall Road and at the end we turned left onto Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got back home around 15:30 and we saw first Potteries 67643 on a #22 to Longton. Once in the house Matthew had toast and a glass of shandy. 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 hadn't seen the bus earlier so we didn't know what to expect apart from it wouldn't be First Potteries 67643 as that was on the bus before. The bus turned the corner and it was was First Potteries 67602.

First Potteries 67602 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line into Trentham and we passed First Potteries 67633 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right into New Inn Lane and we climbed the hill into Hanford. We turned right into Wilson Road and we passed First Potteries 67151 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We turned left Church Lane passing first Potteries 67156 closely followed by First Potteries 67155, both on #21's to the Trentham Hotel. We ran down the hill and joined the A34 and we saw white minibus R2 OGO. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale passing South Stafford College HJ58 KZA South. We turned right into Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67602 as it continued towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67602 in Trent Vale

Once we had seen the bus go up the road we crossed over and walked down to the A34. We walked back to the pub and we sat on the wall to wait for mum. Whilst we were there we saw Newcastle School HJ60 KXH, First Potteries 65038 on a #101 to Hanley and E-zec patient transport YJ16 GGY. A few minutes pater we saw First Potteries 65039 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65039 in Trent Vale

We waited a little longer and we saw City Centre Central minibus RV55 XAA. A short while later we saw First Potteries 67643 again on the last #22 turn to Longton.

First Potteries 67643 in Trent Vale

A few minutes later mum turned up and we went inside the pub. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included Stanton's of Stoke 3093 RU going North as well as required First Potteries 65035 on a #101 service to Stafford. When it was time to go we got in the car to go home and we went South down the A34. As uncle Dave was already with us we didn't have to go and pick him up. We carried on along the A34 through Hanford and into Trentham. Ouside the old Trentham garden we saw Plants minubus P16 NTM parked up in the layby. We turned left onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line and into Blurton. We got back around 19:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we sorted a few things out. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip on the Beatrice 26-08-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	Cemetery Road, Shelton	Cheddleton	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Cheddleton	Cemetery Road, Shelton	Charter	Aiming High

Today Matthew was due to go on the Beatrice but he didn't really want to go out! We persuaded him to get up and told him that if he wasn't going to go out he had to tell the Crossroads workers himself. When They turned up a little a little after 09:00 he decided that he was going to go after all! Off he went to meet up with the rest of the group at Shelton. Matthew went past the Hem Heath pub and along Stanley Matthews Way. They then got onto the A50 and then onto the A500. They cme o the A500 at Shelton New Road and to Cemetery Road. The bus was waiting and it was the usuual Crossroads based Aiming High bus FJ10 BJX.

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Shelton

After calling into John Street on Hanley they set off towards Cheddleton. They headed off to Meir, and then went along the A520 though to Cheddleton. Scraggs Blue bus 42 was on the #16 service. They then spent a few hours in the Beatrice.

The Beatrice at her moorings in Cheddleton

After boarding the barge Matthew informs me that they headed South East out of Cheddleton towards the railway. They passed a few moored barges. One such barge was this black one named Kurt.

A barge named Kurt

After passing through a lock they passed another barge coming the other way.

A barge on the move

Another barge they saw was this blue one called Walveran.

Walveran

They must have turned around and headed back to the mooring. This gave Matthew a chance to photograph a few moor barges such as this red and green on.

A different red and green barge

After the barge got back to the mooring they got back on Aiming High Fj10 BJX before going back down the A520 to Cellarhead and then across through Bucknall . They went passed Scraggs depot and saw Blue Buses 64 and 1655 VT. He then went on the A5008 to Hanley and then Shelton. He got off the bus and into the the car of one of the staff. They went along Shelton New Road to the A500. They got onto the A50 up to Longton. On the way home He passed Z Carz depot which had T131 SGA parked up there along with BV51 BNO and T408 JUX. They then went past Longton bus station traveling down he old A50 through Fenton. He went on the A50 link road to Heron Cross going past Duke Street. He the went though Heron Cross before traveling home passing Wardle Transport 2532 on the #22 service. He got home a little after 15:15 and then he settled down for the evening. He had chicken popcorn or tea and had a bath before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Newcastle/Stoke 08-05-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Wardle Transport
NIL 3944	Abbey Hulton	Cheddleton	Charter	Procters
NIL 3944	Cheddleton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Procters
1450	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport
40003	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Newstead	23	First Potteries
40003	Newstead	Church Street, Stoke	23	First Potteries
66841	Church Street, Stoke	Newcastle Town Centre, adj Alma Inn PH	25	First Potteries
61553	Newcastle Under Lyme, adj Seagrave Street	Church Street, Stoke	26	First Potteries
40024	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66849	Stoke railway station	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
2962	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way	500	Wardle Transport

Todays was Matthews first day back at college after the bank holiday weekend. He was also having a trip out on the Beatrice today aswell. Matthew was up shortly after 07:00 and on his college bus at 08:00. It was the usual bus Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle Transport 1450 in Blurton

Whilst at college, Matthew did Procters NIL 3944 to Chedleton. He had Procters NIL 3944 back to college too. He came home once again on Wardle Transport 1450. Mathew then had his tea which was sausage carrots and potatoes. As it was a nice evening, I asked Matthew if he fancied a jaunt down to Stoke on the bus to which he said yes! We set off a little after 20:00 and we waited for the Hanley bound bus. We saw the bus heading in the other direction so we decided to cross over and do it to Newstead first. As it approached we could see it was first PMT 40003 as it often is on this turn. We got on the bus and took our seat near the back. we noticed that this bus had been refurbished, and the seats were now in first colours. The old grey and salmon zig-zag pattern seats had been replaced. When we got to Newstead I got up and booked back to Stoke station. When we got back to Blurton, an old school friend of Matthew's got on the bus and we chatted to as we headed towards Stoke. As we were late we decided to get off in Stoke town centre so we could see both of the buses we night catch. As we got off Matthew got a good picture of 40003.

First PMT 40003 in Stoke

Matthew immediately decided he need to go to the toilet so we went to the one's by the market. We got back onto church street just in time to see the #26 to Newcastle, which was required 61553. we decided to turn this down for now, and to wait to see what the following #25 was, as we would be coming back on 61553 anyway. We waited a further few minutes and dud 66841 appeared on the Keele bus. As we traveled up to Newcastle we passed 66849 on the Hanley bound #25, a little further up the road than usual. We did it to the edge of Newcastle where Matthew got a picture of this bus.

First PMT 66841 in Newcastle

We got off the bus and crossed over to wait for 61553. sure enough after a few minutes a appeared from around the corner. As we rode on this bus to stoke, we could see how different this bus was internally to some off the Scania's that were original to PMT. We approached stoke and there were 2 possibilities. if we got to Stoke and the #23 hadn't gone past then we would do this to stoke station. Otherwise it would be the #25. as we approached stoke there was a couple of minutes before the #23 was due off. We got to Stoke and it was waiting at the stop. Cool as a cucumber, Matthew insisted on getting a picture of 61553 before walking over to the Solo across the road.

First PMT 61553 in Stoke

After he had taken the picture we ran over to the #23. another lady had already run across in front of us, obviously she didn't have to stop to take a picture of the other bus! We got across the road and jumped straight on it. We sat down and we didn't even know which one we were on. as we got off we made a conscious decision to what we had been on and it was required 40024. Matthew got a picture just as it pulled away.

First PMT 40024 in Stoke

It had now just about gone dark. We crossed the road for the impending #25. As expected it was dud 66849. It was a little late turning up and quite full. The move is usually to stoke town for the Hanley bound #25. As we pulled into Church street we passed 66852. We now had 2 choices... Wait for the #500 in Stoke Town centre, or walk back to the railways station. As we approached the stop in stoke town centre the bell's in Stoke minster were sounding out and Matthew decided he want to catch the bus from by the station. We had 12 minutes to get there. as we passed the end of Kingsway matthew spotted a coach in front of the Kings Hall. We had to go and have a look. It was Leon's Coaches AT61 LCT which was in town with the Stoke city end of season awards ceremony. We also saw a coach behind the north Staffs hotel which we had to go have a look at. It was Simpson's coaches SM12 SON. we got to the stop by the railway station with about a minute to spare! It rounded the corner and we could see it was a Versa so we knew it was probably not going to be a required bus. As it approached we saw it was Wardle Transport 2962. We did the bus to the end as usual, and just before we got off Matthew got a picture of the very brightly lit interior of this bus.

Inside Wardle Transport 2962

We got off and waited for the bus to come back onto the bus stop so we could take a few more pictures of this beast.

2962 on Stanley Matthews Way

We then walked the long walk home, before getting ready to go to bed...Mark

Trip on the Beatrice 31-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	John St, Hanley	Cheddleton	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Cheddleton	John St, Hanley	Charter	Aiming High

Today Matthew went on a trip on the Beatrice canal barge. The barge for disabled children, was organised by Aiming High and as usual they organise transport from Hanley on one of their own vehicles. We arrived in Hanley about 09:40 which gave Matthew an opportunity to watch and photograph buses. Whilst stand outside the bus station for around 15 minutes, Matthew first spot this Alton Towers Transport bus entering the bus station.


Alton Towers Transport M425 UNW enters Hanley bus station (Matt)

There were many First buses in and out of the bus station in this short time. one of which was 40169 seen on a #23 Blurton service.


40169 on a #23 Blurton (Matt)

Another interesting service is the #61 to Tunstall operated by Wardle Transport. On weekdays this is many opperated by double decker buses. One such bus seen today on this 30 minutes frequency service is 4652.


Wardle Transport 4652 entering Hanley bus station (Matt)

As it closer to time we walked down to John Street. After a short while the vehicle turned up. on this occasion it was FJ10 BJX.


Aiming High FJ10 BJX in John Street about to work to Cheddleton (Matt)

Matthew then gave me his camera whilst he went on the bus. When he returned he seemed very happy and virtually bounced off the bus. Mum then took him home via the Wrights Pie shop in Hanford where sausage rolls and Manchester tarts were purchased.


Manchester Tarts in the Wrights Pie shop in Hanford (Matt)

With a car full of food, Matthew went home very happy..Mark