Trip to Blackpool 12-07-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
MIB 270	Fenton	Blackpool, Seasiders	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 270	Blackpool, Seasiders	Fenton	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Blackpool on a coach. Matthew got up around 06:00. and had toast for breakfast. Around 09:00 we set off downstairs and onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we cut through onto onto City Road and we crossed over onto Manor Street and waited for the coach to arrive. A short time later the coach appeared. It was required Copeland's Tours MIB 270.

Copeland's Tours MIB 270 in Fenton

We got on the coach and we sat down in our seats. We set off onto Manor Street and we crossed over City Road. We ran over the railway line and then we turned went Forwards onto the A52. We went under the railway line and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran North up to the M6 and we continued North as far as junction 20. We ran through Cheshire and into Lancashire and to the East of Preston. We joined the Westbound M55 and we ran to the end. We ran forwards onto Yeadon Way and we ran up to the coach park near to Bloomfield Road where we got up and got off the coach. Once we had parked up we headed along Seasiders Way and we walked into Lonsdale Road we waied for a taxi to Cheadle in Autocabs taxi. We set off onto B5262 and we turned left onto the A5073 and right onto St Anne's Road. We took the next right turning and parked up. We went in the leisure centre. Matthew played football and generally chilled out. When it was time to go we got back aboard. When we had finished we got in the car and we set off onto St Anne's Road. We turned left onto the A5073 and right onto the B5262 and we turned right onto Promenade. A few minutes later we saw Blackpool Transport 563 on a #11 to Lytham.

Blackpool Transport 563 in Blackpool

A short while later we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15473 on a #68 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15473 in Blackpool

We sat on the wall and we shared a portion of chips to keep us going till we got back to the chalet. We went across the road to the Central Pier. Matthew went on a few rides. He went on the Ferris wheel. Once we had finished eating we went up Promenade and we saw Alfa A130.

Alfa A130 in Blackpool

Another vehicle seen was silver minibus MF06 LLN.

MF06 LLN in Blackpool

We crossed back over the road and Matthew spotted the ice cream seller in the arcade so he had a vanilla ice cream. We set off back towards the stop and we went under the archway. Whilst we waited for out bus we saw Blackpool Transport 236 on a #2 to Blackpool Zoo.

Blackpool Transport 236 in Blackpool

Also seen was Blackpool Transport 577 on a #11 to Lytham.

Blackpool Transport 577 in Blackpool

He collected some shells and wrote in the sand as well as doing some paddling in the sea. When we had finished we headed back up to The Promenade and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 15579 on a #68 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15579 in Blackpool

Also seen was Blackpool Transport 222 on a #2 to Blackpool Zoo.

Blackpool Transport 222 in Blackpool

As we walked along the Prom we saw Blackpool Transport 433 on a #11 to Lytham.

Blackpool Transport 433 in Blackpool

We returned to the cafe and Matthew had a a piece of cheesecake washed down with a can of Coke and we had finished eating we went next door to Tower Gifts and Matthew bought some boots and Matthew took a few bus pictures whilst we waited. We saw Olympia Travel YT19 KUE.

Olympia Travel YT19 KUE in Blackpool

We cut through onto Chapel Street and we walked down Foxhall Road. We went to The New Chippery and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards Matthew sat down with us and had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a bottle of Coke. When we had finished we headed back out onto Foxhall Road and we turned left onto Princess Street. We ran forwards onto Tyldesley Road. We ran through Rigby Road and we continued the B5262. We turned left onto the Lonsdale Road and we ran forwards onto Seasider's and Matthew went to the toilet. We walked along Seasiders Way and we stopped at the coach park. We saw Stotts SE18 YWX on layover.

Stotts SE18 YWX in Blackpool

Another vehicle seen was Veezu YP68 YWZ.

Veezu YP68 YWZ in Blackpool

As expected, transport for the journey home was Copeland's Tours MIB 270.

Copeland's Tours MIB 270 in Blackpool

We got on the coach and we sat down in our allocated seats. The coach set off along Seasiders Way and we ran forwards onto Yeadon Way. We joined the Eastbound M55 and we ran the 20 miles or so back to the motorway. We joined the Southbound M6 and Matthew ate a ham sandwich as we barrelled Southwards through Lancashire. We got onto the Westbound A59. We ran into town and we past the cafe. We went onto the Northbound A6 and we crossed over the Ribble and we ran South before joining the Eastbound M65. At the first roundabout we turned right and joined the Southbound M61. We ran down to the M60 we went forwards onto the M602. We came off the M60 at junction 7 and we turned left onto the Northbound A56 and we ran towards Sale. We travelled through West Timperley and Broadheath. at the Northern edge of Altrincham and after a couple of miles we ran forwards onto the A556. We joined the Southbound M6 and we ran down to junction 16. We went Southwards down the A500 to Etruria and we cam off the A500. We turned left onto City Road. We went under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right into Manor Street and we got up and got off the coach. We walked back into Manor Street and we turned left onto City Road and we turned right Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew 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 Hanley / Longton 30-01-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67178	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, stop P	23	First Potteries
35942	Stoke, stop N	Hanley, Regent Centre	25	First Potteries
63117	Hanley BS	Longton, stop C	11	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 the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the dentist and we saw Newfriars College GN22 VFJ. Matthwe went into the living room and we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Hanley today. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw First Potteries 63034 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63034 in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67178 on a #23 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. We got off the bus and we crossed obver the road to the stop opposite to wait for a #25 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As soon as it cam into view we knew it was First Potteries 35942 on a #25 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley. before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of Stoke town centre and across the A500. We crossed under the railway line before turning left onto 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 Regent Road where we got up and got off the bus. We saw Paul's of Stoke P482 HBA. Once off the bus we walked along Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we saw First Potteries 35947 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 35947 in Hanley

We crossed over the ring road and to the bus station. In the bus station we saw First Potteries 67173 on a #7A to Biddulph. Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we waited for a bus back to Fenton. A short time later we saw Stanton's of Stoke SN56 AEE on a #60 to Brown Edge. We set off out of the bus station onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We went into B&M and we brought a bottle of Coke. Once we had finished we went out of the shop. We walked down Tontine Street and onto Tontine Square and we stopped at Greggs. Afterwards we walked back along Tontine Square to the Intu Potteries shopping centre where Matthew had a chicken sandwich washed down with can of Irn Bru. We had a walk around the shops and afterwards we walked through Tontine Square onto Tontine Street. As it was a nice day we sat on the seats and watched buses on Stafford Street. We walked back down Lichfield Street and back to the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67174 on a #11B to Bentilee.

First Potteries 67174 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63117 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63117 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63117 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 63117

We set off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green and we saw First Potteries 67146 parked in the garage. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. We turned left onto Market Street and right onto Commerce Street past the former Co-op Bank. We went arounf the roundabout and turned right onto The Strand. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked down The Strand and we turned left by Hylands and past the shops to Tesco and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went outside to we waited for the taxi to Fenton. When it arrived we saw it was an Intercity taxi. We set off onto Baths Road towards Longton and we did a u-turn at the roundabout. We headed for the A50. We traveled Westward to Heron Cross and we turned right onto the A50 link road. We turned left onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out. He used his computer and watched buses out of the window. Later on we went out. We went downstairs and we got into a car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hil into stoke and forwards onto the A52 and we ran alongside the railway line. We passed near to the railway station and we turned right onto Stoke Road. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned right onto Shelton New Road. We turned right onto Etruscan Street. We ran to the end and we joined Etruria Old Road. We ran under the A53 and we turned right onto Forge Lane. We stopped at the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. We found mum at the table and we sat down whilst mum ordered the food. We ordered a carvery and we went to collect them. Matthew also had a couple of pigs in blankets. He washed his food down with a glass of Coke. For after Matthew had a huge slice of chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. When we had finished eating we returned to the car and we set off onto Shelton Boulevard . We turned left onto Etruria Valley Link Road and joined the Southbound A500 and we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 270. We headed South through Stoke and we turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to chill out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew also drank a can of cherry coke. Matthew returned to his room to chill out. He watched television and used his computer. later on he had a bath. For supper Matthew had some toast. Matthew went to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Blurton / Newcastle 09-06-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67636	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle, Opp Cherry Tree PH	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. Matthew was also going to Blurton later and also to Newcastle to visit Grandma. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day centre we saw Z Carz YJ53 WPD going towards Heron Cross. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and to the day centre. In the morning Matthew did some baking and made cupcakes. For dinner Matthew had a ham sandwich followed by lemon slice. In the afternoon Matthew went to JTF. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road where we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 270. At the roundabout we turned right by KFC and we walked down to JTF. Matthew did some shopping and brought me a present for Fathers day which is next weekend. After Matthew had done his shopping we set off back down City Road and we stopped at Lifestyle Express where Matthew brought can of Coke. After we had finished shopping there we crossed over City Road and onto Christchurch Street. We stopped at the Co-operative Food store and Matthew brought a Bottle of dandelion & Burdock. We carried on back to the day centre. When it was time to go back to the residential unit we set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Temple Street. Matthew went back up to his room to wait for me to arrive to pick him up. Whilst waiting we saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus SO57 OKE.

Stanton's of Stoke SO57 OKE in Fenton

When I turned up we put a few things that he needed in his bag and we also took to Blurton my present and some of the cakes Matthew had made earlier. We set off in the car onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. At the end we turned right onto Station Bridge Road and we crossed over the railway line. We ran forwards Heron Street and we went through Heron Cross and over the A50. We ran into Blurton along Blurton Road and we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield drive and we got back to Blurton around 15:15. When we got home we put the phone on charge which we had found was totally flat. We had planned to go to Grandma's on the 15:56 which I had seen earlier and was booked to be First Potteries 67636. Just before 16:00 we set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw something very unusual... First Potteries Scania Omnicity 65005 was on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 65005 in Blurton

A few minutes later our bus appeared and it was dud First Potteries 67636 as expected.

First Potteries 67636 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A5035 and we ran over the railway line into Trentham. We passed First Potteries 67151 on a #21A to the gtrentham Hotel. We turned right into New Inn Lane and we ran up the hill behind First Potteries 67151 which was now on a #21A to Hanley. We entered Hanford and we turned right into Wilson Road. We turned left into Church Lane and we joined the A34 and we saw Caudwell Construction DV12 JVY. We then headed into Trent Vale and we turned right into Harpfields Road we continued onto Hilton Road and we saw D&G 159 on a 'Nines' service to Clayton. We turned left into the hospital and we saw ABC Supreme minibus KX08 UXE. We turned right onto the A34, passing First Potteries 32634 on a #25 to Hanley, and a couple of stops down the road we got up and got off the bus. We saw First Potteries 65033 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65033 in Newcastle

We started to cross over the A34 and we saw First Potteries 32649 on a #25 service to Keele.

First Potteries 32649 in Newcastle

Once we had crossed over the A34 we continued up the hill to Grandma's house. At Grandma's Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. We said goodbye to Grandma around 17:30. We set off onto Occupation Street and we saw white minibus YK08 PVA. We turned left onto the A34. We ran down into Trent Vale. We stopped at the pub and we went inside. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included First Potteries 65037/65039 on a #101 to Stafford, Exclusive Holidays coach EX55 HOL & First Potteries 32650 on a #22 to Longton. When it was time to go we got in the car to go pick up uncle Dave via Trentham. We ran down the A34 and we went under the A500. We turned left onto Allerton Road and then right onto Trently Road. We turned right onto New Inn Lane and then left onto Pacific Drive. We dropped a few thing off on Pacific Drive and Constance Avenue before onto New Inn Lane. We turned left onto the A5035 and we crossed the railway line into Blurton. We turned left onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran down past the Bet365 stadium and onto the Eastbound A50. We came of the A50 at Heron Cross and we dropped down into Fenton to pick uncle Dave up. Once we had picked him up we returned to Heron Cross and we crossed the A50. We ran along Blurton Road and right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we dropped something off. We turned right onto Ripon Road and we turned left onto Pembridge Road. We dropped something off and we turned right into Newbury Grove. We got home around 19:10. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we composed a few e-mails and sorted a few things out. We then chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... 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