Trip to Fenton / Wrexham 22-11-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
CE02 LYX	Fenton	Wrexham	Charter	Z Carz
CE02 LYX	Wrexham	Fenton	Charter	Z Carz

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. we saw First Potteries 67643 on a #11 to Newcastle. Around 09:00 we did Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We got on the bus and sat down. We ran onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We continued to the day centre. Matthew walked to Aldi to do his weekly shopping. The walked along Christchurch Street and across City Road and onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street We set off of foot onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. After crossing over the road we turned right into Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. Part way down Victoria Road we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 246.

Copeland's Tours MIB 246 in Fenton

We then went out for dinner in Wrexham in a Z Carz minibus. We saw it was Z Carz CE02 LYX. We got on the bus and sat down and we set off along Victoria Road. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square. and we went straight across onto Lichfield Street. We ran anti-clockwise Waterloo Road A53 we turned right onto the Northbound A500. We ran North for a few miles, under the M6 and South of Crewe to the edge of Nantwich. We went around the North end of Nantwich on the by-pas and we went right around the other side of town before getting onto the Westbound A534. We ran West we quite a few miles. We crossed over the A49 at Ridley and then we crossed the A41 at Broxton. On the Eastern edge of town we went North up the A5156 and we ran a couple of miles up to the A483 where we turned left onto the Southbound carriageway. We ran into the town centre and we stopped at the pub. For dinner Matthew had a chicken breast burger and fries followed by chocolate fudge cake and ice cream washed down with a glass of coke. Matthew then went to the toilet. Whilst in the pub we saw Arriva NW&W 1004 on a #1 to Chester. When it was time to go home we returned on Z Carz CE02 LYX. We set off onto the A541 and we ran around the one way system before continuing out of town along Mold Road up the A483. We went North for a short while before we turned right onto the A5156. At the end of the road we turned right onto the Eastbound A534. We ran eastwards for 20 or so miles, crossing over the A41 and A49. we went around Nantwich on the A51 by-pas and we joined the Eastbound A500. We skirted the Southern edge of Crewe and crossed under the M6 before continuing the last 8 miles or so down to Stoke. We came off the A500 onto City Road and we saw First Potteries 37160 on a #25 to Keele. We continued up City Road under the railway line up to Smithpool Road and we turned right. We turned left onto Temple Street and we went back to the residential unit. Matthew went back up to his room to use his computer and watch buses. We saw First Potteries 67650 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67650 in Fenton

We also saw Jayjay's Travel PO58 XFX going towards Stoke.

Jayjay's Travel PO58 XFX in Fenton

We saw E-Zec patient transport YJ16 GHD going towards Stoke.

E-Zec patient transport YJ16 GHD in Fenton

For tea Matthew had burger and beans followed by a cheesecake. After tea Matthew went out to the pub in a car. We set off on foot onto Temple Street and turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road onto Manor Street and at the end we turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We joined the clockwise ring road and we ran around to Etruria Road. We stopped at the pub on the corner and Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew then had a glass of Coke and piece of lemon meringue pie. When we had finished we returned to Fenton in the car. We set off onto Etruria Road and we joined the Westbound A53. We ran to Etruria and we got on the Southbound A500. We ran down to Stoke and we came off the A500 onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. When Matthew got back he went up to his room. He used his computer and watched music videos on the Television. 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 Fenton / Birches Head 13-06-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
SJ07 LPK	Birches Head	Fenton	Charter	Intercity

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew was also going out to the disco later. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw First Potteries 67631 on a #11 to Hanley. Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew went on the computer. For dinner Matthew had a ham sandwich followed by Bakewell Tart. In the afternoon Matthew went swimming. We set off on foot onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Temple Street. At the end we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto City Road and we crossed over the old Stoke to Leek railway line before turning right onto the private road on which the baths are situated. On the way to the baths we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 615 going towards City Road.

Copeland's Tours MIB 615 in Fenton

We also saw Copeland's Tours MIB 236 outside the Baths.

Copeland's Tours MIB 236 in Fenton

Matthew went swimming and when he had finished we walked back onto the private Road and left onto City Road. We crossed over the railway line and then crossed over City Road. Near to the flats we were passed by Copeland's Tours MIB 246 which was heading towards Stoke.

Copeland's Tours MIB 246 in Fenton

We cut across onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and back to the day centre. When it was time to go back to the residential unit we set off onto Christchurch Street and left onto Temple Street. Matthew went up to his room to use his computer and watch buses out of the window. For tea Matthew had chips and beans followed by a Bakewell Tart. Matthew then went to his room to get ready to go out. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63179 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63179 in Fenton

Tonight Matthew went out to the disco in a car and we saw Stanways HSV 193 going to Hanley. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Baker Street and left onto Glebedale Road. At the end we turned right onto City Road. At the roundabout we turned sharp left onto Victoria Road. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we saw First Potteries 67633 on a #6 to Weston Coyney. We turned right onto the a52 and we ran up to Bucknall. At the lights we went straight on, forwards onto the A5009 and we ran through Abbey Hulton. We turned left onto Birches Head Road and we stopped at the disco. Matthew went to the toilet and had a drink of Coke and did some dancing. When it was time to go back to Fenton we travelled back on Intercity SJ07 LPK. We set off onto Birches Head Road and we turned right onto the A5009. We ran down though Abbey Hulton and into Bucknall where we went straight onto the A52. We ran through Joiners Square and towards Stoke railway station we continued along the A52 along side the railway line and we then turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out. He used his computer and watched music videos on the Television. 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 Fenton / Longton 18-10-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Bentilee	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton Manor	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Bentilee	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in respite and he was going to his day service. The building is currently being refurbished. They had recently fitted new windows and they were doing a new reinforced concrete floor. I was in Blackpool and was coming home. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. On the main road we saw First Potteries 63174 on a #13 to Hanley. Matthew waited for his transport to come and pick him up. When it turned up it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Bentilee

We got on the bus and we set off onto the A5272. We ran through Bentilee onto the A52 at Bucknall. At the junction we followed the A52 to the left. We turned left at joiners Sqaure and we ran to the top of Victoria Road were we saw Premier Travel NX11 CAA parked up at the Esoo garage. We turned sharp right onto City Road. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. In the morning Matthew spent time in the sensory room and then using the computers. For Dinner Matthew had cheese oatcakes followed by cake. In the afternoon Matthew went swimming. We set off on foot onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We crossed over the railway line and we turned right into the private road on which the baths is situated. We then saw Trentham High School minibus MV56 LGE.

Trentham High School MV56 LGE in Fenton

We went into the bath and Matthew went swimming and then had a shower. After getting dressed Matthew came out of the baths and we saw Copelands Tours MIB 246.

Copelands Tours MIB 246 in Fentone

We also saw Copelands Tours MIB 542.

Copelands Tours MIB 542 in Fenton

We were then picked up by Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto the private road and at the end we turned left onto City Road. We turned right into Glebedale Road and to our destination. After a short while we got back on Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU to return to respite. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill and onto the A52. We went under the railway line and we went South down the A500. We came off the A500 at Hanford we joined the Southbound A34. We ran down to Trentham Gardens and we joined the Eastbound A5035. We turned left onto new Inn Lane and we dropped off another service user before returning onto the A5035. We ran through Blurton and Dresden into Longton and we crossed over the A50. We then turned right onto Chadwick Street. We crossed over Uttoxeter Road onto Bridgewood Street and we went under the railway line and at the end we turned left onto Forrister Street. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill into Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5272 and we ran through on Dividy Road and to our destination. Whilst waiting for tea Matthew went up to his room. We saw Scraggs Blue Buses minibus VT 9284 in the distance.

Scraggs Blue Buses VT 9284 in Bentilee

For Matthew had chicken nuggets and chips followed by trifle. After tea Matthew went out shopping in a car. We set off onto the A5272 and we ran Eastwards to Adderley Green. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran down into Longton. We went around the one way system onto Commerce Street. We went right onto the The Strand and we parked up in the car park and went into B&M. Matthew purchased a large bottle of Coke. We then got back into the car and we ran around the one way system and onto King Street. We continued onto City Road and we turned right Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners square. We crossed the roundabout onto Lichfield street and we ran up the hill to Hanley. We got onto the anti-clockwise ring road and we ran around to Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill and over the canal and we joined the A52. we ran into Bucknall and we turned right onto Dividy Road and to our destination. One we got back Matthew chilled out watching television and had a bath. For supper Matthew had some toast before going to bed 23:00... Mark

Trip to Fenton / Newcastle 07-06-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
67641	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle, opp Cherry Tree PH	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to visit grandma, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00. He got dressed and had toast and orangeade for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Blurton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We turned left and ran through Dresden and up to Longton. We crossed the A50 and we turned into Chadwick Street and passed the Gladstone Pottery Museum. We crossed Uttoxeter Road on Bridgewood Street and went to the end before turning left on Forrister Street. At the ens we turned right onto Anchor Road. We ran up the hill and we saw First Potteries 41496 at the back of the depot. At the roundabout we turned left and we ran down to Bentilee. We picked up another service user and we saw Meadows minibus DN65 XZK. We got back onto Dividy Road and we ran into Bucknall and onto the A52. We followed the road around to the left and we saw Stanton's of Stoke HRZ 7193. At joiners Square we went left onto Victoria Road. At the top of Victoria Road we turned sharp right onto City Road and then onto Glebedale Road and to our destination. In the morning Matthew spent time using the computer. Fir dinner Matthew had cheese oatcake followed by chocolate cake. In the afternoon Matthew was going swimming. We set off on foot onto Christchurch Street and we went across onto Temple Street. We cut in between the Old Royal Oak pub and Jack Ashley Court onto City Road and we walked down over the old railway line to Leek and right into the private Road on which the baths are. Matthew went to the toilet and after getting changed he went swimming. After we came out of the baths we saw Copelands Tours Van Hool bodied coach MIB 246.

Copelands Tours MIB 246 in Fenton

As we set off on foot along the private road we saw Copelands Tours Bova coach MIB 615.

Copelands Tours MIB 615 in Fenton

We continued on to City Road and we walked up the hill before we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and at the end we turned right on Christchurch Street and too our destination. When it was time to go home we got on board Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Station Bridge Road, We followed the road around onto Heron Street and we went through the traffic lights and over the A50 on Blurton Road. We went through Blurton and we followed the road around to the right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we saw white minibus NX03 BFP and another unidentified white Volkswagen minibus. Matthew got home just before 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of orangeade whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 16:56 to Newcastle. We were late setting off and it appeared we had missed the bus. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. Going other other way we saw First Potteries 67641 going towards Longton. We had to wait for nearly 30 minutes for the next bus, which was the 17:31 departure. When in appeared it was as expected it was dud First Potteries 67641.

First Potteries 67641 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off on the A5035 and we turned right towards Trentham. We crossed the railway line into Trentham and we passed First Potteries 67602 on a #22 to Longton. We tuned right into New Inn Lane and we saw First Potteries 53208 on a #21 the Trentham Hotel. We climbed the hill into Hanford and we turned right into Wilson Road. We turned left onto Church Lane and we ran down to the bottom of the hill. We queued to join the A34 and we saw Mikro coach FJ07 TKF. We joined the A34 and we went under the A500 into Trent Vale. We turned right in Harpfields Road and we continued over the roundabout onto Hilton Road. We turned into the City General hospital and we saw ABC Supreme E331 UYC on a staff shuttle. We also passed First Potteries 37159 which was on a #25 to Hanley. We turned right onto the A34 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67641 as it continued to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67641 in Newcastle

We walked back down the road to the crossing and we saw D&G 157 on a 'Nines' service to Newcastle.

D&G 157 in Newcastle

We crossed the road and we walked up to Grandma's house here we met up with mum. Matthew spent a short while on the computer and had a can of Irn Bru. Thirty minutes later it was time for us to go and do the evening's chores. We said goodbye to Grandma and we drove down to the A34. We turned right onto Barracks Road and we saw First Potteries 65038 in the new fuscia livery and with #101 branding, and new to D&G 163 on a #73. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A53 and we saw First Potteries 67637 on a #37 turning into Albert Street. We ran down to Etruria and we turned right onto the A500. We ran fast up to Longtport and we turned right onto the A527. We stopped briefly in Longport and we continued up Newcastle Street into Burslem. We crossed through town and we went up the hill to Smallthorne. We did a few drops in Smallthorne and we saw First Potteries 53155 running out of service. After doing some stuff in Smallthorne we returned to Lonport via Burslem and Trubshaw Cross. We got on the A500 and we ran down to Etruria where we went East on the A53 to Festival Park. We turned right onto Etruria Road and we turned right again onto the Hanley ring road. We turned right at Lichfield Street and we ran down to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout on to Victoria Road and we ran up the hill to MacDonalds where we picked up Matthew's tea. We rejoined Victoria Road and we ran up to the A50 link Road. We did the link road to the A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we went home via Church Road and Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:30. Matthew ate his tea which consisted of a Chicken nugget meal and a plain cheeseburger, as washed down with a cup of Coke. Matthew chilled out, and later had a chip sandwich. He chilled out watching television and on his computer and went to bed around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Abbey Hulton 02-05-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1321	Blurton	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Wardle Transport
MIB 246	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Adventure Playground	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 246	Adventure Playground	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Copeland's Tours
1321	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport

Today Matthew was at college. Today it was sunny. He got up around 07:30 and had some orange juice. The bus arrived around 08:10 and it was his usual bus Wardle Transport 1321.

Wardle Transport 1321 in Blurton

The bus set off through Blurton to Heron Cross. After a quick stop in the Hollybush estate they carried on through heron cross to Fenton. The bus went along Manor Street and onto Victoria Road. The bus then went to Leek Road and then turned right towards Bucknall. The bus then went onto Newhouse Road and then to college. After registration they went to the adventure playground. the coach that turned up today was Copeland's Tours MIB 246. The bus set off towards the a52 passing Z carz W591 YBN on the way. the coach then went up to and around Hanley on the ring road past Tesco. They then headed to Newcastle down the A53 through Etruria. They they went into the adventure plyground. After a hectic session they headed back to college. They got back onto copeland's tours MIB 246 and off they went. having headed into and through Newcastle They headed up the A34 passed the First garage. First Volvo Citybus 38125 was near he front of the depot. They then went up the A34 to Talke and back into kidsgrove. they then headed out to Packmoor and onto High Lane. They did this back to Hanley and the around the ring Road to Bucknall New Road. They went down limekiln bank and onto the A52. hey then turned at Newhouse Road and back into college. For dinner matthew had Chips and beans with cake for afters. After having swimming in the afternoon Matthew went out to get his bus home and it was Wardle transport 1321. The bus set off to Abbey hulton and then onto Leek Road. At Joiner Square the bus turned right on Vitcoria Road. The bus then went along Manor Street. The bus headed through Fenton and over the railway to Heron Cross. They went into the Hollybush estate again and then headed back home. When Matthew got home he had some toast and some cheesecake. just after that we saw Z carz BV51 BNO. Matthew went over to investigate. He persuaded the driver to let him on the bus and then he took a picture of the inside of the minibus.

Inside Z Carz BV51 BNO

After saying thank you to the driver we watched the bus turn around and he got a picture of it before it returned to the depot.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Blurton

The tea Matthew had chicken popcorn and fries. For afters he had chocolate fudge cake. Later he chilled out on his computer before bedtime around 23:00...Mark

Trip to Abbey Hulton 18-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1321	Blurton	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Wardle Transport
MIB 246	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Adventure Playground	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 246	Adventure Playground	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Copeland's Tours
1647	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport

Today Matthew was going to college and then to the adventure playground, He got up around 07:30 amd got dressed and waited for the bus to appear. It was Wardle Transport 1321.

Wardle Transport 1321 in Blurton

The bus set off through Blurton to Heron Cross. After a quick stop in the Hollybush estate they carried on through heron cross to Fenton. The bus went along Manor Street and onto Victoria Road. The bus then went to Leek Road and then turned right towards Bucknall. The bus then went onto Newhouse Road and then to college. After registration they went to the adventure playground. the coach that turned up today was Copeland's Tours MIB 246. The bus set off towards the a52 passing Z carz W591 YBN on the way. the coach then went up to and around Hanley on the ring road past Tesco. They then headed to Newcastle down the A53 through Etruria. They they went into the adventure plyground. After a hectic session they headed back to college. They got back onto copeland's tours MIB 246 and off they went. having headed into and through Newcastle They headed up the A34 passed the First garage. First Volvo Citybus 38125 was near he front of the depot. They then went up the A34 to Talke and back into kidsgrove. they then headed out to Packmoor and onto High Lane. They did this back to Hanley and the around the ring Road to Bucknall New Road. They went down limekiln bank and onto the A52. hey then turned at Newhouse Road and back into college. For dinner matthew had Chips and beans with cake for afters. After having swimming in the afternoon Matthew went out to get his bus home and it was Wardle transport 1647. The bus set off to Abbey hulton and then onto Leek Road. At Joiner Square the bus turned right on Vitcoria Road. The bus then went along Manor Street. The bus headed through Fenton and over the railway to Heron Cross. They went into the Hollybush estate again and then headed back home. For tea Matthew had herb potatoes and turkey with Cheesecake for afters. He chilled out on his computer then until bedtime just after 23:00...Mark

Trip to Bucknall 28-03-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1321	Blurton	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Charter	Wardle Transport
1647	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport

Today was Matthew's last day of college before the Easter Break. He got up just after 07:30 and the bus appeared a little after 08:00. It was Wardle Transport 1321.

Wardle Transport 1321 in Bentilee

The bus went to Heron Cross and then Down Victoria Road and onto the A52. In Bucknall they turned in Newhouse Road and to college. Matthew had a party today and took some doughnuts into college. For dinner Matthew had bangers and mash and a cake for afters. In the afternoon he had a drink of coke. At hometime around 15:00 the bus turned up to take him hoe and it was Wardle Transport 1647. The bus went onto the A52 and passing Copeland's tours coach MIB 246. They then went onto Victoria Road and through Heron Cross were he saw Wardle Transport 1649. They then carried on towards home. At home he had chicken popcorn and fries for tea and then used his computer before bedtime...Mark.

Trip to Blackpool 06-10-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 246	Longton Hall Road	Pleasure beach CP, Blackpool	Charter	Copeland's Tours
19042	Royal Oak, o/s Grand Hotel	St Annes, by St Patrick's Road South	68	Stegacoach M & SL
18150	St Annes, by St Patrick's Road South, Don Street	Royal Oak, o/s Royal Oak	68	Stegacoach M & SL
18156	Royal Oak, o/s Royal Oak	St Annes, by Norwood Road	68	Stegacoach M & SL
18146	St Annes, opp Kilgrimol Gardens	Royal Oak, by Station Road	68	Stegacoach M & SL
MIB 246	Pleasure beach CP, Blackpool	Longton Hall Road	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Originally we had planned on going to Bath today but the trip was canceled due low numbers. We had transferred on to a Stratford-on-Avom trip on the 7th October, and that was canceled for the same reason too. Knowing how desperate we were to travel, Copeland's put on a slightly bigger coach on the Blackpool Trip and we transferred our booking onto this. Knowing it was now a 57 seater, we looked up which coaches it might be. They have 5 different 57 seaters, and we had only previously been on one of them. We looked up the weather for today and it was for cool and cloudy weather with sunny intervals. It was a late departure and so we got up around 10:00. After breakfast we drove down to Longton Hall Road to wait for the 11:24 departure. Whilst we waited we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 797 on the #40 service, and First potteries 40147 on a #22 service. The coach turned up a few minutes late and it was MIB 246.

Copeland's Tours MIB 246 in Longton Hall Road

This is the one 57 seater we have been on before! We settled down at the back of the coach and off we went. Traffic around town was very heavy. At Hanley we saw a handful of the new second hand First Caetano Darts like 41494,41498,41501,41522. It was close to 13:00 by the time we got to Newcastle for the last pick-up. We set of Northwards up the A34 and then onto the A500. Just South of the A54, we passed First Manchester 34295 heading South. We had a quick stop at Charnock Richard service for a toilet and shop stop, and then we carried on. We reached the Pleasure Beach coach park around 15:00. We then walked onto Bond Street to get something to eat. As we went Matthew got a few coach pictures.

Coaches at the Pleasure Beach coach park

We had a late dinner at the seaside cafe. We all had breakfast with he exception of Uncle Dave who had his customary sausage sandwich. Whilst we ate we saw a number of buses. By the way buses were coming though in groups it made us think that it was very busy in town and with the time we had it wasn't worth going in that direction today. Just before 16:00 we walked onto station road to go and catch a bus towards St Annes. We had a choice of doing a Blackpool Transport #11 service or a Stagecoach #68 service. We asked Matthew what he wanted to do and he chose Stagecoach. First bus to turn up was Blackpool Transport 351 on a #11 service. This was followed by a slightly late but required 19042 on the #68.

Stagecoach 19042 in Station Road

We got on the bus and booked some day tickets. As we were on the Fylde coast we were able to book a day ticket that cost a mere £3.50! We went upstairs and settled down for the ride. We decided to go just past St Annes so we could come back and maybe get a second trip in. After passed the town we did a right turn and we decided to get off. As we got off we were able to get pictures of this bus.

Stagecoach 19042 in St Annes

We then crossed the road and walked to the nearest stop which was only about 30 yards away. The next bus was due at 16;38 and pretty much bang on time required Stagecoach 18150 appeared.

Stagecoach 18150 in St Annes

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. It was fairly lightly loaded and we we had a quiet and pleasant journey into town. Near the Farmers Arms we hid a tree and were thankful that the bus had tree deflectors attached! We got off this time near Waterloo Road and then got a picture of the bus. Matthew jumped up and down and his camera strap broke. Luckily I had a spare wrist strap attached to my camera and we ere able to effect a repair. We then crossed over to wait for another Southbound service. After a few minutes a very heavily loaded Stagecoach 18156 appeared.

Stagecoach 18156 near Waterloo Road

The bus was full as it was just after 17:00 and there were a few football fans on from the Blackpool Charlton home game. The bus emptied out a little and we decided to get of between Starr Gate and St Annes to make sure we could get back in time to eat and get on our coach. As we got off we saw Blackpool Transport Optare Excel 222 on a Southbound service.

Blackpool Transport 222 near St Annes

We crossed the road and we had approximately 10 minutes to wait for the next #68. Whilst we waited we saw a few buses including Blackpool Transport Excel 226 and an Ashall's Mercedes minibus SF57 EUB. Our bus eventually turned up and it was required Stagecoach 18146.

Stagecoach 18146 near St Annes

We got on and once again went upstairs. The bus was lightly loaded and by the time we reached the South Shore the top deck was empty apart from us. Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Stagecoach 18146

We went to get off on Bond street, but for some reason the bus stop and then pulled off before we could get off. We eventually got of on Lytham road and had to walk back to meet up with mum. We had already decided we would have chips from a nearby chippy and so Matthew visited the toilet and then we waited outside watching the buses whilst mum was in the queue. The chips were fresh and very hot so we didn't have long to eat them before the coach was due to depart. We walked to the coach park and then ate the chips after they had cooled a little. Un fortunatley this didn't leave much time to get many pictures before we got back on the coach. Matthe did get a good picture of this Smiths of Marple coach.

Smiths of Marple Setra B7 WER

Back on the coach we set off a little after 19:00. The traffic was horrendouns and took until 21:00 to get to Gynn Square. At this point the driver announced that it was as far as he could go and everybody cheered! We then headed off onto the A585 and then onto the M55. Back on the M6 we stopped for a short while at Charnock richard services. Whilst here we saw Selwyns SEL 36 and Hamleys G97 RGG. We set off from here around 22:00 and then reached Newcastle around 23:00. Having dropped of most of the other passengers we got to Longton Hall Lane around 23:45. We drove Uncle dave home and drove home ourselves getting in just after midnight. We had 30 minutes on the computer before going to bed. If we had decided to go North we might have dropped on Blackpool Transport 373. This had it's last day in service yesterday and it can be read about here...Mark

trip to Jackson's Nursery 20-03-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Heron Cross	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Wardle Transport
P836 LVT	Abbey Hulton	Jacksons Nursery	Charter	Blackfriars
P836 LVT	Jacksons Nursery	Abbey hulton	Charter	Blackfriars
1455	Bucknall Newhouse Road	Bucknall Rd, Hanley	Charter	Wardle Transport
1450	Bucknall, adj Traffic Lights	Heron Cross	Charter	Wardle Transport

Today was planned as a trip to Shrewsbury, but this was changed to a trip to Jacksons Nursery. Matthew was in respite. he would have got up early around 05:00 to get ready at 07:00 to go to the shop before college. Around 08:00, whilst waiting for his bus, Matthew saw Wardle Transport 1626 appeared on another transport.

Wardle 1626 in Heron Cross

Shortly afterwards around 08:55 Matthew's usual bus turned up and it 09:26 he had a different driver than usual. His bus was Wardle Transport 1450.

Wardle 1450 in Heron Cross

Matthew arrived at college around 09:00. At college Matthew was going out on a day trip to Jacksons Nursery. He left around 10:00 and the bus to Jackson's Nursery was 12:00 required P836 LVT. He arrived at Matthew Jackson's about 30 minutes later.This Step entranced vehicle is a 16 seat minibus. While out he saw Copeland's Tours MIB 246. Matthew had a breakfast and drink a chocolate cake for afters at Jackson's. He had a quick toilet stop before returning back to college on P836 LVT. They seto off towards college at 14:00 arriving back 30 minutes later. At the end of college Matthew returned to his respite. It was Wardle Transport 1455 to Bucknall Road, and then was Wardle Transport 1450 his usual bus from Leek Road to Joiners Square. They stopped at the Co-op for cake and pop. The next bus was Wardle Transport 1648 from Joiners Square to Fenton and then it was Wardle Transport 1649 from Fenton to Heron Cross. He would have arrived just after 16:00 off his bus and then got ready for his tea. Afterwards he had a bath and then would get ready for bedtime..Mark.

Trip to Llandudno 25-04-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 246	Longton Hall Road	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Charter	Copelands Tours
817	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	Junction, New Road (Stand Z)	14	Arriva NW&W
2276	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	Llandudno, Trinity Square (SW) (SW-bound)	13	Arriva NW&W
818	North West Gardens, (E bound)	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	19	Arriva NW&W
2277	Llandudno Junction Station Platform 5 (W-bound)	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	13	Arriva NW&W
2658	North West Gardens, (NW bound)	Llandudno Palladium (Stand Y)	5	Arriva NW&W
911	Llandudno Palladium (Stand B)	North West Gardens, (E bound)	84	Arriva NW&W
MIB 246	Mostyn coach park, Llandudno	Longton Hall Road	Charter	Copelands Tours

Today we took Matthew out on his first coach trip of the year. We had a choice of Blackpool or Llandudno with Copeland's (the operater which Matthew chose) and he chose to go to Llandudno. Matthew has only been to Llandudno once in recent years, and that was last summer when we did a coach trip to Rhyl and traveled on. In ancient times Matthew has done a pair of class 20's when he was around 2 on a coal day, and also a trip here on Easter Monday in the later 90's with Bakers when buses were still just something that made him lift his head and get excited when in his pram. Planning consisted of downloading all the Sunday timetables for he Llandudno area. As I was getting the car ready to go to meet the coach, I noticed my near neighbours setting off up the road. As we left home we saw them at the local bus stop. When we arrived on longton Hall road we didn't have to wait long for the coach to turn up MIB 246 was power for the day. Matthew loaded onto the coach quickly, and whilst we were waiting for a couple of passengers
I got off to check the car was locked. Behind our coach arrived the Blackpool coach, which was required MIB 236. As it pulled off Matthew's face dropped in disappointment at not getting the coach he wanted. It didn't take him long to forget anout that. Eventually the passengers we were waiting for arrived off a slightly late running PMT bus. It was our near neighbours! We set off around town picking up the other passengers, including a lad the Matthew used to go to school with Anthony Goodrum. After about an hour and a half we pulled into knutsford services for a quick toilet break. Already in the service was MIB 236 on the Blackpool and Matthew spotted this straight away! As soon as he got off our coach he ran and jumped on the other! after taking a picture inside and out, we persuaded him to come off and promised we would get this coach sometime in the future!


The elusive (to us) MIB 236 in knutsford services (matt)

A toilet break later we were back on the coach. A fairly some journey then followed and the driver pointed out a few sights and facts along the way. When in llandudno we parked on the Mostyn coach park and walked into town. Mum unusually had some company in our near neighbours, so she left us to our own devices! We found some toilets and then found a good vantage point for Matthew to take pictures. I then left him with uncle Dave whilst I fought may way to the front of a very busy chip shop queue! by about 12:40 we were ready to start catching buses... The first bus Matthew wanted was the Alexander bodied dart 2277 that was parked up in trinity square. "what's it on?"..."13"..."Where's it going?"..."Prestatyn".."What time is it due off?"..."oh....now!". So we missed that one. Out came the netbook. The 13 goes via Llandudno junction so if we catch somthing to there we'll probably get a similar bus back. The 14 goes to the junction area before going west. "whens the next 14?"..."12:54"..."Where does it go from?"..."Mostyn Street (NW bound)!". So we walked briskly around the corner to the stop and whithin a couple of minutes Arriva NW&W 817 appears from around the corner. We book our NW&W day rovers and sit down. The 14 takes a weird winding route through countryside and eventually as we approach the Conway area we start to see familiar sights we have seen off the train. Getting close to the tunnel and not wanting end up on the other side, we get off near the road and river area.


Arriva NW&W 817 in Llandudno (matt)

We got off at the new road stop and the bus disappeared around the corner. We decided to follow the bus and then we realised that we were only one stop away from the railway station. We walked across to the station where we saw that there was a 13:30 to llandudno on a service 13.Aafter a few minutes the 13 turned up with another ALX200 in the form of Arriva NW&W 2276 in interurban livery.


Arriva NW&W 2276 in Llandudno (Matt)

We did this back to the square in llandudno and watched it go. We realised that there was not another 14 as this service is every 2 hours on a Sunday service. the next Conway bound bus was a service 19 from the main stop on Mostyn Street just after the hour. off this bus there was a return 19 and another 13. we waited for 15 or so minutes and Arriva NW&W 818 turned up on the 19.


Arriva NW&W 818 in Llandudno (matt)

We set off with the intention of getting off on New road and hopefully we would be able to catch one or the of the buses back. As we approached the New Road stop we passed the 19 with a Plaxton bodied Dart. Decided not to get off and carried on to the stop opposite the station. as we approached the railway station we passed the other bus which was another Plaxton bodied Dennis dart. At this point I realised that we were stuck at Llandudno Junction for an hour! to pass the time we took Matthew to Iceland, where he photographed cakes in the store and chose some cans of Vimto. we drank some of the said cans and also visited the toilet in Llandudno junction station. All things considered the time went passed really quickly. We guessed that the bus back would be 2277 and sure enough it was.


Arriva NW&W 2277 in Llandudno (matt)

by the time we got back we realised that Matthew didn't have much time to get in some more buses. We decided to get in a couple of buses really quickly by catching something from Mostyn Street further into town and than catching something out again. the first bus that turned up was 2658 on a number 5.


Arriva NW&W 2658 in Llandudno (matt)

We did this 2 stops up to the Palladium and got off. Virtually straight away there was a bus opposite on a #84. This was ex London 911. A strange short Plaxton bodied Dart with very few seat in it. We did this back to the main stop in Mostyn Street.


Arriva NW&W 911 in Llandudno (matt)

With about an hour to go before the coach left we decided to et some more chips and eat them on the front. Matthew took a few more pictures and then we went back around to Mostyn Street to take more pictures and meet up with mum. Ona #12 Rhyl, we saw our first glimpse of one of the Ex London ALX400 that are being deployed all across the Arriva NW&W Wales area. This was 4041 and it looked very smart in the interurban livery.


Arriva NW&W 4041 in Llandudno (matt)

After meeting up with mum, it was back to the coach to wait for the 17:15 departure. There was a slight delay in departing as our neighbours couldn't find a toilet in the area as the one on the gardens shut just before we got there. Matthew took some more pictures in the coach park before departure.


Happy Days Coaches 214 in Llandudno (matt)

On departure we made good time until we hit the M56. We had a short stop at Chester services and then we slowly progressed along the M56 until we passed the M53 and we managed to travel a little quicker. We reached newcastle just as it started to go dark and we then had another hour around town dropping of passengers. We hit Longton Hall road just after 21:00.


MIB 246 in Longton Hall Road (matt)

After dropping off uncle Dave I came back and we gave our neighbours a lift. It was a tight squeeze getting 5 and a chair into the car considering the boot was full already. Matthew seemed to enjoy the challenge. Quite a good day, but the coach trip wa a bit of an epic. We will be choosing the trip a little more carefully in future (Mark)

Trip to Tittesworth 14-04-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40139	Wolstanton	Hanley BS	17	First Potteries
41070	Hanley BS	Leek BS	18	First Potteries
MIB 246	Leek BS	Tittesworth Reservoir	Charter	Copelands Tours
MIB 246	Tittesworth Reservoir	Leek BS	Charter	Copelands Tours
41070	Leek BS	Hanley BS	18	First Potteries
40148	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	34	First Potteries
40149	Newcastle BS	Wolstanton	99A	First Potteries

Today Matthew was taken out to Tittesworth reservoir. Not to sure about the details because he never tell me anything! He still wants me to write about these things though, which makes thing very difficult. Seen out and about were 40139 on a #17 Hanley - Newcastle via Wolstanton, and Ex Chesterbus Marshall bodied Dennis Dart on a #18 Hanley - Leek service. When he got to Tittesworth Matthew visited the cafe and took several photographs of the place. lots of other buses and coaches were seen. Copelands Tours MIB 246 was one of them.


Sheep near Tittesworth (Matt)

After spending a few hour here, Matthew returned to the respite unit. 40148 and 40149 were seen on Newcastle bus diagrams...Mark