Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 21-12-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67155	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Stoke, Adj stop Q	23	First Potteries
119	Stoke, adj stop P	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
37156	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, Stop A	99	First Potteries
37156	Tunstall, Stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
63174	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
65732	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
20	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	9	D&G Bus

Today as it is close to Christmas we decided to do a local trip. We didn't do any research other than to check the weather which was for dull, cool and mainly dry conditions. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off just before 12:00 and we walked to the bus stop all the way on Beaconsfield Drive. We had originally planned to go Longton on a #22, but we were a little late and we would have to wait nearly 30 minutes. We decided to catch the next Hanley bus as far as Stoke. A few minutes later we saw a bus turn the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked the Knot ticket at £7 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Beaconsfield Drive and we ran to the end we turned left onto Church Road. We ran to Critchlow's Corner and we veered left onto Blurton Road running through Blurton. We crossed the A50 and at Heron Cross lights we went forwards onto Heron Street. We followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left at Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road. and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street and into the centre of Stoke where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67155 before it continued on a the #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked along Church Street and we visited the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we set off onto Church Street and we walked up to the Newcastle bus stop. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Stoke

A few minutes later we saw a D&G bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 119 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G 119 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off 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 walked onto Stubbs Street and we saw D&G Bus 41 on layover.

D&G 41 in Newcastle bus station

We had a look around to decide what bus we would catch next. We saw First Potteries 32649 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32649 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw another double decker approaching. It was first Potteries 37156 on a #99 to Chell.

First Potteries 37156 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed our Knot Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37156.

Inside First Potteries 37156

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw Anthony's minibus DX06 KTJ heading Southwards along Barracks Road. We set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto the A527 and headed through Wolstanton. As we travelled North up the road. We turned right onto Porthill Bank and we we went down the hill and over the A500. We went through Middleport and at Trubshaw Cross we went left onto Brownhills Road. We joined Tunstall High Street and at the top of the Road we got up and got off the bus. we saw D&G Bus 37 on a #94 to Newcastle. We went to Tunstall Cafe and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards he had a can of Coke. When we had finished we crossed the road and we waited for a bus back to Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 67658 on a #3A to Talke.

First Potteries 67658 in Tunstall

A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As expected it was First Potteries 37156 on a #99 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 37156 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed our Knot Day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37156.

Inside First Potteries 37156

We set off down the High Street and we stopped at the bottom before joining Brownhills Road. We ran down the hill to Trubshsaw Cross and we continued straight through Longport and over the A500. We went up Porthill Bank and we followed the A527 through Wolstanton & May Bank and into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road and we entered the bus station. As we got off the bus we spotted First Potteries 63174 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we placed our Knot Day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. 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 turned right onto the ring road and we ran around anti-clockwise to Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up the hill to the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. Once Matthew had been to the facilities we headed towards John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. On the way up there we saw First Potteries 32647 on a #4 to Audley.

First Potteries 32647 in Hanley bus station

We went up the stairs and unusually the car park was busy. We saw Edwards Coaches BV66 WPR departing on a #528 to Rochdale.

Edwards Coaches BV66 WPR in Hanley bus station

Also seen was First Potteries 65029 which went on layover before working a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65029 in Hanley bus station

A short time later we headed back to the bus station and we visited the Spar shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We headed down to the stand to wait for the next #7A to Biddulph. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a Flake. 20 minutes later the bus appeared. It was First Potteries 65732 on a #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 65732 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot ticket to the driver. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 65732 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 65732

The bus waited for time before setting off out of the bus station. We went down John Street and onto Bethesda Street before we went across onto Marsh Street and then we turned right into Trinity Street. We turned left into Stafford Street and we continued forwards to Quadrant Road and we left Hanley along Town Road. We travelled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts to Chell. At the roundabout we turned right and we ran down the A527 through Brindley Ford. We turned left to run through Brown Lees. We crossed over the A527 at Knypersley and we ran around through the housing estates of Biddulph before running into town via St John's Road, Colliers Way. We ran past the building site and we turned right up Wharf Road to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65732 before it carried on back to Hanley.

First Potteries 65732 in Biddulph bus station

Once off the bus we used the toilet and turned the corner onto the High Street. We walked down to the kebab shop and we ordered some food. We picked up a couple of portions of fries and a can of Vimto and we returned onto Wharf Road. We returned to the benches to eat the fries. It was at this point we realised there was an hour long gap in the #7A service. About 30 minutes int the wait we saw D&G Bus 37 on a #94 to Newcastle. Matthew didn't want to do this bus. A minute or so later we saw D&G Bus 20 arrive to work the next #9 to Hanley.

D&G 20 in Biddulph bus station

It was cold and wet and we did persuade him to do the #9. Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Stanton's of Stoke KBZ 2539 arrive and empty out.

Stanton's of Stoke KBZ 2539 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver for the final time today. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 20 before we sat down.

Inside D&G 20

The bus set off onto High Street and we turned left at the roundabout onto St John's Road. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 and we ran down through Brindley Ford into Fegg Hayes. We turned left onto Oxford Road and we ran forwards into Chell Heath. We passed Matthew's old school site which is going to be a new sheltered housing site. We ran through Bradeley to the traffic lights. We turned right and we ran up the hill through Smallthorne. At the top of the hill we turned left onto the A5272 and into Hanley. We ran into town along Town Road and we crossed over the ring road. We turned right onto Quadrant Road and we went under the Intu Potteries shopping centre. We ran forwards onto Stafford Street and we passed the town hall. We ran along Bagnall Street and into the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. After using the facilities we headed out of the bus station and we crossed over Lichfield Street onto Birch Terrace where mum was waiting for us. We set off onto Lichfield Street and we crossed over the ring road. We stopped in the small car park and mum fetched some food for Matthew. We set off towards Z Carz and Matthew ate his sausage chips and gravy. We ran down Lichfield Street and we crossed over Joiners Square roundabout onto Victoria Road. We ran up into Fenton and forwards onto King Street new petrol station and coffee shop. We turned right onto the A50 link road and we ran down to the A50. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we came off at Longton. We ran up to Z Carz to see what was parked up there this evening. We turned left onto Willow Row and we saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC parked up outside the depot.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

Inside the compound we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:45. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. We chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 00:00... Mark.