Trip to Burton-on-Trent / Ashby 20-08-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
20	Burton upon Trent, (stand 9)	Swadlincote bus park	8	Midland Classic
26	Swadlincote bus park	Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Market Street	19	Midland Classic
4501	Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Market Street	Swadlincote bus park	29	Arriva Midlands
7	Swadlincote bus park	Burton upon Trent, New Street (stand 4)	9	Midland Classic

Today we decided to revisit Burton-on-Trent. I heard that the Midland Classic was in the process of being sold to Rotala, and as we hadn't been to Burton for a long time, I thought it would be a good idea to visit. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice. Mum returned from work and we got ready to go out. We got in the car and we set off around 11:45 and we ran through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the mini roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran down into the valley and up the other side and we saw FJ22 FZA. We continued into Heron Cross and we crossed the A50 and we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Whieldon Road and past the former Regent pub which is back up for sale. We stopped to pick up uncle Dave. We turned around and we headed back up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. At the lights we turned right onto Blurton Road before joining the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir and we saw white minibus NA06 BVM, Coopers R888 JCS, Warrington'd of Ilam DX54 WBT, Rayners YJ58 FDM, GH Watts WW22 GHW, JH Coaches JH19 COM and an unidentified Robinson coach. We came off the A50 onto the A511 and we headed into Hatton where we saw Eazy Travel GN04 NWY parked on the corner. We parked up at The Slt Box cafe and Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Cherry Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Trent Barton 502(V1) & 503(V1), Midlands Classic 16(401) & 75. Once we had finished we got back into the car and we rejoined the A511. We ran through Hatton and along the Tutbury bypass and we ran through Horningglow and into the town. We crossed over the railway line and the North edge of the town. We turned right onto Guid Street. We ran forwards onto Union Street and we turned left into the car park. Once we had parked up we said goodbye to mum and we cut through between the shops and we walked along side Coopers Square shopping centre and came out on New Street by the bus stops. We immediately turned right and we saw Midland Classic 37 on layover.

Midland Classic 37 in Burton upon Trent

We crossed over the road and and we saw Midland Classic 14 on a #9 to the Hospital.

Midland Classic 14 in Burton upon Trent

We turned the corner and we headed along Lichfield Street to see where we saw Midland Classic 82 on layover. We crossed back over New Street and we waited for a while for a bus towards Swadlincote. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3768 on a X38 to Derby.

Arriva Midlands 3768 in Burton upon Trent

We decided to move to the other stops in the attempt to get a bus to Swadlincaote a little quicker. There was one due from that stop in 10 minutes we waited there. A few minutes later we saw Midland Classic 20 on a #8 to Swadlincote.

Midland Classic 20 in Burton upon Trent

We got on the bus and we booked a Network Duo Day ticket at £7 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along New Street and we turned left onto High Street and we joined the Eastbound A511. We crossed over the River Trent and we turned left onto Newton Road. We turned right onto Bearwood Hill Road and we headed into Winshill. We turned right onto Hawfield Lane and we turned right onto Empire Road. We ran up the hill and we ran forwards onto Bretby Lane. We turned left onto the A511 and we headed Eastwards past the Stanhope Arms. We turned right onto Wood Lane and we continued onto Bretby Road. We ran past the Freehold Tavern with it's glazed bricks and we turned right onto Main Street. We turned left onto Oversetts Road and left onto Meadow View Road. We continued onto Meadow Lane and we turned left onto South Drive. We turned rihght onto Parliament Street and we headed Eastwards. We continued onto Robinson Road and we crossed the High Street and went forwards onto Wellwood Road. We ran forwards onto Chestnut Avenue. We turned onto Springfield Road and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto Newhall Road and left onto Darklands Road. We turned right onto the A514 and we entered Swadlincote bus park where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 20 before it returned the the hospital.

Midland Classic 20 in Swadlincote

We spotted Arriva Midlands 3567, which was on layover in between runs on the #2 to Derby.

Arriva Midlands 3567 in Swadlincote

There wasn't much else about, so we headed towards the town centre. On the way we stopped at the bus park toiet block and Matthew used the toilet before we cut through the alleyway adjacent to the Sir Nigel Gresley pub. We stopped at the Nisa shop, and Matthew had a can of Irn Bru, a Flake and a Freddo. We returned back down the alleyway into the bus park and we saw Midland Classic 35 on a #24 town circular service. Matthew indicated that he wanted to go on towards Ashby. The next bus was due in around 10 minutes. Matthew drank his can of Irn Bru and ate his Freddo. We crossed over to the relevent stand and we waited for the next Asby bound bus. A short time later we saw Midland Classic 26 on a #19 to Ashby.

Midland Classic 26 in Swadlincote

We got on the bus and we scanned the Network Day Duo ticket before sitting down towards the bcak of the bus. We set off out of the bus park and we turned right onto the A514. We turned right onto Sir Herbert Wragg Way and we turned left onto Coppice Side. We continued onto Bridge Street and we ran forwards onto Main Street and into Albert. We turned right onto Occupation Road and we ran forwards onto Park Road. We turned left onto the A444 and we headed Southwards into Overseal. We turned right onto LUllington Road and we ran forwards onto Gunby Hill. We ran forwards onto Main Street and we ran into Netherseal. We turned left into Church Street and we headed Eastwards. We ran forwards onto Acresford Road and we ran into Acresford. We turned right onto the A444 and we turned left onto Measham Road. We turned left onto Acresford Road and we headed Northwards. We veered right onto Chirch Street and we ran into Donisthorpe. We turned right onto Measham Road and we headed Southwards. We turned right onto New Street and we turned right onto Main Street. We continued forwards onto Coronation Lane and we turned left onto Measham Road. Wee stopped briefly outside of Winfields Outdoor store and we ran under the A42. We continued onto Burton Road and we ran into town. We turned left onto High Street and we headed Northwards. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Midland Classic 26 before it returned to Burton on a #19 service.

Midland Classic 26 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch

We had a look at when the next bus was due to return to Swadlincote and we had time for a visit to the pub. Across the road was Midland Classic 5 on a #129 to Loughborough.

Midland Classic 5 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch

We went into the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we had a glass of Coke each. When we had finished we went outside and we joined uncle Dave. We had a bit of time spare so we went for a short walk. We set off along Market Street and we turned left onto Bath Street. We turned left onto South Street and we crossed over a car park and cut back through onto Market Street though Union Passage. We sat back down near to the bus stop. The was an Arriva bus due before the next Midland Classic bus, and as the bus tickets were cheap, we decided to do the Arrive bus. A short time later the bus appeared and we saw it was Arriva Midlands 4501 on a #29 to Swadlincote.

Arriva Midlands 4501 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch

We got on the bus and we purchased single tickets to Swadlincaote at £3.30 each before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4501.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4501

We set off along Market Street and we turned right and headed Northwards up Derby Street. We turned left onto Malrborough Way and we headed through a new housing estate. We turned right onto Burton Road and left onto Bishop Hall Road. We turned right onto Moira Road and we headed Westwards. We ran into Norris Hill and we turned right onto Bickfordby Lane. We ran fowards onto Drift Side and we turned left onto Butt Lane. We turned left onto Forest Road and right onto Hepworth Road. We turned left onto the A511 and we ran into Woodville. We turned seconfd Left onto the A514 and we ran around the North side of Swadlicaote bus entering the bus park from the East end. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Alfa 119 enter the bus park.

Alfa 119 in Swadlincote

Matthew also found out that Shaun the Sheep is to fly to the moon on Artenmis 1. We waited for the next bus to Burton. Whilst we waited Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and a Flake. A short time later a bus appeared. It was Midland Classic 7 on a #9 to Burton Hospital.

Midland Classic 7 in Swadlincote

We got on the bus and we placed the Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto the A514 and we went West. We turned right onto Darklands Road and at the top we turned right onto Newhall Road. We turned left onto Sringfield Road and as we got close to the A511 we saw an unidentified Ausden Clark double decker coach go by. We turned left onto Limetree Avenue and we ran through the estate down to the high Street in Newhall. We turned right onto Bretby Road and we continued onto Wood Lane. We turned left onto the A511. After travelling West for around a mile we turned right onto Bretby Lane. We ran through the Winshill estate along Melbourne Avenue and Vancouver Drive before turning left onto Hawfield Lane. At the roundabout we turned left onto Church Hill Street. We continued onto Bearwood Road and we travelled west for around a 1/3 of a mile before we re-joined the A511. We crossed over the river Trent and we turned left into the High Street. In the centre of town we turned right New Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Midland Classic 7 before it carried on towards the hospital.

Midland Classic 7 in Burton upon Trent

Once off the bus we met up with mum. Matthew needed the toilet so we walked up New Street to the Anchor Inn. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished in the pub We met back up with everyone. I went to the chips shop and Matthe sat down on the bench opposite. Whilst I was getting food we saw Trent Barton 745 on a X38 to Derby.

Trent Barton 745 in Burton upon Trent

Once we had the food we set off back down New Street towards the passage to the car park. On the way we saw Midland Classic 27 on a #9 to Burton Hospital.

Midland Classic 27 in Burton upon Trent

We walked through the passgeway and back to the car. Matthew had sausage chips and beans washed down with a can of Coke. We set off out of the car park onto Union Street and we ran forwards onto Guid Street. We turned left onto the A511 and we ran out of town through Horninglow. We continued through Beam Hill and along the Tutbury by-pass. We ran through Hatton and past the Salt Box Cafe. WE turned left to continue following the A511 and we joined the Westbound A50. As we travlled Westwards along the A50 we saw a lot of coach activity. We saw Silverdale BV19 YJB / BV71 HZD (2 of 3 coaches seen), Glovers AIG 1518, an unidentified AOT Ccoaches coach, Freeway LIG 2152 / K11 PSV, Skills BV19 YJC / YS22 JGX (2 of 4 seen), Marshalls YT22 EWN, Butler Brothers ??? PCT, Redfern Travel 63 RT. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned right onto Blurton Road. We turned left onto Grove road and we ran forwards onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew used the toilet and update the calendar. We got back in the car and we sett off up Wheildon Road and forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we saw Staffs Travel HJ20 CCV. We turned right onto Church Road and we turned right onto the A5035. We got back to Blurton around 20:30. Later on we did some more of the Blog and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark