Trip to Bromsgrove / Worcester 17-03-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DK55 NLG	Bromsgrove BS	Bromsgrove, adj Princess of Wales Hospital Reception	97	Euroliners
DK55 NLG	Bromsgrove, adj Princess of Wales Hospital Reception	Bromsgrove BS	97	Euroliners
33401	Bromsgrove BS	Worcester BS	144A	First Worcester
67699	Worcester BS	Barbourne, Opp St George's Square	36	First Worcester
YJ55 YHA	Barbourne, Adj St George's Square	Worcester BS	39	LMS Travel
66693	Worcester BS	Stoulton, Opp Froggery Lane	X50	First Worcester
66698	Stoulton, Opp Froggery Lane	Worcester BS	X50	First Worcester
66697	Worcester BS	St Peters, Opp Broomhall Green	32	First Worcester
44515	St Peters, Adj Broomhall Green	Worcester BS	332	First Worcester

Today we decided to re-visit Bromsgrove. We had checked the weather for today and it was for cold weather with snow showers. We gave Matthew a list of destinations from the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Bromsgrove. We did no research for this trip other than to check the weather. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:00 we set off onto the A5035 and we ran over the railway line into Trentham. At the A34 We went Northwards before turning left onto Whitmore Road. At the wnd of Whitmore Road we turned right onto the A519 before joining the Southbound M6. As we travelled Southwards we saw Catteralls FHN 931, Anderson PO17 EKP, 2 x Coachleasing.com coaches, Bruce's (NX) FN63 PWL & Worthing YR17 RJX. We coninued through intermitten snow showers to Junction 8 and we joined the Southbound M5. As we travlled down the M5 we saw New Adventure Travel YN13 GDF, Johnsons YN17 OMT, Hardings BU14 SZO & Hilton SN06 AZT. We came off the M5 at junction 4 and then we ran Southwards down the A38 towards Bromsgrove. Around a mile from town we turned right onto Birmingham Road and a travelled towards the town centre past the site of a new Aldi. As we joined the A448 we saw Rotala Diamond 20808 on the #202 to Halesowen. We turned right and we parked up in Asda. Once we had parked up we walked across the road to the bus station. Matthew used the toilet and when he came out we headed across to The Market Plaice for dinner. On the way we saw First Worcester 69435 on a #144A to Catshill.

First Worcester 69435 in Bromsgrove Bus Station

We met up with mum and uncle Dave who had gone ahead to get seats and order the food. Matthew had suasage chips and gravy washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we ate dinner we saw Kev's Cars and Coaches Solo YJ15 ARF on a #147 to Bromsgrove & Euro Liners DK55 NLG on a #98 to Foxwalks Avenue. When we had finished eating we went outside to see what we could catch. We were bgoing to do the Euro Liners minibus first so we needed a Worcestershire Connecta ticket. We saw First Worcester 33401 on a #144A to Catshill so I boarded the bus to buy the ticket. It was useful in the fact that they now have contactless payment facility on their buses. I got off the bus again and we waited for a few minutes for the Euro Liners bus to re-appear. A few minutes later we saw Euro Liners DK55 NLG return on the #97 to Sidemoor.

Euro Liners DK55 NLG in Bromsgrove Bus Station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. When it was time we set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A448. We followed the road to the right near to the new Waitrose store and we ran into the Sidemoor Estate. We ran along Crabtree Lane and right onto Broad Street. We turned right onto Stourbridge Road and we saw First Worcester 69459 on a #144 to Worcester. We carried on down Stourbridge Road and into the hospital. After stopping in the hospital ground we turned left onto Stourbridge road and right into Santridge Lane. We turned left into The Flats and we ran up to Broad Street and we stopped outside the shops. We continued back to the A448 and we turned left into town. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Euro Liners DK55 NLG before it did a run on the #98 to Foxwalks Avenue.

Euro Liners DK55 NLG in Bromsgrove Bus Station

Afterwards we toomk some time to decided wich bus to do next. We saw required First Worcester 69459 on a #144 to Worcester.

First Worcester 69459 in Bromsgrove Bus Station

Afterwards we also saw required Clearway Primo MX06 AEB on a #93 Charford circular.

Clearway MX06 AEB in Bromsgrove Bus Station

A few minutes later we saw dud First Worcester 33401 on a #144A to Worcester.

First Worcester 33401 in Bromsgrove Bus Station

We decided to do this bus and we got on the bus and flashed the Worcester Connecta ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. We set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the A448 and we Rotala Diamond 21021 on a #318 to Halesowen. We turned left onto Hanover Street and we continued onto Worcester Road. We continued South for a couple of miles and we joined the Southbound A38. Further South we went into Webbs of Wychbold. As we went into Webbs we saw First Worcester 33405 on a #144A to Catshill. 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 saw an unidentified white coach with a blue roof. We crossed under the M5 and we continued down the A38. We continued as far as the B4065 where we turned left. We crossed under the railway and we turned onto the Saltway. We turned left onto Saltway and we ran around the town centre before coming back in the other end along Ombersley Street East. At the stop in front of us was LMS Travel MV59 AVF on a #20B town circular service. After a brief stop we continued onto Victoria Square and forwards onto St Andrews Road. We turned right onto Worcester Road and we ran Southwards down to the A38. We travelled through Copcut and Fernhill Heath and we ran into the North end of Worcester. We joined the A449 and as we travelled South we passed for Potteries bus First Worcester 42893 on a #37 to Northwick. We continued into the town centre and we went under the railway line. We turned right into Angel Street and we entered Worcester bus station for the first time. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside the upper saloon of First Worcester 33401 before we got off.

Inside First Worcester 33401

Once we got off the bus we had a wander around to see what we could see. On an adjacent stand was required 67662 on a #38 to The Royal hospital.

First Worcester 67662 in Worcester Bus Station

We went into the adjacent shopping centre and Matthew used the toilet before we returned to the bus station. We the saw required First Worcester 67699 on a #36 to The Royal hospital.

First Worcester 67699 in Worcester Bus Station

Across on the other side was required 63362 on a #44 to The Royal hospital.

First Worcester 63362 in Worcester Bus Station

We decided to do the unique First Worcester 67699 so 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. The bus was nearly empty and we set off through the section under the car park and we turned right onto The Butts. As we followed the road around we followed First Worcester 33043 on a service to Wythal Bus Museum. We continued onto Shore Street and we turned left onto the A38. We continued North to St George's square and the driver stopped the bus at the bus stop. There was a problem with the bus and the driver phoned the garage for a replacement bus. The driver told us and the other passenger that we had broken down so everybody decided to go back to town and see if we could catch something different. The bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 67699.

Inside First Worcester 67699

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture First Worcester 67699 before we crossed off the rod to catch something back to town.

First Worcester 67699 in Barbourne

We stood at the stop opposite and we noticed there we a couple of buses due. The was a #144A to Worcester followed by a LMS Travel #39 service into Worcester. We decided to turn down the the First bus which was required First Worcester 63360 on a #144A to Worcester. A few minutes later the bus came around the corner and it was required LMS Travel YJ55 YHA.

LMS Travel YJ55 YHA in Barbourne

We got on the bus and for some reason the driver didn't except our Worcester Connecta tickets, so the driver charged us £1 each. We sat down towards the back of the bus ans we set off down the A38. We travelled about 1/2 and we went under the railway line and we turned right onto Angel Street. We entered the bus station and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside LMS Travel YJ55 YHA.

Inside LMS Travel YJ55 YHA

We got of the bus at the Eastern edge of the bus station and we heading inside. On the way we saw dud First Worcester 32066 which appeared to be in exactly the same place as we saw it earlier in the day.

First Worcester 32066 in Worcester Bus Station

We went into the covered part of the bus station and we saw Yarrantons BP14 FJZ on a #758 to Tenbury Wells.

Yarrantons BP14 FJZ in Worcester Bus Station

On the opposite side of the bus station was required 47519 on a #35 to Blackpole.

First Worcester 47519 in Worcester Bus Station

On layover inbetween X50s was required First Worcester 66693.

First Worcester 66693 in Worcester Bus Station

We also saw dud ex First Potteries bus now First Worcester 42892 on a #32 to Baynall.

First Worcester 42892 in Worcester Bus Station

I think Matthew fancied doing the X50 service becaus e he dragged us over to the relevant stop. Nearby was required First Worcester 35158 on a #44 to Malvern.

First Worcester 35158 in Worcester Bus Station

A few minutes later First Worcester 66693 pulled up onstand and started to load up. We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connects tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto All Saint's Road. We continued onto Deansway and past Worcester Cathedral. We continued onto London Road and we ran through Redhill to Whittington. We crossed over the M5 and we headed in a South Easterly direction out of town. We carried on for a further 3 miles or so into the hamlet of Stoulton where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Worcester 66693 as it carried on towards Evesham.

First Worcester 66693 in Stoulton

We crossed the road to the adjacent stop and we waited for the return bus. I worked out that we would have approximately 5 minutes to wait. Matthew had a double Milky Way whilst we waited and I stood at the edge of the road to better se the bus approaching around the corner. We didn't have to wait too long before the bus appeared. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Worcester 66698 on the X50 to Worcester.

First Worcester 66698 in Stoulton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcestershire Connects tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The vus set off along the fast section of road to the edge of the town and we crossed over the M5. We headed up the A44 through redhill and into the city centre. Just before the cathedral we turned right onto the A38 and we went further into town. We followed the A38 to the left and at the next junction we went straigh on and into Angel Street entering the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Worcester 66698.

Inside First Worcester 66698

Once off the bus Matthew visited the shop and we brought a couple of cans of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We walked through the indoor part of the bus station and down onto The Butts, which id where you see many pictures taken of buses as they leave the bus station. We saw required First Worcester 63363 on a #44 to The Royal hospital.

First Worcester 63363 in Worcester Bus Station

We walked around the corner and we discovered a small laybay in which buses layover between services. We saw LMS Travel Dart Y357 HMY parked up here.

LMS Travel Y357 HMY in Worcester

There was an overbridge which we suspected was a walkway between the railway station and the bus station and shopping centre. We went up the steps and we got a great view of DRM Bus Scania Omnicity DM10 DRM on layover below. We walked over the bridge and around the corner and we went down the steps into the bus station. In the bus station we saw First Worcester 66697 on a #32 to Baynall.

First Worcester 66697 in Worcester Bus Station

Matthew deciced he wanted to do this bus so we got on it and we flashed the Worcestershire Connecta tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus bset off out of the bus station onto The Butts and we turned left onto All Saints Road. We ran onto Deansway and we went past the Cathedral before right onto Bath Road. We travelled Southwards for around 2 mile until we turned left onto St Peters Drive. We ran around the estate andpast a Tesco store and just as we were approaching the main road we got up and got off the bus. Matthew toom another picture of First Worcester 66697 as it continued on towards Baynall.

First Worcester 66697 in St Peters

We crossed over the road at the island and as we were walking towards the bus stop we saw a bus approaching. I ran to the bus stop to flag the bus down and Matthew took a picture of required First Worcester 44515 on a #332 to Worcester.

First Worcester 44515 in St Peters

We got on the bus and we flashed the Worcester Connecta ticket to the driver for the final time before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up St Peters Drive and past the Tesco Store. We continued to the Broomhall and we turned right onto the Northbound A38. We travelled the 2 miles or so to the edge of the city centre. Just before the cathedral we turned right onto the A38 and we went further into town. We followed the A38 to the left and at the next junction we went straigh on and into Angel Street entering the bus station. Once off the bus We had a look around to see what we could do. We walked through the bus station onto All Butts and we saw Johnson's YN63 BYP on layover in between #350 runs to Redditch. Afterwards we also saw First Worcrster 42892 on a #37 to Bevere. We went over the walkway and we went towards the bus station steps. Matthew decided he was going into the shopping centre and visit a cafe we ordered a Caramel Shortbread and a cup of Coke and Matthew went to the toilet. once he had finished eating Matthew didn't seem like he wanted to catch another bus so we called up mum to come and pick us up. We waited in the bus station for around 15 minutes and we took a few more pictures. We saw First Worcester 47518 on a #38 to The Royal Hosital.

First Worcester 47518 in Worcester Bus Station

Afterwards we saw First Worcester 66366 on a #31U to the University.

First Worcester 66366 in Worcester Bus Station

We went up the steps and we walked over the walkway and arounf The Hive. We walked into the car park and we saw a couple of coaches. We saw Shearings 513 near to the railway bridge.

Shearings 513 in Worcester

We also saw Commandery Coaches YN16 WWM in the car park.

Commandery Coaches YN16 WWM in Worcester

We walked back to the road and we saw required Rotala Diamond 20851 on layover.

Rotala Diamond 20851 in Worcester

Mum appeared and we got in the car. Matthew had a sausage roll and a can of Irn Bru. We set off onto The Butts and we ran forwatds onto Sansome Street. We followed the road to the right and we wheeled around onto the Northbound A38. We ran Northwards out of town and we veered left onto the A449. We followed the road to the right and we headed to the M5. We joined the Northbound M5 and as we travelled North we saw 2 unidentified Mayne coaches and an unidentified JS Coaches coach. We ran up as far as the M42 and then we headed anti-clockwise around Birmingham. As we travelled around we saw an un unidentified Bakers Dolphin coach and an unidentified white Mercedes coach. We ran around to the M6 and we then headed North. On the M6 we saw Harry Shaw YN15 EKT, Burnt out Ogden's coach YJ14 BYT on tow and Atlantic Executive Travel BN17 JNL. As we got into Staffordshire the snow was strting to stick. We were also running low on petrol so we stopped at Stafford Services. We put the minimum 5ltrs in as petrol was £1.38 a litre! Matthew also brough pop, chcolate and a cake! We got back into the car and we continued North tio junction 15 where we came of the motorway and onto the A500. We ran up to Sideway and we turned right onto the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we went to see what was parked up at Z Carz. The roads were covered in snow and it appeared that there hadn't been any grit dropped. We stopped by the spare ground which was empty as it has been for a while. We turned right into Willow Row to see what was in the comnpound. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Adjacent to that was Z Carz Peugeot minibus YJ62 RCO.

Z Carz YJ62 RCO in Longton

We carefully turned the car carefully and we returned onto the A50. We ran up the heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We saw Lightning Travel BX04 VKL parked at the Lightning house. We carried on down the hill into Blurton nad we saw Alfa 64 parked up at the garage. We ran through Blurton before turning right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a shortbread biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some more of the Blog and out our bus pictures online. Matthew went to bed around 01:00... Mark.