Trip to Audley / Biddulph 22-07-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
41495	Blurton, Magdalen Road	Trentham, adj Man in Space	22	First Potteries
42554	Trentham, adj Man in Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21A	First Potteries
32630	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
43875	Newcastle BS	Burslem, Town Hall (stop G)	98	First Potteries
32633	Burslem, Wedgwood Street (stop A)	Tunstall, Adj Stop A	3	First Potteries
136	Tunstall, Adj Stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G
32081	Newcastle BS	Audley, Council Offices	4	First Potteries
32081	Audley, Council Offices	Hanley BS	4	First Potteries
67639	Hanley BS	Biddulph, High Street(temporary stop)	7A	First Potteries
67643	Biddulph, High Street(temporary stop)	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries

Today we decided to do a local trip. The plan was to go local today and then go on another trip tomorrow. We checked the weather for today and it was for dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I got home from work around 10:30 and we got ready to go out. We decided do catch the 12:21 departure towards Newcastle today. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw First Potteries 67602 on a #22 to Longton. A few minutes later our bus appeared and it was First Potteries 41495 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 41495 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we purchased a Smart Day tickets at £5.30 before we sat down and the bus set off onto the A5035 where we turned right. We passed Stanley Matthews Way and we crossed the railway line and we entered Trentham where we saw First Potteries 42554 on a #21A to Hanley. We turned right into New Inn Lane and as we approached the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41495 before it continued on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 41495 in Trentham

We had seen First Potteries 42554 so we were hoping that it was taking it's time looping back onto New Inn Lane. A minute or so later we saw First Potteries 42554 approaching as we hoped on the #21A to Hanley.

First Potteries 42554 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat town towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford and we turned right into Wilson Road. Part way along the road a man flagged the bus down and attempted to board the bus with a large bike. As bikes aren't aloud on the bus the driver didn't open the doors so the passenger kicked the side of the bus in anger! We turned left onto Church Lane and we ran down the hill. As we joined the Northbound A34 we saw an unidentified Edwards Coaches coach going Southwards. We crossed under the A500 and we saw First Potteries 41493 on the final #22 turn. We continued into Trent Vale and we turned right into London Road by the black Lion passing First Potteries 67154 on the #21A to the Trentham Hotel. We ran the couple of miles into Stoke town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture First Potteries 42554 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 42554 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked along Campbell Place and around the corner into Church Street and into the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we ordered breakfast. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we set off along Church Street to the Newcastle bus stop. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 67151 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67151 in Stoke

The next bus bus towards Newcastle was going to be a #11. A few minutes later we saw a fushia fronted double decker approaching from under the railway line in the distance. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 32630 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 32630 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32630.

Inside First Potteries 32630

The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva Midlands 3694 which was on an adjacent stand working the #164 to Market Drayton.

Arriva Midlands 3694 in Newcastle bus station

We walked onto Stubbs Street to take a few pictures of the buses on layover. We saw D&G Bus 38 which was on layover in between work runs on the #35 to Chesterton.

D&G 38 in Newcastle bus station

We went down to the bottom of the bus station and we sat on the bench. Matthew had a Milky Way and we watched the buses coming into the south end of the bus station. When we had arrived into the bus station we saw required First Potteries 43875 on a #98. We decided to go up to the top end of the bus station to see if we could get before it pulled off. We walked around the outside of the bus station and we crossed over the exit to the 4 stands at the top where the bus was. We just had time to get a picture of First Potteries 43875 before we got on it.

First Potteries 43875 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat town towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Barracks Road and up to the Jubilee roundabout. We crossed over onto the A527 and we ran out of town through Brampton up to May bank. We continued forwards through Wolstanton and at the roundabout we turned right onto Porthill Bank and across the A500. We ran up through Longport to Middleport and at Trubshaw Cross we turned right towards Burslem. We ran up Newcastle Street into Burslem and we got up and got off the bus. We took another picture of First Potteries 32649 before it carried on towards Ball Green.

First Potteries 43875 in Burslem

We went around the corner to Wedgwood Place to wait for the Tunstall bus and almost immediately we saw one approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 32633.

First Potteries 32633 in Burslem

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off onto Scotia Road and we ran up past the old Burslem bus garage to the bottom end of Tunstall. We turned left onto Williamson Street and then we turned right onto Tunstall High Street. We were passed by First Potteries 67641 on a Northbound #3 service. Coming the other way we were passed by First Potteries 65730 and 67637 both on #3 services to Hanley. At the top end of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. We took another picture of First Potteries 32633 before it carried on towards Crewe.

First Potteries 32633 in Tunstall

Once off the bus bus we walked down the High Street to Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a slice of toffee cheesecake and a can of Coke. Whilst in the cafe we saw blue Scraggs Solo 9685 VT on a #90 to Ball Green. Once he had finished eating we went out of the cafe and across the road to the bus stop opposite. Matthew said he wanted to do the #99 to Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus Dart 195 on a #94 to Congleton.

D&G 195 in Tunstall

We saw and turned down First Potteries 65729 on a #3 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw dud D&G Solo 136 on a #94 to Newcastle.

D&G 136 in Tunstall

We decided to do this bus so we got on it and flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran down the High Street past the new building on the right and forwards onto Brownills Road. We continued down the hill and at Trubshaw Cross we continued down through Middleport into Longport. We crossed over the A500 and we climbed up Porthill Bank. At the top we turned left and we ran through Wolstanton and May Bank. We ran into Newcastle and we crossed the Jubilee roundabout and we saw ABC Supreme FY52 NSV parked up on the A53. We went straight onto Barracks Street. Once of the bus we saw D&G Bus 45 on layover in Stubbs Street.

D&G 45 in Newcastle bus station

Whilst we were considering what to we saw the now unique in the fleet, First Potteries ALX400 bodied double decker 32081 on a #4 to Wereton.

First Potteries 32081 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus as we had been on a First Potteries ALX400 double decker for quite some time. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out ofthe bus station onto Barracks Road. At the roundabout we went left onto the A52 and we veered left onto Merrial Street. We turned right onto High Street and then forwards onto Liverpool Road. We rejoined the A52 and at the roundabout we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto Brymbo Road. We travelled through the industrial estate and we turned right onto Holditch Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto London Road. At the next roundabout we went North up the B5500 and through Chesterton. We turned right onto Crackley bank and we ran a few hundred yard before turning left onto Birch House Road. We turned right onto Holly Road and we ran to the top. We turned left onto Cedar Road and we ran Westwards to the B5500. We travelled North out into the open countryside to a junction where we passed First Potteries 67649 running out of service. At the junction we turned left Megacre and we ran up into Wood Lane village. We ran around the village along High Street and right onto Apedale Road. We turned right onto Church Street and right again onto Woodcroft. At the end we turned onto Megacre and we returned back to the B5500. We continued Westwards into Bignall End and then forwards into the centre of Audley village where we decided to get off the bus. Matthew took a picture of First Potteries 32081 as it continued towards Wereton.

First Potteries 32081 in Audley

We decided to go up to the council offices where is a toilet. As we got closer we could see the gate on outside of the building was closed. We thought that maybe we had just missed the toilet being open, but closer inspection revealed the the toilet shut on April 1st 2015! We decided to return to the bus stop via a path up to a raised green, which had a tree and a stone in the centre. It was Audley Millenium Green. We walked down a set of step that came out on the main road near to the Southbound bus stop. Almost as soon as we got to the stop we saw First Potteries 32081 on a #4 to Hanley.

First Potteries 32081 in Audley

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32081 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 32081

we set off Eastwards along the B5500 through Bignall End and then we turned right onto Megacre. We ran around Wood lane and as we went around the loop we were passed by First Potteries 66851 on a #4 to Wereton. We returned to the B5500 along Megacre and we continued Eastwards into Crackley. We turned left onto Cedar Road and then we turned left onto Holly Road. we ran through the estate onto Crackley bank and we ran down into Chesterton. We ran through Chesterton along the B5500 and we turned left onto London Road. Part way along we turned right onto Holditch Road and we ran through the industrial estate. We ask Matthew if he wanted to do the bus to Hanley or Newcastle and he chose Hanley. We re joined the A34 and we ran south towards Newcastle. By the old bus depot we turned left onto Liverpool Road and then left onto the A52. At the Jubilee roundabout we turned right onto barracks road and then we entered Newcastle bus station. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A53. We ran into Basford and over the A500. We ran down into Etruria and over the A500. We continued along the A53 and we turned left onto Forge Lane. We ran out along the Lane and we crossed over the canal before we returned back into Etruria along festival Way. We crossed under the A53 onto Etruria Road. We ran into Hanley and into the bus station passing Silverdale coach JFZ 8619 going to Leicester. Once off the bus we decided that if we were going to go to Biddulph on the bus we would have to do it immediately and not got up to the car park to take bus pictures. Matthew went to the toilet and then we to the Biddulph bus stop. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67639 arrive on stand to work the next #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 67639 in Hanley bus station

As we waited for the bus to be readied for service, a gentleman in the queue asked about Matthew and his condition. He asked if he minded if he prayed for him and that's what he did. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we ran down John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we crossed Broad street onto Marsh Street. We turned right onto Trinity Street and we stopped on Stafford Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along Quadrant Road. We crossed over the ring road and we headed out of town towards Sneyd Green along Town Road. We continued to Smallthorne roundabouts and we continued forwards onto High Lane. At the end of High Lane we turned right onto the A527 and we ran down the hill through Fegg Hayes and up into Brindley Ford. We continued up towards Knypersley and we turned left onto Brown Lees Road. We ran through the estate and we crossed over the A527 and into the Biddulph estate. We went passed the barley Mow and we turned left onto St John's Road. At the end we re-joined the A527. There was some kind of event in biddulph town centre today, so instead of going around the town and up Wharf Street the bus went down the High Street and set down on a temporary stop opposite to the old Top to Toe shop. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67639 before it returned on a #7A service to Hanley.

First Potteries 67639 in Biddulph

There wasn't much time so we walked down to the toilet and we walked back onto the High Street. We stopped at McColls and had a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars before we returned to the stop to wait for the next bus back. Whilst we waited we saw City Centre Central SD10 BMZ going Northwards up the High Street.

City Centre Central SD10 BMZ in Biddulph

A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67643 on a #7A to Hanley.

First Potteries 67643 in Biddulph

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the High Street and we turned left onto Wells Street. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran along the normal route through Brown Lees and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. On the way back to Hanley we phoned mum and we arranged to meet her in Hanley. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into Hanley. We let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67643 before we got off it.

Inside First Potteries 67643

As we got off the bus we saw First Potteries 37159 on a X32 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 37159 in Hanley bus station

On we got off the bus we went outside and we crossed over the ring road to meet mum at the Venus Fish Bar. For tea Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. whilst we ate we saw an unidentified Castell Coaches coach. Once we had finished eating we set off down Lichfield Street and into joiners Square passing National Holidays NH10 CSH. We crossed over the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill. We got onto the A50 link road and then we ran Eastwards along the A50 to Longton where we came off to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row was Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

Also in the second row was Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

Closest bus in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW. We turned left into Willow row to see what was parked at the depot. Outside the depot was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMO.

Z Carz DG10 VMO in Longton

In the compound we saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

On the road outside the depot we saw Z Carz Renault minibus YJ61 GYZ.

Z Carz YJ61 GYZ in Longton

We turned the car around to go back onto the A50 and we ran up to Heron Cross. We ran into Blurton along Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and right onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:00. When we got back we put our pictures online and we did a few e-mails and wrote some of the Blog in preparation for going out the day after. Later on Mtthew had a slice of Battenburg Cake and a glass of dandelion & burdock. We chilled out on the computer until bedtime around 00:00.... Mark