Trip to Fenton / Trent vale 12-09-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41497	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to go to Trent Vale on the bus. Not before Matthew had been out for the day with his new day service. Matthew got up around 07:45 and had some toast and orange juice and used his computer whilst he waited to be picked up. Whilst we waited to be picked up we saw Copelands Tours MIB 104 go past going to OSSMA.

Copelands Tours MIB 104 in Blurton

He was picked up a little before 09:00 and the drove him through Blurton via OSSMA and Beaconsfield Drive. The carried on through Blurton and over the A50 at Heron Cross. We went straight through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. We carried on into Glebedale Road and to the destination. Matthew spent the morning in the sensory room and using computers. At dinner time they went to the chip shop and had sausage chips gravy. After dinner we set off to go to the pub in joiners Square. We went down City Road and onto the A52 and towards the railway station. We followed the A52 towards the university and then turned left into the side roads and headed towards Hanley Park. We went around Hanley park and then went right onto Regent Road. We carried on going right until we got onto Lichfield street and then we got to the pub. matthew went to the toilet and after spending the afternoon drinking Coke at the pub they set of back to the base. We headed across Lichfield Street and then left onto Regent Road. We turn left onto College Road and down past the railway station. WE then joined the A52 and we did this onto City Road. We went up City Road and then right onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. Matthew went to the toilet and washed and dried his hand before we set off back home. We went onto Glebedale Road and through heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and we saw Plants minibus P15 NTS going towards Longton. went through Blurton and up to the A5035. We then turned off the A5035 and went to Newbury Grove getting back around 15:00. I had viewed all the buses for today and there were 3 out that were required. These weren't well timed though. Required First Potteries 41512 was on the 15:07 so that was too early, the next required bus was First Potteries 43875 on the 16:37. In the end we decided that we were going to do dud First Potteries 41497 on the 16:07 service. We set off a little before 16:00 and we walked all the way to the bus stop. A minute or two late the bus turned the corner and it was as expected First Potteries 41497.

First Potteries 41497 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked to Harpfields road. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We carried on into Trentham and we passed First Potteries 41500 on the #22. On New Inn Lane we followed and overtook First Potteries 40175 which was on the #21A to Hanley. We went through Hanford and onto the A34. We saw another hanley boud bus catch us up, this time it was First Potteries 41521 on a #21B service. Just before we got to London Road we saw Glovers minibus AIG 7450 going towards the A500. The bus turned onto Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of the bus before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 41497 in Trent Vale

We walked back to the A34 and we sat on the wall near to the pub to wait for mum. whilst we were there we saw a few vehicles. First we saw First Potteries 43877 on a Dresden bound #22 service.

First Potteries 43877 in Trent Vale

Whilst we were looking towards Newcastle, Grayway Coaches YJ09 CZZ snuck up on us and we missed taking a picture. This was followed by First Potteries 65036.

First Potteries 65036 in Trent Vale

We the saw another red & yellow Scania coming towards us from Newcastle. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 65026.

First Potteries 65026 in Trent Vale

Mum turned up and we went to the pub. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were Stantons of Stoke ONZ 1128 required First Potteries 41514 on the #22. After we had finished eating we called Uncle Dave and we went to pick him up. We drove along the A34 and onto the Northbound A500. We went East at the A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we dropped into Fenton. After we had picked up uncle Dave,we set off back through Heron Cross and through Blurton. We diverted onto Cemlyn Avenue and onto Meaford Drive to drop something off at a friends house. We went onto Brookside Drive and back onto Blurton Road and through Blurton, getting home at around 18:30. Matthew then chilled out watching bus videos on his computer. He then chilled out until bedtime around 00:00...Mark

Trip to the POPS rally 09-05-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
JBF 169N	Wedgwood	Stone, Crown Street	10	Ex Turner's
A506 FSS	Stone, Crown Street	Wedgwood	10	Ex Glovers
C221 WAJ	Wedgwood	Stone, Crown Street	10	Stanways
H801 GRE	Stone, Crown Street	Wedgwood	10	Ex First PMT

It's the main local bus rally of the year, so it stands to reason Matthew wants to be here. After a quick car journey to the site, we proceed to look at the program to see which buses he wants to catch, and work out how we can fit them in. A quick look at the program reveals the Glovers Dennis Lancet was leaving for Stone at 13:00. We do the stalls, and then sit and have dinner on a grass bank were Matthew could photograph the buses as they did the shuttle services.


Beresford's bus at Wedgwood (Matthew)

We went down to the bus stops at around 12:40, but Matthew was getting restless with regard to going on the next bus (PMT 801 due off at 14:00). As a filler, we did Turner's 10 to Stone, and waited for the Glovers bus on it's return.


Turners bus 10 (JBF 169N) leaves Stone for Wedgwood. (Matthew)


After a short lay-over at stone, the Glovers Lancet appeared and we did this back to Wedgwood.


Glover Dennis Lancet A506 FSS at Stone (Matthew)

When we returned to Wedgwood, it was looking like PMT 801 would not start! Due off at the same time was a bus provided by Reliance Bus Works. This was a Dennis Dominator (C221 WAJ). We boarded this bus as we need to distract Matthew so he didn't get too upset. As we sat on the top deck awaiting time to leave, it appeared they had started 801. Since we were now settled on the double decker, the plan was to get off at stone and swap onto 801 for the return. We got off at stone and let the double decker go.


C221 WAJ at Stone (Matthew).

The next bus that turned up was a half cab single decker which we contemplated catching due to 801's non appearance. Just as we were about to give up, 801 appeared much to everybodies relief! Also on board was Matthews favourite DVD producer Dave Spencer of PMP videos fame.


First PMT 801 (H801GRE) at Stone (Matthew)

So Matthew had a short ride on 801 back to Wedgwood. After this there was just time for him to buy £22.50's worth of photographs before returning to the car...

Also of note which I guess he will want to catch next time is this Ex Northern Ireland Leyland Tiger


NXI 4619 at Wedgwood (Matthew).


Mark