Trip to Bromsgrove / Droitwich Spa 01-04-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
33405	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	144A	First Worcester
20717	Droitwich, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	Primsland, adj Tagwell Heights	19A	Rotala Diamond
20717	Primsland, adj Tagwell Heights	Droitwich, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	19A	Rotala Diamond
33404	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	144A	First Worcester
32067	Bromsgrove BS	Rubery, Library Way(wocdwpgd)	144	First Worcester
67648	Rubery, St. Chads Church(wocgpgwt)	Charford, Adj Stoke Turn	144	First Worcester
66695	Charford, Opp Stoke Turn	Bromsgrove BS	144A	First Worcester

Today we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We had checked the weather for the weekend and it was for showery weather with some sunshine, with the better weather to the South of the Midlands. We gave Matthew a list of Destinations to visit that were mainly in the Midlands and from the list Matthew chose Bromsgrove. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. we set off around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. As we got close to Trentham we were delayed by temporary traffic lights around a very large crane at the side of the road. Once we got past that we turned right onto the Northbound A34 and at the next light we turned left onto Whitmore Road. At the end of Whitmore Road we were stuck in traffic again! There was a delay on the Northbound M6 which was backing traffic up onto the A519. When the light change we weren't able to move forwards onto the A519 because car were entering the yellow cross hatch box...Having been stuck for a while I made a split secon decision to go straight onto the A5182. Turning left would have been better but by then it was too late! We ran along the A5182 up to the A53 and we went South to Whitmore. I spotted a side road to Stableford which I knew was in the right direction so I turned left. After running down the road we joined the A51 at Stableford. We ran past the big mill and we crossed over the M6 at the roadwork which cause the M6 to be shut on for 13 hours on the 24th of March! We joined the A34 at Darlaston and we ran down near to Stone and down to junction 14 of the M6. When we got on the M6 we made good time apart from a stretch were traffic slowed to rubber neck a problem on the Northbound M6. As we travelled South down the M6 we saw Selwyn's (National Express) FN62 CCZ on a #325 service, Aston Manor Coaches VIL 1488, an unidentified Target Travel coach, Hadley Travel B19 AUB as well as a number of New Adventure Travel coaches. At junction 8 we left the M6 and continued along the M5. On the M5 we saw New Adventure Travel SF07 ANX. We came off the M5 at junction 4 and we ran Southwards down the A38 an we saw Playbus C260 UAJ. We ran crossed the M42 and we ran into Bromsgrove down Birmingham Road. We ran into town and we turned right into Recreation Road. We parked into the council car park by Asda and then we walked to the crossing where we saw Rotala Diamond 30946 on a #42 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 30946 in Bromsgrove bus station

As we were crossing the road we saw an Olympia liveried First Worcester double decker. As we got closer we saw that it was dud First Worcester 32066 on a #144 to Worcester. We also saw required Euro Liners minibus WR58 RUJ on the #97 Sidemoor circular service.

Euro Liners WR58 RUJ in Bromsgrove bus station

We also saw Clearway Mercedes minibus PEZ 3058 on the #93 Charford circular service.

Clearway PEZ 3058 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and then we met up with mum at The Market Plaice who was ordering food for dinner. We eventually got a table inside and Matthew ate his sausage chips and gravy with a bap, washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw required First Worcester 33404 on a #144A to Worcester. This was followed a short time later by required First Worcester 32067 on a #144 to Worcester. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked over to the bus station. The delay in get onto the M6 meant that we had missed the chance to ride on Euro Liners WR58 RUJ today, so we had to find something else that we could do. We knew that 2 required double decker had gone South so it seemed logical to go South after them towards Droitwich. It started to rain unexpectedly, and the bus shelter for the Worcester stop was full and had no glass in it anyway! We found it better to stand at the side of the toilet block as the rain was coming down at an angle. We saw the bus come onto stand and it was another double decker. As we got closer we saw that it was dud First Worcester 33405 on a #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 33405 in Bromsgrove bus station

Whilst we were waiting for the bus to be readied for service we saw iGo 2001 on a #145 to Droitwich Spa.

iGo 2001 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Worcestershire Connecta tickets at £7.50 each. We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 33405.

Inside First Worcester 33405

We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A448 and we passed First Worcester 67665 on a #144 to Birmingham followed closely by First Worcester 66695 on a #144A to Catshill. . We turned left onto Hanover Street and we continued onto Worcester Road. We passed the Bromsgrove schools where there were coaches parked up today. On Rock Hill we saw Aston Coaches RA66 WBV parked atthe side of the road. We continued South for a couple of miles and we joined the Southbound A38. Further South we went into Webbs of Wychbold. At the lake opposite there was an open top Olympian parked up as a cafe and ice cream parlour. I turned out to be former Regional Transport ope-top tour bus D251 FYM. We continued South and we passed through the village. Just South of Wychbold at the Holiday Inn Express we crossed under the M5 and we continued down the A38. We then passed First Worcester 66696 on a #144A to Catshill followed by First Worcester 67648 on a #144 to Birmingham. We continued as far as the B4065 where we turned left. We crossed under the railway and before we turned onto the Saltway we were passed by First Worcester Streetlite 63366 on a #144 to Birmingham. We turned left onto Saltway and we ran around the town centre before coming back in the other end along Ombersley Street East. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 33405 before it carried on towards Worcester.

First Worcester 33405 in Droitwich Spa

When we got off the bus after taking the picture we crossed the road and we went to the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a can of Fanta, as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We went to the bank to draw some money out and then we returned to the stop on Ombersley Road. We sat on the bench and Matthew had Galaxy Caramel. We saw Rotala Diamond 20574 on the #20 town circular service, but as this was dud we decided to turn it down. A few minutes later another Rotala Diamond Dart made an appearance... As it got closer we saw that it was required Rotala Diamond 20717 on a #19A town circular service.

Rotala Diamond 20717 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran along Ombersley Street East an through Victoria Road and forwards onto St Andrews Road. We turned left onto Worcester Road and then forwards onto Queen Street. We turned left onto the Saltway and we ran around town before turning right onto Ombersley Way and we past the railway station. We followed the road to the left at the roundabout and we ran around town back over the A38 and to the east into Copcut. We ran South close to the M5 and the bus turned around on the roundabout by Falcon Close before going Northwards back towards town. As we got close to town we passed Rotala Diamond 20574 on a #19C circular service. We joined the Saltway at it's Southernmost end and we ran up to the town before we turned right into Ombersley Street East where we got up and got off the bus. The bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside Rotala Diamond 20717.

Inside Rotala Diamond 20717

We got off the bus and we walked down to Victoria Square where we saw iGo 2001 on a #145 to Longbridge. We knew thee 2 required double decker had gone to Worcester but we didn't know when they were coming back. The #144A was due and a couple of minutes later it came around the corner out of Heritage Way we we saw immediately that it was required First Worcester 33404 in is heritage Midland Red livery!

First Worcester 33404 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. As the rear of the top deck was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 33404 before we sat down.

Inside First Worcester 33404

We ran along Ombersley Street East an through Victoria Road and forwards onto St Andrews Road. We turned left onto Worcester Road and then forwards onto Queen Street. We checked our notes and we worked out that the bus that we wanted to ride on the most today which was 32067 was would be on the following #144 to Birmingham, so plan was to get off at Bromsgrove and then do 32067 up to Rubery. We continued up the B4065 and around a mile North of town we joined the Northbound A38. After crossing under the M5 and passing through Wychbold, we called into Webbs of Wychbold again. Further North we joined the Northbound B4091 and then onto the A448 for the last few hundred yards to the bus station. When we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we worked out that the #144 would be approximately 10 minutes behind us with the #144A calling additionally in the garden centre. We used this time for Matthew to go to the toilet and then we saw on the low wall behind the Birmingham bus stop. A few minutes later as predicted the bus appeared and it was indeed First Worcester 32067 on the #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 32067 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. As the rear of the top deck was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 33067 before we sat down.

Inside First Worcester 32067

The bus set off out of the bus station and up the B4091 Stourbridge Road. We passed the hospital and we went under the M42 before we entered Catshill. As we turned into Meadow Road we passed Playbus C260 UAJ for the second time today. We travelled through the village along the B4185 and we saw the minibuses parked outside Chadsmoor School, including VU59 MLJ. We passed the Clearway bus depot and the Harris Coaches yard and we continued along the B4185. Further North we joined the the Northbound A38. We went past Junction 4 on the M5 and we ran along a stretch of dual carriageway up to the Southern edge of Rubery. After a couple of visits here we now know the bus doubles back on itself to cross over the A38 which is to the East of the A38. We crossed over the A38 and we entered the town of Rubery from the South. We passed First Worcester 67665 on the #144 to Worcester so we knew that the next Worcester bound bus would be required First Worcester 67648. We were hoping to get off opposite to st Chads Church but we got off 1 stop too soon! Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 32067 as it carried on towards Birmingham.

First Worcester 32067 in Rubery

As we approached town we had passed Southbound bus, so we knew we might have up to half an hour to wait. We crossed the road walked down the road towards the church bus stop. On the way we saw Rotala Diamond 20840 pull up opposite to us on a #202 service to Bromsgrove.

Rotala Diamond 20840 in Rubery

Matthew went to the toilet which was behind the St Chads Church bus stop, and then we went to the stop to look at the timetable. We saw that was about 20 minutes to wait for the next bus. In the distance we could see National Express West Midlands bus going around the corner into Callowbridge Road. We decided to walk down to the corner and wait there for a few minutes so we could get some more bus pictures. We crossed the road and we walked a few hundred yard to the corner of the road to see what appeared in the few minutes we had spare. A few minutes later we saw required National Express West Midlands 4132 on a #63 service to Frankley.

NX West Midlands 4132 in Rubery

we then saw National Express West Midlands 4872 on a #63 to Birmingham. Another few minutes later we saw National Express West Midlands 4173 on another #63 to Frankly.

NX West Midlands 4173 in Rubery

It had now gone 16:20 and bus was due in around 7 minutes, so we crossed over the road and walked up to the bus stop outside of st Chad's church. A few minutes later we saw a First Worcester Enviro300 approaching in the distance. as it got closer we saw that it was as expected required First Worcester 67648 on a #144 to Worcester.

First Worcester 67648 in Rubery

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus was quite full but we did manage to get a seat. The bus set off Southwards down New Road and we joined Whetty Lane and then onto the A38. We ran South for around a mile and We passed the M5 junction 4 and we carried on down the A38. We turned right onto the B4185 and we travelled through Catshill and onto the B4091 we we saw Hanson Bus 1520 on the #318 to Halesowen. We crossed under the M42 and passed the hospital and came into the North End of Bromsgrove. It was only around 16:45 so we asked Matthew if he wanted to stay on the bus and continue South for a short while so that we could get another bus in and he agreed. We ran South past the bus station before entering from the Southern end. The empty out almost completely and a few more people got on. After a short top to wait time, we set off out of the bus station and onto the A448. We ran back South and we turned left onto the B4091. We decided to run past Rock Hill and down the other side and get off the bus at the stoke turn as we had done before on at least one other occasion. When we started to go downhill and we turned the corner we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 67648 as it carried on South to Worcester.

First Worcester 67648 in Charford

We crossed the road and we walked up to the bus stop opposite. We checked the timetable and the return bus wa due in a matter of minutes. We weren't sure which bus was due to return North but we knew most of the #144A's were being worked by First Worcester Plaxton Centros, most of which were required buses. A few minutes later we saw the bus round the corner and it was a Centro... As I got closer we saw that it was required First Worcester 66695 on a #144A to Catshill.

First Worcester 66695 in Charford

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Conncta day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The rea of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 66695 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Worcester 66695

The bus set off along the B4091 and we ran down rock Hill to the edge of town. We followed the road around to the left and then we turned right onto the A448. We entered the bus station form the South end and then we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Worcester 66695 before it carried on Northwards towards Catshill.

First Worcester 66695 in Bromsgrove bus station

We saw Rotala Diamond Solo 20734 on the #202 service to Halesowen.

Rotala Diamond 20734 in Bromsgrove bus station

We went to cross the road and we also saw iGo Solo 2003 which was on the #145 to Droitwich Spa.

Igo 2003 in Bromsgrove

We walked across to the car park near to Asda and mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and a a small bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We got in the car and we set off out of the car park. There were roadworks on Recreation Road so we had to turn left and left again onto Churchfields. We turned left onto Crabtree Lane and we joined the Northbound A448. We continued North onto Birmingham Road and we stopped at the BP petrol station to put a splash of diesel in to make sure we got home. We continued North up Birmingham Road and we joined the Northbound A38. We ran up to Junction 4 of the M5 and we got onto the Northbound carriageway. As we travelled North up the M5 we saw Watt's Coaches WJ16 KAE, Gwyn Jones BU06 HUH, Finese Travel VIL 1485, Eastville Coaches FJ08 FZB. At the end of the motorway we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 8. Travelling North we saw numerous New Adventure Travel and Castell's coaches, Selwyn's SEL 702, white minibus AJ61 EWZ, Heron Travel LN15 RYX, silver minibus L2 VTO and Catteralls BT66 TZD. The motorway was fairly clear and we made good time up to junction 15. As we came off the M6 and we passed BSS Coaches C20 BSS. We then ran Northwards up to Sideway where we joined the Eastbound A50. We did the A50 as far as Longton where we came off at Baths Road. We went into Tesco petrol station to fill up with cheaper diesel. Once we had filled up with diesel we headed across the A50 to Z Carz to see what was parked up at the spare ground today. In the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus OV05 WSW.

Z Carz OV05 WSW in Longton

Next to the Volkswagen was Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

Also in the first row was another Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

Final bus on the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

At the front of the second row was Z Carz LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We turned left onto Willow Row to see what was parked up in the compound this evening. The first minibus we saw was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Next to that was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

The final bus that we saw in the compound was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We set off onto the A50 and we saw an unidentified Hills Coaches coach, Paul's of Stoke Y15 POS and National Holidays BX64 JZV. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we joined Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and we went forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:50. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:00... Mark