Trip to Leek / Keele 15-12-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65041	Endon, High School	Leek BS	18	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out on the bus later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go out he watched buses out of the window. In the morning Matthew out on the bus. We went downstairs and We got in the car and we drove onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and right onto Station Bridge Road. We followed the road around onto Heron Street and into Heron Cross. We went through the traffic lights and forwards onto Blurton Road. As we travelled through Blurton we passed First Potteries 65732 on a #22 to Longton. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street and right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home When we got home Matthew had toast and a small bottle of Coke. Later on we went to Endon. We got in a car and we set off onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Street and we continued onto Blurton Road. In Heron Cross we joined the Westbound A50. We ran up to Sideway and we joined the Northbound A500. We came off the A500 at Etruria and we went eastwards along the A53. We ran through Cobridge past the site of new Wrights Pie shop. We ran North through Badderley Green and into Stockton Brook where we saw Boydens YP64 HSC. We stopped at Endon. After visit my old workplace we walked to the bus stop. We waited for a bus to Leek. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was First Potteries 65041 on a #18 to Leek. We got on the bus and we booked to Leek before we sat down. We set off out of the bus station onto A53 and then we ran out into open countryside. We climbed the hill into Longsdon and we ran down Ladderedge into the Churnet Valley. We ran up the hill into the town centre and we turned right into Leonard Street. We turned into the bus station where we saw Stanton's of Stoke PSU 988. and we got up and got off the bus. Once we were in Leek we walked into the town centre to get something to eat. We walked through the arcade onto the A53 and we turned left onto the A523. We turned left at Derby Street and we went to the Coffee Bean Café. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we returned to the bus station. After picking up a present We returned to Keele by car. We set off onto the A520 and we headed South down to Cheddleton. We stopped in the layby and we had bacon & cheese oatcakes. Once we had finished eating we set off down the A520 and we ran through Wetley Rocks. At Cellerhead we turned right onto the A52 and ran through Werrington and down Ash Bank into Bucknall. We ran up Bucknall New Road into Hanley and we joined the clockwise ring road. We ran around to the end and we turned left onto Etruria Road. We turned left onto the A53 and we rn through Etruria over the A500. We ran through Basford and down towards Newcastle. On the edge of town we saw First Potteries trainer 66805 parked up. We ran around the one way system and over the roundabout onto Ryecroft past the site of a potential new development af Newcastle council win a £11m pounds grant. We joined the Southbound A34 and we turned right onto the A525. We ran up the road and we turned right into the estate. After dropping something off er returned to Blurton. We set off onto the A525 and we ran down into Newcastle. We joined the Southbound A34 and we turned left on to the A527. We saw First Potteries 37121 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 37121 in Newcastle bus station

We joined the A52 and we ran around the one way system and headed towards Hartshill. We veered left onto Shelton New Road and we joined the Southbound A500. WE ran through Stoke and we came off the A500 at Sideway. We headed Eastwards towards Heron Cross and we turned right onto Blurton Road. and we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive we saw First Potteries 67650 on a #22 to Longton. We got back to Blurton. When we got home Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke and chilled out on his computer until it was time to go to the residential unit. We set off onto Finstock Avenue and onto Beaconsfield Drive passing JMS Topgear Travel BW14 ZTK. We continued along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and left again onto Blurton Road. We went through the traffic lights onto Heron Steeet. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road. and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Masterson Street and we turned right onto Watkin Street. We continued onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went into the residential unit and upstairs. He chilled out on his computer and watched buses from the window. We saw First Potteries 37157.

First Potteries 37157 in Fenton

Also seen was Copeland's Tours MIB 116 on a #17 to Stoke.

Copeland's Tours MIB 116 in Fenton

For tea Matthew had bacon & cheese oatcakes. Later on we went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw Temple Street church RX18 GZW. We walked onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and onto Albert Square where we saw grey minibus BJ15 XSG parked up. We continued walking to the day centre. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group BL69 RFF parked up at the day centre. We went to the day centre and after spending some time baking. We made a cake and afterwards Matthew used the facilities. We returned to the residential uinit. We walked along Baker Street past the of the new housing development. We turned right onto Christchurch Street. We returned onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. When Matthew got back we went upstairs and went up to his room. 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.

Trip to Hanley / Longton 15-10-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65034	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	11	First Potteries
65001	Hanley BS	Fenton, adj Travers Court	11	First Potteries
67699	Fenton, Victoria Place	Longton TI	6A	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out on the bus and to uncle Dave's later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw First Potteries 63111 on a #11 to Newcastle. We went downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. We walked to the stop opposite the flats and we watched the digger across the road which had started work on the new sheltered housing complex. We waited for a bus towards Hanley. A short time later we saw First Potteries 65034 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65034 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley 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. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle where we saw D&G 115 on a #1 to Meir. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station and we ran onto Barracks Road. We turned right at Jubilee roundabout onto the A53 and we ran around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street and into Hartshill. We ran through the village and down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop in Church Street we continued into Fenton up the A52, over the A500 and under the railway line. We ran up City Road and we continued forwards onto King Street. We ran through Foley and we under the railway line into Longton town centre. We ran up Market Street and we turned left onto Anchor Road. We ran up the hill to the top and ran down to the roundabout in Adderley Green. At the roundabout at the East end of Bentilee we turned right onto Beverley Drive and then left onto Dawlish Drive. We ran to the end and we turned left 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 Road and right onto John Street and into the bus station. Once out of the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew ate his tea. It was sandwiches, a flapjack and washed down can of Fanta orange. We waited for a bus back towards Fenton. Matthew went to the toilet. First Potteries trainer 66805 was parked up and afterwards continued waiting for the bus. A short time later we saw First Potteries 65001 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65001 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 65001 before sitting down towards the back of the bus.

Inside First Potteries 65001

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 and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive wehre we saw JayJays Travel DT15 JFE. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. we caught up with Britannia Travel S10 KKE. Due to a road closure the bus was diverted in Longton. We turned left onto Sutherland Road and we continued onto Meir Hay Road. We turned left onto Uttoxeter Road and we turned right into Chadwick Street. We turned right onto Normacot Road and we crossed over the roundabout onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road. We went past KFC and we got up and got off. We walked down City Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out for a while and use his computer. Later on we went downstairs and we walked onto Temple Street. We crossed over Christchurch Street and we walked through the alley and we cut through onto City Road. We crossed over City Road and we walked up to the stop near to Philpots. A we waited for a bus towards Bentilee. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 67699 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge. We got on the bus and we booked to Longton Interchange before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off up City Road and forwards onto King street. When we got to Longton we turned right onto baths Road and we went into the interchange. Once we got off the bus. We set off along the path better Wrights Pies and Barclays bank onto The Strand. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 63111 on a #11 to Newcastle. When we had finished there we walked over to The Strand and we saw First Potteries 65034 on a #11 to Newcastle. We continued down to the Srand and we turned left by Hylands and past the shops and walked to the bus station. We went outside to book a taxi. The taxi appeared and it was an Autocabs taxi. We got in the taxi and we set off onto baths Road past the site of the new Costa Coffee. We turned right onto the Westbound A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we went through the lights onto Heron Street. We ran forwards onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We stopped at the end near to Temple Street. We got out of the taxi and we walked onto Temple Street and back into the residential unit. Matthew went back upstairs to the room and went on his computer. When it was time to go to uncle Dave's we set off onto Temple Street and at the end we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We went across the spare ground onto Willowdale Avenue and onto Whieldon Road and into uncle Dave's. Matthew had a can of Fanta orange. For tea Matthew had burger potatoes and carrots. Later on he had another slice of cheesecake and a few digestive biscuits and custard creams. Uncle Dave now has a biscuit tin. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. Uncle Dave also did his DJ set. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back home. We set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street past the new building under construction, which is now getting near to completion. We continued back to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. 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.

Trip to Leicester / Thurmaston 28-03-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2528	Leicester Haymarket BS	Thurmaston, Asda	6	Arriva Midlands
2938	Thurmaston, Asda	Leicester Haymarket BS	6	Arriva Midlands
28629	Leicester Haymarket BS	Oadby, Opp Waitrose	X7	Stagecoach Midlands
4502	Oadby, Opp Asda	Leicester Haymarket BS	X3	Arriva Midlands
63379	Leicester Haymarket BS	Beaumont Centre, (Stand G)	26	First Leicester
32646	Beaumont Centre, (Stand G)	Leicester Haymarket BS	26	First Leicester

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to Leicester. We hope that this bus was going to be First South Yorkshire 63379 which is currently on loan to Leicester. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church minibus RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room before going out. We saw First Potteries 67665 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67665 in Fenton

Also seen was First Potteries 67152 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67152 in Fenton

When it was time to go out We went downstairs and we got in the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We crossed City Road onto Manor Street and we ran to the end where we turned left onto Victoria Road to Joiners Square and we turned left onto Warrington Road. We turned left onto the A52. we ran towards Stoke. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one-way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and we got onto the Southbound A500. We ran Southwards to Sideway and we got onto the Eastbound A50. We ran Eastwards for around 40 miles and we got onto the Southbound M1. junction and we ran the final 8 miles or so into Leicester. On the edge of town we turned left onto Blackbird Road and right onto Ravensbridge Drive. We joined St Margaret's Way and we turned left onto Burleys Way. As we passed the bus station we saw Kinch Bus 649 on a #2 to Loughborough. We turned right onto Abbey Street and left into Gardens Street. We went into the Abbey Street car park and we found a space and parked up. Once we had parked we went down to the ground floor and onto Abbey Street. We turned right onto Belgrave Gate and we crossed over the road. We walked into the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Midlands 26225 on a #48 to Coventry. Once in the bus station we headed to the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. Mum queued up at the food counter by Holland Park Amusements and Matthew took a few bus pictures. We saw First Leicester 66841 on a #18 to Bruanstone. Once the food was ready we took it in to the bus station and sat down to eat it. Matthew had a bacon and sausage bap washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we looked for a bus to catch. We saw Arriva Midlands 2528 on a #6 to Thurmaston. We got on the bus and we brought Flexi multi-operator tickets at £5.20 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and we went under the flyover onto the A607. We ran Northwards along the golden mile which still had most of the lights still in place from Diwali. We ran Northwards for a couple of miles and we turned right onto Humberstone Lane. We turned left onto Silverdale Drive and we followed the road to the right. We turned right onto Church Hill Road and left onto Beacon Avenue. We turned left onto Sandiacre Drive and we followed the road around. We turned right onto Charnwood Avenue and left onto Highway Road. We turned left onto Barkby Thorpe Lane and we got up and got off the bus outside the Thurmaston shopping centre. Once off the bus Matthew expressed a wish to visit a toilet. There was a nearby Marks & Spencers foodhall so we visited there. After Matthew had been the toilet we brought some caterpillar sweets which had been reduced as they were for Halloween and a bottle of Coke. After we had paid for the good we returned to the bus stop on the opposite side of the road. The bus does a u-turn at the roundabout and afterwards stops on the opposite side of the road from where we got off. Whilst we waited for the next bus Matthew ate a few of the caterpillars. We saw a bus approaching and we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 2938 a #6 to Leicester Haymarket. We got on the bus and we placed the flexi tickets under the scanner. we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Barkby Thorpe Lane and we turned right onto Highway Road. We turned right onto Charnwood Avenue and we followed it around to the end. We turned left onto Sandiacre Drive and we headed Southwards. At the end of Sandiacre Drive we turned right onto Beacon Avenue. We turned right onto Church Hill Road and left onto Silverdale Drive. We followed the road Southwards and we turned right onto Humberstone Lane. We turned left onto the A607 and we headed Southwards through the Golden Mile. We crossed over the roundabout under the flyover and we ran down Belgrave Gate and into the bus station. Once we got off the bus we had a walk around and we looked to see what else we might catch. We saw First Leicester 66805 on a #38A to Thurnby Lodge. A few minutes later we saw required Stagecoach Midlands 28629 on a X7 to Market Harborough. We decided to do this bus so we got on the bus and we placed the Flexi day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned sharp right onto Charles Street and we headed South Eastwards. We joined the Southbound A594 and we went past the railway station on the the A6. AS we travelled down the A6 out of town for a further 2 1/2 miles and the bus stopped on the A6 opposite to Waitrose. We got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and we noticed a sign to say that Waitrose. We looked at the bus stop and the next X3 wasn't due for another 25 minutes. We decided to walk into Oadby to see if we could possibly catch another bus. As we walked away from the stop we saw Centrebus 315 on a #40 circular service. We walked down the B582 and we turned right onto The Parade. we turned right Wigston Road and Brabazon Road. We continued along The Parade through the festivities and we stopped at the Post Office. Matthew had a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. When we had paid foe everything we continued along the Parade until we reached the A6. Ww decided to wait for the X3 which was now due in a few minutes time we looked on the bustime.org live bus map and we could see a bus approaching. The bus appeared a few minutes and as expected it was Arriva Midlands 4502 on a X3 to Leicester St Margarets. We got on the bus and we placed Flexi multi-operator tickets under the scanner before we went upstairs. we set off Northwards up the A6. We ran through the leafy suburbs of Leicester and we ran past the railway station. We ran forwards onto Charles street We saw First Leicester 69303 on a #88 to Eyres Monsell. We stopped in the street outside the Haymarket Bus Station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked into the bus station and we met up with mum. We told her we were doing one more quick round trip. We spotted required First Leicester 63379 on a #26 to the Beaumont centre. We got on the bus and we placed the flexi tickets under the scanner. we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and we went under the flyover onto the A607. We turned left onto Abbey Park Road. We ran forwards on to Blackbird we turned right onto Parker Drive. We turned left onto Somerset Drive and we headed Westwards. We turned left onto Cheltenham Road and left onto Heacham Drive. After a long run through the estate we ran forwards onto Strasbourg Drive. We crossed the A563 and we ran forwards onto Orwell Drive. At the roundabout we turned right onto Rutherford Rood an we stopped at the Beaumont Centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked to the local pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave. Matthew expressed a wish to catch a #25 back to Leicester. Whilst we waited we saw First Leicester 66965 on a #74 to Leicester. As we waited we spotted First Leicester double decker 32646 on a #26 to Leicester. We decided to do the double decker so we legged it over to the other stop. We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi Day tickets to the driver for the final time today before going upstairs. The bus set off along Rutherford Road and we turned left onto Beaumont Way. At the roundabout we turned right onto Benion Road. We turned left onto Astill Lodge Road and we ran through the Beaumont estate. We re-joined Benion Road and we turned right onto Knights Road. We turned left onto Madeline Road and we ran past the back of the Walkers Crisps factory. We turned right onto Beaumont Leys Road and we ran Southwards. We turned left onto Belmont Boulevards and left onto Holderness Road. We ran forwards onto Border Drive and we turned left onto Red Hill Way. At the roundabout we turned right onto Halifax Road and we turned left onto Thurcaston Road. We crossed over the A6 and we continued along Thurcaston Road. We ran into Belgrave and we stopped at the lights. We turned right onto Loughborough Road and we headed Southward towards the Golden Mile. We turned right onto the A607 and we headed into the city centre. At the roundabout we went under the flyover and forwards onto Belgrave Gate. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we took few more pictures before we returned to the car. We saw First Leicester 35182 on a #54 to the Beaumont Centre. We crossed over Belgrave Gate and we crossed over Abbey Street. We went into the entrance of the car park and we paid for the parking. We got the lift up to the appropriate floor and we got in the car. Mum had brought sausage rolls and Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the bus station onto Garden Street and we turned right onto Abbey Street. We turned left onto Burley Way and we turned right onto St Margaret's Way. We turned left onto Ravensbridge Drive and we turned left onto Blackbird Road. We turned right onto the A50 and we ran out of the city. We crossed the A46 and we continued Northwards towards the motorway. We joined the Northbound M1 at junction 22 and we travelled up to junction 23A. We came off onto the Westbound A50 and we travelled back through. As we headed West. As we came through Meir. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned right onto Blurton Road. We ran through Heron Cross onto Heron Street and we followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left onto Christchurch street and left again onto Masterson Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. For a late tea Matthew had a chicken burger from KFC. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke. Matthew went up to his room and chilled out on his computer. 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.