Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 28-02-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
114	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
63101	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	11	First Potteries
67657	Hanley BS	Fenton, adj Travers Court	11	First Potteries
112	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
37146	Newcastle BS	Newcastle, Adj Cherry Tree	25	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going to see Grandma later on and going to the pub and returning to Blurton for a long weekend. First 67635/67639 are going to Great Yarmouth. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go out we saw white minibus DY69 UPB parked up in Manor Street.

DY69 UPB in Fenton

A short time later we saw Lucky Seven BN14 JCY going towards Heron Cross.

Lucky Seven BN14 JCY in Fenton

Also seen was First Potteries 63146 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63146 in Fenton

Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We stood at the bus stop outside the flats and we waited for a bus to Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw Stanton's of Stoke RUI 2486 on a free shuttle bus service to Penkhull. A short time later we saw D&G Bus 114 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. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked up castle Walk and Visited Wilko. Afterwards we continued up Castle walke and we went to Home Bargains. When we had finished shopping we walked back down Castle Walk and into the bus station. We waited for a bus rowards Hanley and a short time later we saw First Potteries 63101 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63101 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout. We ran onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued along Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. We ran under the railway line and we continued onto 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 past the old Woolworths store which people hope will be a Primark. 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 ran to the end and we turned left onto Beverley Drive. At the end we turned right onto Dividy Road and we ran down the hill to Bucknall. We turned left onto the A52 and we ran to limekiln lights and we went across onto Bucknall New Road. We climbed the hill up to Hanley and we joined the clockwise ring road. We ran around to Lichfield Street and we turned into the the stop outside the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we crosswed over the ring road. We visited the chips shop and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. We crossed over the ring road and back to the bus station and we waited in the bus station for a bus back to Fenton. A short time later we saw it was First Potteries 67657 on a #11 to Newcastle. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton we sat down. We set off up Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street. The redevelopment for parliament row was abandoned after it becoming apparent it wasn't economically viable. We turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green. 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 at the Travers Court bus stop outside the block of flats. Once off the bus we walked onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. we went upstairs to his room to chill out. Matthew waited in his room for me to come and pick him up. His Internet connection wasn't working, and when I arrived I tethered his phone to my computer. Matthew completed his routine and we set off out to the bus stop. We went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. We waited at the bus stop outside the flats for a bus towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw D&G Bus 112 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G 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 along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We waited for a bus towards the hospital. A short time later we saw D&G Bus 105 on a #94 to Congleton.

D&G 105 in Newcastle bus station

A bus appeared and we saw it was First Potteries 65692 on a #4 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65692 in Newcastle bus station

Our bus came into the bus station and it was First Potteries 37146 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 37146 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to the Hospital. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we got up and got off the bus by the Cherry Tree. We got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of First Potteries 37146 as it continued towards Hanley.

First Potteries 37146 in Newcastle

Once off the bus we headed up the hill towards Grandma's. At Grandma's Matthew had toast and a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. Later on Matthew had a toffee flavoured yogurt. When it was time to go we said goodbye to Grandma and we got in the car. We set off just after 18:00 and we ran down Occupation Street. We turned left onto the A34. We continued southwards into Trent Vale and we stopped at the pub. We walked into the pub and we sat down at our one our normal tables. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 63098 on a #22 to Longton, Shearings 237 heading Southwards and First Potteries 65040 on a #101 to Stafford. Once we had finished eating we set off to uncle Dave's to pick him up. We ran down the A34 and we joined the Northbound A500. At Sideway we turned right onto the A50 heading Eastwards. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We dropped down into Fenton to pick uncle Dave up. Once we had picked him up we ran up to Heron Cross and we into Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:45. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we composed a few e-mails and sorted a few things out. We then chilled out on the sofa doing e-mails and writing the until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 08-11-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65002	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
37159	Newcastle BS	Newcastle, opp Cherry Tree	25	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going to see Grandma later on and going to the pub and returning to Blurton for a long weekend. Before that though, Matthew was going to the dentist! Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go out he watched buses out of the window. We saw First Potteries 63096 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63096 in Fenton

Also seen was white minibus RJ04 BVZ going towards Stoke.

RJ04 BVZ in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was First Potteries 67156 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67156 in Fenton

In the morning Matthew went to the dentist. We went downstairs and transport for the trip was a Lucky Seven taxi. We got in the car and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we crossed over City Road onto Manor Street. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we went past the site of the refurbished petrol station. We turned right onto the anti-clockwise ring road and we ran around to Town Road. We crossed over the ring road and we joined the clockwise carriageway. We turned left onto Upper Huntbach Street and we stopped outside the dentist. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards waited in the waiting room. He went to the surgery and had a couple of fillings done. Afterwards Matthew returned to Fenton in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto Upper Huntbach Street and w turned left onto the ring road. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Manor Street and we ran to the end. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room to recover until I came to pick him later on. For dinner Matthew had sausage chips and gravy from the chip shop washed down with a bottle of Coke. Matthew returned to his room to wait for me to come and pick him up. I came just after 14:30 and we got ready to go to Blurton for the weekend. He put his pictures onto his camera and got his batteries and phone. After Matthew was ready we went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. We saw First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Fenton

We walked to the bus stop and we waited for a bus towards Newcastle. A few minutes later we saw D&G 119 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G 119 in Fenton

We spotted an early Scania Omnicity, so we decided to don that instead. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 65002 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65002 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 along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We waited for a bus towards the hospital. A short time later we saw Kingerfisher branded First Potteries 37159 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 37159 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to the hospital before we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37159 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 37159

We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road and we saw Stanton's of Stoke PSU 989 heading towards the Jubilee roundabout. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we got up and got off the bus by the Cherry Tree. We got off the bus and we walked up the hill towards Grandma's. At Grandma's Matthew had toast and a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. When it was time to go we went to the pub in the car. We set off onto Victoria Street and we ran down the hill. We turned left onto the A34. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with custard. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included Shearings 135 going Southwards, First Potteries 65036 on a #101 to Stafford, and First Potteries 67658 on a #22 turn. When it was time to go we went o pick up uncle Dave. We set off onto the A34 and we headed towards Hanford. We joined the Northbound A500 and we ran up to Stoke. We did a u-turn wnd we headed back South and into Fenton. We picked up uncle Dave and we ran up to Heron Cross. We ran forwards into Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we composed a few e-mails and sorted a few things out. We then chilled out on the sofa doing e-mails and writing the until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Fenton / Newcastle 14-09-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67602	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle, Opp Cherry Tree PH	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew was returning to Blurton for the weekend. He was also going to visit Grandma and going to the pub for tea. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst he was waiting to out we saw Scraggs VT 9389 heading towards Stoke.

Scraggs VT 9389 in Fenton

A short while later we saw Z Carz PO55 URU heading towards Blurton.

Z Carz PO55 URU in Fenton

Around 09:00 we went downstairs and out of the unit. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and to the day centre. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX parked outside.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew did some baking. He made a Victoria Sponge. For dinner Matthew had sausage chips and gravy followed by a Bakewell Tart. In the afternoon Matthew went to the pub. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left into Christchurch Street. We stopped at the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. He had a glass of Coke and he chilled out in the pub all afternoon. When we had finished we set off along Christchurch Street and we turned left into Temple Street and Matthew went upstairs to the residential unit to wait for me to come and pick him up. I arrived around 14:30 and we got ready to go back to Blurton. Once we were ready we went downstairs and out of the residential unit. We got in the car and we drove onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and right onto Station Bridge Road. We followed the road around onto Heron Street and into Heron Cross where we saw First Potteries 43876 on a #23 to Hanley. We went through the traffic lights and forwards onto Blurton Road. We saw Lightning Travel MX54 VVF at the lightning House. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 15:10. When we got home Matthew had toast and a glass of orange Fanta. Today we were catching the 15:56 to Newcastle as we were going to the pub via Grandma's House. We set off around 15:45 on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. Whilst we waited for the bus to Newcastle we saw Cauldwell Construction DV12 JVY stop to drop someone off.

Cauldwell Construction DV12 JVY in Blurton

Also seen was First Potteries 67658 on a #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 67658 in Blurton

A few minutes later we saw a bus come around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67602 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67602 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A5035 and we went over the railway line into Trentham. As we turned right into New Inn Lane we saw First Potteries 43876 on a #21A to the Trentham Hotel. We ran up the hill into Hanford and we turned right into Wilson Road. We ran down Church Lane We continued down onto the A34 and We crossed under the A500 and we ran into Trent Vale. We turned right into Harpfields Road and saw First Potteries 41501 on the final #22 turn and we saw ABC Supreme FJ18 DNX going towards Stafford. We continued forwards on Hilton Road and we turned into the hospital. Today we went the normal route through the hospital as the diversion had been lifted. We ran through and we saw First Potteries 67631 on a #25 to Keele and ABC Supreme HN18 VHL. We turned right onto the A34 passing First Potteries 32627 in the new colours on a #101 to Stafford. A couple of stops down the road we got up and got off the bus. Right behind us was D&G 158 on a #9 to Biddulph.

D&G 158 in Newcastle

We crossed over the A34 and we walked up the hill to Grandma's house. At Grandma's Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. When it was time to go we went to the pub in the car. We set off just after 17:40 and we ran down Victoria Street. We turned left onto the A34 and we saw ABC Supreme KX13 DZL parked up in the retail park. We continued southwards into Trent Vale. We carried on down the A34 and we went into the pub car park. We walked into the pub and sat down out our normal tables. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with custard. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included D&G 113 running empty towards the depot and Shearngs 145 going Southwards. Once we had finished eating we set off to uncle Dave's to pick him up. We ran down the A34 and we joined the A500 at Hanford. We went North up the A500 to Sideway and we went Eastwards along the A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We dropped down into Fenton to pick uncle Dave up. Once we had picked him up we ran up to Heron Street and we crossed over the A50. We continued into Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we composed a few e-mails and sorted a few things out. We then chilled out on the sofa doing e-mails and writing the until bedtime around 01:00... Mark

Trip to Bromsgrove / Droitwich 08-08-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DK55 NLF	Bromsgrove BS	Bromsgrove, adj Princess of Wales Hospital Reception	97	Euroliners
33405	Bromsgrove, Adj Princess of Wales Hospital	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	144	First Worcester
33401	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
67659	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	144A	First Worcester
33405	Droitwich Spa, Adj Queen Street	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester

Today we decided to revisit Bromsgrove. We had check the weather for today and it was for fine sunny weather all over the Midlands and North West. We gave Matthew a choice of place to go to and initial he chose Middleton. After he heard me and mum discussing car parking he decided to change his mind and chose Bromsgrove. As Matthew had chosen Bromsgrove we decided to got a little earlier than usual so that we could try and get a ride on the #97 to Sidemoor which is usually operated by a Mercedes minibus. Due to the traffic on the M6 we often get there just in time to see it arrive back in the bus station after its ;last run of the day! Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:20 onto the A5035 and we saw First Potteries 60069 heading towards Newcastle on a #22 in front to us. We did the A5035 up to Trentham and we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We left the A34 at Whitmore Road and we joined onto the A519 for a short distance before going Southwards on the M6. On the opposite carriage way we saw that traffic was almost at a standstill. There were quite a few coaches including Leons, Dunwoods, Wicksons and Johnson which we believe we away fan travelling from Wolverhampton to Blackburn for their Cahmpionship clash. One of the coaches was Johnsons YD14 GDA. We also saw a North Birmingham Travel Mercedes minibus, Sovereign W613 FUM & Shearings 308 (BK11 GJX). We ground to a halt just after Junction 11 and we crawled down to junction 8 where we left the M6 and took the Southbound M5. We made good time around the West side of Birmingham and we came to a halt again as we left the M5 at junction 4. It didn't take long to get off the motorway and onto the Southbound A38. We over the M42 and we left the A38 to go into town along Birmingham Road. We parked up at Asda and we set off on foot into the bus station. On the way in we saw required First Worcester 32067 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 32067 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and mum and Dave went to order food and reserve a table in the the Market Plaice Fish Bar. When Matthew had done we joined mum and uncle Dave and we sat and waited for the food which was done very quickly. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy with a bap and a can of Coke to wash it down with. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we had the short walk into the bus station. The first thing we saw was required Rotala Diamond 20183 on a #143 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 20183 in Bromsgrove bus station

As sometime the smaller operators don't always sell the Worcester County Connecta ticlets, we purchased the tickets off the driver of Rotala Diamond 20183 at £7 each. We also saw Clearway Mercedes minibus PEZ 3058 on the #99 Charford circular.

Clearway PEZ 3058 in Bromsgrove bus station

By the time we had got to the bus station we had around 10 minutes to kill before the #97 to Sidemoor was due. Matthew sat and had a double milky way which he shared with me and uncle Dave. We saw required First Worcester 33401 on a Worcester bound #144 service. We sat in the appropriate stop and a few minutes before departure we saw required Euro Liners DK55 NLF arrive into the bus station.

Euro Liners DK55 NLF in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the County Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down. As we waited for departure Matthew turned and took a inside the plush interior of Euro Liners DK55 NLF.

Inside Euro Liners DK55 NLF

A few more people joined the bus and at departure time the slam door was shut and the bus set off out of the bus station on the A448. We turned right carrying on along the A448 before turning right again into Willow Road. We went around the housing estate before turning left onto Broad Street. a short way along Broad Street we turned left onto Lincoln Road before going right onto York Road. We wound through the estate eventually rejoining Broad Street off King Edward Road. We turned right onto the B4091 and we saw First Worcester 33403 on a Worcester bound #144 service. As we turned left into the Princess of Wales hospital we also saw First Worcester 67665 on a Worcester bound #144A service. At the hospital we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Euro Liners DK55 NLF as it carried on back towards Bromsgrove.

Euro Liners DK55 NLF in Bromsgrove

We looked at the stop information at the stop outside the hospital and there wasn't another bus for nearly an hour! So we decided to walk back onto the main road to wait for the next #144/144A going towards Bromsgrove. With 4 buses an hour we were confident we wouldn't have to wait too long. We sat on a bench by the bus stop and Matthew had a can of Vimto. After a while we saw required First Worcester 67601 going Northwards. After around 20 minutes I decided to look up the bus times using nextbuses.mobi. The next bus was due at 14:38 in a few minutes time. The buses didn't run at exactly 15 minute intervals... Pretty much bang on the time it was due, we saw a double decker approaching up the road. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Worcester 33405.

First Worcester 33405 in Bromsgrove

We got on the bus and as it was now heading towards 15:00 we decided to go to Droitwich to check out the local services. We got on the bus and we flashed our Worcestershire County Connecta tickets to the driver and we went upstairs and sat down. We had a short run along the B4091 into town and we passed First Worcester 33402 going North on a Private Charter.We pulled into the bus station for a short booked recovery time period of around 5 minutes. The top deck was now empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 33405.

Inside First Worcester 33405

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw required Rotala Diamond 20851 on a X3 to Kidderminster and required Rotala Diamond 20304 on a #143 to Redditch. At departure time we set off out of the bus station and onto the A448. We joined the Southbound B4091 for the run out of town and we headed down to the A38. We saw dud First Worcester 67664 in Midland Red colours and we also saw required First Worcester 67648. We passed through Wychbold and we went under the M5. We left the A38 to run the last couple of miles into town. At the edge of town we turned right onto the by-pass and we saw required iGo Solo 2003 parked up in a lay-by between duties. We entered town from the Southern end and we got off at the first stop by the Spar shop. Matthew got another picture of First Worcester 33405 as it carried on towards Worcester.

First Worcester 33405 in Droitwich Spa

At the stop behind us we saw dud Rotala Diamond 20654 on the #19A town circular to Chawson.

Rotala Diamond 20654 in Droitwich Spa

This is a bus we had been on in our last visit to Bromsgrove when it was on the #149 to Webbs of Wychbold back in June. As we didn't required the bus we decided to use the time to go and visit the Spar shop. Matthew picked some chocolate and a couple of cans of pop to re-stock the trip bag. We headed off towards Victoria Square and on the way Matthew indicated that he wanted the toilet. We went in a new direction by following the sign for the shopping centre. Here we saw a Morrisons and a small shopping aracde that had a toilet block. Matthew used the toilet and then we headed back towards where we got off the bus originally. There was another Rotala bus on town circulars... It was an Alexander bodied Dart so we went to see if it was a required one. As we got closer we saw that it was dud Rotala Diamond 20252 on the #19C to Primsland Way.

Rotala Diamond 20252 in Droitwich Spa

This was another bus that travelled on back in June, when we had it around Droitwich on the same service. As far as we knew there were only two different buses on the town circulars, so we walked up to Victoria Square so that we could go after required First Worcester 32067. We had a few minutes to wait for the next Northbound #144, so Matthew sat down in the shade and drank a can of Cherry Coke. Just after he started drink required First Worcester 33401 made an appearance, turning the corner out of Heritage Way.

First Worcester 33401 in Droitwich Spa

Matthew quickly finished his can and threw it in the bin before climbed aboard the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire County Connecta ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and the bus was quite well filled. It was also quite warm too. The bus set off through town and left onto Worcester Road. We crossed the crossroads and onto the B4065 for the journey up to the A38. we carried on North and we went under the M5 and into Wychbold. It was at this point that we passed First Worcester 32067 going South towards Worcester on a #144... Drat! I was hoping we would make it up to Bromsgrove to catch this bus back. We carried on Northwards and we left the A38 to run into town along the B4091. We pulled into the bus station an we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of First Worcester 33401 as it loaded up with passenger for it continued run North up to Birmingham.

First Worcester 33401 in Bromsgrove bus station

It was a bit late in the day to off towards Redditch or Kidderminster, so we decided it would probably be best if we went back down to Droitwich to try and get First Worcester 32067 in. As we waited for a Southbound bus we saw required Rotala Diamond 30163 on a #143 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 30163 in Bromsgrove bus station

We also saw dud First Worcester 67658 come and go on a #144 to Worcester.

First Worcester 67658 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to wait for the next bus down. We also saw required Rotala Diamond 30302 on a X3 service to kidderminster.

Rotala Diamond 30302 in Bromsgrove bus station

Shortly afterwards we saw required iGo 2003 on a #145 to Longbridge.

IGo 2003 in Bromsgrove bus station

If we had not done First Worcester 33401 up from Droitwich, this was the bus we would have travelled up on. We sat on a bench and we shared a Galaxy Caramel. A few minutes later we saw required First Worcester 67659 come into the bus station on a #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 67659 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire County Connecta tickets to the driver. The bus was nearly empty at this point, so Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus before we sat down near to the back of the bus.

Inside First Worcester 67659

The bus had a few minutes recover time in the bus station and then it left and went southwards down the A448. We turned left onto the B4091 and we went Southwards to the A38. As this was the #144A, at Wychbold we headed into the garden centre to stop at the bespoke shed bus shelter. We then left the garden centre and we carried on Southwards through the village of wychbold and under the M5. On the edge of town we left the A38 to enter town along the B4065. We circled around the town to the South on the by-pass and we got up and got off the stop at Ombersley Stop East. Matthew took a another picture of First Worcester 67659 as it disappeared towards Worcester.

First Worcester 67659 in Droitwich Spa

A quick look at the stop revealed that the town circulars had all but finished for the day. We walked down to Victoria Square and the was a #144 due. It turned the corner and it was required First Worcester 67653. We turned it down hoping that maybe the next one would be required First Worcester 32067. As the variety of chocolate had been a little disappointing at the Spar shop, we decided to see if there was another shop we could use. We set off onto st Andrew Road and we turned left onto Worcester Road. We saw a small newsagents at the junction of High Street and Queen Street and it was right next the the Bromsgrove bound bus stop too. We went into the shop to get more chocolate and drinks and afterwards we sat at the bus stop. Matthew drank a can of Irn Bru and we turned down dud iGo 2001 on the #145. We also saw dud Rotala Diamond 20252 on the #20 town circular service. mum texted us to ask how much longer we would be... It was approaching 17:00 so we decided that we would do the next bus whatever turned up. We saw a double decker approaching down the road and as it got closer we that it was dud First Worcester 33405.

First Worcester 33405 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire County Connecta tickets to the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs and we sat down and the bus set off Northwards over the crossroads and onto the B4065. As we joined the A38 we passed required First Worcester Centro 66694 going south on a #147 to Worcester. We carried on further North and we went through Wychbold. Further Northwards we passed the dud Midland Red liveried First Worcester 67664 again. We came into town and we pulled into the bus station where mum was waiting for us. Matthew visited the toilet and then we walked over to the car. We left town up Birmingham Road and we stopped at the BP petrol station to take on Diesel. We carried on North and we had to stop briefly to let a wasp out of the car. We joined the A38 and we went North to the M5. The roads were nice and clear and we made good time up to the M6. We slowed at little as we joined the M6, but by the time we had got North of junction 9 we were almost up to full speed. As we went North we were passed by Walton's of Preston King Long midicoach BX13 CZH.

Walton's of Preston BX13 CZH on the M6

North of the roadwork we stormed up to junction 15 and we went North on the A500 up to Sideway. We joined the Eastbound A50 ans we came off it again at Longton so that we could go check out Z Carz. There were quite a few buses on the spare ground today, but some were right at the back or hidden behind cars. The first bus was Z carz Renault minibus YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

We also saw Z Carz airport division Ford minibus DL03 HHU.

Z Carz DL03 HHU in Longton

Next to the maroon coloured Ford was Z carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

The last bus we could see clearly was another Airport division Ford minibus, Z Carz MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. In the compound we saw a taxi minibus that I can't remember seeing before, Z Carz Renault minibus DS07 LSN.

Z Carz DS07 LSN in Longton

We also saw another Ford Minibus, Z Carz BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We rejoined the the A50 and we came off it again at heron Cross. We passed First Potteries 53207 on a #23 to Hanley and we travelled through Blurton. We went along Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a couple of jammy shortbread biscuits. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark