Trip to Congleton / Hanley 10-12-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67155	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
67151	Hanley BS	Fenton, opp 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 Belper he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to Belper and we saw Holmeswood BV69 KSO. After tea Matthew went for a walk to Aldi to get some shopping. We set off onto City Road and 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. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we ran across the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we joined the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned right onto Waterloo Road and we ran through Cobridge. We continued through to Burslem onto Scotia Road and forwards onto the Tunstall by-pass. We ran past the police station onto the top end of Tunstall High Street. We continued through Goldenhill and down the hill to Kidsgrove. We continued under the railway line and over the A34. We followed the A50 to the right and we ran Northwards to Arclid. We turned right onto the A534 and we ran forwards into Congleton town centre. we stopped at the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. For dinner Matthew had a mixed grill washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had a slice of chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. When it was time to go back we set off Westwards out of town and onto the A34. We turned around and went back into town and we joined the Southbound A527. We travelled back down the road around Biddulph and through Brindley Ford. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran into through Smallthorne and we ran through Sneyd Green and Birches Head. We followed the road to the left down the hill through Northwood and onto Limekiln Bank. We joined the A52 and we ran to Joiners square where we turned left onto Victoria Road. and we ran up to the top of the hill. We turned sharp right onto City Road and we ran down to Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window whilst he waited for us to take him out for tea. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 116. Before tea We went downstairs out for a walk to fetch his tea. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop outside the flats. We waited for a bus to Hanley. We stood at the bus stop and we waited for a first but to Hanley. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. It was First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 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 Steet 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 and and turned right onto College Road and. 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 before we turned right onto John Street. We ran up the hill into the bus station and onto stand. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once of the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we went across Lichfield Street and we saw they were setting up Winter Wonderland, At the near end of the site was a Helter Skelter. We continued along Tontine Street. We continued onto Tontine Square and we visited the Card Factory. After we had finished we walked across Tontine Square onto Parliament Row. We stopped at Poundland and Matthew brought a bottle of Coke. We walked along Parliament Row and we walked up McDonalds and we had dinner. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. Once We walked along Parliament Row and we walked onto Old Hall Street. We walked up Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. We waited for a bus back towards Fenton. A short time later we saw a bus turn around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67151 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67151 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. We turned right onto Avenue Road and left onto Stoke Road. We ran down the hill and we turned left onto Station Road and past 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. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. Matthew returned to his room to chill out. Later on Matthew went out for a Newfriars College. We went downstairs and we got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road onto Manor Street and we ran to the end. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A52. We ran to Limekiln light and we turned right to follow the A52. We ran into Bucknall and we turned left onto Newhouse Road. We ran to the end and we stopped at the college. Matthew went to the toilet and returned to Fenton by car. We set off onto Newhouse Road and we turned right onto the A52. We followed the the A52 to the left and we headed up to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout and we headed towards Stoke. We passed near to the railway station and we ran along side the railway line. We turned left onto City Road and we headed up into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room. 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 / Blurton 22-09-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67148	Fenton, Victoria Place	Hanley BS	6	First Potteries
65028	Hanley BS	Trentham Gardens	101	First Potteries
173	Trentham, Poachers Cottage PH	Hanley BS	100	D&G Bus
67155	Hanley BS	Blurton, Ladybank Grove	23	First Potteries
67141	Blurton, Ladybank Grove	Fenton, adj Royal Oak	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus and to visit uncle Dave. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We saw Shelton Care Group YP70 JYJ outside. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw Temple Street church minibus RX18 GZW. We carried on along 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. We got to the bus stop in time we saw Copeland's Tours NV58 YTD.

Copeland's Tours NV58 YTD in Fenton

A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 67148 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67148 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 Victoria Road and we crossed over the A52 at Joiners Square. We ran up Lichfield Street past the site of the new housing development. Instead of going to the bus stops outside the bus station, we turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 65028 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65028 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Trentham. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 65028 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 65028

We set off out of the bus station and we ran down John Street and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto the clockwise ring road and we turned left onto Broad Street. We ran down to snow hill 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. We crossed over the road and we set off into the retail village and we went to the Riverside restaurant. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a bottle of Coke. For afters Matthew had a Bakewell tart. Matthew went to the toilet and after we headed back to the bus stop. We walked ouf of the entrance and Northwards up the A34 to the bus stop outside the old entrance where we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 116.

Copeland's Tours MIB 116 in Trentham

We waited for a bus back towards Hanley. A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 173 on a #100 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down. We set off Northwards up through Hanford along the A34 and we saw 1st Class Travel GM18 KXY. When we got to the Northbound A500. The A50 appeared to be busy so we carried onto the Stoke and we turned right onto Church Street and under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we ran alongside the railway and onto Station Road. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto College Road and we saw Stoke-on-Trent College DG71 TGZ. We ran up the hill through Shelton and we followed the road to the right onto Cleveland Road and Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road continuing onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 173.

D&G Bus 173 in Hanley bus station

We returned to the bus station and we walked down to Stand S to wait for the next bus back to Blurton. A short time later we saw First Potteries 37146 on a #8 to Ball Green. Our bus arrived on stand and it was First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67155 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Blurton 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 and we continued onto Station Bridge Road. We ran forwards onto Heron Street and we went through the traffic lights onto Blurton Road. After crossing over the A50 we continued through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and right onto Beaconfield Drive. We ran to the other end and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off back to the house. Matthew had a can of Fanta orange and ate his Manchester tart. We chilled out and we continued writting the Blog until it was time to return to visit uncle Dave on the bus. We got ready to go out and we set off to the bus stop on Beaconsfeld Drve around 16:35. On the way to the bus stop. We waited for the next first bus towards Fenton. A short tme later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67141 on a #23 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road. At the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and up the hill into Heron Cross. We crossed over the A50 and we went through the traffice lights onto Heron Street. We followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road and and we turned left onto Christchurch Street where we got up and got off the bus. We walked around the corner onto Temple Street and at the end we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We went across the spare ground onto Willowdale Avenue and onto Whieldon Road and into uncle Dave's house. For tea Matthew had chicken potatoes and carrots with gravy followed by a slice of toffee cheesecake. Later on he had a drink of Fanta orange and a few digestive biscuits. Uncle Dave now has a biscuit tin. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. Uncle Dave also did his DJ set. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back home. We set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned onto Willowdale Avenue and we saw silver minibus DK53 VRE parked up. We waited for a bus in that direction. A short time later we saw blue minibus SF70 CVR.

SF70 CVR in Fenton

We crossed the spare ground and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street past the Queen Elizabeth II Court. We continued back to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went 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 to Hanley Park / Basford 25-09-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
HN16 XNU	Fenton	Hanley Park	Charter	ABC Supreme
HN16 XNU	Hanley Park	Fenton	Charter	ABC Supreme

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. 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. Across the road we saw First Potteries 42552 on a #23 to Hanley. Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street we saw ABC Supreme VU63 LGL. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX In the morning Matthew went down Fenton to go swimming. Today Matthew went in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto Christchurch Street. we turned right into Masterson Street onto Ashworth Street we turned right into Napier Street we turned left into City Road We continued down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and we turned right into the private road and we walked down to the baths. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 116.

Copeland's Tours MIB 116 in Fenton

Matthew went swimmimg and when we came out we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 118.

Copeland's Tours MIB 118 in Fenton

We got a Lucky Seven taxi back to the day cente. We went back up the private road and then left City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and then left onto Temple Street. At the end of Temple Street we turned right onto Christchurch Street We stopped at the Co-operative Food store and we picked up some oatcakes. We then walked round the corner back to the day centre, For dinner Matthew had a ham sandwich followed by a cupcake. In the afternoon we were going to the Hanley Park on ABC Supreme HN16 XNU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down to the A52 and we turned right. We continued along the A52 and we veered left onto Boughey Road. At the end we turned right onto the Avenue. We stopped and Matthew and a few of his peers went into Hanley Park to use the play equipment. When they had finished they returned onto The Avenue to get on ABC Supreme HN16 XNU to return to Fenton. We travelled West and we turned left onto College Road. We ran down to Station Road and we turned left. At the end we ran onto the A52. We turned left onto City Road and we ran up the hill. We turned right into Smithpool Road and then left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room and chill out on his computer whilst he waited for us to come and pick him up. Whilst he waited we saw First Potteries 65706 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65706 in Fenton

We also saw First Potteries 67158 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67158 in Fenton

A few minutes later we turned up and we did some stuff on the phone before we set off down to the car. We ran onto Chrsitchurch Street and up Baker Street and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill under the railway line and over the A500 into Stoke town centre. Weran around the one-way system and we ran up Hartshill Road through Hartshill. We continued along the A52 to the edge of town and we turned right into Albert Street. At the traffic light we turned right onto A53 and we stopped at the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then we found mum who had saved us a table. I ordered the food and Matthew had a glass of Coka whilst we waited. The food arrived and Matthew had a burger and fries. He also helped us eating the some of the meat and sausage on our mixed grills. Whilst we ate we saw Paul's of Stoke M41 KCU going towards Newcastle. For dessert Matthew had Chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. Matthew went to the toilet again and then we left the pub and went to the car. We turned right onto the A53 and we went around the one-way system into Newcastle. We went past the bus station and then we went South down the A34. We ran through Trent Vale to hanford and then we got onto the Northbound A500. We ran up to Sideway and then we went right onto the A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran through the lights onto Heron Street. We continued onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Masterson Street and right onto Watkin Street. We continued onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. As we went back inside we saw Harry Shaw RJI 6155 going towards Longton. We went upstairs an back into Matthew''s room and we wrote some more of the Blog. We said goodbye to Matthew around 19:30 and Matthew chilled out in his room. Later on Matthew had a slice of New York Cheesecake. 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 Stanways Coaches / Copeland's Tours (UK bus Tours) 16-02-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41070	Ladybank Grove (adj), Blurton	Stoke railway station	23A	First Potteries
F33 ENF	Stoke railway station	Stanways depot	Charter	Stanways
J70 SWC	Stanways depot	Stanways depot	Charter	Stanways
E930 EBC	Stanways depot	Linley Road	Charter	Stanways
BIG 7013	Linley Road	Stoke Railway Station	Charter	Stanways
MIB 116	Stoke railway station	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 270	Copeland's Tours depot	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 279	Copeland's Tours depot	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 104	Copeland's Tours depot	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 615	Copeland's Tours depot	Stoke railway station	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Today was the UK Bus Tours trip to Stanway's Coaches & Copeland's Tours. No real research was done for this trip. We checked the time of the bus to get us to Stoke railways station and we checked the weather for the day which was for sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he a bacon sandwich for breakfast washed down with orange juice. Just after 11:00 we set off to walk to the stop so we could catch the #23A from Ladybrook Grove. As we walked towards the stop we saw it was a Marshall bodied Dart. We thought it was required First Potteries 40173. As it got closer we saw it dud First Potteries 41070.

First Potteries 41070 in Blurton

We booked to the railway station and we sat down near the back. The last time we both had this bus together was in Chester back in April 2008! The bus set off and headed through Blurton & Heron Cross. We turned left at Heron Cross ans we went through Mount Pleasant and we headed into Stoke town centre. After going around the one way system we crossed the A500 and under the railway line before pulling up outside the railway station. Matthew then took another picture of First Potteries 41070 as it headed off towards Hanley

First Potteries 41070 by Stoke railway station

There were a few people hanging around outside the railway station who looked like likely candidates for the tour, as well as a few local familiar faces. We waited opposite the railway station on some steps so we could see up the road when the bus was approaching. The bus was due off at 12:00 and around 11:50 we saw uncle Dave walking up the road to come and meet us. We carried on waiting until just before 12:00 before we saw a Stanway's bus stopped at the lights by the sixth form college. As stated on some of the original e-mail promoting the trip, the bus was former Midland Red required Leyland Tiger F33 ENF. We crossed the road and we took a picture of the bus as it pulled up.

Stanways F33 ENF by Stoke railway station

A kind gentleman let Matthew on first, so he used the opportunity to get a picture inside this bus with its 3 + 2 seating arrangement.

Inside Stanways F33 ENF

We sat down near the back and the bus filled up with the people who had been waiting outside the railway station. We had a short wait, because a train was late and we were waiting for somebody off that train. Once the gentleman had arrived we set off around 12:10. The organiser came around and collected the fares, which in this case was £12.50 per adult. The bus went onto the A500 and then we headed North. It was a good quick journey and we overtook one or two Sunday drivers as we headed towards the A34. Once we reached Talke we headed North along the A34. At the other end of Talke we continued onto the A5011 and then onto the A50. Just North of the centre of Rode Heath we came across the depot on the right hand side of the road. The bus went into the depot and we all got off. The yard seemed to consist of 3 different areas. The was a yard that contained Stanways vehicles both running and stored. In this yard was former Manns JUI 4996.

Former Manns JUI 4996 in Rode Heath

There we a few stored buses susch as F33 ENF's sister F52 ENF which was still in Arriva colours with the fleet number 1772 still visible. The also have a couple of Mercedes minibus for services such as the FO #127 Chesterton - Crewe such as VAZ 4815.

Stanways VAZ 4815 in Rode Heath

There were two other distinct areas in the yard. The was a small yard that contained mainly cars and vans, with the exception of one coach. Plaxton Paramount bodied coach E186 XKO. There was a 3rd larger yard that contains preserved buses in various states of repair. There were buses that were runners such as N983 BHE and Berresfords liveried ORS 60R.

'Berresfords' ORS 60R in Rode Heath

Also there was preserved Bournemouth 170.

Bournemouth 170 in Rode Heath

This is a bus that we had done on 'The Potteries Connection' running day back in August last year. There was a little bit of shunting going on at the time and Bournemouth 170 was moved out and a few more of the buses behind could be seen and photographed. One such bus was this Mercedes minibus formerly with Riverside in Scotland, SF03 YXR.

Riverside SF03 YXR in Rode Heath

Back in Stanways main yard we took a picture of J70 SWC which was going to be the next bus that was taken out.

Stanways J70 SWC in Rode Heath

We got on the coach and sat down and the coach left the yard before heading South. The bus turned right somewhere and we did a clockwise circuit of the local lanes before retuning back to the depot around 10 minutes later.when we got back to the depot Matthew waited for the coach to empty and then he got a picture inside the coach, another vehicle with 3+2 seating.

Inside Stanways J70 SWC

After another few minutes in the yard, They drove Stanways E930 EBC out onto the forecourt so it could be photographed in the sun.

Stanways E930 EBC in Rode Heath

Whilst we were waiting for something to happen, Matthew sat down and had a flapjack. The organiser came around and told everyone if they wanted to ride on both E930 EBC and BIG 7013, we would have to travel down on E930 EBC. The gentleman who was shunting in the yard had kindly offered to drive E930 EBC down to a nearby layby, and then drive it back to the depot. Everyone who wanted to do the bus could then transfer onto BIG 7013 for the rest of the journey back to the railway station. We got on E930 EBC and sat down. We had last done this bus back in May 2009 when it first arrived in the Stanways fleet. We did the bus about a mile or so down the road and we pulled into a layby on the A5011. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside the bus.

Inside Stanways E930 EBC

We then took a picture of BIG 7013 before we jumped onto it.

Stanways BIG 7013 in Alsager

We sat down and the bus headed South onto the A34. The coach then got onto the Southbound A500 which we did to Stoke. We came off the A500 at City Road before going onto Leek Road and pulling up outside the railway station. We could see the Copelands coach waiting for us and we knew it was going to be a required one. It was one of the pair of Ex Tappins coaches that Copeland's had acquired from Leons of Stafford. We waited for the coach to empty and Matthew got a picture inside. Again it was another coach with 3+2 seating for schools work.

Inside Stanways BIG 7013

We got off and we saw it was required Copeland's Tours MIB 116. We quickly got a picture of it before we jumped on and sat down.

Copeland's Tours MIB 116 by Stoke railway station

The coach set off onto Stoke Road an we headed up through Shelton onto the ring road around Hanley. We then went down Victoria Road and though Fenton. We did the A50 link road onto the A50 and then we headed east on the A50 towards the Copeland's Tours depot where we stopped just outside. We waited for the coach to empty and Matthew got a picture inside MIB 116.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 116

We also got off and got another picture of this fine coach.

Copeland's Tours MIB 116 in Meir

As we had been here before there were only a few buses & coaches to photograph that we hadn't seen before. We visited the BP petrol station where matthew used the toilet before we brought some chocolate and a can of Coke. We headed into the depot where we got our first glimpse of Copelands new service bus for the #40 service. Copeland's Tours MIB 302 has been partially painted, but still has the white and orange from its time with Procters Coaches.

Copeland's Tours MIB 302 in Meir

Another former Procters coach is MIB 229. This registration was carried by another coach last time we visited the depot.

Copeland's Tours MIB 229 in Meir

At the back of the depot on the inspection ramp was this visiting coach L530 EHD.

L530 EHD in Meir

Also here was one that we hoped to travel on later. Required MIB 104.

Copeland's Tours MIB 104 in Meir

The next coach the organiser had chosen to travel on was unusually dud. It was Copeland's Tours MIB 270. We boarded the coach and we left the depot. The last time we had this coach was a trip to Blackpool back in October 2010. The coach headed Eastwards on the and went to the outskirts of Uttoxeter on a spirited run along the A50. By the JCB world parts centre we turned onto the A522 and we headed back towards Meir through Tean and along the Blythe Bridge bypass. We got back on the A50 which we did to the centre of Meir before turning back towards the depot. Once we were back inside the depot the coach emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside this beast.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 270

That long run out combined with the trip to Blackpool probably means we have done over 200 miles MIB 270 now. We then got another picture of MIB 270 before it was moved back into it's usual position in the depot.

Copeland's Tours MIB 270 in Meir

A few minutes later the driver announced that were going to do MIB 278 next. We actually did MIB 279 but it didn't matter to us as both were required coaches! We got a quick picture of the coach before we climbed aboard for the next run.

Copeland's Tours MIB 279 in Meir

The bus left the depot and we headed towards the roundabout at Catchems Corner. We turned around and went West to Meir before heading North on the A520. At Weston Coyney we turned left by Park Hall and we headed to Adderley Green. We then headed down to Longton along Anchor Road before we rejoined the A50 to head back to the depot. The coach emptied and Matthew got a picture inside MIB 279.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 279

With MIB 279 back in position they announced the next coach would be MIB 104...Yes!!!

Copeland's Tours MIB 104 in Meir

We boarded the coach and the the coach left the yard. Time was running out so we only had a short run on this coach. Having gone up to Catchems Corner we headed back onto the A50 by going around B&Q and the Co-op warehouse along Whittle Road. We headed to the centre of Meir before turning through 180' and heading back onto the Eastbound A50 and back to the depot. At least we got to ride on this coach. The coach emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 104

He also got another picture of the outside of the coach in the low afternoon sun before it was shunted back into it's usual parking spot.

Copeland's Tours MIB 104 in Meir

They announced the last coach of the afternoon and it was MIB 615. required by me but dud for Matthew... He had done it to Chester Zoo back in July 2010. We got a picture before we boarded the coach.

Copeland's Tours MIB 615 in Meir

The coach left the depot for the final time and we did a 180' around the roundabout at Catchems Corner before heading West into Stoke on Trent. The coach came off the A50 at the link road and then we headed to the railway station via City Road and Leek Road.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 615

We all said goodbye after such an epic tour and we waited for the coach to empty so he could take a picture inside MIB 615.

Copeland's Tours MIB 615 by Stoke railway station

We then got one last picture of MIB 615 before it disappeared back to the depot. We crossed over the road to wait for mum to come pick us up. whilst we waited we saw Alton Towers Transport T743 JHE on a Hanley bound service. Mum appeared and we jumped into the car. We drove along Leek road and into Fenton to drop uncle Dave off at home. As we had a busy evenings Blogging we decided to call in the chip shop on Smithpool Road to pick up some food. We headed back into Heron Cross and into Blurton passing 41500 on the #23 service. We got home around 17:00 and Matthew ate his sausage, chips and gravy. We then spent the evening Blogging and Matthew had a bath before going to bed around 23:30...Mark