Trip to Sherratts Wood 29-10-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	Shelton, opp Cemetery Road	Sherratts Wood	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Sherratts Woods	Shelton, adj Cemetery Road	Charter	Aiming High

Today Matthew went to Sherratts Wood with Aiming High. He got up at around 08:45. After having some orange juice and toast we set off to Shelton around 09:30. On the way we passed First PMT 41495 & 41502 on the #23 service. We also passed first PMT 40016 on the #22 service. We Drove to Heron Cross and got on the A50. We then did the A500 up to Shelton New Road. We got to the place about 09:50 and Matthew took a picture of the minibus before going inside to wait for the time to go. It was Aiming High FJ10 BJX.

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Shelton

we got on a little after 10:00 we set off to Sherratts Wood. As we left we saw First PMT double decker 34285 in Shelton. The route we took was down to the A500 and then South to the A50. we travelled along the A50 to Draycott and then along Cresswell Road for 3 miles. we then took a left to Morrilow Heath and to their destination. When they got there they had a look around the farm. The first animals we saw were Shetland Ponies.

A Shetland Pony at Sherratts Wood

we then walked around to see the other animal. These included Horses, Birds, Goats,a Cat and also Pigs.

A Pig at Sherratts Wood

we stopped for a while to eat their packed lunches before spending some time with the Shetland Ponies.

Another Shetland Pony being led at Sherratts Wood

we got on Around 14:00 we set off back towards Shelton they headed back to Draycott and then onto the A50. When we went passed Longton they diverted up to the high level so that we could see what buses were parked up at Z Carz. Parked up were Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO and the coach V690 EBC. we then carried on along to the end of the A50 before turning onto the Northbound A500. They turned off on Shelton New Road and then back to their base. Matthew used the toilet and then we arrived around 14:50 to pick him up. We went back down to the A500 and onto the A50 to Heron Cross. As we headed through Blurton we saw 40373 and 40009 on #23 service and we saw 40019 on a #22. We got back home a little after 15:00. Matthew had a nap before having beefburgers and potatoes for tea. We then settled down for the evening before bedtime...Mark

Trip to Hanley Park / Newcastle Fire Station 21-08-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	Shelton, opp Cemetery Road	Hanley Park	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Hanley Park	Shelton, adj Cemetery Road	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Shelton, opp Cemetery Road	Newcastle Fire Station	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Newcastle Fire Station	Shelton, adj Cemetery Road	Charter	Aiming High

Today Matthew was out with aiming high on a trip to Newcastle fire station. He got up around 08:30 and had some breakfast before setting off to Shelton around 09:30 The route was through Blurton passing First Potteries 40017 on the early #22A turn. We then continued through Heron Cross and up Victoria Road up to the edge of Hanley. As we approached Hanley we passed 60136 on a #6 service. We went around the town and down through Snow Hill to Shelton. We dropped Matthew off at the place and whilst it was quiet he got a picture of the transport for today Aiming High's FJ10 BJX.

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Shelton

I walked him into the building and had a quick chat with one of the members of staff. They were going to Hanley park First for a short while before going on their fire station trip. After I left him they set off to the park which was less than a mile away. Matthew got another picture of the minibus here.

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Hanley Park

He visited the playground and also went to the toilet whilst they walked around the park. They then headed back to Shelton for a while, presumably having their packed lunches here before heading off to Newcastle fire station. As they went through Newcastle, we spotted reliveried 40018 around town. At the fire station they had a good wander round. They went upstairs into the offices. He had his picture taken with a Firemans helmet on! They then walked around the depot. Here is a close up of the rear of one of the fire engines.

Fire engine DX61 GXG in Newcastle Fire Station

He also got to sit in the cab of on of the engines.

Inside a fire engine

After the visited the headed back to Shelton. We picked him up and Matthew took a close up of a cab that was waiting to pick up one of the other Aiming High users.

Close up of an Intercity cab

We then headed home via Z carz! The route took us down Stoke Road and passed a Shell Petrol station which is being refurbished. We then went onto the A500 and then onto the A50. before doubling back to go by the depot. There wasn't very much on today, with the exception of the 2 bigger coaches. Here's V690 EBC.

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

Besides D104 XAN, the only others visible were LDV minibus YN03 HJC and Mercedes minibus T131 SGA.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

We then headed homeward. Later on we went out for a MacDonalds on Victoria Road. As well as eating is own he pinched some of his mums too! He then settled down for the evening before going to bed...Mark

Trip to Tatton Park 15-07-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	Shelton, opp Cemetery Road	Tatton Park	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Tatton Park	Shelton, adj Cemetery Road	Charter	Aiming High

Today was originally planned to be a trip to Rudyard Lake to go on the Sailability boat with Aiming High, but Sailablilty pulled out with a few days to go with a broken boat! Aiming high quickly arranged an alternative trip and called up all the parents with the details. They had decided to go to Tatton Park instead, to visit the working farm there. Last time Matthew went on a Trio from John Street there had been an issue. So we had got in touch with Aiming High to see if they could pick Matthew up just for the trip that start from this location. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had a sausage toastie for his breakfast. He spent some time on his computer until a couple of Staff members from Crossroad came to pick Matthew up around 10:10. According to Matthew they drove up to Shelton to meet the bus, presumably so the staff had somewhere to park. When Matthew transfered onto the bus he got a picture of the Aiming High minibus. It was FJ10 BJX. A bus that Matthew had been on quite a few times...

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Shelton

On the bus the would have gone through Hanley, and then onto the A53. He saw First Potteries 40023 the #23 to Blurton.They then headed down onto the A500. Then They headed Northwards through Talke, In Talke They passed First Potteries 65706. on a 20A service. They then went onto the M6 and then through Holmes Chapel. They then went past a Esso garage in Knutsford and through the town centre. They then took the road onto Tatton Park before parking up. As he got off Matthew Spotted the Belle Vue coach BN08 OOJ. He then got a picture of that coach.

Belle Vue BN08 OOJ in Tatton Park

They then waited for the road train, of which he took a picture.

A road train in Tatton Park

They rode around on the Road Train until they reached the working farm. They had a good look around at all the animals there. One such animal that Matthew got a picture of was a donkey.

A Donkey in Tatton Park

They then walked around some more and he took another picture.

A Donkey in Tatton Park

back outside and in the open Matthew came across this very colourful chicken.

A Chicken in Tatton Park

After viewing the farm they stopped to eat their packed lunches. As they returned back towards the minibus Matthew came across an RV. They saw Wardle Transport Mercedes minibus 1421 here too.

Inside an RV in Tatton Park

He spent a little time in this mobile home, including having his picture taken in the driving seat! Back at the minibus they set off home around 15:00. They head back South stopping at a BP garage on the way back on Chester Road in Knutsford for Diesel. in the garage shop Matthew had a drink and a Milky Way. They then went down the M6 and back onto the A500 and to Shelton. On the way they passed a Mercedes Minibus MK02 SXZ going in the opposite direction.

Mercedes minibus MK02 SXZ in Tatton Park

Back in Shelton Matthew tranfered into the staff car and then came home around 15:45. On the way back he saw Z Carz V690 EBC. He also saw First Potteries 61243 on a #6. He saw First Potteries 40779 on a #6B service. Staff report that he had a great time and was quite well behaved! As he got out of the car he did go and try to visit Sam fro across the road. Back in the house he had a burger for tea before bath and bedtime...Mark

Trip to Cheddleton / Beatrice 24-06-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	John Street, Hanley	Cheddleton	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Cheddleton	John Street, Hanley	Charter	Aiming High
D104 XAN	John Street, Hanley	Longton BS	Charter	Z carz
T131 SGA	Longton BS	Longton BS	Charter	Z Carz
BV51 BNO	Longton BS	Longton BS	Charter	Z Carz
T131 SGA	Longton BS	Longton BS	Charter	Z Carz
2532	Longton BS	Blurton Ladybank Grove	22	Wardle Transport

Today Matthew was lucky enough to be invited on a second Aiming High trip in two Sundays. As last week we discovered there is no access from John Street we decided to go out a little bit earlier so Matthew could see some buses before he went on his trip. We got up around 08:00 and we set off after breakfast around 09:15. Matthew directed up to Hanley via Milton and back along the A53 to Cobridge before coming into Hanley along Waterloo Road. We parked up in the small car park opposite the bus station and the plan was to spend a few minutes here to get a few bus pictures before we drove around to John Street. Matthew dragged us across to the bus station, but because this wasn't planned we didn't have his pass with us. Whilst there we saw 40025 parked up and 60063. Also wardle Transport 3152 was on the #118 to Buxton. We eventually got back across saw Z Carz W344 WNS Copelands Tours MIB 236 going to Llandudno, but Matthew didn't want to get in the car to fetch his pass or drive around to John Street. I sat with Matthew by the car park whilst mum drove around to John Street to see someone from Crossroads. Mum brought back a member of staff from Crossroads and this time Matthew got in the car and we drove around to the bus. This was Z carz HX51 HRU, one that Matthew has been on a few times before. Matthew got a picture of the minibus. He said hello to a few people before he went. was Aiming high FJ10 BJX waiting.

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in John Street Hanley

Matthew got into the bus and was now all smiles after his few minutes of drama and off they went. They went up to Weston Coyney via Dividy road and past the Esso garage. They got to Cheddleton where the Beatrice was waiting for them at her moorings. Matthew got a picture of the barge.

The Beatrice at her moorings in Cheddleton

As far as I can tell from his photo graphs Matthew headed eastwards along the route of the railway towards Consall. They passed through at least one lock as he took a picture of the lock wall through the barge window. Further down the canal they passed this sorry looking barge moored up along side of the canal.

Boat moored by the Cauldon Canal

Somewhere down the canal the turned the boat around and head back towards Cheddleton. Matthew photographed some more boat that where moored o but these appeared to be just resting temporarily.

More boats moored by the Cauldon Canal

Further along there were some more boats having a short rest.

More boats moored by the Cauldon Canal

Back at Cheddleton, they headed back towards Hanley on the Aiming high bus. They arrived back by Z carz coach D104 XAN in Hanley just a little after 15:00 and he was in a far better mood than he had been this morning. As we were low on LPG we decided to have a drive around. We headed to the Shell garage at Festival Park as this was the closet that did LPG. On the way we saw Z carz V690 EBC heading East along the A53 through Cobridge lights. Whilst I filled up mum and Matthew went shopping! Matthew brought some Coke, millionares short bread. We drove back towards Hanley and then headed towards Bentilee so we could drive past the First garage at Adderley Green. We also went past Longton bus station which was empty at the time. we had just passed First PMT 61554 on either a #6 or #26. We then went passed the Z carz garage where we saw D104 XAN which had been to York, W344 WNS to Manchester,BV51 BNO local and T131 SGA local too. Matthew took a picture as we drove past the depot on Edensor Road.

Vehicles parked up at Z Carz in Longton

He then took a couple of trips on the Z carz buses BV51 BNO from Edensor Road depot T408 JUX was out as well as S973 OVP was then and then and from Longton bus station was Z Carz T131 SGA and then back there to the in Longton depot.We saw M283 BLD to Longton Bus station was Wardle Transport 2532 on the #22 service before we headed Home. He also saw PMT MMM120 & PMT SDC863 out and about today. We headed home on 2532 and saw Z carz W591 YBN in Blurton. we also saw First PMT 42727 on the #23 service. We had a homemade Chicken dinner for tea before we settle down for the evening...Mark.