Trip to Blackpool / Cleveleys 15-09-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
563	Blackpool, Chapel Street	Blackpool, Market Street(MA1)	17	Blackpool Transport
422	Blackpool, West Street	Cleveleys, Crescent	1	Blackpool Transport
409	Cleveleys BS	Blackpool, Chapel Street	7	Blackpool Transport

Today was the second day of our holiday in Blackpool. We got up around 08:00 and we got dressed before going downstaits for out continental breakfast. Matthew had toast and orange juice. After getting ready we set off onto foot down Palatine Road and we headed onto Central Drive. Before we crossed over to catch the bus we saw Blackpool Transport 402 on a #6 to Tesco Mereside.

Blackpool Transport 402 in Blackpool

We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus towards town. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching as it got closer we saw it was required Blackpool Transport 563 on a #17 to Blackpool.

Blackpool Transport 563 in Blackpool

We got on the bus and we flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Central Drive and after the coach park we turned left onto New Bonny Street. We turned right onto the Promenade and we ran past Blackpool Tower and North Pier. We turned right onto Talbot Road and right onto Market Street where the bus terminated. We got up and got off the bus and we headed onto the promenade to catch a bus towards Cleveleys. We cut through West Street and we saw a double decker on the bus stop. As we got closer we saw it was Blackpool Transport 422 on a #1 to Fleetwood.

Blackpool Transport 422 in Blackpool

We got on the bus and we flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sitting down. We set off Northwards up the A587 through Bispham and Norbrek. we decided to get up and get off in Cleveleys so we could catch another bus. As we turned the corner by Aldi we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 422 as it carried on Northwards towards Fleetwood.

Blackpool Transport 422 in Cleveleys

Once off the bus we turned left onto Victoria Road West. As we walked towards the bus station we saw Catch 22 Dart GX54 DWO on a #24 to Fleetwood.

Catch 22 GX54 DWO in Cleveleys

We walked towards the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. When we had finished we headed towards the coast. We walked along Rough Lea Road and we crossed over the Promenade. We spent a very short time on the beach but Matthew wasn't too keen. We walked back to the bus station for a short while and mum messaged to say she was on her way. After a short time we met up with mum in the car park. We walked back onto Victoria Road West and we walked around the corner onto Crescent West. We went to The Tramstop Cafe and we had the 3 course meal. Matthew had an orange juice for starters, a roast dinner and followed by a bowl of ice cream. Matthew had a can of Diet Coke and afterwards went to the toilet. When we had finished we did a bit of shopping. We walked around the onto Victoria Road West and we went to the Pound Bakery to pick up some sandwiches to eat later. We went to the other end of the street and we brought some rock from a gift shop. On the way back towards to car we stopped at Shoemarket and Matthew tried on and brought a new pair of boots. We said goodbye to mum and we headed to the bus station. In the bus station we saw Catch 22 CE02 UUP on a #24 to Poulton.

Catch 22 CE02 UUP in Cleverleys bus station

We waited for a Blackpool Transport bus back towards the hotel. A short time later we saw Blackpool Transport 409 on a #7 to Clifton Hospital.

Blackpool Transport 409 in Cleverleys bus station

We waited for the bus to be readied for service. Whilst we waited we saw Blackpool Transport 446 on a #9 to Blackpool.

Blackpool Transport 446 in Cleverleys bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Blackpool Transport day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 409.

Inside Blackpool Transport 409

We went upstairs and the top deck was empty so Matthew took another picture inside Blackpool Transport 409 before we sat down.

Inside Blackpool Transport 409

We set off out of the bus station onto Rough Lea Road and we turned right onto the A587. We continued onto Crescent East and we saw out of the front window the former RBS bank into a new dessert shop. We turned left onto Fleetwood Road and we headed Southwards through Churchtown into Bispham. We crossed over the roundabouts onto B5124 and we ran past the large water tower. We ran under the railway line and we turned right onto Talbot Road. We ran past the railway station and the new Sainsbury's store and into the town centre. We ran past the old bus station and we turned left onto Market Street. After a short wait we continued along Market Street and we followed the road around onto Church Street. We turned left onto the Promenade and we ran past Blackpool Tower. We turned left onto Adelaide Street West and we followed the road onto Bank Hey Street. After a brief stop we continued onto Central Drive past the coach station. A stop or so up the road we got up and got off the bus. We met up with mum and we walked up palatine Road to the bed & breakfast. We went up to the room to chill out and do some of the Blog. We had our sandwiches for tea and afterwards, me Matthew and uncle Dave went out for a walk. We set off down Palatine Road and we turned right onto Central Drive. There were a few coaches in the coach station so we went to investigate. On layover was National Holidays NH14 NBH.

National Holidays NH14 NBH in Blackpool

Across the way on stand was National Express liveried Stott's coach BK14 LFE on a #351 to Leeds.

Stott's BK14 LFE in Blackpool

We walked along New Bonny Street and we turned right onto the Promenade. We crossed over onto the coast side of the road and we walked as far as the tower. We saw Blackpool Transport heritage trams 147 & 701. We turned around and walked back Southwards betond Coral Island. WE crossed over the road and we saw Blackpool Transport 401 on a #1 to Starr Gate.

Blackpool Transport 401 in Blackpool

We cut through an alleyway onto Bonny Street and we walked back towards New Bonny Street and the coach station. At the coach station we saw National Holidays NH16 KEH loading up on stand.

National Holidays NH16 KEH in Blackpool

We walked back onto Central Drive and we turned left onto Palatine road and back to the B&B. We chilled out for an hour or so and later on we went out to see the illuminations in the car. We set off along Palatine Road and we turned left onto Central Drive. We continued Southwards along the A5099 until the end and we turned right onto Squires gate Lane. We turned right onto New South Promenade and we queued up through the illuminations. Somewhere between South and central pier we spotted a parking spcae opposite to a food van. We stopped and had a burger each followed by a fresh ring doughnut. We continued North Past Central Pier and Blackpool Tower. We ran past the North Pier and Gynn Square up to Bispham. We turned right onto Red Bank Road and we ran through Bispham turning right onto the B5124. We ran into Blackpool and we turned right onto Palatine Road. We ran to the other end and we parked up and went back to the bed & breakfast. We chilled out in the room and we did some more of the Blog. Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru before bedtime around 00:00... Mark.

Trip to Market Drayton / Shrewsbury 24-02-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
207	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley, Hinde Street	64	PMT
207	Hanley, Hinde Street	Newcastle BS	64	PMT
207	Newcastle BS	Ashley, St Johns Church	64	PMT
207	Ashley, St Johns Church	Market Drayton BS	64	PMT
207	Market Drayton BS	Buntingsdale, Stokesay Road	64	PMT
207	Buntingsdale, Stokesay Road	Shrewsbury BS	64	PMT
207	Shrewsbury BS	Ashley, St Johns Church	64	PMT
207	Ashley, St Johns Church	Hanley, Hinde Street	64	PMT

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew had seen on Facebook the POPS were running a trip to Shrewsbury recreating the X64 bus from some time in the 1990's. I had contacted someone at POPS to see if it would be possible for us to do this and they said it would be okay. There was a pick-up near to Matthew residential unit at 08:40 so we arranged to do this trip. Matthew got up around 07:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We cam to pick Matthew up around 08:30 and we went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. Almost as soon as we had got onto the road we saw the bus approaching through the fog. As expected it was preserved PMT 207 on the feeder service for the trip.

PMT 207 in Fenton

We trotted up to the bus stop and we were welcomed on board the bus by member of POPS. We sat down near to the front of the bus and we set off down City Road and we ran down to the bottom of the road and we joined the Northbound A52. We ran alongside the railway line and we ran forwards onto Station Road where we had another brief stop. We continued along Station road and we turned right onto College Road. We ran through Shelton and forwards onto Cleveland Road. We continued onto Regent Road and we turned left onto Hinde Street. We stopped at Hinde Street and we were a little early. This gave us chance to get off the bus and get another picture of PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Hanley

We had around 10 minutes here and some used the opportunity to get tea and or a bacon sandwich from the nearby Hinde Street market. We got back on the bus and we waited for the booked departure time. Once everyone was on board we set off along Hinde Street and onto the clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Broad Street and we continued down to Snow Hill. We ran forwards onto Stoke Road and down the hill through Shelton into Stoke. We crossed over the A500 and we joined the Northbound carriageway. At the next junction we came off onto Shelton New Road. 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 and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop.

PMT 207 in Newcastle bus station

Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A34 and at the next roundabout we turned left onto the A53. We ran out of Newcastle and under the M6 and over the A5182 roundabout. We ran through Whitmore and Baldwins Gate and we turned left onto Sandy Lane. We veered right onto Woodside and we ran to the end into Chorlton Hill. We turned right onto the A51 and we ran Westwards past the A53 junction and the Swan with Two Necks. We turned left past The Croft and we re-joined the A53 further down the road. We turned left onto Church Road and we ran into Ashley for another photo stop in Ashley near to the church. We got off and got another picture of PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Ashley

We re-joined the bus the bus and we set off through Ashley onto Gravelly Hill. We rejoined the A53 and we ran into Loggerheads. We continued along the A53 and we veered left onto Newcastle Road. We ran into Market Drayton and we turned right onto Smithfield Road. We turned left onto Frogmore Road and we entered market Drayton bus station. We had a 30 minute break here and Matthew decided to visit the adjacent public toilet. He sat on a bench and ate a chocolate bar and drank a can of Fanta. As we still had town we walked down Queen Street and we visited a cash machine. We returned to the bus and Matthew took a picture of PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Market Drayton bus station

Everyone returned to the vehicle and we got on the bus and set off out off the bus station. We re-joined Frogmore Road and we turned right at the end onto Shropshire Street. We continued forwards onto Shrewsbury Road and at the end we re-joined the Southbound A53. We continued down to the A41 and we turned right, which seemed unusual. We were diverting to a housing estate to where the bus used to serve. we turned left onto Hedley Way and we ran to the end. After doing a turn in the road at the turning circle at the end, we returned to the first bus stop for a photo stop. We got off the bus and we took another picture of PMT 207 before getting back onto the bus.

PMT 207 in Buntingsdale

We set of back to the A41 and we turned right. We turned left onto the A53 and we headed South. a few miles down the road we turned right to run into another village before returning to the A53. We continued through Shabury and past Harlescott and into Shrewsbury town centre. We went under the railway line and we turned right onto the A458. We came up alongside the river and we turned left into the bus station. The bus station was completely shut up as there is no bus service in Shrewsbury on a Sunday. We got off the bus and we were instructed to meet back at the bus station around 15:30. Once off the bus we walked towards the river and we spotted a few coaches in the car park on the other side of the river. We crossed over the road and the river on the cable stay suspension footbridge and we went into the car park. We saw National Holidays NH14 DBH parked up there.

National Holidays NH14 DBH in Shrewsbury

Another coach Next to the National Holidays coach was Kirbys K50 BYS.

Kirbys K50 BYS in Shrewsbury

Also in the car park was another coach, National Holidays NH13 GWH.

National Holidays NH13 GWH in Shrewsbury

We spotted another vehicle on it's own further down the car park. It was dutch minibus Autoverhuur de Mulder PN 474 P.

Autoverhuur de Mulder PN 474 P in Shrewsbury

Once we had seen all the buses in the car park we walked back to the river and walked along to Welsh Bridge. We had a quick look at the boat on the other side of the bridge before crossing over the Welsh Bridge and going to the wetherspoons pub for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and then found a table near to the door. Matthew had a chicken burger and fries washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. Once we had finished we headed off towards the railway station. On the way we were passed by Lloyds Coaches Y302 KBN doing rail replacement bus service work.

Lloyds Coaches Y302 KBN in Shrewsbury

further along the road we saw Lloyds Coaches YG17 STZ also on rail replacement work.

Lloyds Coaches YG17 STZ in Shrewsbury

We continued to the railway station and and Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet. We were able to go into the railway station so we spotted a pub across the road. Matthew used the toilets and afterwards we stopped for a quick 1/2 of Coke. Once we had drunk the drink we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave again. We headed under the railway line and towards the site of the old Arriva bus garage. We passed the Morris Lubricants building the and the fire station and we got to the site. There was no sign that it had once been a bus garage. We walked back into town and as we passed the Morris Lubricants building we saw white minibus EU67 VME heading North.

EU67 VME in Shrewsbury

We got to the railway station and we tried to go up by the castle to get a few pictures. the path had been closed and Matthew nipped onto the near platform of the station, but there was no toilet on that platform. We headed into town to find somewhere use a toilet and we spotted Lloyds Coaches LC62 WYN.

Lloyds Coaches LC62 WYN in Shrewsbury

I was about to take Matthew into a pub when he spotted a coffee shop across the road. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards he a bottle of Coke and and Lemon polenta cake. Once we had finished we rejoin-ed uncle Dave and we walked around to the bus station. We spotted a coach on layover there. As we got closer we saw it was Lloyds Coaches BU16 UYL.

Lloyds Coaches BU16 UYL in Shrewsbury bus station

We also took a picture of PMT 207 as it was quiet and there was no one around.

PMT 207 in Shrewsbury bus station

We had just under an hour so we did another lap of the Welsh Bridge, riverside and footbridge before we stopped at Wetherspoons for one last toilet stop and swift 1/2 of Coke. When we had finished the drink we headed back to the bus station where people at started to gather. We boarded the bus and we waited for the last few passengers to appear. Once everyone was aboard the bus set off out of the bus station onto the A458. We ran forwards onto the A528 and we went under the low arched bridge that had prevented the use of a double decker on the run. We turned left onto the A5191 and we headed North towards Harlescott. We ran forwards onto the A53 and we went through Shawbury and Northwards. We missed the diversion to serve the town to the North of the A53 and the Buntingsdale housing estate off the A41 and we continued up towards Market Drayton. We veered right onto Shrewsbury Road and we ran into Market Drayton. This time we didn't stop at the bus station and we continued along Frogmore Road and Smithfield Road. We turned left onto Stafford St and we continued up to the A53. We ran through Loggerheads and we turned right onto Gravelly Hill. We ran into Ashley and we stopped in the final location for a photo stop Northbound through Ashley with the church in the background. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of PMT 207

PMT 207 in Ashley

We got back on the bus and we set off through Ashley onto Church Road. We re-joined the A53 and we ran Northwards for a short distance before turning left up towards Blackbrook. We turned right onto the A51 and we run past the Swan with Two Necks and continued along the A51 to Hill Chorlton. We turned left and we ran up to Baldwins gate, re-joining the A53. We ran up through Whitmore and up the final few miles of the A53 into Newcastle. At the edge of Newcastle we turned right onto the A34 and left onto Barracks Road before veering left into the bus station. We stopped to drop off a few passengers before continuing towards Hanley. Mum had called to ask if we would get off the bus in Hanley and she would pick us up. This would give her a chance to see Matthew. We re-joined Barracks Road and we went onto the one-way system. We joined the A52 and we run up to Hartshill. We veered left onto Shelton New Road and we stopped briefly near to the old Gilberts furniture shop. We continued down Shelton New Road through the traffic lights and we turned right to join the Southbound A500. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned left onto Stoke Road. We ran under the railway line and up through Shelton. We ran forwards onto Snow Hill and we turned right onto College Road. We turned left onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Hinde Street and when the bus stopped we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up to the car park on Lichfield Street where mum had parked. We walked onto the ring road and Matthew wanted to go to the toilet so we stopped at the bus station. After he had used the facilities we walked across Lichfield street to the car park where mum was parked up. We got in the car and we set off onto Lichfield Street. We crossed over the ring Road and we ran down to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. At the roundabout we turned sharp right onto City Road and left onto Glebdale Road. We ran forwards onto Station Bridge Road and forwards again onto Heron street. In Heron Cross we turned right onto Grove Road. We dropped down into Fenton and we dropped off uncle Dave. Once we had dropped him off we returned up to Smithpool Road and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs with Matthew and we spent a few minutes with him before we said goodbye. Matthew drank a can of Irn Bru. For tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a Bakewell tart. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. He watched television and used his computer. 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 Lichfield / Burton-on-Trent 04-06-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
46	Lichfield BS	Burton upon Trent, New Street	810	Midland Classic
85	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Swadlincote bus park	4	Midland Classic
78	Swadlincote bus park	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 8)	21	Midland Classic
81	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 6)	Lichfield BS	X12	Midland Classic

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. We checked the weather and it was for hot sunny weather all over the area with the chance of a thunder storm. Matthew woke up after being woken by the bouncy castle being inflated next door. It was little Alfie's birthday.Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 11:30 and we drove through Blurton onto Church Road. At Critchlow's Corner we veered left onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the shop to drop something off and then we continued to the A50. We went West and at Sideway we saw Shire Travel YD64 UYR. We went Southwards on the A500 and we passed an unidentified Den Caney Coach going the other way. We then joined the Southbound M6 and we passed PG Coaches AK04 KYJ and another Den Caney coach, DC52 DEN. We also passed Alfa 62.

Alfa 62 on the M6

Further down the M6 we saw Country Lion BU11 JSF & a plain green Holmeswood tri-axle coach with a small silver logo. We joined the A5 and we went East to the Truckers Rest where we stopped for dinner. Matthew went to the toilet and we ordered him a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we got back onto the Eastbound A5. We` passed the site of the old Shell garage on the corner of the A4601, which had demolished earlier this year. South of Cannock on the A5 we saw Arriva Midlands 2729 on a #71 to Wolverhampton, and NX West Midlands 4105 on a #10A. We joined the Northbound A461 and we ran the last few miles into Lichfield. We joined the A5190 at Pipehiil and we ran into town via Limburg Avenue & Saint Foy Avenue. We entered the town centre from the West and we went straight across onto Birmingham. We parked up in the car park behind the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. After he had finished we saw Arriva Midlands 3769 on a #7 to Burton-on-Trent.

Arriva Midlands 3769 in Lichfield bus station

As we came inti the car park, we saw a National Holidays coach parked up at the other end of the bus station. We decided to walk up and investigate what it was. As we got closer we saw that it was National Holidays NH13 BWH.

National Holidays NH13 BWH in Lichfield bus station

Whilst we were at the end of the bus station we saw Butler Brothers V10 BUT arrive...

Butler Brothers V10 BUT in Lichfield bus station

We turned to see a Midland Classic double decker arrive into the bus station. It was required Midland Classic 46, a dual door Wright Gemini double decker.

Midland Classic 46 in Lichfield bus station

Matthew decided to do this bus. The only slight snag was that it wasn't due of for another 20 odd minutes. In the meantime we decided to wait around and take a few more bus pictures. A few minutes later we saw Central Buses ex Transdev Versa YJ57 XVY on a X55 to Tamworth.

Central Buses YJ57 XVY in Lichfield bus station

This was followed by the arrival of another coach... It was National Holidays NH09 FRH which had arrived on a mystery excursion.

National Holidays NH09 FRH in Lichfield bus station

We also saw the own circular services. These were taken over by Midland Classic from Rotala Diamond earlier in the year. We saw Midland Classic 5 on a #822 town circular service.

Midland Classic 5 in Lichfield bus station

A few minutes later the other circular bus turn came into the bus station. it was Midland classic 4 on the #821.

Midland Classic 4 in Lichfield bus station

When it was was time to go Midland Classic 46 went onto stand and we got on the bus. We attempted to book a Midland Classic Day+ ticket, but the ticket machine appeared not to be working. Whilst the driver wrote out a handwritten ticket, Matthew took a picture inside the lower saloon on Midland Classic.

Inside Midland Classic 46

We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture of the top deck of Midland Classic before we sat down.

Inside Midland Classic 46

When it was time to depart the bus set off out of the bus station and we went North along Birmingham Road. We continued onto Church Street. We passed Lichfield Trent Valley railway station and we joined the Northbound A38. We ran fast up the A38 to Hilliards Cross and we went West on Wood end lane before turning right onto Common lane. We followed the road around to the right and we crossed over the roundabout onto Worthington Road. we ran up to the end to the turning point and the bus turned around and stopped at the stop, The bus driver came and swapped our hand written ticket for a proper one, having got the ticket machine to work again. When we got off the bus we saw Arriva Midlands 2717 on a #3 to Winshill.

Arriva Midlands 2717 in Burton upon Trent

Matthew decided that he wanted to go to the toilet, and from our previous visit we knew that there was a toilet next to the market hall. We walked up New Street up to High Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 4798 on a #2A to Sydney Street.

Arriva Midlands 4798 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Zigzag branded Trent Barton 675 on a V1 villager service to Derby.

Trent Barton 675 in Burton upon Trent

We walked to the building to the side of the market and it was closed. There was now a toilet inside the market hall. We went into the market and we followed the green footprints on the floor across to the right hand side of the Hall. After Matthew had finished we set of back towards New Street. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3773 on a #9 to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3773 in Burton upon Trent

We also saw Trent Barton 661 on a Villager service.

Trent Barton 661 in Burton upon Trent

having seen the Midland Classic bus network map, we decided to go to Swadlincote, where there seem to be a good frequent service. We stood at stand 9 on New Street and we waited for the next Swadlicote bound bus, which was the #4 service. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3707 on a #2A service to Stepenhill.

Arriva Midlands 3707 in Burton upon Trent

A few minutes later we saw required Midland Classic 85 on a #4 to the Goseley estate.

Midland Classic 85 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midland Classic day+ ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so matthew took a picture inside Midland Classic 85.

Inside Midland Classic 85

We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off along New Street and right into Lichfield Street. As we passed the back of the Octagon shopping centre we saw Midland Classic double decker 46 now on layover. At the end of Lichfield Street we turned left onto the A5189. We ran Eastwards past Tesco and at the next big roundabout we went forwards onto the A444. We followed the road around to the South and we ran down through Stepenhill and then to Stanton. We stopped outside the Midland Classic garage for a driver change, and then the bus carried on Southwards until we reached Park Road, where we turned left. We ran through the village of Newhall and then we turned right onto Darklands Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Civic Way and we passed Midland Classic 53 on a #9 to Burton. We turned right into Swadlincote bus park and we got up and got of the bus. Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 85 before it carried on towards the Goseley estate.

Midland Classic 85 in Swadlincote

By the time we got to Swadlincite around 15:30, the service was starting to scale back for the evening. We saw Midland Classic 78 on layover adjacent to Civic Way.

Midland Classic 78 in Swadlincote

We also saw required Midland Classic 84 come into the bus station on a #21 and go on layover.

Midland Classic 84 in Swadlincote

We decided to have a sit down and something to eat. Matthew had a packet of Milky Stars and then had a can of Vimto. We then saw Arriva Midlands 3772.

Arriva Midlands 3772 in Swadlincote

At the last minute when we through there was a bus at 15:40, Mathew decided that he wanted to go to the toilet. We took him to the library across the way and we were escorted into the back room for Matthew to use the disabled toilet there. After he had finished we went back to the bus park and we realised that the next bus was in fact a #21 at 15:55. We thought it was going to be Midland Classic 84, but ti was Midland Classic 78 that came off the layover bay by Civic Way and onto Stand 2 in the bus park. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of the bus park and onto Civic Way and we followed it to the left heading Southwards. Civic Way became Hearthcote Road and we went West to Gresley Wood Road. Having traveled East along York Road, we traveled back West along Church Street. We crossed a roundabout onto Castle Road and we past an abandoned car dealership where some of the cars have remained in place. I recommend readers look this up on google maps as there is a nice H reg Maestro still there! We continued West to the A444 and we did a circuit to the South of this roundabout via Mount Pleasant Road, A444, Linton Heath, Main Street and back up to the roundabout along Hillside Road. We then ran up the A444 through Stanton past the Midland Classic depot before turning right onto Sycamore Road. We turned right onto Brackenwood Road and right again onto Rollaston Road. We joined the A5189 and we ran into town along Lichfield street. We unloaded at stand 8 and in foornt of us was required Midland Classic 53 on a #9 to Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Midland Classic 53 in Burton upon Trent

We went up to the market hall and Matthew used the toilet. On the way back we stopped at Tommy's Fish bar and we had a portion of chips between us and some pop. When we cam out of the chips shop Arriva Midlands 3775 was on a #9A to Coalville.

Arriva Midlands 3775 in Burton upon Trent

We sat down close to stand 6, which was where the X12 bus was due to depart. We quickly ate the chips between us and we saw required Midland Classic 47 which was on the #810 to Lichfield.

Midland Classic 47 in Burton upon Trent

We started to walk down to the stop. On the way we saw Trent Barton 664 on the V4 Villager service to Centrum.

Trent Barton 664 in Burton upon Trent

behind the Trent Barton 664, was the bus we were going to have on the X12. It was dud Midland Classic 81.

Midland Classic 81 in Burton upon Trent

This was a bus that we had up to Lichfield, our first trip on a Midland Classic bus back in August 2014. we got on bus and we flashed the Midland Classic Day+ ticket to the driver for the final time today. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off onto Lichfield Street. We crossed the A5189 and we went South down Branston Road. We ran for about a mile into Branston and then we joined the Southbound A38. We ran fast down the A38 and we come off just North of Lichfield onto the A5127. We ran past Lichfield Trent Valley railway station and we passed Butler Brothers V10 BUT leaving town with it passengers aboard. We turned into the bus station and when we got off Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 81.

Midland Classic 81 in Lichfield bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and then we went visited the kiosk around the corner. Mathew chose a chocolate bar and an can of Coke and then we went back to the car. As we were leaving we saw Parks of Hamilton HSK 642 on a #324 National Express service to Huddersfield. We left town along the A51 and we ran up to Stone through Rugeley without seeing anything. On the A34 we passed First Potteries 65037 on a #101 with #101 branding on it. At Trentham we turned right onto the A5035 and we ran up to Longton. There were quite a few vehicle on the spare ground at Z Carz this evening. In the front row was Z Carz minibus Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Closest on the front row was Z minibus Carz MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we crossed the A50 onto Baths Road so that we could fill up with diesel. After filling up we re-joined the Westbound A50 where we saw Cropley coach XSV 839. We ran up to heron Cross and then we turned left onto Blurton Road. We followed the road around to the right onto Church Road and then we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:30... For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark