Trip to Bucknall 15-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Bentilee	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Wardle Transport
1450	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport

Today was Matthew last day in Respite have spent 8 nights there! Matthew got up around 07:50 and went for breakfast of toast and orange juice. His transport arrived and we took a picture of it from his bedroom window. It was dud Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle Transport 1450 in Bentilee

Also in the yard was welfare bus DG02 WCO arrived in the yard. Matthew hopped on and took a picture of this inside of this bus too which was empty.

Inside Stoke-on-Trent city council DG02 WCO

We got on Wardle Transport 1450 and sat down. The bus set off onto Dividy Road and we then passed Stoke-on-trent city council OU11 YCW. At the A52 the bus turned right towards Bucknall. We saw First Potteries 53405 on the #5 to Abbey Hulton. The bus then turned left onto Newhouse Road we got off and went into college. In the yard were 2 other buses CN59 AEW and GN53 EZT which which he also got pictures of.

Blackfriars CN59 AEW and GN53 EZT in Bucknall

He also got another picture of Wardle Transport 1450 on his arrival.

Wardle Transport 1450 in Bucknall

After We saw Z carz S952 VMY retuning to the depot. morning lesson he had Sandwiches for dinner followed by Twix cake bar and an angel slice. After college the bus came to pick him up for his return home today. It was Wardle Transport 1450. The bus went along Newhouse road and onto the A52. They went through Bentilee via, Pennell Street, Wooliscroft Road and Twigg Street and onto Dividy Road. The bus headed aroun Longton Via Anchor Road and Commercial Street. The bus went into Lghtwood and stopped off Star and Garter Road before returning back to Dresden via Meir Road and Belgave Road. The bus then went into Newstead estate and we saw Z carz S952 VMY retuning to the depot After dropping off another client in Newstead we carried on towwards Trentham to drop another off near Jonathan Road. We then retuned to Blurton along the A5035. He got home around 16:00. He was really happy to be home and we did him some toast whilst he look at some pictures on my camera / computer. Uncle Dave had also come around to see him and we took him home just after 18:00. We went through Blurton and onto Blurton Road. We saw First Potteries 40140 on the #22 and 40024 was on the #23. In Heron Cross we saw Z carz T2 DLT and then we dropped Uncle Dave off in Fenton. We carried on own to the A500 which we did North to the A53. East bound we went to Smallthorne via Sandbach Road. After doing some stuff in Smallthorne we went to Fenton MacDonalds via Birches Head, around Hanley where we saw Wardle transport 4808. We went up Victoria Road to the drive in where Matthew had a chicken nugget meal and a plain cheeseburger. He took this home and then ate it. He then chilled out watching telly and using his computer before bedtime around 23:00...Mark

Trip to Stoke / Hartshill 09-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Wardle Transport
GN53 EZT	Abbey Hulton	Newcastle	Charter	Blackfriars
GN53 EZT	Newcastle	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Blackfriars
1450	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport
40138	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Newstead	23	First Potteries
40138	Newstead	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66841	Stoke railway station	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj St Dominic's School	25	First Potteries
60176	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj Richmond Street	Church Street, Stoke	26	First Potteries
66851	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2279	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way	500	Wardle Transport

Todays was another PA traing day. Matthew started the day around 07:45 with his usual transport in the form of Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle 1450 in to Abbey Hulton

He arrived at college around 08:50. later, he went out on GN53 EZT, one of the minibuses from college on a trip up to Newcastle and back around 12:00. He returned home on Wardle Transport 1450 and arrived home around 16:00. As arranged the PA turned up at 20:00. The weather was forecast for rain turning to snow some time in the evening. The plan was to emulate the move we did on Monday which worked our really well. After the long walk up to the bus stop ,dud First Potteries 40138 was on the #23 tyrn which we did out towards Newstead. The bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture of the inside of this ex Chester beast.

Inside First Potteries 40138

I got up and booked tickets back towards Stoke railway station. The bus made good time, and we passed 40154 heading towards Blurton on the #23A just outside Stoke. In Stoke, unusually we passed a Hanley bound #25. We got off the bus outside the railway station and Matthew got a picture of 40138.

40138 outside Stoke railway station

Right behind us at this point was that Hanley bound #25 which was 66841. i had thought it was an early bus at this point. Matthew want to use the toilet so we went into Stoke station to use the facilities. We arrived back at the Stoke bound stop at 20:49, which was after the Keele bound #25 should have been. The thinking that 66841 was running early was dismissed when another #25 turned up with ALX200 Dennis Dart 40152.

40152 on a Hanley bound #25

At this point we realised that the move might still be on as 66841 was the late running #25 and we hadn't missed it. Shortly after 40152 headed up to Hanley, 66841 returned on the Keele bus.

66841 outside Stoke railway station

It had gone 21:00 now, and the #26 should have already set off from Newcastle. I thought that if we went through Stoke and we hadn't passed the #26, we could get off in Harsthill and hopefully still catch it. We did make it through Hartshill without passing the bus so we got off and Matthew took a picture of the Volvo.

66841 in Harthsill

We crossed the road and waited for the #26. It was about 21:10 now and it was obvious the bus we were waiting for was a couple of minutes late. It eventually turned up and it was required Scania 60176. As we got off Mathew took a picture of this bus.

60176 in Stoke town centre

We crossed the road and waited at the stop for the #23. As we checked the time it looked certain that we had missed this bus. This would mean that we would get to ride on ALX200 Dennis Darts 40152 and 154. Both buses aren't required but Matthew quit likes these vehicles. We crossed the road to the Hanley bound stop for the #25. 40152 pulled up opposite on the Keele bus, and a minute or so later, dud 66851 appeared on the Hanley bound #25. We did this to stoke station where we got off and Matthew got a picture.

66851 outside Stoke railway station

We now had a wait of around ten minuted in which we would see 40154 on the #23 also appear before the #500 service. Sure enough it did turn up and Matthew got a picture.

40154 outside Stoke railway station

We did give Matthew the chance to do this but he turned it down in favour of seeing what turned up on the #500. This turn out to be the right thing to do as the bus that appeared on the #500 was required Wardle Transport Dennis Dart 2279, Which was formerly D&G 11. This is the first time we have had one of these ex D&G buses on the #500. When we left the railway station it was damp and cold, but by the time we got on to Stanley Matthew way the temperature had plummeted and there was a heavy frost starting to form. We got off at the end of Stanley matthews Way and Matthew got a picture of 2279.

Wardle Transport 2279 on Stanley Matthews Way

We then had a short walk home. It took longer that usual as Matthew had developed a fascination with breaking up frozen snow as walked home. we arrived back in the house around 22:10...Mark

Trip to Fenton 16-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
W187 RRE	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z Carz
GN53 ETZ	Abbey Hulton	Newcastle	Charter	Blackfriars
GN53 ETZ	Newcastle	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Blackfriars
S973 OVR	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40165	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Mount Pleasant, Temple (adj)	23A	First Potteries

Matthew did his current usual bus out in the morning W187 RRE. Whilst at college he did GN53 ETZ to Newcastle and back. He also saw Copeland's Tours MIB 746 & Procters TLZ 9417 Unusually, the return trip from college was VW bus, S973 OVR!

Later, the same family event that put us in a position for the bus last night, also changed our usual Thursday night routine. As such We went to visit a family member by bus, that we usually do by car on a Wednesday. as we approached the Ladybank stop we saw a Marshall bodied Dart heading towards Newstead. Whilst we waited, we speculated on the identity of the bus and if it would be required. Eventually very much required 40165 turned up on our service.


40165 in Beaconsfield Drive on the 23A to Hanley (Matt)

On the way we passed evening regular 40003 on the 23 diagram. After the short run down through Heron Cross, we got off the bus at the appropriate stop.


40165 departs towards Stoke and Hanley on the 23A (Matt)

After a few hours with said family member, mum came by in the car to pick us up... Mark

Trip to the Britannia Stadium 09-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BS51 ZJT	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
GN53 EZT	Abbey Hulton	Newcastle	Charter	Z carz
GN53 EZT	Newcastle	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
BS51 ZJT	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40028	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Heron Street, Heron cross	23	First Potteries
2961	Britannia Stadium	Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew hadn't been out for a few days and it was a clear night, so I asked him if he fancied a ride on the 500. This is a service we have been to photograph at this time of year in the past, but there are only a bout 4 weeks of the year when it is light enough to get a good picture at the hem Heath end. Previous viewing of this service have seen an X reg step entranced bus a couple of years ago and more recently Optare Solo's. In order to get to ride on the bus, i worked out you could catch a bus to Heron Cross, walk to the Britannia Stadium and then cath the bus to the end of Stanley Matthews Way. We made the long walk to Ladybank Grove and waited for the 20:52 from Newstead. Whilst we ere waiting we saw the bus go in the opposite direction. It was Optare Solo 40028 which we have not previously travelled on.


40028 heading towards Newstead (Matt)

After around 6 or 7 minutes, the bus returned on the Hanley bound service.


40028 on a #23 to Hanley (Matt)

After the short journey to Heron Cross, Matthew photographed the bus as it left towards Hanley.


40028 departs Heron Cross for Hanley (Matt)

After we got off, we walked the long walk to the Britannia Stadium. when we arrived at the stop we had around 25 minutes to wait. Eventually, we saw the bus go up the ramp and we could see it was a Versa! We did the quick journey along Stanley Matthews Way and just before we got off Matthew photographed the empty inside.


Inside Wardle Transport 2961 (Matt)

It was just too dark to get a good picture of the bus, but he did manage to get a picture.


2961 turning on the roundabout, about to form the #500 to Norton (Matt)

After we watched the bus go, we walked home the rest of the way... Mark

Trip to Abbey Hulton 17-03-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T408 JUX	Blurton	Blackfriars FE Bucknall	Charter	Z Carz
GN53 EZT	Blackfriars FE Bucknall	Adventure Playground	Charter	Blackfriars
GN53 EZT	Adventure Playground	Blackfriars FE Bucknall	Charter	Blackfriars

Matthew went to school on his current usual transport in the form of T408 JUX


T408 JUX in Blurton (Matt)

When at college Matthew got to ride on the college transport to Newcastle.


GN53 EZT in Abbey Hulton(Matt)

After his trip V742 HGG they returned to Abbey Hulton mum pick me up from home here Back to the car for sausage rolls from co-op food Bucknall with Andy 18:02 bus to 40745 #5 Abbey Hulton...Mark

Trip to Nortwhich 07-02-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T408 JUX	Bluton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z Carz
GN53 XTJ	Abbey Hulton	Northwich Interchange	Charter	Blackfiars
N575 CEH	Northwich Interchange	Kuntsford	X37	Dobsons
N577 CEH	Kuntsford	Northwich Interchange	X25	Dobsons
GN53 EZT	Northwich Interchange	Abbey Hulton	charter	Blackfriars
S973 OVP	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz

Matthew will now be writing this blog. He has decided it's time to post is own posts on. At 07:45 T408 JUX went to college. Matthew was only able to get this picture.


T408 JUX is somewhere in this shot (Matt)

At 09:30 I went to Northwich on GN53 EZT took me to Northwich. N575 CEH took me Knutsford on the X37 service. N577 CEH took me back to Northwich on the X25 service. 7647 was seen at Northwich. mum brought me sausage rolls. I went back to the bus GN53 EZT and then to college and returned home on S973 OVP around 15:00 getting home around 16:00 where there was toast waiting for me...Mark