Trip to Oswestry / Chirk 15-01-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3693	Oswestry BS	Whittington, Three Trees	X5	Arriva Midlands
3792	Whittington, Three Trees	Oswestry BS	X5	Arriva Midlands
296	Oswestry BS	Llynclys, White Lion Inn	79	Tanat Valley
574	Llynclys, White Lion Inn	Oswestry BS	79	Tanat Valley
3789	Oswestry BS	Chirk, Hand Hotel	2	Arriva Midlands
3787	Chirk, Hand Hotel	Oswestry BS	2	Arriva Midlands

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Oswestry. Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather, which was for rain. Shropshire Council said it has been pleased with the early feedback from drivers using the Mile End Roundabout. 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 RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthwe went into the living room and we saw Afford rent-a-car MK71 WMF.

Afford rent-a-car MK71 WMF in Fenton

He also watched buses out of the window we saw First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Fenton

We checked the bag and Matthew realised that he had batteries. We came around 11:30 and Matthew came downstairs and got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We set off onto Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. At the end we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Trentham and then we got onto the Northbound A34. We turned left onto Whitmore Road and we ran up to Hanchurch. We crossed over the A519 onto the A5182 and we ran the 3 or so mile Westwards to the A53. We turned left and we went South-Westwards to the junction of the A51. After we got to the Swan With Two Neck we continued Westwards along the A51. We ran up to Woore and then we turned left onto the A525. We ran Westwards through Audlem. We continued to Whitchurch and we ran around the Southern by-pass onto the A495. We ran West to Ellesmere and we continued to Whittington. We turned left onto the A5 and we ran Southwards into Oswestry. We came into town up Salop Road and we stopped at the Salop Fish bar. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy and a can of Coke. We had finished in the cafe we walked down Salop Road and and we turned right onto Black Gate Street. We turned right onto Oswestry Road and to the bus station we saw Lloyds Coaches YJ10 MDF on a T12 to Machynlleth. We decided almost straight away we were going to do the X5 service towards Whittington. A few minutes later we saw required Arriva Midlands 3693 on the X5 to Telford. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets at £4.70 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579 and past the site of the new McDonald's. We turned left onto College Road and we turned right onto Middleton Road. We turned left onto Unicorn Road and we turned right onto Whittington Road we continued forwards onto the A495 and through Whittington and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked back into the centre of the town and we spotted a convenience store. We went in and we brought a can of Coke and chocolate bars as well as a box of Millionaires shortbread. We sat on some seats by the bus stops in the centre of town and Matthew drank a bottle of Irn Bru. Whilst we waited for a bus back towards Oswestry we saw Arriva Midlands 3792 on a X5 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A495 past the Whittington Senior Citizens Hall which the owners want to re-develop, and we ran through Oswestry. We ran forwards onto Whittington Road and we turned left into Unicorn Road. We turned right onto Middleton Road and we turned left onto College Road. We turned right onto the B4579. We ran around the one-way system and passed the Arriva bus depot and into town along Leg Street. We ran forwards onto Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus. On layover just inside the bus station was Arriva Midlands 4106. As it got closer we saw it was Tanat Valley 296 on a #79 to Pentrefelin. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street and we turned right onto Oswestry Road. We turned left onto Black Gate Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along the B4579. We turned left onto English Walls and we turned right onto the Smithfield Street. We turned left onto Church Street and we went straight onto Upper Church Street and we headed up to Morda. We went forwards onto Morda Road and turned right onto the A483. We travelled through Sweeney and over Llynclys where we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the B4396 before we returned back into the B4396 along the A483. We continued to the bus stop and we waited for a bus back towards Oswestry. Whilst we waited we saw Tanat Valley 574 on a #79 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off along the A483 and we continued up to Sweeney. We turned left onto the B5069 through Morda and Oswestry. We turned left onto the B4580 and right onto Castle Street. We turned left into Beatrice Street and we ran along Oswald Road and into the bus station. As we got up and got off the bus. We waited for a bus towards Chirk. A short time later we saw Tanat Valley 282 on a T12 to Wrexham. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3789 on a #2 to Wrexham. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Beatrice Street around to the Covid testing site and afterwards onto Beatrice Street. We turned left onto Gobowen Road and we crossed over Twmpath Lane into Gobowen. We turned left onto Whittington Road and right onto St Martins Road. We continued through Rhewl and through Rhosygadfa and then we ran out into open countryside. We turned left onto onto the B5070 and into Gledrid. We turned right onto Chirk Road and into Chirk. We entered town along Church Street and we got up and got off. We walked down Church Street and we turned right onto Colliery Road and Matthew visited the toilet. Once Matthew had finished we walked back up Colliery Road and onto Church Street. We went to the stop and we waited for a bus back to Oswestry. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3787 on a #2 to Oswestry. We got on the bus and we flashed the Multi-Operator Tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Chirk Road. We ran through Gledrid and turned left onto the B5070. We turned left onto St Martins Road and we ran through Rhosygadfa back to Rhewl. We ran through Gobowen and turned left onto Whittington Road. We turned right onto Twmpath Lane and we crossed over Gobowen Road into Oswestry. We turned left Oswald Road and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we met up with mum. We past the former Morrisons which the owners want to be re-developed. Once off the bus we we walked up towards the car. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3761 on X5 to Telford. We got in the car and Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set onto the Beatrice Street. We turned left onto Gobowen Road and we turned right onto onto Whittington Road. We turned left onto the A5 and we ran around the Eastern edge of town up the A495. We ran Eastwards through Ellesmere up to Whitchurchand we ran down the hill to MacDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had beefburger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. After we had finished eating we got in the car. We set off out of the Southbound A41. We ran around the Southern by-pass and we went Eastwards along the A525 through Audlem. We continued to Woore where we straight on through Madeley. We went through Keele by-pass and we continued Eastwards into Newcastle. We turned left onto the Northbound A34 and then right onto Ryecroft. We joined the one-way system and we ran up the A53 to Etruria. We turned right onto the Southbound A500. We came of the A500 at Stoke and we ran up the A52 under the railway line. We continued up into Fenton up City Road. We turned right into Smithpool Road and left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer and watched music videos on the Television later on he had a slice of Millionaire's Shortbread. 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 Tamworth / Sutton Coldfield 25-10-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4411	Tamworth bus interchange	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SD)	110	Arriva Midlands
4409	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham), Gracechurch Shopping Centre (Stop SH)	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands
3013	Tamworth bus interchange	Coton Green, opp Shopping Precinct	3	Arriva Midlands
3010	Coton Green, adj Shopping Precinct	Tamworth bus interchange	3A	Arriva Midlands
3809	Tamworth bus interchange	Whittington, adj Barracks Museum	765	Arriva Midlands
3800	Whittington, opp Barracks Museum	Tamworth bus interchange	765	Arriva Midlands

Today We also planned on going to Portsmouth. we decided to re-visit Tamworth. somewhere new... Sutton Coldfield. Since our last visit to Tamworth, new Enviro400 double decker buses had been introduced on the #110 to Birmingham. We checked the weather to see what conditions were going to be like. The weather had been forecast fore mainly dry and sunny weather with an occasional shower. It was now starting to get colder. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We gave Matthew a choice of places to got to and he chose Tamworth. We did some research on the Staffordshire County Council site to check the route of some buses. Just after 12:00 we got in the car and set off onto the A5035. We decided to go the along A roads, so we we along the A34 before turning Southwards towards Stone. Just South of of Stone we turned left onto the A51 and we headed Eastward towards Colwich. We passed nearby Rugeley and went close to the centre of Lichfield before going into Tamworth town centre along the A51. We parked in the car park between Aldergate and Corporation Street. We ate at the cafe Rio where Matthew had an English breakfast with toast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we took the short walk towards the bus interchange. Matthew used the toilet and then we had a look around to see what we could could catch. At the Northern end of Corporation Street was Central Bus YX63 ZXL on the X55 to Lichfield.

Central Bus YX63 ZXL in Tamworth bus interchange

Further up Corporation street was required Arriva Midlands 4413.

Arriva Midlands 4413 in Tamworth bus interchange

As we considered walking across to catch this bus, it was departure time and bus went. We would catch the next bus down to Sutton Coldfield. In the meaintime we had a quick wander around taking pictures. At the bottom of the interchange we saw dud Arriva Midlands 4200 on the #2 Perrycrofts circular.

Arriva Midlands 4200 in Tamworth bus interchange

We then saw required Arriva Midlands Mercedes single decker 3000 to the #6 to Ventura Park.

Arriva Midlands 3000 in Tamworth bus interchange

A few minutes later required Arriva Midlands 4411 appeared to work the next service #110 to Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 4411 in Tamworth bus interchange

We got on the bus and booked a group Day Saver ticket at £12. We went upstairs and as the rear of the top deck was empty Matthew took a picture inside of Arriva Midlands 4411.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4411

The bus set off out of the interchange before turning right to head towards Lichfield. Just after the fire station we turned left to go down towards ventura Park. We turned left following the Eastbound A51 before turning right onto the A4091. We crossed under the A5 and then we crossed the canal. At Fazeley we turned right for the run down to Mile Oak. At Mile Oak we turned left onto the A453, passing the most distant point at which we had previously been on the #110 back in August. We carried on South over the A38 at the Bassetts Pole roundabout and we carried on into town. When we got to Sutton Coldfeld the bus pull into the main thoroughfare were all the buses stop on The Lower Parade. We got off the bus into this busy street and there were already quite a few buses present. First we saw National Express West Midlands 4055 on a #5 to West Bromwich.

NX West Midlands 4055 in Sutton Coldfield

We then saw National Express West Midlands 4684 on a #77 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4684 in Sutton Coldfield

We then saw NX West Midlands 4906 arriva on a #907 from Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 4906 in Sutton Coldfield

We crossed the road and Matthew sat down and had a drink of orange Fanta and a flapjack. We then saw Arriva Midlands 4407 on the #110 to Tamworth.

Arriva Midlands 4407 in Sutton Coldfield

We decided to walk up to the road opposite and take pictures. On the way up to the crossing we saw National Express West Midlands 4916 on a #902 to Hill Hook.

NX West Midlands 4916 in Sutton Coldfield

We crossed over the road and we saw Arriva Midlands 4408 on the next #110 to Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 4408 in Sutton Coldfield

We then saw WMSNT KX59 CYY on the #167 to Erdington.

WMSNT KX59 CYY in Sutton Coldfield

We then saw National Express West Midlands 4780 coming into The Lower Parade on an unidentified service.

NX West Midlands 4780 in Sutton Coldfield

We walked back to the stop ready to go back towards Tamworth. Whilst we waited we saw National Express West Midlands 1907 on a #66A to Erdington.

NX West Midlands 1907 in Sutton Coldfield

On the road opposite we also saw National Express West Midlands 4918 on a #904 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 4918 in Sutton Coldfield

A few minutes later we saw the bus to Tamworth approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 4409.

Arriva Midlands 4409 in Sutton Coldfield

We got on the bus and we flashed to ticket. We went upstairs and the bus set off out of town towards the A453. The bus crossed over the Bassetts Pole roundabout and we headed up to Mile Oak. We turned right onto Watling Street and we carried on to Fazeley and then turned left onto A4091. We went past Ventura Park and the turned left onto the A51. We followed the A51 over the Tame and then we turned right towards the town centre. We turned into Aldergate and then into the interchange. The bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4409.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4409

It was around 15:30, so we thought we might see the next bus on the #82 service. The bus did turn up and it was a new vehicle for Solus Coaches, MV59 ACX.

Solus Coaches MV59 ACX in Tamworth bus interchange

Also in the interchange around the same time we saw Arriva Midlands 3811 on the #115 to Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 3811 in Tamworth bus interchange

Whilst we waited to find something suitable to catch we also saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36153 about to work to Nuneaton.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36153 in Tamworth bus interchange

We visited the tourist information office and Matthew used the toilets. Afterward we walked back into the interchange. As we walked up we saw required Arriva Midlands 3013 on the #3 to Coton Green. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this and he said yes. Matthew took a picture of the bus before we walked over to catch the bus.

Arriva Midlands 3013 in Tamworth bus interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the ticket before sitting down near to the back. The bus set off onto Aldergate and up past the bus garage. We turned into the estate on Salters Lane. Part way along we passed required Arriva Midlands 3010 on the #3A service. AS we carried on through the estate we the bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3013

When we passed the Coton Arms we jumped up to get off the bus. AS the bus headed off into the distance matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3013.

Arriva Midlands 3013 in Coton Green

We walked to the local shops and we went into the Co-operative food store. Matthew brought a small bottle of Irn Bru and a can of Coke for later. He also picked up a Flake and twin pack of Milky Way. We paid for the shopping and walked to the bus stop on the other side of the car park. We had 10 minutes before the return bus so Matthew drank the bottle of Irn Bru. At 16:08 bang on time we saw another Mercedes single decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 3010.

Arriva Midlands 3010 in Coton Green

We got on the bus and it was still quite full. We flashed the ticket and we went and sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off through the estate and it emptied out as we went By the time we got onto Slaters lane the bus was nearly empty, we had only picked up a handful of passengers. We carried on down past the railway and the bus garage before turning into Corporation Street. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3010.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3010

We had time for another quick out and back trip. On the #110 was Arriva Midlands 4408.

Arriva Midlands 4408 in Tamworth bus interchange

We decided to leave the double decker for another future visit. On the #785 to Shuttington was dud Arriva Midlands 3805. On the #765 to Lichfield was dud Arriva Midlands 3809.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Tamworth bus interchange

We decided to do Arriva Midlands 3809. We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. As the bus was nearly empty Matthew took a picture as we got on this bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3809

The bus set of Westwards out of town and onto the A51. We crossed the Coventry Canal and we climbed the hill through Hopwas. We passed the farm at packington with all the free range pigs and we decided we were going to do this bus to the barracks for an approximate 8 minutes wait for the return service. We turned into the barrack and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3809 before it carried on towards Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Whittington

Mattheww wanted to photograph a minibus through the fence of the military base, but as it was an army base we discouraged him from doing this. We only had a short wait and then the bus came around the corner. As the bus got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 3800.

Arriva Midlands 3800 in Whittington

We got on the bus and flashed the ticket. We sat down near to the the back of the bus. We turned back onto the A51 and we climbed the hill past the pig farm and we dropped down the hill through Hopwas. We crossed the river and the Coventry Canal and ran into town along the A51. When we got to the interchange Matthew photographed the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3800

There was just time to get one more picture before we set off home. On a #110 to Birmingham was required Arriva Midlands 4414.

Arriva Midlands 4414 in Tamworth bus interchange

We went to the toiletsbut they had closed for the evening. So we decided to just go home ASAP. We set off onto the A51 and we went West to Lichfield. After a slight error in Lichfoeld we continued West out of town on the A51 until we got to the A515. As this road crosss the A50 we headed North through King's Bromley and Yoxall. Further North close to Draycott in the Clay we saw Midland Classic 87 on the #402 to Burton-on-Trent. We joined the A50 and we went West past Uttoxter. As the A50 tuned near to Blythe bridge we caught up with Waltons short wheelbase coach FN63 PXA. We came off the A50 to check out what was at Z Carz It appears Z Carz no longer park on the spare ground so we turned into Wilow Row to check out what was in the compound. LDV minibus T408 JUX appears tohave left the yard and a few of the other minibuses were parked there, with Mercedes minibus W221 CDN parked near to the front of the yard.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

On the opposite side of the road was Z carz minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We turned back onto the A50 and we came off the A50 at Heron Cross. We traveled through Blurton and we saw First Potteries 42892 on the #22 to Dresden. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cake bar. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Tamworth / Whittington 23-08-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4206	Tamworth bus interchange	Mile Oak, adj French Avenue	110	Arriva Midlands
4205	Mile Oak, opp French Avenue	Tamworth bus interchange	110	Arriva Midlands
KV03 ZFD	Tamworth bus interchange	Elford (Staffs), Adj Social Club	82	Solus Coaches
KV03 ZFD	Elford (Staffs), Adj Social Club	Tamworth bus interchange	82	Solus Coaches
2617	Tamworth bus interchange	Coton Green, adj Roman Way	3	Arriva Midlands
2614	Coton Green, adj Shopping Precinct	Tamworth bus interchange	3A	Arriva Midlands
3809	Tamworth bus interchange	Whittington, adj Barracks Museum	765	Arriva Midlands
3805	Whittington, opp Barracks Museum	Tamworth bus interchange	765	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Tamworth. Once again the weather was very changeable so we left the decision until Saturday morning. Matthew got up at around 09:45 and had toast and juice for breakfast. Research consisted of checking we had the Tamworth timetables on the phone, and looking for a place to eat. The weather was forecast for Tamorth that afternoon was for mainly overcast with sunny intervals. Uncle Dave hadn't stopped over so we set off to pick him up around 11:30. Today was our first trip out in the new diesel 'Support vehicle'. We set off through Blurton and headed towards Heron Cross. On Blurton Road we saw a rare outing for step entranced Dart Copeland's Tours MIB 797 on the #40 Longton - Fenton - Longton circular. We headed through Fenton and stopped to pick up uncle Dave and then headed bac up to Heron Cross. We joined the A50 and went West to the A500. Here we headed South to the A34. As the weather was poor we decided to take it easy and go the most direct slower route along A roads. As we passed near to Stone we saw Bennetts Solo MX52 FDJ on a #1 town service. We carried on South until we reached the A51. We then went South East along the A51. When we got to Colwich the diesel light came on and we needed to find a garage. We passed an expensive looking garage near Rugeley, we carried on South-East along the A51 and we reached Lichfield. Just on the other side of town we came a cross a Shell garage on the junction of the A51 & A5206 and put in some diesel for the trip. We got back onto the A51 and carried on East towards Tamworth. We got to the edge of town and went straight in, before turning into Aldergate. The car parking spaces by the Assembly Rooms off Corporaion Street were full so we went back around the small one way system and parked in the car park off Aldergate. Last time we came to Tamworth we hadn't researched to eating situation, so we ate at the truck stop off the A5. This time we had researched a cafe called Cafe Rio which is situated in the car park off Aldergate. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. After we had finished eating we collected the trip bag from the support vehicle and said goodbye to mum. We walked across the car park and into Corporation Street, which with it's five bus stops it is know collectively as Tamworth bus interchange... As we crossed the street we saw a double decker arriving on the #110 from Birmingham. It was required Arriva Midlands 4206.

Arriva Midlands 4206 in Tamworth bus interchange

We waited for the driver change to take place and then we got on the bus. As it was empty, Matthew took a picture of the lower saloon.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4206

We booked a Midland DaySaver at £6.20, as we intended to try and go a little further today. We went upstairs and sat down, waiting a few minutes before the bus departed. At 14:00 the bus set off onto Church Street and as we waited at the traffic lights we saw dud Arriva Midlands 4200 coming in to form the next #110 departure at 14:15. We had been on this bus on our previous visit to Tamworth back in June this year. This bus has now been covered in an all over advert for the new Sapphire buses coming to Tamworth to work the #110 in September. We carried on West until we got to the roundabout and then we went South onto Tamedrive. At the big roundabout we turned left onto Riverdrive, before heading South past the Ventura shopping park along the A4091. We crossed under the A5 and past the previous further point on this service in Fazeley. We crossed over the canal and we turned right onto the old A5 which has now been renumbered to the B5404. The road isn't very wide by modern standards but then Romans knew how to build a road straight... We passed required Arriva Midlands Mercedes Citaro 3008 on the next Tamworth bound #110, so we knew we had about 7 minutes before we passed the next bus. We passed a lumber yard with a big crane that can lift whole tree trunks, and then carried on West for around a mile before we reached Mile Oak. We turned South onto the A453 and we decided to get off as there was a bus due back the other way any minutes now. We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 4206.

Arriva Midlands 4206 in Mile Oak

There was a bus stop opposite, but it took over a minutes to get across this busy road. Once at the stop there wasn't much of a view down the road because a a big hedge. I had to stand on the road to see the bus and retreat back onto the pavement when I saw it approaching. Even then Matthew didn't quite get enough notice to get good picture of this bus, dud Arriva Midlands 4205.

Arriva Midlands 4205 in Mile Oak

We got on the bus and flashed the tickets and the we went upstairs and sat down. The bus was quite well filled. We set of North on the A453 and then East to Fazeley. We turned North onto the A4091 and we passed Arriva Midlands 4200 again, this time going towards Birmingham. As we passed Ventura Park we saw Arriva Midlands Volvo B6 2613 turning into the out of town shopping complex. The bus was branded and working the #6 service. We got back onto the A51 Riverdrive and then onto Tamedrive before running into town along Church Street and Aldergate. On Church Street we passed Arriva Midlands 3008 on the next #110 to Birmingham as expected. We pulled into Tamworth bus interchange and we waited for the bus to empty so Matthew could take a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4205.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4205

We got off the bus and there were a couple of services in the bus station. There were a couple of buses in the interchange and of course we hadn't taken a decent picture of Arriva Midlands 4205 yet today. I asked Matthew what he wanted to do and he pointed to a anonymous looking white minibus parked up. It was required Solus Coaches KV03 ZFD.

Solus Coaches KV03 ZFD in Tamworth bus interchange

We walked up to the driver and asked if it was a service bus and he told us yes. It was the #82 Clifton Campville circular service. which went out via Ashby Road and and No Man's Heath and back via Harlaston, Elford and Wigginton. The bus set off at 14:35 and went around the one way system and onto Aldergate. We passed the Arriva bus garage with the only bus visible being their trainer vehicle. We turned right into Albert Road and back passed the railway station along Offadrive. We crossed the railway line and then we sat at the temporary lights on Upper Gungate for a short while. Once the lights had changed we went North East onto Ashby Road. Once out of town it was quite a fast run. We were slowed a little by an elderley Land Rover which turned off before we got to No Man's Heath. At No Man's Heath we turn West towards Clifton Campville. Another spirited run along Clifton Road and we arrived in the village of Clifton Campville. Most passengers alighted opposite the Green Man pub, just leaving ourselves and one lady with here dog. We carried on West To Harlaston and the lady and her dog alighted here. As often is the case on rural runs, the driver knew most of his passengers and was a friendly and talkative chap. As we carried on we talked about buses and bus travel and then he told us about the Scarecrow Festival in the next village. Apparently the festival is held every year in this village over the August bank holiday weekend and resident along the route make scarecrows and place them in their garden in the designated streets. All the scarecrows have a number and you pick up forms from the village hall so that you can pick the best ones. People who want to enter the competition who don't live on the route display the scarecrows in the village hall. One garden with large ornate gates made a pair of matching Beefeater guard scarecrows that looked like they were guarding the gate of Buckingham Palace! Details of the festival can be found here... Once out of Elford we went back South down the A513 until we reached Whittington Lane. This was a single lane track into the village. As you would expect we saw a vehicle coming the other way! There was a passing place about half way along the lane and once the car had passed we carried on into the village. We turned South and picked up a couple of folk before heading South down to the A513. We passed Arriva Midlands double decker 4201 on the #2 service and then we came into town and inter the interchange via Aldergate. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside this fine example of a Mercedes minibus.

Inside Solus Coaches KV03 ZFD

Once off the bus we bumped into mum and as it was warm she persuaded Matthew to give up his hoodie. We saw a few buses whilst we decided what to do next. Arriva Midlands 3804 was about to work the next #110 to Birmingham

Arriva Midlands 3804 in Tamworth bus interchange

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36174 was also in the interchange on a #766 to Atherstone.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36174 in Tamworth bus interchange

Matthew wanted the toilet so we walked up to the public toliet block at the top end of the interchange. Whilst he was in there Happy Al's coach AA10 ALS made an appearance. Once hew was finished we walked back into the interchange and Matthew took a picture of this coach.

Happy Al's AA10 ALS in Tamworth bus interchange

At this point we decided to do required Arriva Midlands Volvo B6 2617 which was on the #3 to Coton Green.

Arriva Midlands 2617 in Tamworth bus interchange

We got on the bus and flashed our tickets. We sat down near to the back and the bus waited until it's departure time. The bus set off onto Church Road and back onto Aldergate. We went passed the end of the railway station and crossed the railway line before turning left into Salter Lane. The bus followed Salter Lane around and into the estate. The bus seemed to take a different route to what remembered because it did! There seems to be a #3 and a #3A, with unusually the #3A service going clockwise and the #3 going anti-clockwise. As such we came down Fontenaye Road the opposite way from what had done before. When we passed the shops we got up to get off the bus. Before we got off Matthew took a picture inside empty Arriva Midlands 2617.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2617

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2617 as it went off into the distance.

Arriva Midlands 2617 in Coton Green

We headed across to the shops and we went into the Co-op food store. In here Matthew picked a can of Coke and a few chocolate bars and we headed to the till. He said hello to the cashier and we paid for the thing and left the shop to walk to the bus stop. From this side of the road the #3A departed. There was one due in a few minutes. Matthew had time to eat the Toffee Crisp that he had just brought, and then the bus turned up. It was another Volvo B6, and as it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2614. We got on the bus and sat down near to the back. The bus set off back through the estate in the opposite direction from earlier and people were getting off the bus and it was emptying out. Matthew took a picture facing forwards into the bus as it was empty in front of us. We went back over the railway line and into Aldergate before entering the bus interchange. When we got there, Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking another picture inside this bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2614

We got off and Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 2614 from the outside too.

Arriva Midlands 2614 in Tamworth bus interchange

There was time for on quick out and back trip before we went home. On the #6 service again, Arriva Midlands branded volvo B6 2613 made an appearance in the interchange.

Arriva Midlands 2613 in Tamworth bus interchange

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said no. Behind this was required Arriva Midlands 3809 on the next #765 to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Tamworth bus interchange

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service, We saw all over advertisement bus Arriva Midlands 4200 re-appear from Birmingham.

Arriva Midlands 4200 in Tamworth bus interchange

Matthew decided to go toilet. Instead of going to the toilet block he decided to use the toilet in the Tourist Office opposite. We came out of the toilet and the bus had started to load. We flashed our tickets and sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of town along church Street and carried straight on along the A51. On the edge of town we passed the road that goes into the other end of Coton Green and we carried on over the Coventry Canal and the river Tame. We climbed the hill through Hopwas before passing Packington free-range pork farm and the Staffordshire Regiment museum. We had worked out that the bus passed the one coming the other way somewhere between the museum and Whittington village. After we turned off the A51 we got up to get off at the next stop.

Arriva Midlands 3809 in Whittington

We crossed the road to wait for the bus back. Matthew ate the chocolate of a Kinder Egg and we made up the ball that came inside it in six interlocking pieces. He also had a small bottle of cherryade. We heard the bus and it came around the corner. It was required Arriva Midlands 3805.

Arriva Midlands 3805 in Whittington

We flashed our tickets and sat down near to the back. A couple of people got off in Hopwas and Matthew took a picture inside of the empty bus in front of us.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3805

The bus carried on into town and over the Coventry Canal and the river Tame. We carried on into town along the A51 and we entered the interchange of Aldergate. When we got off the bus we took a few more picture before we left. Arriva Midlands 4205 made a re-appearance so matthew took a picture of it.

Arriva Midlands 4205 in Tamworth bus interchange

We walked to the toilet block as the tourist office had now closed. After Matthew had used the toilet we walked back to the new 'support vehicle' after another successful afternoons bus travel. Mum was waiting back at he car for us and we had Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew had a 500ml bottle of Irn Bru. As we had fuel I decided to go back a slightly different way. We set off back along the A51 and into Lichfield. Once we had crossed through the small city we came to a roundabout with a junction for the A515 to Ashbourne. I knew this road crossed the A50 East of Uttoxeter, and we wanted to visit Z Carz anyway... We turned onto the A515 and a couple of miles North we passed Arriva Midlands 3758 on a #825 Stafford - Lichfield service. We carried on North and we passed through the villages of King's Bromley, Yoxall and Draycott in the Clay. Eventually we reached the A50 ans we went West towards Uttoxter. Near to Doveridge we passed Gold Star minibus PUI 5768 parked in a layby. We carried on passed Uttoxter and onto the long stretch of the A50 up to Draycott in the Moors. We carried on passed Blythe Bridge and Meir and we came of the A50 at Longton to check out what was on the depot at Z Carz tonight. First in the Row was Mercedes minibus W221 CDN the driver was just coming off and the door was open.

Z Carz W221 CDN in Longton

Next was Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

Behind this was Volvo coach M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Behind the coach was Airport Transfer bus DL03 HHU. At the back of the site was silver LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We also saw Mercedes minibus BV51 BNO which also had the door open as the driver was getting off.

Z Carz BV51 BNO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row where we saw Ford minibus BN03 OVS and long term SORN minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and through heron Cross. We saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT before continuing through Blurton. At the Ladybank Road stop we saw First Potteries 43876 on the #22 to Dresden. We got home around 18:20. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a lemon cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark