Trip to the Britannia Stadium 09-09-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1450	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Wardle Transport
1450	Abbey Hultonm	Blurton	Charter	Wardle Transport
2404	Britannia Stadium	Stanley Matthews Way, Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew is back at college and the new term brought a new operator on his transport. We did get a letter telling us it was going to be Wardle, but the information was contained within the text of the letter and on the fold of the page! When it turned up we were totally surprised, The bus of the moment from April 2010 appears to be Wardle Transport 1450.


Wardle Transport 1450 on the College Transport (Matt)

Today he had the vehicle to college and back. After we had been up to the Bleeding Wolf for tea tonight after being back an hour or I asked matthew if he wanted to go and cover the 500 again tonight to which he said yes. We set off a little later than usual around 21:15 and we walked down getting to the Brit at 21:45 a mere 5 minutes before the bus was due. After a very brief sit down the bus appeared on the A50 ramp. Matthew got up and required 2404 rounded the corner. After the 3 or 4 minute journey to the other end of Stanley Matthew Way we got off the bus and then crossed the road to see the bus again after it turns at the roundabout to work the return journey. Matthew then got a shot a t the bus stop.


Wardle Transport 2404 in Blurton (Matt)

After that we crossed back and got one from the other side...


Wardle Transport 2404 in ready to work the #500 to Norton (Matt)

Another walk and we were home ready to look at our latest pictures...Mark

Trip to the Britannia Stadium 30-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2402	Britannia Stadium	Stanley Matthews Way, Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

Today we went out at night again as I am at work and can't take Matthew out in the day. We set off walking around 21:10 and arrived at the Britannia Stadium stop around 21:40. We watched the bus go up the ramp off the A50 and we could see it was a Dart. A minute later it rounded the corner and it was required 2402. We boarded the bus and traveled the mile or so to the other end. as usual after we got off we crossed the road so we could get a picture of the bus as it waited to do the return #500 service.


2402 at its start point about to work the #500 Trentham Lakes - Norton (Matt)

We then crossed the road to go home and got a picture from the other side as we often do.


2402 on Stanley Matthews Way (Matt)

we then walked home after unbelievably dropping on another new bus on this service. At this rate we will eventually have been on the entire single deck fleet on this service. Before long there will probably be Ex D&G buses working this service too...Mark

Trip to the Britannia Stadium 23-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2409	Britannia Stadium	Stanley Matthews Way, Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

With not being able to get any time off work at the moment, most of our trips are currently at weekends. As it had been a few days since we last went out on a bus I decided to take him to the Britannia Stadium again to catch the #500 service. We set off a fraction after 21:00. There was still a bit of light on the horizon as we walked down but it was definitely dark! we arrived at the Brit just after 21:30 and we waited for the bus to appear. After around 20 minute we saw a Dennis Dart dart up the ramp off the A50 heading in our direction. The bus rounded the corner a couple of minute later and it was required 2409.


2409 outside the Britannia Stadium (Matt)

We got on the bus and traveled along the distance of Stanley Matthews way. When we got off Matthew photographed the bus as it went to turn.


2409 disappears towards the roundabout to turn for return service (Matt)

As usual we crossed the road to wait for the bus at the bus stop. Matthew then got another picture of the bus whilst it was stopped


2409 awaits time before working the #500 to Norton (Matt)

We then crossed the road and he took another picture from the other side.


2409 from the other side (Matt)

We then walked home to settle down for the evening...Mark

Trip to The Britannia Stadium 11-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2408	Britannia Stadium	Stanley Matthews Way, Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

we had a little time so i decided to take him out to cover the #500. Setting off around 21:00 we walked to The Brit and arrived at around 21:35. We then had around 15 minutes to wait for the bus. The bus turned up and it was Wardle transport 2408.


Wardle Transport 2408 outside the Brit (Matt)

We did the short journey and whilst on the bus Matthew photographed the inside.


Inside 2408 (Matt)

When we got off Matthew got a picture as he sped away.


2408 heads off to the roundabout to turn ready for the northbound service (Matt)

We then crossed the road so he could get a picture at the stop.


2408 about to work the #500 Trentham - Norton (Matt)

Afterwards we had the long walk home...Mark

Trip to The Britannia Stadium 08-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2408	Britannia Stadium	Stanley Matthews Way, Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew had been good today and I decided to treat him with a trip out on the #500. It was the first running of this service since the north Staffordshire operations of D&G had been taken over by Arriva Midlands and joined up with Wardle Transport. We walked the best part of two miles to the stop outside the Britannia Stadium, by the time we got there it was proper dark! We had a 10 minute rest before the bus turned up. The bus was Wardle Transport 2408 which is required!


2408 outside the Brit... (Matt)

We Travelled the length of Stanley Matthews Way on the bus. Inside there are still remnants of this buses stint with First PMT, as there are still pink and purple sticker inside the bus. Matthew photographed the classic 'Cityrider' bus moquette.


Cityrider moquette inside 2408 (Matt)

We got off and crossed the road as always and waited for the bus to return to the first stop. We then got a couple of pictures.


At the start... 2408 ready to work the return service (Matt)

We then walked home in near total darkness. A small slither of sky was visible to the NW behind the bus as we walked home...Mark

Trip to Newcastle 02-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40003	ladybank Grove, Blurton	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66838	Stoke railway station	Newcastle town centre, the Alma inn PH (adj)	25	First Potteries
40139	hartshill, Kingswell Road (adj)	Stoke-upon-Trent, Lytton Street (adj)	26	First Potteries
60074	Stoke-upon-Trent, Lytton Street (opp)	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66839	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2931	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew hadn't been out yet this month, and as he had been quite good today I decided to take him out for an hour or two. We were ready about 30 minutes earlier than usual, so I decided we could go to the railway station on the other 23 diagram, the one that is almost always 40003. we went to the Ladybank grove stop tonight and after a few minutes sure enough 40003 turned up!


40003 in Blurton on it's usual 23 turn (Matt)

As we were earlier. I thought we could potentially cover all 3 buses on the #25 service, as well as one of the buses on the #26. This would of course depend on if all the buses were running to time. We did 40003 to Stoke railway station, and as it was on time we were able to casually cross the road to wait for the Keele bound #25 service. After a couple of minutes 66838 appeared on the service. I had worried Star Travel Minibus out that we should pass the next #25 outside stoke and we could go to the Alma and catch a #26 back to stoke for this bus. Going up Harsthill bank we passed 60074 on the Hanley bound #25 which was required! we got off outside the Alma and Matthew photographed the bus as it sped off...


66838 heads towards Newcastle on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

We got off the bus and head to the next bus stop towards Stoke. In hindsight we should have gone the other way as it was about 1/4 mile! after a short while 40139 turned up on the service. Initially I thought it was a bus that Matthew required, but I remembered it was the second bus we had the first time we had been to Chester specifically to ride on buses. we did this bus to Lytton Street, where once again Matthew got a shot.


Ex Chester Dart 40139 heading towards Longton on a #26 (Matt)

The plan was now, if the #23 was on time we would do it to Stoke station and pick up 60074 there, otherwise, just stay put and have a short ride on 60074. 40155 was indeed a couple of minutes late on the #23 Hanley, and we stayed put to make sure we got 40155. 60074 eventually rounded the corner. we did it to stoke and Matthew got a shot.


Purple 'W' 60074 on a #25 to Keele (Matt)

we crossed the road and waited about a minute before the next Hanley bound #25, this one was 66839 which we have had recently. we did it to the station and Matthew got a picture.


66839 on a #25 outside stoke railway station (Matt)

We then had 10 minutes to wait, before the #50, we did this by photographing the coaches behind the North Stafford hotel, and then sitting on the steps next to the bus stop. Todays #500 was 2931 which was the same as last time we did it. at journey end we crossed the road and then photographed the bus as it wait time for the return journey.


Wardle Transport 2931 at journey end on the #500 (Matt)

Afterwards we walked back home in darkness...Mark

Trip to Stoke 25-07-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
40154	Waterside Drive, Shepley Grove	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66847	Stoke railway station	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66841	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2931	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew has been away with respite, so I decided to take him out tonight to ride a few buses. I had seen 40379 earlier and because of the time I had assumed it was going to be on the 23A evening diagram. The bus was not required, but it had been a while since we had been on this bus. We walked to the stop in Newstead, and from he stop you could see a factory which had been on fire early that evening. When an ALX200 turned the corner we were most surprised! With only 3 AG allocated ALX200 to choose from, it turned out to be 40154. This was another bus that was not required, but we had been nearly 3 years since we last went on this bus too! As it pulled up at the stop, Matthew got a good picture...


40154 in Newstead (Matt)

We did the journey to Stoke which was relatively uneventful. There was a man on the bus who wanted to go to Dresden, but was not aware that this bus was only going to Newstead as most evening service don't go to Longton. He was advised to get off in Fenton and catch the #26. Just after he was dropped of we passed a Marshall bodied Dart on a #26, so that would have worked out quite well for him. As we got of we looked across the road to see 1 person at the stop. We must have missed the #25 Keele... Matthew took a picture of the bus we had traveled down on.


40154 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

After we took the picture, we saw the #25 Keele so we ran across the road to catch it. It was required Volvo 66847 with the silver 'W'. We did the short trip into Stoke town centre and we did not pass the #25 hanley. As we got off to take the picture of 66847, 66841 pulled up on the opposite side of the road and Matthew took a snap picture. In the end we weren't able to get a picture of 66847.


Here's one he took earlier...66847 as seen on the 10th July (Matt)


66841 in Stoke (Matt)

We crossed the road and were just able to get on it. When we got back to the station Matthew was able to get another better picture using his timer to holder the camera steadier.


66841 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

Round the back of the north Staffs hotel was a national holidays coach which Matthew was able to get a picture of by using a post to steady his camera and using his timer again. It did take a couple of attempt to get a shot with no car in front of it. after we sat and waited for the #500. Tonight it was another Solo, 2931 (BU54 ALL) which we had been on a few week previously on the #58. We did the journey now in darkness. Matthew photographed some of the passenger notices inside the bus. What he did not photograph was the 3" high Spongebob Squarepants sticker under the handrail next to the ticket machine! . It's the little details like this that make buses so individual. We got off on Stanley Matthews Way and then crossed the road to photographed the bus before it's return.


Wardle Transport Solo 2931 (BU54 ALL) on Stanley Matthews Way (Matt)

After taking a few pictures with the aid of posts and timers we set off on the long walk home...Mark.

Trip to Stoke 14-07-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T131 SGA	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
T131 SGA	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40171	Waterside Drive, Shepley Grove	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
66838	Stoke railway station	Cauldon College (adj)	25	First Potteries
2406	Cauldon College (opp)	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

Today Matthew unusual had T131 SGA to college and back. Matthew was really pleased with this bus turning up on his transport!

Matthew went to Hanley earlier to open a new account, and he was really well behaved so I decided to treat him to a quick trip later. I went out just before 20:00 to see what was on the 23A diagram. It was required 40171... Just after 20:30, we went out and walked the short distance to Newstead to catch the 23 to Stoke station. The bus was due at around 20:52, but it did not turn up until around 21:00. We did the bus to the station as per usual and Matthew took a shot as it disappeared into the distance...


40171 heads towards to Hanley on a #23 service (Matt)

Due to our slight lateness we were unable to do the #25 into Stoke. So I hatched a plan to do the #25 towards Hanley as far as the College in order to pick up the #500 there. We had about 5 minutes to wait and before long required 66838 appeared. As we got on the bus Matthew decided to say hello to a lady on the bus. As he went to wave at her, the man sitting in the seat in front visibly flinched as he thought Matthew was going to punch him. When he realised what was happening he did smile as I apologised for Matthew scaring him! We sat down as we did the bus about 1/2 a mile up the road. Matthew got a shot as it accelerated away...


66838 also Hanley bound outside Cauldon College (Matt)

I did a 84268 text to see when the bus was due. We had about 4 minutes for the 500. When a Dart came over the hill I was surprised. Having seen Solos and Versas on this service, it was nice to see another new type. Originally i though it was M113, but as it got closer we saw it was 2406, which we had been on from Middleport to Hanley back in 2009. Matthew got a shot as it approached.


Wardle Transport 2406 on College Road (Matt)

The bus was lightly loaded and the journey was quiet. After we had dropped the other passengers of at Sainsbury's and we were crossing the A500, a Z carz minibus appeared behind us. The driver must have recognised Matthew as he gave him a thumbs up as he tried to take a picture out of the rear window. We got off near the end of Stanley Matthews way and then waited for the bus to return to the starting point of the return journey where Matthew got a picture.


2406 at Journeys end (Matt)

As we crossed the road to walk home, we saw the bus in the sunset and took another picture. He used the upright of the crossing to steady his camera.


2406 about to work off into the sunset... (Matt)

We then went back home for a bottle of Aldi shandy before bedtime.... Mark

Trip to the Britannia Stadium 30-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
W187 RRE	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z Carz
MIB 270	Abbey Hulton	West Midlands Safari Park	Charter	Copeland's Tours
MIB 270	West Midlands Safari Park	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Copeland's Tours
S260 JUG	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
2933	Britannia Stadium	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

Usual transport to college with W187 RRE, a day out to WMSP on Copeland's tour MIB 270 and then a different bus back home in S260 JUG. It is a Mercedes 614D minibus.

It was another nice night, so we decided to Walk down to the Britannia Stadium and catch the bus back. Setting off just after 21:00, we got to the Britannia stadium around 21:35. After around 1 minutes wait the bus appeared It was 2933 again!


2933 on the #500 to Trentham Lakes (Matt)

We did the short run along to the end of Stanley Matthew Way and then Matthew got another picture
as the bus turned to return to Norton.


2933 turns about to work the #500 to Norton (Matt)

Another great run out with the added bonus of a nice long walk to help keep us fit... Mark

Trip to Stoke 28-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
T131 SAG	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
DX56 FYZ	Abbey Hulton	Park hall	Charter	Blackfriars
T412 JUX	Park hall	Trentham	Charter	Z carz
T413 JUX	Trentham	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Star Travel
S973 OVR	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40027	Waterside Drive, Shepley Grove	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
60194	Stoke railway station	Church Street, Stoke	25	First Potteries
66839	Church Street, Stoke	Stoke railway station	25	First Potteries
2933	Stoke railway station	Stanley Matthews Way, Hem Heath	500	Wardle Transport

T131 SGA was the power for this morning, once at college he did college transport to Park Hall. He then did T412 JUX to Trentham. He then did Star Travel T413 JUX to Abbey Hulton. he returned home on VW minibus S973 OVP.

It was a fine evening so we decided to go out tonight. I went to view the 23a diagram which was 40027. This wasn't a required bus but we hadn't been on it since January 2009! We walked the short distance to the Shepley Grove stop and after a short wait sure enough 40027 appeared.


40027 in Newstead (Matt)

A short journey later and we were by Stoke station. in this fine summer evening Matthew was able to get a good picture here.


40027 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

We crossed the road and waited for the #25 which was a Newcastle bus and usually required. Whilst waiting the other 23 diagram turned up with it's usual power 'dinky donut' 40003.


40003 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

A few minutes later the #25 turned up and it didn't disappoint! It was Ex Manchester Scania 60194! We then did the short run into Stoke town Centre where he got a good picture.


60194 in Church Street Stoke (Matt)

We noticed we hadn't passed the Hanley bound 25 this time, and there were people at the stop so we crossed the road to wait for that bus. Unfortunately there was a drunk who was a bit abusive. We just smiled and kept our fingers crossed he didn't turn violent. I often have to hold Matthews hand to keep him safe, so he called us a derogatory term for homosexuals! As we got on the bus the drunk also called everyone on the bus w*****rs because they wouldn't have a sing song! the bus was 66839. one which Matthew had been on before with his respite carers, but I had not. We got off at the station thankful to be in one piece...


66839 outside Stoke railway station (Matt)

We then had Approximately 10 minutes before the 500. the bus turned up and it was same as last time Solo 2933. the bus was reasonably well filled up to the distribution centre and then we were the only one left on. Before we got off Matthew got a picture of the inside.


Inside 2933 (Matt)

he then got an OK picture as it went to turn around for the Norton leg of the journey.


2933 on Stanley Matthews Way (Matt)

Another good nights bus travel slightly marred by the drunken fool...Mark

Trip to the Britannia Stadium 09-06-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BS51 ZJT	Blurton	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
GN53 EZT	Abbey Hulton	Newcastle	Charter	Z carz
GN53 EZT	Newcastle	Abbey Hulton	Charter	Z carz
BS51 ZJT	Abbey Hulton	Blurton	Charter	Z carz
40028	Ladybank Grove, Blurton	Heron Street, Heron cross	23	First Potteries
2961	Britannia Stadium	Blurton	500	Wardle Transport

Matthew hadn't been out for a few days and it was a clear night, so I asked him if he fancied a ride on the 500. This is a service we have been to photograph at this time of year in the past, but there are only a bout 4 weeks of the year when it is light enough to get a good picture at the hem Heath end. Previous viewing of this service have seen an X reg step entranced bus a couple of years ago and more recently Optare Solo's. In order to get to ride on the bus, i worked out you could catch a bus to Heron Cross, walk to the Britannia Stadium and then cath the bus to the end of Stanley Matthews Way. We made the long walk to Ladybank Grove and waited for the 20:52 from Newstead. Whilst we ere waiting we saw the bus go in the opposite direction. It was Optare Solo 40028 which we have not previously travelled on.


40028 heading towards Newstead (Matt)

After around 6 or 7 minutes, the bus returned on the Hanley bound service.


40028 on a #23 to Hanley (Matt)

After the short journey to Heron Cross, Matthew photographed the bus as it left towards Hanley.


40028 departs Heron Cross for Hanley (Matt)

After we got off, we walked the long walk to the Britannia Stadium. when we arrived at the stop we had around 25 minutes to wait. Eventually, we saw the bus go up the ramp and we could see it was a Versa! We did the quick journey along Stanley Matthews Way and just before we got off Matthew photographed the empty inside.


Inside Wardle Transport 2961 (Matt)

It was just too dark to get a good picture of the bus, but he did manage to get a picture.


2961 turning on the roundabout, about to form the #500 to Norton (Matt)

After we watched the bus go, we walked home the rest of the way... Mark