Trip to Bromsgrove / Droitwich Spa 10-06-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
YX62 AXM	Bromsgrove BS	Bromsgrove, adj Princess of Wales Hospital Reception	98	Euroliners
YX62 AXM	Bromsgrove, adj Princess of Wales Hospital Reception	Bromsgrove BS	98	Euroliners
67650	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Ombersley Street East (Stop 3)	144	First Worcester
33401	Droitwich Spa, Adj Victoria Square	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
66698	Bromsgrove BS	Droitwich Spa, Opp Dodderhill Road	144	First Worcester
63366	Droitwich Spa, Adj Dodderhill Road	Bromsgrove BS	144	First Worcester
33043	Bromsgrove BS	Catshill, Gibb Lane School (wocdpdwa)	144	First Worcester
2150	Catshill, Gibb Lane School (wocdwpdg)	Bromsgrove BS	318	Hansonbus

Today's we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We had checked the weather for today and it appeared to be better the further South and East you travelled. We gave Matthew a list of destination from 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 12:00 onto the A5035 and we ran Westwards towards Trentham. At the roundabout and we went North up the A34 where we passed Allander coach YJ16 EOC. At Hanford Roundabout we South down the A500 down to the M6 motorway. We headed South down the M6 and we saw Mainline WA13 GYT, Spanish coach Gasch 8165 JMJ & Lucketts YN12 BVR.

Lucketts YN12 BVR on the M6

Further down the M6 we saw Central parking BU53 AXH. We made good time down to junction 8 where we left the M6 and continued Southwards down the M5. As we travelled South towards the A38 we saw Bradfords KX13 DZO. When we came off the motorway onto the A38 we saw First Worcester 33042 going North towards Birmingham on the #144. After crossing over the M42 we ran off the A38 along the last 1/2 mile down Birmingham into the centre of Bromsgrove. We parked up next to Asda and we walked across the A448 to the bus station. We saw First Worcester 33402 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 33402 in Bromsgrove bus station

Matthew went to the toilet and mum went with uncle Dave to order food from the Market Plaice. When Matthew came out of the toilet we saw new addition to the fleet, iGo Optare Metrocity YJ64 DWK on a #145 service to Rubery.

iGo YJ64 DWK in Bromsgrove bus station

We went into the cafe to meet mum and uncle Dave and managed to get a seat inside. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy with a bap washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Euro Liners minibus YX62 AXM which id a relatively new addition to their fleet. We also saw required First Worcester 66699 on a #144 to Birmingham and required Hansonbus 2150 on a #318 to Bromsgrove railway station. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we went outside to the bus station. A few minutes later we saw required Euro Liners YX62 AXM.

Euro Liners YX62 AXM in Bromsgrove bus station

I had thought the last run was the 13;35 so when the bus started to load up we realised that the last run must be 13:55 we got on and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. Once we got back to the bus station we sat down on a bench as we considered how we were going to get First Worcester 33043 in later. We saw required Rotala Diamond 20023 on a #202 to Halesowen via Rubery, but as the bus goes out of the county we thought that this wouldn't be a good move. We also saw required Rotala Diamond 30831 on a #42 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 30831 in Bromsgrove bus station

A few minutes later we saw required First Worcester 67650 on a #144 to Worcester so we decided to do this bus.

First Worcester 67650 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A448 and we passed dud First Worcester 32066 on a #144 to Birmingham. We turned left onto Hanover Street and we continued onto Worcester Road. We passed the Bromsgrove schools where there were no coaches parked up today. We continued South for a couple of miles and we joined the Southbound A38. Further South we went past Webbs of Wychbold. At the lake opposite we saw 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 continued as far as the B4065 where we turned left passing Droitwich Spa welfare bus GL66 ZYX. We crossed under the railway and 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 67650 before it carried on towards Worcester.

First Worcester 67650 in Droitwich Spa

Once we got off the bus we headed into the Lifestyle convenience store by the bus stop and Matthew had a can of Coke and couple of chocolate bars. When we cam out we saw Kev's bus KX57 FML arrive on a #355 service from and then go out of service.

Kev's Bus KX57 FML in Droitwich Spa

We turned down dud Rotala Diamond 20717 which was on the #19C town circular service. A few minutes later we saw dud First Worcester 67658 on the #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 67658 in Droitwich Spa

A few minutes later we saw dud Rotala Diamond 20500 arrive on the #133 service from Kidderminster which then went out of service.

Rotala Diamond 20500 in Droitwich Spa

We decided to go down to the square and catch something back North. As we set off down to the other stops required First Worcester 33043 on the #144 to Worcester.

First Worcester 33043 in Droitwich Spa

As we had missed the bus the plan was to go to Bromsgrove and then come back as far as we could to intercept required First Worcester 33043. A few minutes later the back North was due at around 15:24. It turned the corner and it was dud First Worcester 33401.

First Worcester 33401 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. 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 where we saw Redwoods Travel R60 RED. We continued up the B4065 and around a mile North of town we joined the Northbound A38 where we saw white coach NH09 HRH. After crossing under the M5 and passing through Wychbold we passed iGo YJ64 DWK going towards Droitwich on the #145 service. 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. Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked back along the bus station. Whilst we waited for the next bus we saw an unidentified ex London double decker bus in 1980's colour going South down the A448. Almost Immediately we saw required First Worcester 66698 on a #144 to Worcester.

First Worcester 66698 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Whilst we waited for departure time we saw Mystic Isle coach KJI 404 come into the bus station and drop off passengers. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A448 and we passed dud First Worcester 33405 on a #144A to Catshill and 67650 on a #144 to Birmingham. We turned left onto Hanover Street and we continued onto Worcester Road. We passed the Bromsgrove schools where there were no coaches parked up today. We continued South for a couple of miles and we joined the Southbound A38. Further South we went past Webbs of Wychbold. We continued South and saw patient transport minibus YJ65 JVO and gold minibus WP09 AOL. We continued through the village and we saw dud First Worcester 67658 on a #144A to Catshill. In theory the next bus should be First Worcester 33043. I remembered that the last bus we caught was 15:24 so if we got around that time we would miss the bus back. Just South of Wychbold at the Holiday Inn Express we crossed under the M5 and we continued down the A38. We continued as far as the B4065 where we turned left. It was now 16:24 so we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 66698 as it continued towards Worcester.

First Worcester 66698 in Droitwich Spa

We crossed the road and we looked at the timetable on the stop. The bus back was due in 1 minute. We also saw First Worcester 33405 going South on a #144A towards Worcester. A few minutes later we saw a bus come around the corner and it wasn't a double decker. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Worcester 63366.

First Worcester 63366 in Droitwich Spa

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We ran along the B4065 and around a mile North of town we joined the Northbound A38. After crossing under the M5 and passing through Wychbold we passed dud First Worcester 67654 on a #144A to Worcester. Further North we joined the Northbound B4091 and then onto the A448 for the last few hundred yards to the bus station where we passed Shearings coach BT63 GCV. When we got to the bus station we were considering going North to Catshill. It turned out that the bus we were on was only going to Bromsgrove so we got up and got off the bus. When we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 63366 before it returned empty to Worcester.

First Worcester 63366 in Bromsgrove bus station

We decided to just do a short trip up to Catshill to finish off the day. Whilst we waited for a bus going North we saw Rotala Diamond 30946 on a #43 to Redditch.

Rotala Diamond 30946 in Bromsgrove bus station

We checked the timetable and we saw that the next bus going north was a #144 to Birmingham. We considered if First Worcester 33043 had dropped back one because the previous service had been a short to Bromsgrove only. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was as hoped First Worcester 33043 on a #144 to Birmingham.

First Worcester 33043 in Bromsgrove bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off North out of town up the B4091 before crossing under the M42. We carried on North for a while longer and then turned right into Meadow Road. We went past the Clearway and Harris coaches depots and then we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 33043 as it carried on Northwards towards Birmingham.

First Worcester 33043 in Catshill

We crossed the road and we checked the timetable... We saw there was a #318 to Bromsgrove die in a few minutes. Matthew sat down on the floor and almost immediately the bus came around the corner. As it got closer we saw that the bus was required Hanson Bus 2150 that we had seen on the #318 service earlier in the day.

Hanson Bus 2150 in Catshill

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We went South onto the B4091 and under the M42. We got into Sidemoor and the bus turned right into Broad Street. We went around the estate and a few minutes later we came into Bromsgrove along Church Street opposite the bus station entrance. The bus was going forward to the railway station but it emptied in the bus station anyway. Matthew got a picture inside Hanson 2150 before we got off it.

Inside Hanson Bus 2150

Once we got off the bus we saw Rotala Diamond 30814 in the bus station.

Rotala Diamond 30814 in Bromsgrove bus station

Once we had finished looking at buses in the bus station we crossed over the road and returned to the car. We set off out of the car park onto Recreation Road and we turned left onto the A448. We went North onto Birmingham Road and we ran up to the A38. We ran North over the M42 and we joined the Northbound M5. Travelling back up the M5 we saw Bradfords KX13 DZO and School bus HX58 HBY. At the North end of the M5 we Joined the Northbound M6. On the M6 we saw Edwards BJ15 AWG, Walsall Corporation 115 & MP Travel DY66 VOO. We travelled as far as junction 15 where we came off the M6 and onto the A500. We came off the A500 at Sideway and we went Eastwards along the A50 as far as Longton. We stopped at Z Carz to see what was parked up on the spare ground this evening. In the front row we saw Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

Next to the Iveco was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Finally in the front row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

At the front of the second row was Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Fiat minibus YN11 AHJ which is new to fleet still with Ambulance decals on.

Z Carz YN11 AHJ in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz LDV minibus CN57 HWA.

Z Carz CN57 HWA in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got back home around 19:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.