Trip to Gawsworth / Hanley 26-09-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
RUI 2486	Fenton	Gawsworth	Charter	Stanton's of Stoke
RUI 2486	Gawsworth	Fenton	Charter	Stanton's of Stoke
YJ53 WPD	Fenton	Hanley	Charter	Z Carz
YJ53 WPD	Hanley	Fenton	Charter	Z Carz

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Matthew got up and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting for time to got to the day centre Matthew spent time in his room watching buses. We saw First Potteries 67604 on a #11 to Newcastle. Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. A few minutes later we saw Stanton's of Stoke KS05 BUS going towards Stoke. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We saw First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew we to Gawsworth on Stanton's of Stoke RUI 2486. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill under the railway and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran Northwards up the A500 as far as Talke and then we got onto the Northbound A34. By the Caudwell Tavern we followed the road to the right and through Red Bull and Scholar Green up to Congleton. We continued to the West of the town up the A34 and out of the other side. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A536 and we continued North for around 4 miles to Gawsworth. We went past the village to the Southern edge of Macclesfield and we stopped at the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. For dinner Matthew had beefburger and fried followed by a chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. Once we had finished we returned to Fenton. We set off down the A536 down to the edge of Congleton Road and we ran South into Congleton. We ran through the town centre and out of the other side onto the A527. We ran down through Biddulph and down through Brown Lees and Brindley Ford. Wecontinued through Chell and Pits Hill and North of Tunstall and we ran down to the A500. We ran Southwards to Stoke where we came off the A500 onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out on his computer. We akso watched buses out of the window. We saw minibus BN64 KNG going towards Stoke.

BN64 KNG in Fenton

We also saw D&G Bus 112 on a #1 to Meir.

D&G 112 in Fenton

Matthew was going out for tea. We went out and it was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD. We got on the bus and sat down. The bus set off onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We crossed over City Road onto Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We joined the clockwise ring road and we ran around to Etruria Road. We stopped at the pub on the corner and Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew had a burger and fries followed by by a lemon meringue pie. When we had finished we returned to Fenton. We set off onto Etruria Road and we joined the Westbound A53. We ran to Etruria and we got on the Southbound A500. We ran down to Stoke and we came off the A500 onto City Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. When Matthew got back he went up to his room. He used his computer and watched music videos on the Television. 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 Fenton / Matlock 04-07-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YJ53 WPD	Fenton	Matlock	Charter	Z Carz
YJ53 WPD	Matlock	Fenton	Charter	Z Carz

Today Matthew was in residential and he was going to his day service. He was also going out for a trip on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room until dinnertime, using his computer and watching buses out of the window. We saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus EGZ 2534 going towards Hanley.

Stanton's of Stoke EGZ 2534 in Fenton

We also saw Magnum DA08 BVW heading towards Longton.

Magnum DA08 BVW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room for a while whilst waiting to go out. We saw First Potteries 67643 on a #11 to Hanley. After spending a short while in his room, Matthew was going out for dinner. We went out and it was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD. We got on the bus and sat down. We set off onto Christchurch Street and right onto City Road. We ran forwards onto King Street and we ran under the railway bridge into Longton. We ran forwards onto Market Street. We followed the road around onto Anchor Road and we turned right onto Sutherland Road. We ran up to near the end and then we turned left onto Weston Coyney Road. We ran to the end and we turned left onto the A520. We ran up to Cellarhead and then we turned right onto the A52. We ran through Kingsley and over the railway and through Cauldon up to Calton Moor. We continued to Ashbourne and continued Eastwards over to Matlock. We stopped in the town centre and we went into a pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. For dinner Matthew had Chicken burger and fries followed by chocolate fudge cake and ice cream when it was time to go back to Fenton we set off in Z Carz YJ52 WPD. We ran Westwards across to Ashbourne and then we got onto the Westbound A52. We travelled through Cauldon and Froghall. We ran to Cellarhead and then we turned left onto the A520. We ran down through Weston Coyney. At Meir we turned right onto A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We did the link road to City Road and then we ran towards Stoke. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left again onto Temple Street and into the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and watched buses. We saw First Potteries 63173 on a #11 to Hanley. For tea Matthew had shepherds pie followed by a Bakewell tart. After tea Matthew went out for a walk to the pub. We set off onto Temple Street and left onto Christchurch Street and into the pub. Outside the pub we saw grey minibus OU17 BFL.

OU17 BFL in Fenton

Matthew we to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. After Matthew had finished in the pub we walked back to the residential unit. We set off along Christchurch Street and we turned left into Temple Street. Matthew went up to his room to chill out. He used his computer and watched music videos on the Television. 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 Joiners Square / Trent Vale 08-04-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Joiners Square	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
67636	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00. He got dressed and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:00 his transport to his day service turned up and it was Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and sat down and the bus set off onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line and into Trentham. We turned right into New Inn lane and right again into Pacific Drive. After we picked up another service user we headed back onto New Inn Lane and then onto the A5035. We turned left at Church Road and then we went Forwards onto Blurton Road through Blurton and across the A50. We went through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. Having crossed the railway line we turned left onto Christchurch Street and to our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. For dinner he had burger and fries with a Coke from MacDonalds. In the afternoon we went to the pub on Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. We set off onto Glebedale Road and left onto City. At the bottom of the road just before the railway line we turned right onto the A52. We past the railway station and continued along the A52 Joiners Square. At the roundabout we turned left onto Lichfield Street and to our destination. In the car park we also Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Joiners Square

We went into the pub and Matthew used the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings in the pub was silver minibus DX11 CME.

DX11 CME in Joiners Square

We also saw First Potteries 63176 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 63176 in Joiners Square

Matthew listened the the Jukebox with songs from Abba, Big in Japan, & Alison Moyet. When it was time to go Matthew climbed aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We set off down Palmerston Street and onto the A52. We turned left onto Victoria Road and we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD. We went to the top of Victoria Road and we turned sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and we made a brief stop at the day centre before we went back onto City Road and we went under the railway and onto the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 onto Shelton New Road and we turned left towards Newcastle. We ran down into Newcastle along George Street and we turned left onto Barracks Road past the bus station where we saw First Potteries 65705 on a #25 and D&G Bus 158 on a 'Nines' service. We joined the Southbound A34 which we did to Trentham before turning left onto the A5035. We ran up to Longton via Dresden and we crossed the A50 onto onto Chadwick Road. In the distance we could see Z Carz S973 OVP parked up at Z Carz. We turned onto Sutherland Road and we joined Anchor Road and we went up the hill to Adderley Green. As we passed Adderley Green depot we saw First Potteries 41496/43877/53118 and 53119. We turned left and we ran towards Bentilee along Dividy Road. We dropped a service user off at respite and we got back onto Dividy Road and we saw Stanton's of Stoke RX65 YPM. As we traveled back down Anchor Road we saw A2B Aiports WF11 MOA. Before the bottom of Anchor Road we turned right into a side street and we weaved our way through to King Street. We carried on fowards onto City Road and left onto Glebedale Road. Due to a breakdown on one off the buses we had to head back to the day centre to pick another service user up. We then went down to Christchurch Street and right onto Station Bridge Road. We followed the bus around onto Heron Street and forwards onto Blurton Road. We crossed the A50 and went through Blurton before going Forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Road and we got home around 15:15. Matthew had toast and a drink of orangeade whilst he waited for the time to go out and catch the bus. Today we went to catch the 16:26 to Newcastle. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. I had seen all the #22 turns earlier in the day and they were all dud. First Potteries 67636 was booked to be our bus. Whilst we waited we saw Autocabs WJ12 GNY going South towards the A5035.

Autocabs WJ12 GNY in Blurton

We also saw dud First Potteries 67602 on the #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 67602 in Blurton

We waited at the bus stop and our bus turned up bang on time. It turned the corner and as expected it was dud First Potteries 67636.

First Potteries 67636 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfields Road before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down the road and right onto the A5035. There were a few people on the bus but, non behind us or to the side so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67636.

Inside First Potteries 67636

The bus crossed the railway line and we went into Trentham before we turned right on to New Inn Lane. By the Man in Space we passed First Potteries 41498 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel. The bus climbed the hill into Hanford and right onto Wilson Road. We turned left onto Church Lane and at the bottom we joined the northbound A34. We crossed under the A500 and we went into Trent Vale. As we turned into Harpfields Road we passed First Potteries 67601 on the final #22 turn running towards Longton. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67636 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67636 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and we saw City Cabs EF05 OMC going North. By the time we got to the pub mum had just arrived in the car park. At the pub Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses included required First Potteries 65035 on a Hanley Bound #101 service as well as Sherrat's Wood VA07 ZTB and ABC Supreme BV51 BNZ on a North bound shuttle. When it was time to go we got in the car to go and pick up uncle Dave. We went South down the A34 and we turned left onto the A500. At Sideway we came off the A500 briefly and got back on to avoid standing traffic. We went East on the A50 to Heron Cross and we dropped down into Fenton to pick up uncle Dave. After we had picked up uncle Dave we came back up to Heron Cross and then right onto Blurton Road. As we traveled through Blurton we passed First Potteries 53042 on a #23 to Hanley, 42552 on a Blurton bound #23 service and First Potteries 67602 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home just after 18:00. Matthew chilled out on the sofa on the computer most of the evening, before going outside to 'The man cave' to visit me and uncle Dave for around an hour. Matthew went to bed around 00:30... Mark

Trip to Fenton / Congleton 08-03-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Bentilee	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Bentilee	Charter	Shelton Care Group
YJ53 WPD	Bentilee	Congleton	Charter	Z Carz
YJ53 WPD	Congleton	Bentilee	Charter	Z Carz

Today Matthew was in respite and he was also going to his day service and I was going up to Cumbria to ride on trains. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. Whilst Matthew was waiting for his own bus, he took a few pictures of the other buses coming to collect other service users. We saw Allendale minibus PN07 BHJ.

Allendale PN07 BHJ in Bentilee

Shortly after that we saw Z Carz minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Bentilee

A few minutes after that we saw Stanton's of Stoke minibus CN09 CJE.

Stantons of Stoke CN09 CJE in Bentilee

Eventually Matthews transport for the trip to the day service appeared, Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Bentilee

Behind Matthews bus was Jayjays Travel PO58 XFX going to Abbey Hulton.

Jayjays Travel PO58 XFX in Bentilee

On the way down to the bus Matthew had a look at the new kitchen which is being done downstairs. We got on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX and the bus set off onto Dividy Road. We headed up to Adderley Green and we turned right onto Anchor Road. We turned right into Heathcote Street and we wound our way down to King Street and we stopped on March Road before continued down King Street into Fenton. We went forwards onto City Road, turning left onto Smithpool Road, after turning left into Temple Street we turned right into Christchurch Street and to our destination. After spent the morning in the sensory room and using the computer. For dinner Matthew had cheese oatcakes followed by a slice Battenberg cake. In the afternoon we went to Fenton to go swimming. We set off on on foot across the car park by the Co-operative Food onto City Road. We walked down the hill and we turned right onto the private road to the swimming baths. On the way to the baths we saw Staffordian Travel white coach Y194 AWP.

Staffordian Travel Y194 AWP in Fenton

Matthew went to the cafe and had a glass of Coke and then went swimming for a while. After getting out of the baths and getting changed Matthew set off back to the day service. Outside the baths was Copeland's Tours MIB 236.

Copeland Tours MIB 236 in Fenton

We walked back up the private road and we turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. At the top of Temple Street we turned left onto Christchurch Street and to our destination. Aftwe a quick stop to use the toilet it was time to get back on the transport to respite. It was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX again.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We got on the bus and the bus set off onto Glebedale Road. We turned right onto City Road and right again onto the A50 Link Road. We took aht A50 to Heron Cross A and we turned left onto Blurton Road, We ran through Blurton and forwards onto Church Road. At the end of Church Road we turned right onto the A5035. We headed over the railway line into Trentham and we turned right onto New Inn Lane. After dropping of a service user we got back onto the New Inn Lane and back onto the A5035. We traveled through Hem Heath and Dresden and we up into Longton. After crossing the A50 we went around the one way system in Longton down the Strand and right onto Market Street. We turned left onbto Anchor Road and we climbed the hill into Adderley Green. At the big roundabout we turned left and we ran into Bentilee along Dividy Road and to our destination. Once back in the unit We saw another bus arrive... It was Scraggs minibus 1655 VT.

Scraggs 1655 VT in Bentilee

After spending a short while in his room, Matthew was going out for tea. We went out and it was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD. We got on the bus and sat down. The bus set off onto Dividy Road and down to Bucknall. We continued to Limekiln Bank before turning right and running through Northwood to Townsend and onto High Lane. We went North through Smallthorne and up to Turnhurst. We turned right onto the A527 and we ran up through Fegg Hayes and Brindley Ford We went around the outskirts of Biddulph and we continued up to Congleton. We joined the A34 and we went West to the roundabout before taking the A534 out of town. We turned left down Padgbury Lane and we went to the Heath farm Fayre & Square pub. When in the pub Matthew used the disabled toilet and then had an All Day Breakfast and a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had a chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. When it was time to go we got back aboard Z Carz YJ53 WPD. We set off back onto Padgbury Lane and right onto the A534 Sandbach Road. At the roundabout we joined the A34 and we ran up to the junction near Tesco Before going left onto the A54. We went forwards onto the A527 and we left Congleton through Hightown and past Congleton railway station. We ran back down through Gillow Heath and around Biddulph before going South through Knypersley and Brindley Ford. At Turnhurst we went left onto the A5272 High Lane. We ran through Smallthorne and we saw First Potteries 41493 on a #7A. We went through Sneyd Green to townsend and we turned left and down through Northwood to Limekiln Bank. At the light we went straight across before turning left onto Dividy Road and to our destination. back at respite Matthew watch television The Division in the living room before having a bath and getting ready for bed. for supper Matthew had some toast. later that night he chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Bilston / Dudley 30-01-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4584	Bilston BS	Dudley BS	82	NX West Midlands
4594	Dudley BS	Wolverhampton BS	126	NX West Midlands
4146	Wolverhampton BS	Wednesfield, opp Chadsway School	59	NX West Midlands
2210	Wednesfield, opp Tithe Rd	Wolverhampton BS	57	Arriva Midlands
5405	Wolverhampton BS	Wednesfield, adj Lewis Grove	59	NX West Midlands
4032	Wednesfield, opp Lewis Grove	Wednesfield, adj Hall St	69	NX West Midlands
4592	Wednesfield, Church St (Stop WA)	Bilston BS	25	NX West Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Bilston. We had checked the weather and with the North of the country in the grips of hurricane Gertrude, we decided to travel Southwards. We gave Matthew a list of Midlands destinations, and from the list he chose Bilston. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and strawberry juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we ran onto the A5035. We went West to the A34 where we saw First Potteries 65706, unusual power on the #10 to Hanley. We headed North and then turned left onto Whitmore Road. We briefly joined the A519 before going onto the Southbound M6. On the M6 going South we saw Johnsons YK15 OJH which was heading Northwards, and we caught up with Stagecoach Magicbus 54202 on a M11 service.

Stagecoach 54202 on the M6

We continued South, and we saw An unidentified Eastville Coaches coach and Astons AIG 5288. We came off the M6 at Junction 10, and we went Westwards along the A454 for around a mile, and then we joined the A463 Black Country route. At the Eastern end of Bilston we went North on the A41 and we then turned left onto Church Street where we parked up. We walked the hundred or so yards to the bus station and Matthew went to the toilet before we had dinner in the bus station cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Coke. whilst we ate we saw Diamond Rotala 20002 and 20003 on the #23 Wednesbury to Portobello service. We also saw Coastal Liners ex First Dennis Trident V882 HBY on the #905 Wolverhampton to Mecca bingo service. There was also a Thandi Dart, Y152 NKL on a #334 to Walsall. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked out of the inside of the bus station. We immediately saw required National Express West Midlands 4584 on a #82 to Dudley.

NX West Midlands 4584 in Bilston interchange

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this to the unexplored town of Dudley and he said yes. We got on the bus and we booked nBus Day Tickets at £4.80 each. We went upstairs and we sat down. As the rear of the bus was empty, Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4584.

Inside NX West Midlands 4584

The bus set off out of the bus station and we went Southwards onto the A41. We turned right onto loxdale Stree and over the tram line, going forwards onto Salop Street. We trundle through undulating housing estates full of near identical semi-detached houses and we went over the railway into Coseley. We crossed a dual carriageway and we saw a Northbound National Express coach. We went through a small village called Roseville and we traveled South again through yet another housing estate of semi-detached houses. Eventually we joined a main road and we went South-Westwards into Dudley town centre. It seemed like a quite small rural town, but when we turned into the bus station it was quite big. We Got up and got off the bus into this large open bus station with 20+ stands and several areas where buses were stood on layover. We decided to go and have a look around the bus station as we had never been before. Whilst there we saw required National Express West Midlands 4431 on a #205 service to Kingswinford.

NX West Midlands 4431 in Dudley bus station

At the other end of the bus station we saw required National Express West Midlands 4273 on layover in a designated area between stands.

NX West Midlands 4273 in Dudley bus station

The was another small parcel of land opposite to the bus station where buses were parked on layover. On layover were National Express West Midlands 2108 & double decker 4357.

NX West Midlands 4357 in Dudley bus station

After seeing the buses parked up adjacent to the bus station, we turned to see National Express West Midlands 1771 on a #313 service to walsall.

NX West Midlands 1771 in Dudley bus station

At the bottom end of the bus station we saw required National Express West Midlands 4192 on a #241 to Merry Hill.

NX West Midlands 4192 in Dudley bus station

Also on layover was required National Express West Midlands 4195.

NX West Midlands 4195 in Dudley bus station

We also saw required National Express West Midlands 841 on a #27A to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 841 in Dudley bus station

We walked back to the main entrance of the bus station and we looked at the departure board to see what we could catch. There was a #126 service to Wolverhampton that was very frequent, so we decided to walk over to stand R. On the way we saw required National Express West Midlands 4742 on a #87 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 4742 in Dudley bus station

We stopped part way along to the stand and we saw Rotala Diamond 20844 which was on a #226 to Merry Hill.

Rotala Diamond 20844 in Dudley bus station

We sat down at Stand R and whilst we waited Matthew shared a Milky Way double bar we me and uncle Dave. A few minutes later the bus pulled onto the stand and it was required National Express West Midlands 4594 on the #126 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4594 in Dudley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The bus set off out of town and Northwards up Priory Road. At the end of Priory Road we turned left onto Birmingham New Road. The journey up to Wolverhampton was now pretty much straight up the road for around 4 miles. On the way up we passed National Express West Midlands 4139, 4142 & 4587 going the other way towards Birmingham. We entered the town centre and ran past the tram station and onto the ring road before entering the bus bus station off the roundabout. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4594.

Inside NX West Midlands 4594

We decided to visit the toilet at this point. On the way we popped out of the bus station as we saw Arriva Midlands 3750 departing on the #9 to Bridgenorth.

Arriva Midlands 3750 in Wolverhampton bus station

Afterwards Matthew went to the toilet and then we went into the East wing of the bus station to see what was about. We saw Arriva Midlands 3752 on a #8 to Telford and Arriva Midlands 2261 on a #50 to Wednesfield. We saw an older double decker on stand F so we went over to investigate. It was required National Express West Midlands 4146 on a #59 service to Ashmore Park.

NX West Midlands 4146 in Wolverhampton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Piers Row. We turned left into Tower street and right into Market Street before turning right again into Queen Street and back onto Piper Row. We went past the Slade Rooms and we joined the Northbound ring road for a few yards. We double back on ourselves before turning left into Wednesfield Way and going under the railway line. We carried on along a duel carriageway that had some well done graffiti on a wooden board on the Southern side of the road. After about a 1000 yard we turned left onto Wolverhampton Road. We went past New Cross Hospital and the bus emptied out a little. Matthew used the chance to take a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4146.

Inside NX West Midlands 4146

We left the main road and we went up Wednesfield High Street. We decided to get up and get off the bus once we had passed the High Street. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4146 as it carried on towards Ashmore Park.

NX West Midlands 4146 in Wednesfield

We walked up towards the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 2261 which we had seen leaving Wolverhampton earlier on the #50 into Wednesfield.

Arriva Midlands 2261 in Wednesfield

It was quite busy at this junction. We saw Arriva Midlands 2722 & 2734 on #71 services going either way, and we also saw Arriva Midlands 2550 on a #57 service to Bilston and National Express West Midlands 4132 & 4134 on #59 services. We decided we were going to catch the #69 service from Walsall to Wolverhampton which had a timetable at the stop. The bus was due at 15:36. At around that time the bus came around the corner and it was one of the early Volvo / Plaxton President double deckers that we wanted to catch, required National Express West Midlands 4072.

NX West Midlands 4072 in Wednesfield

Unfortunately the bus went sailing straight past. Although the stop had the #69 timetable on the board, the flag didn't have the #69 timetable on it. After a short walk around the corner it was obvious why that this was. The bus that came from around the corner had a second stop about 50 yards away. The bus stop that we were standing at was for bus approaching from straight down Wood End Road. After a quick look at those timetable on Lichfield Road, we decided to go back to where we were to wait for the next #57 which was booked to be an Arriva Midlands bus. We thought that it may be required Arriva Midlands Solo 2550 which we had seen going the other way. Whilst we waited for the bus to come Matthew ate a bag of Milky Way Stars. We saw the bus approaching and it was a Dennis Dart. AS it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva Midlands 2210.

Arriva Midlands 2210 in Wednesfield

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus Day ticket to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off back down Wednesfield High Street and right onto Graisley Lane. There was a Centro Employ at the back of the bus who was surveying passengers who asked us where we were going to. I took the opportunity to let him know about the discrepancy between the bus stop flag and the timetable board on Lichfield Road, and he sent of an e-mail there and then to his boss! We weaved through the back streets on the other side of New Cross Hospital and we came back onto Wolverhampton Road at the junction with Wednesbury Way. We ran back into town along the dual carriageway and we crossed under the railway line. We crossed the ring road and we ran along the contraflow lane adjacent to the ring road that took us straight to the entrance of the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew didn't get a picture inside the Arriva Dart as the Centro employee stayed on the bus to continue surveying passengers. Once again we wanted to only spend a short time in the bus station. Across the way was branded double decker National Express West Midlands 4599 which was about to work it's usual #529 service bus service to Walsall via Willenhall.

NX West Midlands 4599 in Wolverhampton bus station

In the middle stands we saw required Arriva Midlands 2211 which was going to be working a #65 service to Fordhouses.

Arriva Midlands 2211 in Wolverhampton bus station

That bus wasn't due off for another 10 or so minutes, and it was due off another stand. There was another required bus on the #59... It was National Express West Midlands 5405.

NX West Midlands 5405 in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided to do this bus and then we could catch a #25 from Wednesfield down to Bilston as the final bus of the day. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The top deck was empty, so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 5405.

Inside NX West Midlands 5405

The bus set off put of the bus station and took the route exactly the same as we had done when we were on National Express West Midlands 4146 earlier in the day. On Tower Street we saw Banga Travel YT51 EBA about to work the #545 to Bilston. We went through town and across the ring road onto Wednesfield Way. After we went under the railway line we passed Arriva Midlands 2703 coming the other way. We turned onto Wolverhampton Road and we went up Wednesfield High Street. This time we decided to get off the bus one stop further up around the corner and opposite to the stop for were the #59 & #69 actually stop at, just in case on of the older buses did turn up. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 5405 as it carried on towards Ashmore Park.

NX West Midlands 5405 in Wednesfield

As we were crossing the road we saw couple of buses approaching. One was a Y reg double decker on the #59 the other was a Plaxton President like we hoped! As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 4032.

NX West Midlands 4032 in Wednesfield

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We weren't going to be able to go to far on this bus as we had to get back to the High Street for the #25 down to Bilston. We stopped in the high Street to let off a few passengers. As the seat opposite was empty, Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4032.

Inside NX West Midlands 4032

We carried on around the corner and onto Wolverhampton Road before we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4032 as it carried on towards Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4032 in Wednesfield

Once off the bus we went back towards the high Street. We were able to get a good view of the Guru Nanak Sikh temple which is quite a magnificent building. As we were crossing over the High Street we saw a bus approaching. It was required National Express West Midlands 4148 on the #25 to Pendeford.

NX West Midlands 4148 in Wednesfield

Once at the bus stop, we had less than 20 minutes to wait for the bus back to Bilston. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva Midlands Solo 2550 for the 3rd time today on the #57.

Arriva Midlands 2550 in Wednesfield

A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands 4592.

NX West Midlands 4592 in Wednesfield

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus Day ticket to the driver for the final time today. We went upstairs and the bus set off down the High Street. We turned left onto Alfred Squire Road and we went Eastwards. At Ashmore Lake we went South down Fibbersley and down towards Willenhall. We came into town from the West and we turned right onto Bilston Street. We traveled South-Westwards for around a mile and a half and then we turned left onto the A41 and into Bilston. We entered the bus station and we let the bus empty, before Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4592.

Inside NX West Midlands 4592

We got off the bus and Matthew used the toilet in the bus station. Whilst we waited for mum to bring the car around we went around the bus station to take a few more pictures. We saw Banga Travel Solo V252 JRR on the #545 to Wolverhampton.

Banga Travel V252 JRR in Bilston interchange

We also saw National Express West Midlands 817, which was on layover from the #43 West Bromwich service.

NX West Midlands 817 in Bilston interchange

We also saw required National Express West Midlands 4141 which was on a Dudley bound #82 service.

NX West Midlands 4141 in Bilston interchange

Mum turned up in the car and we walked over to her in parked up by the Market on Wood Street. She had of curse brought Greggs Sausage rolls which Matthew washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We Set off Eastward along the Black Country Route and we we went forwards onto the A454. We joined the Northbound M6 at junction 10 and we had a relatively quick quiet run up to junction 25 for Stoke. We went North up the A500 to Sideway and then we went Eastwards along the A50 towards Longton where we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. On the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswaggen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

The closest minibus on the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz taxi minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

We turned the corner into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. In the foreground we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we crossed over the main road to go and get some fuel from the Tesco petrol station. After topping up we got back onto the A50 which we did up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we traveled through Blurton and forwards onto Church Road. We passed First Potteries 53123 on a #23A to hanley and First Potteries 43877 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a let tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark