Trip to Stafford / Cannock 02-10-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
192	Stafford BS	Rugeley BS	826	Chaserider
51	Rugeley BS	Cannock BS	63	Chaserider
6757	Cannock BS	Landywood, Oakenhayes Farm	X51	NX West Midlands
6717	Landywood, Fairoaks Drive	Cannock BS	X51	NX West Midlands
30	Cannock BS	Moss Pit, Opp School Lane	875	Select Bus
29	Moss Pit, Opp School Lane	Stafford BS	7	Select Bus

Today we decided to do a relatively short trip due to the bad weather and the current fuel shortage. After checking the weather we decided to go to Stafford as Matthew as yet to travel on any Chaserider buses. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and a diet Irn Bru for breakfast. Around 12:00 we set off to pick up uncle Dave as he did not stop over last night. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned right onto Church Road and at the mini roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran past the BP garage we seemed to be be okay for fuel if not a little expensive. We ran Up Blurton Road into Heron Cross and we crossed over the A50 before turning left onto Grove Road. We continued down Wheildon Road and we stopped to pick up uncle Dave. We turned around and headed back up to Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road and right onto the Westbound A50. At Sideway roundabout we turned left onto the Southbound A500. As the weather was quite bad and I didn't know how traffic was flowing on the motorway, we decided to go down the A34 route. At Hanford roundabout we turned left onto the A34 and we ran through Trentham and past Trentham Gardens. We continued through Titensor and through Darlaston. We ran to the Wst of Stone and we continued down through Aston by Stone to the North end of Stafford. We ran along the last urban section of the A34 South of the M6 link road, and at the top end of Stafford we turned right onto Chell Road. We turned left onto Broad Street and we parked on the car park at the rear of Wilko. We paid for the parking at we headed towards the market. In the corner of the car park was black minibus H6 THY.

H6 THY in Stafford

We walked into the market and we headed to the cafe at the top end. Mum went to get the food and me and Matthew headed around the market to find the toilet. The toilet was near to the entrance to the right hand side. After using the facilities we headed back to the cafe to meet up with mum and uncle Dave. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. He also had some of mum's cheese on toast! After we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we headed to the bus station. We set off onto Stafford Street and we turned left onto Gaolgate Street. At the end of the road we turned right and into the bus station. We decided almost straight away we were going to do the #826 service towards Lichfield. Whilst we waited the 15 or so minutes we took a few bus pictures. We saw Chaserider 24 on a #841 to Uttoxeter.

Chaserider 24 in Stafford bus station

We also saw Select Bus Services 7 on a #875 to Cannock. A few minutes later we saw Chaserider 192 on a #826 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 192 in Stafford bus station

We got on the bus and we booked The Knot day tickets at £7.00 each before sitting towards the back of the bus. We had previously been on this bus when it was 3907 in the Arriva Midlands fleet back in August 2017 from the other end of Acton Gate to Stafford.. We set off out of the bus station onto the A34 and we turned right onto Chell Road. After a brief stop we continued onto Tenterbanks and we headed onto Bridge Street. We joined the Southbound A518 before crossing the big roundabout onto the A34. We crossed over the London railway line amd the Queens retail park and we continued South Eastwards to Weeping Cross. We turned left into Baswich lane and we turned right onto Porlock Avenue. We turned right onto Bodmin Avenue and right onto Stockton Lane. We turned left onto the A513 and we headed through Walton-on-the-Hill. We continued on through Mildford Common and we ran through a fast section of road through Cannock Chase. We joined the Eastbound A51 and we ran towards Rugeley. We passed Adams minibus 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 192 before it continued towards Lichfield.

Chaserider 192 in Rugeley bus station

Once off the bus Matthew decided he wanted the toilet. The tardis toilet that was by the bus station had been removed so we had a walk around the market to see if there was one there that we had previously missed. We did not find one there so we headed to the crossing to cross over the road to go to the petrol station. Opposite the crossing was the entrance to a park and what looked like a toilet block. It looked a little old and like it might not be open, but closer investigation revealed that it was open. It was a little basic and did not even have a sink! Not to worry as we had wet wipes in the bag. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards washed his hands with a wet wipe. We placed the wipe in a nearby bin and we crossed back over the road. As we crossed the road we saw a bus entering the bus station. As we got closer we saw it was Chaserider 51 on a #63 to Cannock.

Chaserider 51 in Rugeley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot tickets to the driver. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Caserider 51 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Chaserider 51

The bus had around 10 minutes before it's booked departure time so I looked up the timetable on the phone. It was only 10 minutes to Hendesford and further 12 minutes into Cannock. The bus waited until departure time unil setting off onto Elmore Lane. We crossed the roundabout onto Sandy lane and we headed Southwards along the A460. We crossed over the Rugeley to Walsall line and we ran fast through the countryside to the North end of Hednesford. We turned right onto Victoria Road and we had a short wait at the main stops in Hednesford near to Tesco before continuing towards Cannock. We continued to the end of Victoria Street and we turned right onto Market Street. We crossed over the railway line and we turned left onto Cannock Street. We crossed over the roundabout and onto Belt Road. We turned left onto Huntington Terrace Road and we headed Southwards. We veered right onto Old Fallow Road and we turned left onto Pye Green Road. We joined the A34 and we ran Southwards into town. We turned left onto the B5012 and left into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Chaserider 51 before it returned to Rugeley on a #63 service.

Chaserider 51 in Cannock bus station

We had a quick walk around the bus station taking picture whi;lst we decided what to do next. We saw Chaserider 7 on a #25 Pye Green circular.

Chaserider 7 in Cannock bus station

Also seen was Chaserider 162 on a #71 to Wolverhampton.

Chaserider 162 in Cannock bus station

A short time later we saw National Express West Midlands 6757 on a X51 Birmingham service.

NX West Midlands 6757 in Cannock bus station

We decided we were going to do this bus, and whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Alfa 89 enter the bus station on a coaching holiday excursion.

Alfa 89 in Cannock bus station

When the bus was ready for service we got on the bus and we flashed the Knot ticket to the driver before going upstairs and sitting down. The bus set off out off the bus station and we joined the A34. We ran onto the roundabout and did a 180' onto the ringway. We crossed the roundabout onto the A5190 and past the Mill Farm pub which is going to be a Carter and Miller steakhouse. We turned left onto the A460 and we ran past the McArthur Glen designer outlet. We pulled into the bus stop and we returned back Southwards down the A460. We turned left onto Votager Drive and we entered the Orbital Retail Park. We followed Voyager Drive to the left and we turned left onto Orbital Way. We rejoined the Southbound A460 and we crossed over the M6 toll road onto the A34. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and we turned left onto Gorsey Lane. At the roundabout we turned left onto Holly Lane and at the end we turned right onto the A34. We spotted a shop so we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6757 before it continued on towards Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6757 in Landywood

Once off the bus we walked back up the A34 to the shop. Matthew had a can of Pepsi max and a couple of chocolate bars before going outside. We met back up with uncle Dave and we went to the bus shelter opposite. Matthew ate a double Milky Way and I looked up the bus times. It turned out that the service from the stop on the A34 was for the #74 which was Mondays - Fridays only so we had to go around the corner onto Holly Lane to catch a X51 back to Cannock. There was a large puddle by this bus stop and whilst we waited we got soaked 3 time by careless motorists. If I had taken there details they could have been charged for driving without due care and attention. We checked to see what bus was approaching on the map. A few minutes later the bus came around the corner and it was National Express West Midlands 6717 as expected.

NX West Midlands 6717 in Landywood

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot ticets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Holly Lane and we turned right onto Gorsey Lane. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and then left onto the Northbound A34. We crossed the M6 toll and we ran Northwards up the A460. We turned right onto Votager Drive and we entered the Orbital Retail Park. We followed Voyager Drive to the left and we turned left onto Orbital Way. We rejoined the Northbound A460 and we ran up to the McArthur Glen retail outlet village. After looping around to the stops for McArthurs Glen we rejoined the Southbound A460. We turned right onto the A5190 and we ran to the edge of the town centre. We went Westwards onto the ringway and at the roundabout we turned left onto the B5012 before turning left into the bus station. We got up and as the bus was now empty Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 6717 before we got off the bus.

Inside NX West Midlands 6717

Once off the bus Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet. We went into the shopping centre and after using the facilities we came out of the shopping centre and looked around for a bus we could do to start heading back towards Stafford. We spotted Select Bus Services 30 which was about to do a #875 to Stafford.

Select Bus 30 in Cannock bus station

The bus was due off in around 10 minutes and whilst we waited we saw former D&G Solo's now Chaserider 104 & 106, Former Tyrer's Solo now Chaserider 148 and Daish's Holiday BJ16 KYO. The driver returned to the bus and we got on and flashed the Knot ticket to the driver before we sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto the B5012 and we headed Westwards. The origina; plan was to get off in penkridge and catch another bus forwards to Stafford. However, a consultation of the timetable revealed that this was the last bus from Penkridge to Stafford for the day! We decided to go to Moss Pit and catch a #7 forward to Stafford. We crossed over the M6 and we turned left onto Woolgarston Way. We ran forwards onto Boscomoor Lane and we turned right into Vale Gardens.We ran forwards onto Filance Lane. We turned left onto Francis Green Lane and left onto Cannock Road. We continued onto New Road and we turned right onto the Northbound A449. We ran fast up the A449 and under the M6. We past Select Bus Services 7 on the #875 to Cannock. We crossed over the railway line and we climbed the hill up to Moss Pit where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Select Bus Services 30 before it continued towards Stafford.

Select Bus 30 in Moss Pit

Once off the bus we had around 17 minutes to wait until the next and final #7 was duse to depart. Worryingly the departure board didn't have another bur displayed on it! Also here was no bus on the bustimes.org map apart from the #7 we had just missed which was heading towards stafford. I checked the Staffordshier CC bus times sight, bustimes.org & Select Bus Services own website whixh said there was a 17:50 departure. Whilst we waited Matthew ate a toffee crisp and we saw AJ's minibus MC15 DMX going Southwards. A few minutes later Matthew switched on his camera and the bus turned the camera out of Burton Bank Lane. As it approached we saw it was Select Bus Service 29 on a #7 to Stafford.

Select Bus 29 in Moss Pit

We got on the bus and we flashed the Knot ticket to the driver for the final time today. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Select Bus Services 29 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Select Bus 29

A quick bit of research revealed that this bus used to be 226 in the Bakerbus fleet, but it was still a required bus as it was branded for service #391 in Stockport. When it was time for departure the bus set off up the A449. We ran Northwards over the railway line and we ran into Stafford. We crossed the big roundabout and we joined the Northbound A34. We turned left onto South Walls and rught onto Cope Street. We turned left onto Eastgate Street and we ran forwards onto Salter Street. We followed the one way system to the right onto Malt Mill Lane and we turned left onto North Walls. We veered left into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. We had arraned to meet mum in B&M car park. Before we set off to the car we took a few more bus pictures. We saw Chaserider 64 on a #74 to Cheslyn Hay.

Chaserider 64 in Stafford bus station

Also seen was First Potteries 63174 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63174 in Stafford bus station

We headed southwards along North Walls on foot and we walked into the car par adjacent to B&M. Mum was still in the shop when we got back to the car and she appeared a couple of minutes later. Matthew had a sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and we joined the A34. We headed Northwards out of town and through Aston by Stone and to the West side of town. We decided to stop at Walton Fish Bar tea as they do really nice fish! Mathew went to the Londis store next door with mum and I went to the chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down a bottle of Cherry Coke. We ate the chips in the car and when we had finished we set off onto the Northbound A34. We had a couple of little things to do before we went home so we ran through Titensor and Trentham and into Trenbt Vale. We turned right into Harpfields Road. We turned around to face back Southwards and we stopped at a house so mum could pick some stuff up that she brought on an auction. Afterwards we went to get petrol. WE decided to go to Sainsbury's in Stoke as it was on the way to uncle Dave's house. We set off along Harpfields Road and at the roundabout we turned left onto Keelings Drive. We turned left onto London Road and we ran through the West End into Stoke. We stopped at the petrol station and filled up with diesel. We then headed inbto the car park to see the City Cabs minibuses. We saw City Cabs GN07 KXK parked up there.

City Cabs GN07 KXK in Stoke

Also seen was City Cabs FT61 UEP.

City Cabs FT61 UEP in Stoke

We set off onto London Road and we ran forwards onto Campbell Place. We continued around the one-way system onto Church Street and we veered right onto Liverpool Road. We turned right onto Elenora Street and right onto Copeland Street. We followed the one-way system onto Glebe Street and we turned left onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and we turned right onto Wheildon Road. We went under the railway line and we stopped at uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. 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. We turned right onto Beaconsfiels Drive and we got back to Blurton around 19:50. 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 TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Cannock / Brownhills 17-04-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6731	Cannock BS	Landywood, Oak Avenue	X51	NX West Midlands
6722	Landywood, Oak Avenue	Brownhills, Tamar Close	X51	NX West Midlands
168	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	63	Chaserider
62	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	26	Chaserider
178	Cannock BS	Brownhills, Tamar Close	3	Chaserider
1851	Brownhills, Silver Street	Walsall, Town Hall	8	NX West Midlands

Today Matthew was in residential and we were going to take him out for the day. We decided to re-visit Cannock. 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

Another vehicle seen was First Potteries 67153 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67153 in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room until it was time to go to Cannock. We went downstairs and we got in a car. We set off onto Temple Street and right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto City Road and we headed down the road into Stoke. We joined the Southbound A500. We did the A500 to the end and joined the M6. We ran Southbound M6. At Junction 12 we headed East along the A5 for a couple of miles before turning left onto the A4601 for the run into town. We parked on the multi storey car park by the bus station and we took the lift down into the shopping centre. On the way to the cafe we stopped at the facilities and Matthew used the toilet. We then head to 'The Copper Kettle' for dinner. A cafe that overlooks the bus station and gives great views of the bus coming and going, especially on the Wolverhampton and Pye Green circular stops. We took a table right by the window and we ordered food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walk the short distance from the cafe into the bus station and we saw required Chaserider 52 on the #2 to Huntington. Afterwards we had a walk around the bus station to see what we could catch. We saw National Express West Midlands 6731 on a X51 to Birmingham. We got on the bus and we brought Cannock plusBus ticket from the driver at £6 each before before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto the Ringway. We did a U-turn at the roundabout and we ran Eastwards out of town along the A5190. We continued North through Rumer Hill and Hawks Green. We turned left onto the A460 and we entered designer outlet west midland. After a brief stop we ran out onto A460. As we travelled down A460 through Churchbridge. We turned left into Voyager Drive and we entered Sainsbury's. After a brief stop we ran out onto Orbital Way and we turned left onto the A460. We continued along A460 and forwards onto the A34. We ran up the hill and into through Great Wyrley. We turned right onto Hilton Lane. We ran down the hill into Landywood. We turned left into Gorsey Lane and we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over the road and we visited the nisa local store. Matthew brought a can of Coke and a couple of chocolate bars. We went to the stop and we waited for a bus back to Cannock. A few minutes later we saw National Express West Midlands 6722 on a X51 to Cannock. We got on the bus and we brought Cannock plusBus ticket from the driver before we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Gorsey Lane. We turned right onto Hilton Lane. We ran up the hill and into through Great Wyrley. We turned left onto A34 and through Great Wyrley. We crossed over M6 toll and A5. We ran forwards onto the A460 and we ran down the hill into Churchbridge. We turned right into Voyager Drive and we entered Sainsbury's. After a brief stop we ran out onto Orbital Way and we turned right onto the A460. We ran through Hawks Green and we entered designer outlet west midland. After a brief stop we ran out onto A460. As we travelled down A460 through Rumer Hill. We turned right into the A5190. We went down the hill to Cannock. We joined the Ringway and ran down to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went to the stop to wait for a bus to Hednesford. We had a bit of a walk around now to see what buses were about We saw Select 21 on a #71 to Wolverhampton. We had a look around to see what we could catch next. we spotted Chaserider 168 on a #63 to Rugeley. We got on the bus and we flashed the Cannock plusBus ticket ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set out of the bus station and went North out of town onto Brunswick Road. We turned right onto Old Fallow Road. We went North up Huntington Terrace Road and then right onto Belt Road. At the roundabout we joined onto Cannock Road. We turned right into Market Street and we got off the bus. Once we got off the bus we headed into the Tesco. We went in and Matthew went to the cafe we ordered a Caramel Shortbread and a cup of Coke and Matthew went to the toilet. Once we had finished in the cafe we walked though the car park back to Market Street to wait for a bus back to Cannock. It was required Chaserider 62, a dual door Wright Gemini double decker. We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Midlands day saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Victoria Street and we did a 180' turn at the roundabout before returning onto Market Street. We turned right onto Station Road and we ran North for a round a 1/3 of a mile before we turned left onto Bradbury Lane. We continued West and forwards onto Broadhurst Green. Near to the Pye Green transmitter we turned left onto Pye Green Road and we travelled South back towards town. after about 2 miles we joined the A34 where we saw Chaserider 65 on a #74 to Stafford. We continued to the roundabout and we turned right onto the B5012 before we entered the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we waited for the next bus to Stafford. A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 34 on #85 to Nantwich. After a short while we saw Chaserider 178 on a #3 to Brownhills. We got on the bus and we brought Cannock plusBus ticket from the driver sat down near the back. We set off out of the bus station and onto the Ringway. We did a U-turn at the roundabout and we ran Eastwards out of town along the A5190. We continued North through Rumer Hill and Hawks Green. We turned left onto the A460 and we entered designer outlet west midland. After a brief stop we ran out onto A460. We ran up to the Hayes Way. We continued Eastwards for around another mile, passing the Tesco Superstore on the way. We turned right onto the B4154 and we ran up the hill through Heath Hayes We crossed over the B4154 and we ran around through the housing estates. We crossed the Five Ways roundabout onto Hednesford Road. We ran around Norton Canes and we ran North up Burntwood Road before we turned right onto Norton East Road. We continued into into Stoke town centre along Brownhills Road and forwards onto Hednesford Road. We ran up the hill and into Brownhills. We headed down Cherwell Drive where we got up and got off the bus. We walked onto Cherwell Drive and we turned right onto Hednesford Road. We turned right onto onto the A5. We turned right A452. We ran past the fromer police station and the site of a new McDonalds. A few minutes later we saw Chaserider 188 on a #3 to Cannock. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 1851 on a #8 to Walsall. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along High Street and we turned right onto the B4152. We ran through Shire Oak into Walsall Wood and we turned right onto the A461. We ran through Shelfield and we continued up to Rushall. We crossed over the A4148 and we continued North through Walsall and we got up and got off bus by fromer RBS. Once off the bus we walked down Lichfield Street and forwards onto Bridge Street and back to the bus station. We walked along Hatherton Street to see what vehicles were parked up on layover. We returned back to wards the bus station and car park and we saw National Express West Midlands 4334 on a #77 to Sutton Coldfield. We returned to the car and we met up with mum who had brought sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of the car park onto Hatherton Street and and we ran up to the A4148. We turned left and we ran forwards onto the A454. When we got to the motorway we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 10. Travelling home up the M6. We continued Northwards through the West Midlands and up through Staffordshire. We ran North to junction 15 where we cam off onto the A500. We travelled North up to Sideway and then we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned left 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. Matthew went upstairs to use his computer and chill out in his room. For a late tea we had chicken burger from kfc. He also had some fries and a cup of Coke followed by millionaire's shortbread squares. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. He chilled out until bedtime around 00:30... Mark.

Trip to Cannock 22-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2315	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	25	Arriva Midlands
2315	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	25	Arriva Midlands
3604	Cannock BS	Landywood, opp Holly Lane	1	Arriva Midlands
3736	Landywood, adj Holly Lane	Cannock BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3719	Cannock BS	West Chadmoor, opp West Chadsmoor Stadium	25	Arriva Midlands
3731	West Chadmoor, adj West Chadsmoor Stadium	Cannock BS	26	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to go to Cannock. We had decided to go to Cannock today as mum was due to meet up with her friends in Wolverhampton, and we had enjoyed our time there on our last visit. No research was done for this other than for me to study the Cannock area map to see where the different services got to. The weather was down as being light rain all afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had his usual breakfast of toast and juice. We set off around 12:10 and we headed to Heron Cross, passing the Lightning house where the current vehicle being refurbished was Mercedes minibus X86 JOJ. We then carried on to the the A50. At the western end of the A50 i remembered to turn left as we were heading South for a change. We did the down to the M6. and then we went South to the junction of the A5. After travelling a couple of miles Eastward we did the A4601 into town and we parked in the multi-storey car park. As we came into town we saw an ALX400 DAF working on a #26 Pye Green circular. We then walked to the bus station we saw required Arriva Midlands Dart 2315 on another #26 circular. We then went to use the toilet in the small shopping arcade before coming back to The Copper Kettle Cafe for dinner. Mum ordered the food and we sat at a table by the window which had just come free. As we waited for the food the DAF that we had seen early reappeared and we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 4791. I encouraged Matthew to get a picture of this bus just in case we didn't get a chance later and he did so.

Arriva Midlands 4791 in Cannock bus station

We had our dinner and then we walked down into the bus station. The required Dart that we had seen earlier was on stand so we decided to do that. Not before getting a picture of it first.

Arriva Midlands 2315 in Cannock bus station

We booked a Arriva Cannock Daysaver (£4 each) and we sat down near the back. We decided to do a full circuit on this bus as Matthew wanted to get a picture of the bus empty later. We headed North up Pye Green Road before heading back down through Hednesford. We passed the new Tesco which has now opened, before heading back into Cannock. As we approached cannock we passed 4791 on a #26 and so we knew we would have a wait if we stayed in Cannock to wait for it. As predicted we waited for the bus to empty at Cannock before Matthew got a picture of this inside of this refurbished Dart.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2315

We decided to try and do a quick out and back move away from the Pye Green circulars. Whilst there we saw Arriva Midlands MPD 2277 on a #31 service. Almost as soon as we arrived in Cannock we spied required Volvo B10M 3604 on a #1 Walsall service. Whilst we waited for the driver to ready the vehicle Matthew got a picture of this bus as Arriva Midlands 2328 pulled along side it on a #2 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 3604 in Cannock

Whilst we waited for 3604, most people boarded 2328, a bus that we had last time and one we have been on a few time before as a Wardle Transport or D&G bus. We got on 3604 and it was nearly empty. Matthew took a picture of the empty rear of this bus.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3604

We sat near the back to enjoy the noisy engine of this fine beast. We headed South down Walsall Road, and just after we crossed the M6 toll. Just south of this we passed 2 buses marked up A1. The was a single decker and a double decker, the later almost certainly being Arriva Midlands 4792. We decided to this #1 service to Landywood, just after the junction of Holly Lane so we had a choice of buses North. We got off and then walked back to see the stops. This was one of those occasion where the different services stop at different stops. On Holly lane the next #2 bus was not due until 14:59, so we walked around the corner to see when the next #1 was due. On this stop we saw that a #1 was due any minute and also we saw the details of the A1 service which runs from Wolverhampton to the Amazon distribution centre at Rugeley. Whilst we waited for the #1, Arriva Midlands 2328 appeared from Holly Lane on the Southbound #2 that we had seen earlier. A few minutes later we saw an Arriva Plaxton Centro approaching. As it came closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3736. We got on and sat down near the rear. A quick look at the buses I have travelled on revealed it was dud! It is a bus we travelled on during a trip to Stafford back in July. We did the bus back to Cannock where Matthew got a picture.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Cannock bus station

Matthew didn't take and inside picture of this bus, perhaps he remembered taking a picture back in July! Arriva Midlands 2315 was on the #25 so we decided to wait 15 minutes to see if 4791 turned up on the next turn. Whilst we waited we saw Midland solo 2565 parked up Matthew got a picture of this beast.

Midland 2565 in Cannock bus station

The next #25 was 3719, and we decided to do this thinking that we could pick up 4791 somewhere around the circuit. Matthew got a picture before we jumped on this bus.

Arriva Midlands 3719 in Cannock bus station

We sat down set off around towards Pye Green. I thought that 4791 was on the following #25 and that we would pass it as we left. We passed a single decker that was probably Arriva Midlands 3758. We decided to get of near some shops, to see what the next #26 was going to be and to visit a shop. We went in the Nisa shop and Matthew had a Galaxy Caramel and a can on Coca Cola. We checked the times of the buses at both stops and we decided to wait for the #26. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was required Arriva Midlands 3731.

Arriva Midlands 3731 on Pye Green Road

As it had gone dark we decided this was going to be our last journey today, so we called mum to tell her to meet us in the bus station. When we got back Matthew took another picture of this bus.

Arriva Midlands 3731 in Cannock bus station

Mum had said she was up by he toilet and so we went up there to meet her. We were thinking that maybe 4791 had swapped off the #25/26's and that we had missed it by not doing it earlier. After going to the toilet Matthew sopped at a shop and had another can of Coke and a Milky Way. As we walked back to the car we saw 4791 reappear on a #26 so we must have been unfortunate and of the 4 buses we saw or caught late on that this bus was the 5th one we didn't see. Back at the car mum supplied Matthew with a sausage roll and a bottle of Irn Bru before she said goodbye and left to meet up with her friends. So we set of back onto the A4601 and down to the A5. We then went back onto to the m6 up junction 14 where we came off as there was congestion further North. I accidentally got in the wrong lane so I had to turn around on the Eccleshall road before heading back to The A34. We did this north to Trentham and then headed to Longton along the A5035. As we travelled along we passed First PMT Marshall 40167 on a #23 to Hanley. At Longton we passed the Z Carz depot where there were 5 buses present. D104 XAN & BV51 BNO were at the near end of the row.

Z Carz BV51BNO & D104 XAN in Longton

Also present were Airport Transfer DL03 HHU and Mercedes minibus T131 SGA. we then headed down Longton Hall Road before heading home. We got back around 17:30. Matthew then had some computer time before having a late tea of sausage mash and carrots. He then chilled out for the rest of the evening before bedtime...Mark