Trip to Trent Vale 25-10-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
43877	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today was a teacher training day at college so Matthew had the day off. He got up around 10:00 this morning and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. He used his computer and watched his telly for a few hours before having half an omelette or dinner. I viewed the #22 buses and there were 2 required buses out today. First Potteries 43877 was on the #22A turn and was going to be passing through Blurton around 15:15. First Potteries 40019 was going to be working the bus through Blurton around 16:00. The other 2 buses on the #22 were dud First Potteries 40011 and 40304. We decided to go out after required Dart First Potteries 43877. Matthew got dressed just before 15:00 and we walked to the stop. We saw Z Carz S952 VMY on a school run to Chell Heath. The bus was due through this part of Blurton at around 15:17 and bang on time the bus appeared from around the corner and it was required First Potteries 43877 as expected.

First Potteries 43877 in Blurton

We got on and sat near the back. As the bus pulled of we passed Copeland's Tours MIB 236 heading to the Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy. The bus was empty in front of us so I encouraged Matthew to take a picture facing forwards whilst he could.

Inside First Potteries 43877

The bus carried on along the A5035. and the turned into New Inn Lane. we passed First Potteries 40019 on the #22 as it should be and then we passed First Potteries 40175 on a #21 in Hanford. When we reached the A34 it was quite busy and there were a few vehicles were Stoke on Trent welfare bus OU11 YCX was in front of us at the lights, #26/26A branded Scania 65027 was on a #101 to Hanley, and then two coaches went north on the A34. These were Grayway YJ04 BNN and Shearings BK11 CRV. We joined the Northbound A34 ourselves and headed up though Hanford and into Trent Vale. Just before we turned into Harpfield Road we passed First Potteries 65034 in the new livery on a Stafford bound #101. We turned into the road and we got off at the stop. Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 43877.

First Potteries 43877 in Trent Vale

We walked back onto the A34 and towards the Black Lion pub where we were meeting mum today. As we waited we saw Wardle Transport 4812 on a #604 St Peters High School bus service.

Wardle Transport 4812 in Trent Vale

We carried on to the pub and sat on the wall of the car park. We only had to wait for a couple of minutes before mum turned up. We went into the pub and Matthew had his usual 2 sausage egg chips beans with a side of bacon and two rounds of bread. This was washed down with a Coke. For afters he had toffee sponge pudding and ice cream. When we had finished we called uncle Dave on the phone and we went to go fetch him. We went via the A34, A500, A50 and Heron Cross. When we had picked him up it had started to rain quite heavily. We carefully drove back to Heron Cross and into Blurton. As we went along we passed First Potteries 40019 again on a #22 to Longton and also Wardle Transport 2963 on the Plumline. We got home around 17:15. Matthew then chilled out at home for the evening. Using his computer, watching bus DVDs and watching some TV. Matthew then went to bed around 00:00...Mark