Trip to Blackbrook Zoo / Newcastle 27-08-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
111	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1A	D&G Bus
63174	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	4A	First Potteries
32630	Hanley BS	Keele, Sneyd Arms PH	25	First Potteries
32630	Keele, Sneyd Arms PH	Newcastle, Queen Elizabeth Park	25	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to out for tea later and going to the disco. 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 RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Also seen was Afford rent-a-car KV19 NUC going towards Stoke.

Afford rent-a-car KV19 NUC in Fenton

Another vehicle seen was D&G Bus 112 on a #1A to Wood Lane.

D&G Bus 112 in Fenton

When it was time to go out we went downstairs and onto Temple Street. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and across City Road. After we had crossed over we walked onto Manor Street. At the end of Manor Street We set off of foot onto Glebedale Road and we turned left onto City Road. After crossing over the road we turned right into Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road. We went to cineworld in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off Victoria Road. We ran down the hill through Fenton and at joiners Square we turned right onto the A52. We continued to Bucknall and we ran forwards onto the A5009 and we went under the railway line into Abbey Hulton. We continued through Milton and we joined the Northbound A53. We continued North Through Endon. We then ran through Longsdon and Ladderedge and we entered Leek town centre. turned right onto the A523. As we passed the end it the bus station We continued out of the town through Bradnop and Bottomhouse. We turned right onto Ellastone Road and we stopped at Peak Wildlife Park. Matthew went to the cafe. Matthew For tea Matthew had members pizza followed of rainbow nation cookie and a can of Coke. When we had finished we returned to Fenton in a Lucky Seven taxi. We set off onto A523 and we ran through Bottomhouse and Lowe Hill. We continued into Leek. We turned left onto the A53. We ran down the hill towards the bottom of town and we passed the site of the new McDonalds. We ran down the hill out of town and own into the Churnet Valley before running up the hill through Ladderedge. We ran down the other side into Longsdon and we ran through open countryside for a mile or 2 before going into Endon. We ran down through Stockton Brook into Badderley Green. We continued South to Sneyd Green and onto the A53 to Cobridge past the site of a new Wrights Pies. At the lights we turned left onto Waterloo Road. We ran down to the ring Road and then we ran around Hanley before going onto Lichfield Street. We ran down to Joiners Square and we continued onto Victoria Road. We ran up to the top and we turned sharp right onto City Road. We ran down to Smithpool Road and we turned left. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and chilled out in his room to chill out and use the computer. Matthew also watched buses out of the window. We saw Travel Express SM65 DMY going towards Stoke. Matthew went out tea on the bus. We went downstairs and we walked onto City Road. A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 111 on a #1A to Wood Lane. 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. hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw ERS Medical FJ22 FUT. 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. Matthew took a picture of D&G Bus 111 before it continued towards Wood Lane.

D&G Bus 111 in Newcastle bus station

We set off onto Hassell Street and we turned right onto High Street and we past old Edinburgh Woollen Mill which moved to the new food outlets. 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. We walked onto Hassell Street. We returned to the bus station and we waited for a bus to Hanley. A short time later we saw First Potteries 63174 on a #4A to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down near to the back of the bus. We 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 over the A500. 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 up the hill into Hanley and we ran forwards onto Trinity Street. We turned right onto Stafford Street and after a short wait we continued past the town hall onto Bagnall Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet. We waited for a bus to Keele. A short time later we saw First Potteries 32630 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 32630 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Keele before We went upstairs we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station onto john Street and left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down through Shelton along Regent Road and College Road we saw Autocabs NK16 DTF. We passed the railway station and we continued forwards onto the A52. We followed the road to the right under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 we entering 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. 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 onto Barracks Road we turned right onto Ryecroft. We veered left onto Merrial Street and after a brief stop we ran forwards onto Church Street. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto the A525. We turned right into Orme Road and we saw St Giles And St George's academy MF68 AFJ. We continued along Orme Road before we re-joined the Westbound A525. We climbed the steep hill up to Keele and we turned left into the campus. We turned left onto University Drive we did a u-turn and headed into the campus. At the main roundabout we turned left and we ran around the shops and student union bar. We ran through the campus past the back of the library and out the other side into the village. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we decided to go back to Newcastle on the double decker. We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke we sitting down. We set off through the campus We turned right onto University Drive and we ran up to the entrance of the campus before turning right onto the A525. We ran down the hill and we crossed over the roundabout. We went past the scrapyards which is going to be the site of some new houses. We turned left onto Orme Road. We ran through the estate and to the end of the road. We turned left onto the A525 and we got up and got off the bus. Once we got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked back to the residential unit. We set off along the A525 and we turned left onto Stanier Street. When we got into the building Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards Matthew went outside and went on the slide. When we had finished we said goodbye and we returned to Fenton in a taxi. We set off onto Stanier Street and we turned left onto Pool Side. We turned left onto Dunkirk. When it was time to go home we returned to Fenton in a Lucky Seven taxi. We walked out of the entrance and we got in the taxi we set off along Dunkirk and we turned right onto Knutton Lane. We around the roundabout and back onto the Ryecroft and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A52 and we ran into Hartshill. We veered left onto Shelton New Road and we stopped briefly near to the old Gilberts furniture shop. We continued down Shelton New Road through the traffic lights and we turned right to join the Southbound A500. We stayed on the high level road and we came off the A500 at City Road. We ran under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and Matthew went to 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 Blackbrook Zoo / Leek 07-04-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DY08 FFX	Fenton	Blackbrook Zoo	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Blackbrook Zoo	Leek	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Leek	Endon	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Endon	Bagnall	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DY08 FFX	Bagnall	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. H e was also going out to the zoo and around the Staffordshire Moorlands. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw First Potteries 67152 on the #23 to Newstead. At 09:00 we went to Blackbrook Zoo. Transport for the journey it was Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Baker Street and left into Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. At the roundabout we turned sharp left onto Victoria Road and down the hill to Joiners Square. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A52 and we ran up to Bucknall. At the lights we continued onto the A5009 and we ran through Abbey Hulton and Milton to Stockon Brook. We joined the Northbound A53 and we ran through Endon and and Longsdon. We continued through Ladderedge and up the hill into Leek town Centre where we saw Robin Hood SO15 TWU. In the centre of Leek we turned left onto Stockwell Street. We realised we were going in the wrong direction, so we turned left into St Edward Street. We turned left onto the A53 and at the end we turned right onto the A523. As we passed the end if the bus station we saw Aimee’s YK07 BFX on a #165 to Leek. We continued out of the town through Bradnop and Bottomhouse. We turned right onto Ellastone Road and we stopped at Peak Wildlife Park.

Birds

The wildlife park was closed, so we decided to go soemwhere else. We returned onto A523 and we ran through Bottomhouse and Lowe Hill. We continued into Leek and in the centre we ran forwards onto Stockwell Street. We veered left onto Church Street and we turned left onto Salisburys Street. We turned left onto High Street and left onto St Edward Street. We turned right onto Sheep Market and onto Stanley Street where we stopped for dinner. Matthew had a glass of Coke whilst we waited. The food arrived and Matthew had a Burger on an Artisan Brioche bun, with Chipotle Mayo and skin on Fries. For dessert Matthew had Cheesecake and ice cream. We walked Stanley Street onto Market Street and Derby Street. We returned along Stanley Street and Derby Street and back onto High Street. We returned to Bagnall in Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We got on the bus and we sat down. We ran up the track to the Sneyd Street and we turned right onto the A53 and we headed South. We ran through Leek town centre and out the other side along the A53. We travelled South up the hill through Ladderedge and down into Longsdon and Endon. We continued as far as Stockton Brook where we turned left onto Stanley Road. We turned right onto Clewlows Bank and left onto Springs Bank. We turned left omnto Old Mill Lane and we stopped at a farm. We got off the bus and we had a look around. We went to the stables and we saw the horses.

Horses

Also at the farm were some chickens.

Birds

There were also a few dogs.

Dog

Matthew went to the toilet. When we finished at the farm Matthew continued his journey of Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We ran down Old Mill Lane and we turned left onto Springs Bank. We continued onto Thornyedge Road and we stopped at Jacksons Nurseries. We visited the Tea Room & Farm Shop. Matthew had a glass of Coke and then used the toilet. When we had finished we continued our journey on Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX. We turned left onto Thornyedge Road and we continued onto Armshead Road. We joined the Eastbound A52 and we ran into Cellarhead. At the crossroads we turned right onto A520 and we ran into WEston Coyney. SAt the traffic light we turned right onto the A5272. By the gas tower we turned left onto Anchor Road. We ran down towards Longton and we turned right into Heathcote Street. We turned left Longley Road and we crossed over Ashwood onto Clarence Road. We turned right onto King Street. We ran through Fenton, running forwards onto City Road. We turned left onto Glebedale Road and we ran along Baker Street onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Christchurch Street and right onto Masterson Street. We turned right onto Watkin Street and onto Temple Street to go back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer. We saw Lucky Seven PO11 CCG going towards Hanley.

Lucky Seven PO11 CCG in Fenton

Also seen out of the window was Afford Rent-A-Car minibus PO17 ZXK outside there garage.

Afford Rent-A-Car PO17 ZXK in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 65027 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65027 in Fenton

For tea Matthew had sausage, egg and beans followed by a slice of bakewell tart. Later on Matthew went to his room to chill out. Hr watched television and used his computer. Matthew had a bath and had some toast for supper. He chilled out until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Blackbrook Zoo 11-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJY	Turnhurst Road	Blackbrook Zoo	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJY	Blackbrook Zoo	Turnhurst Road	Charter	Aiming High

Today we had a trip to Blackbrook zoo arranged for Matthew. he got up at 07:30 which during the college holidays is amost unheard of. He had is breakfast of toast and juice and mum and Matthew left at 08:30. They went onto the A5035 and turned into Stanley Matthews Way past the Hem Heath pub. At the other end they joined the Westbound A50 and then onto the Northbound A500. Tey drove up to The A527 Tunstall by-pass and then across to the top of High Lane before turning towards Packmoor. Mum dropped Matthew off at the place and Matthew went to the computer room. When everyone was ready to go we went out to the minibus which was Aiming High FJ10 BJY.

Aiming High FJ10 BJY in Packmoor

we got on and sat down we set off towards The A527 and we went South down High Lane to Smallthorne. we passed bakerbus 186 as we went down ford Green Road and First Potteries 40025 on the 8B. They carried on through Norton Green and brown edge and they met up with the A53 at Endon. They carried on to Leek. we saw Clowes coaches L809 CJF as they passed though Leek. They then headed down the A523 to Winkhill. On the way we passed Clowes Coaches N880 AVV on the #108 to Macclesfield. At winkhill they tuned into the side road to Blackbrook Zoo. When we got to the Zoo Matthew went to the toilet. we walked around the zoo and we looked at the Storks.

Stork

we carried on around and then we stopped at the Meerkat enclosure where Matthew took another picture.

A Meerkat

we then stopped to have there packed lunch. in Matthews case this was chicken sandwiches with a carton of orange juice and a wagon Wheel too. They carried on to the Humboldt Penguin enclosure. The Penguins were fed whilst they were there. here come the Penguins to get there food.

Penguins

After we had been fed Matthew took a picture of one of them having a swim.

A Penguin swimming

we then moved on to the big bird enclosure where they saw ostriches and rheas.

A Rhea

Just after 12:00 we were ready to leave so we said goodbye to the animals and climbed aboard FJ10 BJY to come back. we headed back on to The A523 and then towards Leek. On the way we saw Clowes Coaches M127 YCM on a 235 service to Cheadle. we go to leek and then did the A53 to Endon. On the way we passed First Potteries 40378 and 42727. At Endon they turned towards brown edge and then through Norton Green and to Smallthorne. At the bottom of Smallthorne we turned towards Bradeley and Chell Heath past Heathfield. we turned up towards high lane and then Turnhurst. At the roundabout we headed towards the school. Mum was waiting for them when we arrived before getting in the car Matthew jumped into a taxi to have a look inside. They went to Hanley via High Lane. We saw Wardle transport 2409 on the #500 to Blurton. In Hanley we tried to find a parking space by the Potteries shopping Centre, but as we couldn't they headed home along Victoria Road. On Victoria Road we stopped at wrights pies for a sausage roll, a Manchester tart and a chocolate cake. we carried on along the A50 and to heron cross. on the way how we passed First Potteries 41521 on a #23 service. we got home around 13:45. He chilled out on his computer in the afternoon before having some cheesecake for an afternoon snack. For tea we had bangers and mash followed by more cheesecake. He then chilled out before bedtime around 00:20...Mark

Trip to Blackbrook Zoo 27-03-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FJ10 BJX	John St, Hanley	Blackbrook Zoo	Charter	Aiming High
FJ10 BJX	Blackbrook Zoo	John St, Hanley	Charter	Aiming High

As often is the case Matthew picked a trip out with Aiming High as the trips are favorite activity. As the clocks had gone forward the night before, getting up to take matthew out today was the equivalent of getting up at 07:00 on a Sunday morning! Not being sure eactly how prompt the 10:00 start would be, we took Matthew out a bit early. This would also give Matthew a chance to take more bus pictures whilst he was waiting. We arrived on the empty John Street car park around 09:20, passing a couple of plain white Wright bodied single decker on the way to Hanley. as they were near the Railway station I assumed they were rail replacement buses. Tomorrow they start work on the new bus station.


City centre bus station coming Autumn 2012 (Matt)

We had a good 30 minutes around the entrance to the current bus station and it was surprisingly busy for that time of day on a Sunday, Matthew took 20-30 pictures including the 2 Wright bodied buses seen earlier which turned out to be Alton Towers staff buses along with another Alexander Strider bodied M425 UNW.


ATT Volvo B10B M425 UNW approaches Hanley bus station (Matt)

There were also buses from Scraggs, D&G and First

61237 was on a service 6B into Hanley.


61237 approaching Hanley bus station (Matt)

Just before 10:00 we walked round to John Street were the bus was already waiting as it had come in from the other end.


Aiming High FJ10 BJX outside the Victoria Hall in Hanley (Matt)

After Matthew had boarded they asked him were his camera was. We'd taken it off him as we always do on these trips. Last time Matthew had accessed a trip via his respite he had accidentally taken the camera with him. This time Matthew was allowed to take his camera as official trip photographer!


Pink Flamingoes at Blackbrook Zoo (Matt)


Penguin swimming at Blackbrook Zoo (Matt)


The Meerkat on the left has darker eye's...Matthew comparing Meerkats at Blackbrook Zoo (Matt)

When we collected him at 15:00 staff reported that he had been good as gold Coach MIB 246 was also there :-) (Mark)