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

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

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

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Shelton

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

Aiming High FJ10 BJX in Hanley Park

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

Fire engine DX61 GXG in Newcastle Fire Station

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

Inside a fire engine

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

Close up of an Intercity cab

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

Z Carz V690 EBC in Longton

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

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

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