Trip to Burslem / Newcastle 24-11-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67654	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Newcastle, Opp Cherry Tree PH	22	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. There had been an accident this morning on the A500 and it was affecting traffic all day. It was also Black Friday. He was also going to Grandma'a house, Blurton and to the pub later. Matthew got up and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room whilst waiting to go to the day centre. We saw First Potteries 65040 on #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65040 in Fenton

Matthew was going out. We also saw Shelton Care Group PE67 XEV. Matthew went to Burslem. Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and right onto Christchurch Street. We continued to the day centre. In the morning made chocolate cake. For dinner Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. In the afternoon Matthew went to Burslem. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. We turned sharp left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street and we ran anti-clockwise around the ring road. We came off onto Town Road and we ran into Birches Head and onto the Northbound A5272. We ran through Sneyd Green up to Smallthorne and we turned left onto Moorland Road. In Burslem we turned right onto Wedgwood Street. In Burslem we went to the pub. Matthew had a glass of Coke and then went to the toilet. After we had finished in the pub we returned to the car to go back to Fenton. We set off along Wedgwood Street and we turned left onto Moorland Road. At Smallthorne rounsabout we went right onto the A5272 up to Sneyd Green and we ran southwards to the edge of Hanley. We ran clockwise around the ring road and we turned left onto Lichfield Street. We ran down to Joiners square and we went right onto the A52. We ran into Stoke and we turned left onto City Road. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street I arrived at around 14:30 and beat Matthew back to the residential unit. Whilst we got ready to go to Blurton we saw City Cabs PE11 RWY.

City Cabs PE11 RWY in Fenton

We got Matthew's things ready to go to Blurton for the weekend. Once we were ready we went downstairs to go back to Blurton. We set off onto Christchurch Street and right onto Station Bridge Road. We continued onto Heron Street and through the traffic lights onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we saw Stanton's of Stoke KS05 BUS outside the OSSMA. We got back to the house around 15:00. When we got home Matthew had toast and a drink of orange Fanta. Today we were catching the 15:56 to Newcastle as we were going to the pub via Grandma's House. We set off around 15:45 on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. We waited for a bus... We waited a very long time. After 40 minutes we saw First Potteries 67654 going towards Longton. 30 minutes later we saw First Potteries 41493 on another #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 41493 in Blurton

After around and hour and 15 minutes First Potteries 67654 re-appeared on a #22 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67654 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle. and as we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the A5035 and ran over the railway line into Trentham. We turned right into New Inn Lane and and we turned right into Wilson Road. We turned left into Church Lane and we saw Hanford Manor SV09 ZYH & white minibus BU07 KGV. We joined the A34 and we saw Park's of Hamilton 290 WE on a Northbound #328 to Blackpool. We headed into Trent Vale and we turned right into Harpfields Road where we passed First Potteries 43876 on the final #22 to Longton. We turned left into the hospital and we saw ABC Supreme minibus HN16 XPS. We turned right onto the A34 and a couple of stops down the road we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we turned to see Stanton's of Stoke TSU 268 going towards Newcastle.

Stanton's of Stoke TSU 268 in Newcastle

We walked towards the crossing and we saw First Potteries 37146 on a #25 to Hanley. We crossed over the A34 and we continued up the hill to Grandma's house. At Grandma's Matthew had a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. We said goodbye to Grandma around 18:15. We set off onto Victoria Street and we saw white minibus YK08 PVA. We turned left onto the A34. We ran down into Trent Vale were we saw Alfa 87 going Northwards. We also saw First Potteries 37146 on a #101 to Hanley. We parked up at the pub and Matthew had a glass of Coke. Hightlights of the buses seen at the pub include ABC Supreme minibus MV60 RCX and First Potteries 43876 on the #22 to Newcastle. Once we had finished we sey off to Hanley to drop mum off for her nigh out. We set off onto the Southbound A34 and at the roundabout we turned left onto the Northbound A500. We ran North through to Shelton and we came off onto Shelton New Road we passed Shearings 644 going the other way. As we ran up towards Hanley we passed Shearings 644 going the other way. We ran up to snow hill and into Hanley. As we joined the ring road we saw Travel de Corcey national Express liveries coach FJ13 EAW on a #325 to Manchester. We ran around the ring road as far as the Fire Station and then we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we turned around by the theatre. We waited there for a few minutes until mum had made arrangements to met her frineds. Whilst there we saw First Potteries 32648 & 66962 running out of service and First Potteries 67648 on a #23! We set off down John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed the ring road onto Lower Bethesda Street following First Potteries 67632 on a #25 to Keele. We ran down through Shelton along Cauldon Road and we saw an unidentified Aston coach. We turned left onto Station Road and we saw an unidentified National Holidays coach. We continued along Station Road and right onto Glebe Street. We ran around the one-way system onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A500 and we went up into Fenton and we picked uncle Dave up. We ran up into Heron Cross an we turned right onto Blurton Road. We crossed over the A50 and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and and right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got back around 20:00. We did some of the Blog and we wrote a couple of e-mails. Around 10:30 we went to pick mum up from her night out. We ran through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and left onto Blurton Road. We turned left onto the A50 and we ran down to Sideway. We went North up the A500 to Shelton and w ran into Hanley Shelton New Road. We ran up snow hill an we turned right onto the ring road. We entered Hanley along Town Road and we stopped at the Indian restaurant to pick mum and her friends up. We set off around the one-way system and onto Old Hall Street. We turned onto the ring road. We turned left onto Bottleslow Street and we turned right onto Derby Street. We turned left onto Eastwards Street and we ran over the canal. We saw former First bus 33039 parked up in a school playground. After dropping one of mum's friends off we returned to Lichfield Street along Hampton Street. We crossed over the A52 and we ran up Victoria Road. We ran along the A50 link road and we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran up to Meir Park and we turned right onto Lysander Road. We turned left onto Falcon Road and we dropped someone else off. We then ran along Lysander road and onto Whitestone Road. We turned right onto Grindey Lane and then right onto Grange Road. We crossed over the A520 onto Gravelly Bank and we ran down to Lightwood Road. We turned left onto Belgrave Road and then left again onto the A5035. We ran through Dresden to Blurton and we got home around 23:30. We finished an e-mail and then we did some more Blog and we went to be around 01:30... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 28-01-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67159	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
67154	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
66303	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries
41493	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, Adj Stop A	99	First Potteries
140	Tunstall, Adj Stop B	Newcastle BS	94	D&G Bus
66306	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4	First Potteries
41501	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
41520	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	7A	First Potteries
65040	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	25	First Potteries

Today we decided to stay local as mum was feeling a little under the weather. We checked the for day and it for for dry and cloudy with rain shower moving in in the late afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We decided do catch the 12:21 departure towards Newcastle today. We set off on foot to the bus stop all the way onto Magdalen Road. A few minutes later our bus appeared and it was unusually a First Potteries E200 MMC which are branded for the #21/23. As it got closer we noticed that it looked a little different... It was in fact required new First Potteries 67159 which had only been in service for a couple of days!

First Potteries 67159 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we purchased a Smart Day tickets at £5.30 before we sat down and the bus set off onto the A5035 where we turned right. We passed Stanley Matthews Way and we crossed the railway line and we entered Trentham where we saw First Potteries 53122 on a #22 to Longton. W before turning right into New Inn Lane and we passed First Potteries 67154 on a #21 to the Trentham Hotel. As we approached the Man in Space we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 67159 before it continued on towards Newcastle.

First Potteries 67159 in Trentham

Having seen First Potteries 67154 on the #21 we knew it was going to be our bus forwards to Stoke. A quick check of the Buses I Have Travelled on page revealed the First Potteries 67154 was was of only 3 buses of the batch that we had been on before today. A short while later the bus returned off the A5035 and it was as expected dud First Potteries 67154 on a #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67154 before we sat town towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 67154

The bus set off up New Inn Lane and into Hanford passing First Potteries 67642 on the fianl #22 turn. We turned right into Wilson Road and then we turned left onto Church Lane. We lane down the hill and we joined the Northbound A34 where we saw Destination Courtesy Travel minibus MV58 MFA and white minibus R2 OGO. We crossed under the A500 into Trent Vale and we turned right into London Road by the black Lion passing First Potteries 67158 on the #21 to the Trentham Hotel. We ran the couple of miles into Stoke town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture First Potteries 67154 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Stoke

Once off the bus we walked along Campbell Place and around the corner into Church Street and into the Stoke Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we ordered breakfast. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. The surreal nature of the day continued as whilst we ate our dinner a large group came into the cafe. Amongst the group were non other than Jeremy Corbyn and Gareth Snell, the new Labour candidate for the Stoke Central seat. Such was the size of the party that a few were standing outside the cafe waiting for a seat. Once we had finished eating, we left the cafe and the people outside came in, eager to re-gain the seat. On the way to the Newcastle bus stop we bumped into uncle Rob. We let dud D&G Bus 113 go which was on 'The Orange ONE' in the hope of something better or required turning up on the #25 or #11. Going to other way towards Longton we saw First Potteries 32650 on a #11 to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was an early First Potteries Volvo B7RLE. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 66303.

First Potteries 66303 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat town towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We climbed the hill and we ran through Hartshill turning left onto The Avenue, WE turned onto Hilton Road and we turned right into the City General hospital. After passing through the ground we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle from the Southern end. We crossed the roundabout onto Barrack Road and we entered the bus station. As it was a through bus the bus didn't empty out so we got up and got off the bus. The area around the bus station was being re-paved and barriers up around these area, so there were part of the bus station that we couldn't get to like the bench at the Southern end. On Stubbs Street we saw D&G Bus 41 on layover, presumably in between #85 Crewe services.

D&G 41 in Newcastle bus station

The benches at the top end of the bus station were still accesible, so we decided to go up there whilst we decided what we were going to do next. On the way up there we saw D&G Bus 49 arrive into the bus station on a #17 to Wolstanton.

D&G 49 in Newcastle bus station

We didn't have a particularly good view from behind the lamp posts. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 37158 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 37158 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 41496 come into the bus station about to work a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 41496 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3696 on the #164 to Hanley.

Arriva Midlands 3696 in Newcastle bus station

We decided we would do the next Tunstall bound service and we had just missed dud D&G bus 137 on the #94 Congleton service. A few minutes later we saw another dart come into the bus station and it was dud First Potteries 41493 on the #99 to Bradeley.

First Potteries 41493 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver 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 A527, where we saw First Potteries 53207 on an inbound #97 service. We continued through May Bank & Wolstanton and to Porthill. We ran down the hill and we crossed the A500 and we ran into Longport. At Trubshaw Cross we turned left onto Brownhills Road and we climbed the hill into Tunstall town centre past the new building on the left. We went straight onto Tunstall High Street and at the top of the High Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of First Potteries 41493 before it carried on towards Bradeley.

First Potteries 41493 in Tunstall

Once off the bus bus we walked down the High Street to Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and I ordered him a can of Coke. They had ran out cheesecake. Once he had finished his drink we went out of the cafe and across the road to the bus stop opposite. Almost immediately a bus turned up and it was required D&G Solo 140 on a #94 to Newcastle.

D&G 140 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was nearly empty so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 140 before we sat town towards the back of the bus.

Inside D&G 140

Matthew was well behaved and didn't even try and beep the horn! We ran down the High Street past the new building on the right and forwards onto Brownills Road. We continued down the hill and at Trubshaw Cross we continued down through Middleport into Longport. We crossed over the A500 and we climbed up Porthill Bank. At the top we turned left and we ran through Wolstanton and May Bank. We ran into Newcastle and we crossed the Jubilee roundabout onto Barracks Street. We went into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. once in the bus station we had a look around to see what we might be able to catch. On Stubbs Street we saw D&G Bus 38 on layover, presumably in between #85 Crewe services.

D&G 38 in Newcastle bus station

We looked around to see what we could catch to Hanley next. There was an #4A in the bus station and a #4 just coming in. We went over to First Potteries 63179 which was on the 4 bus by the time Matthew had taken his picture it had pulled off. Almost Immediately First Potteries 66306 pulled in on the adjacent stand.

First Potteries 66306 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver 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 we passed an unidentified Paul S Winson coach. As we ran towards Hanley we passed a mixture of Scania's and Enviro300's on the #4/4A's. They were First Potteries 65728/65733/67633/67636. 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. The entire journey was made unpleasant by a group of 'adults' that were old enough to know better. As this is Matthew's Blog I won't discuss the details here any further. Once off the bus we went to the toilet and then headed up to the car park to take a few bus pictures. Just before we went into the car park we saw First Potteries 37159 on a #32 to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 37159 in Hanley bus station

We went into the car park and 'up the stairs mister' so we could get a few bus pictures. On layover were D&G Bus 171 and First Potteries 41500.

First Potteries 41500 in Hanley bus station

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries Volvo B7LRE 66851 on a #18 to Leek.

First Potteries 66851 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we were in the car park Matthew had a Milky Way. There are only four 02 reg Solo's left in service as far as I know. First Potteries 53123 was on a #5 to Abbey Hulton.

First Potteries 53123 in Hanley bus station

We had seen a First Potteries Dart on #7A to Biddulph, so we figured by the time we walked back and had been to the shop it would be nearly time for the next one. We walked past the Victoria Theatre and back into the bus station and we stopped at the shop. Matthew had a can of Coke and a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. After we had paid for the goods we walked down to the stand to wait for the bus. A couple of minutes later we saw dud First Potteries 41501 pull onto stand.

First Potteries 41501 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Bizarrely the last time that we did the bus to Biddulph it was also First Potteries 41501 back on Christmas Eve 2016! We set off out of the bus station and we ran down John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we crossed Broad street onto Marsh Street. We turned right onto Trinity Street and we stopped on Stafford Street to to pick up more passengers before we left town along Quadrant Road. We crossed over the ring road and we headed out of town towards Sneyd Green along Town Road. We continued to Smallthorne roundabouts and we continued forwards onto High Lane. At the end of High Lane we turned right onto the A527 and we ran down the hill through Fegg Hayes and up into Brindley Ford. We continued up towards Knyperlsey and we turned left onto Brown Lees Road. We ran through the estate and we crossed over the A527 and into the Biddulph estate. We went passed the barley Mow and we turned left onto St John's Road. At the end we re-joined the A527. We entered the town at Wharf Road and we stopped at the bus station. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41501 before it returned to Hanley.

First Potteries 41501 in Biddulph bus station

Once off the bus we went to the toilet. When we came out we saw required D&G Bus 45 about to work a #9 to Newcastle.

D&G 45 in Biddulph bus station

We decided not to do this, and to make up for the earlier disappointment of not having cheesecake, we decided to go and see if we could get a cake from Wrights Pies. We walked around the corner onto High Street and a few hundred yards South. Just as we got to the shop the staff were coming out as it was closing for the evening. We walked back to the stop and we saw D&G Bus 45 about to depart. Matthew turned it down again and we decided to wait at the stop for the next #7A. Whilst we waited Matthew had a Crunchie. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 41520.

First Potteries 41520 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was empty when we got on it so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41520 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 41520

The bus set off onto the High Street and we turned left onto Wells Street. We ran around the estate and we crossed over the A527 at Knypersley We ran along the normal route through Brown Lees and we rejoined the A527 by the industrial estate. We ran down through Brindley Ford and to Fegg Hayes. We ran up the hill to Chell and we turned left onto High Lane. We ran back through Smallthorne & Sneyd Green into Hanley. We got off the bus and on one of the adjacent stands was dud First Potteries 32649 which was about to work the next #32 service to Uttoxeter.

First Potteries 32649 in Hanley bus station

When we got back to the bus station we went to look for a bus to get us to Newcastle where we arranged to meet mum. At the bottom of the bus station we saw a #25 to Keele. Closer inspection revealed it was dud First Potteries 65040.

First Potteries 65040 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the last time today before we saw down towards the back of the bus. As we were leaving the bus station we saw National Express FJ11 RDU on the #540 service. Last time we rode on First Potteries 65040 back in October 2016, it was still carrying the Evening Sentinel advert. We ran down John Street onto Bethesda street and we crossed over the ring road. We ran down through Shelton along Cauldon Road and we turned left onto Station Road outside the railway station. We went forwards onto A52 and we followed the road around to the right and under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 ans we ran into Stoke centre along Church Street. We went out of the other side of Stoke and up Hartshill Road into Hartshill. We turned left into The Avenue and we ran down to Hilton Road and we turned right into the hospital. We ran through the hospital and we turned right onto the A34. We ran up to Newcastle and forwards onto Barracks Road at the roundabout. We came into the bus station from the South and we got up and got off the bus. It was now fully dark. On the way out of the bus station we saw D&G 115 on a #74 to Park Site.

D&G 115 in Newcastle bus station

We walked across Barracks Road and we met up with mum in the car park. Mum was waiting with Wrights sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off down barracks Road and onto the A34. We went past the hospital into Trent Vale and we stop at the chip shop to pick up some chips to share between us. Once we had finished we continued South to the A500 and then we went North up the A500 to Sideway. We went East on the A50 and we came off at Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the first row was Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Also in the first row was Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the first row was one of Z Carz new arrivals, Vauxhall minibus DG10 VMJ.

Z Carz DG10 VMJ in Longton

In the second row was Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked in the compound tonight. In the compound we saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

We got back onto the A50 and we ran fast to Heron Cross before going onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and right onto Church Road before we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 18:30. for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a millionaire's shortbread. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until 00:00... Mark

Trip to Newcastle / Biddulph 09-04-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67631	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	22	First Potteries
41540	Trentham, adj Man-in-Space	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop R	21	First Potteries
41493	Stoke-upon-Trent, adj stop Q	Newcastle BS	2	First Potteries
37160	Newcastle BS	Tunstall, adj stop A	99	First Potteries
67603	Tunstall, adj stop B	Newcastle BS	99	First Potteries
32055	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
53830	Hanley BS	Biddulph BS	7A	First Potteries
158	Biddulph BS	Hanley BS	Nines	D&G
63172	Hanley BS	Longton Interchange	6	First Potteries
67631	Longton Interchange	Blurton, opp Ladybank Grove	22	First Potteries

Today we decided to go local... Mum wasn't feeling very well so we decided to do a standard local trip going to Stoke for dinner and Tunstall for a cake. We would go up to Newcastle and later see where we would end up. We checked the weather for today and it was for sunshine with a few showers. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had poached egg on toast washed down with orange juice. We didn't check the buses on the #22 before we set off today, we just went to the bus stop around 11:45, all the way over on Magdalen Road. The bus came around the corner and we could see it was one of the newer batch of Enviro300's a 3 in 11 chance of it being a required one. As it got closer we saw that it was dud First Potteries 67631.

First Potteries 67631 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked a Smart Day ticket at £5.30 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto the A5035 and we headed towards Trentham. The bus was empty in front of us so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 67631.

Inside First Potteries 67631

We crossed the railway line into Trentham and we turned right into New Inn Lane. A couple of stops later we got up and got off the bus, passing dud First Potteries 41540 on the #21 to the the Trentham Hotel. We knew that this would be the next bus back. A check of the timetable revealed that it was due to return in 13 minutes. Since the recent timetable change the frequency of the #21/21A had gone from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes. Just before we saw out bus come up the road we saw dud First Potteries 67602 on the #22 to Longton.

First Potteries 67602 in Trentham

Matthew turned around and got a picture of dud First Potteries 41540 on the #21 to Hanley.

First Potteries 41540 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41540.

Inside First Potteries 41540

We sat down at towards the back of the bus and the bus set off up New Inn Lane, We turned into Wilson Road and left into Church Lane. At the bottom of Church Lane we joined the Northbound A34 and we went under the A500 and into Trent Vale. A few hundred yards up the road we turned right onto London Road. We traveled the couple of miles along London Road through the West End and Pats city Cabs, where we saw black minibus SJ54 MWY. We went into Campbell Place and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 41540 before it carried on to Hnaley.

First Potteries 41540 in Stoke

As we walked along Campbell Place towards Church Street we saw First Potteries 53828 on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. We turned the corner into Church Street and we went into the Stoke cafe for dinner. Matthew used the toilet and we ordered him a small breakfast which he washed down with a glass of Coke. Whilst we saw and ate we saw the the #25 service was all single deckers today. After we had finished eating we walked along Church Street to the Newcastle bus stop. We turned down the single decker that was at the bus stop on the #25 and we waited for the #2 which was behind it. We saw that it was a Caetano bodied Dart. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 41493.

First Potteries 41493 in Stoke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We climbed the hill into Hartshill after running through past Noah's Ark we appears to be being refurbished, we ran down into Newcastle. At the roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road before we turned into Newcastle bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 41493.

Inside First Potteries 41493

We got off the bus and we sat down on the bench at the bottom of the bus station whilst we decided what bus to do next. We didn't have to wait long before a couple of double deckers appeared. First we saw dud First Potteries 32077 on a #98 to Ball Green.

First Potteries 32077 in Newcastle bus station

This was followed be required First Potteries 37160 on a #99 to Bradeley.

First Potteries 37160 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to go on required First Potteries 37160 as it was going towards Tunstall... Perfect for going to get a slice of cheesecake from the Tunstall Cafe. We walked up to the the top off the bus station to go and get the double decker. On the way we stopped to get a picture of First Potteries 53064, which was on the #97 to the Wolstanton Retail Park.

First Potteries 53064 in Newcastle bus station

We walked to the top end of the bus station and First Potteries 37160 was already loading up. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 37160.

Inside First Potteries 37160

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto barrack Road. We crossed the roundabout and onto the A527 past the Bramptons. We ran through Wolstanton and we turned right onto Porthill Bank. As we traveled along we passed First Potteries double deckers 32079 and 32056 coming the other way on Newcastle bound services. We crossed the A500 and and we went into Longport. At Trubshaw cross we turned left and we climbed the hill up Brownhills Road. At the top of the hill we went onto the High Street passing First Potteries 37157 on a #99 to Newcastle. At the top of the high Street we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 37160 before it carried on towards Chell Heath.

First Potteries 37160 in Tunstall

Once off the bus we headed into the Tunstall Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet with uncle Dave and I ordered a slice of Cheesecake which he washed down with a glass of a Coke. Once he had finished we left the cafe and we crossed the road. At the bus stop was dud First Potteries 66304 which we decided to turn down.

First Potteries 66304 in Tunstall

Whilst we waited for the next #99 we saw First Potteries 66302 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 66302 in Tunstall

A few minutes later an early Enviro300 turned the corner which we knew was dud, as we had our last required early Enviro300 last Saturday... As it got closer we saw that it was First Potteries 67603.

First Potteries 67603 in Tunstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of bus. The bus set off down the High Street and forwards onto Brownhills Road. At Trubshaw Cross we went forwards toward Longport and stopped at the first stop. The door wouldn't open and the driver ended up shutting off the bus. For a short while, worryingly the bus wouldn't restart for a short while. The driver eventually got the bus re-started and the door open. The bus carried on across the A500 and up Porthill Road. We turned left and ran through Wolstanton, and we came into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout onto Barracks Road and we went into the bus station. We got off the bus and we headed down to the bottom of the bus station. We considered doing required First Potteries 67633 on a #25, but we decided against it. We went down to the bottom of the bus station whilst we decided what to do next. We then saw First Potteries 32053 on a #99 to Chell Heath.

First Potteries 32053 in Newcastle bus station

A few minute later we saw D&G Bus Dart 184 on a #74 to Audley.

D&G 184 in Newcastle bus station

We also saw D&G Bus 134 on a #73 to Park Site.

D&G 134 in Newcastle bus station

A few minutes later we saw a double decker approaching... It was dud First Potteries 32055 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 32055 in Newcastle bus station

We decided to do this bus as it was going to Hanley. We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty at the back, so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 32055.

Inside First Potteries 32055

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We crossed the roundabout onto the A53 and we ran up and over into Etruria. We crossed the A500 and and we headed up to Festival Park. We left the A53 onto Forge Lane passing the site of the new pub being contructed. We came back towards the A53 along Festival Way. We crossed under the A53 and we ran up Etruria Road and into Hanley. We continued onto trinity Street before turning right into Stafford Street. Past the town hall and Radio Stoke. We entered the bus station off Bagnall Street. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet before we headed over to John Street car park to take a few bus pictures. One of the first buses we saw was required D&G 119 on the #9 to Biddulph.

D&G 119 in Hanley bus station

We also saw D&G Bus 145 on a #16 to Leek.

D&G 145 in Hanley bus station

Matthew shared a Cadbury's Snack Bar with me and uncle Dave and had a bottle of Cherryade. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 63099 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 63099 in Hanley bus station

Whilst we were in the car park we were approached by security. The guy asked what we were up to and I told him we were taking bus pictures. He wanted to make sure we were drinking and causing trouble. He through Matthew was smoking when he was eating chocolate! We then saw required Arriva Midlands 3697 come in on the #164 from Market Drayton and then went on layover.

Arriva Midlands 3697 in Hanley bus station

We decided to go back to the bus station to possibly do the Arriva Midlands Versa. On the way we stopped to to get a picture of First Potteries 42554 which was on layover.

First Potteries 42554 in Hanley bus station

We went back over to the bus station and we stood by stand C to wait for the bus. Just before it came Matthew decided he wanted to do a different bus. We went right down to the bottom of the bus station before settling on the Biddulph bus stop. A few minutes later dud First Potteries 53830 appeared on a #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 53830 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day tickets to the river. We were first on the bus so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 53830.

Inside First Potteries 53830

We set off out of the bus station and down John Street onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over Broad Street onto Marsh Street and we turned right onto Tontime Street before turning left onto Stafford Street. We loaded up with a few more passengers and we went under the Intu Potteries bridge up Quadrant Road before crossing the ring road and heading out of Hanley through Townsend. We traveled through Sneyd Green and over Smallthorne roundabouts onto high Lane. At the end of High lane we turned right onto the A527. We ran down past Fegg Hayes and we climbed the hill through Brindley Ford. We turned left near to the Bakers Coaches garage and we went through Brown Lees. At Knypersley we crossed over the A527 and we went thtough the housing estate, passing the Barley Mow pub. We come into Biddulph town centre along Princess Street and Well Street and we turn right into High Street. To get to the bus station we turned left onto South View and right onto Wharf Road and we got off the bus. After using the toilet in the bus station, we went to the cash machine and we saw Deans RK11 ZKM parked on the High Street.

Deans RK11 ZKM in Biddulph bus station

We wanted to get something to eat so we turned down the next bus back to Hanley which was D&G Buses 160 on the #9 service.

D&G 160 in Biddulph bus station

We walked up to Wright's Pies and we brought a Manchester Tart and a small bottle of pop. On the way up we had seen a chip chip shop so we went to investigate. It wasn't open for another 15 minutes, so we walked further down the high Street to the Biddulph Kebab & Pizza shop where we brought some fries. We walked back to the bus station and we ate the fries in the bus station shelter. after we had finished eating we saw required D&G Bus 158 on the #9 to Hanley.

D&G 158 in Biddulph bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Smart Day ticket to the driver. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside D&G Bus 158.

Inside D&G 158

We set of out of town and around the housing estate we followed the road around and we crossed over the A527 into Brown Lees. We rejoined 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 ran through Snallthorne and along High Lane and into Hanley. When we got to hanley we deiced to go towards Longton so we waited outside for a #6 service. A few minutes later saw First Potteries 63172 on the #6.

First Potteries 63172 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we left Hanley down Lichfield street, following an unidentified Wilfreda Beehive coach down Lichfield Stre and onto Victoria Road. We climbed the hill up through fenton and onto City Road and King Street. In Longton we went under the railway line and we turned right onto Baths Road and into Longton Interchange. We got of the bus and we had a quick walk around. we saw First Potteries 63175 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63175 in Longton Interchange

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67631 on the #22.

First Potteries 67631 in Longton Interchange

We got on the bus, and we flashed the Smart day ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus set off out of the Interchange and onto Baths Road. We crossed the A50 onto Folet Road and at the end we turned right onto Longton Hall Road. At thr bottom by the BP garage we turned left onto Blurton Road. At Critclow's Corner we went onto Church Road and under the railway bridge before we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. At the far end of the drive we got up and got off the bus. When then walked all the way home. Once home we got in the car so that we could drive past Z carz. We ran up to Longton and we saw Z Carz S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We also saw Z Carz green Ford minibus T418 WYJ.

Z Carz T418 WYJ in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound and we saw Z Carz HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

We headed back onto the A50 and we ran back to heron Cross. We then ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 18:30. For a late tea Matthew had bangers & mash with carrots followed by the Manchester Tart that we brought earlier. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark