Trip to Newcastle / Stafford 27-12-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67654	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
65034	Newcastle BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
65040	Stafford BS	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
63100	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going to Stafford on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. Across the road we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX outside.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

When it was time to go we set off onto City Road and we walked down to the bus stop outside the flats. We waited for a First bus towards Newcastle. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 67654 on a #11 to Newcastle. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. 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. we saw First Potteries 67661 on a #22 to Longton. A short while later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 65034 on a #101 to Stafford. We got on the bus and we booked to Stafford before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we ran down through Trent Vale and into Hanford. We continued down through to Trentham and then we got onto the fast section of the A34. We ran through Tittensor to Darlaston and we continued down to the North end of Stone. We Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. After going around the one-way system and onto Stafford Road. We crossed over the A34 onto Eccleshall Road. We turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We saw former Western Greyhound minibus WK53 EUT. We rejoined the A34 at the roundabout where the A51 goes Eastwards and we ran Southwards through the fast section on the A34 to the A513 roundabout. We ran the last couple of miles into town down the A34 onto Foregate Street and we turned right onto Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked through Balk Passage onto Broad Street. We crossed the road and we went to Theo's Cafe. For dinner Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished we walked along Stafford Street and turned left onto Gaolgate Street. When we got to the end we turned right into the bus station. In the bus station After a short while the bus back to Hanley appeared. It was First Potteries 65040 on a #101 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle bus station before we sat down. We left the bus station onto the A34 and we ran Northwards to the edge of town. We continued up the fast section of the A34 to the edge of Stone and then we turned left onto the industrial estate. We ran around the estate and onto Tiling Drive. We turned right onto Eccleshall Road and we crossed the A34 onto Stafford Road. We turned left onto Crown Street and we stopped at the main stop in Stone. We ran North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the Northbound A34. We ran Morth through Meaford and Tittensor and up into Trentham. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we past the City General hospital before going into Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station from the South end. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we waited for the next bus back Fenton. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63100 on a #11 to Hanley. We booked to Fenton and as the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63100 before we sat down. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout. We ran onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued along Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. We ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over City Road and we walked across to Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. We saw D&G Bus 113 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G 113 in Fenton

Also seen was Intercity minibus SF58 NTC going towards Stoke.

Intercity SF58 NTC in Fenton

After a while we saw D&G Bus 115 on a #1A to Meir.

D&G 115 in Fenton

Another bus seen was First Potteries 67156 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67156 in Fenton

When it was time to go to uncle Dave's we set off onto Temple Street and at the end we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We went across the spare ground onto Willowdale Avenue and onto Whieldon Road and into uncle Dave's. Matthew had some cheesecake and a can of Tango orange. For tea Matthew had chicken potatoes and carrots. Later on he had another slice of cheesecake and a few digestive biscuits and custard creams. Uncle Dave now has a biscuit tin. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. Uncle Dave also did his DJ set. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back home. We set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street past the new building under construction, which is now getting near to completion. We continued back to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.