Trip to Stafford / Rugeley 14-03-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
66	Stafford BS	Rugeley BS	828	Chaserider
496	Rugeley BS	Armitage, The Croft	63	Chaserider
34	Armitage, Opp Plum	Rugeley BS	63	Bus Link
191	Rugeley BS	Stafford BS	828	Chaserider
25	Stafford BS	Highfields, Bagot's Oak	9	Select Bus
10	Rising Brook, Park Avenue	Stafford, Cope Street	875	Select Bus

Today we decided to re-visit Stafford. We asked Matthew bwhere he wanted to go on the Friday night and he chose Stafford. Research for the trip consisted of just checking the weather, which was for mainly dry with some sunshine and a few showers in the late afternoon. Mathew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up just before 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. we got in the car Just before 12:00 and we set off through Blurton. We ran along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. We continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the A500. We turned right onto City Road and right onto the Southbound A500. We ran down to Hanford and we joined the A34. We ran through Trentham and Tittensor and to the West of Stone. We continued through Aston-by-Stone and Creswell and we ran into the North end of Stafford. We ran towards the town centre we passed preserved Devon General TTT 781 on Wedding duties. We turned right onto Chell Road and left onto Broad Street and we parked on the cap aprk by the former Wilko store. We had planned on eating in the market, but as we turned into Broad Street we noticed that the Market and adjacent shopping centre had been demolished! After we parked up we stopped at the toilet block on Broad Street and Matthew went to the toilet. After we continued along Broad Street and forwards onto Stafford Street. We turned left onto Gaolgate Street and we stopped at the former Wetherspooms pub. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. When we had finished eating we went outside and we said goodbye to mum. We continued up Gaolgate Street and we turned right into the bus station. Matthew decided to catch a bus towards the hospital. Whilst we waited we saw Chaserider 5016 on a #74 to Cannock.

Chaserider 5016 in Stafford bus station

We waited for a few minutes and our bus appeared. As it got closer, we saw it was Chaserider 66 on a #828 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 66 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Rugleley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. 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 66 before it continued towards Lichfield.

Chaserider 66 in Rugeley bus station

Once off the bus we saw Bus Link 73 whiched we considered catching towards Cannock.

Bus Link 73 in Rugeley bus station

As we queued up to get on the bus we saw another bus pull up behind it. Matthew decided he was doing this bus. As we got closer we saw it was Chaserider 496 on a #63 to Uttoxeter.

Chaserider 496 in Rugeley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Uttoxeter. As the bus was empty, Matthew got a picture of the inside of Chaserider 496before we sat down towards the back bus.

Inside Chaserider 496

We set off out of the bus station and onto the A460. We ran under the railway line and after about 1/2 mile we turned right onto Redbrook Lane. We continued onto Birch Lane and we turned left onto Coalpit Lane. We turned left onto the A460 and right onto Lodge Road. We turned left onto Lea Hall Lane and right onto Armitage Road. We crossed over the A51 and we ran forwards on to Rugeley Road. As we travelled East wards we realised if we went too far we would struggle to get back and woiuld not get many bus rides in so we decided to get off somewhere there was something to do. We passed a pub, so we decided to get up and get off at the next stop and walk back to the pub. Once off the bus, Matthew took another picture of Chaserider 496 before as it continued towards Uttoxeter.

Chaserider 496 in Armitage

As we came passed the pub we noticed there was a canal along side the road. SWe decided to head down a side street to get on the canal. We turned right onto Church Lane and a very friendly cat followed us along the lane. We followed the road to the right and we spotted some people at the side of the road and we asked how to get on the canal towpath. They directed us to the end of the lane and we followed a passageway through into a churchyard. We walked thrugh the churchyard and we climbed over a style and we crossed over the Trent and Mersey canal at bridge 60. We headed Westwards along the canal and we passed bridge 61. We passed the pub and we went through Armitage tunnel. We crossed under the A513. and we came up on the other side of the A513. We crossed over the road and we headed to the pub. When we got to the pub, we tried the door and it was locked!. We asked Matthew if he wanted to head back to Rugeley and got to a pub there and he agreed. We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus. The first bus due was Chaserider 66 on a #826 to Stafford. We decided to turn this down and wait for the following bus. This was report as being Bus Link 166 on the bustimes.org map. Whilst we waited Matthew shared a Galaxy Caramel with us. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Bus Link 34 on a #63 to Cannock.

Bus Link 34 in Armitage

We got on the bus and we booked to Rugeley before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A513 and we crossed over the A51 onto Armitage Road. We turned left onto Lea Hall Lane. We turned right onto Lodge Road and left onto the A460. We turned right onto Coalpit Lane and we turned right onto Birch Lane. We turned right onto Redbrook Lane and left onto the A460. We ran the last 1/2 mile into Rugeley and under the railway line. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed through the beer garden and into the rear of the pub on Upper Brook Street. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we headed to the bar, Matthew had a glass of Coke. We sat down at the table and we watched some of the Scotland - Ireland Six Nations rugby union game whilst we had our drinks. When we had finished our drinkd we headed out of the back of the pub to the bus station. We passed the old market hall which now appears to be a charity shop. We sat down and we waited for a bus to Stafford. Whilst we waited we saw Chaserider 52 on a #828A to Rugeley.

Chaserider 52 in Rugeley bus station

A couple of minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it turned the corner we saw it was Chaserider 191 on a #828 to Stafford.

Chaserider 191 in Rugeley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Stafford before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto the Westbound A460. We turned left onto Green Lane and we ran through a housing estate. We turned right onto Crabtree Way and right onto Springfields Road. We rejoined the A460 and we at the roundabout we joined the Westbound A51. We turned left onto Moan Road and we ran through Colwich. We crossed under the railway line and we ran into Little Haywood. We ran into Great Haywood and we turned left onto Mill Lane. We turned left onto Tixall Road and we ran into Tixall. We ran into the new housing estate and we turned right onto Hydrant Way. We arrived at a roundabout and we turned left onto the A518. We turned right and we ran through the hospital and back onto the A518. We turned right onto Bridge Street and we turned right onto South Walls. We turmned left onto Cope Srteet an left onto Eastgate Street. We continued onto Salter Street and we turned left onto North Walls and entered the bus station from the East. The bus stoppped in the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Chaserider 191 before it worked a #74 to Cannock.

Chaserider 191 in Stafford bus station

We decided to catch another bus as quick as possible. We turned and we saw a bus we could do. We saw it was Select Bus Services 25 on a #9 to Highfields.

Select Bus 25 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Highfields before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the roundabout. We turned left onto Chell Road and we stopped oppoite Sainsbury's. After a brief stop we continued to the rounabout and we ran onto the A5187 and we crossed over the river Sow. We stopped outside the railway station and we turned right onto the A518. We crossed over the railway line and we ran out of the town centre. We turned left onto West Way and we headed Southwards. We ran towards Rising Brook and we turned right onto Barnes Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Select Bus Services 25 as it continued back towards Stafford.

Select Bus 25 in Highfields

We decide to catch a different service bac. We walked back along Barnes Road and we turned right onto West Way. We followed the road around and we crossed over Rising Brook. We walked to the A449 and we turned left to head towards the bus stop. We saw Select Bus Services on a #875 to Cannock. At the bus stop we had a rummage in the trip bag and we found a very old looking fudge which Matthew ate. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Select Bus Services 10 on a #875 to Stafford.

Select Bus 10 in Rising Brook

We got on the bus and we booked to Stafford before we sat down towards the back of the bus. This Scania was a former Halton Transport bus and had "Halton Transport" sown into the leather seats. We set off up the A449 and we headed into town. We crossed over the railway line and we ran forwards onto Bridge Street and we turned right onto South Walls where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Select Bus Services 10 before it returned to the depot.

Select Bus 10 in Stafford

We turned left onto Cope Street an left onto Eastgate. As we walked us Eastgayte we spotted a few Select Bus Services vehicle on layover. We saw Select Bus Services 1 and 39 parked up. As we continued up Eastgate we were passed Chaserider 198 on a #828 to Stafford.

Chaserider 198 in Stafford

We continued onto Salter Street and we turned right onto Malt Mill Lnae and we crossed over North Walls and we headed into the car park. We met up with mum and we got in the car. Matthew had a McDonalds Apple Pie. We set off out of the car park and we ran onto the A34. We ran passed the bus station and we continued up the A34 and we ran out of town Northwards. We continued through Aston-by- Stone and we headed to the West of Stone. We stopped at the Walton roundabout and we parked up by the shops, Matthew and mum went to the shop and I went to the chip shop. Matthew bough a couple of small bottles of pop and a couple of chocolate bars. I returned to the car with the food and Matthew had his sausage chips and gravy. When I had finished eating we set off on B5026 and we turned left onto the A34. When Matthew finished his food he had a small bottle of Coke. We ran though Tittensor and Trentham and we continued up to Hanford. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A500. We ran up to Stoke and we turned right onto City Road. We turned right onto the A500 and we veered left onto Wheildon Road. We crossed over the canal and under the railway line. We stopped to drop off uncle Dave and we said goodbye. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. 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 and continued along Blurton Road. We stopped at Blurton Stores so that mum could pick up a parcel. Whilst we were stopped we saw Paul's of Soke Y29 POS heading towards Heron Cross. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton around 19:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched YouTube and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Hanley / Stafford 09-08-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67155	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
35689	Hanley BS	Stafford, Station Road	101	First Potteries
3771	Stafford, Station Road	Stafford, Castle Church	5A	Arriva Midlands
3311	Stafford, Castle Church	Stafford, Kingsway	5A	Arriva Midlands
35684	Stafford, Station Road	Hanley BS	101	First Potteries
67147	Hanley BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had his medication and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went out he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the Stafford. We went downstairs and we and we cut through onto City Road to wait a bus to Newcastle. At the Afford garage we saw Afford rent-a-car CK25 VLM parked up.

Afford rent-a-car CK25 VLM in Fenton

We waited for a bus to Hanley. A short time later we saw a bus turn around the corner. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67155 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67155 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we joined the A52 and ran under the railway line. After crossing over the A500 we ran into Stoke town centre along Church Street. We turned right onto Shelton Old Road. We ran forwards onto Stoke Road. We ran under the railway line and up through Shelton. We ran up Broad Street and we turned right onto the anti-clockwise ring road. We turned left onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street. We climbed the hill and up into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. We waited for a bus to Stafford. We waited for a short while and we saw First Potteries 63113 on a #4 to Newcastle. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35689 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 35689 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Trentham. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 35689.

Inside First Potteries 35689

We went upstairs and the top deck was empty too, so Matthew took another picture inside of First Potteries 35689 before we sat down.

Inside First Potteries 35689

We set off through the bus station. and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned right onto Shelton New Road. We ran down through Etruria an up into Hartshill before joining the A52. We ran into Newcastle down George Street. We joined the one way system and we turned left on the roundabout onto Barracks Road. As we got to the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we ran down through Trent Vale and into Hanford. We continued down through to Trentham and then we got onto the fast section of the A34. We ran through Tittensor to Darlaston and past the roundabout where the new KFC has been built. We continued down to the North end of Stone. We Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. After going around the one-way system and onto Stafford Road. We crossed over the A34 onto Eccleshall Road. We turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. We saw former Scottish Borders Council minibus LJ14 BVA. 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. We crossed the roundabout onto Tenterbanks and we turned right onto Victoria Road. We turned left onto Station Road and we got up and got off the bus. We continued to the railway station and and Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet. We waited for a bus to the Stafford Castle. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3771 on a #5 to Telford. We got on the bus and we booked to the Castle before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Station Road and at the end we turned left onto the A518. We got up and got off the bus. We crossed over A518 and we cut through to the Stafford Castle. We visited The visitors centre and Matthew needed to toilet. Once we let the bus go we walked up the A518 and the bus stop. A few minutes later we saw Arriva Midlands 3784 on a #5A to Telford. We saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was Arriva Midlands 3331 on a #5 to Stafford. We got on the bus and we booked to the Kingsway before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Northwards up the A518 and we approached the main junction we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked into the pub on the corner and Matthew went to the toilet and I went to the bar to order drinks. Mathew had a glass of Coke and we sat down in the main seating area. When we had finished we went outside and we crossed over the A518 and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road and we waited for a bus to Hanley. We waited for a bus back to Newcastle. A short time later we saw South Staffs Travel GB23 KBZ.

South Staffs Travel GB23 KBZ in Stafford

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35684 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35684 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we went upstairs we sat down. We set off along Station Road and at the end we turned left onto the A518. 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 Eastgate Street and we saw Chaserider 496 on a #841 to Hixon. 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 crossed the A34 onto Stafford Road. We turned left onto Crown Street and we stopped at the main stop in Stone. We ran North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the Northbound A34. We ran Morth through Meaford and Tittensor and up into Trentham. We continued North through Hanford and Trent Vale and we past the City General hospital before going into Newcastle. We turned right onto Barracks Road and into Newcastle bus station. After a brief stop we continued towards Hanley. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A52 and when we got to Hartshill we veered left onto Shelton New Road. We ran over the railway line and canal and we went up to Snow Hill. We turned left and ran up Broad Street. We turned right onto the ring road and left onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and we ran up to the bus station. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Matthew used the toilet. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67147 on a #23 to Newstead.

First Potteries 67147 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off through the bus station. and onto John Street. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and left onto Broad Street. We ran down the hill and over the ring road onto Snow Hill Before we turned left onto Copeland Street. We continued forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the road around onto Church Street. We crossed the A500 and we ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over city Road and we turned right Victoria Road and we continued onto Victoria Road and we stopped at McDonalds. Matthew went to the toilet and had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. We got an ABC Supreme taxi back to the residential unit. We set off up Victoria Road. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out in his room and use his computer and watch buses out of the window. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.