Trip to Lichfield / Rugeley 21-02-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2937	Lichfield BS	Rugeley BS	X25	Arriva Midlands
2938	Rugeley BS	Lichfield BS	X25	Arriva Midlands
3732	Lichfield BS	Lichfield, Opp Cornfield Drive	29	Arriva Midlands
3732	Lichfield, Opp Cornfield Drive	Lichfield BS	29	Arriva Midlands
3808	Lichfield BS	Burntwood, Opp Victory Avenue	X60	Arriva Midlands
2277	Burntwood, Adj Victory Avenue	Lichfield BS	15	Arriva Midlands
3735	Lichfield BS	Pipehill, Opp Hollybank Cottage	35	Arriva Midlands
3809	Pipehill, Adj Pipe Marsh	Burntwood, Opp Victory Avenue	X60	Arriva Midlands
3808	Burntwood, Adj Victory Avenue	Lichfield BS	X60	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. The weather was poor and it appeared to be better to the South. We gave Matthew a list of place to go and from these places he chose Lichfield. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We didn't do any research for this trip other than to re-check the weather that predicted mainly dry but cloudy weather. We set off around 11:30 and we went onto the A5035. We carried on into Trentham and when we reached the A34 we turned left to head South. As we passed nearby to Stone we saw Bennetts Solo V281 DRC on the #4 service. We carried on South past the town and we went East on the A51. At Weston traffic lights we saw Happy Days coaches 226 going the other way. We carried on East past the edge of Rugeley and we did the last few miles into town before we stopped at the chips shop on the A51 right by the City Line. Matthew had Chips sausage and gravy and a can of Coke an we headed back to the car. We rove across the road to the car park behind the bus station and we ate the food. Once we had finished we use the toilets in the bus station before we said goodbye to mum. We decided to have a quick walk around and take a few pictures before we caught the first bus of the day. On it's usual service was X55 branded Central Buses Enviro200 bus, YX63 ZXL.

Central Buses YX63 ZXL in Lichfield bus station

We walked through the bus station taking picture of the buses in the row. We then saw dud Arriva Midlands 3797 on a X60 service to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3797 in Lichfield bus station

On the X60 to Tamworth was required Arriva Midlands 3807.

Arriva Midlands 3807 in Lichfield bus station

This bus was recently transferred from Arivva North West & Wales and used to carry the number 3064. There were 2 coaches parked up at the end of the bus station. The back on of the pair was National Holidays Setra coach NH10 SSH.

National Holidays NH10 SSH in Lichfield bus station

The front one of the two was A1 Link Travel Mercedes mini coach V139 BAN.

A1 Link Travel V139 BAN in Lichfield bus station

We walked back into the main part of the bus station and we saw an Arriva Midlands Versa approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 2937 on the X25 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 2937 in Lichfield bus station

We decided to do this to Rugeley. We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew got a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2937.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2937

We booked Arriva Midlands Day Saver tickets at £6.20 each. We sat down towards the back of the bus and when it was time the bus set off out of town and up Beacon Street. We joined the A51 to the West of town and we went non-stop up to the edge of Rugeley, entering town own Brereton Hill. The bus turned into the bus station and we got off. We decided to take a few pictures before we went into the market. On a local service was required Arriva Midlands 3701.

Arriva Midlands 3701 in Rugeley bus station

Matthew took another picture of our ride into town, Arriva Midlands 2937.

Arriva Midlands 2937 in Rugeley bus station

We then saw dud Arriva Midlands 3719 on a #24 service to Brereton.

Arriva Midlands 3719 in Rugeley bus station

Something that we have never seen before was the Tesco free bus. Working this service today was dud Arriva Midlands 2315.

Arriva Midlands 2315 in Rugeley bus station

We headed into the market and we brought some spearmint chews and a can of Coke and a can of orange Tango. This cost a very reasonable £1.47. We walked back out of the bus station and walked to the top stop to see when the next service to Lichfield was due. There was an X25 due at 14:51. In the meantime, we saw dud Arriva Midlands 2328 on a #23 to Pear Tree. Which had worked in on a #26 from Springfields.

Arriva Midlands 2328 in Rugeley bus station

A few minutes later we saw another Arriva Midlands Versa approaching... As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2938 on the X25 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 2938 in Rugeley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Midlands Day Saver tickets before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town up Brereton Hill before we joined the A51. We carried on Eastwards and just outside of Lichfield we brifly joined the A512 before entering town own Stafford Road / Beacon Street. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off. We then saw dud Central Buses YJ59 PKC about to work the #35 to Walsall.

Central Buses YJ59 PKC in Lichfield bus station

This is a bus that we had on this service back in December 2014 when we came to Lichfield for the Heritage running day. On Arriva's competing #35 service we saw required Arriva Midlands 3732 come into the bus station.

Arriva Midlands 3732 in Lichfield bus station

It was now going on to a #29 local service, something which we had not seen happen before. This is probably because we hadn't been in the bus station at this minute in the hour before. We decided to catch this bus and do a round trip on it. We got on the bus an we asked how long it took to do a round trip, an the river told us it was around 15 minutes. We flashed the ticket to the river and before we sat down Matthew photographed the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3732

The bus set off through the bus station passing Arriva Midlands 3773 which was on the #7 to Burton-on-Trent. We left the bus station and went Northwards. We turned to the East and we crossed over the Lichfield to Burton-on-Trent line before joining Roman Way. We turned left at Austin Cote Way and at the end of the road we did a 180' turn on the roundabout and we returned to the bus station back along the same roads as we came. We got off the bus an Matthew had a moment where he wanted to say hello to someone. He did managed to say hello but he was a bit excitable so we had to hold him back for a few minutes so he could calm down. We had a look around to see what we could catch. We ha missed Arriva Midlands 2277 on the #15 so we thought that the next bus we could do was an X60 towards Burntwood & Cannock. A few minutes later required Arriva Midlands 3808 made an appearance on the X60 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus an we flashed the tickets to the river before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The X60 goes west out of town before passing the new Waitrose store. We headed North up Limburg Avenue and then we turned left onto the A461. As we approached Pipehill we turned right onto the A5190 to head towards Burntwood. We carried on westwards through Edial and into Burntwood Green before we turned left onto Chase Road. In Chasetown we turned right around the tight corner into High Street. At the top of High Street we turned right onto the A5190 before going left Bridge Cross Road. We turned right at Rugeley Road and we got off the bus. Opposite us was required Arriva Midlands 2277 on the Lichfield bound #15 service. Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 3808 before it set off towards Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Burntwood

We decided that we were going to trying and get on Arriva Midlands 2277. Matthew took a picture of it before we crossed over the road to get on the bus.

Arriva Midlands 2277 in Burntwood

We got on the bus an we flashed the ticket to the driver. We sat down towards the back of the bus an the bus turned left onto Bridge Cross Road. We carried on straight and into the estate, crossing over Chase Road and carrying on in South Westerly direction. We turned onto Coppy Nook lane an we headed into the village of Hammerwich. We passe through the village and we headed north onto the A5190. We headed through Edial and we joined the A461 at Pipehill. We headed into town along the more direct route not taken by the X60, down Walsall Road. As we came into town we passed a Dart on the #62 to Cannock which was probably Arriva Midlands 2378 which we had seen earlier in the day. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2277.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2277

We got back to the bus station and we realised the #35 to Walsall was due. It was required Arriva Midlands 3735.

Arriva Midlands 3735 in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near to the back. We decided to do the bus to Pipehill and then we could catch something else from off the main road. As we left town Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3735

We left town along Walsall Road and we joined the A461. At the Pipehill junction the bus went left and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3735 as it carried on towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3735 in Pipehill

As we left the bus station at 15:41 an there was also an 15:45 X60 we decided to go to the main road to catch the X60 towards Burntwood. As we got to the roundabout I thought I saw the bus approaching... So I decide to run to the bus stop on the main road. Matthew and uncle Dave followed behind. I flagged the bus down and Matthew an uncle Dave caught up with the bus, which was required Arriva Midlands 3809.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Pipehill

We flashed the tickets an we sat own towards the back of the bus. The bus carried on along the A5190 and we headed into Burntwood Green before turning west towards Chasetown. Matthew took a picture of the empty seats behind us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3809

We turned right into the High Street an then right at the top onto the A5190 before going left onto Bridge Cross Road. We turned right into Rugeley Road and we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3809 before it carried on towards Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Burntwood

We decided to have a short break from the buses. We went into Sankeys Fish bar and we had a portion of chips an a jumbo sausage between us. Matthew had some chips and the sausage. We also shared 2 cans of pop. We saw there were people at the stop opposite so we crossed the road to wait for the bus. it was 16:18 an then bus was due three minutes ago. We waited for quite a while and a lady stopped her car and explained that the bus was stuck on the other side of a police roadblock, who were attending some kind of incident. The bus did eventually turned up at 16:30! It was dud Arriva Midlands 3808 for the second time today.

Arriva Midlands 3808 in Burntwood

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets for the final time today before sitting own near to the back of the bus. We returned back to Lichfield through Chasetown and Burntwood Green rejoining the Eastbound A5190. We passe through Edial and we went down Pipehill into the edge of town. we went South past Waitrose before going East along Sainte Foy Avenue. We went into the bus station for the final time and we waited for the bus to empty so that Matthew could get a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3808.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3808

Before we left we decided to have one last walk around the bus station taking some picture before we went home. We saw dud Arriva Midlands 3505 on the #785 to Shuttington.

Arriva Midlands 3505 in Lichfield bus station

We then saw Arriva Midlands 3763 on the #825 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3763 in Lichfield bus station

One one of the town circulars was Rotala Diamond 20893.

Rotala Diamond 20893 in Lichfield bus station

On the #66 to Burntwood was required Central Buses AE06 ZBT.

Central Buses AE06 ZBT in Lichfield bus station

We headed back to the car and mum as waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of town and onto the westbound A51. We skirted the North of Rugeley and carried on along the A51 to the A34. Just to the West of Stone we stopped at the Shell garage to take on diesel. We carried on North to Trentham and we joined the Eastbound A5035 and we headed up to Longton. On the spare ground there were two buses. The first bus in the line up was Volkwagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Also on the spare ground was Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into willow Row to see what was inside the compound. Closest to the gate was Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Opposite the compound parked on the road was Z Carz taxi minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

We headed onto the A50 and we came off the road at Heron Cross and we turned onto Blurton Road. We went through Blurton and we got home around 18:00. For a late tea we had sausage mash and carrots follow by a iced doughnut. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Lichfield / Burntwood 06-12-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YJ59 PKC	Lichfield BS	Pipehill, Opp Pipehill Farm	35B	Central Buses
JJD 411D	Pipehill, Adj Pipe Marsh	Burntwood Town Centre, Adj Victory Avenue	66	Central Buses
JJD 411D	Burntwood Town Centre, Adj Victory Avenue	Lichfield BS	66	Central Buses
YX63 ZXK	Lichfield BS	Freeford, Adj Horse and Jockey PH	X55	Central Buses
BU12 LJO	Freeford, Opp Horse and Jockey PH	Lichfield BS	X55	Central Buses
CUV 220C	Lichfield BS	Burntwood Town Centre, Adj Victory Avenue	66	Central Buses

Today we decided to re-visit Lichfield. Earlier in the week we had found out that Central Buses were operating their two Routemaster buses on the #66 Lichfield - Burntwood service as a 'Vintage running Day'. It would also give an opportunity to get some of other buses they operate in the Lichfield area. Matthew got up around 10:15 today and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. research consisted of looking at the timetables online for the #35B, the #66 and the X55 services. We also looked up tickets. The Central Buses Staffordshire Day bus ticket costs £5 and cover these three service thought for an entire day. Today we set off around 12:15. We saw First Potteries 60068 on a Longton bound #22 service before we drove onto the A5035. We did the A5035 to the end on the A34 and then we turned South towards Stone. Just South of Trentham we passed First Potteries 65035 on a Hanley bound #101 service. We passed around the outskirts of Stone before turning left onto the A51. As we headed South through Colwich we passed Arriva Midlands 3764 on a #825 to Stafford. Just North of Rugeley we headed off the A51 to visit the chip shop just off Green Lane as we had done on our previous trip to Lichfield back in August 2014. Matthew had a large sausage chips and gravy. Due to a bit of an ordering mix up it took nearly 20 minutes to get the food but they were really nice chips! We ate the food in the car and then we headed back up to the A51 and we carried on going East. We skirted the North end of Rugeley and then carried on towards Lichfield. We then passed Arriva Midlands 3760 on another #825 to Stafford. When we got closer to town we passed Midland Classic 1 on a X12 to Sutton Coldfield service. We also saw one of the Routemasters turn off the road ahead of us on the 13:55 departure to Burnwood. We pulled up in the car park behind Lichfield bus station around 14:00. After we had parked up used the toilets at the end of the bus station, we had around 20 minutes to take pictures before our first bus. On an X65 to Tamworth we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3003.

Arriva Midlands 3003 in Lichfield bus station

There were also five coaches parked up in the bus station today, presumably visiting on Chritmas shopping trips. First in the row off three adjacent to the bus stops was former Brighton & Hove coach Viking R501 HUF.

Viking R501 HUF in Lichfield bus station

Behind the Viking coach was Airshuttle Neoplan coach X7 OPC.

Airshuttle X7 OPC in Lichfield bus station

At the back of the row of three coaches was Alan Davies Travel's tri-axle coach A2 ADT.

Alan Davies Travel A2 ADT in Lichfield bus station

We then got a picture of the first bus we were going to catch, Central Buses Solo YJ59 PKC.

Central Buses YJ59 PKC in Lichfield bus station

This service was worked by a single bus and only departed every two hours... If we were going to get all 5 buses in for the day we had to catch this bus first. We had some time still before it was due to depart, so we went to take picture of the remaining two coaches on the end of the bus station. Closest to the car park end of the row was Warrington's of Ilam Bova coach OIJ 721.

Warringtons of Ilam OIJ 721 in Lichfield bus station

Behind this was another Bova bodied coach, Eclipse EXZ 7243.

Eclipse EXZ 7243 in Lichfield bus station

As we waited for the Central Buses Solo to be readied for service, Arriva Midlands 3733 arrived on their competing #35 service.

Arriva Midlands 3733 in Lichfield bus station

We also saw the other of the two Routemasters on the #66, required Central Buses CUV 220C.

Central Buses CUV 220C in Lichfield bus station

We were letting this bus go for now as we had plans to get this bus in later... When YJ59 PKC was ready for service we got on and purchased a Staffordshire Day ticket at £5 as we had researched earlier. We sat down and at 14:23 as timetabled the bus set off out of town. It soon became apparent why this service was worked by a Solo. We passed through the Darwen Park housing estate which consists of Large expensive looking Georgian style town houses with green spaces and narrow roads. We had to stop and reverse at one point because a motorist came around the corner a little too quickly and was able to reverse into a parking space. The bus was nearly empty in front of us so Matthew took a picture of the bus in front of us.

Inside Central Buses YJ59 PKC

We came out of the estate at the Southern end nest to a large Waitrose supermarket we turned onto Limburg Avenue and then we turned Westwards onto the A461. The plan was to catch the bus to where the road splits from the A5190 and then to walk back to the A5190 to catch the #66 towards Burntwood. When the bus turned we got up and then driver didn't see us and went a stop further down the road! Matthew honked the horn before we got of the bus and then he took another picture of YJ59 PKC as it headed off towards Walsall.

Central Buses YJ59 PKC in Pipehill

We set off on foot back towards the A5190. We weren't 100% sure we were where we had planned to be (albeit a stop further up the road) so I tried unsuccessfully to use my phone to get our location. We got to the main road and we could see bus stops on opposite sides of the road. The road was busy and we didn't have the timetable on us. I assumed the 14:25 had long gone and that we might be able to catch the inbound bus that would form the 14:55. So we crossed the road by the roundabout and set off the hundred and fifty or so yards to the Lichfield bound stop. pretty mush as we got to the stop we turned and saw the late running 14:25 to Burntwood whizz passed running approximately 15 minutes late! There was quite a bit of bus activity along this stretch of road. We saw a Dart (possibly Arriva Midlands 2277) go past on a #15 service as well as a Cannock bound Wright bodied bus. Going towards Lichfield was dud Arriva Midlands 3741.

Arriva Midlands 3741 in Pipehill

It had now gone 14:55 so we had to assume that the 14:55 had already gone past and was on its way back towards Burntwood. We saw Arriva Midlands 3733 in the distance turn the corner towards Brownhills on the #35 service to walsall. We crossed the road to wait for the 14:55 to Burntwood. We didn't have to wait for too long before we saw a routesmaster climbing the hill out of Lichfield. As it got closer we saw that it was as expected required Central Buses JJD 411D.

Central Buses JJD 411D in Pipehill

The bus pulled over and we got on the bus through the open rear platform and went straight upstairs. The bus started up and we carried on along the A5190. Considering how common Routemasters are, this was only the 3rd one on which we have traveled, the other two being RML 2518 at the Newcastle 80 celebration and RM 467 at the POPS rally in May 2012. We continued to Burntwood Green before turning left to head towards Chasetown. The bus was quite bouncy as it went towards Chasetown over some speed bumps. There was a small child at the front of thee bus that bumped his head on the side window. He seemed to enjoy this as he continued to try and bump his head and his dad had to put his had between the boys head and the glass to stop him from doing it again op purpose! At the end of Queens Street we turned sharp right into Chasetown High Street. This time the lad really did give head an bang and cried for a few minutes. Obviously not as much fun as he thought it would be. At the top of the High Street we turned North Eastwards for a short wuhile before going West along Bridge Cross Road and through the main crossroad in Burntwood. We carried on West along cannoack Road before turning North onto Ironstone Road. A few hundred yards along we turned right onto High Street and the Right again onto Rugeley Road. We then approached the crossed road from a different side before turning left to go back towards Lichfield. After as short run on the A5190 we got back onto Chasetown High Street before doing the sharp left turn back onto Queens Street. We carried on towards Burntwood Green and we took on a few more passengers. I heard the conductor say that the last journey from Lichfield back to Burntwood was 17:10 and this information stuck in my head for later use. We carried on through Pipehill and into town before running towards the bus station along the Friar. We passed the other bus in town around 15:42 which must have been running around 15 minutes late. We came into the bus station from the North end and onto the bus stand. We let the bus behind us empty and Matthew got a picture inside Central Buses Routmaster JJD 411D.

Inside Central Buses JJD 411D

We got off the bus and we took another picture of Central Buses JJD 411D.

Central Buses JJD 411D in Lichfield bus station

We had 3 buses left to get in on our Centrel Buses bus ticket. There were 2 buses on the X55 service and the other Routemaster which had only just left town towards Burntwood. As the first of the X55's was due off in less than 10 minutes we decided to go after these 2 buses. Already on stand ready to work the 15:55 was Central Buses YX63 ZXK.

Central Buses YX63 ZXK in Lichfield bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed our Central Buses Staffordshire Day ticket. As it was empty Matthew took a picture as we got on the bus.

Inside Central Buses YX63 ZXK

We didn't have the timetable for this service, but I remember reading that the service was booked to Leave Lichfield at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour and the bus from Tamworth left at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour, with an approximate journey time of 20 minutes. I worked out if we traveled for around 5 minutes out of town we should probably make the other bus coming the other way. At 15:55 the bus left town and we turned left into Upper St John Street. We turned left onto the A51 and we ran along side a section of disused canal. After we had crossed the A38 we saw there was a pub and bus stops on opposite sides of the road. I decided to get up and get off here. Matthew took another picture of Central Buses YX63 ZXK as it continued towards Tamworth.

Central Buses YX63 ZXK in Freeford

We crossed the road and we didn't have to wait for more than a couple of minutes before we saw another Central Buses bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Central Buses BU12 LJO.

Central Buses BU12 LJO in Freeford

We got on the bus and we flashed out Staffordshire Day ticket. For once everything seem to have worked out how it supposed to! The bus carried on Westwards along the A51 before turning right into Upper st John Street. We went under the railway and we turned right again before entering the bus station. The bus pulled up on stand and we waited for the bus to empty so that Matthew could get a picture inside the now empty Central Buses BU12 LJO.

Inside Central Buses BU12 LJO

There was only one bus left to get in for the day for Central Buses, and that was the remaining Routemaster CUV 220C. We had around 10 minutes before the bus was due inti the bus station, so we went to the toilet and after Matthew had a bottle of Fanta and a Curly Wurly from out of the trip bag supplies. After he had finished we saw required Arriva Midlands 2702 on a #62 service to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2702 in Lichfield bus station

Arriva Midlands Centro 3733 made another appearance on the #35 to Walsall, as did Central Buses YJ59 PKC on the #35B to Walsall. A few minutes later that last bus that we wanted came into the bus station, Central Buses CUV 220C.

Central Buses CUV 220C in Lichfield bus station

We waited for the bus to empty and then we got on the rear platform and went upstairs. I thought that it was the 16:25 departure, but looking at the timetable when we got this later departure is not due to go until 16:40. The bus loaded and then sat there for a while. I couldn't understand why it hadn't departed... The bus set off when it was due to at 16:40, although I did bot know this at the time. The plan was to do one round trip before going back to the car... The bus went through the town centre and onto Walsall Road. We joined the Westbound A461 and then onto the A5190. It was now fully dark... We entered Burntwood Green and we turned left towards Chasetown. On Queen Street we made the tight right turn onto Chasetown High Street before heading though Burntwood along Bridge Cross Road / Cannock Road. It was around 17:00 and we passed a Lichfield bound #60 service being worked by a Wright bodied Arriva Midlands bus. The Arriva bus turned out of Rugeley Road left into Bridge Cross Road. As we headed around the loop of the service the conductor asked us where we were going. I said we were just going back to Lichfield. He said "We've got a bit of a problem... The bus only going to Sankey's Corner and then terminates before running back empty!" Oh!... Drat... He talked to the driver and he told he could possibly drop us off somewhere on the way back to Lichfield but he couldn't take us back into town. As we had seen the #60 turn the corner we thought we could catch one of these back and the conductor thought that there was one 5 minutes behind us. The bus emptied and Matthew took a picture inside Central Buses Routemaster CUV 220C.

Inside Central Buses CUV 220C

We got off and we saw the bus go back towards the depot. We looked at the timetable... it was 17:12 and there wasn't a bus back towards Lichfield until 17:45. We decided to call mum to come and rescue us as were only around 15 minutes away. We told her we were going to Sankey Fish Bar to get some chips whilst we waited for her to find us and pick us up. We went into this large chip shop and we ordered a portion of chips between us and 3 cans of pop. We sat down on some seats inside the shop to eat the chips as it was now quite cold out. After we had finished we went outside to see if we could see mum. There was a Barclay bank opposite so we decided to visit the cash machine to get some money whilst we waited. his was one of those rare machines that have £5 notes in them... After we had finished we headed back to the chip shop as that is where we said we would be. We could see what looked like our car about to turn right into Rugeley Road so we waved mum down as she made the turn.She sapped into the passenger seat and I carried on driving... Mum handed out the Greggs sasage rolls and Matthew washed this down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. I turned the car and I headed back towards Lichfield as I knew the way home from there. Thinking about it after the fact, if we had carried on along Rugeley Road we would have probably ended up closer to home in Rugeley and would have cut 5-7 miles off the journey home! We headed back into Lichfield along the A5190 before joining the A51 and going West. We passed North of Rugeley and we stopped in Colwich for diesel. We carried on North through Weston and onto the A34 South of Stone. We by-passed Stone and did the A34 up Trentham before we went North East along the A5035 to Longton. WE dropped mum at a chemist on the Strand before we headed back onto the A50 to go and visit Z Carz, passing Z Carz Mercedes Minibus M372 NWN on the way. There was only one bus on the spare ground tonight and that was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

In the compound there were more minibus including Mercedes minibus S952 VMY. We headed back onto the A5035 past the old Somerfield supermarkets and we picked mum up on the Strand before going back on the A5035 again. We got home at 19:00. Mum went out with her friend for a girls night in, and we stopped at home. for a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots and Matthew helped to chop up some of the carrots. Just after 10 we took uncle Dave home. We went via the A5035, Stanley Matthews Way, Heron Cross and Grove Road. After we had dropped him off we came back via Grove Road, Blurton Road and Beaconsfield Drive. Matthew then chilled out on his computer. Mum came home a little after 23:00 in a Roseville taxi and then Matthew went bed around 00:30... Mark