Trip to Winsford / Sandbach 20-04-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
766	Adderley Green, First bus depot	Ford's of Winsford	Charter	PMT
2612	Winsford, Town Bridge	Middlewich, St Michael's Way	37A	Arriva NW&W
3159	Middlewich, Croxton Lane	Sandbach, o/s Common	37A	Arriva NW&W
2611	Sandbach, o/s Common	Haslington opp Oakland Avenue	37	Arriva NW&W
67648	Haslington nr Oakland Avenue	Kidsgrove, Gloucester Road	3	First Potteries
65732	Kidsgrove, Adj St Johns RC Primary School	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
67633	Hanley BS	Adderley Green, First bus depot	11	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in residential and we were going to take him out for the day. Matthew had expressed a wish to go and see POPS double decker 766 at Winsford for it's booked attendance at the Ford's of Winsford 60th anniversary event. I contacted a senior member off POPS and asked if it would be possible for us to travel up on the bus and they agreed that we could. Matthew got up around 06:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I came to pick him up just before 07:30 as the booked departure time from the bus garage was 07:50. Matthew got ready and we went downstairs to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Baker Street and left onto Glebedale Road. We turned right onto City Road and we saw D&G Bus 27 running out of service. We ran forwards onto King Street and through Foley into Longton. We went under the the railway line into Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We went up the hill and down the other side into Adderley Green. We turned left by the bus garage and at the next roundabout we turned left and headed into the estate. We parked up next to the publice footpath and we walked up the the back end of the bus garage. We saw new arrival First Potteries 65692 parked up at the back of the garage. We walked along the path at the side of the garage and to the bus stop on the A5272 outside the front of the garage. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching, and as expected it was preserved PMT 766.

PMT 766 in Adderley Green

We got on the bus and we were greeted by the senior POPS member. The bus was empty except for him and the driver so we were able to sit where we wanted to. We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside PMT 766.

Inside PMT 766

We set off along the A5272 and we headed into Bentilee. We passed Free Spirits FJ55 PVY parked up at the side of the road. We continued forwards into Bucknall. We joined the A52 and we ran up to Limekiln traffic lights. We ran forwards onto the A5272 and we followed it to the left and through Northwood. We continued through Birches Head and Sneyd Green. We stopped briefly by Central Forest Park and we continued up to Smallthorne roundabouts. We ran forwards onto High Lane and we ran to the end. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A527. We ran through Turnhurst and Pitshill down to the North end of Tunstall. We turned right onto the A50 and we headed through Sandyford into Kidsgrove. We crossed the A34 and we ran up to Church Lawton. We followed the A50 to the right and we veered left onto the A533. We ran through Rode Heath and we crossed over the M6 near to the Sandbach Services. We ran around the South Side of Sandbach town centre and continued along the A533 through Elworth Past Sandbach railway station. We ran alongside the canal into Middlewich town centre and we turned left onto the A54. We ran through the town centre and around the one-way system. and Westwards along the A54 out of town. We crossed over the railway line by Winsford railway station and we continued to the bottom of town. At the main roundabout we went forwards onto New Road. It must have been a wrong turning because after about 1/2 the driver turned the bus around. There was not a great deal along this road except a few industrial units and what appeared to be a virtual rock salt quarry. We returned to the big roundabout and we turned left onto the A5018. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Weaver Valley Road. We arrived at the Ford garage and there were thousands of cars! A representative of the garage came out and guided the driver backwards through a very narrow gate. We reverse up to the main building and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of PMT 766.

PMT 766 in Winsford

Once off the bus we had a look around at the other cars and Matthew used the toilet. We made arrangement with the POPS member that we would either hang around for 8 hours until the end of the day or we would make our own way back and message him if we no longer required to return on the bus. We got a POPS membership form and we had a look around at the other vehicles there were on display. These included a few cars from the 1980's and older, a fire engine, the original Ghost Busters car and a F1 racing car. Once we had seen the other vehicles on display we set off out of the garage onto Weaver Valley Road. just past the garage was the entrance to a park. We decided to walk through the park. Just inside the park was a large rock and we decided to sit and have a sausage roll. Matthew also had a drink of Irn Bru. When we had finished eating we carried on through the park. We continued down the path and we came out very near to the main roundabout in town. We crossed the roundabout and over the River Weaver and we walked up onto High Street. We cut across onto the A54 and we waited at the bus stop for the next Southbound bus. Whilst we were at the bus stop we saw Arriva NW&W double decker 4164 on a #29 and Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #31 to Northwich. A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was dud Arriva NW&W 2612 on a #37A to Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Winsford

We got on the bus and we booked Arriva NW&W Day Saver tickets at £5.50 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the A34 and across the main roundabout onto the Southbound A54. We veered left onto Station Road and we ran along the narrow street towards Middlewich. At the roundabout we ran forwards into Wisford railway station. We did a lap of the car park and back out onto the main road. We turned right onto the A54 and we crossed over the railway line. We continued East for around 2 miles and we came into the West end of Middlewich. We ran around the one-way system and left onto the A54 where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2612 as it continued towards Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 2612 in Middlewich

Once the bus had gone we walked up At Michaels way onto Newton Bank. As we got to the food van by the Golden Lion Matthew decided he wanted to go the the toilet. We went to the pub but as it was still early the pub was still closed. We crossed over the road and we went to the Morrison's store. When Matthew had finished we attempted to but a bottle of pop but they hadn't got any bottle in the fridge by the cigarette counter that Matthew would actually drink! We crossed back over the road and we sat down at the food van in the pub car park. Matthew had a bacon bap washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we walked onto the A54 on the Western edge of town. We found the bus stop using Google Maps is there was an actual physical stop on either side of the road. We looked at google for the next bus departure and we had around 20 minutes to wait. Matthew sat of the grass verge in the sunshine and chilled whilst we waited for the bus. Around 20 minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 3159 on a #37A to Sandbach.

Arriva NW&W 3159 in Middlewich

We got on the bus and we Flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto A530 and we ranaround the one-way system before turning left onto the A54. After a brief stop at the main bis stop we turned right onto the A533. We turned right onto Long Lane South and right onto Warmingham Lane. We ran through the estate and we turned left Cross Lane. We turned right and we re-joined the Southbound A533. We ran alongside of the canal and into Sandbach through Elworth. We turned left Hightown and at the next roundabout we ran forwards on Congleton Road. We turned right onto The Commons and we ran onto the other side of the triangle where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3159 before it returned to Northwich.

Arriva NW&W 3159 in Sandbach

Matthew went to the toilet and on the way back we visited McColls. He brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars as well as a drumstick lolly. We came out off the shop and back to the bus stop. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #38 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 4490 in Sandbach

We let this Crewe bus go and we found a shady spot in which to sit. Matthew had a bottle of Fanta orange and ate his drumstick lolly. Whilst we waited for the next bus to Crewe we saw Arriva NW&W 4489 on a #38 to Macclesfield. I nipped to the toilet and we sat in the shade until just before the bus was due. A few minutes later we saw the bus drive around the common. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2611 on a #37 to Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Sandbach

We got on the bus and we Flashed the Arriva Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the common and we went Westwards out of the town onto Crewe Road and through Wheelock. We crossed the A534 and we ran through Wheelock Heath and Winterly, passed the pond. We continued into Haslington and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2611 as it continued towards Crewe.

Arriva NW&W 2611 in Haslington

Once off the bus we crossed over the road to the stop opposite to wait for the next #3 towards Hanley. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 4490 on a #38 to Macclesfield. A few minutes later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67648 on a #3 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67648 in Haslington

We got on the bus and we booked a First Potteries Network Day ticket at £7. We also brought a single to the the Staffordshire border which cost an astonishing £5. We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along Crewe Road. We turned right onto Slaughter Hill and we ran forwards onto the B5077. We continued through Radway Green into Alsager and we continued along the B5077. We crossed over the A34 and we ran down the A50 towards Kidsgrove. Once we crossed into Staffordshire we got up and got off the bus. We watched the bus continue Southwards and we walked towards Kidsgrove town centre. As we headed towards the railway bridge uncle Dave pointed out the canal tavern which uncle Dave had taken a picture of on a previous occasion. This prompted Matthew to decided he wanted to visit the pub. Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards we got a glass of Coke and we sat outside on a bench by the canal. Once we had finished the drinks we returned the glasses to the bar and we set off along the canal towards Kidsgrove. We came off the canal onto the car park at Kidsgrove railway station and we walked onto the A50. We turned We walked to the junction and we turned right onto The Avenue. We decided we would catch a 4A to Hanley. There was a bus due in a few minutes so we chilled out at the bus stop until it turned up. A short while later we saw the bus come around the corner and it was First Potteries 65732 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 65732 in Kidsgrove

We got on the bus and place the First Potteries Newtwork Day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along The Avenue. We turned left onto Lower Ash Road and right onto Mitchell Avenue. We turned left onto Harecastle Avenue and we turned left onto The A34. We ran up to the traffic lights and we crossed over the junction on Coalpit Hill. We ran forwards onto Swan Bank and we turned left onto Chester Road. We ran around the estate and we Ashenough Road. We turned left onto Monument Road and left onto High Street. We ran down to the roundabout and we ran forwards onto Talke Road. We ran through Red Street and we saw a few minibuses at the community centre including FN08 AXK. We continued down Crackley Bank to Dragon Square and into Chesterton. We ran down the High Street and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we joined the Southbound A34. We ran through Milehouse and as we headed towards Newcastle we were passed by Abbott's of Leeming coach XL13 AOL. We turned left onto Liverpool Road and left onto Ryecroft. At the roundabout we turned right onto barracks Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. After a brief stop we set off 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 where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went down to the appropriate stop to wait for a bus to Adderley Green. Matthew had a can of Coke and a chocolate bar whilst we waited for the next bus. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67633 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67633 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the First Potteries Network Day ticket under the scanner for the final time for today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and down the hill past the car park. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and we turned left onto the ring road. We ran around the ring road and we turned right onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights. We ran forwards onto the A52 and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we walked down the side of the depot. At the back of the depot was First Potteries 67647.

First Potteries 67647 in Adderley Green

Also in the depot was First Potteries 32635 with a damaged bumper and no destination blind.

First Potteries 32635 in Adderley Green

We walked along the footpath behind the housing estate and back to the car. Once at the car we set off through the housing estate and past Lidl onto the A5272. We ran past the bus garage and we turned right onto Anchor Road. We ran up and over the hill and down into Longton. We turned left onto Market Street and we followed the one-way system around onto Commerce Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto The Strand and we ran through Longton and under the railway bridge onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew decided he wanted to go to the shop when we got out of the car so he brought a can of Coke and a Milky Way. We returned to the residential unit and we went upstairs to his room. We said goodbye and Matthew chilled out on his computer. For tea Matthew had chicken nuggets and chips followed by a Manchester Tart. Later on Matthew went out. We went downstairs and he got in a car. We set off onto Temple Street amd we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. We crossed over the roundabout at Joiners Square onto Lichfield Street and the taxi stopped near to the bus station. We set off on foot up Lichfield Street and we ran forwards onto Stafford Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and we turned right onto Foundry Street and we stopped at the pub. Matthew had a drink of Coke and spent an hour or two listening to music and dancing. When it was time to go home we walked along Foundry Street. We turned left onto Trinity Street and right onto Stafford Street. We continued onto Lichfield Street and we called for a taxi. We were picked up by an Intercity taxi. We ran along Birch Terrace and forwards onto Charles Street. We turned right onto Old Hall Street and we turned right onto the ring road. We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we ran forwards onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Manor Street and right onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Later on Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. 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.