Trip to Trent Vale 09-08-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
60013	Blurton, opp Ladybank Grove	Trent Vale, adj Woodlands Road‎	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to ride on a bus up to Trent Vale to meet mum. Matthew got up late today around 11:15. He had toast and juice for breakfast. For dinner We had chicken, potato croquettes and carrots but he didn't eat much. Having checked out what was going to be on the 15:17 and 15:32 departures from Blurton to Trent Vale, we had choice of required First Potteries Scania 60013 on the 15:17 or dud Dart 40143 on the 15:32. We chose to do the required Scania. We set off to the bus stop just after 15:00 and we waited on Beaconsfield Drive so we could see what was working on the #23's and #46's. The First bus we saw was First Potteries Dart 41495 on the #23A to Hanley. We then saw Wardle Transport 2405 arrive on the opposite side of the road around 15:10 ready to Work the 15:15 departure to Hanley.

Wardle Transport 2405 in Blurton

40024 was on the 15:11 #23 to Hanley and 42726 was on the #23A to Longton. The next bus to arrive was ours, and predicted it was required Scania 60013.

First Potteries 60013 in Blurton

As we got on Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 60013

We went to the back of the bus and sat down. I was curious to see which route the bus would take as Scania's rarely do the #22's. The earlier turns that do the #22A's are booked to directly along the A34, Just in case a Scania is used, but the 15:17 from Blurton is not. We turned on the A5035 and headed into Trentham. By the Toby Inn we passed 40378 on a #21A service. The bus turned onto New Inn Lane and as we reached we turned onto Wilson Road. At this point we passed 40019 on a #22 to Longton. We carried onto the end of Wilson Road and then down Church Lane. When we reached the A34 we saw Leons BT12 LCT heading North. We joined the A34 and headed North past Hanford roundabout and the Black Lion. As I thought, the bus diverted straight along the A34 and we got off at the Woodland's Road stop.

First Potteries 60013 in Trent Vale

We then walked back along the A34 to the Black Lion where we were meeting mum. We sat on the wall and waited for a few minutes. Whist we were there we saw First Potteries Scania Ominicty 65042 101 and another Leons Coach BT10 LCT.

Leons BT10 LCT in Trent Vale

Mum arrived and then we went into the pub. Matthew had is usual meal as well as some of mums sausage and bean oatcake. For afters he had Toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Just before 17:00 we left the pub for home. We went home along the A34 and then onto the A5035. just before 18:00 the ice cream man came around and then I went to fetch uncle Dave. We then chilled out watching telly and using the computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark