Trip to Newport / Cardiff 12-07-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
317	Newport BS	Cardiff, Stop HF	30	Cardiff Bus
735	Grangetown, Pentre Street	Cardiff Bay Mermaid Quay	8	Cardiff Bus
768	Cardiff Bay, Millennium Centre	Cardiff, Philharmonic JP	6	Cardiff Bus
419	Cardiff, Churchill Way HM	St Mellons, Willowdene Way	44	Cardiff Bus
417	Old St Mellons, Wern Fawr Lane	Newport BS	30	Newport Bus

Today was the second day of the short break in Newport. Research for today consisted of looking up the various day tickets for the local operators and checking the weather. Matthew woke up around 07:00 and had toast for breakfast. A little later on he had a glass of Coke. After getting ready we set off onto foot down Corporation Road and we headed onto George Street Bridge onto the A4042. We went into the bus station and we had a look around to see what we could catch. The plan was to go to Cardiff. Whilst we waited we saw Newport bus 309 on a #73 to Chepstow.

Newport bus 309 in Newport bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards waited for the bus. A short time later we saw it was Cardiff Bus 317 on a #30 to Cardiff. We got on the bus and we booked a Network Rider day tickets £9 each before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Cardiff Bus 317.

Inside Cardiff Bus 317

We set off out off the bus station and we headed Southwards down the A4042. We turned right onto Emlyn Street and we ran forwards onto Kingsway. We turned right and we headed South Westwards down the B4237. We passed the hospital and Bell Vue Park and we headed out of town. We crossed the Ebbw River and we headed Westwards along the A48 past Tredegar Park. The road turned South Westwards and we ran for a few miles alongside the A48(M) before going forwards onto the B4487. We ran through St Mellons and Rumney and we crossed over the Rhymney River and we ran forwards onto the A4161. We continued into Cardiff past the hospital and we turned left onto Guilford Street. We ran past Cardiff Queen Street station and we turned left onto Churchill Way. We turned right onto the A4160 and we stopped outside of the Unison office where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Cardiff Bus 317 before it went off out off service.

Cardiff Bus 317 in Cardiff

Once off the bus we set off towards the new interchange outside of the railway station. We walked past the Vue cinema and we saw Cardiff Bus 147 on a #8 to Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Bus 147 in Cardiff

We crossed over the river and we walked along Tudor Street. We turned left onto Clair Road and we headed Southwards. We went under the railway line and we walked for about 1/4 mile to a bus stop. We waited for a Southbound bus. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Cardiff Bus 735 on a #8 to Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Bus 735 in Grangetown

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Rider day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards along Clare Road and at the 6 way juntion we veered slight left onto Corporation Road. We joined the A4119 and we crossed over the river Taff. We turned right onto Adelaide Street and we turned left onto Stuart Street. We arrived at Mermaid Quay and we got up and got off the bus. Once off bus we waled towards the quayside and we had a walk around. We went to a cafe and Matthew had a burger washed down with a coke. Afterwards we stopped for some ice cream and we headed up Bute Street and we headed to the bus stop by the Millenium centre. We waited for a bus towards Cardiff. A short time later we saw one approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Cardiff Bus 768 on a #6 to Cardiff.

Cardiff Bus 768 in Cardiff Bay

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Rider day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the Northbound A470 and we headed Northwards into Cardiff city centre. We turned left onto the A4160 and we turned right onto St Mary Street. We ran under the railway line and we crossed over Penarth Road before we got up and got off the bus. Behind us we saw Stagecoach South Wales 26102 on a #122 service to Tonypandy.

Stagecoach South Wales 26102 in Cardiff

We set off on foot along Sy Mary Street and we continued onto the High Street. At the end of the high Street we could see Cardiff Castle. We stopped to use the toilet before we headed down to Churchill Way to wait for a #44 to St Mellon. On the way we saw Cardiff Bus 351 on an inbound #52 service from Cyncoed.

Cardiff Bus 351 in Cardiff

We arrived at Churchill Way and we waited for our bus. Whilst we waited we saw Cardiff Bus 306 on a #11 to Pensarn Green.

Cardiff Bus 306 in Cardiff

A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Cardiff Bus 419 on a #44 to St Mellons.

Cardiff Bus 419 in Cardiff

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Rider day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Churchill Way and we turned right onto North Edward Street. We turned left onto station Terrace and we turned right onto the A4161. We headed Eastwards out of the town and we crossed over the river Rhymney. We turned right onto New Road and we continued Eastwards. We continued onto Greenway Road crossing over the B5239 and we headed Northwards. We turned right onto Trowbridge Road and we headed into a housing estate. We turned left onto Aberdaron Road and right onto Glan-Y-Mor Road. We turned left onto Brymbala Way and left onto Hendre Road. We turned right onto Tresigin Road and left onto Crickhowell Road. We turned left onto Willowbrook Drive we we headed clockwise around a massive housing estate. We turned right onto Crickhowell Road. andn we ran throu the middle of the estate. We turned left onto Willowbrook Drive and we ran anti-clockwise around the estate. When we got to Crumlin Fields we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Cardiff Bus 419 as it ran back towards Cardiff.

Cardiff Bus 419 in St Mellons

We set off on foot across to the main road to catch a #30 back to Newport. We headed Westwards along Willowbrook Drive and we crossed over the road and went into the park. We walked through the park onto Vaendre Lane and onto the B4487. We crossed over the road and we waited at the Eastbound bus stop. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Newport Bus 417 on a #30 to Newport.

Newport Bus 417 in St Mellons

We got on the bus and we flashed the Network Rider day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off North Eastwards up the B4487 and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto the A48. We ran parrallel to the A48(M) past St Mellons golf course and through Castleton. We continued parrallel to the M4 into Duffryn and past Tredegar Park. We turned left onto the B4237 and we ran past Belle Vue Park. On the edge of the city centre we ran forwards onto Kingsway and we turned right onto Emlyn Street. We ran Northwards up the A4042 and we pulled into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we visited Newport Market and Matthew went to the toilet. When we had finished we walked Southwards alongside the river Usk and we crossed over the river on George Street bridge. We turned right onto Corporation Street and we stopped at the apparment. We chilled out at the appartment and Matthew wrote some of his Blog and checked e-mails. For tea Matthew had a burger and a cup of Coke. Later on Matthew went out. We walked into town and we visited the shopping centre. We visited a pub and Matthew had a glass of Coke. Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we walked back out of town over the river and onto Corporation Street and back to the apartment. Matthew chilled out and used his computer before going to bed at 00:00... Mark

Trip to Newport 11-07-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BV23 ZWA	Hanley BS	Birmingham Coach Station	551	Selwyns
BV17 GTF	Birmingham Coach Station	Newport BS	112	Edwards

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was later on we were travelling up to Newport. Matthew got up around 06:00. He chilled out in his room in the morning and waited for us to taxi. As the coach was leaving from Hanley. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw Temple Street church minibus RX18 GZW. We carried on along Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We went to coach in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road and we ran along Manor Street. We ran down the hill through Fenton and at Joiners Square. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we got out of the taxi and we walked up Lichfield Street. We continued onto Tontine Street Tontine street and onto Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. We visited the toilet and afterwards. We had arranged with coach to London up near to the bus station. As we walked through the bus station we saw First Potteries 67174 on a #7A to Biddulph. A short time later the bus appeared and it was Selwyns BV23 ZWA on a #551 to London.

Selwyns BV23 ZWA in Hanley bus station

e got on the coach after putting the cases in the luggage compartemtn and we sat down. The bus waited for time before setting off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill. We ran forwards onto Stoke Road and down the hill through Shelton into Stoke. We crossed over the A500. At Sideway and we ran Southwards towards the motorway. We joined the M6 and we ran Southwards through Staffordshire into the West Midlands. We came off the M6 at junction 6 and we joined the Aston Expressway. We ran into Birmingham and forwards onto the A4400. We turned left onto Wrentham Street and we turned onto Rea Street and into Digbeth coach Station. We got off the coach and Matthew visisted the toilet. Once off the bus we set off onto Digbeth and we stopped at Subway and Matthew had a chicken Sub with a cup of Coke and a cookie. After a short wait we saw National Express West Midlands 4466 on a #97 to Birmingham. We continued along Digbeth and we cut through onto Digbeth coach Station. As it got closer we saw that it was required Edwards BV17 GTF on a #112 to Haverfordwest. We got on the coach after putting the cases in the luggage compartemtn and we sat down. We set off along Sackville Street and onto Bradford Street. We turned right onto the B4100 and left onto the A4540. We went down the fast section of the B4100. At the roundabout we turned left onto the ring road and then right at the next roundabout onto the A456. As we left town it started to rain a little. We ran through West Hagley and Hagley. We joined the Northbound M5. At junction 15 we came off the M50 and we turned right onto the A40 and we ran down the hill through Ross-on-Wye and up into Greytree. We continued up towards Pencraig. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A449. We ran along the normal route through Cat's Ash and we rejoined the M4 and then we went North up the A4042 to Newport. We got up and got off the coach. Matthew took another picture of Edwards BV17 GTF as it continued Northwards towards Haverfordwest.

Edwards BV17 GTF in Newport bus station

We crossed the lane that joins A4042 and we saw Newport Bus 311 on the #73 to Chepstow.

Newport Bus 311 in Newport

We crossed over the footbridge and went under the A4042 onto George Street Bridge. We turned right onto Corporation Road and at the appartment. We came in and we settled down. Matthew had a chicken, bacon potatoes and carrots and a can of orange Fanta. We decided to go out and get a couple of walk in. We set off along Corporation Road and we ran forwards onto the A48. We turned right onto the Queensway Meadows and forwards onto Seven Stiles Ave. We got out of the taxi When we walked along Seven Stiles Ave and we went to Cineworld. Matthew had a and cup of Coke. He went to the toilet and afterwards he saw Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse. Movie at the cinema. When he had finished we set off back down Seven Stiles Ave We turned right onto Queensway Meadows and left to stay on the A48. At the roundabout we turned right onto Corporation Road at the appartment. We came in and we settled down. After a late tea will chilled out in the room. Matthew watched TV and we did some work on the Blog. We did some more of the Blog and we wrote e-mails. Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark