Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 25-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Joiners Square	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Joiners Square	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
60193	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was going to the pub for his tea, but not before he had been out with his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 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 the bus set off onto the A5035. We went over the railway line into Trentham before turning at New Inn Lane. We turned into Pacific Drive and we picked up another service user before going back onto New Inn Lane. We returned along A5035 before turning left into Church Road and forwards onto Blurton Road and we carried on to Heron Cross. We turned right to go through the traffic lights and onto Heron Street. After crossing over the railway we turned left onto Christchurch Street before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew went into the sensory and spent time using a computer. We went to fetch dinner from the chip shop. For dinner he had sausage chips and gravy from the chips shop. After dinner we went to the pub. Today we went to the pub in Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

The bus set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. After the pedestrian crossing we turned right onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road and we headed down to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we arrived at the destination. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a drink of Coke. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 63100 on a #6 to Meir. He enjoyed socialising with his day service staff and the other service users whilst listening to music on the Jukebox. When it was time to go They climbed back aboard Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We headed down Palmeston Road and onto the A52 before turning left onto Victoria Road where we saw Scraggs Blue Buses YJ54 BSX on a #50 to Caverswall. On Victoria Road we went to the top turning sharp right onto City Road. We turned left into Glebedale Road and to our destination. We stopped briefly before setting off onto Glebedale Road before turning right onto City Road. We headed towards Longton along City Road and then King Street. Just before we got to the railway bridge we turned left onto one of the side street and we weaved our way through over to Anchor Road. We headed up the hill into Adderley Green and we turned left at the gas tower. On the depot were First potteries 40173 & 40373. We carried on along Dividy Road into Bentilee and we dropped another service user off at respite. We then returned to Adderley Green and back down Anchor Road. We went around the one way system in Longton and Crossed over the A50 and onto the A5035. We carried on to Blurton getting back around 15:00. Today we were catching the 16:30 from Blurton to Trent Vale and due to the change in the timetable in early September it was impossible to work out what bus was going to work this service! Buses seen earlier in the day on the #22 included required First Potteries 41521, 42553 & 65041! Matthew had some toast and a drink of Cherryade and used his computer whilst we waited for time to pass. He also helped me to shred some documents!At 16:20 we set off on foot to the bus stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. 16:30 came and went and whilst we waited for the Newcastle bound service we saw dud First Potteries 41070 on a Longton bound #22.

First Potteries 41070 in Blurton

Some builders working on a house near to the bus stop had very helpfully parked two vans right in front of the bus stop! A few minutes later a 'Olympia' liveried Scania rounded the corner and it was the very dud First Potteries 60193.

First Potteries 60193 in Blurton

First Potteries 60193 was one of seven Scanias that were until recently allocated to the Newcastle garage and were the mainstay of the #22 service prior to the timetable change at the beginning of the month. If the controller of AG happens to read the Blog could you please send something interesting or required on the Fridays 16:14 off Longton... Buses that we have already been on can be found here... :) We got on the bus and we booked to Harpfield Road. Te bus set off onto the A5035 and we turned right towards Trentham. As we approached the railway line we passed Scraggs coach 6626 VT. In Trentham we turned right onto New Inn Lane and we passed Free Spirits MK52 PXH heading to it's weekend parking spot. In Hanford we passed First Potteries Dart 40367 on the 3rd #22 turn and further up Wilson Road First Potteries 50296 streaked past on a #21 to Trentham. We joined the Northbound A34 and we crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale. Further up the road we turned right into Harpfields Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 60193 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 60193 in Trent Vale

As we walked back onto the A34 we saw Allendale PO59 GHA go by in the distance towards Newcastle. We walked along the A34 to the pub and no buses passed us by. We turned back and we saw a red and yellow Scaina Omnicity in the distance so we walked back past the street furniture to get a clear view. As we waited for the Scania approach we saw an ABC Supreme minibus join the A34 off harpfield Road. As it got closer we saw that it was ABC Supreme Mercedes minibus P881 RND on a hospital link shuttle.

ABC Supreme P881 RND in Trent Vale

Right behind it was dud First Potteries Scania 65026 on a #10 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65026 in Trent Vale

We met up with mum and Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses were Coaches YN63 ZHH Steel's (Addingham) & Copeland's Tours MIB 615 both going South. We also saw ABC Supreme CN05 SVS on a hospital bound hospital link service. After we had finished eating we went to the car and Matthew called uncle Dave to tell him we were on the way. We set off down the A34 and we passed First Potteries 53042 on a Hanley bound #21 service. We then joined the Northbound A500. At Sideway we went Eastwards along the A50 to Heron Cross were we were caught up by Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS. We dropped into Fenton and we picked uncle Dave up, and we came back through heron Cross. We crossed the A50 and we went into Blurton along Blurton Road. At the BP garage we saw Paul's of Stoke Y13 POS & City Cabs SJ54 MWY. We followed the road forwards onto church Road and as we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive we saw First Potteries 32630 on a #22 to Longton and First Potteries 53830 on a #23 to Hanley. We got home around 18:15. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Hanley / Stafford 19-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63099	Bentilee, adj The Hillberry	Hanley BS	26	First Potteries
32630	Hanley BS	Stafford Town Centre, Chell Road (Stand B1)	10	First Potteries
60072	Stafford Town Centre, Chell Road (Stand B1)	Hanley BS	10	First Potteries
65564	Hanley BS	Bentilee, adj Twigg Street	2	First Potteries

Today Matthew was nearing the end of an 8 night stay in respite. We had arranged for his day service to take him our for the morning. Matthew got up around 08:30 and had toast for breakfast. The folks from his day service came to pick him up and they walked down the road to the stop outside the Hillberry where all three Bentilee bus services stop at. The first bus to turn up was a #26. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 63099.

First Potteries 63099 in Bentilee

we got on the bus and brought a First Potteries network day ticket at £5.50. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off along the A5272 towards Bucknall. At Bucknall we joined the A52 and we crossed Leek Road and up limekiln Bank. On the edge of Hanley we joined the clockwise ring road and went around to Lichfield Street and we stopped at the stop outside the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63099.

Inside First Potteries 63099

Once off the bus we walked up Stafford Street to go to the bank. On the way we saw First Potteries 41512 on a Hanley bound #8A service.

First Potteries 41512 in Hanley

Further up the road we saw First Potteries 65706 on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 65706 in Hanley

Just before the toilets we saw Scraggs Blue Buses 36 on a #5 to Abbey Hulton.

Scraggs Blue Buses 36 in Hanley

We walked up to Tontine Square and used the cash machine and then we headed back down Stafford Street. When we got the bus station the bus to Stafford was in the bus station. It was required First Potteries 32630.

First Potteries 32630 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the network day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. As the top deck was empty Matthew got a picture inside First Potteries 32630.

Inside First Potteries 32630

The bus set off out of the bus station and down towards Shelton. We joined Shelton New Road and headed up towards Newcastle. We went over the crossroads and at the roundabout we went straight across onto George Street. We headed down the hill and onto Barracks Road before entering Newcastle bus station. After a short wait at the bus station we carried on Southwards down the A34 past the hospital and through Trent Vale. We crossed under the A500 into Hanford and we continued South into Trentham and past Trentham Gardens. We carried on through the roadworks and through Tittensor before carrying on towards Stone. We left the A34 at Newcastle Road and ran into Stone town centre. After a quick stop at Granville square we went around the town on the one way system before crossing the A34 and into Walton. We went through the industrial estate before re-joining the A34 for the run down to Stafford. We went into town along Stone Road and Foregate Street before turning right into Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. We walked through the car park and visited the toilets near to Broad Street. We walked through the Guildhall Shopping Centre and onto Market Square. We turned left onto Gaolgate Street and we walked up to the Butlers Bell pub were we had dinner. For dinner Matthew had burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had warm chocolate fudge cake with custard. After he had finished eating Matthew went to the toilet before they set off back to the bus stop to catch the bus. We walked up to the roundabout before turning left onto Chell Road. There were a few minutes before the bus back to Hanley was due, so we took a few bus pictures whilst we waited. we saw required Arriva Midlands 2375 on a #828 to Brereton.

Arriva Midlands 2375 in Stafford

This was followed by dud Arriva Midlands 2367 on a #1 to Baswich.

Arriva Midlands 2367 in Stafford

Matthew travelled on this bus from Oswestry to Whittingham on the #70 with mum and uncle Dave back in September 2009! We then saw dud Arriva Midlands 2292.

Arriva Midlands 2292 in Stafford

We had this bus from Cannock to Hednesford back in April 2014. We then saw required Arriva Midlands 2294 on a #11A Stafford town circular.

Arriva Midlands 2294 in Stafford

Shortly behind the Dart was required Arriva Midlands 4203 on a #75 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 4203 in Stafford

Eventually the bus back to Hanley made an appearance. It was unusually an older Scania, the very dud former Newcastle based First Potteries Scania 60072.

First Potteries 60072 in Stafford

We had this bus on quite a few occasion on the #22 service! We got on the bus and we flashed the network day ticket to the driver before sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off around town via the railway station and the bus station on Gaol Square. The bus set off Northwards up the A34 right the way up to the Roundabout South of Stone where we turned to go through the industrial estate at Walton. We turned right onto the B5026 and we crossed the A34 and onto the A520. We followed the bus around the one way system and we stopped at the main Northbound bus stop on Crown Street. The bus continued North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the A34 by the Filleybrook BP service station. The bus went North up the A34 past Tittensor and Trentham. After travlling through hanford we crossed under the A500 into Trent vale and then past the hospital into Newcastle. After a brief stop in Newcastle bus station we joined Barracks Road and headed out of town along the one way system and George Street. We left Newcastle and joined Shelton New Road for the run into Hanley. We went passed on of the day centre's matthew attends and we went up Snow Hill into Hanley. The final run into Hanley was Broad Street, Marsh Street, Pall Mall and Bagnall Street before entering the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. In the bus station we saw First Potteries 65027 on the #18 to Leek. We went outside to the Bentilee stops and we saw dud First Potteries 65026 on the #26 to Meir.

First Potteries 65026 in Hanley

They turned down doing this bus as First Potteries Scania 65564 was on the #2 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65564 in Hanley

We got on the bus and they flashed the network day tickets to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Bethesda Street before we joined the anti-clockwise ring road. We went down Limekiln Bank and across Leek Road onto the A52. In Bucknall we turned right onto the A5272 and we ran up to Bentilee. The bus turned left onto Twigg Street and we got up and got off the bus. We walked back to the respite centre and Matthew said goodbye to the staff from the day centre. Matthew chilled out in his room until teatime when Matthew had sausages and chips followed by cake and custard. In the evening Matthew watched telly with the other service users and used his computer. He had a bath and then settle down to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Hinckley / Nuneaton 12-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2203	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	Burbage, adj Horsepool	7	Hinckley Bus
2714	Burbage, adj Horsepool	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R3)	8	Hinckley bus
2204	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	1	Hinckley Bus
2169	Barwell, adj East Green	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	3	Hinckley bus
3300	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R1)	Barwell, The Square (NE-bound)	158	Arriva Midlands
3317	Barwell, adj The Square	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	158	Arriva Midlands
3315	Hinckley, Regent Street (Stand R4)	Nuneaton BS	158	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Hinckley. We had checked the weather for today and the better weather was in the Midlands with some showers in the North West. We ruled out Chester as there was a race meeting on today. We gave Matthew a list of destination in the North West and Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Hinckley. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 and we drove down to the A5035. We headed towards Trentham and we saw Free Spirits minibus MK52 PXH. We joined the Northbound A34 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. At the end of Whitmore Road we joined onto the A519 for a short while before taking the Southbond M6. As we travelled South we saw that the Northbund carriageway was very busy. Coaches queuing on the Northbound carriageway included a Castell Coaches, An Attain coach, Jumbulance J100 STB, a Berry's double decker coach, a P&D York coach, A Johnsons, a NAT coach and an Eastville coaches coach as well as First / Trurorian 20556. At Gailey we joined the A5 and we went Eastwards passing P&D York minicoach T3 PDY. We stopped at Truckers Rest Cafe for dinner. After visiting the toilet Matthew had a breakfast and washed it down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we went back to the car and we carried on Eastwards. Just South of Cannock we saw Arriva Midlands 2209 on an #19 service. We carried on Eastwards and we went passed Tamworth and Polesworth. Just North of Nuneaton we took the B4666 into Hinkcley following Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 into town. We overtook the bus at a bus stop and we parked on the Western edge of town. We said goodbye to mum and as we walked towards the toilet we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 come past us again on the #48 to Leicester.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36162 in Hinckley

We walked up Waterloo road and we witnessed the shopping centre doing up on the right hand side. The sign on the end of the building reads 'The Crescent'. We went to use the disabled toilet on Station Road but it was in use so Matthew went to the gents. Having used the toilet we walked down to Regent Road to see what bus we could catch. As we walked onto the Street we saw required Arriva Midland 3314. We then saw a very familiar looking bus approaching... It was former Wardle Transport, now Hinckley Bus 2203 on a #7 to Burbage.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Hinckley

There are two of these ex Wardle Transport Caetano Darts now at Hinckley. One was required and on we had back in January 2013. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes... I assumed he knew which one we had been on. Whilst we waited for the drivers to swap we took a picture of Arriva Midlands on the #158 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3314 in Hinckley

We also saw a Solo going up the Street. It was dud Hinckley Bus 2569.

Hinckley Bus 2569 in Hinckley

After the driver change had completed we got on Hinckley Bus 2203 and we booked Hinckley Day savers at £4 each. A quick check of the buses I have travelled on page revealed that this was the bus we had been on from Hanley to Birches Head back in January 2013. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off Southwards down Regent Street and then left onto Lancaster Road. The bus turned right into Station Road and at the Bottom we turned Right onto Hawley Road. We went past the railway station and we turned left onto Rugby Road and we ran under the railway line. We went over the roundabout and we turned left into Brookside. We headed through the big housing estate and when a few people got off the bus Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2203

We turned left into Windsor Street and left again onto the B578. When we got to the Horsepool stop we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of this bus as it carried on back towards Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2203 in Burbage

We got off the bus and we inspected the timetable on the stop. Since the timetables changed around a year ago the the frequency of the service dropped to every 30 minutes. There was also the #8 (formerly the #58) Lutterworth to Hinckley which ran once every hour. The next bus due was the #8 in around 20 minutes time. This gave us time to have a quick explore around the Horsepool. We entered the gate (now open as the tree stump carving had been completed). The tree stump which had been carved into a castle had now been populated with Playmobil figures! The was a small laminated notice on the gate that read 'You can play with us, but please don't take us away...' we also sat down and Matthew ate a packet of Milky Stars. We walked around the other side of the pool and Matthew photographed a red admiral butterfly on a bush. We walked back to the stop to wait for the #8 bus. 14:54 came and went and we were getting close to the time of the next #7... Eventually we saw a bus approaching and it was in original Arriva colours. As it got closer we saw that it was required Hinckley Bus 2714.

Hinckley Bus 2714 in Burbage

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off through Burbage and we headed onto the B4669. We crossed the railway line and we headed into town. On arrival in Regent Street we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside of Hinckley Bus 2714.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2714

We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Hinckley Bus 2714.

Hinckley Bus 2714 in Hinckley

I needed the cash machine so we decided to visit Yorkshire Bank to use the cash machine. On the way we saw Arriva Midlands 3315.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Hinckley

We got the cash and then we the newsagents on the corner. Matthew had a can of Fanta and some chocolate to re-stock the trip bag. After we had purchased the stuff we crossed the road and sat on the bench whilst we contemplated what bus to do next. Matthew ate a Galaxy Caramel that we had brought out with us and was a little bit squashed. After Matthew had finished eating it we saw a familiar bus approaching it was former Wardle Transport now Hinckley Bus 2204... This time we knew it was the required one of the pair!

Hinckley Bus 2204 in Hinckley

As we got up to go and catch the bus there was a flurry of activity. Going South was new Hinckley Bus Enviro200 2000 on an inbound #66 service from Nuneaton.

Hinckley Bus 2000 in Hinckley

Right behind this was required Hinckley Bus 2503 also on a inbound service, this time a #2.

Hinckley Bus 2503 in Hinckley

We walked up to the stop and we went to get on the bus. The bus wasn't due to leave for a couple of minutes and there was a drunk by the step finishing his cigarette. We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver. We went to the back of the bus and Matthew photographed the empty rear seat of Hinckley Bus 2204.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2204

We sat down and the drunk sat down in front of us. He tried to get a rendition of 'The Wheels on the bus' going but no one was going for it. The bus set off out Northwards out of town along the B4667. We passed the hospital and the drunk who had moved to the front of the bus was now belting out 'Ain't no sunshine when she's gone'. We crossed the A47 and we went Northwards up the A447 before turning right onto the the Hinckley Road. We ran into Barwell and we we got up and got off at the stop in the centre of town. Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2204.

Hinckley Bus 2204 in Barwell

As we had done our shopping in Hinckley we headed to the main Hinckley bound stop to see when then next bus was due to depart. There was an Arriva Midlands #158 due. Matthew decided to visit the toilet with about 3 minutes before the bus was due. The bus pulled up outside the stop and Matthew was still in the toilet. Matthew just came out and we saw the bus pull off! We decided to check out the other stop to see it there was a bus due. The was a #2 to Hinckley due in less than 10 minutes. We saw the bus go up and it was required Hinckley Bus 2169. A few minutes later it returned and as expected it was Hinckley Bus 2169.

Hinckley Bus 2169 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew got a picture inside Hinckley Bus 2169 before we sat down.

Inside Hinckley Bus 2169

We set off down down The Common and we crossed the A47 and ran towards town down Leicester Road. We turned right onto Stonegate Drive and we turned left onto Barwell Lane. We passed the Asda Store and we rejoined the main road from Hinckley to Barwell the B4667. We only stayed on this road for a short while as we turned right into Netherley Road. We went forwards onto Tudor Road and we turned right into Stanley Road. As we approached Hollycrofts we saw a Scania Onmicity disappearing into the Hollycroft housing estate. Is was there one and only Scania Omnicity Hinckley Bus 3512. We headed into Hinckley town centre down Hollycrofts and we got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Hinckley Bus 2169.

Hinckley Bus 2169 in Hinckley

Almost immediately we saw what I thought was required Arriva Midlands 3300 on a #158 to Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3300 in Hinckley

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes. We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. A quick check of the page revealed we had indeed been on the bus but I couldn't remember doing the bus. Back in 2013 when the bus was new to Arriva Midlands it was numbered 3999. We had it from Hanley to Burslem and back in February 2013 when it worked at the Hanley bus station finale gala. The bus set off out of town up the B4667 and we past the hospital and crossed the A47. We turned right onto Hinckley Road and we ran into Barwell town. When we got into the town centre got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3300 before it carried on Northwards towards Leicester.

Arriva Midlands 3300 in Barwell

We ascertained that had missed the #3 to Hinckley so we had around 15 minutes before the next #158 to Hinckley. We decided to visit the Barwell Fish Bar for chips whilst we waited for the bus. I went into the chip shop to order the chips and we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36752 on a #10 to Earl Shilton.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36752 in Barwell

Matthew joined me in the chip shop and chose another couple of small bottles of pop. We ate the chips and then we crossed over to the Hinckley bound main stop. As we waited for the bus bus we saw Stagecoach Warwickshire 36171 on a Leicester bound #48 service.

Stagecoach Warwickshire 36171 in Barwell

A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. It was required Arriva Midlands 3317.

Arriva Midlands 3317 in Barwell

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day Saver to the driver before sitting down at the rear of the bus. The bus set off out of town along Hinckley Road and onto the A447. We crossed the A47 and went forwards onto the B4667. We passed the hospital and we headed into town. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3317.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3317

We carried on a stop further onto Regent Street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3317 before it carried on towards Nuneaton.

Arriva Midlands 3317 in Hinckley

We decided to visit the toilet before catching the next bus to Nuneaton. We walked down George Street and onto Lancaster Road. As we approached Station Road we saw another one of the route branded buses on the #66 service turn the corner. It was required Hinckley Bus Enviro200 2002.

Hinckley Bus 2002 in Hinckley

This was followed by required Hinckley Bus Dart 2176.

Hinckley Bus 2176 in Hinckley

We visited the toilet and this time the disabled toilet was vacant. After using the facilities we walked back onto Regent Street via The Horsefair. On the back of a building that looked like a theatre was a blue plaque for Arthur Kimbrell (1908-1986) who was described on the plaque as 'Hinckley's Mr "Show Biz"'. Back on Regent Street we had around 15 minutes to kill for the next #158 to Nuneaton. We sat on a bench and opposite to us was required Hinckley Bus Solo 6100.

Hinckley Bus 6100 in Hinckley

We also saw Roberts Solo RBZ 1664 arrive on a #159 from Coalville.

Roberts RBZ 1664 in Hinckley

A couple of minutes before the bus was due we crossed the road and we waited at the stop. Bang on time we saw dud Arriva Midlands 3315 appear on the #158.

Arriva Midlands 3315 in Hinckley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Hinckley Day saver ticket to the driver for the final time today. I called mum to tell hetr we would be back at the car in around 30 minutes. We set off down the B4666 towards the A5 We travelled West along the A5 for a short while before joining the A47 for the run into town. We crossed under a bridge and we went around a short one way system before crossing over the railway line at Nuneaton railway station. We joined the ring road and we travelled anti-clockwise for a short distance to the bus station. We entered the bus station and everyone got up and got off the bus before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3315.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3315

We walked around the bus station to take a few picture before we went back to the car. On a #9 service was dud Stagecoach Midlands 47070.

Stagecoach Midlands 47070 in Nuneaton bus station

Matthew visited the toilet and we carried on back towards the car. On a #767 service was dud Stagecoach Midlands 36166.

Stagecoach Midlands 36166 in Nuneaton bus station

We walked down the last side of the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Midlands Dart 34595 on a #18 service. Sitting out of service was Stagecoach Midlands 39686.

Stagecoach Midlands 39686 in Nuneaton bus station

We crossed the ring road and we walked into the car park where we found the car and mum. She was waiting with sausage rolls and a bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of the car park and onto the ring road. We followed the one was system past the railway station and we crossed over the railway line. We left town along the A444 for a couple of miles until we hit the A5. We then headed West on the A5. Near to Lichfield we saw Harpur's MX04 AEV and further West at Brownhills we saw Shearings 223. We travelled to the South of Cannock and we joined onto the M6 at Gailey. Going North we didn't see many coaches, but we did catch up with Hayton's YJ06 LFV just before we left the M6 at junction 15. We joined the Northbound A500 which we did to Sideway before going Eastwards on the A50 up to Longton. At Z Carz tonight there were quite a few buses parked in two rows facing the A50 again. The front row included Mercedes minibus HX51 HRU, Green Ford Minibus T418 WYJ and White Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

On the end of the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus GL04 CVE.

Z Carz GL04 CVE in Longton

Closest bus on the second row was Z Carz Airport Division minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. There were 3 minibuses there including Z Carz BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we did this up to Heron Cross before joining Blurton Road. We saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT near to the Lightning house and we travelled through Blurton along Blurton Road and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark