Trip to Newcasle / Kidsgrove 16-11-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65001	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
65001	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Christchurch Street	11	First Potteries
HV18 FHH	Fenton	Kidsgrove	Charter	ABC Supreme
HV18 FHH	Kidsgrove	Fenton	Charter	ABC Supreme

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out to Newcastle 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 65001 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 65001 in Fenton

Around 09:00 we went downstairs and we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and onto Christchurch Street. At the day centre in the morning went to Newcastle on the bus. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto City Road. We walked down to the stop outside the flats and we waited for a First Potteries bus to Newcastle. Whilst we waited we saw D&G Bus 113 on a #1 to Park Site. 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 saw First Potteries 37159 on a #25 to Hanley. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. 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. Once off the bus we walked onto Castle Walk and into Wilko. Matthew brought a bottle of Coke. We returned to the bus station to wait for a bus back to Fenton. We returned to Fenton of First Potteries 65001 on the #11 to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton. we sat down. 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 we saw First Potteries 63096 on a #11 to Newcastle. 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 walked across the car park to the day centre. Matthew and his friends had a party for Children in Need. Matthew had oatcakes ans sandwiches and egg. In the afternoon Matthew walked to the pub. We set off onto Christchurch Street. We went into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and then had a glass of Coke. Once we had finished in the pub we walked back to the residential unit. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned left onto Temple Street we saw Stanton's of Stoke FJ13 CUU. We went upstairs ans Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew had made a I love Pudsey tie out of cardboard that he wore. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 970 going towards Longton.

Copeland's Tours MIB 970 in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw First Potteries 67662 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67662 in Fenton

Later on we then went out for tea. Transport for the trip it was ABC Supreme HV18 FHH. We got on and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned left onto Christchurch Street we saw First Potteries 42554 on a #23 to Newstead. and we turned left onto City Road. We ran down the hill and we joined the A52 and ran under the railway line. We turned right onto the Northbound A500 and we ran up to the A34. We turned right at the roundabout onto the A34 and we ran up to Talke we saw First Potteries 32648 on a #4A to Kidsgrove. At the traffic light we followed the A34 to the right and we ran into Kidsgrove. We turned right onto the B5371 and right onto Clough Hall Road. We stopped at the pub and Matthew went to the toilet. He also had a glass of Coke. For tea Matthew had a beefburger and fries followed by a lemon meringue pie. When it was time to go back we returned to Fenton on ABC Supreme HV18 FHH. We set off onto Clough Hall road and we turned left onto the B5371. At the end we turned left onto the A34 and we ran up to Talke. At the traffic light we followed the A34 to the left and we ran down to the A500. WE joined the Southbound A500 and we ran through Longport and Etruria. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned left onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and we went forwards onto City Road and into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road we saw First Potteries 67156 on a #23A to Hanley. and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. 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.

Trip to Apedale / Newcastle 27-03-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BN61 RWK	Fenton	Apedale	Charter	Z Carz
BN61 RWK	Apedale	Fenton	Charter	Z Carz

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. It was also the day Jack Whalley commented "this is so sad, taking pictures of buses in runcorn and widnes, end your life" on Matthew's Blog. We were also going out for tea as Matthew today. Around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go out we saw First Potteries 63177 on a #11 to Newcastle. Around 09:00 we set off on foot to the day centre. We walked onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street and onto Albert Square where we saw blue minibus DE02 WKT parked up outside the old Court building. the day centre. At the day centre we saw Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX parked outside.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

In the morning Matthew went out on Z Carz BN61 RWK. We set off onto Glebedale Road and we turned right onto City Road. At the roundabout we turned sharp left onto Victoria Road and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout onto Lichfield Street. We joined the clockwise ring road and we ran around to Broad Street and down the hill into Shelton. At Snow Hill we turned right onto Shelton New Road and we ran Westwards over the A500. We turned right onto Ford Street and we worked our way over to Gladstone Street. We crossed over the A53 onto the B5369 and we ran North through Dimsdale and we crossed the A34 onto Wolstanton Road. At the roundabout we travelled forwards onto Loomer Road and we followed the road around to Apedale. Once off the bus Matthew went to the café and had a can of Coke. He also went to the toilet. When we had finished we returned to Fenton on Z Carz BN61 RWK. We set off along Loomer Road and we crossed over the roundabout onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the A34 onto the B5369 and we ran through Dimsdale to the A53. We turned right and then left onto Victoria Street. At the light we turned left onto Shelton New road and we ran up towards Shelton. We turned right onto Cemetery Road and then right onto Stoke Road. We turned left onto Station Road and we ran past the railway station and forwards onto the AS2. At the roundabout we turned left onto City Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. We turned right into Glebedale Road and back to the day centre. For dinner Matthew had baked potato with tuna and cheese. In the afternoon Matthew went swimmimg. We set off on past the Co-operative Food store onto City Road and we walked down to the private road on which the swimming baths is situated. On the way down the road we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 970.

Copeland's Tours MIB 970 in Fenton

After we had seen the coach we saw blue minibus BK67 YGC. Matthew went swimming and after we had finished we came out and we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 394.

Copeland's Tours MIB 394 in Fenton

We set off on foot along the private road on which the baths are situated and we turmed left onto City Road. We crossed over the railway line and then we crossed over the road. We saw Harry Shaw YN15 ELW going towards Stoke.

Harry Shaw YN15 ELW in Fenton

We cut through off City Road onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room to chill out and use his computer. He also watched buses out of the window. We saw First Potteries 63177 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63177 in Fenton

A short time later we saw Stoke-on-Trent city council LK17 DXC going towards Heron Cross.

Stoke-on-Trent city council LK17 DXC in Fenton

Afterwards we saw Grocott Centre AY14 FBJ going towards Longton.

Grocott Centre AY14 FBJ in Fenton

Matthew went to Grandma's. We set off ontp Temple Street and we turned left onto Chrsitchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and we ran down to the A52. We went under the railway line and over the A500 into Stoke. We went around the one-way system and up Hartshill Road and into Harshill. We turned left onto the Avenue and we ran to the end where we turned right onto the A34. We turned off the A34 and we stopped at Grandma's house. Matthew went on the computer and had a can of Irn Bru. For tea Matthew had shepherds pie followed by treacle tart and custard. Staff came to pick Matthew up in the car and Matthew said goodbye to Grandma and we set off onto Occupation Street. We turned onto the A34 and we ran past Newcastle. Near to the KFC we turned left onto Robertson Avenue. We crossed forwards onto Douglas Road and forwards to the disco. We spent some time at the disco. Matthew went to the toilet and a glass of coke. After doing some dancing we returned to Fenton. We ran back to the A34 and we went South into Newcastle. We turned left onto the A527 and we ran up to the Jubilee Roundabout. We ran around the one-way system onto George Street and we ran into Hartshill. We ran down Hartshill Road into Stoke and we went around the one-way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 and onto City Road before going under the railway line. We climbed the hill and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. Matthew used his computer and watched music videos on the television. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Joiners Square / Trent Vale 21-11-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
DV10 JCU	Blurton	Fenton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
DV10 JCU	Fenton	Blurton	Charter	Shelton Care Group
41497	Magdalen Road, Blurton	Trent Vale, opp Chubb Way (Unmarked)	22	First Potteries

Today we were going to the pub for tea, not before Matthew had been to his day service. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange. Around 08:40 the bus turned up to take matthew to his day service and it was his usual bus, Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU.

Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU in Blurton

We got on the bus and sat down. We set off through Blurton via Newbury Avenue and onto Finstock Avenue. We went through Blurton and Heron Cross. At the lights we carried on straight into Heron Street and onto Glebedale Road before reaching our destination. In the morning Matthew spent time in the sensory room and on the computer. For dinner Matthew had sausage chips and gravy from the chippy. In the afternoon they went to a pub in a Intercity taxi. Then route to the pub was via City Road, and Manor Street. We then turned left onto Victoria Road. We crossed joiners Square and onto Lichfield Street and to our destination. We got to the pub and parked up. At the pub Matthew had a drink of Coke and used the toilet. Highlight of the bus sightings at the pub were First Potteries 63172 on a #6 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63172 in Joiners Square

When it was time to leave we had another taxi back to Fenton. We went down a side Street onto the A52 and then we turned left onto Victoria Road. We turned right into Manor Street and thenleft onto City Road before going on Glebedale Road and to our destination. When it was time to go home we got back onto Shelton Care Group DV10 JCU. The bus went through Heron Cross and over the A50 into Blurton. we got home around 15:00. Matthew had toast and a drink of orangeade and then we saw Copelands Tours MIB 970 go past towards OSSMAA. We set off to the bus stop around 16:00. The bus was a little early today and we had to run to the bus stop! As expected it was First Potteries 41497.

First Potteries 41497 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked to Harpfields Road. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto A5035. As we went along the A5035 we passed D&G 170 on the Blurton Plumline. The seats behind us emptied out as we entered Trentham so Matthew got a picture of them.

Inside First Potteries 41497

In Trentham we passed First Potteries 41540 on the #21B to Trentham Gardens. In Hanford we passed Scraggs Blue Buses 8416 VT going the other way. We joined the A34 and went under the A500 in Trent Vale. We passed First Potteries 41500 on the #22 to Dresden. We turned right into Harpfields Road and we got off the bus. We got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 41497.

First Potteries 41497 in Trent Vale

We walked back through the rain towards the pub We didn't have to wait for long before mum turned up and we went into the pub. Matthew had a brunch with bread and butter followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Whilst we ate highlights of the passing buses was First Potteries 32633 & 32634 passing on a #101 and Stantons of Stoke ONZ 1128 going towards Newcastle. Also seen was ABC Supreme FP53 ESU first going towards Newcastle and later going the other way. There was a gentleman with a small child who had been waiting over 40 minutes for a taxi so we decided to give them a lift to Penkhull on the way to pick up Uncle Dave. We drove along the A34 and onto London Road. We turned at Trent Valley Road and when we reached the Co-op in the village we dropped off our additional passengers. We carried on down Honeywall into Stoke and we turned down Shelton Old Road before joining the outhbound A500. We came off the A500 on Whieldon Road and we climbed into Fenton. After we had picked up uncle Dave, we headed up to Heron Cross and we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT. As we passed through Blurton we saw First Potteries 40028 on the #23 to Hanley. We got home around 18:00. Matthew chilled out watching bus videos and using his computer before bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip on the IBT Copeland's Tours tour 07-04-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53207	Ladybank Grove (adj), Blurton	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
MIB 542	Stoke railway station	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 864	Copeland's Tours depot	Stanley Matthews Way	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 864	Stanley Matthews Way	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 614	Copeland's Tours depot	Cheadle town car park	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 970	Cheadle town car park	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 346	Copeland's Tours depot	Stafford Road, Stone	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 346	Stafford Road, Stone	Copeland's Tours depot	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 746	Copeland's Tours depot	Trentham Gardens	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 746	Trentham Gardens	Stoke railway station	Charter	Copeland's Tours

Today we decided to try out our first bus tour. We have seen many of these advertised on various newsgroups, but when one was happening locally we decided to give it a go. Once it was confirmed that the start time was 11;30, we made arrangement of how we were going to get there. Mum got Matthew out of bed at 10:00 whilst I got some sandwich meat for our packed lunched and checked out what bus was Te 09:40 from Longton was First Potteries 53207 which was gong to be our bus down to the station later. I also saw Wardle Transport 2531 whizz by on the #22 to Longton. When I got home Matthew was dressed and was eating his toast for breakfast. He had also drank his orange juice. We set off just before 10:50 and walked to the Ladybank Grove stop to wait for required 53207. The bus arrived a few minutes late and Matthew got his picture.

First Potteries 53207 in Blurton

We got on the First Potteries Solo and Matthew sat down without honking the horn. The bus filled up quickly and we were never going to get a picture inside this bus. We got to the railway station only a few minutes later, which was quite good considering the roadworks and diversion. When we got off Matthew took a picture of the rear of this bus in the sun.

First Potteries 53207 by Stoke railway station

Uncle Dave was at the bus stop waiting for us, he had walked down to meet us. We crossed the road and sat on the steps by the Southbound stop. We didn't know which direction the first coach would com from, but we were confident we could get to either stop quite quickly. There was a small crowd gathering by the station and they looked like they might be bus enthusiasts. They were waiting on both side of the street with the majority been by the Wedgwood monument. At a little after 11:30 we saw a Copeland's Tours coach at the lights in the distance on Leek Road. So we crossed over to try and get a good location to get a picture. The coach approached and we saw it was required Copeland's Tours MIB 542.

Copeland's Tours MIB 542 by Stoke railway station

The coach set off and someone came around to collect the fares (£10 each). We headed onto Stoke Road and turned right towards Hanley. We went anticlockwise around the ring road and then down Lichfield Street passing the new bus station. In the bus station was First Potteries 34311 presumably after working a #32A dupe to Alton Towers. At the bottom of lichfield Street we turned left onto Leek Road. At limekiln light we turned right on the a52 and then right again towards Bentilee. We passed First's Adderley Green garage where 40003 was near the front and we could see an Olympian near the wash plant. We went down Anchor Road and then around Longton to join onto the eastbound A50 passing nearby the Z Carz depot. We went through Meir tunnel and turned into the Copeland's Tours garage. They parked the bus in a favourable position in the yard Everyone got off and took pictures of MIB 542.

Copeland's Tours MIB 542 in the Copeland's depot

We were allowed to look around the yard and take pictures, the only exception being in the North East corner of the yard where the withdrawn buses were parked . One of the Withdrawn buses was Plaxton bodied DAF MIB 229. After a few minutes in the yard taking pictures we were told that the next coach was going to be DAF coach MIB 864. They started the coach up and we walked over to it and took a picture before we got on it.

Copeland's Tours MIB 864 in the Copeland's depot

The coach went to the roundabout at Meir Park and then turned back towards Stoke-on-Trent on the A50. At longton we came off the A50 and joined the A5035 passing nearby our house! We carried onto the A34 and then headed to Hanford. At Hanford e joined the Northbound A500 coming of at Sideway. We turned off the A50 and parked on Stanley Matthews Way near the Britannia Stadium and we all got off for a very quick photo stop here.

Copeland's Tours MIB 864 near the Britannia Stadium

We got back on the coach and then headed East back to the Copeland's Tours depot. Matthew waited patiently for the coach to empty and then got a picture inside this unusual coach.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 864

This time the coach stopped outside the gates of the depot to help keep the changeover between coaches quicker. Whilst this occurred we took Matthew to the nearby BP garage to us the toilet and we brought some coke and chocolate too. We managed to do this quite quickly and so we sat down on a barrier next to some work being carried out in the garage. A minute or so later MIB 614 emerged through the gates and everyone took a few picture before getting on it.

Copeland's Tours MIB 614 outside the Copeland's depot

This time we headed eastwards along the A50. Matthew had been a little moody on the first 2 coaches, but the stop and drink seemed to have perked him up. We had a good fast run up to the junction of the A522. We turned back towards stoke and headed into Tean. It was a good fast run and it was really enjoyable zooming down this country road at a reasonably fast pace. At Tean we continued to follow the A522 and turned right. At just after 13:30 we pulled up in the Cheadle town car park and at this point we were left here for a break whilst they changed vehicles. We were told we would meet back up at 14:45. Matthew took a picture of MIB 614 before it went back to the depot.

Copeland's Tours MIB 614 in Cheadle

We used the toilet in the car park and we went for a walk around. We ate the rest of the sandwiches that e had and then went for a walk. we found a Kebab shop open and so we decided to have a small portion of chips each too. Whilst we waited for the chips we saw a couple of buses First Potteries 53829 was on a Kingsley service and 65003 was heading to Uttoxeter and Matthew took a picture of it through the kebab shop window.

First Potteries 65003 in Cheadle

We got the chips and walked back to the car park. By the time we had eaten the chips washed down with a can of pop and then visited the toilet again it was 14:30 and we only had 15 minutes to wait.We sat on the Millenium sundial steps and waited for the next bus. Pretty much bang on time Copeland's Tours MIB 970 made an appearance and after everyone had taken there pictures we got on the coach.

Copeland's Tours MIB 970 in Cheadle

We carried on North on the A522 up to the A52 which we did to Cellarhead. At Cellarhead we turned left onto the A520 which we did to Meir before getting back on the A50 and going to the depot gates. We got off and Matthew waited to get a picture inside MIB 970 too.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 970

Matthew sat back down on his barrier and we had a drink and a chocolate bar. We didn't have to wait long before MIB 346 came through the gates. Everyone took pictures and then we got on the coach.

Copeland's Tours MIB 346 outside the Copeland's depot

The bus set off eastwards again, and this time we came off the A50 at the A521. In Draycott we turned right onto Cresswell Road and we headed down to the south end of Stone via Hilderstone. There was still plenty of snow in place despite there not being any snowfall for over 2 weeks! We then headed into Stone and then turned left as if we were going to the A34. We stopped in a layby outside the West Bridge Park Fitness Centre, a place where some of the Wardle Transport buses layover in the week when working the town services. Everyone got off and we took some more pictures.

Copeland's Tours MIB 346 near the leisure centre Stone

Whillst there we saw a coupe of veicles go past. First we saw Silver coach 2557 VY whizz by. The we saw Joseph's minibus J618 PNE come past too. After picture were taken we all got back on the coach. The coach headed up through Stone and then onto the A520 which we did up to Meir. We then returned to the depot again, this time going inside the gates. We backed into the coaches parking spot next to MIB 229 and then the coach empty and Matthew took a picture of inside too.

Inside Copeland's Tours MIB 346

We got off and then nipped to the BP garage again. Matthew visited the toilet and then got a can of Coke and a Galaxy caramel bar. We went back inside the yard and took a few pictures, before taking a picture of our final coach of the day MIB 746.

Copeland's Tours MIB 746 in the Copeland's depot

We got on and sat down near the back. It was now around 16:00 and we were heading back to the railway station. Not before having another photo stop first though. We Turned about on Meir Park roundabout and then headed back into Stoke-on-Trent for the final time. We came off at Longton again and once again went down the A5035 nearby our house. At the end of the A5035 is Trentham Gardens and we went down to the very bottom of the car park and stopped for the last time. We all got off and took pictures of MIB 746

Copeland's Tours MIB 746 near Trentham Gardens

I asked Matthew if he wanted to return home on the #23 or get mum to pick us up and he chose mum. After taking pictures we called mum up to say that we might a bit early and we would call her when we were close to the station. We got back on the coach and we turned North on the A34 up to Hanford. We then went North on the A500, coming off at the city Road junction. We then headed onto Leek Road. We called mum to let her to know she could set off to pick us up. We then arrived at the station and got off. In front off us was Notts+Derby Paladin bodied Volvo B10 136 on a rail replacement service. We got a picture and then crossed the road to wait for mum.

Notts+Derby 136 by Stoke railway station

We didn't have to wait too long before mum turned up. We got in the car and drove to heron Cross dropping Uncle Dave off on the way. we then saw Lightning Travel FD53 UNX and also First Potteries 53830 on the #23A service. we got home around 17:20 and I made everyone tea, which was chicken popcorn and fries. We looked at our pictures for the day and then Matthew had a bath around 20:00. When he was finished he chilled out on his computer before bedtime which was around 00:00...Mark