Trip to Newcastle / Stafford 21-02-2026

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6012	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
63354	Newcastle BS	Stafford, Chell Road	101	First Potteries
35941	Stafford, The Sun PH	Newcastle BS	101	First Potteries
63357	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries
63102	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
35687	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
63359	Hanley BS	Bentilee, Twigg Street	11B	First Potteries
63359	Bentilee, Twigg Street	Hanley BS	11B	First Potteries
63345	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6A	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 toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst in the room we went out on the bus to Newcastle. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop outside the flats. We stood at the bus stop and we waited for a bus towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was D&G Bus 6012 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G Bus 6012 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and into the centre of Hartshill. We turned left into the Avenue and left again onto Hilton Road before turning right into the City General Hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw Travel Express HF64 AJU. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus we waited for a bus towards Fenton. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63354 on a #101 to Stafford.

First Potteries 63354 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Stafford before we sat down. We set off out of 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 past the Darlaston Inn which new KFC and a petrol station. We continued down the A34 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 near to the site of the new Lidl. We continued onto Eccleshall Road and we turned left onto Tilling Drive and we ran onto the industrial estate. 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 got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus. As we waited to cross the road we saw Chaserider 527 on a #74 to Cannock. We set off along the path through to Mount Street and we continued onto Princes Street. We turned right onto Gaolgate Street and past the Market Square to the Guildhall shopping centre. After a quick stop at Cash Converters. We continued through the Market Square and forwards onto Greengate Street. We stopped at pub. For dinner Matthew had a buttermilk chicken and waffle washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had a slice of chantilly honeycomb cheesecake with ice cream. Once we had finished eating we set off onto Greengate Street and we passed old Hailfax bank. We crossed over the roundabout onto Bridge Street. We crossed over the Bridge Street and forwards onto Newport Road. We waited for the next bus towards Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw Chaserider 181 on a #74 to Cannock. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35947 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35947 in Stafford

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus.We set off onto the A34 and we tirned left onto South Walls. We followed the one way system on to Cope Street and left onto Eastgate Street. We ran forwards onto Salter Street and we turned left onto North Walls. We headed Northwards and we ran into the 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 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 North 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 we entered the bus station from the South end. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we waited for the next bus back Fenton. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63357 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63357 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout. We ran onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued along Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. 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 cut through to the residential unit. We went upstairs and to his room to chill out. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63102 on a #11 to Newcastle. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill and in the petrol station. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We continued up Castle walk and we past the former Poundland. We continued down Castle Walk and up onto Ironmarket past the old RBS bank which has now The Bank Space. We turned left onto High Street past the old Santander bank which is now a Specsavers. We visited a cash machine and we withdrew some money and we stopped at McDonalds. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a cup of Coke. Once we had finished we walked down High Street and we walked onto Hassell Street. We returned to the bus station and we waited for a bus to Hanley. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 35687 on a #25 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we went upstairs. When it was time to go the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A34. we ran South as far as the hospital where we turned left. As we travelled through the hospital. We came out of the hospital and turned left onto Hilton Road. We ran into Hartshill and we turned right onto the A52. We ran down the hill into Stoke town centre and along Church Street. After a brief stop we continued along the A52, over the A500 and under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we ran alongside the railway and onto Station Road. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto College Road. We ran up the hill through Shelton and we followed the road to the right onto Cleveland Road and Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road, continuing onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus at the stop outside the bus station. We went into the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Bentilee. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63359 on a #11B to Bentilee. We got on the bus and we booked to Bentilee before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights. we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive We got up and got off the bus. We walked Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive and we stopped at one of the house and Matthew had a glass of Coke. We continued along Dawlish Drive. We turned left onto Beverley Drive. We waited for a bus towards Hanley at the bus stop. A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 63359 on a #11B to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before sitting down towards the back of the bus We set off onto Beverley Drive. At the end we turned right onto Dividy Road and we ran down the hill to Bucknall. We turned left onto the A52. We ran to limekiln lights and we went across onto Bucknall New Road. We climbed the hill up to Hanley and we joined the clockwise ring road. We turned right onto Bethesda Street and we turned right onto John Street. Once in the bus station we got up and got off the bus. A few minutes later a bus appeared and it was First Potteries 63345 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road. and we ran up the hill into Fenton. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off on foot up Victoria Road and we went sharp right onto City Road. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and back to his room. Matthew used his computer and watched television in his room. He watched television and used his computer. later on he had a bath. For supper Matthew had some toast. Matthew went to bed around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Derby / Belper 02-08-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
806	Derby BS	Cromford, Cross Roads	TP	High Peak
527	Cromford, Cross Roads	Belper, bus garage	TP	High Peak
282	Belper,(stop B)	Ashbourne BS	113	High Peak
294	Ashbourne BS	Hartington, Square	442	High Peak
285	Hartington, Square	Ashbourne BS	442	High Peak

Today we decided to re-visit Derby. Matthew chose Derby on the Friday and we did no research for the trip other than to look at the weather, which was for dry weather with some sunshine. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and apple juice for breakfast. We got resy to go out and we set off just before 12:00. We had someone else coming with us today so we set off through Blurton and we turned right onto the A5035. We ran to Trentham and we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran into Hanford and under the A500 and we continued into Trent Vale. We ran into Newcastle and we turned right onto Barracks Road. We ran past the bus station and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We stopped in the small pull in by the shops and we picked up our friend. We then went to pick up uncle Dave. We turned around on Ryecroft and we ran around the one way system onto the A52. At the top of the hill in Hartshill we turned left onto Shelton New Road. We ran down the hill into the valley and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran through Stoke and we came off the A500 onto Wheildon Road. After we picked up uncle Dave we continued up Wheildon Road and onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran through Longton and Meir. We turned right to continued along the Blythe Bridge bypass. We went near to uttoxeter and we continued along the A50 for a few more miles. As we travlled Eastwards we saw an unidentified Hunters Coaches coach and a black double decker Van Hool coach with a gold and maroon Splash. We came off the A50 and we and we headed towards Hatton on the A511. We decided to go to the Salt Box truck stop but when we got there we found it had closed, had been demolished and they had started to build a new care home on the site! We turned left onto Malthouse Lane and we turned around. We turned right nto the A511 and we stopped at Rascals for dinner. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a bottle of Coke. He also used the toilet which was in a barn. When we had finished we headed back along the A511 and we re-joined the A50. We turned left onto the A516 and we headed North onto the A38. We ran North a few roundabout and we turned right onto the A52. We ran to the edge of Derby and we turned left onto the clockwise ring road. We ran arubd the ring road and we turned right onto Morledge. We ran under the car park and we a u-turn at the round about. We pulled in to the side the of the road and we got out of the car. We said goodbye to mum and our friend and we set off on foot along Morledge to the bus station We stood outside of the bus station and we took a few pictures. We saw Trent Barton 311 on a Ilkeston Flyer to Cotmanhay.

Trent Barton 311 in Derby bus station

Also seen was Arriva Midlands 4405 on a #38 to Burton-on-Trent.

Arriva Midlands 4405 in Derby bus station

Afterwards we saw Arriva Midlands 3745 on a #2A to Chellaston.

Arriva Midlands 3745 in Derby bus station

We walked through the bus station and out of the other end and we saw Kinchbus 149 on a Skylink to Leicester.

Kinchbus 149 in Derby bus station

We walked back into the bus station and we looked for something to catch. We saw Trent Barton 88 on a Red Arrow service to Nottingham. We stopped part way down the bus station and we decided to do a High Peak bus. We got to the stand and we saw it was High Peak 806 on a Trans Peak service to Buxton.

High Peak 806 in Derby bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Peak Network Day Tickets at £6 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the A601 and we crossed over the Derwnt and onto King Street. We joined the Northbound A6 and we ran for through Darley Abbey. We crossed over the A38 and we continued up the A6 into Duffield. We crossed over the railway line and we ran Northwards into Milford. We crossed back over the railway line and we ran into Belper. We puled into the Trent Barton bus station and we saw Trent Barton 836 on Layover. We continued the Cromford and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of High Peak 806 before it returned towards Buxton.

High Peak 806 in Cromford

Once off the bus we walked around the corner onto the B5036. We crossed over the road and we went to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we came out of the pub and we saw Stagecoach Yorkshire 80151 on a X17 to Wikrksworth.

Stagecoach Yorkshire 80151 in Cromford

We headed back to the main road to catch abus back Southwards. We crossed over the A6 and Matthew spotted a cake shop. We went in and it was about to close, so Matthew had a slice of chcocolate cake to take away. We paid for the cake and we headed to the bus stop. We got to the bus stop and Matthew started to eat his chocolate cake. We saw Caledonian Travel YJ25 CVE heading Southwards down the A6. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching before Matthew had finished eating his cake. As it got closer we saw it was High Peak 527 on a Trans Peak service to Derby. We got on the bus and we placed the Peak Network Day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along the A6 and we ran Southwards through Whatstandwell and Ambergate and we headed inti Belper. We turned into the bus garage and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of High Peak 527 before it contnued Southwards towards Derby.

High Peak 527 in Belper bus station

Also in the bus station were High Peak 282 on layover in between runs on the #113 and Trent Barton 836 parked up spare.

Trent Barton 836 in Belper bus station

The bus next bus we wanted to catch was due off the stop around the corner in just over 10 minutes. We had already seen the bus on layover in the bus garage. We went around the corner onto King Street and we saw the was an event going. It was Pride in Belper and part of King Street was closed. We were concerned that the bus might not be able to get to the stop. We walked to the corner of Campbell Street and we saw there was a way through for the bus. We walked back to the stop and Matthew had a Twirl out of the trip bag. Almost immediately the bus appeared. We saw it was High Peak 282 on a #113 to Ashbourne as expected.

High Peak 282 in Belper

We got on the bus and we flashed the Peak Network Day tickets to the driver. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside High Peak 282 before sitting down towards the back of the bus.

Inside High Peak 282

A few minutes later we set off along King Street and we turned right onto the Northbound A6. We veered left onto Bridge Foot and we crossed over the river Derwent. We ran forwards onto Belper Lane and we turned left onto Dalley Lane. We crossed over the A517 and we ran forwards onto Farnah Green Road. We continued onto Firestone and we ran forwards onto Sprimg Hollow. We turned right onto Hazelwood Hill and we ran forwards onto Over Lane. We turned left onto the A517 and we headed Westards into Cowers Lane. We continued into Turnditch and we ran for several miles into Hulland Ward. We ran through Hulland and Sturston and we ran into Ashbourne. We turned right into Park Avenue and we turmed left onto the A515. We turned right onto the A515 and right again to follow the A515 into the town centre. We turned left onto King Edward Street and we got to the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture before it returned on a #113 to Belper.

High Peak 282 in Ashbourne bus station

We had around 10 minutes to wait for the next bus we were going to catch. In the bus station was Trent Barton 702 which had broken down whilst working a Swift service to Uttoxeter. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru whilst we waited. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was High Peak 294 on a #442 to Buxton.

High Peak 294 in Ashbourne bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Peak Network Day tickets to the drive before sitting down towards the back of the bus. When it was departure time we set off along King Edwards Street and we turned right onto the Station Road. We turned right onto Church Street and we ran forwards onto the A515. We turned left to follow the A515 out of town and we headed Northwards. We continued through Fenny Bentley and we turned right onto The Avenue. We ran into Tissington and we turn left onto The Green and we continued onto Rakes Lane. We re-joined the Northbound A515 and we turned left onto Liffs Road. We turned right onto Drury Lane and we ran into Biggin village. We turned left onto Main Street and we turned right to re-join Liffs Road. We turned left onto High Cross and we continued onto Hall Bank. We ran into Hartington and when we got to the Square we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a other picture of High Peak 294 as it coninued on the #442 to Buxton.

High Peak 294 in Hartington

Once off the bus we headed across the square to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards he had a glass of Coke. When we had finished our drinks we went outside and we went up to the local shop, but the shop was closed. We headed back to the bus stop and Matthew had another Twirl from the trip bag. We waited for aruond 15 minutes and the bus appeared from West side of the village. As it got closer we saw it was High Peak 285 on a #442 to Ashbourne.

High Peak 285 in Hartington

We got on the bus and we placed the Peak Network Day tickets under the scanner for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Square and we ran forwards onto Hall Bank. We continued onto High Cross and we joined Liffs Road. We turned left onto Main Street and we ran into Biggin. After a brief stop turned right onto Drury Lane. We ran out of the village and we re-joined Liffs Road. We ran for a few miles and we turned right onto the A515. We turned left onto Rakes Lane and we ran into Tissington. We continued through The Green and we turned right onto The Avenue. We rejoined the Southbound A515 and we ran through Fenny Bentley. We ran to the edge of Ashbourne and we turned left onto B5035. We turned right onto Cokayne Avenue and left onto Park Road. We turned right onto Sturston Road and right onto Compton Street. We turned left onto Edward Street and we stopped at the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of High Peak 285 before it returned empty to the depot.

High Peak 285 in Ashbourne bus station

Once we had got off the bus we started heading towards where mum was stopping. We walked down Compton Street and we saw Trent Barton 702 on a Swift service to Derby.

Trent Barton 702 in Ashbourne

We got to the the A515 and we spotted mum coming down Derby Road. Mum pulled into the Taylor Court and we got into the car. We set off onto the A515 and we turned left onto Derby Road. We ran out of town and we stopped at a chip shop for a late tea. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When iI had finished eating we re-joined Derby Road and we turned right onto the A52. We ran through Hangingbridge and Mayfield and we turned right onto the B5032. We ran through Ellastone and we turned left onto the B5030. We ran near to Denstone and Rocester and we got to the A50 at Uttoxeter. We turned right and we headed West to the Blythe Bridge Bypass. We continued through Meir and Longton and at Sideway we joined the A500. At Hanford we joined the Northbound A34 and we ran through Trent Vale to Newcastle. We ran up Barracks Road and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We droipped off out friend and we headed towards uncle Dave's. We turned around on Ryecroft and we ran around the one way system onto the A52. At the top of the hill in Hartshill we turned left onto Shelton New Road. We ran down the hill into the valley and we joined the Southbound A500. We ran past the Travel Express garage and we ran through Stoke and we came off the A500 onto Wheildon Road. When we got to uncle Dave's Matthew got out to go to the toilet. He had some of uncle Rob's Fanta and we updates uncle Dave's calendar with today's trip. We got back in the car and we set off for Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road and right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Finstock Avenue and we saw black minibus HK74 ZGD parked up. We continued back to the house and we parked up. Matthew chilled out on his computer. Matthew had his medication and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke. Matthew settled down around 01:00... Mark