Trip to the 'Potteries Connection' running day 05-08-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
55	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	252	Bournemouth (Preserved)
55	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	252	Bournemouth (Preserved)
4777	Gladstone pottery Museum	Hanley BS	6	Wardle Transport
EEH902Y	Hanley BS	Gladstone pottery Museum	6	Midland Red North (Preserved)

Today Smart Matthew and the staff at his respite unit had plans. They were going to Bath today. He was too excited and didn't sleep until 03:30. He was looking at Bath's latest bus on Dorchester Street thinking about his next visit. Matthew was in his new respite unit today, so we arranged for them to take him out to the 'Potteries Connection' running day as this is one of the local highlights of the bus calender. We arranged for a PA to go in and help out with his trip. Matthew got up around 07:00. Matthew had some toast for breakfast. He saw Z Carz T131 SGA to Bath out of the window. Unfortunately the had to cancel last minute due to a fault on the vehicle. we drove to Longton and waited for the coach around 09:15. after a few minutes, we phoned up to see where the coach was and we were told the bad news. We got in the car and drove from Longton to the depot to sort things out. Whilst mum spoke to the control Matthew got a picture of the coach we were due to be on. We went into the office to mum and we sorted out a new date for a trip on this coach. A member of the staff then took Matthew onto the coach in order for him to take a few pictures of the inside. They then went to Longton and then walked in to the Gladstone Pottery Museum car park where the event is held. we also saw Wardle Transport 2531 on the #22 Newcastle service. They brought a programme and Matthew purchased a few photographs from on of the stalls. They also spent a short amount of time taking pictures. One such picture was of this fine example of a Leyland Lynx.

Ex PMT 860 in Stoniers livery at the Gladstone Museum

we also saw National Express AFH 186T and PMT Daimler Fleetliner 147. Another bus we saw was Plaxton bodied coach Bassetts JRE 354V displaying 'Blackpool' on the front. we also saw Midland Red JHA 227L. We also saw PMT L466 and Turners 10. Matthew also spied Bournemouth 55, which we had been on previously to Barlaston back in May.

Preserved Bournemouth 55 at the Gladstone Museum

Matthew decided he was going to do this and so they did it on a run to Stone. The bus went along the A50 to Meir, and then onto the A520 down to Stone. When they went around Stone, they went past Morrisons. They then got off behind the Crown Hotel. Matthew got another picture of this fine beast.

Preserved Bournemouth 55 in Stone

They then went back to Gladstone on the same bus. They went around Stone and back onto the A520. They did this up to Meir and then onto the A50 to Longton. When then got back they saw Wardle Transport 4777 about to work to Hanley and so they decided to do this too. They got on and they went upstairs. The bus got onto the A50 to Heron Cross and then went on Victoria Road. They crossed the roundabout over Joiners Square and then went up to Hanley and then into the bus station. As he was about to get off Matthew got a picture of the empty top deck.

Inside Wardle Transport 4777

Whilst in Hanley we saw First Potteries 60189 on a #20 service.Going from to Hanley was preserved Midland Red North 1902. we also went upstairs on this bus too. He wasn't able to get a decent picture of this bus. They went down Through Joiners Square to Fenton. At Victoria place they got onto the link road and then onto the A50 up to longton. Whilst at Gladstone he also saw Bournemouth Transport 103. It was then off along the A5035 to Blurton. They saw Wardle Transport 2531 on the #22 service. They went to the Gables for Lunch. Matthew ate gammon, egg and chips, with bread and butter. For dessert he had chocolate fudge cake and custard. He also had a coke. When he was finished he went to the toilet. It was then time to go back to the respite unit. They went back past Longton Transport interchange. we They saw V690 EBC at the Z Carz depot. They set off back around 13:30. The route back was along Anchor Road to Adderley Green and then on to Bucknall. He then settled down to an afternoon in his new respite unit. Using his computer, watching telly and running around outside in the garden. For tea he had fish and chips with a yogurt for afters. He then had bath before bedtime..Mark.