Trip to Cannock / Hednesford 25-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3702	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3619	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	26	Arriva Midlands
2221	Cannock BS	Norton Canes, adj St James Place	32	Arriva Midlands
2221	Norton Canes, adj Butts Lane	Cannock BS	32	Arriva Midlands
3759	Cannock BS	Heath Hayes, opp Five Ways Inn	60	Arriva Midlands
2289	Heath Hayes, adj Five Ways Inn	Cannock BS	33	Arriva Midlands
3736	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3737	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	32	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Cannock. The car had been in the garage for a few days and it was only fixed on Friday, so we made a late decision on where to go this week. Matthew had been looking at the West Midlands buses in photographs and it reminded me of how long it has been since our last visit. I had a quick look at the Arriva Midlands website and also re read the old Blog posts. A check of the weather revealed it there were rain showers due for Saturday afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:30 and he had toast and blackcurant juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:15 today, heading onto the A5035 and then onto the Northbound A34. We did this to Whitmore Road and then we joined the Southbound M6. which we did down to junction 12. We then did the last few miles into Cannock and parked in the multi-storey car park near the the bus station. We walked to the bus station and then we went into the shopping arcade so Matthew could use the toilet. we then walk back to the cafe in the arcade which overlook the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of cherry Coke. The cafe was busy and we had to wait a while for the food but it was freshly cooked, and it gave us a chance to see some of the buses that were out. Arriva Midlands 3601 was working the #70 to Wolverhampton, and we saw most of the buses on the Pye Green circulars. Arriva Midlands 2276/3617/3719/3761 were all seen on the #25s & #26s. When we had finished eating, we went out into the bus station to see what was about. One of the first thing we saw was Arriva Midlands 2291 working a #33 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2291 in Cannock bus station

Behind that was Arriva Midlands 3702 on the #31 to rugeley via Hednesford.

Arriva Midlands 3702 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this up to Hednesford as there is quite a frequent service to there and the fact that it was required! We got on the bus and booked our £4.20 Cannock Day Savers before we sat down near the back. The bus was empty at the back so Matthew took a picture of the back seats.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3702

The bus set off Northwards through Chadsmoor and then into Hednesford. When we got to the bus station we got off and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3702.

Arriva Midlands 3702 in Hednesford bus station

We got off and we saw Arriva Midlands 3736 heading towards Cannock on a #31 service. We didn't have to wait for long when required Arriva Midlands 3619 appeared on the #26 Pye Green circular.

Arriva Midlands 3619 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We set off out of the bus station and we headed North up towards the Pye Green transmitter before heading back South into Cannock along Pye Green Road. As we headed back the sky darkened and it was obvious we were in for some serious rainfall... We got back into Cannock bus station and Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3619.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3619

We got of the bus and it was starting to rain. We also had a loud clap of thunder and lightning was seen in the sky nearby. Matthew got a quick picture of Arriva Midlands 3619 before we headed into the shopping arcade.

Arriva Midlands 3619 in Cannock bus station

We went to the toilet and when we had done we headed back into the bus station. There had been approximately 1/2 inch of hail fall in the few minutes we had been away. We needed to get on a bus quickly so we didn't get wet. We spied an older Dart on a #32 to Brownhills. It was Arriva Midlands 2221 and We decided to do this bus.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Cannock bus station

We had never been in this direction before so we asked the driver how far we could go on the Cannock Day Saver. The driver told us that we could go to the other side of Norton Canes. As we travelled Eastwards out of town we couldn't see where we were going very well because the sky was so dark and the windows were steamed up. I checked the Buses I have travelled on page only to discover we had already been on Arriva Midlands 2221 before! It turns out we had done this bus on the short trip from Uttoxeter bus station to the Foxes Biscuit factory when it was working the #4 town service back in July 2013. The buses headed through Hayes Heath and then on to Norton Canes. We were now looking for bus stops on the opposite side of the road that had bus shelters so if we were stuck there for a while we didn't get wet! We turned a corner inot Norton Canes Lane and we spotted a bus shelter on the opposite side of the road so we decided to get off. As we were getting off we passed required Arriva Midlands 3737 on a #32 to Hednesford. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2221 as it headed of towards Brownhills.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Norton Canes

We crossed the road and went into the shelter. We were expecting to see times for both the #32 & #33 service on the bus stop, but it appears that there is a slight deviation on the #32 service through Norton Canes that didn't show up on the Cannock Network map available on the Arriva Midlands site. This meant that we only had #32 from this bus stop and the next one was nearly 30 minutes later. We decided to have a bus stop picnic, and Matthew had a Rice Crispy Squares and a bottle of Cola. We decided to go for a bit of a walk to see if we could get back on the #33 route and to help kill some time. We walked along Norton Green lane to the other end, past the railway Inn and the industrial estate. We couldn't see another bus stop in the distance so we decided to walk back to he shelter. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was Arriva Midlands 2221 again! We got on the bus and sat down near the back. This time the bus was nearly empty, the sky had lightened up a little and the windows had de-misted a little bit. We headed back into Heath Hayes and passed a large Tesco store before coming into Cannock via the railway station. When the bus got back into Cannock Matthew got off and got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2221

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Cannock bus station

If we were going to get 8 runs in today we need to catch another bus quickly. We saw required Arriva Midlands 3759 on a #60 service to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this back up to Heath Hayes. We got on and as it was empty at the back of the bus so Matthew got a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3759.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3759

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. It took a different route up to Heath Hayes and we passed Arriva Midlands 3610 on a #62 from Lichfield. At the top of Hednesford Road we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3759.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Heath Hayes

We crossed the road and almost immediatley the was a #60 back to Cannock which was another Pulsar II which we decided to let go. There was a #33 to Hednesford due a few minutes later so we hoped to get something better. Sure enough required MPD Arriva Midlands 2289 turned up.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Heath Hayes

We got on and sat down near the back. We headed back down Hednesford Road and into Cannock via Tesco and Cannock railway station. When we got back to Cannock bus station Matthew let the bus empty before getting a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2289.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2289

We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2289.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Cannock bus station

We decided to have a few minutes in the bus station having a look at what was about and taking a few pictures. First we got a picture of Select Bus Services 6 which was on a #67 to Wolverhampton.

Select Bus Services 6 in Cannock bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3602 departing on a #70 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 3602 in Cannock bus station

Arriva Midlands Midlands 3729 had just arried on a #74 from Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3729 in Cannock bus station

We then spotted dud Arriva Midlands 3736 on a #31 to Hednesford.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this anyway, because we knew we could get something back quite quickly from Hednesford. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was empty towards the back so he took his picture when we got on.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3736

The bus set off Northwards through Chadsmoor and into Hednesford. This was our third trip on this bus having had it into Cannock in December 2012 and Stafford back in July 2012. It had now stopped raining and had brightened up nicely. We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3736.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Hednesford bus station

We crossed the road as most of the services into Cannock go from the opposite side of the road. We saw required Arriva Midlands 2276 on the #25 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2276 in Hednesford bus station

We decided to let this go a take a gamble on there being something more interesting on the #32 to Cannock due at 16:40. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva Midlands 3608 on the #62 to Lichfield which we could have done instead.

Arriva Midlands 3608 in Hednesford bus station

A few minutes later we saw required but relative new Arriva Midlands 3737.

Arriva Midlands 3737 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew took his inside bus picture straight away.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3737

We sat down near the back. The bus had a rather unusual seat moquette for and Arriva bus. The bus set off and we headed back through Chadsmoor. As this was a #32 we also took in the hospital as we headed South. We then came out by the bus station and then we got off. Mum was in the cafe finishing off her cup of tea so matthew decided to take a few pictures. One of the was picturea was of Select Bus Service 5 on a #23A to Wimblebury.

Select Bus Services 5 in Cannock bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2735 on a #2 to the Longford Estate.

Arriva Midlands 2735 in Cannock bus station

We then met up with mum and visited the toilet before heading by to the car via a sweet shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke and some some sweets and a chocolate bar. We went up to the car and we had sausage rolls and pop before we set off out of town. We headed down to the A5 and then onto the Northbound M6. It was now fully dark, and the traffic was moving well on the motorway. We headed back onto Whitmore Road and the A34 before doing the A5035 to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There was only one bus parked up on the spare ground and it was parked quite a distance from the road. It was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

In the compound was NU06 SAO from the taxi fleet and SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We drove Through Blurton passing First Potteries 42892 on the #22 and First Potteries 40028 on the #23. We got home a little after 18:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45..Mark

Trip to Uttoxeter 24-07-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
SN04 GBZ	Uttoxeter BS	Catchems Corner	184	Phil Smiths Travel
61246	Blythe Bridge, adj Greenacres Avenue	Meir Broadway	6	First Potteries
4895	Meir Broasdway	Uttoxeter BS	X50	Wardle Transport
2221	Uttoxeter BS	The Wharf, nr The Fire Station	4	Arriva Midlands
4212	Uttoxeter BS	Sudbury, adj Portway Head	1	Arriva Midlands
4776	Sudbury, opp Portway Head	Fenton, adj Travers Court	X50	Wardle Transport

Today I had a day off work so that we could go to Uttoxeter and cover the #184 service. Matthew got up a little after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice. Matthew got dressed and we set off around 12:30. As we left we saw one of our neighbours and we discussed the new X5 service starting next week. We headed towards Longton on the A5035 and then we dropped down onto the Eastbound A50. We headed out towards Blythe Bridge and then onto towards Uttoxeter. We got off the A50 and and onto the A522 into town. When we reached the town centre we turned left past the bus station and then parked in the car park behind the Co-op. We walked through to the bus station and we immediately saw Ashbourne Community Transport HF55 FPN was parked up between duties.

Ashourne Community Transport HF55 FPN in Uttoxeter bus station

Also making a slightly unusual appearance on the #32 as opposed to the normal Scania Omnicity was First Potteries 60061.

First Potteries 60061 in Uttoxeter bus station

We waited by the stop where the usual crowd waited for the #184 and a few minutes later SN04 GBZ which is new to the Phil Smiths fleet made an appearance.

Phil Smiths Travel SN04 GBZ in Uttoxeter bus station

The driver put the correct number in the front window and we got on and sat near the back. The journey was pleasant as always, passing the JCB factory and traveling through Denstone, Stub Wood and Hollington before heading into Cheadle. We then went to Blythe Bridge via Forsbrook and then up to Cresswell before returning to Catchems Corner where we got off the bus. Before we got off Matthew got a picture of the inside of this well fitted Mercedes.

Inside Phil Smiths Travel SN04 GBZ

He also got a close-up of the front when we got off.

Phil Smiths Travel SN04 GBZ at Catchems Corner

We then we walked across to Uttoxeter Road to wait for a 6A back to Meir. We saw First Potteries 61246 go up towards Blythe Bridge on time. We decided to have a little roadside picnic and Matthew ate 1/2 a sausage roll and drank a can of Irn Bru. The bus turned up pretty much on time and Matthew got a picture as we flagged down the bus.

First Potteries 61246 in Blythe Bridge

We sat down near the back and the bus headed along the A50 into Meir. This was a bus that we had last done in April 2012 from Victoria Place to Stoke. The journey was swift and we were there just a few minutes later. When we got off Matthew got a quick picture of 61246 before we headed off across the road to catch the X50.

First Potteries 61246 in Meir

We crossed the road and we only just made catching the bus. First 60073 was on the stop in front of us. The bus was dud Wardle Transport 4895. We got on and sat upstairs near the front. Matthew took a picture of the inside of this bus.

Inside Wardle Transport 4895

This was another of the bus we had been on back in April 2012 albeit on a different day. We sat back and relaxed for the journey to Uttoxeter. From next week the short journeys on the X50 will be diverted to Cheadle and renumbered X51. Out by Meir Heath we passed dud 4891 on a Hanley bound X50 service from Derby. We carried on through Blythe Bridge and Tean, through Fole and into Uttoxeter. As we entered town we saw Arriva 2221 on the town service. When we got to Uttoxeter Matthew got a picture of this fine bus.

Wardle Transport 4895 in Uttoxeter bus station

We met up with mum and Matthew had another 1/2 of sausage roll and a small bottle of cola. Between bites, we saw First Potteries 65033 on the #32A to Hanley.

First Potteries 65033 in Uttoxeter bus station

We formulated a plan on how to finish the day. We could catch the town service at 15:25 for a couple of stops out of town and then walk back for the 15:40 to Burton. We could get off near Sudbury for the X50 back to Fenton. A few minutes later Arriva Midlands 2221 returned on the town service. Behind that was Trent Barton 738 on the swift service. Matthew got a picture of 2221 before we got on it.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Uttoxeter bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. We did the bus 2 stops up the A522 and then got off outside the Fox's biscuits factory. He got anther picture of Arriva Midlands 2221.

Arriva Midlands 2221 outside Fox's biscuits

All was still going to plan We started to walk back to the us station and we saw the Trent Barton 738 on the Swift service that we had seen in the bus station a few minutes earlier.

Trent Barton 738 on Uttoxeter High Street

We got back to the bus station and Arriva Midlands 4212 was n stand ready to work the 15:40 to Burton. Also arriving was Arriva Midlands 2227 which then went on layover. Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 4212.

Arriva Midlands 4212 in Uttoxeter bus station

We talked to mum for a few minutes whilst we waited for 4212 to be ready for service. We also saw Arriva Midlands 2227 as it came off layover presumably to work the town service.

Arriva Midlands 2227 in Uttoxeter bus station

The driver was now ready for passengers and we got on the bus and went upstairs. Matthew went passed the last passenger to take a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4212.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4212

The plan was still working. We set off at 15:40 and we headed out of town. We headed into Doveridge and after we had navigated the tight turn in the village we headed out along Derby Road towards our destination. we didn't pass the X50 so it was all looking good. The bus was bang on time as we got off so Matthew got a picture of the bus before we crossed over to wait for the X50.

Arriva Midlands 4212 in Sudbury

We hope that this bus was going to be Arriva Midlands 4802, which is currently on loan to Wardle. 4802 was working this exact same service on Saturday. A few minutes later it rounded the corner and it was dud Wardle Transport 4776.

Wardle Transport 4776 in Sudbury

We got on and sat upstairs near the back. As it was quite warm this turned out to be a good move. In Uttoxeter We saw Arriva Midlands 2221 on layover and Wardle transport 4891 was heading out towards Derby on the X50. We carried on through Tean and Blythe Bridge and we passed Wardle Transport 4895 on the X50 to Uttoxeter. From Meir Heath we followed First Potteries 60083 down to Meir before we dropped down onto the A50 for a quick run down to Fenton. We came of the A50 and headed into Fenton along the link road. We then turned onto City Road and we got off outside Travers Court.

Wardle Transport 4776 in Fenton

We walked onto Smithpool Road and met up with mum who had picked up uncle Dave from work. We headed back hoe through Heron Cross and we saw Lightning Travel FD53 UNX parked up. We got home around 17:30. I went to the chip shop to get a portion of chips between us and Matthew had a sausage and gravy too. Uncle Dave looked after Matthew for an hour whilst we went out for a while and just after 20:00 we went to Uncle Dave's to take him home. We headed through Blurton and into Fenton via Heron Cross. After listening to music and eating custard creams and drinking Fanta we headed home around 22:00. We headed into Stoke and we got onto the A500 down to the A519. We then went along Whitmore Road, onto the A34 and we headed home along the A5035. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00...Mark