Trip to Longton / Newcastle 13-11-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67145	Longton, stop C	Fenton, adj Travers Court	11	First Potteries
159	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, adj stop Q	1	D&G Bus
47520	Stoke, adj stop A	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries
112	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going on the bus later on. 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 we saw Roberts BD24 WZH. 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 turned left into Baker Street. We continued onto Glebedale Road and we went to the doctors. We returned to the residential unit along Baker Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We got in a car and we set off onto Christchurch Street and left onto Station Bridge Road. We followed the road around onto Heron Street. We went through the traffic lights and we turned left onto the A50. We ran through Longton. We turned left onto Baths Road. Matthew went to Tesco Extra. Once out of the taxi we walked through onto The Strand and went to the Cafe Delight. Matthew had a brunch washed down with a can of Coke. We waited for a bus towards Fenton. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67145 on a #11 to Newcastle. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down The Strand and we ran under the railway line onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past KFC. As we approached the flat we got up and got off the bus. We walked back up City Road left onto Victoria Road. We continued down to Aldi and we did some shopping. After we had done the shopping we got a Lucky Seven taxi back to the residential unit. We set off up Victoria Road. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. we went upstairs to his room and use his computer. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we walked up to the bus stop. We waited for a bus to stoke to appear. A few minutes later we saw a D&G bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 159 on a #1 to Park Site. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle 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 up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went into the one stop shop. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards went on the computer. When we had finished we went outside to catch a bus back up to Fenton. We crossed over Church Street to the bus stop and we waited for the next bus. Whilst we waited we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 615 heading towards Newcastle. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 47520 on a #11 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. We ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over City Road and walked back to the residential unit. Matthew went back upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out. He used his computer and watched buses out of the window whilst and ate his Manchester tart whilst we waited for tea. Before tea We went downstairs out for a walk to fetch his tea. we set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We ordered sausages and chips gravy and then we walked back along Smithpool Road and onto and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out. Matthew went into the living room to have tea. Matthew ate his sausages and chips gravy followed by a Butterfly cake. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Hanley. At the Afford garage we saw Afford rent-a-car DY21 JVN parked up.

Afford rent-a-car DY21 JVN in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 112 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G Bus 112 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle 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. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and into the centre of Hartshill. We turned left into the Avenue and left again onto Hilton Road before turning right into the City General Hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw ABC Supreme HV22 HKL. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. A short time later we saw First Potteries 35941 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35941 in Newcastle bus station

In the bus station we saw D&G Bus 6004 on a #9 to Biddulph.

D&G Bus 6004 in Newcastle bus station

Once off the bus we set off onto Castle walk and we past the former Poundland. We continued down Castle Walk and up onto Ironmarket past the old RBS bank which has now The Bank Space. We turned left onto High Street and we turned left into Church Street and we turned left onto Bridge Street and we went under the subway on to the A34. We turned left Dunkirk and we saw white minibus SN56 FCL. We walked up Castle Hill Road and we right onto Stanier Street. We got out of the taxi and we saw grey minibus YJ73 AKH. When we got into the building Matthew went to the toilet. He also spent time in the soft play area. We watch buses out of the window we saw Priory Adult Care EJ21 RNU. When we had finished we said goodbye and we returned to Fenton in a taxi. We set off onto Stanier Street. When we returned to Fenton in a Intercity taxi. We set off along Stanier Road and we turned left onto Pool Side. We turned left onto Dunkirk and we turned right onto Knutton Lane. We around the roundabout and back onto the Ryecroft and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A52 and we ran into Hartshill. At the end we turned right onto Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. We turned right onto Elenora Street and we followed the road around onto Copeland Street and we turned left onto Glebe Street. We turned right onto Lytton Street and we ran through onto City Road. We ran under the railway bridge and we ran up the hill into Fenton. We turned right into Smithpool Road and we turned left onto Temple Street past the new building under construction and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out on his computer and watch buses out of the window. Matthew spent time in his room watching television and using his computer. 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 Trentham / Hanley 03-01-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67176	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, railway station	23	First Potteries
63097	Hanley BS	Fenton, adj Travers Court	11	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus later on. 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 day centre, we saw Temple Street Church minibus RX18 GZW. We went downstairs and got in the car we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw City Centre Central FE14 PBF. We carried on along Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hiull into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the 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 and we saw First Potteries 67175 on a #11 to Hanley. A at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Ryecroft and we turned left onto the Southbound A34. We turned right onto the A525 and we ran down the hill towards Newcastle. We turned left onto Mayfield Ave and we dropped off Rex and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet and drink some of Irn Bru. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Mayfield Ave and we turned left onto the A525. We turned right onto Seabridge Road and we turned right onto the Southbound A53. We turned left onto Pilkington Avenue and we crossed over Kingsway East and we ran along Sandon Avenue. We ran down the hill through Clayton. We turned left onto Dartmouth Avenue and we crossed over the roundabout onto the A519. We turned left onto Northwood Lane and we turned left onto Whitmore Road and we turned left onto the Northbound A34. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran into Trentham Gardens. In the distance we saw bronze minibus SF20 FUV parked up near to the retail village.

SF20 FUV in Trentham

We parked up and we went to the retail village. Matthew went to the toilet and we stopped at the riverside Cafe and for dinner Matthew had sausage chips and beans. visited the Millets. Once we had finished shopping we walked down to The News Kiosk Matthew brought can of Coke. later on we walked through the retail village and we walked to the the garden centre. Once we had finished we return to car. There were also a few coaches there. We saw Roberts J300 RTG parked up near to the retail village.

Roberts J300 RTG in Trentham

We set off the through the car parks. We crossed over the the A34 onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line into Blurton and we turned left onto Church Road. We ran forwards onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton over the A50 to Heron Cross. We followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and chilled out in his room for a short while. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we saw Afford rent-a-car YP20 UGJ outside there yard. We waited for a bus to Stoke. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67176 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 and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. We went past the railway station and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over Station Road and we walked up to the A52 and we went forwards onto onto Boughey Road and we stopped on The Avenue. we walked around Hanley Park for a while. We walk along Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road and to the Bethesda Street. We turned right onto Piccadilly onto Stafford Street and we stopped at the Forbidden Planet International. After we had finished we walked across Tontine Square and we continued onto Greggs. Matthew brought a caramel shortbread. Once we had finished we walked back down Tontine Street and forwards onto Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. In the bus station we waited for a bus towards Stoke. We saw First Potteries 67145 on a #7 to Kidsgrove. A short time later the bus arrived on stand. We saw it was First Potteries 63097 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63097 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto 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. 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 32634 parked in the garage. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. system onto Commerce Street and right onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past KFC and we got up and got off. We walked down City Road. We turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out. For tea Matthew had burger and chips followed by a Bakewell tart. We went downstairs and we got in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off along Temple Street and we turned left onto Chrsitchurch Street. We turned right City Road and we went forwards onto King Street. We ran through Foley and we under the railway line into Longton town centre. We ran up Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We ran up the hill to the top and ran down to the roundabout in Adderley Green. At the roundabout at the East end of Bentilee we turned right onto Beverley Drive and then left onto Dawlish Drive. We stopped at the childrens centre and Matthew went to the toilet. He had a can of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye and we returned to Fenton in a taxi. We set off along Dawlish Drive and we turned right onto Beverley Drive. We turned left onto the A5272 and we ran past the Firstbus depot. We turned right onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill and down into Longton. We turned left onto Market Street and we ran around Longton on the one-way and we turned right onto Commerce Street. We turned right onto the Strand and we ran forwards onto King Street. We ran trough Foley and forward into Fenton. We ran onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went back upstairs to his room. Matthew spent time in his room watching television and using his computer. 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 Hinckley / Earl Shilton 20-02-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2112	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Earl Shilton, adj Almeys Lane	1	Hinckley Bus
3318	Earl Shilton, adj Almeys Lane	Barwell, adj The Square	158	Arriva Midlands
2203	Barwell, adj East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	3	Hinckley bus
2570	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton, Adj The Long Shoot	1	Hinckley bus
3318	Nuneaton, Adj The Long Shoot	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	158	Arriva Midlands
2170	Barwell, adj East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	2	Hinckley bus
3315	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton BS	158	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Hinckley. A quick check of the weather revealed there was rain all day in the North and West so we would have to choose a Midlands destination. We gave Matthew a choice of destinations and from the list he chose Hinckley. Matthew got up around 10:20 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We went West towards the A34 and at Trentham we went North. After turning left onto Whitmore Road we joined the A519 for a few hundred yards and then we took the Southbound M6. As we traveled down the motorway we passed a number of coaches going the other way... As we went South we passed Shearers Grand Tourer 308 and an unidentified AC Williams coach. We left the M6 at Junction 11 and we went East on the A460 past the South of Cannock. As we joined the Eastbound A5 we saw Arriva Midlands 3309 on a #1 service. As we passed close to Brownhills we saw National Express West Midlands double decker 4870 on a #10A service. We also saw Arriva Midlands 2736 on a #3 service. East of Brownhills we got onto the fast section of the A5 and we bypassed Tamworth. West of Dordon we saw A2B Travel Dart T311 SMV going in the opposite direction running out service. We had planned to eat at The Copper Kettle roadside cafe, but when we got there it was just closing. We got back in the car and we decided to go through to Hinckley and eat there. We continued along the A5 and we saw Arriva Midlands 3507 emerging from a junction to the left on a #65 to Nuneaton. When we got to the B4666 we turned left and we ran the last couple of miles into town. On the way up we passed required Hinckley Bus 2106 on a #1 to Nuneaton. We couldn't park in the usual car park as the road was blocked after an accident. We parked on Rugby Road and we went into The Stottie Shop. The shop didn't have a toilet so we decided to go to the toilet before we ordered food. We walk along Waterloo Road and we could see the refurbished bus station taking shape along side the new Crescent Shopping Centre. We crossed Station Road and we used the toilet before walking back to Rugby Road past the library. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. After dinner we said goodbye to mum and we walked up Regent Street to the current main bus stands. The first bus we saw was required Hinckley Bus 2570 on a #1 to Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2570 in Hinckley

Also on Regent Street we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36753 on a #10 to Grove Farm.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36753 in Hinckley

Going North we saw required Hinckley Bus 2172 on a #2 to Barwell.

Hinckley Bus 2172 in Hinckley

Also going North we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36157 on a #48 to Leicester.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36157 in Hinckley

We went to check out what buses were going North. Going South through town we saw Roberts YX63 GXP on a #159 to Coalville.

Roberts YX63 GXP in Hinckley

We saw that there was an #1 to Earl Shilton due, which we have never visited before. We decided to wait for that. We also saw dud Hinckley Bus 2714 on a #8 to Lutterworth.

Hinckley Bus 2714 in Hinckley

At the same time we saw a Dart on the #1 approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Hinckley Bus 2112.

Hinckley Bus 2112 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we purchased Hinckley Bus Day Savers at £4 each. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2112 before we sat down.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2112

The bus set off northwards out of town and onto the B4667. We crossed the A47 and we went past the hospital before we turned right onto Hinckley Road. We ran the last 3/4's of a mile into the centre of Barwell and the bus stopped in the square outside the Co-operative Food store. After a brief stop we continued East up Shilton Road. At the Junction we turned right onto Leicester Road and then left Elmesthorpe Lane. We then ran through the estates to the East of town after travelling for over a mile we came into the North end of Earl Shilton. We traveled in along Mill Lane, Church Street and onto the High Street. A couple of stops down we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2112.

Hinckley Bus 2112 in Earl Shilton

The disappeared down the High Street and we looked at the timetable on the bus stop. The next bus to Barwell was due in 10 minutes so there wasn't time to go exploring. Matthew had a Milky Way and a bottle of Cola whilst we waited. The time past quickly and before long we saw an Arriva Midlands Streetlite approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 3318 on the #158 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Earl Shilton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Southwards and we realised there was more to the town of Earl Shilton than we had thought. The high Street was busy for shops than the centre of Barwell with such establishment as The Man Cave, several pubs and a bank. The back of the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3318.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3318

We continued on down to Hinckley Road and we turned right onto Shilton Road and we Passed required Hinckley Bus 2570 going North on the #1 service. A couple of minutes later we were in the centre of Barwell and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3318 as it carried on towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Barwell

Right by the bus stop was the public toilets, so we used the key and Matthew used the facilities. When we had finished we walked over to Co-operative Food store and Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru. He also had a couple of chocolate bars and a small box of millionaires shortbread. We sat on the bench outside briefly, and Matthew ate a couple of the shortbread squares. We decided to check out the bus stop by East Green to see it there was a #2 or #3 due before the next #1. It just so happened that there was a departure due before the #1, so we decided to wait there to see what it was. A couple of minutes later we saw a Caetano Dart approaching we new it would be a dud one. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Hinckley Bus 2203.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. This former Wardle Transport bus was on we first had from Hanley to Birches Head back in January 2013. We also had it on our last visit to Hinckley back in September 2015 from Hinckley to Burbage. The bus left Barwell down Chappel Street and we crossed over the A47. We went South down the B4668 and we turned right into Stoneygate Drive. We joined Barwell lane and we passed the Asda Store before turning left onto Ashby Road. We turned right onto Netherley Road and followed it around to the end. At the crossroad we continued forwards onto Tudor Road. A couple of hundred yard later we turned left into Stanley Road which we did to the end. We entered the town from the North down Hollycroft and we ran down into Regent Street. We also saw We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2203 before it carried on towards Three Pots.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Hinckley

Going Northwards we saw Hinckley Bus 2176 going North towards Nuneaton. Almost immediately we saw required Hinckley Bus 2570 come onto Stand 4 on the #1 to Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2570 in Hinckley

We agreed to do he required Solo on the condition that Matthew was well behaved and he didn't try and honk the horn... We got got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver and we wrestled Matthew past the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. Matthew was his usual cheeky self trying to honk the horn on the Solo. The bus set off Southwards down Regent Street and we turned right onto the B4667. There was around a 2 mile run down to the A5 and we passed Hinckley Bus 2112 going back North on the #1 to Earl Shilton. The bus emptied out in front of us so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2570.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2570

After we joined the A5 we traveled a short distance West before going South again down the A47. After a couple of stops we got up so we could get off the bus and return North on the #158. As we passed the driver we had let our guard down and Matthew honked the horn. Luckily the driver saw the funny side. We got off the bus and we crossed over the road at the traffic island which was right next to the Northbound bus stop. We only spent around 2 minutes on the ground and then we saw an Arriva Streetlite coming towards us. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva Midlands 3318 that we had been on from Earl Shilton to Barwell earlier in the day!

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Nuneaton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We decided to do the bus back up to Barwell, where we could use the toilet and if we had time, perhaps get some chips. The bus went up the A47 and we joined the Eastbound A5. We went left onto the B4667 and we went into Hinckley. After a few minutes on Regent Street we went out of town and onto the B4667. We crossed the A47 and we went past the hospital before we turned right onto Hinckley Road. We ran the last 3/4's of a mile into the centre of Barwell and passed required Hinckley Bus 2106 on the #3 service. The bus stopped in the square outside the Co-operative Food store. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3318.

Arriva Midlands 3318 in Barwell

As we had nearly 30 minutes so we decided to go to the chip shop, the Barwell Fish Bar. We selected a couple of can s form the fridge and the kind gentleman behind the counter gave Matthew a few chips in a cone whilst we waited for him to do the main portion. One we had been served we went outside in the square and the three of us ate the chips and Matthew drank a bottle of Irn Bru that we had brought form the Co-op earlier. We also had a few more millionaire shortbread squares. Whilst we were eating we saw Roberts YX63 GXR on a #159 to Coalville.

Roberts YX63 GXR in Barwell

Once we had finished eating we went across to the toilet on Shilton Road. Once Matthew had used the toilet we walked over to the stop by East Green. There was now last than 10 minutes before the bus was due. A few minutes later we saw a red Hinckley Bus Dart approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Hinckley Bus 2170 on the #2 to Hinckley.

Hinckley Bus 2170 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver. The bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew took a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2170 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2170

The bus left Barwell down Chappel Street and we crossed over the A47. We went South down the B4668 and we turned right into Stoneygate Drive. We joined Barwell lane and we passed the Asda Store before turning left onto Ashby Road. We turned right onto Netherley Road and followed it around to the end. At the crossroad we continued forwards onto Tudor Road. A couple of hundred yard later we turned left into Stanley Road which we did to the end. We entered the town from the North down Hollycroft and we saw Hinckley Bus 2714 on layover on Lower Bond Street. We ran down into Regent Street and on the way in we saw a white Robinson's coach going South down Mansion Street. We also saw Hinckley Bus 2106 on a #3 to Barwell. When we stopped in Regent Street we got up and got off the bus. We saw required Hinckley Bus 2176 on a #7 service. We would have done this bus, but it was on a short service terminating on Roston Drive. We would have to wait until 17:30 for the #158 for the next bus that we could catch with our ticket. Whilst we were over checking out the #7 service we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 on a #48 to Hinckley.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 in Hinckley

We also saw Hinckley Bus 2003 on a #66 service, but we weren't sure if our ticket was valid on this service.

Hinckley Bus 2003 in Hinckley

We sat on a bench and Matthew ate a Toffee Crisp whilst we waited for the bus. A few minutes later we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3315 pull up on the opposite side of the road on the #158 to Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Hinckley

We walked across to the bus and we got on it. We flashed the Hinckley Bus Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. After a short wait the bus set off down Regent Stree and we turned right onto the B4667. We ran the two or so miles down to the A5 and the bus emptied out, and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3315.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3315

We crossed the A5 and we ran down the A47 into Nuneaton. After going around the one way system we crossed over the railway and we went into the centre of town and into the bus station. The bus station was that busy we had to park on the end as we couldn't get through onto the stand. We set off towards the toilet and on the way we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 47071 on a #9 service.

Stagecoach Midlands 47071 in Nuneaton bus station

There was someone in the toilet so we had to wait for a couple of minutes before Matthew could use the facilties. Once he had been we set off towards the multi-storey car park where mum had moved the car to. On the was we saw Stagecoach Midlands 36207 a #5 to Camp Hill.

Stagecoach Midlands 36207 in Nuneaton bus station

We walked over to mum and we got in the car. Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out off the car park and we drove to the Asda petrol station opposite to put in some diesel. We set off out of town past the railway station and over the railway line onto the A444. When we got to the A5 we went West past Tamworth and Brownhill and to the Southern end of Cannock. We joined the A460 and we ran West to the M6. It was now raining hard as we went North but now that the roadworks have finished we made good time up the the 4 lane section despite the weather. We came off the M6 at junction 15 and we ran up the A500 to Sideway. We then went east to Longton so that we could check out what was at Z Carz this evening. There wasn't as much on the spare ground this evening. At the front was Z carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

At the back of the site was Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN, which is currently out of action.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row and we saw Z Carz silver minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

The compound itself was packed full of minibuses, but there were cars parked in front of them. There was another Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP parked on the road. It was Z Carz silver Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross before coming off the A50 onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we went forwards onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:40. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Hinckley 31-05-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1913	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Burbage, adj Wolvey Road	5	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1913	Burbage, adj Wolvey Road	Hinckley, o/s Library	5	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2105	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1915	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, o/s Library	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
1908	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2201	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, o/s Library	71	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands
2557	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R2)	Hinckley, o/s Primary School	X55	Hinckley Bus / Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley. We had not really planned where to go this week and the weather was supposed to be dry everywhere so we gave Matthew a choice of some of the usual destinations and he chose Hinckley. No research was done as we already had the timetables loaded onto my phone. Matthew got up around 10:00 and he had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a little after 11:30 and we headed onto the A5035. We went North along Stanley Matthews Way and we encountered a little bit of traffic. There was some kind of strongman event taking part at the Britannia Stadium. We joined the A50 and then the Northbound A500, passing a small traffic jam heading towards the Brit. We came off the A500 at Shelton New Road to fill up with LPG. Whilst there we saw First Potteries 66847 on a #34 service. We headed back onto the A500, and we avoided most of the traffic queuing to got to the Brit by going into the right hand lane. At the end of the A500 we joined the South bound M6 which we did through the Roadworks to Junction 12. We then went East on the A5 for a few miles and we stopped at the truck stop on the right just before the Cannock turning. At the truck stop Matthew used the toilet and then had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished we got back in the car and carried on east on the A5. South of Cannock we passed Arriva Midlands 2276 on a Cannock bound #2A service. We carried on East and near to Nuneaton we caught up with Arriva Midlands 3802 on a #765 service. We left the A5 near Hinckley and we did the last 3 miles or so into town along the A4666. When we got to town we said goodbye to mum who was driving to Nuneaton to meet us later in theory... We headed through the bus station were we came Across required Hinckley Bus Optare Solo 2568 on layover in between #86's and Grand UK Holidays coach YJ14 BYL.

Grand UK Holidays YJ14 BYL in Hinckley bus station

Further up the bus station was required Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 in Hinckley bus station

We walked up to the toilet block on Station Road and after we had finished there we walked onto Regent Street to see what buses were out today. We saw Hinkcley Bus 2202 on the #75/76 service and then we saw Hinckley Bus 2201 on he 14:15 #71 Burbage service.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Hinckley

We thought we would stay to see what was on the 14:25 #58 to Lutterworth. When it turned up it was dud Hinckley Bus 1914.

Hinckley Bus 1914 in Hinckley

Hopefully we would be on that bus later when it worked the 17:10 #86 to Nuneaton... Whilst we waited to see what bus was working the #5 Three Pots circular service, we saw Roberts MX57 UPD on the #159 to Coalvile.

Roberts MX57 UPD in Hinckley

On an #81 Earl Shilton service was dud Hinkcley Bus Mercedes minibus 1915.

Hinckley Bus 1915 in Hinckley

On the other side of the road required Hinkcley Bus 1913 came in on the #5 three Pots circular. Matthew went to take a picture and his batteries were flat! We got on the bus and we booked our Hinckley Bus day tickets at £7.50 each. We sat down and the bus left town down Station Road and past Tesco. We crossed under the railway and we climbed up the hill before making a right turn near to the top. When we got to Three Pots I flashed the tickets so that we could straight back on this hourly service. We wound our way through the estates and we appeared back on the main road further down. We went back under the railway line and back into town up Station Road. When we got back into regent Street Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside Hinckley Bus 1913.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1913

He also got a picture of the outside of the bus too now his batteries had been changed...

Hinckley Bus 1913 in Hinckley

Almost immediately on the other side of the road we spied an unusual looking Dennis Dart on the other side of the road. New to this fleet and without decals was Hinkcley Bus MPD Dart 2105 working the #71 to Burbage.

Hinckley Bus 2105 in Hinckley

The bus was quite well filled and we sat down near to the back of the bus. We left town down Station Road again and under the railway line. As we started to climb we turned right on Brookside. At this point Matthew clapped and the driver stopped the bus briefly as he thought we had been bricked. After explaining to the driver what had happened we carried on around the estate and into Burbage. The bus emptied out at the back of the bus and Matthew took a picture of the back seat.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2105

A couple of stops later we were at the Horsepool and we got up and got off. As the bus carried on Matthew took another picture of this bus.

Hinckley Bus 2105 in Burbage

We had an approximate wait of twenty minutes before the next bus back. We walked around to the gates of the Horspool to see if it was open. It wasn't but the tree stump carving was a little closer to being finished. We walked up to the benches by the war memorial and Matthew had a small bottle of Vimto and a Rice Crispies Squares bar from the supplies in the trip bag. After he had finished we walked back to the stop and we had less than ten minutes to wait. The time passed quickly and the bus appeared.It was dud Hinkcley Bus 1915 that we had seen work up to Earl Shilton around an hour earlier.

Hinckley Bus 1915 in Burbage

We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew got a picture as we got on.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1915

We sat down and the bus carried on around the estates of Burbage before appearing on the main road from Brookside. We came into town up Station Road and we got off the bus near to the Library. As we walked up towards the toilets on Station Road we saw required Stagecoach Warwickshire 36161 on the #48 to Coventry.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36161 in Hinckley bus station

Across the road from the bus station we saw Hinckley Bus 2569 on the #58A to Lutterworth.

Hinckley Bus 2569 in Hinckley

After using the toilet we walked into town where we saw a display of steam traction engines and tractors. Matthew then got a picture of one of the traction engines, HO 5832.

Traction engine HO 5832 in Hinckley

We walked onto Regent Street and visited the newsagents where Matthew brought some pop and chocolate. We sat down and Matthew drank a small bottle of Vimto and a double Mikly Way. We then saw Hinckley Bus 2568 on a #86 to Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2568 in Hinckley

At this point we had time to do one round trip to somewhere before doing the 17:10 #86 to Nuneaton. Across the road was dud Hinckley Bus 1908 on the #71 to Burbage. We decided to do this bus.

Hinckley Bus 1908 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and it was empty so Matthew took a picture inside.

Inside Hinckley Bus 1908

We sat down near to the back of the bus an the bus set off out of town. Part way down station Road we caught up with a steam traction engine slowly going down the road. At the bottom of the road the engine driver waived us past as it appeared that the steam engine had failed! We carried on past Tesco and under the railway line and onto Brookside. When we got to the Horsepool we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 1908.

Hinckley Bus 1908 in Burbage

We checked the timetable and on this occasion we should have had a 30 minutes wait. The wait was a little short as the traction engine had delayed our progress on the bus down. We stood at the stop for around 20 minutes when we saw required Hinckley Bus 2568 on the #58A to Lutterworth.

Hinckley Bus 2568 in Burbage

A few minutes later the bus back to Hinckley turned up. It was dud Hinckley Bus 2201.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Burbage

The bus was nearly empty so Matthew got a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2201.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2201

We sat down and the bus went through the estate and onto Brookside before going under the railway line and into town up Station Road. The traction engine was still failed outside the Steamin' Billy pub appropriately... We got off the bus outside the Library and Matthew got another picture of Hinckley Bus 2201.

Hinckley Bus 2201 in Hinckley

We walked out of the toilets and along Station Road and we stopped at another shop to pic up pop and chocolate. In town we sat down and Matthew had a Milky Way and a can of Irn Bru. A nearby gentleman joked "don't give him Irn Bru he will be hyper!" I told him he was hyper anyway... The planned had been to catch the 17:10 to Nuneaton to meet mum but Matthew had different ideas. Just before our bus was due required Hinckley Bus 2557 appeared on the X55 to Leicester.

Hinckley Bus 2557 in Hinckley

Matthew decided to make a break for it and he ran towards Hinckley Bus 2557. We got on to the bus, we sat down and refused to get off. We spent a couple of minutes trying to persuade him we had to get off to catch the 17:10. The 17:10 which was dud Hinckley Bus 1914 came and went so we were stuck in Hinckley. In the end we flashed our bus tickets and we went a few stops up the road. We got off the bus on the edge of town and Matthew beeped the horn as he got off. He then got another picture of Hinckley Bus 2557 as it went off towards Leicester.

Hinckley Bus 2557 in Hinckley

We then had to go to Plan B. we called mum to come and pick us up in Hinckley and we started to walk through town and onto the A4666 to meet her. We sat down just outside town on a wall near to a car wash. Uncle Dave pointed out the double yellow line so we walked about another 150 yards to the other side of a bus stop and sat on the wall to wait. Whilst we waited for mum we saw a Leicester bound #158 service. Mum turned up and we got in the car. Mum sat in the fron passenger seat and I drove back home. after turning the car around we headed back down the A4666 and hen onto the A5. We did the A5 all the way through to the M6 and then we turned North. On the M6 we saw A Line coaches 125 LUP. We came off the M6 and went north on the A500 up to the A50. We came off the A50 at Longton to check out what was at Z Carz tonight. First in the row tonight was coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to this was light green Iveco minibus HX51 HRU.

Z Carz HX51 HRU in Longton

At the back of the site was red LDV minibus DS51 ZJU. In the front row was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Last on the spare ground tonight was another Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and in the yard was long term SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX looking a little sorry for itself. We went back onto the A50 and we headed home through heron Cross and Blurton. We got home around 19:15. For a late tea we had bangers and Mash followed by cheesecake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark