Trip to Stafford / Cannock 12-11-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
44514	Blurton, Magdalen Road	Hanford, Mayne Street	22	First Potteries
171	Hanford, Mayne Street	Stone, Radford Street	100	D&G Bus
65036	Stone, Radford Street	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
704	Stafford BS	Rugeley BS	828	Chaserider
169	Rugeley BS	Cannock BS	63	Chaserider
18	Cannock BS	Moss Pit, Opp School Lane	875	Select Bus
33	Moss Pit, Opp School Lane	Stafford, Gatehouse Theatre	7	Select Bus
37157	Stafford, Chell Road	Walton, Eccleshall Road Shops	101	First Potteries
65034	Walton, Eccleshall Road Shops	Stone, Stafford Road	101	First Potteries
171	Stone, Stafford Road	Trentham, Barlaston Old Road	100	D&G Bus
67179	Trentham, Barlaston Old Road	Blurton, Magdalen Road	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to go to Stafford as mum was at work. Research for today consisted of checking the weather which was a for a mild dry day with some sunshine. I also researched the times of the D&G #100 service from Hanford. Matthew got up around 09:15 and had toast for breakfast. We had seen there was a #100 bus from Hanford around 11:39, so we decided to go for the 11:00 departure from Blurton. We set off just before 11:00 and we walked to the stop all the way over on Magdalen Road. We waited for the bus and a short time later it turned the corner. It was as expected First Potteries 44514 on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 44514 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked Knot Day ticket at £7. This ticket is a multi-operator ticket valid throughout the Staffordshire area. We sat down ear to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto the A5035. We went past the Trentham Hotel we turned right into New Inn Lane where we passed the building site where new housing is being built. At the top of the hill we turned right into Hanford along Wilson Road and left onto Church Lane. When we got to the bottom of Church Lane we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 44514 as it carried on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 44514 in Hanford

We decided to not catch the next #101 which was due in a few minutes and we would wait for the #100. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 65042 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65042 in Hanford

Whilst we stood at the bus stop waiting for the #100 service, we saw 4 unidentified Leon's coaches, an unidentifed Happy Days coach, an unidentified Daish Holidays coach, Cabability SB15 PJY and Tidy Team YT08 WKD. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. It was D&G Bus 171 on a #100 to Stone as expected.

D&G Bus 171 in Hanford

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A34 past Trentham Gardens and we turned left onto the A5035. We turned right by Bod onto Barlaston Old Road and we headed Southwards past Strongford water treatment centre and Wedgwood. We continued into Barlaston village and we contnued Southpast the site of Meaford power station before joining the A34 near to Darlaston. We continued along the A34 for a short while and we Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. We stopped in the square and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 171 before it returned to Hanley.

D&G Bus 171 in Stone

Once off the bus we had a short wait for the next #101 to Stafford. We went in the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished in the pub we crossed over the road to visit the cash machine. Whilst we waited we saw Bennetts Travel SJ16 BGU go past.

Bennetts Travel SJ16 BGU in Stone

We crossed back over the road and we waited for the bus to Stafford. A short time later we saw First Potteries 65036 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 65036 in Stone

We got on the bus and we scanned the Knot day tictes before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off around the one-way system past Morrisons and we saw Star MX13 APK. We continued down the A520 and we crossed over the A34 onto Eccleshall Road. We turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We saw former Newcastle International Airport YJ16 DXP. 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 Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65036.

First Potteries 65036 in Stafford

Once off the bus we headed towards the market. We stopped at the toilet block oppsite to the market. One of the toilets wasn't open so Matthew had to use the other. We continued into the market up to the top corner and we stopped at The Chef's Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Dr Pepper. When we had finished eating we headed across to the bus station. We came out of the side entrance into the old guildhall shopping centre and we headed onto Chapel Street. We continued onto Broad Street and we turned right onto the passage through to Princes Street. We went forwards onto Hunters Row and we crossed Gaolgate Street past the Butler's Bell which is currently up for sale. We continued into the bus station and we saw Chaserider 194 on a #74 to Cannock.

Chaserider 194 in Stafford bus station

We asked Matthew which direction he would like to go in and he said Rugeley. There was a Lichfield bus in that direct in about 10 minutes. Whilst we waited we saw Select Bus 26 on a #9 to Highfields.

Select Bus 26 in Stafford bus station

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Chaserider 704 on a #828 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 704 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Caserider 704 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Chaserider 704

We set off out of the bus station and we joined the A34 and we turned left onto Chell Road. After a brief stop we continued onto Tenterbanks and we headed onto Bridge Street. We ran through the town centre and we crossed over the A34 onto the Northbound A518. We ran out of town for around a mile and we entered the hospital grounds. We returned to the A518 and we turned right onto Hydrant Way. We turned left onto Tixall Road and we crossed over Blackheath Lane. We continued into Tixall and we turned right onto Mill Lane. We turned right onto Main Road and we ran throught Great Haywood. We continued South through Little Haywood into Colwich and we joined A51. We travek South for 1/2 a mile or so and we turned right onto the A460. We turned right onto Plovers Rose and right onto Springfields Road. We followed the road around onto Crabtree Way and we turned left onto Green Lane. We turned right onto the A460 and we ran into town. We turned left onto Elmore Lane and we entered Rugeley bus station where we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Chaserider 704 before it continued towards Lichfield.

Chaserider 704 in Rugeley bus station

Already in the bus station was Chaserider 169 on a #63 to Cannock.

Chaserider 169 in Rugeley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver before we sat down towards back of the bus. The bus waited until departure time unil setting off onto Elmore Lane. We crossed the roundabout onto Sandy lane and we headed Southwards along the A460. We crossed over the Rugeley to Walsall line and we ran fast through the countryside to the North end of Hednesford. We turned right onto Victoria Road and we had a short wait at the main stops in Hednesford near to Tesco before continuing towards Cannock. We continued to the end of Victoria Street and we turned right onto Market Street. We crossed over the railway line and we turned left onto Cannock Street. We crossed over the roundabout and onto Belt Road. We turned left onto Huntington Terrace Road and we headed Southwards. We veered right onto Old Fallow Road and we turned left onto Pye Green Road. We joined the A34 and we ran Southwards into town. We turned left onto the B5012 and left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Chaserider 169 before it returned to Rugeley on a #63 service.

Chaserider 169 in Cannock bus station

We walked down to the other end of the bus station and we saw Chaserider 611 on a #26 Pye Green circular.

Chaserider 611 in Cannock bus station

We headed into the shopping centre and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we headed back into the bus station and we had a look around to see what we could catch. We saw Chaserider 195 on a #74 to Stafford. Behind that was a Select Bus on a Stafford service. We saw it was Select Bus 18 on a #875 to Stafford.

Select Bus 18 in Cannock bus station

We got on and flashed the Knot ticket to the driver before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the B5012 and we headed Westwards. We decided to go to Moss Pit and catch a #7 forward to Stafford. We crossed over the M6 and we turned left onto Woolgarston Way. We ran forwards onto Boscomoor Lane and we turned right into Vale Gardens.We ran forwards onto Filance Lane. We turned left onto Francis Green Lane and left onto Cannock Road. We continued onto New Road and we turned right onto the Northbound A449. We ran fast up the A449 and under the M6. We past Select Bus Services 31 on the #875 to Cannock. We crossed over the railway line and we climbed the hill up to Moss Pit where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Select Bus Services 18 before it continued towards Stafford.

Select Bus 18 in Moss Pit

We had just missed Select Bus 14 on a #7 to Stafford. The next bus that was due at the stop was the #878 to Stafford. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a rather squashed Fudge which I found in the bottom of the trip bag. We could see on the map that this was running a little late. We saw a bus turn the corner. As it got closer we saw it was Select Bus 33 on a #7 to Stafford.

Select Bus 33 in Moss Pit

When it was time for departure the bus set off up the A449. We ran Northwards over the railway line and we ran into Stafford. We crossed the big roundabout and we joined the Northbound A34. We turned left onto South Walls and rught onto Cope Street. We turned left onto Eastgate Street and where we got up an got off the bus. We got off the bus and crossed over the road. Matthew got another picture of Select Bus 33 as it went on a short layover.

Select Bus 33 in Stafford

We walked forwards onto Malt Mill Lane and we turned left onto North Walls and continued to the bus station. We saw Chaserider 62 on a #841 to Uttoxter.

Chaserider 62 in Stafford bus station

Also seen was Chaserider 610 on a #826 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 610 in Stafford bus station

We saw on the map that First Potteries 37157 was on it's way down the A34. so we decided to walk around the corner onto Chell Road and get on the bus there. A short time later as expected we saw First Potteries 37157 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 37157 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we the Knot ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Chell Road and we ran down to the railway station. Whilst we waited for time outside the railway station we saw an unidentified Borland Roadliner coach go past the end of the road on the A518. We set off from outside the railway station and we ran around the South end of town and over the river onto Cope Street. We ran up Eastgate and along North Walls and into the Gaol Square bus station. 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 got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37157 before it continued on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 37157 in Walton

Once off the bus we walked along Eccleshall Road and we visited the Walton Fish Bar we brought sausage chipe and gravy and we went outside. We sat down outside the petrol station which is currently being refurbished, and we ate our sausage chips and gravy. Matthew washed down his food with a can of Coke. We set off back along Eccleshall Road and we waited for the next bus into Stone. A short time later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 65034 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65034 in Walton

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We worked out that we could intercept the #100 in Stone and reduce how far we had to walk. We set off along Eccleshall Road and we crossed the A34 onto Stafford Road. We turned left onto Crown Street and we got up and got off the bus by the toilet block. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65034 before it continued on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 65034 in Stone

Matthew visited the toilet and afterwards he sat on the wall by the bus stop. Almost as soon as he sat on the wall the bus appeared from around the corner. It was as expected D&G Bus 171 on a #100 to Hanley.

D&G Bus 171 in Stone

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 171 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside D&G Bus 171

The bus set off along the one-way system and we veered left onto Newcastle Street. We continued up to the end and we joined the Northbound A34. We travleed about 1/3 mile Northwards and at the roundabout we turned right onto Meaford Road. We continued Northwards through Barlaston onto Barlaston Old Road and we ran Northwards to the end where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of D&G Bus 171 as it continued Northwards towards Hanley.

D&G Bus 171 in Trentham

Once off the bus we crossed over Barlaston Old Road and walked past Bod before crossing over the A5035. We walked to the nearest stop and we saw that there was a #22 to Newstead due in a few minutes. We waited for a while and the bus turned the corner. We saw it was as expected First Potteries 67179 on a #22 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67179 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we placed the Knot ticket under the scanner for the fianl time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Longton Road towards Blurton. We crossed over the canal and the railway line and ran past the end of Stanley Matthews Way. We ran past the lay-by and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67179 as it went back to the depot.

First Potteries 67179 in Blurton

We walked around the corner onto Magdalen Road and we got back to Blurton around 18:15. We chilled out and Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke. We uploaded pictures and we started to do some work on the Blog. Around 20:30 we went to take uncle Dave home via Aldi. We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. We stopped st Aldi and we picked up some food for the weekend. When we had finished we set off onto Stanley Matthews Ways and we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran up to Heron Cross. We turned left into Grove Road and we ran forwards onto Wheildon Road. We stopped at uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. He also updated uncle Dave's calendar with the details of today's trip. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and left onto Finstock Avenue and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew ate a peice of a scotch egg and a slice of cheesecake and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark